this is real life. 

no perfect kitchens here. 

but chester doesn't care.

lazy sunday.
making small preparations for hawaii. slowly packing and purchasing last minute items. received my custom made swimsuit on friday. it fits perfectly! i will be purchasing my swimsuits from the red dolly from now on!
spent some time sewing this weekend. good to be in my sewing room settled at my machine.

my mom came to visit me in charlotte! this was short of a miracle for her and for me!
we took her to all our favorite places: common, dish, john's, green with envy, campbell's nursery, tj & sheena's, yard sales, etc....
we spent a quiet afternoon in the living room and on the front porch before she headed back to burlington on the train. wake loved all the attention he got!

my first purchase for my future children whenever they come along.
1950's Singer sewing machine with sewing table. lovely retro green color (the pictures do it no justice). straight stitch only. great size for a child. i want my children to learn on the old school machines. who knows what will exist when they are old enough to sew (i want to avoid "press a button and it does all the work for you" kind of technology...i know i am overacting a little).
jeremiah and i could not pass it up. $15 from value village. all it needs is a new belt.
i don't collect many things but this is my 5th sewing machine.

look what jeremiah got from value village.
it will go great with our new life in Va.
(please pardon the lack of clothing).

went to houston this weekend for a very special bridal shower and to spend time with my favorite in-laws.
bridal tea at the st. regis hotel. i ate well! yummy tea, sandwiches and scones.
got to meet my sister-in-law's new doggie, miko. quite the character.

our attempt at taking photos of fireworks. all photos were taken at night on our Nikon D1.
notice wake nearing the firework in photo two.
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heading to texas on friday to visit my mom and dad (austin)!
heading to hawaii in a little over two weeks!

the morning began with warm cinnamon rolls and mimosas.
it ended with candlelight and rainbows.
in between, there was cooking over an open fire and converting a car to veggie oil.
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today we made this pledge:
"One: Today we pledge our ultimate allegiance… to the Kingdom of God
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To a peace that is not like Rome’s
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Gospel of enemy love
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Kingdom of the poor and broken
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To a King that loves his enemies so much he died for them
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the least of these, with whom Christ dwells
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the transnational Church that transcends the artificial borders of nations
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the refugee of Nazareth
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the homeless rabbi who had no place to lay his head
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the cross rather than the sword
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the banner of love above any flag
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the one who rules with a towel rather than an iron fist
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the one who rides a donkey rather than a war-horse
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the revolution that sets both oppressed and oppressors free
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Way that leads to life
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Slaughtered Lamb
All: We pledge allegiance
One: And together we proclaim his praises, from the margins of the empire to the centers of wealth and power
All: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
One: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
All: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb"
--Excerpt from the “Jesus for President” liturgy