texting snippet

Said Karla to Jeff via text after her morning Metro ride into work on Friday:

"Can I tell you something? I love the Gospel! Since I left my stuff at work yesterday I just pondered on the Metro in today. I thought of The Living Christ, the Family Proclamation, the Young Women's theme, and the Relief Society theme. And you know what I realized? The Gospel brings me more joy than any of these DC thrills ever could. They are fun of course, but they don't even compare to the full, happy joy the Gospel brings me. It was a needed reminder that I always need to ctr so I'm worthy of Gospel blessings. Thanks for letting me share."

And it's true - Christ's gospel makes me happy. :)

what are you thinking about?

Ah - love this video. It's an oldie, but a goodie.

So, the question - what are you sinking...er...thinking about? In the words of President Henry B. Eyring's father, "When you walk down the street, when you're in the shower or when you don't have anything to be thinking about, what is it that you think about?"

Perhaps you have heard the story, but this is the question President Eyring's father asked him to help him discover what it is that he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Trying to follow in his father's footsteps, he was studying physics. However, after pondering his father's questions, he changed his major and studied business, went on to get a PhD, and ended up teaching it.

Now don't take this as an introduction to a big career change. But I am starting to notice there is something I think about pretty much every day - at home, at work, on my commute. I just can't seem to get it out of my head, even though I probably should. That little something is...

FOOD!

Okay, well, not just food, but baking. I LOVE baking. I can't get enough of it. I want to do it every day, seriously. Not cooking - I mean who wants to go home and cook dinner? Haha, okay, I know there are some of you out there that love cooking deliciously nutritious meals for your family. I'm not so much one of them (much to Jeff's chagrin). Me, I want to bake my most favorite things, and two of those things are bread and treats. Mmmmm....yes, bread and treats. For example,

Chocolate caramel crakers
Pumpkin cake
Apple honey challah
Vanilla breadsticks (a variation of these)
Buckeyes (not technically baking, but a treat nonetheless)
Cookies n' cream fudge
S'mores bars (omit the nuts to be like me)

just to name a few...

Oh yes, I love me some bread and I love me some treats! Unfortunately my 10-11 hour work days (when you factor in the commute) do not leave me the luxury of spending as much time baking as I would like. Someday perhaps, someday. However, my waistline could probably do without. :) But baking is one of the ways I can create, taking raw materials and producing a wonderful end product that would not have existed without my vision, my hands, and my work. Mmm...being a baker makes me a creator, and that is something to feel happy, fulfilled, and satisfied about.

How about you? What do you think about when there's nothing else you have to think about?

vacancy?

For those of you who have asked, or who wanted to ask, or who might someday ask, the answer is YES! There are vacancies at the Ehlers' place! Please please let us know if you're ever in the area and need a place to bunk for the night(s), stop by before/after your temple trip, etc. We'd love to have visitors, and we have a dependable air matress with your name on it. :)

lunch break - installment II

For lunch today I walked to the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. I had only been here once before and didn't spend a lot of time there. I didn't have a lot of time there today either, but I was glad I went.

Again, the lovely Capitol, looking toward the West Front on the walk down Capitol Hill.

They had a Dutch painting exhibit where I spent most of my time. Ah - you know how I feel about flowers, even in 2D. :)

Pictures truly don't do this painting justice (especially from my little phone camera), but the detail on the arches was so amazing! I loved it!

I was very intrigued with the way the painter made the reflection of the moon so realistic, almost like there was actually light coming from the painting. It was interesting to get up close to it and see that it wasn't real light at all, just paint. Wow.

Another view of the muesum. And I'm happy to report that petunias have the same lovely fragrance over here on the east coast!

lunch break - installment 1

Welcome to the first of hopefully many installments of what I'm up to in DC. I realize that I have some amazing opportunities, being able to work so close to so many incredible places. As a result, I'm making it a goal to use my lunch breaks as opportunities to get out and experience these places and things first hand.

So, something you'll probably be seeing lots of pictures of - our lovely US Capitol (please forgive the low resolution - it was taken with my low quality phone camera). I spent last Friday outside of the East Front door (TRIVIA: did you know there isn't a "back door" to the Capitol? They consider both to be the front door, so there is an East Front and a West Front). I used the time to write a letter to my mom (I did some pondering on the lost art of letter writing, but I'll save that for another post). It was nice and warm. I know it's still early fall here, but I am starting to see why everyone raves about autumn here. It is warm, but not hot. Cool, but not cold. I'm enjoying it already!

fyi

I'm sure you've felt it - the overwhelming feeling of having so much to express, so much to say, so many updates to give. So many that you have to ask, "Where do I even start?" So, I'll start with some of the basics:

• We moved to Maryland.
  
  
• We had an amazingly fun drive across country to get here (above we are pictured in Philly, one of the stops on the trip).

• I have more boxes and stuff than I know what to do with.

• I have the internet - who knew a 2 week wait could be so long?

• Our apartment has a washer and dryer - hallelujah.

• We miss Idaho, friends, family, and loved ones.

• We are grateful for friends old and new, families who care, and all the thoughts, prayers, phone calls, letters, texts, facebook comments, and e-mails we've received to let us know you're still there and you still care. Thank you!

Being away from home has definitely increased my need to be electronically connected. So never fear - more posts to come!

girls camp

I'm not sure how, but I've managed to get the best assignments and callings in the world. I had the privilege of spending this last week up at Girls Camp, where I got to work with the amazing 16 and 17 year old Youth Leaders in our Stake. It was an incredible week! I truly felt an outpouring of the Spirit in preparation for camp, as well as during the time we were up at camp. It was wonderful!

I was literally laughing until my side hurt! Between getting fake bruises (created with markers), doing acrobatics at the pool, staying up WAY late, traipsing around the woods doing pranks, and the girls calling me Sister Gospel, it was a wonderfully fun and entertaining time. We were even lucky enough to have Jeff join us for a day up there, which the girls loved, of course. :)

In addition to laughing and joking, we were able to share with each other in the Spirit and come closer to Christ. I had an absolute blast getting to know these girls and helping them understand that God loves them and wants them to be happy. It really is amazing to see what strong friendships and connections can be forged in such a short time. I truly love these girls and am already plotting how I can get back to Boise to see them as they accomplish all the wonderful things they are capable of. I love these girls and I love the Gospel!

big news

Yes, we're moving to...

Maryland? you ask. Why Maryland? Well, Jeff is going back to school to pursue a PhD in Business, specifically in Information Systems (IS). We are thrilled that he has been accepted at the University of Maryland - go Terps!

Not only is it an AMAZING program (their IS program is ranked number 6 in the country), but it is a mere 6 miles away from Washington, DC. As a result, I will be working for the U.S. Senate in our Capitol Hill office!

Jeff has had grad school in mind for quite some time, but who knew we'd be moving to Maryland? Who knew I'd be working in DC? It's so interesting to see the path our lives have taken and continue to take - how it all unfolds.

We feel so richly blessed by the Lord. We know He is mindful of us and has a plan for us, better than the plans we made for ourselves. We are sad to leave Idaho and our friends and family here, but we are also excited for the new adventure that lies ahead on the east coast!

These are my own little "terps" I bought with birthday money from Anthro. Aren't they cute?

my wildflower patch

I love flowers. Scratch that - I ADORE flowers! I'm not sure what it is, but I just can't get enough of them. Spring is such a lovely time of year, and the flowers popping up everywhere bring me joy. I need to get my camera out and start snapping some shots before the springtime varieties fade away.

Today as I was driving back to work from lunch, I noticed a bunch of dandelions in my neighbors' yards. In fact, a couple of the houses had a mini field of them. I know they are weeds, much like the yellow tansy pictured above. But seeing those bright yellow bursts of color covering the beautiful green grass are somehow cheerful to me. Then again, I'd probably feel differently if it were my own yard.

Following on that, I thought about how wonderful it would be to have enough land to just have a big field of flowers in your backyard. One big field, filled with one variety of a bright and beautiful flower, somwhere to just wander, take pictures, nap, and enjoy at my leisure. But alas, it will be quite some time before that becomes a reality. For now I will just have to dream as I admire other people's dandelions. :)

thank you

A big, heartfelt thanks to each and every person who read my last post, particularly those who left a sweet comment. I always love comments, but it is especially wonderful to read such personal and kind words as we go forward on this new chapter in our lives. Jeff and I have been so blessed to have supportive friends, families, and loved ones who selflessly reach out with their words, thoughts, and prayers, especially when it isn't easy. Thank you, thank you, thank you. :)

As for the pictures, well, remember how I went to Hawaii 5 months ago and never posted about it? Well, here are some of my pictures. I really am planning to do a recap, but it's one of those things I want to make sure I do right, so as a result I don't do it. Haha - funny how that works. It will come - promise.

We're Hoping to Adopt!

Jeff and I are very excited to let you know that we are hoping to adopt! Some of you may have already known about this, as it's something that's been in the works for a while. We just recently had our profile published on the LDS Family Services website, so we figured it was time to announce it on our lovely blogs. You can view our profile by clicking here.

The journey that has brought us to where we are today has been a rollercoaster ride filled with lots of ups and downs. With challenges in life come great blessings from the Lord, and we have faith that adoption will be a miracle in our lives from Him. We are sincerly excited to adopt and have faith that this is the Lord's plan for us to bring children into our home.

As mentioned, we are going through LDS Family Services, which allows birth mothers to choose the couple their child will be placed with. As a result, we don't know how long it will be until a mother chooses to place with us. If you know of an individual who is considering placing their child for adoption, we would love for you to direct them to our profile and get in touch with us!

The greatest strength we have found in this journey is the peace and comfort that comes from the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have faith that He is ever mindful of us and that His plan for us is greater than any plan we had for ourselves!

spring

is just around the corner

and that is something

to be happy about. :)

anthro

I don't know about you, but I do love me some Anthropologie. I feel lucky to be able to walk/drive past this store everyday for work - I'll admit I've been known to jaywalk just so I can get a closer look. :)

Not only are the clothes beautifully unique and the home accessories to die for, but the window displays are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! If you want to know what I'm talking about, just google image search "anthropologie window displays" for some great eye candy. It makes me want to have a huge window in my house someday just so I can make incredible displays out of everyday items like cardboard, paper, etc.

An ostrich made out of paper? Yes indeed!

A few months ago I noticed a little sign in their window for "Visual Tuesdays." So, for a few weeks, I spent my lunchbreak at Anthro helping design their holiday window display. The theme was "15 inches of snow," so lots of white! We used some pretty random items - paper receipt rolls, paper cups dipped in wax, etc.

It was really fascinating to see how they do their displays. Each store has a visual director (not sure that's the actual title), which is a full time job. Every time Anthro does a new display they send a little inspiration booklet to each of their visual directors. It is full of images, some of their own images, some from other artists, to inspire the director. Then the director gets to decide how to execute it in their individual store. I LOVE the concept of giving the director freedom to make the display what they want it to be - what a way to encourage creativity!

So bottom line - Anthro is fresh, fun, and inspiring. A little pricey for my current situation, but you can get a whole lotta inspiration for free by just doing a walk through of the store - or just the window for that matter.

new digs

So I was just reviewing my posts for the past 6 months or so, and I realized there are almost NO pictures of Jeff and me! You would think we have no lives beyond weddings, crafts, food and photography, which isn't quite true. :)

However, I do love having this little spot to share my creative musings and latest (or not so latest) projects. Therefore, if you want to keep updated on the family happenings of Jeff and me, take a little hop on over to our

family blog - woot woot!

I've had this address for a few (ahem) years and am finally getting around to using it. But better late than never, eh?

Enjoy!

dasily + mckay

December brought yet another wedding in Jeff's family, Dasily and McKay. Yes, that's right, 3 weddings in 12 months! Props to Jeff's parents for surviving that! It was a beautiful winter day for a beautiful couple. Congrats, Dasi and McKay!

The Idaho Falls temple - we kinda like this place :)

The happy siblings

I can't even tell you how much I love this face!

Tasty reception treats (LOVE that argyle!)...

and the full spread!

I made the turquoise tablecloths. As for the recipes for some of the treats (including those AMAZING argyle cheesecake pops my mother in-law made), you can find them here, here, and here!

You can also see more wedding pics from the photographer here.