A GREAT WEEKEND!

master bedroom looking from bathroom where bed is going to go

my side of the bathroom--we have two vanities

master bathroom--toilet is in separate room with door :)

master bath shower

master bath soaking tub with all of my stuff!

master bedroom--we're still waiting on our king bed--comes in on Tuesday--tomorrrow!

master bedroom hallway leading to master bath--walk in closets on both sides of hallway.

master bedroom

master bedroom--where the bed is going to go--this means I'm going to have to take more pictures!

Sir Charles

guest bedroom--we now have curtains up :)

guest bedroom--vase now gone b/c David broke it in his sleep :)

David's office--more organized now--futon up in the room

guest bathroom

entryway

living room minus new love seat coming tomorrow--look at charlie's toys all over!

living room

dining room

dining room

entryway from view of living room

kitchen to back door leading to deck

country kitchen area

kitchen

kitchen with island

Friday night, David and I went to see the movie "UP". We both give it two thumbs up! It is absolutely precious--great story line, the animation is amazing, etc. Such a family friendly movie and very entertaining!

On Saturday, we went down into the DC area and had dinner with a friend of ours, Andy Bullard. We ate at Macaroni Grill--YUM! I love pasta--could eat it every day! Then, we went to see "Night at the Museum 2"--was pretty good/entertaining. I don't really remember the first one, but I was pleasantly surprised by the sequel.

We went to Alexandria, VA. on Sunday for church. There are more people meeting now, which is great. James Van Biber gave a really good sermon about love--how we should love all people--that through that love, we are loving God also. He read the Scripture out of Matthew about feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, etc. That really hit home to me--we need to constantly focus on others. I know that when I'm serving others, I'm so much happier--not just because I'm serving God, but it also feels good to bring joy to someone's life. So, it is my mission here to find a great place to volunteer at. I do long to be a servant for Christ.

Laura Van Biber is the best hostess ever! She always makes a feast for us when we come on Sundays. We had fish tacos yesterday--they were absolutely amazing. (soft fried taco shells, fried/grilled tilapia, a great mayonnaise like tartar sauce to put on the taco, and cabbage/cheese to put on top--seriously, so yummy!) She also made homemade banana foster bread pudding--delicious--oh, and with homemade ice cream!!! We have so much fun sitting and talking while we're eating and afterward. The fellowship is so special.

I find out about the SF interview this week--please continue to pray for those who are making the decision. I'm trying to "trust and obey!"

*Maryland taxes are crazy high!
*gas is 2.69
*watermelon (whole) is 5.99
*I'm reading through the Book of Mormon again, Into the Latter Day Light (again), and Charlotte's Web--such a great book!
*it rains about once a day here :)

Well, that's all for now. We hope you all are well and wish you God's blessings!

Love,
Libby and David

Updates...

*The interview went well--praise God!!! I will know in 2 weeks. :)
*David is out of town in Virginia--miss him!
*It was actually nice going to a workplace today--made me feel "normal" again
*Our new furniture should be coming in soon--just in time for ali and mike, so they don't have to sleep on the floor! LOL! We got a black leather love-seat, king sized bed, new mattress, coffee table, and I think that's it. We went to this cute furniture store in Middletown, MD-Gladhill.
*Charlie and I go for walks every day--he loves to chase the birds!
*I took some new pics of the house and I will upload them on here soon.
*I've been reading 30 Days of Joy, which has been amazing! It's a daily devotional book--has really helped me when I'm feeling so homesick.
*Last Sunday, we went to Alexandria, VA for church and then biked into Old Town along the Potomac.
*I'm sorting through all of our pictures and putting them into albums--David suggested this as a project--not the best one to do if you're feeling quite homesick! :) I know he meant well. :)
*I talk to my grandma every day, and this has been the biggest blessing--I've learned so much from her and she is such an amazing person! Love, you, Grandma Bennett!


Love to you all and we miss you!

Job interview with SF!!

I have a job interview with SF on Tuesday of next week at 9am--please pray!

This has been such a blessing. I've wanted to work at State Farm since we knew we were going to be moving here. It's only .3 miles from home, the salary is comparable to where I was, and I will learn some valuable information that could be helpful to David's future agency. At first, I was told that there wouldn't be any openings until early fall, but, as you can see, God has other plans (the best ones) in mind and knows our needs. I am very grateful for this!

I will say, though, that I have been spinning my wheels lately because I'm used to being on the go, go, go!!! I'm having a hard time just relaxing and enjoying being at home. I need some new hobbies/things to do. Suggestions, please! :)

Thank you all for your prayers and love.

Libby

This weekend's events:

*Went to DC to spend time with Josh and Jennifer Walsh
*Saw a band, "Milk Machine"--consisted of a trumpet player, accordion/baritone player, tuba player, and a drummer--the theme was 80's prom, so their outfits were GREAT!
*Ate Ethiopian food--you eat it all with your hands using this really spongy bread (there is a name for it) It was very good--David got something spicy and we both tried raw beef!!! Surprisingly, good. :)
*I walked in heels all night long until I thought my feet were going to fall off--never wearing heels in DC again. The best part was the end of the night when we were headed to the metro and getting onto the escalator--NOT WORKING! And, this was a VERY LONG ESCALATOR! I felt like I was walking down the steps of the Mayan Ruins with hot coals under my feet! :)
*We did also see a terrible public display of affection on the Metro--it was CRAZY!
*On Saturday, we alphabetized (David's idea) all of our books and put them away--it took hours. :)
*We had people over to our house on Sunday for worship and fun. We had a great prayer and testimony service--very uplifting! We grilled kabobs and had lots of other yummy things to eat!!!
*Charlie's 4th b-day was on Sunday--Happy Birthday, Charlie! He got a new toy--a little nubby ball.--he loves it!

Monday, today, David's back to work and I'm back to cleaning, making dinner, cleaning, reading, cleaning, working out, and cleaning. :)

Prayer request: I have an interview with State Farm next week in Auto Claims--please pray that the Lord will be with me and that His will be done. Also, David is going to be out of town next week for 4 days--pray for safe travels!

Love to you all,

Libby and David...and Charlie

Memorial Day Weekend Festivities!

We went to church for the first time since we've been here at Laura and James Van Biber's home. They live in a great townhome in Alexandria, VA. It took a little over an hour to get there, but it was a beautiful drive. At 11am, Blair, Laura and James' son, rang the bell for church to start. We sang a few hymns--another member, Andy Bullard from Oak Grove, was also there, and then James read some really neat Scriptures about forgiveness. It was really special! Then, Laura made a scrumptious meal--all organic and locally grown! We also went to the Farmer's Market that morning--they have one right by their house. It was amazing. The produce was so fresh and delightful to eat! After lunch, we just sat and talked, which gave us a sense of "normalcy" to be sitting and chatting amongst friends. Everyone has been so good to us here! It is so true that the bonds of Christ link us together in such a way that we become family.

We spent Memorial Day in DC. We went to the American History Museum and the Natural History Museum before we watched the parade. It was incredible! The museums were amazing, and we only touched the very surface of all there is to see in the area. Our realtor told us before we moved that we need to go somewhere every weekend and see something different and new--we're totally going to do this! We saw Abe Lincoln's top hat, a cuff with his blood on it from when he was shot, parts of the Berlin Wall--it was very bitter sweet, especially the parade, knowing that we are still at war. We can't wait to go back and see all the memorials! Thank you to our Dads--Roger (army) and Grant (navy), and our grandfathers (Bill Bennett--navy), for serving this amazing country! We are truly blessed to live in the USA!

It's hard to sum up all of the fantastic things we saw in a blog without writing a novel, so you're getting the shortened version. Cool things we saw:

*Dinosaur fossils--some sea turtles and other sea animals that had been excavated from Kansas
*Fantastic exhibits about the different presidents
*Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the USA"
*The Bachelor, Andy Baldwin
*Lieutenant Dan from Forrest Gump, Gary Sinise
*Ernest Borgnine ...did you see him on Fox news? :) You'll laugh if you know what I'm talking about...
*The nurse who is known in the famous photo of "The Kiss in Times Square"
*The Truman Band from good ol' Independence, MO!
*Riding the redline Metro! I stepped in a huge wad of spit--GROSS!

So, that is that. Enjoy the pictures! This weekend, we are having church at our place and we're grilling out--kabobs! Pray for nice weather!!

Love to all and we are thinking and praying for you,

Lib and Dave p.s. I've been cooking a lot--made homemade pizza tonight! Feel free to send easy recipes to me! :)