Finishing Projects

I love starting projects, especially crafty/sewing projects, but I admit, sometimes it takes me a while to get them totally finished up. (Except for the pillows, I can't hardly rest until I finish the one I'm working on!)

I pieced this quilt in the summer of '07 in ONE day! I really only had one day to get it done so I  worked on it from sun up to sun down that day. I got it sent off to the lady in Arkansas who quilts it and received it in the fall. All that was left was to put the binding on it...my most dreaded part, lol, because you're supposed to finish it by hand...so 3 years later...

Well, I finally decided I was ready to actually use it and not just have it sittin in a bag in my closet. So, I bought some binding, read instructions on how to attach the binding...didn't like the way they were doing and did it my own way...where I didn't have to sew anything by hand! I wrapped the binding around the edges and just sewed both sides at the same time! Works for me and it's usable now!! Hurray!!

I love that the back is just as pretty as the front! The quilter used pink thread that looks so pretty on the white.

The Bass Man

So, after all the excitement with Wheel, we decided to go out and fish with the new luers we bought at Gander Mountain. The weather was getting a little iffy...but Wade was determined adn kept on fishing....

and then he pulled out this...

Isn't it be-u-ti-ful?

Wade's definately winning the pound count right now

Okay, so he wasn't fishing in the ocean during a lightening storm, but fish stories need a little excitement sometimes! hehe...

WHEEL OF FORTUNE!!

Ever since I was little, I have always loved watching Wheel of Fortune. I even remember that one of our friends had the game on Nintendo (now that's taking it back!) and we would play it on there. My love for the wheel has never died, I watch it with Wade almost every night. It has always been a dream of mine to actually get to play... Then, we got an email saying they were having tryouts only 45 minutes from us! Wade is such a sport, I knew it wasn't really his thing, but he jumped right on board and drove me down there Saturday morning.

As we arrived, hundreds of other cars were streaming in and I thought, man, we don't have a chance...hehe...
We jumped on the charter bus with all the other hopeful contestants and laughed as everyone around us tried to be first (even though the whole selection process is entirely RANDOM!).

They ushered us like cattle into this tent and gave us an orange slip to fill out and a pen that wouldn't write! We tried and tried to get those pens to write and almost missed the time deadline before we finally got them filled out and in the box.

The put all the names in the hopper and started rolling them around. 5 names at a time were being called out....and all a sudden I heard..Ja...cqueline Pate! I screamed, through my hands up, smiled at Wade and took off for the stage! I couldn't believe it!! So, no guarantees yet of actually being on the show but hopefully I'll get called back for round two in about a month.

This little cardboard bus was one of the fabulous prizes they gave for playing that day, lol, whoa!

AND...on top of playing wheel that day...I got home to find out I had made my first official pillow sale off of Etsy!! The beautiful peacock pillow is sold and on its way to its new home!! Thank you, Emily!!

Silk Ribbon

This was my first time to really use silk ribbon on a pillow and I just love the way it turned out! I have been wanting to put these colors together for a while and I finally got around to it. The material for the back is one of my favorites too!! Hope you like it!

Up next....a baby girl's pillow :)

Bricks to Bricks 10 Miler

Yesterday was a historic day for us! Wade & I ran our first official race together. This was both of our first "competition" since college too. The race was called Bricks to Bricks 10 Miler! I was so proud of both of us and think the race went just great. So here are the results:

Wade: 10 Miles in 1:21:09.9 an average of  8:07 pace per mile 

100th place out of 773 runners

11th place out of 30 Males in the 25-29 age group

Jacqueline: 10 Miles in 1:21:10.1 an average of 8:07 pace per mile.

101st place out of 773 runners
4th place out of 75 Females in the 25-29 age group

Sunday morning rolled around early and we had a nice warm temperature of 37 degrees when the race started! Wade had his sweats, long sleeve shirt and toboggin on and I wore sweats, long sleever under armor, a t-shirt over that, and my sweat top and a thing to cover my ears! (and truth be told i was still a little cold) We got the registration place and we saw people in skimpy runner's shorts, sports bras, thin t-shirts, capris and a few others who were dressed like us. We had to laugh as we watched the "serious" runners warm up and do extra running. We had stretched some before the race, but an extra 10 minute warm up run was not part of our routine...10 miles was plenty far for us, hehe. There were people everywhere and the lines to the only bathroom around were super LONG, lol (nerves i guess)

The starting horn blew and we were off--we started off by running around the downtown circle center of Indianapolis and began our long treck. I remember getting to the two mile marker and thinking, whew, we still have 8 miles to go... then amazingly, my mindset switched and i was able to take my mind off the distance and just let my body run. Also, Wade is such a great running partner! I am so proud of him! I remember when it was all he could do to run a mile and half and now he's ran 10! (two weeks in a row!!). Even though it started out cold, it was a beautiful day to run! It was also so nice to have people at handing out water at different miles. I have to admit though, the last two miles were pretty brutal...I could tell Wade was hurtin, but he pressed on and we finished with a kick!

The rest of the day we felt our bodies getting more and more stiff, hehe, but today is much better already. We have out first half marathon here in 3 weeks, so we'll be going three miles further than this race, but we can do it. Praise the Lord for healthy bodies!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entagles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherever you are in your race of life, press on and fix your eyes on Jesus. Don't give up. He'll give you the strength to continue. Remember our brothers and sisters in prayer, here and around the world, who are serving the Lord. Keep running friends. May God give you the grace and strength you need today.

In Bloom

In three weeks the tulips on our porch have gone from this...

to this...

to this!!

God is so good!

The gladioli and dahlias are still growing, pretty rapidly now, but my calla lillies on the other hand...they're taking there time. I wonder if they're going to come up at all....we'll see!

Last year we went the Biltmore estate during early Spring when all the poppies were blooming. They had every color imaginable...I didn't even know poppies came in pink, yellow, orange..etc...

These pretty trees were blooming at the entrance of our apartment complex Easter weekend

Just jumping in here....

It’s been a while since I’ve last posted anything on here – Jacqueline’s been hogging it (just kidding babes)… it’s been a fast transition into spring in so many ways. It was like we just woke up one day and all the snow was gone and the flowers started blooming. Jacqueline has four tulips that are about to bloom – the first ever in her care to do so. It’s exciting to see how quick and precise nature responds to God’s direction – what a contrast it often is with us. Since I last posted, we’ve had all kinds of company come and visit us here in Indy – first, my dad and his wife, Jan; followed by Jacqueline’s Mom, Ester; and then Mom and Big Wes. With each one, and as a whole, we had a great time together. Got to introduce everyone to the simple life we strive to live here in Indy, give them a glimpse of the prosperity in Carmel (huge houses beyond description are here in droves), the beauty of this area, and most importantly a physical manifestation of the love we share for them. I pray I never get beyond the beauty and magnitude of someone loving me… I pray I am not one who takes such a magnificent thing for granted. I will echo here... how sweet it (always) is to be loved by you.

I find myself a bit at a loss for words to describe all that is going on inside the abode of my heart… just feel a bit pressed down and it’s not one thing, but a whole lot of little – as if all of God’s creation awoke with vigor to spring and I’ve got to kick myself in the rear here lately to muster the passion and energy that is due… and I’m not weary from pain nor weary from hardship, if that, I might could understand. It’s almost as if I’m weary from only grasping a small portion of what’s given by God – only tasting a bit of His goodness when more than I can fathom is available; only enjoying to an extent the beauty of a blooming flower or a cool evening; only gleaning a bit of the grandeur that is right outside my window each day; only embracing a portion of the warmth that awaits me each day in the arms of my wife; only giving a piece of myself to Christ in the days that I live… it’s hard to articulate, but I just feel a bit caught in the middle of winter and spring in my heart… I’m not in hibernation, but I’m not in bloom. Maybe that made sense and maybe it didn’t.

I’ve been a bit weary lately of having to debate/decipher what so many passages in the Bible really mean in our everyday life – such as when Jesus said to give up everything to be worthy of Him... Paul stating that we have the mind of Christ… Peter saying we are partakers of the divine nature… And on and on the list goes of passages and themes in Scripture that I can't seem to get my mind around. I’ve been wearied from feeling like there’s something that has to be grasped or apprehended that I'll never be able to grasp… as if I spend so much time trying to understand that I have spent little time living out what I already know and as a result, I’m living small in a big world, caught between a lapse and a bloom. I pray this soon changes... trying to punch your way out of a paper sack that you’ve fashioned is a tiring effort.

One of the best things that is going on in my life right now is Jacqueline – a beam of sunshine… a friend who is closer than a brother… a person who seems to wake up daily with joy on her lips flowing forth from her soul. I might miss it in so many ways each day what it means to be a follower of Christ (and I hope that number of ways diminishes with each passing day), but I pray God would give me the grace and strength to love Jacqueline like I should - I pray I can at least do that right… she’s a treasure and a glimpse into all that was complemented when God made a partner for Adam. I love to get lost in a day with her, laughing at her silliness, seeing her eyes twinkle as she makes some creation or looks at her flowers, or see her perseverance as she casts (and casts and casts) in hopes of snagging a fish. Jacqueline’s steadfastness gives a glimpse of what God is like and reminds me of a quote from G.K. Chesterton that I like quite well:

“A child kicks its legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough... It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again," to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again," to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike: it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
       - G.K. Chesterton

Happy Spring everyone – enjoy the beautiful days. We have a big weekend going on this weekend with a GFA event to volunteer at in Fort Wayne on Saturday and our big Bricks to Bricks 10-mile race in downtown Indy on Sunday morning. We ran 10-miles last Sunday – it didn’t feel wonderful and was followed by crashing on the living room floor in the fetal position, but we finished it strong nonetheless. We hope to do the same this time around. Running… I wonder if Paul did much running – he made a good reference about running a much more important race. If the race doesn't turn out the best on Sunday, that's alright, I would rather finish the much more important one strong anyway.

New Material!!

My husband is so sweet! Saturday he took me to my favorite shop to get remnants in town...Drapery Street! I had just planned on coming home with two colors--pale blue and chocolate brown...i came home with a little more than that...hehe...but i'm not complaining...i'm rejoicing!
Look at these great colors!! Deep purples, mustard yellow, burnt orange, chocolate brown...on and on...

It looks a little chaotic to most people, especially Wade, but havin 'em all out together helps me think

I'm so excited about this one!!

stay tuned....I'm off to sew!

Big Catch!

The weather here this weekend was just goreous!! We went fishing in the pond at our apartments. Up until yesterday, we hadn't been able to snag any fish yet...BUT after several bait changes, I was able to get this BIG one! hehe...

And, I kinda felt like I was cheating a little bit...the water is pretty clear so I was able to watch the whole catch! I saw the fish swim up--he was extremely interested in that little red worm...i moved it just a tad and he quickly followed. Then I watched him nibble the tail and finally take a bite and start to swim away..that's when I snagged him! I reeled him in and ta da, here he is! (After this photo, the fish was quickly and gently reintroduced to his natural habitat)

Wade is still workin on his first catch, but i'm guessin he's not far behind!

Dogwoods

Spring is definately here even though winter is trying to rise up one last time! All of the trees are in full bloom here and look just beautiful. Growing up in West Texas, I had never ever really seen any trees bloom except fruitless pears. Usually all we get in West Texas is LOTS of wind, blowing dirt and fluctuating  temperatures, hehe...try running track in all that!

My spring at Bucknell was really the first true Spring I had ever experienced. 

Last year in NC, the dogwood trees were everywhere! I had never seen so many in my life. They quickly became my favorite flowering tree. The dogwoods lined the highways and almost every house had one in the yard somewhere.

I have noticed here in Indy, the Red Buds are everywhere. They look so neat too, especially next to the new bright green leaves of the other trees.  I hope that one day I'll be able to have both dogwoods and red buds in my yard somewhere. I was talking to my mom and she didn't think she knew what the flowers looked like on dogwoods...so here you go Mom, these are for you! 

I love how the branches on dogwoods lay out like little shelves for the flowers to lay on.

Dandelions

Dandelions...when you're little they're the coolest things to play with. When you're big, they're a nuisance that must be rid from the yard. I remember loving to blow the seeds off the stem and watch them float along so delicately. They blow along so delicately yet are so hardy! Those that know me best know that one of my most favorite things to do growing us was...pull weeds! lol, maybe that sounds crazy, but I like how it felt to pull them out and smell the fresh dirt--gave me satisfaction. Now I think dandelions represent daydreams and quiet days.

Easter Weekend!!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Hallelujah!! Jesus has conquered the grave and sin! Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ! Praise the Lord that this life is not the end and that those who belong to Jesus will live with him forever. How amazing that we serve a living God and that Jesus is ALIVE and goes before the Father on our behalf. Thank you Jesus for giving your life for us and taking the burden of our sin on yourself. Thank you for making a way for us. Amazing love.

 We had such a wonderful Easter weekend!! Wade's mom and step dad flew in for the weekend. We went to Brown County for the first time Saturday and enjoyed looking in all the cute shops while it rained and then walked around the little lake that's there. The weather was just gorgeous. It's always a blessing to have family around, especially during times of celebration. We had lots of good laughs, times and food. I missed my side of the family but am thankful they were able to celebrate together.

Here's lots of fun photos from the weekend!!

                                          Here's me and Angela at some shops in Nashville

While we were at Brown County there were frogs EVERYWHERE!! I have never seen so many frogs before..frogs on a mission...

Eeeew!! Haven't picked up a frog in a very long time...don't know why I felt like doing it Saturday, hehe... but...i think the frog mistaked me for somebody else...

On our way around the lake, Angela and I got a little hungry....wood chips were on the menu!

The beavers had really been at work...lol

Angela and Big Wes have such a love for nature and when we're together we always go out looking for whatever we can see, usually deer though. Even though there are lots of homes and traffic around here, we can walk right down the road and see deer sometimes.

Be very very quiet...we're hunting deer...

We stopped by the park and sat on the swings awhile as we waited for deer to come out. We did see 5 one night crossing the road and 3 next night in the corn field. Fun stuff!

Okay, so i thought it was funny that "miracle" was printed on the swing seat!! hehe...

Wade was gettin some good height on his swing

Here's Angela and me 

At the pond at our apartments we usually see geese, just not roosting in tall sycamore trees!! Angela and Big Wes didn't believe us at first that this goose lives in this tree! So glad he was home when we went for our walk. We named him Zacheus!!

Friday I went downtown with my coworkers to watch the Final Four teams practice and talk about traffic! It took us 45 minutes from here to get where we could park and walk to Lucas Oil Stadium.

People came out in droves for the practices!!

Here's the gang...Top left:Adam, then Yusef is next to Adam.

Front left: Jeff and then me