2013 Book Survey

My goal from the second week I was in Haiti I decided to have a reading goal. I wanted to read 40 books by the end of summer, I didn't make it. I ended up with like 20 books by the end of summer and all together I have read like 30 books since June. Now, I know I didn't meet my goal but I am super proud of how much I have read lately, seeing how when I was growing up I was so terrible at reading. I didn't understand what I read, it took me forever to finish a book because I read so slow, and I hated doing it. I have decided that I am going to do a book survey that I came across on tumblr. Feel free to steal it because I didn't come up with it.

A-Author you have read the most books from. I would have to say JK Rowling because I just started reading Harry Potter this year (I know, I know, I am way behind)
B-Best Sequel Ever. Do the Harry Potter books count? If so it has to be Prisoner of Azkaban 
C-Currently Reading.I just started Notable by Marni Bates so are I am really liking it
D-Drink of choice while reading. My drink of choice is always coffee with hazelnut creamer
E-E-reader or physical copy-I like both, but since I get most of my books from libraries (because they are free) I would have to say physical copy
F-Fictional character you would have dated in high school. Ohh, there are a lot of them. I would say Owen from Just Listen, Logan from The Summer I Became a Nerd, Xander from The Distance Between Us, and of course Ronald Weasley from Harry Potter. Sorry for all the answers, I couldn't choose. 
G-Glad you gave this book a chance. Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
H-Hidden Gem Book.. Dare You To I totally just ran across this book in the library and fell in love with it. It reminded me a lot of Perfect Chemistry
I-Important moments of your reading life. I think I would just say when I actually started enjoying reading, which was in high school thanks to my best friend who loved to read and encouraged me to read more.
J-Just finished. The Chase by Diann Mills (I just grabbed it from my stepmom's library because all my books were packed up in our storage unit.) It was actually really good
K-Kind of books you won't read. Sad ones....I will NEVER read My Sister's Keeper or The Fault in Our Stars
L-Longest book you have read-The Harry Potter books
M-Major book hangover because of...all of them...can I say that? If I had to choose one I would say Harry Potter, I know what a lame answer but, they just get to me!
N-Number of bookcases you own. None actually
O-One book that you have read multiple times- Just Listen
P-Preferred place to read. I literally can read anywhere but I love just laying on the couch in my pjs
Q-Quote from a book that inspired you/gives you feels. I can't pick just one
 R-Reading regret- Well if I don't like the book I won't finish it, some that I have not finished this year have been Anna and the French Kiss and Ruby Red
S-Series you have started and need to finish. Hunger Games
T-Three of you all time favorite books. To Kill a Mockingbird, The Summer I Became a Nerd, and Just Listen
U-Unapologetic fangirl for....Harry Potter
W-Worst bookish habit. Reading when I should be socializing 
V-Very excited for this release more than any other. I don't have one certain book but really anything from Sarah Dessen
X-X marks the spot (start on your bookshelf and count to the 27th book). I'm not home and everything I own is in storage
Y-Your latest book purchase. Notable
Z-ZZZ-snatcher (last book that kept you up way late). Notable (last night)

Happy Reading

My To Do List

I'm not sure why I have been thinking about this this morning but I have...the things I want to do before I die...is that morbid? Some of these are serious, some are possible, some are not, some are silly...so here it is.

(In no certain order)
1.Tell as many people as possible about Jesus
2. Have biological children
3. Have adopted children (preferably from Haiti)
4. Live in Haiti for at least a year
5. Swim with dolphins
6. Visit Argentina
7. Go on a road trip around the country
8. Cosplay at least once (don't know what cosplay is?....google it)
9. Play Cruella Deville in a play
10. Home school my children
11. Teach an acting class for children/teens
12. See Matt on a Big Stage
13. Go to a Young Adult book convention
14. Meet Stan Lee
15. Meet JK Rowling
16. Meet Laurie Halse Anderson
16. Have a niece or nephew
17. Be a Corgi parent
18. Work at a book store
19. Become an expert seamstress, like my grandma
20. See a show on Broadway
21. See Matt finish school
22. See Garrett & Dagger get married


These are the ones I can think of right now...I'm sure there are more. What is your "to do" list? I would love to see it!

Christmas Music

Okay, so this month I have been really thinking about how much I dislike Christmas music. I talked about it in our Vlog on Monday and I have been told I have no soul by my best friend who is a Christmas crazy person. She told me to listen to a certain song :

It is sooo beautiful!!!


I want to show you the songs I DO like so I don't seem like such a Grinch.
My favorite:

I just heard this one on the radio and really liked it :

I hope you enjoy them like I did!! I'm sure there are song I'm forgetting

Life is Always Good

The fact that it is already December is mind bottling (you know...like when your mind is in a bottle) get it? Anyway, today is December 3 which means that after today I have 17 work days left...woah! Then it is on to Edwardsville. We have finally gotten out of our house and are staying with my dad for the month of December to save some money them we will be on our marry way. 

I am just going to ramble in this post...I apologize. 

Snow White is over! We had a great turn out and it was great to get back on stage after taking a few years off! 

The witch who kept me beautiful and gave me the mirror and apple

I had to faint and the Prince caught me...it took forever for me to get this down. This picture looks like we are just pretending but we are not!

Thanksgiving was really great! We spent it with my two families and then went to Matt's parents house and his uncles and cousins were there. After we stuffed ourselves we went to Wal-Mart at like 6:30 that night, we are crazy people! Matt LOVES Black Friday! We didn't spent too much money! We ended up going to two different Wal-Marts, Kohls, and of course, Game Stop. While shopping we ran into some good friends!

Thanksgiving Morning

Wal-Mart at 8:00ish on Thursday night

Ran into Log!

My loot

 

Thurston wanted to play Ticket to Ride with us!

We starting moving the day after Thanksgiving...it was stressful but the weather was PERFECT moving weather. It was cool, but not cold and not too windy. PERFECT!

We all needed a break!

We were completely out of our house on Sunday! We are living with my dad and step mom now, and they don't decorate of Christmas AT ALL! We are staying in the basement and wanted some Christmas spirit so we put up the tree I bought for $13 two Black Fridays ago. I bought it cause I was living with my brother and they don't have the room for a big tree. I have little balls that go on it, but they are in box in a very full storage unit! 

2ft Pink Tree

Matt and I are narrating the Christmas Program at church this year. I directed the Children's Program last year so it was nice to not be in charge this year. 

Our friend Kevin gave us our Christmas gifts early this year. 

Mario Party for DS!

 
The St. Louis Blues are KILLING IT this year! Blues all the way! We are going to a game on the 19th!

Last night we helped pack Christmas bags to send to soldiers overseas. 

 Life has been super stressful but its good! Life is always good!!

Until next time...

I'm Thankful For...

It is time to be thankful! I am pretty much thankful for everything in my life but I want to list a few (or several) things that I am very very thankful for. (In no particular order) I am thankful for:

My husband...I often think how different my life would be if we had never met, and I don't like the outcome. He is my perfect half, we are a team.

God....for creating this world and creating me in His image

Jesus....without God sending His son Jesus to the cross my life would be meaningless and very very sad.

Books....I can't even imagine a life without books. Had I never been to Hogwarts, or District 12, or Neverland, or any other imaginary world life would be boring

Contacts....I am so blind and am so thankful I don't have to wear glasses all the time.

Weasley.....as silly as this sounds this little hamster has brought so much joy to my life.

My Family...of course.

Pickles...YUM

Apple Pie....YUM

Music....so many bands/songs have helped me get through different stages in my life or have helped me express things I could not put into words.

The Classic Crime....nuff said

Cars....I would hate to have to walk in the cold.

Cell Phones....I love being able to get a hold of people where ever I am

RadioU...I have something to listen to while I sit at work all day.

Theatre....the fact that I can be someone else for a few hours is the most amazing thing ever. People who don't appreciate live theatre are lame.

Movies and TV...a given

Homeschooling....I can't wait to be part of that group someday

My church family....as I am saying farewell to them and I can't help but be thankful for the love and support so many of them have shown me.



This the season to be thankful...what are you thankful for?

Please catch me!

Right now I am the Queen in Snow White. I love playing the villain.

 
I have been acting for a lot of years, like 11 and I've been in a lot of shows..like 20 and this is the first time I have had to faint and someone catch me. It is terrifying! If I just had to faint and fall on my own I would be fine with it, but the fact that my whole body is in someone else's hands is so stressful. 

I literally have been stressing about it for a couple months. The guy who catches me is trained and a really good friend of mine and I 100% trust him to catch me, but for some reason I just could not let myself just trust him. In fact, on Sunday I had a melt down and started to cry, I just couldn't contain myself.

Last night we were practicing in the lobby on the carpet and we nailed it a few times, then it was time for the actual scene on the actual (hard) stage. I could feel my heart beating the whole scene, and right before I was supposed to fall I had serious butterflies. Then it was time to faint, and I just did it.

We NAILED it!

The show opens on Saturday and last night we had a really great rehearsal...let's do this!

A Broken Heart

Change is something I usually LOVE! I was raised in three different homes, back and forth ALL THE TIME! My mom moved all the time, I'm used to not being in the same place for too long. Since we have been married, Matt and I have moved 3 times, it is something I'm okay with. This move however, is breaking my heart. Don't get me wrong, I am ECSTATIC to move to Edwardsville, it is 25 minutes from my siblings, my best friend Danny lives there, my old pal Nath lives there, there is always stuff going on there, I can't wait. 

BUT

As I sit in my office at the church and people tell me "you are going to truly be missed"..."what are we going to do without you guys"...."we can't replace you guys"..."I can't believe you are leaving"...etc, my heart breaks more and more. People have even said "you guys have done some amazing things at the church....more than you realize." I'm not saying all this to brag on Matt and myself, because we didn't do those things....God did. He blessed me with a passion for kids/teens, he gave Matt the passion for learning and sharing that with others. We do what we do because it was what the Lord called us to do at our church. 

As I write this, I can feel the tears building behind my eyes...I didn't think it would be this hard. On Sunday at my AWANA table I felt like someone hit me in the stomach with a baseball bat, it hit me all at once, I'm going to have to tell these kids who have become part of my family that I am leaving. Every week most of them come with their verses already memorized and they can't wait to prove to me that they know it. They smile from ear to ear when I give them a high five or act totally shocked when they memorized a really long verse. I have a Kindergartener at my table as well, and he is the only one who can't read so him and I work so hard on his verses and sometimes he doesn't even get one memorized in a night, but we work hard and I know he is trying. When he smiles cause he got a part right it melts my heart. When I stand in front of all the kids and act like a fool, jumping around and singing and dancing while they follow along the best the can I feel like the happiest person in the world. 

When I think about leaving my youth group I almost cry...every....time. We had our very last lock-in of all time a few weeks ago...it was bittersweet. I can't even put into words how I feel about those kids. 

The last two months of my time here have come and I can't handle it. It hurts to wake up and know I have one less day here. I know that we are doing this because it is what the Lord has asked us to do. He has asked Matt to go back to school because He asked me to be a stay at home mom, when the time is right, and in order for that to happened Matt needs a good job.We must be obedient. I can't write anymore right now.

To my church family reading this, you'll never know what you mean to me. 

Until we meet again....
Sierra

We are VLOGGING!!!

Okay, so most people who know me very well know that I am obsessed with YouTube, like in an unhealthy way. I think YouTube is the greatest invention EVER! I recently have convinced Matt to start a Vlog (video blog) with me, it took some begging, but it worked. We made our first one yesterday and it was super fun! We are going to have a new video each week, we will do different games, have guests, talk about what is on our mind, etc. 

I wanted to do this just as something fun the two of us could do together. It will also be really neat to have for our children someday, so they can see how crazy we were "back in the day." I'm not trying to get 1,000,000 followers, but it that happens...sweet! Here is the link to our channel, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe: www.youtube.com/user/mattandsierra   Just copy and paste it and it will bring you right to our channel.

Much Love
 

Letter to my Church

Word has gotten around the church that Matt and I are leaving, people are telling me they don't want us to go but are glad we are bettering our future. This is the letter that will go in our November newsletter to let those who don't know yet that we are leaving.

Dear Church Family,

  A little over a year and a half ago Matt and I were newly married and struggling to pay our bills every single month, that is until the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to be your secretary.  I took the job with no experience at all, but I knew I could do it. A few months after that I became the youth director and my life totally changed. I become totally invested in the students and they changed my life forever. With all of that being said I am sad to tell you that Matt and I will be leaving at the end of this year. Matt will be going back to school in   January at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. We are very ready to take this next step to better our future, but we are also heart broken to leave our students and the people we have become very close with here at FBC. I will not be going back to school, but will be working so we can afford to do this. Matt will be getting a Bachelor's in Mass Communications with the plans to stay with radio and maybe someday become a college professor. 

I cannot say thank you enough to the people who have touched our lives while we were here. We learned so much about being in the ministry and being a part of a church. I met some amazing students and  children that will always hold a special place in my heart. We feel that we have done what the Lord called us to do at FBC and now it is time to take the next step in our adult lives. 

I would like to say a few personal thank yous:

*Thank you to those who donated, prayed, and encouraged me for both of my trips to Haiti.

*Thank you to those who personally blessed us with surprise lunches paid for at Sharon’s, random gift cards on my desk, invites to dinner or out for ice cream, and the encouraging words.

*Thank you to my Haiti team for taking good care of me while we traveled at the days we were there. My grandma was at ease knowing I was with adults who knew what they were doing and would keep an eye on me. I got to know you so well while we were there and I will forever remember that trip (and Emil and I blogging every night.)

*Thank you to those who stood in the office or called me on the phone just to see how I was doing.

*Thank you to my youth workers who are amazing at what they do, I could not have done this without you!

*Thank you to Alyssa for acting like a fool with me during AWANA.

*Last but not least: Thank you to my students! I could write ten pages on you guys but I know you wouldn't read it so I'll keep it short. You were the best group anyone could ask for, you taught me so much about being a leader, tested my patience, challenged me, and so much more. Thanks to Daniel and Jarrett for the car hunts you sent me on more than once, the texts to remind me I needed to buy Pepsi or Gatorade, the hide-n-seek games in the dark for hours, the many sleepless lock-ins, the laughs when Shade and Daniel fell in the lake, the swimming pool baseball game, the games of spoons, phase ten, and of course the Mock Trials. Most importantly thank you for your love and dedication to the Lord, your heart of others, and your attention during countless lessons (even if I was just winging it.) To my boys: remember to always be gentleman and men of God. To my girls: remember you are a true princess and you’re worth more than gold. Always treat others with love and respect and don’t forget to always be women of God. I will forever remember my very first youth group and your love and acceptance. Always remember: be weird, because normal isn’t working! This isn’t goodbye, it is just see you later. 

We will forever be invested in FBC and we pray for the direction of the church. We have seen this church do some amazing things and we are confident that you have some even more amazing things up your sleeves. Keep serving the Lord and changing the lives of the hurting people out there. Always remember that Jesus loves ALL of his  people and wants them to be in Heaven with Him some day. Being the hands and feet of Jesus is not always fun and it is not always comfortable, but regardless that is our purpose. Always show the love of Jesus to everyone everywhere. Thanks again for the love you showed us, we will miss our church family. Until we meet again...

Sierra

 

Let's go crazy!

Too often people go through their lives the same everyday. They wake up, go to work, go to lunch, go home, eat supper, go to bed, repeat. Now I know on weekends the routine will get mixed up or if you don't have a job where you work the same hours everyday it can be different. I wish people would live on the edge and do things for themselves and for others sometimes.

Live your life to glorify Him, to help others, and to better yourself.

At 60 travel the world, experiencing the beauty God created for us, or don't. Maybe you would rather just travel the county, so do it. At 15 jump out of a plane (with a parachute, of course), or don't. Maybe you would rather take a hot air balloon ride. Drink Kenyan tea (it's delicious by the way), or don't. Maybe you would rather drink Colombian coffee. Give money to a stranger, or don't. Maybe you would rather buy the stranger a meal. Dance in the rain barefoot, or don't. Maybe you would rather jump rope in the rain barefoot. Hug an orphan, or don't. Maybe you would rather adopt the orphan. Get married young, or don't Maybe you would rather get married old. Be the church (there is no or don't here :) Serve others, love others, pray for others, hug others, cry with and for others. 

Experience the life the Lord blessed you with! Get a pen pal, eat too many sweets, eat too many veggies, read too many books, audition for too many plays, create too many extraordinary pieces of art, smile too much, and do too many terrifying things! Go exploring! Stop wearing shoes or makeup, act like a fool. Life is about taking chances, trying new things and always giving 110%. Stand up for the person getting picked on.

Don't be like everyone else, stand out of the crowd, be the red apple in a group of yellow ones. Be someone who will be remembered for making a difference in this world. Show Jesus to everyone, no matter how scary it may be. Worship with all that you are! Never look at others with anger or hate, be the good! Don't forget about personal relationships in a world of social media. Complement a stranger, rescue a pet, make a child smile. Break a dirty habit...and be proud about it. Never stop loving no matter how hard it is.

I know my thoughts are everywhere today, but I want to encourage you to do something you are too scared to do. I want to be the good in this world, and I want you to be the good standing next to me. Don't judge others for their vices, (we all have them) encourage them to break the chains that bind them. 

Life is about glorifying the Lord and showing EVERYONE that their is still good in this world of darkness and pain. Do something fun and something not so fun!

Don't ever stop living and NEVER stop serving!
GO CRAZY!!!!

Have a beautiful day and an even more beautiful life. YOU.ARE.LOVED!

Sweet God Time

The time as come...it is tech week for Hairspray. For you non theatre people, that is the week the show opens and you run the whole show in full costume, makeup, with mics, set crew, the whole nine yards. Matt has practice Sunday-Thursday then the show is Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. So I'm home alone every night, boo! 

Last night I was watching TV and just messing around on the computer when my friend Cody posted something on my facebook. He said that he listens to a certain song and prays alone in his church for the kids who will be coming that night. After he posted that I really felt the need to have some sweet God time.  I turned off all the lights and the TV and played the song. I got on my knees and talked to God. I was silent for some parts of the song, taking in the words and other times I was praying for the lost people in my life or thanking Him for the blessing. As I was thinking about a certain person I started to cry for that person. I sat there in the dark letting the music full my heart weeping to my blessed Savior, whom has the power to make anything happen. When I think about Jesus being taken to the cross my heart breaks and I want to express my love and thanks to Him for saving me. I also thought about what it will be like when I get to Heaven, to see all those who are gone once again, to see the face of Jesus and to sit at His feet. 

Last night alone, in the dark I had some sweet God time. The Lord is good and powerful and deserves my worship and adoration and I get caught up in life and forget to give it Him.Thank You Lord for saving me!

I encourage you to pick a song that makes you so emotional for the Lord that you can't control your tears, shut out everything else, and have some sweet God time!

This is the song that gets me every time. Even if you don't like rock please listen to this song (the lyrics are there) just take in the words and think about the Lord.

Fall

Lately the weather here has been fall weather. I know, I know it is still technically still summer, but right now it is 59 degrees outside, and yesterday was even cooler (but being Southern Illinois it is supposed to be 90 on Thursday.). Fall is my favorite season! Jeans and hoodies, soup, bike rides, pumpkin spice coffee, peanuts & candy corn, open windows, walks in the cool evening. It is the best! 

Yesterday I went on a bike ride in pants and a t-shirt, then I came home and made broccoli cheddar soup and croissants, then I went outside and read on my porch! It was the best fall evening. Every year around this time I get super excited (because of fall) but for another reason. In exactly 12 days will mark the 6 year anniversary of Matt and I getting together. Now, I know our marriage date is our actual anniversary, but I can't neglect the date that made it all happen! 

When we first started dating on September 28, 2007 we spent a lot of time at my grandma's farm (I was living there at the time.) We would walk around her pond late into the night/morning. We would grab a blanket, spread it out on the grass next to the pond and star gaze, while learning more about each other. We spent a lot of time outside in the fall air, it was great! 

Go outside and enjoy the fall air!!

Things Change

We all know that life is always changing, as my grandma says "nothing stays the same." Our life will soon be changing....we are moving!!! Those three words are terrifying and exciting all at the same time, I am one who loves change, so I'm excited. 

We are moving because Matt has been accepted to SIUE for the Spring of 2014. Meaning that if it all works out we will be leaving in December or January. BUT, there is always a possibility something could go wrong, in which case we would move next fall. We are waiting for a student packet to come in the mail so he can start getting the ball rolling even more. He will be majoring in Mass Communications and minoring in either Theatre of Journalism (he isn't sure yet.) After getting a Bachelors he will go on to get his Masters, he wanted to teach speech and a college level.  I will not be going back to school. People keep telling I need to go back, but right now I am focused on getting his degree done first. We will live in the family housing on campus. Matt is going to try and get a job at the radio station at the school and I will get a job somewhere and hopefully work a lot.

Matt has been wanting to go back to school for a long time, but we were scared to take those steps. The Lord has pushed us to go out on a limb and just do it. It will better our future family.

Leaving our church is something that is really weighing on my heart. I have told our youth group and they all gave me pouty faces that tore my heart out. Leaving my AWANA group is also something I do not want to do, but this is something we need to do.

Please pray for us in this journey!

Wow! I have not blogged in so long, sorry! I don't have anything inspiring to talk about so I will just fill you in on my life.

1.Right now I am super sick! We had friends over for Labor Day and while they were there my throat started to get scratchy. On Tuesday I woke up with a full blown cold. Today has been the worst day so far, my chest really hurts which makes it hard to breathe. I am hoping it will all be gone soon!

2. We had a BBQ at our house on Monday, it was a great day! We had all of our friends there, they all brought a side or dessert and our friend Bryce brought his grill and cooked burgers and hot dogs for us! It had been quite sometime since I had seen a lot of my friends so it was good to get together.

3. Matt is going back to school!! On Tuesday afternoon we went to Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville for a college visit. We loved it! I will not be going back, I'll be working as much as possible. Matt has already sent in his application and FAFSA (financial aid), we are just waiting to hear back from them. He will go into Mass Communications, and his long term goal is to teach speech and theatre at the college level. I'm so proud of him for finally taking the steps to better our future. I'm getting closer to being a stay at home mom!!

4. I am auditioning for the first play in years on Sunday!! I haven't done a show in a long time and I'm excited to get back at it! I am auditioning for Snow White (again), I was Grumpy the last time I was in Snow White.

5. I have been reading some really great books! I am taking a break from the Harry Potter series ( I need to emotionally recoup from the 5th one.) I only have 2 left in the series, but I need a break. I wanted to try and read 40 books this summer, but I am not going to make my goal. I am at 17 I think (I have a list at home.) I went back to my childhood and read three Roald Dahl books and the original Peter Pan. Man I love kids books!!! If you have not read the original Peter Pan novel I suggest you do. JM Barrie is the author. I love the first line of the book: "all children, except one, grow up." I just got a book yesterday from the library and I'm loving it!! It is called The Pull of the Ocean and it is by Jean-Claude Mourlevat. Here is the description form Goodreads.com:
"On a stormy night, little Yann Doutreleau wakes up his six older brothers, all twins. He lets them know that they must flee their home--or risk being killed by their violent father. Without question, the siblings follow Yann into the wet darkness. And so begins their remarkable odyssey toward the ocean--as well as an unforgettable story of brotherhood." It is so good and is really easy to read. 

Welcome to my life! 

I would really like to see where my readers are from. Could you comment on this post and just put where you live? Either the state or country would be great! Thanks for reading! 

Compassion

Sometimes the fact that I am the one Matt choose to marry blows my mind. Although I am not like other girls in many ways, I am like other girls when it came to dreaming about my wedding when I was younger. I always wanted to get married young, and I did (23 is young right?)  I always knew I would NEVER marry a man who was mean or controlling (check that off the list too.) I knew I would marry someone my family approved of (check!) But I never ever thought I would marry someone who wanted to become a pastor or someone who was so talented in an artsy way.

If you know Matt you know what I mean when I say artsy. That man can imitate ANY voice whether he is singing or just talking. He is an AMAZING singer, actor, writer, lyricist, and of course DJ. I love all of these things about him (even though he totally is better than me at everything...haha that is an inside joke.)  The one thing that blows me away more than anything is his compassion. 

Last night while everyone was watching the VMAs I was not, I have no clue what Miley did, but according to my facebook is was disgusting and everyone was ticked off about it. A lot of my friends posted things about Miley's performance at the VMAs. I read several of the posts before I went to bed. When I got up this morning to looked at Facebook this is what I saw from my Husband:

"It may be disgusting. It may be crude. But, she's just as lost as some of us. Instead of hating her folks why couldn't we help her."

I mean who thinks that way?! My husband that's who, the man who ALWAYS gives people the benefit of the doubt. He always sees the good in people and realizes that we all are sinners who need help! Matt doesn't hate ANYONE! Even when we are talking about famous people. Most people would say "I hate (insert actor here.) Matt says "I don't think he is very funny" Or "She just isn't that good of an actress" I don't think I have ever heard him say "I hate ________."

I strive to be more like Matt, and I pray that our children are as compassionate as he is!

Sewing Machine Cover

Before I left for Haiti I found a really simple Sewing Machine Cover tutorial.  It took a charm pack so I found a really cute one for $2.99 from Missouri Sat Quilt Company. I sewed the charm pack together before I left then pushed it aside and left for Haiti.  Well I just got around to finishing it!!! It was so simple to make and I love it!

This is it without the binding at the bottom!

All done!!

I found the tutorial from http://www.sewdelicious.com.au/, this girl is AWESOME!




Today I love:
Smell of: Coffee
Sound of: K Love Radio
Taste of: Cheddar Goldfish
Sight of: Sunshine
Feel of: A/C

Good Things about Today: 
We finally got our car back from the shop after a week without it
Matt cleaned the car and the house as a surprise
Matt doesn't have play or band practice tonight
It's almost lunch time

How To Sew

I just came across this and wanted to share it for my crafty friends. (This is 100% me, by the way.)

How To Sew

Step 1-Stare at pattern and be scared to cut it
Step 2-Stare at fabric and be scared to cut it
Step 3-Drink some tea to calm your nerves
Step 4-Pin things, sew, be really happy, and realize you did it backwards/inside out
Step 5-Cry
Step 6-Cry while rolling in the fabric
Step 7-More tea
Step 8-Throw fabric at dress form and hope it will just sew itself
Step 9-Make more tea because you forgot where you put the cup from step 7
Step 10-Panic because the con/reenactment/Halloween is tomorrow
Step 11-Finally finish in a flurry of tea-fueled insomnia
Step 12-Wear it and when people ask "how did you make that" you just shrug and say, "oh this, I just threw it together!"

Happy Sewing!

Update

It seems like it has been forever since I last posted a blog, and for that I'm sorry. Life has been super crazy lately around the Horst Household. 

In Hairspray, Matt has been switched from Wilbur to Edna (the mom is always played by a man.) He has more lines, more solos, and more dancing now. He is super nervous about learning all of it, but I know he can! He has practice about 4 days a week, meaning I'm left home alone; which to be honest I really enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE when Matt is home with me, but I don't mind being alone. I get to read all I want, and watch whatever I want to watch on TV (Matt doesn't like most of the shows that I do.) I also can get house cleaning done without him distracting, although, he is my favorite distraction! He has also been in full band mode lately, they are planning some new things (which I cannot tell you) so they have been either texting, talking on the phone, practicing, or talking at Josh's house. 

My brother and sister-in-law where in town Saturday & Sunday so we were together all weekend, fishing, swimming, eating yummy food, playing games, and just being together. My cousin and mom also came out to go fishing with us. Then on Monday my sister came to town and her and I got to hang out. We went fishing, then went to see my mom. I love hanging out with my siblings. I would rather be with them more than anyone else (other than Matt, of course.) Here are a few pictures from this weekend. 

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my the passing of Chino, my sister's doberman. He wasn't just a dog, he was my nephew. The dogs in our family are just that, family. My sister got Chino and then went on tour with him, and traveled the country with him. She would sleep in the grass at rest areas and tie his leash to her belt loop so no one would mess with her. He was trained to go under fences and into hotels without making a peep. When she finally settled down for awhile Chino and her other dog Lucky lived with my mom and me for several months. He lived a good and long life, and our family will never be the same without him. He was dying of congestive heart failure and my sister put a lot of money into vet bills before making the tough decision to put him out of his misery. As he got older he became a crabby old man, I would lay across him until he let out a big sigh and I knew that meant, "come on aunt Sierra, get off of me." He was the best dog you could ever want, until we meet again big guy! Team Chino!

Life is better when it is shared with a four legged friend! Some look at dogs just as animals, but I look at them as loyal friends! Chino was the most loyal friend my sister could ask for and I felt better knowing she was traveling with him by her side! I knew that should would always be safe with him. So thanks Chino or always having our backs!

Maaawage (Princess Bride...anyone?)

As I sit here I keep thinking about the fact that Matt and I are growing up. It is a scary but exciting thought. We are S-L-O-W-L-Y figuring out what the Lord wants from us, and how to go about getting there. I often find myself day dreaming about the future, starting our CAREERS, having kids, moving away, etc. Matt and I are in this awkward in between stage in our lives. We are adults, with bills, and our own home, real jobs, and responsibilities, but yet; we are still like kids. We love going on trips, sleeping in, and staying up too late watching TV. We are still learning about marriage and each other, but we are having a blast doing it. The hardest part about growing up for me, is just that...growing up. So many parts of me want to stay in this awkward stage where we stay the night at our family members' houses, just because, where we have no responsibilities over more human beings, and where we pretty do whatever we want (within our budget.) But another part of me is ready to go back to school and become a teacher, have kids, move away (hopefully to Haiti) and start our ADULT lives serving the Lord. Finding the balance between those two things is not easy. 

Last night I went to the Queen Pageant at our county fair (I hate pageants), but I went because Matt runs sounds and I had a friend whose little girl was a Little Miss. As I sat there people watching (my favorite thing to do) I couldn't help but notice almost everyone I went to high school was carrying a small child, and it made me think, "so this is what I'm supposed to be doing at 24, I'm supposed to be a mom." I thought this for about 2 minutes then the Lord smacked in the back of the head and snapped me back to reality. This is what he reminded me "someday you will be a mom, and a really good one because you will teach your child about My Son and My love, but right now is not the time! Enjoy your time with your husband where you don't have to find a babysitter when you want to go out, enjoy your full nights of sleep, and trips you can take, just the two of you." 

When Matt and I were engaged everyone was asking "when are you going to get married...when are you going to get married...why is your engagement so long?....blah blah blah"  Now that we are married everyone is asking "when are you going to have a baby....don't you want a baby....when are you going to have a baby?...blah blah blah" Everyone is always rushing us, why can't we just be us, Matt & Sierra for awhile?  

Growing up is really hard, sometimes I feel like it is only hard for us (which I know is not true.) We are still trying to figure out how and when to get out of this limbo stage we are in right now, or even if we want to get out of it. We are loving our late night Denny's run with our friends Zach & Danny, Matt is loving is time with his band, sharing Jesus through their music, I'm loving being able to go fishing or swimming at my grandma's anytime I want, we are enjoying our late nights watching Smallville (even if we regret that decision in the morning), I'm loving my random trips to STL to play Dungeons & Dragons or my free hours spent reading, or my trips to Haiti (which would not happen if I was a mom. )We have been married 1 year and 4 months and we are loving our moments of alone time, even if we are just watching TV or taking turns playing Mario on the Wii. We are not rushing our lives together, we are holding onto each moment the Lord gives us together.

Now, don't get me wrong, I cannot wait to me a mother, and I cannot wait for Matt to be a father, but right now is not that time.

If you are rushing through life, or catch yourself wishing your life was different I suggest you take a step back and look at the little things in your life that you enjoy...things like the stuff I listed above. The little things in life are what make it peaceful and perfect. 

Thank you Lord for blessing me with a perfectly imperfect marriage! I cherish everyday I have with Matt, and I thank you for putting him in my life 6 years ago.

Until next time...Deuteronomy 24:5