5:30pm Friday

We got a call 5:30pm Friday from HR saying they are going to offer Phil a position and they are still working on the numbers, so they will call us back on Monday with the offer. That was a huge answer to prayer, because as you can imagine we were getting pretty bummed we hadn't heard anything all week. We thought that could be a good sign, cause a no would have come more quickly. We were actually on our way to get margaritas when the phone call came. So instead of mourning over our strawberry margs, we celebrated!

We still have to see the offer and pray about it, as always, I'll keep you posted!

No news yet

Every morning we wake up thinking, "is today the day!??!". Nope, no word yet.

Phil thinks the interview went extremely well. As great as it could have. No regrets.

I'll keep you posted!

Where I am Today

Right now I am blogging from our state's capital. Phil is in his interview and after spending 2 hours at the public library downtown, eating delicious corn and poblano chowder by myself at the Whole Foods Market, and now 2 hours later at The Book People bookstore, I am anxiously awaiting Phil's phone call that the interview is over.

I have been praying for him throughout the morning and now I just can't wait to hear how everything went.

We spent Saturday driving around Austin, getting a feel for the city, and falling in love with Northwest Austin, specifically The Arboretum. We found an apartment complex that reminds us so much of our first apartment and have decided that if we do move, that will be our home. It is awesome. It is in walking distance to the outdoor shops - GAP, Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor, Starbucks, tons of restaurants, and a little hike to the HEB. Really, on a gorgeous day, I could walk for miles.

Sunday we went to Hill Country Bible Church NW. We enjoyed it very much and hope to return to continue to see if that is our next church home. The teaching was really solid - they were starting a new study on Ruth. Ruth?! When was the last time I studied Ruth?! It was in-depth and applicable. We have never been to a Bible church before and were pleasantly surprised. Then, Phil had this great idea to take a drive through the country and have lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. The canyon views are just spectacular. So many times it reminded us of Colorado.

That evening we drove to Southwest Austin to look at more apartments, but quickly realized that Northwest Austin is where we would want to call home. We drove out to the County Line BBQ on the Lake and gorged ourselves with the best barbeque we have ever had. Mmmm I could get used to that.

And, here I am now. It is 3pm and Phil should be calling any minute now. We should know something by the end of the week - THE END OF THE WEEK! Ahhhhh - is this really happening?!!

Our pumpkin

Thanks to Casey who brought the Martha Stewart initial pumpkin idea to my attention, we carved our very own initial pumpkin. It was so beautiful! We didn't realize that carved pumpkins start to rot after 4-5 days, so I am sad to report that our pumpkin is no more. I'll remember that next year though!

Phil carving the pumpkin. I had the "pleasure" of hollowing it out. Ick, but kind of fun!

And the couch goes to...

My little sister. Turns out Jenny's new apartment can hold two couches and she would like more seating.

Thanks for tuning in!

Anyone need a couch?

Our beloved couch is free for the taking. We have had it in our family for 5 years now - a handme down from my aunt (who purchased it from Star Furniture). We finally have acquired a matching set of couches! This couch is very comfortable, as any of you who have sat on it know, and I recently bought the slip cover for it - underneath it is floral.

If you want it or know anyone who does - please call us! If I don't have any takers by this Friday, I'll call Second Mile to donate it.

So Proud of Phil

Some of you might know that we are looking to move to Austin. For the past few years God has been cultivating so many passions in us that were ignited during our trip to Europe. The big question of the trip was: What are we doing with our lives? Are we where we want to be? Are we doing what we are called to do - or are we settling for someone else's view? So, here we are - fully in. We returned from our trip, Phil put together his resume, sent it off to some companies he admires and now he is onto his second interview at this one: Springbox.

I am so proud of him. If you ever talk to him about design, you know he is so humble about his talent and gifts. (if you read my confessions post - one of the songs/cheers I sing is about how talented he is!) This is HUGE for him and us. It is exactly the direction he has always dreamed of going - working for a design studio in the center of the design movement. I can't wait to see how him being challenged further will grow him to be an even better designer than he already is. I honestly can't fathom how much better he can be. I joked with him after his first phone interview - the company was saying how impressed they were with his portfolio and what attention to detail he has and richness of design - and I said to him later - yeah, and that is with me nagging him at times (hurry up - dinner is ready!) or coming in every few minutes to see what shade of blue or green a site is in that moment - imagine what he could do without such distractions!

So, we are finishing up house projects we were too lazy to tend to before now and looking to sell our house. We would love to sell it friend to friend, like our friends Steph and Casey did, cause we love the idea of blessing friends, knowing what a great house our house is and wanting to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it. We'll see what God has in store.

We would love for you to say a quick prayer for us. Moving is daunting, but exciting. Renting for a while, and not owning. New friends, new church, new lifestyle. But, in the end really living out our passion for God and life. This is a whole new level for us in our walk with God.

Silly Confessions

I have so many little nuisances about myself that I find quite funny. Only Phil knows about them and laughs at me for them - so why not share with you too? Here are my best kept secrets:

1) I like Home Shopping Network. I would never buy anything off of it - but the sales pitches and marketing are quite engaging. "You want how many, how many? Oh, that is wonderful!" I used to leave that on in the background, when I was single, and clean the house. Why, I don't know. (There is one playing the background right now!)

Which brings me to #2) I like infomercials. Love them. Grew up watching them. I like before and afters and the ridiculous claims they make - like I just have all the right ingredients sitting around to make a tasty pot roast melt and a smothered, stuffed chicken breast in 10 min. flat (start to finish) in a two sided "george foreman" look alike grill. But, man, wouldn't that be cool? I laugh at them and can't pull myself away sometimes. Remember the magic bullet? Fresh salsa and a margarita in like 5 minutes while all my friends sit around and throw their heads back and laugh. Life can just be that simple.
3) I hold it. I mean, sometimes I just don't feel like going pee. (Sorry to get personal) Especially when I'm at home, I'll hold it for no reason. Just don't feel like going. Then, inevitably I have to race in there cause I forgot that I had to go in the first place. So silly.
4) I make up songs. Mostly about how much I love Phil and I call them my Top 40 hits. Phil tries but I tell him I am too busy to manage him right now and he would just have to settle for #2 on the charts. I really can't sing and the lyrics are whatever random thing pops into my mind - but I have a #1 hit weekly. Such catchy tunes.

Hope you got a laugh too.

Favorite Fall Fashion Finds

I love Fashion! Although I don't always look the most fashionable... This fall I am in love with dresses! I have finally accepted that my bum is not exactly in proportion to the rest of my body and I need to be mindful of that when I buy shirts, etc. Dresses totally eliminate the thought process for me - it instantly covers and I feel so girly and dressed up. And, with the new sweater dresses I feel like I am wrapped in a warm soft blanket. Come on cold weather!

I pined for H&M while we were on our trip and visited my fair share of H&Ms across Europe bringing home some fun, funky finds. Back here in the states I update my wardrobe with inexpensive stuff from Forever 21 and Old Navy (if you didn't already know). Sometimes the quality can be sketchy, so I spend time anaylzing the stitching and piecework for longevity, but overall, I can't beat the price for the instant update their clothes give me! Love these fall finds:

To me, fashion is art. It is an expression of self. I love the way it makes me feel like I can conquer the world (or at least my husband's eye) when I put on a great outfit. It reminds me of how God so beautifully clothed the earth with his creation. God loves creativity and fashion is just one way I get to take part in God's creative nature. Sure, there are ways to over do fashion, like being too consumed by it, but to use it in moderation and enjoy it for what it is worth makes life fun. So, with my fall fashion budget (yes, I budget for seasonal clothing!), I'm off to shop....

Organic Food - YUMMY

Thank you to my independent minded friend Erin Wallace for referring me to a much sought after organic food co-op. We have been buying organic food for a while now in the grocery stores, and tried the Needville Farmers Market on Thursday nights, but both efforts felt like we were coming up short of our goal. We have been trying to eat as "straight from the source" as possible this last year and this co-op now makes it even easier. Today was my first pick up and I am thrilled with the amount of fruits and veggies I got for the price - a mere $20. (I'd take a picture and show you - but Phil is in Chicago still with our camera.) Here is what I got this week, 2 bunches of spinach, a head of romaine lettuce, stalk of celery, bunch of beets (fun trying to figure out a) if I even like fresh beets and b) how to cook them!), 3 handfuls of potatoes, 3 huge lemons, 2 purple onions, 2 bananas, and a gorgeous pineapple. All locally grown!

If you live in the Sugar Land area - check it out! http://www.therawtable.com/thirdday.htm

Correction! Thank you to David Wallace who caught my error - all the food in the co-op is NOT locally grown. I noticed that just yesterday (10/8) when I went to cut up my pineapple and had to remove the tag.