saying goodbye to our first home

December 4, 2013January 15, 2014 Rachel Atwell5 Comments

As I’m surrounded by organized chaos in our apartment and waiting for the movers to arrive, it’s hard to believe that our time here is done.

Moving here in July was unlike any move I’d ever done before {and I’m not just talking about the husband part}.

I moved here knowing that more than likely at the beginning of the new year, we would be looking for a new place to live. Little did we know, it would actually happen in December!

Shortly after I got settled, I asked G to pray that I would open my heart to the people God was surrounding us with. Sometimes I can keep to myself – especially if I know that my time with someone will be short term.

Thankfully God allowed me to be open and in that process He allowed me to meet some wonderful people here.

From our friends through church to other officers and their wives, it’s interesting all the different people we’ve met in such a short time {I guess the fact it’s a military community helps that too}.

Telling all of them goodbye was sad, but it’s exciting to see all the people we added to our “family” these last few months.

Thanks to all of you for making our time here wonderful! We love you!

Atwell Adventures

our first thanksgiving

December 3, 2013January 15, 2014 Rachel Atwell3 Comments

(I’m in the middle of organizing things we’re taking in our car and taking pictures off the wall… I can’t believe we’re moving tomorrow! ahh!)

At first I was a little intimidated by the idea of a Thanksgiving meal on our own here in Hampstead. But after a little bit of planning and pinning, it really wasn’t that bad and actually kind of fun. With the exception of the 20 minutes we skyped with my family, it was by far the most quiet holiday I’ve ever experienced. But there was something special about cooking, reading, and listening to music with G. It was the kind of quality time we don’t very often find ourselves with.

Our menu consisted of turkey tenderloin {a little less intimidating than a whole turkey} and lots of carbs. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked this much for two people – and are whole table was covered. I also used our blue and white china for the first time!

Oh and I made my first pie! {with store bought pie crust…shhh…}

We also decided to start a new tradition that night. I asked Gary to pick out a movie for us to watch, one that we could watch every year on Thanksgiving {or at least the Thanksgivings we spend on our own}. The only rules were it had to be a holiday movie and it had to be kid friendly. He chose The Polar Express which somehow neither of us had seen all the way through. A movie and hot chocolate on the stove with homemade whip cream – perfect end to a good day.

Thanksgiving 2013 – you were sweet and memorable.

How was your Thanksgiving?

Monthly Goals

december 2013 goals

December 2, 2013 Rachel Atwell5 Comments

December – the most wonderful time of the year!

But November was pretty good to us too:) Well, minus that whole mono thing. We attended the marine ball, searched for our new home {and signed a lease on a place!}, finished my first book on my 101 in 1001 list, celebrated our first married Thanksgiving together here in Hampstead, finished all but ten of our wedding thank you notes {I ran out!}, and got started on our Christmas cards design and address list!

Movers are scheduled to arrive in two days and I’m going a little stir crazy because I’m not allowed to pack anything. Grateful that we have someone that is handling it all for us though – prayers for a smooth move appreciated.

Once we get moved in, I hope to unpack boxes and get furniture arranged within the first few days so that we can decorate our new home for Christmas! I’m so excited to get our first tree! In the meantime, we’ll be enjoying these few Christmas ornaments for the next day and will continue to entertain each other with our newest addition – Leeward the Elf!

The only things we have listed on our calendar so far is the Hanging of the Green’s at church last night, G’s brother’s graduation and commissioning, a few birthdays, our five months, and Christmas. I feel like our clear calendar is a Christmas miracle but I think is really just a result of transition. G’s holiday schedule is still to be determined so once its established we will make plans for holiday travel to our families.

And now to keep focused – goals for December!

daily Advent readings with G to keep our minds and hearts centered on our Lord and Savior
purchase a washer and dryer {no more community laundry! yay!}
start and finish book two
finish a website project
distribute/mail wedding Thank You notes
order and mail Christmas cards
establish a notebook/planner/organizer for 2014
continue the job hunt in the Augusta area

I’m thankful for the Lord’s guidance and direction that has brought us to where we are. Some familiar verses that G shared with me early on in our relationship,

Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

And that is what I’m trying to remember this month {and always}.

Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks.

What does your December look like?