my sad craft -

Tonight I'm home alone because Albino has to turn around the store so he is working until 1 am. I thought I'd make my own Christmas wreath since they are all about $30 in all the stores I've looked at. However - my creation came out really sad!! I only used what I had around the apartment so I was limited. I used tinfoil for the wreath and then covered it with white and green ribbon I had from my wedding. Here are a couple pictures of my trial...

A kitchen for Allie....

I was at a thrift store a few months ago and found an old, dirty wooden stove for a child. I couldn't resist the $1.50 price tag. I cleaned it and painted it for my niece, Allie. I love you Allie and wish I could be closer to you! You'll get your little stove at Christmas :)

slowly coming together!

It has taken me a long time to figure out how I want things decorated in the little apartment. Being just out of college - we don't have much but we're making do. I love our little place. Here are a few pictures of just the front room and the bathroom. Hopefully soon I'll have pictures of the bedroom and kitchen!

This is the wall looking into the kitchen. We have our piano and guitar there and love playing together!

Our computer/tv wall. We don't have a tv, we just use the computer. Yes - that is a child's desk and it says "megan" haha. I got it in college from a thrift store!

one wall in the bathroom...

the other wall in the bathroom.

MORE TO COME!

Okay - so it's been a long while since I've written anything on this blog. But I promise- I'm now going to start updating it again!! A lot has happened since I've last written: graduation, wedding showers, best friends wedding, and my wedding!! Here are a few pictures highlighting the past few months.

-opening presents from the beautiful shower thrown by my mom and sister n law, Leslie!

Whitney's wedding - she was beautiful!

Graduating from Biola - in Intercultural Studies & International Development

Rachel Turns 7

Albino's niece, Rachel, had her 7th birthday party on April 4th.  We went to her Queen and Kings birthday party.  There was a face painter and all the kids looked awesome.  Everyone also made queen hats and king crowns.  It was actually a lot of fun to hang out with Albino's family and be creative with a bunch of cute kids!!  

We can't wait to have Rachel be part of our wedding as our flower girl! She's the cutest :)

Samantha Lynn Pelton

Hello Everyone, 

My sister Christy had her baby girl on Friday night.  Her name is Samantha Lynn and was 7.2 lbs.  She is beautiful!  However, many of you know that Samantha is suffering from many complications.  It is a miracle in itself that she has lived this long!  Praise the Lord.  My parents, Andy and Leslie, Ryan's parents and I were all able to be at the hospital all day and see her.  We were not able to hold her because she is hooked up to oxygen to help breathing.  She also has a broken arm! So sad.  She's as cute as can be and I love just sitting in the NICU and talking to her :)  Keep the family in your prayers.  Samantha is still very sick and cannot breathe without help and her little body is working really really hard!

Taiwan and South Korea Stories...

If you want to hear about my trip to Taiwan and South Korea last summer, please go to:
www.kiminternship.blogspot.com

There are stories, prayer requests and pictures :)

Walk 4 Life!

On Saturday, March 7, Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic had their annual Walk 4 Life event! It went very well and so many people came out to support the clinic and the ministry. We raised close to 18 thousand dollars in the walk!! Albino came to the event as a volunteer and willingly helped us from 6:00 a.m!! He took all the pictures for us. During the walk I was able to walk with one of our clients who is carrying. She was already overdue and was hoping the walk would break her water! I was so nervous the whole two miles! Thank you for those who supported us both financially and in prayer.

Cabin Trip!

In February, Michelle, Brian, Albino and I were able to go up to Brian's grandparent's cabin in Bishop, CA for a weekend.  It was a great get-away from school and work for a few days.  We didn't plan it, but it happened to be valentines weekend when we went so we tried to make pancakes in the shape of hearts.  It wasn't too easy, but we had a few good ones.  

Pancakes I made for him on Valentines morning. 

Sara Bareilles Concert!

For my birthday, Jen bought Sara Bareilles tickets!! We went on Saturday to the Wiltern in LA. So much fun! We love her... and I sadly knew all the songs and pretty much all the words. We were singing our little hearts out. She plays the piano and sings, and for a few songs played the guitar. It was so much fun. AND, I finally got to wear a '21' wrist band instead of having huge black "X"'s on my hands!

Sea World

Albino, me, Michelle and Brian went to Sea World over the weekend. The weather was beautiful even though I definately got burnt. of course. We went earlier in the summer and had free tickets to go again before the end of the year so we definately took the opportunity. If you haven't noticed yet...Albino and I hang out with Michelle and Brian often! It is so nice to have a couple to hang out with that we're good friends with :)

~Floresta USA Gala~

Floresta USA is a non-profit community development organization that focuses on sustaining the environment while doing transformation development in people's lives internationally. They have international sites where they are planting trees in areas where forests have been completely cut down. At the same time, the people are educated in planting many crops in their area and are able to have economic growth. Floresta USA also partners with local churches in the area to come alongside the local people and their work. Floresta USA had a Gala for the donors in order to raise funds to go towards development in Barundi, Thailand, Tanzania, and other countries. Currently Haiti is under-going the effects of four hurricanes that have hit within 3 weeks in September. They were able to raise a great deal of money for immediate relief in Haiti.

An anonymous donor sponsored a table for Dr. Greene, my development professor at Biola University and students. Dr. Greene was able to choose 3 grad students and 5 graduating seniors within the International Development program to attend the Gala. I was able to go! It was so much fun to see this side of organizations and how fundraising and donor relations is so important to a non-profit. There was a live auction so we all got numbers! However, I did not donate anything seeing that the cheapest item was about $500. It was still fun to see the auction. Floresta USA was able to raise around $200,000 that night!!

Birthday Dinner!

The weekend of my birthday Albino and I went to dinner with our friends Michelle and Brian. We went to dinner in Beverly Hills at Kate Mantilini. It was so fun to get dressed up and go to a new restaurant. The food was sooooo good as well!

Michelle and Brian:

After we went to a UCC Cafe, a Japanse coffee and tea cafe. It was a perfect end to the night sipping hazelnut coffee and eating dessert :)

Albino's Sister's Wedding

Eva and Edgar get married! (Albino's sister)

Albino's younger sister got married in September. It was a small wedding and reception but very pretty. It was so fun to be able to be a part of it.

Our friend Michelle and I outside of the church:

Senior Year and Apartment!

My roommates and I above: Megan, Sarah, Whitney, Shea, and I. I have actually made it to my senior year of college. I have moved into an apartment with four other girls in La Habra on Beach Blvd. It is definately a new experience living away from the campus. The apartment is so much fun and it is so nice to be able to 'go home' after school instead of a dorm room. I actually make dinner and have a kitchen table again! No more cafe lines; however, sometimes I do miss being able to just run into the cafe!