randamocity

My heart will be satisfied

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 05:01:00 +0000

A strange thought occurred to me on my drive home from lunch today with David. I so often feel very young and inexperienced, or maybe that I'm still in practice mode for life, and not a real adult. The feeling that my voice isn't worth hearing or I don't have much to say in the bigger conversations of life can creep up on me.

But this just isn't true, and that was a weird thing to sit and think on for a few minutes. When did this happen?

I've left my twenties behind, full of beautiful memories and am at the front end of my thirties with much anticipation of all the adventures I will have there. I'm a wife, with someone's heart and intimate person in my care. I'm a mother, responsible for helping raise a tiny human into a kind, loving, strong, and powerful woman. I lead worship with my husband in front of hundreds of people every week. I stand in front of college students, children, my peers, and my elders in a physical sense and metaphorically through social media daily.

This could all become too heavy if I were to dwell on it. It's not in my personality to dwell like this but I know for so many it is.

Under all this weight, under all these roles, I could so easily get lost. I think many women do. I have my moments of struggle. Who have I become? Would 17 year old Miranda recognize 30 year old Miranda? Have I become a slave to my titles?

David's wife.
Marley's mom.
Pastor's wife.
Stay at home mom.

I cherish every one of these titles, but I also understand the depth of getting lost in their simplicity. Since deciding to stay home with Marley and quitting my office job I've thought on this a lot. Am I just another mom who stays home all day with her kid, and will never really have much to give society anymore? Have I lost my edge? Can I remain relevant?

I honestly didn't even realize this had all started to weigh on me very slowly.

Then I bought an album on iTunes by one of my favorite songwriters and his wife, who I'd never heard before. John Mark & Sarah McMillan. JMM writes amazingly poetic songs with rich meaning and depth. I love them! Then I heard the songs Sarah wrote and they reached in a spoke to a part of my heart I didn't know was in need. THEN I read where her heart was when writing and it hit home so hard.

"After the birth of my first son, life changed dramatically. It was a confusing time because I was overwhelmed with joy by the arrival of my beautiful boy, but at the same time grappled with depression over my unanticipated loss of freedom. The adventure and spontaneity that previously defined my life had all but completely vanished in the light of my new responsibilities and physical issues brought on by the pregnancy. My house had become my entire world and this song was a literal prayer to find Jesus here - even in the mundane of my everyday routine. Surely He could be here too."

Her words are simple and true. They speak of some basic truths of our Lord and how that plays into even my simple life of being home.

I have been reminded that I have identity. Yes I am a wife, mother, daughter, and singer. My identity is not found solely in these things though. My identity is found fully in Christ.

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

Since I am a child of God and can find my identity in Him, I need to know Him. I need Him to blow through me, turn my life upside down, and pursue me. And He will.

Women, we are more than our titles, wether self-imposed or tacked on by this world. We are more than our roles in this world and there is more for us than this life. We have big power and a mighty God blowing through us. Allow Him to blow through you and your life. When you're at work, when you're comforting that teething baby, when you're a strong shoulder for a loved one to lean on. Let His brightness shine on you and then out of you.

You overcome my days with the brightness of Your face
My heart will be satisfied
I will hope in the Lord!

Knit list

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 00:59:00 +0000

Being the unorganized but ambitious crafter that I am, I tend to have more projects in the works than I do completed ones. In some aspects it's nice. I always have something I could be working on. But at the same time there's also always something new I could be starting! It's a problem.

That being said, I just did a mental check and my knit list is slightly daunting when held up to my availability of free time. Granted, none of these knits are vital for life, but once I think up the need to knit something, it must be knit!

Maybe if I type up the list it will get done?

Doesn't hurt to try!

Finish Marley's baby blanket I started a year ago. (To be fair, the knitting is done. I just need to weave in all the ends...blegh.)
Finish knit lovey for Marley. Started it on the drive home from Florida back in April. It really just needs a head.
Finish Christmas gift #1. This is currently ahead of schedule and I'm so proud.
Knit cute poncho/capelet/sweater thing for Marley in beautiful purple yarn bought last week.
Knit birthday hat for David in yarn bought in February...oops.
Knit Matryoshka doll #2 using pattern notes. Then write out and publish said pattern. Make all the money.
Find, edit, and publish headband patterns I wrote four years ago. Make more of all the money.
Knit presents for special baby and ship around the world, just in time for his summer.
Finish first blanket I started before I ever got married. (This one is in storage, so it may be a while.)
Figure out all other Christmas gifts, buy yarn, start knitting and hope I finish before New Years.
Get around to knitting pants for friend who insists these are a necessity. (Or just keep this joke running for all eternity.)
Knit all the gnomes and send them with every student missionary all over the world.

Okay, I know I have more projects but this list is already out of hand and nap time could end any minute.

for you

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 04:52:00 +0000

Sometimes Facebook makes me sad and just plain blegh towards humanity. Sometimes it shows me friends (close and acquaintances) that are hurting. Sometimes it reminds me of someone I haven't seen or thought of in years.

In all these instances it has spurred me on to pray, lately.

For the lost and hurting.
For the persecuted.
For the confused.
For the ones full of anger.
For the struggling marriages and new widows.
For the lonely.
For the scared.

It has also encouraged me to try to have as positive a presence I can on social media. I'm not a confrontational person by nature and starting drama or divisions on the Internet is my last idea of a good time. But it can be so easy to get a little snarky or overly sarcastic in a medium where tone is lost.

So, I mostly post pictures of my silly baby and goofy poodle. I also interact with and call out my husband in a fun way. He enjoys it, I promise.

All that to say: if life has been rough on you lately and you've expressed that via social media, I noticed. I noticed and I care. I've mourned with you for whatever you've lost and I've prayed for you. I have hope for you and I hope you can feel that in some way.

I hope my random life and presence can make you smile a little and know that the Savior who brings me so much joy loves you.

What's a blog again?

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 03:18:00 +0000

I logged in to see how long it's been since I last wrote, and dang...almost a year. Then I thought about waiting 18 days to write this to make it a perfect year break. But I know myself. I'd forget. Write it today and schedule it to post later? I'd get too anxious. Hey, at least I know myself, ha.

Hmmm, what's been going on this past year? Nothing too exciting really. I'll just list it all out since life has been pretty slow and is basically the same as last year.

August 2014: David and I moved in with my parents when our apartment lease was up to help save all the money for a house. We have roughly 216 sq. ft. to ourselves.
October 2014: I had a baby. A daughter. Marley Diane. She showed up on the 15th and basically nothing changed, I don't know why everyone says life is never the same...weirdos.
December 2014: Went back to work after 6 weeks and basically hated it. Loved my job, hated being there. It was weird, confusing, frustrating, and a total downer for me.
Christmas break. Woo!
January 2015: Went back to work and gave my notice. Lots of mixed emotions.
February 2015: Began life as a stay at home mom, while living with my mom...who also stays home because she's retired. Lots of momming around this place.
April 2015: Road-tripped to Florida to introduce the Bordens to our spawn and go to DisneyWorld with just David. So much fun. So much.
June 2015: David's company did a major downsizing and he was one of the lucky ones to get the boot. We're actually pretty excited to figure out what we're gonna do next.

Like I said, no big life changes. ;)

I was thinking earlier that now would be the perfect time to really kick this blog off into a cool new direction. Some potential candidates for new themes?

Small Space Living: the adventures of Chuy & Marley
Hipster Parenting: how to mom in Austin. TX and retain hipster cred
Woes of a Worship leader's Wife (what does that even mean?)
Just Keep Knitting: crafting with tiny fingers all up in my business

Those are just a few thoughts. Then I remembered I'm Miranda and I am terrible at this whole intentional blogging thing and don't actually know enough about being a hipster or lamenting about the ever present woes of being married to the clergy. What I am good at is sporadic, snarky posts full of Instagram pictures and maybe a few deep thoughts about the life I lead.

For now, enjoy a picture of my ridiculous family that I absolutely love doing life with. (Doing life with? Ugh. How 2010.)

7 months of changes

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:58:00 +0000

I've been pondering what to post for a while and time eventually got away from me.

There were times in the life of this blog where I thought I'd post multiple times a week, document daily life, every detail of my wedding, pregnancy, apartment decorating, and so on. As my life grew and changed over the years I've realized that though I still love this blog, it just probably won't ever be something I devote a lot of time to...and I'm ok with that.

It's not that I don't enjoy sharing my life on here, I do. It's more I'm not very good at time management and this has just become a lower priority in life. I do like to come back and add pictures and sometimes there will be spurts of updates. Maybe someday it will pick up again as a regular thing. We shall see :)

For now, enjoy these updates. The last 7 months have held some big changes for David and I and some of them are revealed in the pictures below.

Got some new ink.

David turned a year older and got some new guitar toys.

Chuy turned 4!

We found out we'll be be gaining a new Wall in October!

Chuy remained the cutest poodle in the world.

I turned a year older.

Started baby knitting.

More baby knitting!

Did some non-baby knitting.

Back to baby knitting.

Colors 2 and 3 of a big 7 color blanket for baby.

Dyed some onesies.

Lots of naps and chill time on the couch with this little guy.

More couch time.

Even more couch time with Chuy.

infinity times infinity

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 19:16:00 +0000

I've been listening to a lot of Sleeping at Last and knitting lately. The song 'Sun' has some good words, but I like this excerpt the most:

Infinity times infinity times infinity times infinity.
Let there be light, let there be light, let me be right…

And in keeping with the infinity theme of this little post....I knit my first infinity scarf!

It's squishy, soft, and lightweight. Perfect for a Texas winter where it's 36 degrees in the morning but 60 in the afternoon. I enjoyed working on this a lot. It's a simple 2x2 rib scarf with the ends joined and wrapped with yarn. I may never knit a normal scarf again when I know I can make a shorter piece and get a better end result!

Crazy Walls

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 20:24:00 +0000

I'm here! Life blew up in the good way and blogging has been my last priority the last few months. David and I both work and on top of that are now the worship leaders for 3 different services at two churches. It's a lot of work but we love it and are so excited to see God's plan unfold and be revealed to us. So. Fun!

I've been doing a little crafting, mostly Christmas gifts and the like. I have some things that are 90% done that I hope to put up in my shop soon. Whenever that gets done I'll post it here and on my facebook page.

I'm excited to see what 2014 has in store for the Walls, and I hope to share a glimpse of our lives with you!

Falling into place

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 19:01:00 +0000

I can't believe we're almost halfway through October already!

I thought life was settling down after our move but man, was I wrong. Here's a quick rundown of what we've been up to over the past two months:

Began leading worship at a small church in Manor, TX
School started and work at the BSM got crazy
Loving having a super fun house mate
Cut more of my hair off
Led the rec team at our church's fall retreat and wore lots of neon
Spent time with our besties who are serving in Haiti
Discovered AWOLNATION.....so good
Spent a lot of time making our new apartment home
Bought new jeans a size down, success!
Finished ladies Bible study and about to start a new book with them
Lots of experimental cooking
Started leading worship on Wednesday nights for the Woodlawn youth
Leading worship this weekend for BSM retreat
Storing up lots of new crafting ideas in my head once our studio is cleaned up and usable

I want to expand on some of these soon, so we'll see if that happens. Life is busy, but so beautifully full and I love it.

lovely balcony lights

enjoying our peaceful view

BBC Manor // where we lead worship on Sunday mornings

driving out to Leakey, TX

short hair again!

doing our thing

never a dull weekend around here

feeling more like home daily

sweet potato gnocchi // successful new recipe!

excited to play music!

Summer

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:59:00 +0000

I inadvertently took the summer off from blogging. There was a lot going on in the Wall home and now that life is settling back down into a semi-regular groove I hope to update much more.

Here's a rundown of our summer.

Of Monsters and Men concert
Mumford and Sons concert
Started a ladies Bible study with 5 amazing women
Major Jaw surgery with brief hospital stay
Lived on couch for two weeks recovering from surgery
Knit many gneon gnomes
Lots of physical therapy on jaw
Learning how and what I can now eat
New prospects for leading worship for David and I
Cut over a foot of my hair off
Cut all Chuy's hair off
Began singing again
Made pom pom garlands
Moved to the apartment across the hall
Learning how much singing I can tolerate while still recovering and healing
Gained a super fabulous roommate named Sophie

That's basically all...nothing major, right? :)

If you want to stay more updated you can always like my randamocity facebook page or follow my instagram @randamocity. I update those way more than the blog.

Our studio is a chaotic warzone right now from the move four days ago. Here's a picture of some gnomes I made this week to tide you over until I can get everything organized and start creating again. These were a custom order for a bride's wedding cake. I had so much fun working on colors and details with her.

bejeweled

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:30:00 +0000

I've been on a bit of a jewelry making kick lately. Compared to knitting and sewing it's just so fast and easy to complete a project! I'm also really picky about buying jewelry so I've just turned to making most of my own, unless it's something I just can't or don't know how to make. I love the versatility making my own jewelry gives me, plus it really is super easy.

I keep intending to make and sell some of my jewelry but I just haven't updated my shop yet. I do have at least 4 necklaces hanging up at home ready to sell. I've even taken nice pictures of them! Lazy? Yup! :)

Below are some necklaces I've made that aren't for me to wear. The first was my sister's Christmas present this past year. The second is one of my favorite creations lately. Mini spools wrapped in metallic yarn on a simple chain. There are even color options!

Little bits of lovely

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Thu, 30 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I love working on little details in our home. It's those details that make this place we live in so particular to us and not just any apartment you see on Pinterest or in a magazine (also the clutter and mess...)

I made this wreath sometime last year and its been hanging on our tv/art wall since Christmas. I purposefully made it black so I could easily change the decor on it to fit any season or holiday. But, since its me we're talking about, even easy decor changes can get procrastinated on for months.

Sunday, May 26...I finally took the Christmas colors off the wreath and added some colors to carry us through any season and match the living room. I also did this about 20 minutes before guests were scheduled arrive. Pressure inspires me...as with any procrastinator ;)

Homebodies

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

David and I both enjoy going out and seeing people, live music, movies, and being outside. We're also homebodies though. When we're tired or just want to relax, the best remedy is to just hang out together at home.

This led to our slight snap decision to go out and buy a new couch this past weekend. We'd talked about it before but decided our old futon was fine. Well...finally it just wasn't fine anymore. Plus, I'll be spending a lot of time home on the couch in a few weeks so we decided it was time for a big purchase.

We decided pretty quickly on this awesome corner sofa in light grey from ikea and we love it! It's comfy, there's room for both of us to stretch out and Chuy thinks its pretty cool too.

After getting the sofa into our third floor apartment we were inspired to finally clean up the living/dining area of our home. Now all that's left is organizing and cleaning up our studio. I love how this apartment becomes home more and more each day. Enjoy some pics :)

Chuy loves the new sofa

Do you see a little friend?

adventure!

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:37:00 +0000

We had such a great time in Dallas last weekend! It was a bigger blessing than we imagined and we are SO thankful for the opportunity.

We've been recovering from little sleep and traveling this week and getting my next jaw surgery scheduled. More on that later.

I did manage to get some crafting done on the drive to Dallas. You'll see him below. That little gnome is heading to Southeast Asia to replace his long lost brother who was lost. It fills my heart to know my little guys are all over the world with friends and acquaintances sharing the gospel. So cool!

Enjoy our weekend documented through instagram:

sustenance for the road!

love road tripping with him

got some fun new sunglasses from old navy

made this little guy just in time for our adventurous detour to avoid I-35 traffic craziness

David kept refusing to smile...

...but I got him :)

day 2 breakfast date at IHOP

huge beautiful chapel at DBU

waiting around for sound check to start

leading worship for the commissioning service

us during the reception after the service

Until the whole world hears

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:27:00 +0000

This weekend David and I are leading worship for the orientation and commissioning services for Go Now Missions in Dallas. This is the same organization that sent me on 3 summer mission trips around the world and David on one. Our journeys with Go Now are a huge part of our story as a couple so we love being able to be a part of the organization after our college years.

It was when I was flying home from my first overseas mission experience in northern Germany in 2005 that I felt a strong calling towards leading worship and being involved in ministry beyond regular church attendance. Two years later I spent an entire summer in the mountains of Montana as a worship leader for a small church. Now, eight years after that first calling I have the awesome opportunity to lead worship with my husband for the agency that was such a pivotal part of my ministry journey.

Also, many of the students I work with will be there and are getting ready to be sent all over the world. Such a cool thing to witness!

Pray that we are able to get out of the way and let God use us this weekend and for the hearts of all the students preparing to go. The nations are ready and waiting!

Fun new app!

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:51:00 +0000

There's a wonderful blog out in the world of blogs called A Beautiful Mess. It's basically two sisters sharing their life and lots of pretty pretty things. Today their photo app went live on iTunes and I love it! You can read more about it in their post here. My mother-in-law got me an iTunes gift card for my birthday so this was my first purchase with it.

Tonight I will be working on cleaning up and organizing our studio so I can do more crafty things! I might post pics, or I might forget and post them months away from now, ha.

for the moms

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:22:00 +0000

For Mother's Day this year I decided something cute and small would be fun. The Purl Bee's flower sachets have been on my to-make list for a while so I picked them. I had all the felt and fabric I needed so I started playing with colors last week. Both my mom and David's mom like teals, blues and purples so their sachet sets turned out very similar. The pictures here are of David's mom's set. The ones I made for my mom all have a solid dark purple squares with white, dark and light aqua petals, backed with teal and white fabric. Theirs are pretty much just opposite teal and purple.

They're filled with rice and I added drops of scented oils: cinnamon, lavender, strawberry, and vanilla. The cotton fabric on the backs is thin enough that the small comes out enough to make any small space smell yummy.

The moms loved them. Now I need to make some for our home because they smell so good!! I've been working on a lot...stay tuned :)

Time is marching on

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:37:00 +0000

March is almost over, which mean 2013 is almost a quarter of the way through. Life is moving so fast. I haven't been updating much but I have been creating a lot and living a lot. Below are some highlights of my life lately:

I had my 5th TMJ arthroscopic surgery in January
We celebrated 2 years of marriage
David was ordained a deacon at our church
I've fallen more and more in love with my job
We lead a time of worship and prayer every 3 weeks at our church
Anticipating the return of new Doctor Who episodes
Lots of hand-sewing and knitting
Realization that my jaw isn't recovering and I need arthroplasty
Chuy, as always, makes life just a little cuter
I've embraced a deeper fondness of fashion
We feel more drawn to missional living and doing life with a community
We are also hooked on New Girl and I want to be Zooey Deschanel

David and I are also learning to really embrace who we are as a couple, as people, and as the artwork God created us to be. I read this quote on Kristina's blog and I just absolutely love it:

"Embrace the uniqueness God placed within you.

If you can do that, you'll give the world a beautiful gift."

SO GOOD. I've personally really learned to embrace my own uniqueness and not hide it or try to make it more than what it is. God created me in a very particular way and I shouldn't try to be someone else. He already created someone else, there's no need for me to try to reinvent that. Simple.

Since no post is complete without a picture or two here are a few of life lately.

In Fredericksburg celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary

loving my pup.

playing with some new hair styles.

David leading worship while I recovered from my surgery.

happy puppy.

learning to appreciate beauty in the most mundane things.

no explanation needed.

silly sisters.

my man can drive a bus.

the two most important men in my life.

stage before Mania Marathon 12/13

I'm more active on instagram on a daily basis so feel free to follow me there: @randamocity

2 years

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:35:00 +0000

Two years ago, today, I married my absolute best friend. And although he is super handsome and attractive, makes me laugh, sings to me, plays multiple stringed instruments, rocks flannel like no other, wears a great beard, and is generally awesome...that's not why the past two years have been so great.

Don't get me wrong, all those things help make up who he is and are part of the equation of why I love him so dearly. The heart of our marriage, though, can be best described in the below lyric:

You're in the whisper between two lovers
igniting passion long after the altar.
You are the reason I sing
You are the reason I sing

The "You're" up there is referring to God. He is the whisper between our hearts that keeps igniting the passion, love and affection we have for each other. And obviously He's the reason we sing, which as many of you know, is a huge part of our story, our lives, and our marriage.

Because we try to keep Christ in the center of every aspect of our marriage, it's been amazing! Now there are some rough moments when I just cannot believe he says something, or I can't handle another episode of some anime cartoon, but those just don't matter. Honestly, if my biggest complaint about marriage is I have to watch anime every now and then, or he leaves macaroni on the stove for a few days, then I'd say we're doing it right. Some say that first year is the hardest...um, awesome! It only gets better?! Our 10 year anniversary is going to be amazing, and I can't even wait to see how fun it gets at year 50.

Last night we got to listen to a panel of five married couples who all had different stories and backgrounds talk on marriage. There were newlyweds, one married 55 years, second marriages, no kids, adopted kids, kids from previous marriages, etc. It was such a blessing to just listen to them all talk about the role God played in their stories and how they all keep Him in the center of their marriages. It got me thinking about our story and how God's will is so interwoven in every aspect. Sure we pulled against Him at times and tried to do our own thing but He constantly pulled us closer to Him and I'm so thankful for that.

David, you are my perfect match and I completely enjoy every day I get to spend being your wife and partner in our fun journey through life. I can't wait to see where God takes us next, and I'm game for anything as long as we get get to do it together. I love you.

Still here...

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:23:00 +0000

Oh hey, blog. I basically took the holidays and January off from blogging to spend time with family, do lots of things at church, have surgery, recover from surgery, snuggle with my pup, and just rest.

I have lots of pictures to share so be ready!

Gettin things done!

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Here's how life is going lately:

Lots and lots of singing
Secret Christmas present projects
Ladies night planning
Pocahontas watching
Chuy snuggling
Salsa eating

photo booth fun at a church Christmas party!

church musical rehearsal

my handsome hubby workin' hard

new white Christmas lights at home!

sequins & felt Christmas decor

pattern writing

family portrait

did you know I have a pet Falkor?!

puppy noses...it doesn't get cuter

Getting festive

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:05:00 +0000

Hey hey hey!

19 days till Christmas!!!

I've been keeping busy with crafting, decorating, gnoming, singing and perfecting my bangs. It all sounds so interesting doesn't it?! A truly glamorous existence over here, I promise you.

I made some cute little bunting to hang in our bathroom to decorate for Christmas without it being too shiny and tinsely. I love how it turned out! I made another in green/yellows/greys for a friend who is away from home for a while and needed something cheerful to hang.

I've also been perfecting my little gnome pattern redo and sending them off to journey around the world. These little guys just make me so happy, especially all grouped together. I'm working on finishing the re-done Christmas tree pattern that can go with these guys so I can complete my Christmas Santa set. We'll see if I get around to making them available for order. I might be able to crank out a few sets if anyone is interested.

Christmas time is here and I love how our home feels now. Christmas tree up, stockings hung, twinkly lights and glittery ornaments up, and the apartment is actually clean...this is huge.

I'm working on some fun tall, skinny, felt Christmas trees for the mantle. Hope to get those done this weekend.

I found these adorable skull and crossbones buttons at the craft store last week and immediatly knew I had to get them to make something for these 2 girls at my church. I even got some sparkle pink felt and used some sparkly black and pink tulle. They scream hardcore girl! So excited to give them to them soon.

Chuy is becoming more snuggly by the day. He normally hates anything on top of him but the other morning he stayed in bed like this until we were ready to walk out the door. He's just too cute. Love my little poodle.

I plan to write some wordier posts soon. I even have some topics swirling around in my head, just need to find the motivation and the mood to write to get them done. I'll leave you with the topics so you can wait in anticipation (because I know your life depends on what I write here.....riiiight), and I'll feel more obligated to actually write them. :)

Why I got a tattoo
Our love story...and how it almost wasn't (several posts)
How to knit a gnome

Life

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Life has been getting in the way of blogging lately, and I'm totally cool with that. We've had a great month and December is looking to be just a fun. Lots of music, worship leading, family time, church and work fun. I'm really excited about my Thanksgiving break starting this afternoon! Ah, the perks of working with college students.

I haven't been up to much lately when it comes to crafting. Made some necklaces, some gnomes, rewrote a knitting pattern than I plan to offer for free soon, and apparently took lots of pictures of Chuy.

I'll be cleaning our home this week and getting it all ready for CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!! Ahem, sorry. Get ready for pictures galore of Christmasy stuff.

late night necklace making

Chuy didn't want to get up

I was almost tempted to stay home all day with this face

November concert of prayer was a huge blessing

even sleeping, he's a cutie

Insta-update

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Here's my life according to instagram lately...

Staff meeting at Bacon last week...yum

Lots of yummy meals with the hubs, including Cabo Bob's, one of our faves.

Christmas tree pattern writing.

Finally finished this little cutie! Hoping to have sets ready to sell soon!

Led some worship with the hubs.

David kicked off Movember by shaving off his beard...Let's just say I'm ready for December 1 :)

Chuy got a haircut and still manages to be too cute for his own good.

I got a new dress to celebrate 24.5lbs lost! (That .5lb is hanging on for dear life, ha)

A classic lunch.

Made a new necklace last night and loving it. It has great sparkle in the light.

In Exile

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:18:00 +0000

Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. The words are just so true to how I feel about this life vs the eternal life I will have later with Christ. I love my life, where I am, who I do life with...but I'm just passing through on a journey to get closer to God and spend eternity with Him. Thrice does a great job expressing exactly how I feel about this. :)
I am in exile, a sojourner
A citizen of some other place
All I've seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror
But I know, one day well see face to face

I am a nomad, a wanderer
I have nowhere to lay my head down
There's no point in putting roots too deep when I'm moving on
Not settling for this unsettling town

My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don't belong here, I'll never
Call this place my home, I'm just passing through

I am a pilgrim, a voyager
I wont rest until my lips touch the shore
Of the land that I've been longing for as long as I've lived
Where they'll be no pain or tears anymore

My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don't belong here, I'll never
Call this place my home, I'm just passing through
In Exile | Thrice

I'm ready...

noreply@blogger.com (randamocity) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:46:00 +0000

Anyone else ready to decorate for Christmas yet?! I'm ready to get going with twinkly lights and shiny red and green everywhere. The hubs makes me wait until Thanksgiving but after that...it's on!

To keep me at bay until then I do decorate a bit for Halloween, so that helps. And I will be decorating my Sunday school classroom with a smallish Christmas tree this weekend to promote the Operation Christmas Child toy drive that our church is doing. Boxes are due November 4 so I want there to be a reminder the week before.

This is all the crafting I've done in the past week...

knit feather

David and I went to Houston this past weekend to see my best friend Emily and her hubby. While there we had to go to Southpaw Guitars (all left-handed guitars for my backwards hubs) and I knit a feather prototype while he played. I have a few changes I plan to make and then incorporate it into some cool stuff.

my Emily!

Saturday - paddle boating in Houston

some pretty new fabrics

Sunday - Pentatonix concert! So good.

Monday - IKEA trip to get David a cool table.

Expect Chuy pictures soon, he's getting a major haircut as I type this. :)