house update...

We had a great time with Dad C. this past week. He was such a huge help with the house, and his trip down here came at the perfect time! He was able to help finish the electrical and get the majority of the plumbing all done! We are so thankful that he took the time to come down and help us with this massive project we've gotten ourselves into :) It was so great to have him here and we enjoyed getting to hang out for almost a whole week! Here are a few pictures.

the man himself

my hottie :)

Steve stripped all the paint off the door and then Brian put on the hardware, replaced one of the glass panes and sanded edges so they would fit snugly. Now we just have to paint it!




For some not-so-good news, the city inspectors came yesterday to check out the plumbing and electrical, and unfortunately they didn't pass. Apparently there are issues with some things not being exactly to "code," so they wouldn't pass them. As you can imagine Steve was pretty frustrated and discouraged by this after they worked so hard to get it all done over the weekend. He's trying to figure out who to get in there to look it all over and tell him what's wrong (the inspectors weren't too helpful) and then decide what to do from there. We would appreciate your prayers for this whole situation..it will probably set him back a while, depending on what all needs to be changed, and Steve feels overwhelmed by all that still needs to get done. We know it will all get done eventually, but we need grace for the process and wisdom to know what the best thing to do is now.

final exam countdown...

It's at that point when I can start a checklist of exam dates...woohoo! Here's what I have left:

1. Thursday, April 24 - World Literature Final Exam (done!)

2. Monday, April 28 - official last day of class (done!)

3. Thursday, May 1 - turn in Shakespeare take-home exam

4. Friday, May 2 - turn in Women Writers take-home exam

5. Monday, May 5 - Civil War History Exam, Media Law and Ethics Exam

6. Wednesday, May 7 - Middle East History Exam

Saturday, May 10, 2008...GRADUATION!

I covet your prayers for the remainder of the semester. The Lord has been so faithful, and I know he will see me through the next week and a half, but I will definately be needing his grace and strength!

pictures, as promised...

The weekend's already over...why is it they always go by so fast?? We had a great date Friday night at Carrabbas! We also went by the house and took a video of the way it looks now - before the drywall goes up - even though that's still a little ways off. Then we watched a movie at home. It was so much fun hangin with my boy, as always :)

Saturday was a long day of work for Steve, Steve Schwartz and Brian! They made some good progress though!

Steve-o running wires up in the attic

some of their handiwork

They ran strapping across the rafters to make sure the drywall would go on all even...that's what I understood it was for anyway?

Brian's a lil distracted..probably talkin to his girl :)

Chris L.'s handiwork...he ran all our internet, cable, phone lines! Thanks Chris!

The backyard hasn't been mowed for a while...today it was covered in these little flowers! So cute!

Church was so good (when isn't it?)! Keith continued our series in Matthew with chapter 6, verses 19-24 on laying up treasures in Heaven! It was excellent. It's amazing that no matter how many times we hear teaching on a familiar passage like that, the Spirit never ceases to convict and reveal areas where application is needed. Praise the Lord for his sanctifying grace! After church we got Chinese, went to the house to wrap up a few things, and then went to the Coolong's for Brian and Jess's party. It was so fun! We ate lots of food and enjoyed some great fellowship out on their deck that overlooks the lake. Brain built a fire that we sat around and roasted some marshmallows. And what a beautiful night for it! It was clear and cool, but not too cool...just perfect around the fire. Thanks to the Coolongs for hosting a great party! We love you Brian and Jess...Happy Birthdays :)

awww..they're too cute. Jonathan made them matching tshirts :)

Annie Johns made them a beautiful and of course delicious cake! blowing out the candles...

This one cracks me up!
My parents :) aren't they cute? love you guys!
they both look kinda zoned out...guess it was nap time!

almost done...

Things are finally starting to wrap up for me with school!! I'm in that calm before the storm of finals. But it feels great right now. I just have one last paper to turn in next thursday, but that's all as far as assignments go. I had a Shakespeare presentation on Tuesday and a couple shorter papers that I turned in yesterday. I really can't believe it's almost over! I thought I'd never get to this point. It's funny remembering the beginning of the semester when I had this huge pile of books to read and 6 syllabi full of assignments and deadlines, and my overwhelming feelings of anxiousness and dread. I am rejoicing in the Lord's faithfulness to me during this semester! He gave me grace upon grace each and every day. There was never an instance that he didn't give me everything I needed to make it through, to accomplish the tasks he set before me. Thank you Lord for your great faithfulness and kindness!

I can't believe I'm just a little over two weeks away from being a college graduate!!! Woohoo!
It will feel so good to read books that I want to read, when I want to read them :) And no more essays and book reports and presentations and TESTS! Sorry, I'm just getting excited thinking about it :)

It'll probably be 2 more months before we can move into our house. Steve has been working so hard lately. I know it can't be fun to work a hard 8 hour day, and then go to the house and work another several hours...and then to spend your weekends working as well! He is very dedicated, and he does it all with a great attitude. But it does make the work easier knowing that it will pay off with an awesome house! We can't wait to move in. Dad Crabb will be coming next week to help with the house. He has mad skills when it comes to construction, carpentry, plumbing...basically you name it, he can do it. So he will definately be a huge help! We can't wait to hang out with him.


In other news, a friend blessed us with a Carrabbas gift card, so we're going out tomorrow night! We're both looking forward to that. Then Saturday we'll spend the day working at the house and then go to ACCESS that night! Those meetings have been so encouraging, and Steve and I feel very blessed to be a part of that ministry. Can't wait! Sunday afternoon we're celebrating Brian and Jessica's birthdays at the Coolong's house. Looking forward to a great weekend! I'll try to take pics and post them later...

framed!

All day Saturday and part of Sunday afternoon Steve and Brian were busy framing up the bathroom walls and the ceiling of the house. They got a lot done this weekend! It's all starting to take shape and it's becoming easier to envision what it will look like when it's all done.

This is the original front door. It's pretty beat up, so at first we thought we would just buy a new front door. But we really like the look of this one, so Steve decided he is going to restore it and keep it.

the breakfast bar that divides the living room and kitchen.

the dormer window in the living room. it lets in lots of extra light!

Brothers :)

The sweet cathedral ceiling. It really opens up the room.

The bathroom is all framed up! We even have the shower in place :)

The pedastal sink for the bathroom. Needs to be cleaned and the faucet needs to be replaced. other than that it's sweet!

Brian hard at work...thanks for all your help bro!

weekend of craziness...

This weekend was an extremely busy one, but it was so fun and full of God's kindness to us. Friday afternoon, after class, I headed over to watch Emma and Peter B. Keith and Joanna were away for their 10th anniversary! Joanna's parents had been with the kids all week, and I took over Friday/Saturday. We had a great time hangin out, playing scrabble, running around outside, going on adventures to Starbucks, playing Webkinz...all kinds of crazy stuff. Emma and Peter are so cute and lots of fun to watch.

Unfortunately, Steve wasn't able to join us much of the time because he had the annual Weekend of Excellence with Integrity. That included Thursday night, Friday all day and evening, and Saturday til about 4. He had a great time hanging out with all the guys and was encouraged by the whole experience. But we were both pretty tired by the end of the day Saturday!

Sunday after church we had lunch with some friends from Church/Caregroup, Chris and Natalie. We went to Red Robin. It was delicious and we had a great time of fellowship with them. Thanks guys!

Then Sunday afternoon, we went home and cleaned the apartment and I made brownies for our community group last night! Which was, by the way, an incredible time of fun fellowship and interceding in prayer for people in our group. Thanks to everyone who shared struggles for your humilty and openness! The Holy Spirit was definately moving among us. I know that everyone left encouraged and uplifted by that time of prayer. It was amazing! I love our group and am so excited for all that God will do in the future!

I am so thankful for our church body and all of the amazing friends God has blessed us with! A crazy weekend like that turns out to be so fun and filled with God's blessings because we were surrounded by people we love and who love Christ and are seeking to serve him! Instead of being drained and overwhelmed as I start this new week, I am encouraged and refreshed by God's kindness to Steve and I. He is so faithful and gracious to us. I hope you all start this week looking to Christ and recognizing all his blessings and kindness!