What a beautiful season.

The lovely agenda of the Norman's for this week-it is a GREAT week.

Monday- Carlasita's birthday party (Bachelorette Pad member)at Chipotle and Irving Street...I will track down photos.


Wednesday- The Solid Rock Christmas Party.  They had an amazing dinner and we got to sing Christmas carols then...they rented a small theater at Living Room Theaters and we got to all watch "Elf!!!!!"...I ate too much sugar and popcorn.  Not a great pregnant idea, PS. Oh, and one of the pastors dressed up as Elf!!! He is about 6'5" so it seriously felt like Elf was there!


Thursday- Jan's Christmas Tea with nearly 100 beautiful ladies and amazing worship music, great food, everything amazing in the barn with all things awesome.  


Friday- Jimmy and Heather's Christmas Ball is tonight!  It is going to rock. Let's just say that couple could win any dance show-hands down.  And she has a little surprise up her sleeve (although I don't think her dress has sleeves-whatev)


Saturday- Matt's work Christmas party at the Governor Hotel (complete with a menu full of all things great that Jake's can make)!


Sunday- church and an acapella Christmas concert and possibly, just maybe, a trip to Ikea.


I wish I could express how loved I feel this time of year.  I am SURROUNDED by people that I would call angels on their worst days.  We have amazing parents, incredible siblings, beautiful friends, a home...and have I mentioned this week how unbelievably gracious and loving my husband is? Babe, as Jim said about Jan last night, "I love you so ridiculously much."  


Ladies: let the Maker of this universe romance you first and set your standards and rest in who He has for you to marry. You will forever be grateful for the joy that is proven in His perfect will.   And thus, marry someone you respect with all that you are. ALL.  


Off to find an outfit that this watermelon "accessory" can fit into (which is getting more difficult by the day). This pic was at our Christmas Party last week with the Comers-the wee one has grown quite a bit just in a week :)

watermelon.

Have the loveliest of weekends.


xoxo, Anna N


Next weekend is CHRISTMAS!!!! So excited to celebrate the joy that that day represents for all of the world.

Berry, berry good.

There are a few of us "retired" gals.  Here is some of what we do...and yes, please go pick at this farm!  

lovelies in the last few days:

-great girlfriend time

-berry picking and hearing a crazy, squawking bird noise!

-garage and estate sales...

-and more girlfriend time

-realizing my joy can be robbed so easily and how much I need it!

-making jam

-making jam AND watching Step Up 3 :)

-SUN.  And clouds. They make the sun even better. 

-vanilla ice cream with pureed raspberries and blueberries

-Mason jars (to actually can with)
-and hubby and I's date to Mary Poppins!!!

Handsome and I at Jo Bar before seeing Miss Poppins.

A delicious happy hour treat.

Yes-Step Up 3 in the background.

Strawberry/Raspberry Jam!!!

xoxo, Anna N

For the love of country.

I realized how deeply my heart is country while attending the St Paul Rodeo on the fantastic 4th this year (photos below).  I literally teared up during the national anthem and just listening to the cowboys talking about the freedom we have in America and how all reverence is due to God, His grace (I live in Portland so you don't hear things like that over the loud speaker-lest at church).  I was so moved but how simple and pure things could be.  


My favorite song is "Where the Green Grass Grows" by Tim McGraw-I even have hand-movements, you can ask the handsome hubby.  I love my rocking chairs, my mint lemonade, the smell of straw, the American flag, land, oak trees, horses (so ridiculously beautiful), my Bible, red checkered table clothes, and the stars.


You see-I love country.  I have loved living in the city but people are different-they so desperately need love and don't know how to receive it. I guess I need to learn how to love more-the obvious item here.  I am used to the burbs/country, where when you smile at people, they smile back.  It is something that doesn't happen as often DT and that just makes me realize all the more, how broken people truly are and how deep the need to be known is.  If people were really known, there would be freedom in looking into the eyes of someone they don't know-especially if a smile was accompanied.


It reminds me of this verse in 1 Corinthians 13:12.  

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  

How beautiful is that! And talk about freedom! We already are fully known-by the Maker, the one who knits us together in our mother's womb (I know that first hand currently).  It helps me to continue to strive to be the one that is willing to "fully know" people and ask the questions (and smile when I know it mightn't be returned).  It is so risky but what is life if not lived?


Happenings of the week:  
-made freezer jam (even picked the berries!)
-the Rodeo! Please check out the ridiculous food selection at the rodeo (and the perfect pic of the curly fries)
-meetings with dear friends
-the Sun
-seeing Mary Poppins at the Keller!
-brainstorming how to put "supercalifragilisticexpialadocious" on our baby's wall some day :)  
-hiking through Forest Park
-loving my husband more and more.

The lovely planner on the left with another beauty, Miss Christy.

Good thing I wasn't super hungry...

And more...

and more...

The ladies.

Some of the gents (handsome hubby included)

I wish you could've seen how happy I was that I captured this!!!

Tears...

Like I wouldn't help sister eat those!

And of course I would Cristiana eat the funnel cake!

Love of my life.

Our baby is going to be so loved (and laugh so hard) because of this man.

 xoxo, Anna N