Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Memory Lane...Things About China

Brazil is different than China, for obvious reasons (some good and some bad). Something I find myself missing is the culture shock I had in China. Brazil is very similar to the US, other than language I could live my life just like I would in the States (with the exception of no Target and Chick-Fil-A...sad face). 

I was organizing pictures and found some beauts of our amazing time China, I'm glad I have the pictures of evidence. Oh and for the record I really miss my friends  China family. 

Oh Coco...and V groovin with a tamborine

It was love at first sight...

Louis, and yes that was a real outfit.

Ear cleaning...seriously miss this! 

Major cuppage

Hungry at the Dalian Beer Festival...take your pick

Yummo 
Bees or hornets?

This I can eat...bread dumplings

And last but not least...CHINESE AIR CONDITIONING

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Katrry's Wedding Weekend

There's something about family, weddings, and God's creation that make a magical weekend. Although I would have loved to spend another week in Colorado with my amazing family, I took in every moment I had with them for the short time I was there. 


I also have to say, my nieces and nephews are the cutest kids in the world.  I love being their aunt and getting to see them grow up. Laura has grown into such a beautiful young lady with a fun personality, Beckham has his dad's one liners, Ains is thoughful and caring for her little cousins, Matthew is so stinking smart and loves technology, Whitters is a little jumping bean who loves to talk, and sweet Justin might be the happiest baby on earth.  I definitely miss seeing them often.


 Mom and dad are so gracious and always putting us before them. Dad rented a house for all of us to stay in for the wedding week. It was so great to wake up to cuddles from the little ones, play games after dinner, and just plain enjoy each other's company.


On Friday night, we hosted a Bridal shower for Katie. Julie came up with the brilliant idea of having Christmas decor, since Katie and Larry LOVE Christmas.  This way the party was cute and the newlyweds got to keep the decorations.  We laughed for hours at old stories and celebrated Katie and Larry's pending wedding.


I'm so happy for Katie, I have never seen her so happy. She was glowing all week with love and happiness. I have looked up to her as long as I can remember, and to see Larry treat her so well and their bright future ahead makes my heart happy.

                                  
   Katie and Larry are so in love, it was contagious. They were both beaming the whole weekend. 



I fell in love with Jess even more (didn`t know that was possible) seeing him with my family and friends. Also, at the wedding their pastor's sermon struck a chord. He gave a brilliant talk on how the wedding is just the beginning of a marriage and how God has so much more in store. We may have to go through painful growth spurs, but how our trust in Him and faith in His plans to make our marriage beautiful are needed. Jess and I have grown so much in our first year of marriage, at times it wasn't always fun, but it was reassuring to hear that God has so much in store for us! 




God sure pulled off the perfect day on October 13th. The day before at the rehearsal it was COLD and WINDY. We all prayed for great weather and the big man upstairs came through.  I mean really could you ask for better scenery?







The Scott family is now complete!  We went from a meager seven members to a whopping 21 (and more to come I hope!) Seriously though, being with my family was incredible. I'm so thankful for each person for unique reasons...and I we clean up pretty nice if I do say so myself. 






Tuesday, October 1, 2013

An update on my September goals...I did about 8 out of 13. Not bad, but October is going to be a better month! I'm so glad Shay inspired me to record my goals and check back.  
Via

Take more photos -sort of 
Write a blog post weekly-nope 
Fully flip my math classes
Plan a fun, quirky date for Jess-we built a tent! 
See the Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and the Rio stairs -1/3...we just did Sugarloaf
Make it through the Whole30 challenge  CHECK CHECK CHECK! Feeling great! 
Work out at least four times a week CHECK
Snuggle more  Sidenote:I feel like God grew our marriage so much this past month
Host a book club at our apartment -nope...October for sure
Make a new recipe every week-sort of, I made lots of new recipes thanks the the Whole30, but not sure if it was one a week.
Last more than 10 minutes during yoga -FAIL
Be in the word daily -Yep yep yep...God is good! (I'm keeping this one for October)
Look for the opportunities in the ordinary- I think this relates to the one above this :)  (Keepin this too!)
Show Jess how much he means to me more-I think I did, he would have to answer this (and this...)
Pay it forward-in little ways, but I want to be more intentional in it (can always do better at this!)

Via
Now for my October goals...

Be in the word daily 
Look for the opportunities in the ordinary
Show Jess how much he means to me more
Pay it forward, I really feel God has us in Brazil for a purpose and I need to get out of my comfort zone and serve! 
Continue eating healthy, only splurge once a week 
Stand by my beautiful sister's side as she marries the man of her dreams 
Be intentional about my spending when I am back in the States. Only buy things I can engage with. 
Go on a fancy date 
Reach out to bloggers, maybe enter a giveaway or even host one (how does that even work?!) 
Ease off the social media...be present 
Laugh everyday 
Give Flipped presentation 
Put my resume up on my class website 
Write a proposal for a technology learning coach 
Begin to learn code 
Start Portuguese lessons back up 
Send snail mail to friends back home 
Be ahead in my Masters course 
Read one book for fun 
Host a book club 
Host a girls' night  

via