Merry Christmas!!!

Hope you are all going to have a fantastic weekend! 

Des and I are about to hop in the car and drive to Zwolle! We will be back here tomorrow WITH Brian :)

and then Monday we'll be celebrating with Desmond's family in Zoetermeer!

I will give a full recap along with pics next week! 

I want to wish you all a very happy weekend, full of sweet memories and wonderful new ones!

xoxo Carly rae

Happy Monday

I thought of starting the week off with some pretty inspiration!

How Gorgeous? I think I need to get a snowflake cookie cutter!

what a great idea... instead of a gift tag maybe? :)

This is just beautiful!

My current favorite decorations are all white and sparkly... I think these are just so fun :)

and just one last thought...

1/2/3/4/5

Have a great day everyone!!

xoxo Carly Rae

Hey Lovelies!

I know I have been a very bad blog poster this month. BUT I have a very good excuse. Life has been busy :)

Ok, so its not a great excuse.. but will you forgive me? 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful December.. we sure have! (and yeah, we have been really busy lately!)

 We have had a couple teams from other cities this month to help with the church. Yesterday a group came from Alphen a/d Rhijn and preformed a great play called the "plaatsvervanger" (the substitute). Not only did we have some visitors but we had a great time getting to know new people and see some old friends!

We also were able to go to Zwolle on Friday night for some special services with Pst Klok from Amersfoort. It was a great time and SO great to see everyone there. I'm so happy that I get to go back next Saturday for a Christmas Eve musical too!

And yes, we have been busy getting ready for Christmas! I love this time of year! The tree, the lights, the cookies and Christmas cards! (and of course the shopping) But best of all taking time to think about how our Savior came to Earth! For us! 

That seems like a great reason to celebrate to me! :)

I promise to post more this week! So feel free to check back!

xoxo Carlyrae

link

Wordless Wednesday

well not exactly wordless.. more... pictureful :)

here's some things that made me smile this week!

1. I love these sparkly pears! :) Or pretty much anything sparkle this time of year!

2. this actually makes me excited for winter and snow. So Gorgeous!

3. i love this idea.. i'm thinking about trying to recreate it for our bedroom

4. yum. 

5. so pretty...

6. this makes me smile.

Hope you are all having a great week! I'll be back tomorrow for a Thanksgiving post!

xoxo Carlyrae

Checking In

Hope you are all having a great week so far! Here it is definitely almost winter! We had to scrape ice off the windshield a couple days now! 

But other than that things are good over here in Rijswijk. Des and I had a very busy weekend so its been nice to take things a bit slower the last couple of days. 

Last Friday was my brother's birthday. I can't believe he is 19! Luckily he was in Hoofddorp for a concert that night so we were able to swing by after the wedding (Speaking of which, it was beautiful.) and see him. 

Love ya Bri!

Saturday we went to Arnhem for the first pioneer's breakfast from Zwolle. It was so great to see everyone of course, but also just to hear the stories and be able to laugh and be encouraged... To know you aren't the first person in your situation, that you aren't crazy for thinking/feeling the way you do.. The best advice I got was about just enjoying the stage you are at. (Come to think of it that's pretty good life advice :D)

Its easy to compare or even wish you were doing better/seeing more but if you focus only on that you'll go crazy. Its better to enjoy the experience and look for the advantages of where you're at. 

anywho. the rest of the weekend flew by too. we went on the streets here, went to revival services in Delft and were able to hang out with friends.

And this week.. like I said we have been taking it easy.. a friend from LT, Vilma came over Tuesday, it was great to see her... Des taught me how to make monchou cake... way too yummy! Next time I will take pictures :)

The next couple weeks will be kind of busy so I'm not sure how much I will be able to post... but I would still love to hear from you! And I want to thank all of the people praying for us. It may not seem like much but we are learning how much it really is! 

xoxo Carlyrae

I'm Back!

Hey Everyone!

Its been a while since I posted, this past week has been great but really, really busy!

Last Tuesday (november 1st) my nephew was born. His name is Melchior... (that's right... they now have 3 "mel" names!) and he is such a cutie! On Saturday Kelly and Tim came to visit and we spent the day at the Mel's. Here is a pic of the cutie with Des.

(he has his hand in front of his face in almost all the pictures)

and a picture showing (half) his face, with his auntie kelly!

I also went to Zwolle twice this past week... It was so great to see everyone! Last Friday I spent the day with Miss P and Brian. We laughed a LOT. We shopped. Brian told people gingers have no souls. he has red hair. And I got new boots!

Then I was there on Monday again and I got to hang out with the girls at Mizu! Miss P and her baby Jess, Jen, Rach and Anne came! I hope to get some pictures of that up sometime soon!

there was a lot of laughing and sushi involved :)

I also had a bunch of people come and visit me here in Rijswijk and to top of all the craziness tonight we are going to a wedding! 

What about you guys? Have you done anything fun this past week? I would love to hear about it!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! xoxo Carly

P.S. next week I hope to post the progress on my bedroom so stay posted! 

Fall how I love thee... let me count the ways...

Hey Lovelies!

Hope you are all off to a great start to your week! Today has been kind of cool here, real fall weather. The perfect kind of day to cozy up with a good book and a warm cup of tea!

what about you? how do you best like to pass by a fall day?

 

 

pictures are from:  1/ 2/ 3/ 4

Hope you are all staying safe and warm!

xoxo, Carlyrae

the days fly by...

Happy Sunday you guys! Another week seems to have flown by!

Thanks so much for all the emails and prayers. Des and I are both feeling a lot better, almost back to normal!

This week was fun and busy.

We had the Mel's over for dinner and games... still no nephew but he will be here monday or tuesday at the latest! I went to the hospital with Melody for a check up and then she took me to this amazing coffee place!

Not only were the coffee and desserts to die for but we had such a great talk about all God has done for us in the past couple years!

He is so faithful to always provide, not that everything is always easy, but He has always provided what we need. Its so good to serve a God who doesn't change and even now if we go through difficult situations to know we can completely trust in Him!

Then yesterday we went to Hoofddorp to visit some friends of ours, Richard and Tamara.

They are also starting a church there and have gone through/are going through a lot of what we have been experiencing these past four months. It was so great to hear from them, things they have learned and just to laugh and encourage each other.

Then to make this week even better we got to sleep an extra hour because of the time change... SCORE! hehe...

What about you guys? Did you do anything special this week?

I always love to read any comments you have!! :)

xoxo, Carlyrae

A beautiful sunny day!

Happy Sunday you guys!

I will start by saying I hate being sick. But I kind of was... all week. So this week has not exactly been eventful. To catch you all up: there were a lot of tissues, tea, medicine, sleeping and a few tears.

But I am happy to say I am finally feeling a bit better! Just in time for a busy weekend too! Yesterday we had a team from Rotterdam and it was great! They had an acousic band and we had a lot of fun. There were some visitors too!

 

But even though I spent most of the weekend on the couch I didn't waste too much time. I actually got some things done that I had been putting off. I wrote thank you cards, finished a book and best of all caught up on some blogs!

Here are some links to things I enjoyed this week! I hope you do too!

This slideshow makes me dream of what my house will one day look like!

I made this recipe last week and it turned out soooooo good! This week I am going to take a shot at this one!

This is the crazyness called Silent Act! Its a drama team from our church in Zwolle that Des and I were in. We miss them all so much but especially the 'behind the scenes' things like this. Crazyness (:

I am in love with these shoes... but not sure I would pull them off. sighhh...

And if you want to see more lovely things be sure to head over to this blog for more inspiration!

Lastly I want to wish my grandma a very Very VERY happy 71st birthday! I wish I could be there with you to chat, celebrate and eat birthday cake! I love you SO much! 

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

xoxo

Carlyrae 

Things I love...

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
We had such a great time at the Rally in Zwolle! The preaching was wonderful and it was great to see so many friends! We also got to go out to lunch with Brian and visit Des's grandma so it was a busy but wonderful trip.
Today I'm doing another addiction of things I love...

Loved <3

... How faithful God is! Words really can't explain but in these past few months He has taught me so much. Always on time. Always giving me another chance. In a world where almost everything is uncertain I am so thankful I can put my trust in the One who never changes!...

... baking. especially in this weather...

... my awesome hubby. because he makes cookies with me. and laughs at me. and is so cute!..

... new recipes. that taste good. like the pasta with shrimp one I tried last week. It made enough for 4. there were no leftovers...

 

... skype. i would go crazy if I could chat with my mom and dad. and thanks to skype we can talk for free!...

... the comments my brother left on the blog.. i laughed for an hour...

... the surprise party my SIL kelly threw for her bf Tim.. his face was priceless when everybody came in!...

... candles. because they are pretty. and smell good...

Not so much...

...being sick. sick like don't-get-off-the-couch-all-day sick..

... traffic. 2 1/2 hours friday.what should have taken just over 1hour.. (but I got to hang out and laugh with the hubs, so all in all, not the worst situation...)

... real cold weather. I'm all about fall but I am not ready to have to wear gloves and a winter coat yet! on the plus side I am loving all the hot chocolate!...

More posts to come later this week! Stay warm and happy!

xoxo Carlyrae

At the market...

It seems like a couple days ago I woke up and all the sudden it was fall.

I don't mind at all, it is October and I love this time of year..

I mean.. hot chocolate and baking and cozy sweaters and pretty leaves..

what's not to love?!

(well, the rain. And that winter is coming. but besides that, I love it!)

Des and I enjoyed it this morning at the local market.

One of my favorite things about where we live here in Rijswijk is that we live close by to the city center

and its about a two minute walk from the market every Saturday morning.

Tonight we are going to go to Delft to hear a band from Amersfoort! (and bringing some people from Rijswijk too!) and tomorrow will be a busy day with two services (:

What are your plans for the weekend? Anything exciting?

xoxo Carlyrae

Livingroom before and afters

Hey Everyone! So as promised here are some before and after pictures of our home. I decided to start with the livingroom... because its come the furthest along (: 

there are still some things I would like to change

BUT I am very happy with the house and the whole vibe it gives off...

anyhoo. enough talking. lets get to the pictures (: 

Here is the room before we moved all our junk things in. so nice and white!

 



and now.... here is what the room looks like now!

(on the right)

(on the left)

And then if you looked back at the door...

The room isn't that big.. we can fit at least 16 people in there though (yes... we did!)

but it is really tricky to get good pictures because of the layout.

... and because I have two closets (on either side of the entrance) that are really messy and not ready for the world to see!...

and here are some more pictures of the room..

My favorite part is deffinitely the big window and the view.. The tree is gorgeous and I love when the sunlight shines through.. I also like how the room doesn't feel too clutered..

So that's our livingroom up until now!
Some things I still want to do are add some more color and maybe add something on the wall above the couch.. but I'm not sure..
If you have thoughts or ideas for me I would love to hear them! Just leave a comment!

Hope you are all having an amazing week!
xoxo Carlyrae

Things I love...

Another week has gone by with no posts.. hmm, at least I have a reaccuring theme on the here (:

But it has been an amazing week so I guess I am going to do a little recap... things I loved.. and not so much.

Loved <3

... Monday I turned 21...

I know. OLD. well not at all actually except it is really an adult. I could now drink, go to a casino or rent a car. In the USofA.. but I don't drink, gamble and I have a car so I guess its a moo point (you know, a moo point like anything a cow says, it just doesn't matter :D)

...I got to go back to Zwolle and visit miss Paulien and she let me have a party at her house!!

(but you can't see it because I was brilliant and left my camera in the carrr...)

... This week I also got to hang out with my SIL some more. The older one, Melody (married to Melvin, in other words, the Mel's)... She is preggers and so looking forward to having her baby!!

... playing games way to late at the mel's and laughing. a lot...

... having ilona come to visit. we talked. we laughed. we killed a giant spider. enough said...

... going to starbucks. with Ilona...

... getting to go see security play in Delft. singing along loudly to the songs and just not caring...

... shoppppppping with Des. he's such a good sport...

And the things I'm loving not so much:

... allergies.. bah, my  eyes itch...

... having some services with no people.. kind of weird...

... that my friend elvira is in the hospital.. please pray for her!...


All in all I don't have much to complain about. I do however need to get ready for service.
Stay tuned.. this week I'm posting 'after' shots of my living room (:

xoxo Carlyrae

2 years!

Today is our 2 year anniversary! Time goes by so fast.

Two years ago at this time I was running around getting ready and finishing up my wedding cake (something I don't actually suggest you do yourself) and about to start the adventure of a life time with my best friend.

I am so thankful for the past two years and so excited to see where life takes us.

I have learned a lot... about myself, about my sweet husband, about what love really is.

Desmond, you are the best husband a girl could ask for!

The way you get me coffee in the morning, the way you are so patient with me, the way you make me laugh!

(and so many other things)

I love you so much!

Carlyrae

spoiled

yes.. spoiled.

my friends are amazing.

last night they showed up at my house and threw me a surprise party. :) i'm still smiling.

on Thursday Ellen called to ask if she could come by yesterday. I was totally excited!

I picked her up at the train station and after getting des from work we came back here.

Des sweetly offered to order take out for dinner so we could just catch up.

and then this happened..

(kelly, ashtin, jen giving me a hug and corien)

they had thought of everything, even brought dinner with them :)

(kel and corien making dinner)



and then we just had a great evening catching up!

 

 

I don't know how to thank you guys, it was so awesome to see you all. The perfect present!!

(jen, rach, kelly, anne, ashtin, me, corien and ellen)

xoxo Carlyrae

Just checking in..

Hey Guys! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We were really busy here, its such an exciting time! Friday night my sister in law had a BABY shower :) She is due in about 4 weeks and we are so excited for them! They had a bunch of cute games like pregnant twister (haha, don't ask...), lots of friends and of course beautiful presents!

Saturday started out with Des and I making apple turnovers (loving fall!) for breakfast before we went out on the streets and had some great conversations with people, did some shopping and just kind of had a relaxing day. That night we went to the coffeehouse in DenHaag and it was awesome. Melvin (my brother in law) and his band performed and it was so great!

Sunday was another exciting day with people coming out for the services. The only worrying thing was I got a call from Elvira, a sweet girl that has been coming to our church and she was in the hospital! She has a lot of health problems so we jumped in the car and went to see her. She is doing fine but will be staying for a couple days of observation. We appreciate all the prayers for her!

One other exciting bit of new I wanted to share...

...drum roll please....

is I got a temperary visa! It is just until they process the year long one but it is valid for 6 months! Its so great to know that things are moving forward! And I dealt with such nice people at the IND here! The real official visa should be done in about a month (but could take up to 6) but now I can already travel and even start looking for work!

How was your weekend?

xoxo

Carly rae

Things I love...

... having people in both Sunday services for the past two weeks, so exciting!...

... my bestie calling to let me know she can come and hang out. For a WHOLE day. this week. YES...

... getting calls when you least expect it, and can most use it...

... hugs from my adorable husband...

... having a whole tray of leftovers so I didn't have to cook the next day (Score!)...

... revival services in Delft (last Friday)...

... getting to hang out with Tirsa and her girls.. Indy is almost two weeks and such a good snuggler. love...
... that today I went to immigration (and even though we need one more paper) we can hand everything in on wednesday AND we had a really nice lady help us AND I have the appointment wed. with her...
... my grandma. she skyped me. she's that cool...
... God. because He's so faithful...


have a lovely monday!
xoxo Carlyrae

A summer in photos

coffee. check

french toast. check.

time to finally post on this little bloggy. check.

I can't believe that its already September! The past couple months have really flown by... And I have not been good about posting pictures at all. so here we go. one big picture overload to get us up to date... starting wayyy back in June with the little thing we call moving across the country (ok Holland isn't that huge.. but still :)

(here are the guys on moving day! robin d, mike and des in front of the moving truck)

(p.s. no you won't see pics of me from that day because i had no time to fix my face!)

(all this stuff, and more, got moved into...)

(here!)

and... more photos of what that all turned into will come later!

Of course a lot of our summer was dedicated to getting the church started, with teams almost every Saturday from Zwolle, and getting to know the new city, but we took some time out to do some other fun things too. One thing I really love about living over here is all the cities that are so close by. We had fun going into Delft, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Den Haag!

(cutttte cafe in delft.. and it was only like my 4th cup of coffee that day!)

 (R'dam at the market.. its so huge and you can litterally find almost anything there!)

 (I got this jacket <3)

(me and the hubs)

PLUS we slipped away to Belgium for a couple nights. it was seriously a perfect vacation! We had two day passes to Bobbejaanland (an amusement park), a gorgeous hotel with a pool and hot tub and we had the most delish dinner at this little restraunt. I have had dreams about that pasta.. ok not really. but it was so wonderful!

(i couldn't finish it...but i did my best!)

 

 (the hotel, not such great pics but it was really stunning with the huge door and stained glass windows!)

I think the highlight of our whole summer though was the conference in Zwolle. I don't have many pictures from conference but it was such a great time. the preaching was amazing. seeing friends was awesome. being their as a 'pastor's wife' was kind of weird. hehe.. But it was great. I left really inspired. and excited. to see what God is going to do :)

and now we are pretty much all caught up (except the weekend in Arnhem but we took so many pics there it kind of needs its own post...) to now. I am really enjoying the fall, its my favorite time of year.. except that it comes before winter. but with a birthday and anniversery coming up there is lots to look forward too. Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

xoxo Carlyrae