WE GOT THE HOUSE!!

I'm sure many of you already know by now, but they accepted our offer and we got the house!! Our closing date is April 23rd, but may be sooner if all is wrapped up earlier! We are so excited and can't wait for the new chapter of home ownership! Thanks everyone for all the prayers, it has been so needed and so felt! The Lord put the tug in our hearts around last October to start looking for a home to buy and we set out on the search, almost 6 months later, we have a house under contract! Now, all that's left is the home inspection and (don, don, DON...) the loan! Please continue to pray that all will go well and that the Lord will receive 100% of the glory in this process...even if things go bad or get frustrating! Can't wait to have you over!!!


here she is!!

Life is going too fast!

So many wonderful things have been happening lately! We ventured south to FL for Valentine's day and my mom's 50th birthday! We started looking at houses to buy and last night, we put an offer on a house! We're really praying for the Lord's direction on this one!



I'm trying to get some pictures from our Disney trip, but my camera isn't cooperating! Hopefully soon! In the meantine, here is some video of the house we hope to make our home!

The video above is of the front of the house

This video is of the upstairs

gratitude.

Today, in light of numerous recent events, I feel compelled to just be thankful.

Thank You, God, for hot water - hot green tea - beautiful newborn babies - a husband with wisdom beyond his years - parents and inlaws that call us and love on us daily - a job - a love for the culinary arts - DVR - humor - scripture that comforts and encourages - seat warmers in the car - candles - hot showers - a pantry full of food - a happy husband - hershey kisses with almonds - cotton t.shirts - epiderals - great friends in the New River Valley - God's perfect timing - thank You, God, for clean water - digital cameras - nearly any genre of food being delivered to a hospital - Ellie Grace & Megan - my health - God's provision - an amazing pastor and his family - frito chili pie - salt to melt the ice - wireless internet - great working cars - thank you for, warm and comfy blankets - ski pants - sleds - grocery stores - blogs - the intelligence you give us to create delicious recipes - sleep - lavender anything - down comforters - great books - the ability to look deeper into life - thankful for my worth in Christ - electricity - my amazing stand.mixer - marrying a man who values and cherishes his family - peonies - my mom and every bit of me that resembles her in looks and personality- decaf coffee - cupcakes - picture frames - shopping online - a Christian co.worker - birthdays - de.icer - fabulous accessories - wonderful memories - annual leave time - matt answering any and all of our mortgage questions - my relationship with vanessa - great magazines - Giada- HGTV- a dishwasher - a Christian realtor - examples of marriages that honor Christ - a dad with incredible wisdom - so grateful for living in America - bubble bath - a funny brother in law - j.crew - New Tech Fitness - my iPod - Father, thank you for your unending leave - for Christ and His redemption in our lives - two beautiful nieces and one handsome nephew- unexpected friendships - a wonderful example of a pastor's wife for a mother.in.law - best friends in korea who inspire me - God, thank you for 2nd, 3rd and 1,050,789th chances - organic milk - traveling - weddings - the miralce of childbirth - football - a father.in.law who loves me like I was his own daughter - colors - music - my husbands amazing voice -my lovey down in venice -friends who love missions- forgiveness through Christ - decaf caramel macchiatto's- Disney - a protective brother when I was growing up - TARGET- kisses- my desire to always learn - foot massages - ice scrapers - The Weather Channel -surprises- being snowed in with just Cody- vacuums - board games - the refuge that is the house in Boone - the still small voice of God's word- cheetos- trail mix - fluffy, warm towels - king.size beds - hangers for my clothes - fruit - my Ugg boots - a well.worned Bible - Cody's incredibly creativity - POG and 437 - Excel budget spreadsheets- Starbucks - my oven - debit cards - electric tea kettles -intimacy- winter coats..especially cute ones - my degree- VT closing - big coffee mugs - food that isn't contaminated - a house - my ability to hear- Xbox for Cody - hair elastics - face wash - remote controls - and last but surely not least, dare I say...SNOW.

This is everything I could think of from just the past few days....I can't imagine if I let myself think about my entire life! God is beyond my provider, he gives me more than my abundance!

Team Shanlian is Complete!

A few weeks ago, we headed North for a much anticipated event, Matt and Maria tying the knot! We drove up on Wednesday afternoon and made it in town around 7pm for a GREAT dinner with amazing friends at the House of Hunan in Medina, Ohio.

Next night we had the rehearsal dinner, the boys were so excited to be together again--but they missed Brenner, who is in Hungry until July.

The wives/fiance's watching on

Next couple down the aisle--Josh & Kelsie!

Our favorite Bahamian couple, Cedric & Jessica (so glad they made it up for the wedding!)

FINALLY--the big day has come! The boys looked so handsome in their tuxes! Matt looks anxious and excited!

The gorgeous bride and her dad :)

Cody singing "I will not take my love away"

Mr & Mrs. Matthew Shanlian--can you tell they're excited?!?!

All 8 of us :)

Ebony & Ivory reunited...and it feels so good!

The entire wedding party

Dancing with my honey

Cutting the cake--her theme was feathers, it was gorgeous!

Brothers :)

Travis & Vanessa-they're too cute

Ness and her two beauties-Noah and Estella

The fab 4 (Us, Cody's Brother and his wife, Vanessa)

We decorated their car in the snow--too fun, not the snow but the decorating!

The boys final group hug to say goodbye...it was so cute, but so sad!

The next morning we headed to church and Cody lead worship in the Sojourn Service. We had a delicious lunch with Cody's parents and grandparents! We are so incredibly blessed with amazing family and incredible friends. What a perfect weekend :)

Love ya'll,

Cody & LaRae