On the banks of the Red Ceder.....

If I have a little boy someday....I'm going to buy these :)

Well its official......I'm a graduate of Michigan State University.  I can't even believe after six years of writing papers, going to class, writing notes, studying for tests, doing CAPA, checking angel like a million times, crying and stressing about getting things done that I can actually say I graduated and have a degree in Health Studies and a minor in Psychology :)

The Lord has been so gracious to me through this process and I have grown so much in my understanding of how to work hard not for my own joy (let's be honest....towards the end I would have given up at the drop of a hat) but for his glory and honor.  Without the strength that only He could give me I wouldn't have gotten to this point.  There are so many people that have faithfully prayed for me and given me the encouragement to continue when I didn't want to......David and my family have been there through it all.  Its really the most joyous feeling to finish something feeling like you did all you could and worked the hardest you could have.....I'm so happy and thankful.

Here are some photos from the day :)

Where's Casey?  I sat next to an MSU basketball player and my family thought I was still sitting down :)

I was a little excited :)

With my siblings....typical DJ photo.

All the family :)

DJ's girlfriend and her Mom.  They were so sweet to come!

Besides Graduation so many fun and exciting things have happened.  One of the highlights is that my sister is engaged!  Ryan proposed on the beach in Saint Joseph and her ring is really pretty (I wish I had a picture to show you).  They are planning an October wedding.  I couldn't be more excited for their wedding and having the privilege of calling Ryan my brother-in-law :)

Here is the happy couple!

Another really exciting thing is the birth of Adalyn Kay Dupuis!  She is the little girl that my friend Ashley and her husband Pearce were expecting.  They are really great friends of ours that we know from the Growth Group we are involved in through our church.  She is also the little one that I get to nanny for at the end of July and September and on.  I'm not sure I have ever seen a more beautiful little girl in all my life.  I love her so much already!

Isn't she precious?  Didn't expect anything less with the parents being as wonderful as they are!

I've been enjoying having time to relax and rest already.  It has been quite nice not having to worry about any assignments or things I have to do.  I'm excited to venture into more crafting since my mother-in-law bought me a sewing machine.  I have lots of ideas and I'm looking forward to spending time sewing and making things soon.  Everyone was so gracious in giving me gifts and I'm so thankful to all of them!

That is all for now.  I'm sure my next posts will be more updates of Addy and all the projects I'm working on.  Also, I'm really excited to being involved in a Summer Book Study with some woman.  I'll be leading us through a book called "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper.  I'm really looking forward to it :)

The Joys of the Mitten State

 You are probably asking yourself why I posted this picture......did you notice that I'm wearing a wool sock???  And yes....that's a warm cup of coffee.  The weather decided to take a dip back into cold weather which means that my feet get cold and thus.....warm socks are needed.  Everyone knows how much I love the cold weather, but I'll be honest, I was starting to enjoy the springy temps and not having to wear socks with my shoes :)  Needless to say...I want the sun to return and my wool socks to be put away for a couple months.

Enough of the complaining since we all know that Michigan weather is temperamental at times.  Easter is just around the corner and I'm super excited to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord.  We will be in Portage for most of the weekend visiting my family and hopefully seeing David's family as well.  This holiday is more that just one day......it is the celebration of the gospel that reflects the hope and joy of Christ that I strive to faithfully believe everyday.

My last post was full of photos and this one will include some photos as well.  After receiving our tax return and using most to pay off some credit card debt, we decided to save a little for something fun.  We decided to get place to put our coffee station.  My heart was set on a dresser, but David and I compromised with this:

Its a really cute table that I distressed and painted cream.  It turned out better than I could have imagined.  We also got baskets to put underneath that stores all my mugs, coffee supplies, and tea things (yeah I know.....I have way too much coffee/tea things).  Our other purchase was a little shelf for our plants:

This I also distressed and painted cream.  I love that my little plants are able to get more sun and grow.  They are all growing now!!!!!  The tomato plant is my favorite and just started to sprout a cute little spud.......I love growth.  We ended up getting both of these at an antique store in Lansing for only $30!  We were on cloud nine.  Sure they needed a little love, but what's more fun than making things your own.

David and I have loved thriftiness and antiquing since we first got married.  It is seriously one of our favorite things to do together.  I love being able to use things that someone else has used.....it makes me feel like our stuff has character and a story.  I also love being green and using things that no one else wants.  It makes me think twice about buying anything new.  Sure there are things that I like new like appliances and things like sheets......but furniture is so much more fun to me used. 

Making things is probably one of most favorite things to do by myself.  My husband is so generous in letting his crazy crafty wife try out new ideas.  It has become so cathartic for me.  Lately I have done one project that I stole from a blog I love called "Lovely Little Things."  You should check it out under my blogs....its JJ Heller's blog which you all know I love and adore.  Anyways she had this idea to put letters above your sink and use craft paper or fabric to cover the letters.  She used the word "Wash" but I decided to use "Joy" instead.  Here is the finished project:

Isn't it cute?!?  I love doing the dishes now :)  We also got a dish drainer.  Since we use the "envelope system"......I'm going to blog about this next time......I was able to use my money for households plus BB&B (Bed Bath and Beyond) coupons to get one really cheap.  Here it is:

The kitchen has become my new favorite place since I updated a couple things to make it feel new again.  I'm really starting to enjoy our cute little humble abode :) 

That's all for now.  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.....my husband is still sleeping.  Too bad sleeping in for me is like 8am.  Oh well...the joys of getting older I suppose.