A Carpenter's Hands

A Carpenter’s Hands
My Grandfather’s hands were made of steel, a carpenter’s hands indeed,
Never wanting anything, never an ounce or hint of greed.
He worked for hours pouring his heart into each and every assignment,
Making sure everything was always in the right alignment.

Those hands so strong and steady were used with love and care,
He built with compassion, and always meant to share.
Finding just the right material to complete his every task,
Always giving his humble advice to anyone who’d ask.

Those hands so strong and steady were used for many things,
Not only to build worldly possessions, but to give his life to the King.
My Grandpa never hesitated to get down on his knees in prayer,
He folded those hands and prayed with unending care.

Those hands so strong and steady held on to his dear wife,
They prayed together, and built a God-centered family and life.
Those precious hands so loving and kind, yet rough with life and ware,
Were used for greater things, hands like these are rare.

Those hands so strong and steady gave endlessly to those in need,
With a smile and a prayer he chose to live unselfishly, indeed.
A legacy of love he has left behind to live,
And we will remember forever all that he had to give.

Those hands so strong and steady remind me of my Jesus,
Grandpa showed us all how to live and now he can’t wait to see us.
For he is up in heaven building homes for all,
He is building them with Jesus, for he’s a carpenter after all!


We love you Grandpa!

cake or burger???

...because who really wants to pick between dinner and dessert right?


here is just another reason my husband makes me smile...

happy monday!

Creme brulee, and birthday celebrations!

A couple weeks ago Tanner and I had a few of our friends over to try making creme brulee. Tanner has been wanting to make it since the day we got the set. (of course because it takes a torch to make it!) He took on the challenge of making them himself! We did not realize until halfway through that creme brulee is a very involved and long process and should probably not be made in the same evening that you are planning on eating them. We laughed and learned though and he did a great job!












Tanner's Birthday was this past weekend! We celebrated together on Friday night by going to P.F. Changs on the plaza! He had never been there so it was fun to get to go somewhere new! We celebrated his birthday with our friends on Sunday afternoon and evening grilling out, swimming, and making homemade ice cream. It was a fun way to celebrate and get together without dying of a heat stroke in this crazy weather! Here are a few picture highlights from the weekend!











Also, say hello to Rev. Tanner Stevens. My newly licensed pastor:)

Tribute to the Hollands and the Edwards :)

"How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to." -Unknown

This is the boat Tanner and I have been in the last couple of weeks. Over the past year and a half Tanner and I have made some of the closest friendships I have ever had. We have both found life long relationships with dear friends that we had to say goodbye to way too soon! We spent our last year building close relationships through ministry and just through our every day contact with these friends. Katie and Levi Holland and Jake and Jenni EDWARDS! (so pumped about this marriage!) both recently moved away for ministerial positions all over the country. Katie and Levi were within walking distance to us and we spent countless nights just hanging around at each others houses. They had become an everyday part of our lives and frankly had become our family. Katie was my go-to girl with just about every newlywed question I had. We even miss their crazy dog! Jake and Jenni taught us how to see the positive in any situation--and if something seemed hard or boring just sing about it! (Even if it is in a strange off-key harmony) Both couples challenged us in our faith and gave us such a sense of the community of Christ. These times with these close friends will always be held close in our newlywed hearts and will not be forgotten.

We are so thankful for the times we spent all living in Kansas City together, and are excited for this new chapter of life for both of them! It is hard to say goodbye to people who are so loved by us, but we could not be happier for them. Pros and Cons ;)

just being married...

Earlier this week Tanner went to Omaha, NE for our church jr. high mission trip. While he was gone I decided it was time to get a few of my major projects done that I have been meaning to do since before we were even married! I made myself a list and was so excited to finally get things done! On the top of my list was to stencil the back wall in our bedroom. I called my best friend Amanda (http://www.amanda-designdevotee.blogspot.com) over and we spent the evening stenciling and making pizza. I am really happy with how it turned out!






Of course now I am needing to finish the last few other touches to complete the room---soon to come will be our house pictures! (that is if we ever finish all the rooms!)
I also made Tanner a chocolate chip cheesecake for a little coming home treat. It was my first attempt at that specific recipe and it was definitely a success!


When he got home we had two different date nights to see "Toy Story 3", and "Eclipse"--two movies that i have been wanting to see for a long time! Tanner was not very excited about the new Twilight movie, he just doesn't understand...maybe if he read the books..... and of course we both LOVED Toy Story 3 and since then my favorite stuffed animal from my childhood has been sharing our bed...I don't want it to feel neglected you know??

Yesterday after church Tanner and I spent the afternoon at Cabelas returning a fire pit that we had gotten as a gift over six months ago. We had set it up in our backyard at the beginning of summer with the cover on it and when we took the cover off to use it found it filled with water and rusted out. We called Cabelas and asked if they would replace it even though we had no reciept and it was not in inventory anymore and they ended up graciously exchanging it for a completely different style than before. I was really unsure of the style at first--it was a little too woodsy for me, but now i think it will be fun to have something a little different... what do you think?


(Our actual firepit is black, not the clay color that is shown in the picture)

We just really have fun together..

you used what?

A few weeks ago I came across an article for celery painting... apparently when you cut carefully across the stock base of celery it becomes a very cool looking stamp! I fell in love with this idea and thought i would give it a shot myself... here is how it turned out!

-Shown below is the celery stock dipped in paint and ready to begin!




I used butcher paper here, but it can also be a great way to recycle brown paper sacks!




-Besides making wrapping paper the stamp can be used for gift cards and tags as well!






-Here is the finished project! This was an easy way to spice up some plain brown butcher paper!


-As you can see on my gift tag i added a few clothespin magnets--these are easy to make and a great way to add some fun to your refrigerator!










-ironic that on my fridge in the midst of all the mess it says simplify...


...maybe someday :)