Friday Fun

So... I guess I'm trying to compensate for not posting at all last month, by posting a bunch this month.  Or I suppose I'm just trying to slow down and enjoy the good things about each day.  Today certainly had good things.  Sister's, Joanna and Lydia spent the night in our Home on Spring Street while Mama and Papa Dell took a trip to Hillsdale to visit Isaac and Rebekah.  It was such a blessing to have Lydia and Jo around to help me with the boys today.  It was also a blessing that Joanna made Pumpkin Spice muffins (Oh, you've never heard of those? Well, thats because they didn't exist until today).

Oh... and also pumpkin spice lattes... so yummy...

Oh...and also walks to the Wilmington Library.

Brausch Family Vacation 2013

Many, many years ago, my grandparents on my dad's side, started a tradition to vacation every summer.  That tradition still continues today, even though my family has grown, and my grandparents now have seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandbaby.  So, last Saturday, this little Dell family packed up, left our Home on Spring Street and drove six hours to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee.  The weather was nice all week and we spent our time swimming in the pool, playing tennis, golf, putt-putt golf, and sharing meals with family.  It was such a nice, relaxing week.  Check out the fun we had!

My awesome Nana and Papa

My dad and Joseph

Papa and baby Evan, how precious

My brother Adam and cousin Ethan, getting ready for an intense tennis match

My sister Haley and Noah warming up

Joseph didn't mind the pool too much

Viewing Falls Creek, Falls

My sister Haley and brother Adam

A ride on the Zink's pontoon boat

Swimming in St. George lake

Mrs. Zink's arm is apparently tasty

Cousins Jesse and Cameron at the pool

My Nana and Aunt Lisa

"Can we come back to Tennessee soon?"

A Gathering at the Dell's

Our beautiful Home on Spring Street housed her first-ever family party yesterday evening!  To celebrate our new home, Noah and I decided to invite family from both sides to come enjoy good food, fellowship, and of course, our new home!  This party marked a milestone in my role as a homemaker, never before have I hosted my own party in my own home.  Let me tell you, it was a lot of fun.  I've watched my own mother hostess many parties, it seems like she thinks of everything any guest could possibly want or need to feel welcome and cared for.  I have always admired that, and was excited for the chance to make guests feel welcome in my home as well.  I was also excited for Noah's and my family to see all the work that has been put into our Home on Spring Street.  Noah has worked so hard to make this house our home, and I think others see that as much as I do.

Catching a Breath

Whew...  The end of May seems to already be lost in time, and the first half of this week has gone by just as quickly.  This little Dell family has been so busy.  I wanted to take a minute to recap on the highlights.  

Last Wednesday, Noah's former college roommate, Rob came to spend the latter of the week and weekend with us.  Both he and Noah were asked to be groomsmen in another previous roommate's wedding so Rob came down from Michigan to join the festivities.  Thursday, Rob, Noah, and the rest of the groomsmen took a trip to Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati for the bachelor party while Joseph and I went to the bachelorette party (Joseph's first and probably last).  For the bachelorette party, the bridesmaids, and some other close friends of the bride went to a restaurant called Via Viste for dinner, Graeter's Creamery for dessert, and back to the bride and groom's new apartment for drinks.

Here we all are in front of Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati.

Friday night consisted of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  The food was excellent and the company was even better.  It was such a blessing to catch up with old friends that Noah and I had not seen for months.  Saturday, of course was the wedding.  It was absolutely beautiful, from the ceremony down to the flowers (which my mother-in-law did). 

 

The new Mr. and Mrs. Danny Garay

This matrimony was particularly exciting to witness because these two friends of ours, Abby and Danny, are very clearly devoted to Christ and devoted to each other.  Throughout their dating relationship, they desired to glorify God, and no doubt their marriage will do just that.

Although the weekend was joyful and fun, it was also very exhausting.  Monday found us back in our Home on Spring Street sanding and painting walls, hanging drywall, and peeling wallpaper.  The work required for this project takes much patience and perseverance.  Thankfully we have wonderful family and friends who are willing to help us with the burden.  Monday, good friends from church came to help us work (and brought us Jones Soda!)  Tuesday, our pastor came and helped us by preparing the living room walls for paint, and today (Wednesday), my dad and sister, Haley, came and helped us paint.  Hopefully soon I'll be able to post pictures of newly painted rooms.  I'm thankful for all of the time and energy so many family members and friends have donated to help us get closer to moving into our little Home on Spring Street.  The long days are wearing on me, and certainly wearing on Noah.  He continues to be long-suffering which is very encouraging, but I look forward to the day (coming soon) when he and I and Joseph will be enjoying our Home on Spring Street and catching a breath.

Although he's busy, Noah still takes time to hold and talk to Joseph.  He's a wonderful daddy.

  

A Lesson in Edwardian Architecture

So... I've spent the last two days researching early 1900's home decor.  What started as a simple Google search to find period paint colors, turned into an informational and very fascinating lesson on Victorian and Edwardian architecture.  Our beautiful Home on Spring Street was built in 1905 (or so we were told), which would make it Edwardian style.  The main difference between Edwardian and Victorian style is simply the monarch who ruled in Britain at the time.  The Victorian era lasted for the duration of Queen Victoria's rule, which was 1837 to 1901.  Edwardian style was prevalent between 1901 to 1910.  Isn't it interesting that home architecture in America was so heavily influenced by who was ruling in Britain at the time?  Well, I thought it was interesting, which is why I've spent so much time reading about, and writing a blog post about it.

Edwardian style was characterized by it's open and airy feel, directly contrasting with the previous Victorian style which tended to be dark and cluttered.  Below I've shared some pictures of Edwardian style decor.  Perhaps our Home on Spring Street will sport some of these in the future!