a date with Des Moines

A few weeks ago, in the car, Luke and I were having a loudly-voiced discussion about a few things.

I think he said, "we should do this" and I began my ranty rant about how "we always say we are going to do things but never end up doing things" etc etc etc. 

Um, dramatic. 

And so, in true Luke wonderful style, he challenged me on it. Like what? He said, let's make them happen. 

Let's just say I'm often hormonal and say things - not because they have any evidence or grounding - but simply because I'm emotional, tired and need to make a point.

I said "go to a football game" - so he scheduled a date.

Then, I said "go to Des Moines' - and he said 'okay'. 

Des Moines is in Iowa, and I'm not even sure why I wanted to go there. I think I saw it in a picture, or on a sign one day, and decided that it was a new and passionate dream of mine.

Just like going to India. When people ask me, 'why India?' I usually say "I don't know, it's colourful". 

I didn't know why I wanted to go there but in the heat of the I-simply-must-be-right moment, I made my points with.. Des Moines.

And so, after rescheduling once (it was storming) yesterday, me and my fiance (OH GOODNESS I'M GETTING MARRIED AHHHH!!!!) hopped in the car and drove the two and a half something hours to Des Moines; just because, and just to hang out. It was, wonderful. 

Without an agenda (I don't like that word at all) we ended up stopping in a tiny town we now know to be named Walnut, and we looked at antique shops. The town literally has a dozen of them.

We were creeped out by dolls, creeped out by witches, treated to a beautiful lunch in a quiet, Iowa diner; and we looked through vintage clothes, old coins, beautiful antique furniture and about a hundred other hidden, dainty treasures. 

Then onto Des Moines! We went to a sculpture park, an art gallery, the capital building, a rose garden, the botanical gardens (don't do it, worst place ever) and out to dinner with some new (to me) and old (for him) friends. It was.. great.

Just, great. 

He is great. 

God is GREAT!

Happy weekend!

not quite the same as the Sydney Opera House..

now look a little closer.

calling Omaha home

Since this post, I've had a lot of people reach out to me.

Tell me it's normal, and they're sorry and asking if there is "anything they can do".

And I really do appreciate it, because it has been really hard. Very, very hard; some days. 

Hi, by the way.

I have been absent for a long time. I would like to say "I'm just too busy!" but really I'm just dealing with a whole lot of things. It's hard to write when I feel like I'm faking it. So sorry, but here I am. 

It's hard missing home, and it's something I haven't experienced in this capacity before.

My mum once told me, that when you let love into your life, you open yourself up to being vulnerable, and being hurt. I know that.

And Australia is very, very far away, and there is so much, and so many someone's, that I love there. And it's not very much fun, missing them. 

But, I'm here now. I'm going to be married. Marriage is the beginning of a new family, and 'home' will be wherever we are. That's exciting, but also hard to swallow.

God is teaching me so much right now - that even happy things can be difficult, and even exciting times, can cause a stress. 

On that note, I have wonderful parents. Truly wonderful, and I want to take this little moment in time to simply honour them (that's right, honour, with a 'u'. Like favourite. And colour.).

just re-dicovered this. My mum - chasing seagulls. She's wonderful.  

also re-discovered this... um. yep. 

I haven't appreciated them nearly as much as I should have until these past few years, but God really, truly and overwhelming has blessed me with them. Blesses me with them, every single day.

I can't think of two more loving, Godly, prayerful and humble people in my life. They embody what it means to live content, without complaint.

I love them, very, very much. I look up to them and am thankful for them. 

And this post is mainly for them. Because I promised, weeks and weeks ago - to show them. So here you are, mum and dad! My house. But, also I just wanted to say a big fat thank you, for everything you've done and given, provided and encouraged, over my past twenty two years. I am very grateful, and very thankful.

I've lived here for just over two months now, and I love it. 

So come on in and welcome, to my home.

it is never this clean.

longue room

what's a home without some pinecones and boules.

outside deck chair.

not real.

another American obsession I simply can't understand.
Pumpkins. Vegetables as decorations? As a flavour for your coffee?
If you say so.

my keys: work, home, car, Luke's house.
my key chains: Africa, and from my closest childhood friend.

dining. fridge. doors to garage/ basement.

oh hey.

my bedroom.
at least 18 more feminine then ever before.

for butthead.

my nook.

the answer to your question is chalk board paint and rope.