Zoe Pictures...

Okay - I'm trying to post some photos of Zoe (she turned 1 on October4th) - let's see if this works...

Photo 1- Zoe's 1st Birthday w/ cake (she wound up a mess a few minutes later :) )

Photo 2 - Zoe in a hamic, isn't she fun!

Photo 3 - Zoe with my mom (Momma Lea - we call her) in North Carolina last week - look at those dimples!!!

- I'll be back with more this week, I have some other fun things to post about.

Catch-Up

I'm wondering if I have any readers any more... are you out there?
Well - here's some catch up from the McCall Family. The Conference in Chicago was AWESOME! It was really nice to get away and experience some fall weather (even though it's in the 50's in Tampa tonight!!!!) (Artie and I have the windows open and it's so nice!). The Conference was at Willowcreek Community Church - which is HUGE - but it was very encouraging and really gave Artie and I a lot of neat ideas and direction. We didn't take many pictures, the Conference was all day. After the conference got out we didn't have much time - especially because we stayed 45 minutes outside of downtown Chicago. We did go into downtown one night and got to see Artie's sister Carrie -- it had been too long! It was great to see her! Here's one of the only pictures we took that would show any of Chicago...

O - at the Conference we got to hear from one of Artie's favorite author/speaker - Erwin McManus. Here's a photo...
Chicago was definately beautiful and I for sure hope to go back one day and get to see a little more of it.

Well, after our return - we had our neice's FIRST birthday! Yes, Zoe turned ONE. I can't believe it! She's gotten so big so fast. She's officially in the stage where she's changing so much that everytime I get to see her now she's walking, she knows a new word, knows who we are, is eating all different foods. It's pretty exciting. It really has made me think about how awesome God is to give us such a sweet parallel of He delights to watch us grow! I love being able to encourage the college girls that I meet with, with the simplicity of telling them how delighted God is as they take steps, learn new words, learn His people, and continue to feast on His Word. I love it!
Anyway - here are some of the latest photos of Zoe. She is quite the cutie...

(Blogger isn't responding with my other photos, I'll be back with the rest)

Up, Up & Away

Artie and I are off to the windy city ... Chicago ... for a Conference. I've never been before. Artie has lots to show me. And we get to see his sister who lives there. Lots of good pictures (I hope) when we return. Stay tuned!

Back to Normal

So, I'm getting more and more refreshed and feeling back to normal a little more everyday. Moving and getting settled in a new house (on the heals of my first mission trip to Africa) is quite an exhausting process. Plus, I am definately the type of personality that likes to get everything settled and DONE pretty much right away. I don't like having projects looming over my head (and NO where to sit!) in EVERY ROOM! So, we pushed and worked extra hard to get things put away and as close to normal as possible. It feels great! I love to see the product of my own hands (and so does Artie). But, now we're working on catching up on our sleep -- we missed about 3 hours of sleep per day in the first month!

I have to be honest, it's really nice to be able to know where your Bible is and be able to come home from work and do ANYTHING but unpack and organize something.

To add to all these feelings is the reality that I process things so much slower than my husband! Artie can feel and process things immediately. And then there's me - after he's settled down a bit, I'll then go to him and wish I could muster it back up in him. Like our house... It's settling in more and more for me. I am incredibly thankful for this point in Artie and I's marriage. It just kind-of symbolizes the 'home' that we are buildling together. Our foundation is laid and now we're buildling on it.

It's really fun watching this new side of my husband (even though it's not really NEW - just magnified). He loves our home and cares for it. When we get home from work, he typically puts on work shorts and a T-shirt and gets on the roof or measures something or screws something or fixes something. And now I have to literally call him to dinner (it's quite cute).

And then, you know God - in the midst of all this home stuff, of me wanting new things for the house, of the endless home-imporvment list, etc ... I started my Fall Bible study, the study of "Daniel" by Beth Moore. Where she teaches and challenges us that we very well are living in a modern-day Babylon! A place where over-indulgence and self-focus is just the way of survival. It's pretty amazing!

House Update...

Okay, Okay ...
So, it's been way too long since I've posted. Hopefully, I still have my faithful readers out there!? Well, as you'll see, we've been very busy! Seeing how our entire house was PINK (yes, pink ladies and gentlemen) inside, we've been painting up a storm! Artie and I have tried our home improvement skills and clung to our Home Depot "1-2-3 Home Improvement" book. From the day we were handed the keys, we've been updating, fixing, repairing, installing, removing - and finally we're at a stopping point. (Not to say that home improvement is ever really over, it's definately looking like 'the McCall house' and it's comfortable enough to take a good break.) Here's just a few of the before-and-after pictures...

I have to close this blog with a word of thankfulness. Artie and I have been overwhelmed with how God has provided for us. We have more than we need or could imagine. We are so grateful to Him for supplying us with this precious place and give Him all the thanks!

I'll be back, sooner than later...

Sale Pending

Well, incase you haven’t already heard (and I would be surprised if you hadn’t – we’ve been talking about it to everyone!) …

ARTIE AND I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!

We’ve been house hunting for quite awhile and came across this one in late June. We knew it was just right when we walked through it! We love it! We look forward to having the space to have friends over without stepping on each others toes :) (thanks to all of you who endured our small space!). Artie and I drive by it every few days (the people living there probably think we're crazy ... but we are, about the house!) We are packing up and extremely ready to go! We close on Friday, the 28th and move in on Saturday the 29th! We are so thankful for how God has provided for us and look forward to using our home for His Kingdom. And just to add to our blessing, we have several families from our church that live in the neighborhood! Stay tuned for some before-and-after pictures … it definitely needs a personal touch inside!

Kyle & Mandi's Wedding

Last weekend, we had some out of town friends get married here in Tampa. It was such a sweet day and everything went great. I was asked by the bride to do her flowers. I got some coaching from a friend who does them often and gave it a shot. I did two alter arrangements and four bouquets. Also all the décor. It was a lot of fun and I was so happy to be able to give to a bride, since I was the recipient of friends helping out at my wedding not too long ago. Here are some pictures …