Christ Church

Laura and Charlie recently visited us in Philadelphia. We had a blast and I used it as an opportunity to see a few things that I never have before. For some reason, the only pictures I took were of Christ Church.


I love old things and this place is very old. The church dates back to the 1600s, but the current building was built in 1744. It was the largest building in the nation for 80 years. The same bells that ring today are the same bells that rang on July 4th, 1776. They were cast at the same place as the liberty bell but these never cracked! Not only are most of the the things in the church original but it also houses the baptistry that baptized William Penn in England in the mid 1600s. It's a working church to this day. Maybe I'll stop by next Sunday!

The Alero

***Does anyone else bond with their car? If not, you may want to stop reading now because the remainder of this post may just make you think I'm really crazy.***

I just got a new car, but am a little sad about leaving my old one behind.

I think I realized why. I remember the first day it really snowed in Philadelphia, I was wiping the inches of snow and scraping the ice off of this car in my business clothes on the way to work thinking,

"Can you believe where we are?"

"Did I really move to Philadelphia?"

"Am I really living alone scraping ice off of my car in a still strange city?"

It looked so strange to see my car completely out of it's native enviroment. Probably because I felt strange out of my own native enviroment. Was she/I really now expected to put up with snow and ice and all it represented?

Fast forward over 2 years, I'm through my trasition phase and I feel completely at home. But I remember sometime that this car is about the only physical thing that remained constant in my life from Alabama to Pennsylvania. It gave us a bond. We did this together!

Thank you!

Gardening 2.0

This is my second year to plant my window boxes and front pots. There is something special about planing in an urban setting. You really feel like you are bringing life to the city. Planting a flower in a field of green is beautiful. Planting a flower in a field of concrete is inspiring.

I love my plants and I can't wait to see these grow up and fill their pots! I don't have kids. I don't have pets. These are my babies.

Here are a few pictures of the front. Pics of the back patio, soon to come.

Just another day in the life...

We have a silly house. Last Thursday, without saying a word, this is how Corey selected the record he wanted. I didn't even realize how funny it looked until I saw the picture. Our friend Ben happened to be playing with the camara and captured the ri-dunk-u-lous moment.

The South

A shot from Tuscaloosa News capturing the fully destroyed neighborhood of Forest Lake near where I lived in college.


I didn't lose a friend or family member when I could have. I didn't even know anyone who was injured. I wasn't even there myself. But the events of last week in Alabama have greatly saddended me. I am so blessed that my family and friends escaped unharmed, but I so sad for those who didn't. I'm sad for my adopted hometown, Tuscaloosa Alabama. A lot has been lost and it's something to be sad about. I didn't know anyone that died but I walked their streets, I went to the same stores, I ate at the same restaurants, I lived a similar life and had it happened 3 years ago it could have been me. It all makes me so homesick. I want to be there to comfort friends and to start picking up the pieces.

Just another reminder that there is only one constant, one thing we know will not be wiped away.

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love will not depart from you and my covenant of peace shall not be removed." Isaiah 54:10

God bless the recovery and healing.

Row Home Easter

I have a magnet Jenah gave me that says, "Friends are the family we create for ourselves".

And this Easter, I'm thankful for our friend family. Here are a couple of snapshots from this Easter at Jason and Haley's.

Row Home egg hunt for Lotta.

Memphis Street

Why, Hello Spring!

You know how much happier you are when you complete a really difficult task compared to when you complete an easy one? I feel like winter in Pennsylvania is just a little different from winter in Alabama. And needless to say, I have never been so happy to wecome spring! Spring comes later up here and the old saying "April showers bring May flowers" fits Phiadelphia exactly. Just about a week ago, the first sign of color appeared literally overnight. One day, I drove by this tree and it was brown, the next day it had burst into a big white ball! The cherry trees bloomed along the side of the river giving me hope that no, winter will not last forever. Then a few days later, the green decided to make an appearance. In most of the city, you still see just a vague green haze on the trees that will soon erupt with bright green leaves. It is still jacket weather, but hints of warmth pop in from time to time just to let me know it is coming. Hello Spring! Conrad Square, one block from my house.

Bringing a little Spring indoors.