Starting A Virus

So...Kayleigh and I are constantly trying to think of ways to do something special with our lives. But it's not easy, and we always joke that it would be a lot easier if there were 36 hours in every day. Even then, I don't know if that would give us enough time to accomplish all we would like.

But, we're taking a crack at it.

In a week or two, we will be releasing a little book called 'From Me To You: A Love Virus'. It's only 44 pages, and very simple. Still, we think it contains a powerful message. Too many people in this world are uncertain if they are loved, and too many people don't know how to express love to friends and family.

The premise is pretty simple. The book is a short letter from one person to another, very clearly and simply expressing what so many of us have a hard time saying: I care about you, and I'm always going to be there for you. In short, I love you, and that's never going to change.

The book is meant to be read, and then passed on, spreading from one person to the next (hence, the love virus). We're not really trying to sell books, but we are trying to shake things up. In the front of the book is a place to write your name and city, so whenever you receive the book from a friend you can see where it has traveled. The website will feature a map tracking the 'virus' as well.

We'll update more on the book later. It should be spreading within the next two weeks!

The Small Things

I thought it would be nice to share a few silly little things that happened in the last 24 hours that made me so happy:

- When I got a little cart at HEB (because it reminds me of going to Piggly Wiggly in Arkansas )
- Getting a call from my 737 girls that they want to come visit!!
- Hearing the song "Take on Me" by a-Ha and "Rains in Africa" by Toto
- Picking out flowers and small 'cactus succulents' for my pots!
- Finishing decorating our room with a clean, crisp and simple look
- Relaxing in the sunshine
- Seeing ShuShu the lizard

I asked Craig what are little things that make him happy so here's his list:

- Oranges that peel easy
- Taking the first few breaths when he steps out the door in the morning
- The smell of the ocean more than being in the water
- Being the first one in a public restroom after it has been cleaned.
- State capitols
- Sitting in a deer stand before sunrise
-Serious collectors (of like stamps, etc.)

Grateful

It sure is nice to have good friends these days. As I was driving home last night from working out, our car (that we just spent a hefty amount of money on to get new breaks, spark plugs and wires, valve gasket covers, etc.) started shutting down on me. I stopped the car, turned it off, and immediately noticed the engine smoking. Then I heard a "POP!" I called Craig, somewhat frantically, and he said he'd come right away.

When he got down the road to where I was, I was not in the least bit surprised that our roommate Nathan was with him. The guys opened up the hood and were looking around and asking me questions about what had happened. Turns out there was a hole in my battery. It literally EXPLODED. Anyways, to make a long story short, Craig and I had to go get a new battery while Nathan got the car off the road after calling his mechanic.

Despite all of the frustrations, Craig and I will never forget the sight of Nathan sandwiched in between 2 trucks hazard lights and all- pushing and running with our car in neutral for about 1/2 a mile. We are grateful. Grateful that this didn't happen on the highway I had just gone down, grateful that we had another person to help out because we could not have done it on our own, grateful that Nathan's wife Jamie turned our dinner on low on the stove so that it wouldn't burn while we were taking care of all of this, and grateful that we have one another. For when Craig is frustrated and easily angered (which rarely happens), I am typically positive and calm. And when I can't stop crying, Craig is right by my side offering encouragement and laughter.

We have faced several difficulties this week, but we continue to be  grateful for what we do have and the blessings of friends and family. Thankful to God that He provides in more ways than we can ask or imagine.

DIY

My wonderful friend Maria just moved into a new apt in Austin and I got to see it last night. We are going to DIY it up to try to create space for her tiny kitchen, adding shelves and what not in preparation for she and her soon-to-be husband to live in. Anyways, I love love love being crafty and artsy every once in a while, so I thought I'd share some of my DIY projects from over the years. Enjoy! And let me know if you want me to do anything for you, I'm banking with the free time. -K

 I re-painted my grandmother's desk, chalk white, and used it in college.

My piano was ugly ugly orange and I stained it black with blue/turquoise chalk paint as an accent. Love it! The picture doesn't do it justice.

Here are a few canvases I covered with scrapbook paper for decorations.

I made the mossy 'S' and the sign for my little sister's wedding!

This banner was what kept me sane when we moved to Austin and I didn't have a job...also used for sister's wedding :)

World Vision!

Since moving to Austin, I have started working for a fabulous hospice agency- www.hospiceofthehills.org- more on this later... The company is new and right now I'm working there as needed. So since I still have free time, I found a part-time job with World Vision to work with them at Barton Creek Mall. I just love the girls that I work with and this job has taught me so much. I am by no means a fundraiser, but have learned where there is heart for what you believe in, then there is a way to learn the skills you need to do the job.

My duty is to get sponsors for kids representing over 20 countries and the communities that are in the most need of support right now. I have had hundreds of conversations about how people's contribution will help the communities that these precious little ones live in... it's been indirectly right up my alley with this inner need of doing community development :). Basically we don't give people fish, we teach them how to fish to be self-sustaining.

Out of the hundreds of conversations I have had, not all of them lead to that person sponsoring. I am always overwhelmingly blown away by the way that the Lord shows up through people to encourage us right when we need it, right when we have been ignored over and over (or heard so many no's we want to scream!). There are good people in this world. There are people doing remarkable things. I have talked with a UT student who is biking from Austin to Alaska to raise money for MD Anderson for cancer, a woman who is moving to Thailand with her newborn baby to work with abused and neglected girls, an incredibly generous woman who sponsors 2 kids and prays for them every day, etc. I have to believe that God is going to use sponsorships, andthe seeds we plant, and the relationships that come from them to His glory.

Our lovely and interactive World Vision booth!

Lucky Day

We made the trip into Waco to see our family this weekend, and spent Sunday celebrating Mother's Day. I guess you could say we are blessed, but that would be an understatement.


First of all, we are so lucky that our families live in the same city. Most married couples we know have to travel to different places to see different people. This makes holidays a nightmare, and typically cuts one side of the family out. Not for us. Both sets of our parents are still married, which is unusual in itself, and both are so easy going that we never feel pressure to be one place. It's all very relaxed.


We went to my grandparents for lunch and ate taters stuffed with BBQ. Two grandmas, a grandpa, uncles, brothers, sister-in-laws, and nephews--the works. Cade (age 1) entertained us at the dinner table by pointing at different people and waiting til someone said their name.  


Later on we went over to my other grandma's house and looked at her brand new couches.


For dinner, we headed to the Northern's and took our dog Riley to play. There's usually a passel of 4 dogs over there so she had a good time. Me and Zach tossed the football while the others were cooking dinner, and then we all sat down to chicken, corn, and salad. Afterwards, we watched funny and wondrous youtube videos.


All that helped me forget that on the same day I got a $1300 estimate to have my car fixed. 


We're lucky. 

TOP 5: TV shows

We don't watch a whole lot of television, but some shows are irresistible. Here's a rundown of our favorites...


Craig
1. Dexter
2. Modern Family
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. Kitchen Nightmares
5. Parks and Recreation

Kayleigh
1. Modern Family
2. Betty White's Off Their Rockers
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. White Collar
5. Big Bang Theory

"Why wasn't I number 1 on your list? We need to talk."

Here Lizard, Lizard

Alright, so for the past few days it has been really rainy and humid and not as hot it was for weeks! It makes me a little sad (though I'm thankful for the rain!) because I was just getting to know a little lizard friend that was waiting for me on our porch when I got home from work in the afternoon. But since it's been rainy weather, I haven't gotten to see him! Craig says he lives in our wood pile under a black tarp. I'm still trying to figure out what to call him. I was thinking Shu Shu since everytime I did see him I would tell him to "get off my porch! Shoo, you lizard!" as he would look at me and kinda shake his head and scurry off. Keep you posted if I see Shu Shu again! -K

Cremated

Kayleigh is concerned about being cremated or buried. She has been on the phone with her parents for half an hour discussing the matter. I tried to listen in on the conversation, thinking it might make for an interesting post.

I wasn't let down.

Kayleigh has decided she wants to be cremated, but her mom thinks she needs to be buried in a body. K's main worry was that if she didn't have a body, she might not go to heaven on account of being a heap of ashes. However, she recalled the saints who were burned at the stake, and figured they turned into ash at some point, and that if they went to heaven she would too, ashes and all.

My thought is this: if God can create a universe, he can sift through the ashes.

Kayleigh? Can you hear me in there?

Think on These Things

Philippians 4: 6-9

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

This is one of our favorite passages of scripture, and the focus of Austin Ridge Bible Church's "Time With God" today. I was encouraged to memorize verses 6-7 when I interned at FBC Woodway and Bob recognized I was a very anxious person. How freeing it is to know that we can talk to God about anything. That He wants us to be a part of and surrounded by good things. We are so thankful to be where we are, have the friends and family we have, and to be doing things we love. We hope this for you today as well.

Love,
Kayleigh

The Awkward Phase

Everyone knows what I'm talking about. You went through it, admit it. The Awkward Phase usually hits around 4th grade and lasts through 7th (give or take a few years). Just thought I would share what I looked like when I was younger to give you a picture of what Craig was talking about when he made the "She's All That" reference. Laugh all you want!

Staple Bluebonnet picture

my beloved dog Coco!

Showing off all my rad Christmas presents!

It Started With Robin Hood

One night during high school, a friend set up a little get together at her house. So me and my buddy went over, pleased to find it was just us and two girls. The odds were in our favor. One of the two girls was Kayleigh, who had been an acquaintance for a long time. Like, since we were four years old. But we had never really spent time together. The honest truth is that she was a nerd for the past ten years, and then blossomed into this hot chick, like the movie 'She's All That'. (Except I'm no Freddie Prince Jr.)

Anyways, we wound up having a great time that night. The main reason for that good time was a movie none of us had seen in many years, Disney's 'Robin Hood'. For a highlight of the movie, you can read and hum the flagship song from that classic tale.


Robin Hood and Little John 
Walkin' through the forest 
Laughin' back and forth 
At what the other'ne has to say 
Reminiscin', This-'n'-thattin' 
Havin' such a good time 
Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally 
Golly, what a day 

Never ever thinkin' there was danger in the water 
They were drinkin', they just guzzled it down 
Never dreamin' that a schemin' sheriff and his posse 
Was a-watchin' them an' gatherin' around 
Robin Hood and Little John 
Runnin' through the forest 
Jumpin' fences, dodgin' trees 
An' tryin' to get away 
Contemplatin' nothin' 
But escape an' fin'lly makin' it 
Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally 
Golly, what a day 

Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally 
Golly, what a day 

Thanks, Robin.