Eagles versus Patriots: naming John's Jeep

A few weeks ago, I asked John if he ever gave his car a name. He told me he didn't and I said him he should! "Actually I was thinking about it the other day." he replied.

About a week ago, I asked him if he had come up with a name. He hadn't yet. "You should name it something patriotic! It is a Jeep Patriot after all." Then we came up with a bunch of patriotic names.

• Martha Washington
• Paul Revere (my personal favorite)
• George Washington
• Abraham Lincoln
• Thomas Jefferson
• Thomas Paine
• And who knows what else!

Then Moriah "got an idea, a perfectly wonderful, awful idea!" I coerced John into saying yes to my plan. If the Patriots won the Super bowl, he could name his Jeep Patriot. And as I'm from the land of the Jordan-Elbridge Eagles, if the Eagles won, I would name the car.

So Sunday rolled around, and for the first time in my life, I watched a football game from start to finish. 😉

I was feeling pretty confident that I would get to name the car.

I mean look at the score! 

 Then John got happy, because the Patriots were ahead for the first time the entire game it seemed! That's when I thought to myself, wow....

Next thing I knew, the Eagles won!!! Wahoo! Little did John know, that I forgot my ideas for the car and were silently googling them towards the end of the game. 😂

As he drove me home, I asked if I could still name the car and he said yes. So I told him the 4 names I had for it. The Revolutionary War/Patriotic remained a theme.

• Uncle Sam
• Lexington (of Concord and Lexington fame)
• Remington
• Charleville (A musket the French gave us Patriots in the Revolutionary War)

And drumroll please....

...he picked...

Lexington!!!!

Coffee Shop #3

Salt City Coffee Roasters is new on the Coffee Shop scene. So far everything we've tried, we liked!!

Been there a handful of times...on a mommy-daughter date, and even for John's birthday! Although he got lemonade as he isn't a coffee person. The poor dear.

So much to choose from!

This time mom wanted hot coffee so she had their Costa Rica roast, and I had my favorite there, 'Cuselandia! It is cold brew, milk, and salted caramel. It is quite delicious! I've also had their black cherry mocha which is really good. All in all a great stop when we are near by! 😊

A Letter to Married Couples

Dear Married Couples of Many Years,

Love. Something we share every day. As we begin to make plans for our wedding, and marriage, love is constantly "in the air". I find myself watching other couples enjoy each other and their married life. I used to watch the young ones, the ones who were just married, but more and more I find myself watching you. The ones who've been married for decades upon decades.

Has it been easy? Hardly! Yet you've stuck together through it all. Some of my favorite couples at work have been like this, and they enjoy each other's company. They come have coffee and chat for an hour before going out about their day. One of my favorite couples from church came in for a waffle cone (and lunch!) the other day. Feeling inspired about my waffle cone post, they headed out for a tasty treat.

I loved watching them. Always giving each other their full attention. Holding hands; putting her arm around his waist; sharing an ice cream cone; enjoying the front porch bench. Same at church, he plays the piano and she smiles wide as she closes her eyes to listen to him. He always makes sure she is taken care off. Always looking out for one another. Just being together. It is beautiful.

John has learned that quality time is one of my favorite things. I can tell I'm loved when he just sits there on the couch with me while we watch a movie, or play a game, or I read a book. That's when we have a thought or a question come to mind that spirals into a deep conversation. Some of the time we just figure out how to resolve an issue, or what we can do that is best beneficial to the other.

Love is a subject you could never write enough about. There are not enough words in the heavens to cover all the aspects and facets of love. This is a snapshot of love, the love I'm excited to share with John. Knowing in the life ahead it'll be hard, but every night when the day is done, we can end it by being together. Remembering the love we share by God's grace and glory.

So thank you to you, the older couples I see daily, weekly, monthly, or even once a year. Your love for each other is shown through the time you spend together. I see it in your eyes for your spouse. I see it in the way you put your arm around the other during service, in line, for no reason except to say "I'm here and I love you."

Thank you for your example,

Moriah

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1:9-11

Coffee Shop #2

Today's coffee shop is the Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters! This particular one is at Destiny USA.

So many beans to pick from!!!!

Hmmm, what do I order?

That sounds adventurous! A White Knight, which my handsome knight did not like the taste of when he sipped it. 😉 I did though!!!!

We went back the next day, and found out it was a White Chocolate Mocha. Since it was late in the evening, I got a cup of decaf. Then I asked the barista what her most adventurous favorite flavor shots were, and settle on a decaf with marshmallow!!

Then we added two new kinds to our coffee collection. We love their Blueberry Cobbler. This time we tried Moose Run and Dark Chocolate. Since it was the 9th, we got the $9.99 a lb. deal!!!

All in all, a hit in my book!

Journaling Again!

(I apologize for forgetting my blog again! I have some ideas about topics soon!)

One of my favorite things to do is journaling. I've written in many over the years. Words here and there to daily paragraphs to just quick jots. I haven't written much of anything recently, whether through blogging or journaling. Sometimes it is daunting to think of a paragraph to write or how in the world do you fill a page. So when I saw this journal today, I snatched it up!! It is a pocket sized journal with a page a day. You write down your favorite moments from/throughout the day! I am so excited about it! As John and I slowly start planning our wedding, and head towards marriage, I don't want to forget all this time we are enjoying engaged! So I am excited to resume journaling, and hopefully blogging. Remind me if I forget to do either! 😉

March Musings - Day 31

I couldn't decide how to wrap up my March Musings, but I finally did.

Today, John was the best. He came and helped out with some things, took me to run an errand, got slightly lost on an adventure on a very back road home, took care of me and made dinner so I could go to work and clean our ice cream machine, where he then waited for me so he could take me home. ❤ If all that isn't love, I don't know what is. I am so thankful for having him around when I need encouragement or a hug or a hand. ❤ So to end this March Musings, I just want to say how much I appreciate this sweet fiancé of mine!!!!❤

Thank you, Sweetheart! I love you!!!!

March Musings - Day 30

Food is important. Like really important. I usually do a pretty good job at eating 3 balanced meals a day with a snack here or there. This evening though, I was nauseous. I ate a good breakfast and lunch like always, but a lack of dinner (even though it wasn't even late yet....this was at 5:30-6 oclock!) make me feel terrible! (Thankfully I have a super sweet fiance who I am slowly getting addicted to Panera ;) hehehe!)

It got me thinking about my new Bible. I have a great one for reference, but for reading and learning, I needed a new one. If I go without reading, I get spiritually nauseous and can't think straight. Yet if I read God's word, and rely on it for getting though the day, I will feel much better! I'm thankful for my new Bible, and am quite excited to use it!!

March Musings - Day 29

One of my favorite things to do is discover what someone likes, and send a splurged gift to them every once in a while. For example, I discovered recently that John likes 3 Musketeers, so whenever he isn't around, I get one to surprise him when I see him next. Or if I discover a friend loves letters, I'll make sure to write them frequently. Or if a friend loves tea, I make sure to send them some every now and then. Well, I'm super excited today because I found out about a book one of my friends likes, so I decided to get them to add it to their collection! Ahhhh I hope they like it!

March Musings - Day 25

The more I think about Saturday the more I think of how important and awesome friends are. I truly am so blessed to have such amazing friends to surround myself with. Especially my fiance, She is such an encouragement to me whenever I need it. Today me and a few of my guy friends got together with my fiance Moriah and had just an awesome time. From just chatting to playing games we enjoyed each others company and man was it refreshing!

You know during times that I get a bunch of people together it reminds me how important friends are in life. True you could try to get through life alone but it is so much easier when you have others to help you and keep you going.

Also as i think more about it having a close group of friends around you is a great way to get stuff out. I know how obnoxious it is to hold in thoughts and emotions and having some close friends around to vent or talk to is such an incredible feeling. Especially if you have someone as close as a girlfriend or boyfriend then it seems almost sweeter in a way.

By, John Schairer

March Musings - Day 24

I went and saw this in theaters with John and Mom! Ahhhh I loved it! It was the first movie John and I have ever seen in a movie theater together! <3 What a good one to mark that occasion with! The showing we were going to see ended up being sold out, so we went to the late showing of it. We walked around downtown for a bit, and enjoyed the evening! It was chilly but beautiful out! <3 What a wonderful evening!

March Musings - Day 10

A lot of musings on my mind today:

- Irish Step because we have a total of 8 shows next weekend! 5 with my dance troupe, and 3 with my sisters! It'll be busy, but a lot of fun! My mind couldn't stop mentally dancing earlier so I ended up doing some impromptu dancing in John's living room!

- John loves me! Haha, we already knew that, but he got corn muffins for me!!!!!!! I am seriously addicted to corn muffins....

- ...and while we are on the subject of food...Mom got coconut cake for snack tonight! *dies from happiness*

- My goodness the wind! It's so cold with it! I nearly blew away! ;~)

- And oh! I am hoping my friend likes their birthday present! I forgot to send it...so hopefully it still arrives in time, or pretty close to it!

Hmm.... I can't think of anything else.... Work is bright and early with the rooster, so my brain is fried. I'm going to get some sleep, and I shall have something interesting to write tomorrow!

March Musings - Day 5

So I sat in on John's church's youth group today as he has been helping with it, and they were talking a bit about friendships. I got to thinking about my three closest friends so here they are:

Obviously, John is the first! He is steadfast, smart, silly, and stuck with me! Haha, but really, he is a great friend through and through. He's my sweetheart, my friend, my fiance, my confidante, my prayer partner...I could go on and on, but there isn't enough time so I shall say this: I really don't know what I'd do without him!

Heidi: I've known her the longest of these three. She's been a protective friend when I was younger, and the roles have reversed a lot as we've gotten older. She's good at giving advice and praying for me, and she knows a lot of my past struggles so that's helpful when something new or similar arises!

Emily: I haven't known her as long as Heidi, and probably a little longer than John but not much more. She's a great friend, loyal, and good at keeping secrets. She is always there to listen to you rant, and isn't afraid to rant at the same time about life. She listens, prays, and hears you out.

Each friend is different in their strengths and weaknesses, they know different aspects about me, and yet they all are very special to me. 

So when you three read this, know I love you!!! And I thank you for everything!!

March Musings - Intro & Day 1

It's March, the month of Irish Dancing, Shamrock Shakes, St. Patrick's day, and Leprechauns. March is the lull between winter and spring, between gray and vivid color. It's a time of change, of renewal, of growth. It's a month that is unique from every other. So my challenge for myself this month is to have a March Musings. Musings everyday about this, that, and the other thing. Whatever I'm musing about for the day, I shall muse. So do a jig, grab a shake, dance, and make-believe with me, as we go on a musing adventure through March! 

------------------------------------------

Today I called John over on a whim. The weather was gorgeous, perfect for a walk. So for a walk we went! The whole time we were out, I had this hymn on my mind:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

O how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

The song was encouraging to have stuck in my head. I needed the reminder! It was quite a lovely walk, and we raced back outside a short while later to catch the sunset. A great way to start the month of March!

37 days of Christmas: day 17

This Christmas is pretty special, because John proposed, and I accepted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Power of a Story

The power of a story can be an incredible thing! Whether it's reading a book to a child, or sharing a story about "the olden days", a story can change your mood, or give you something to think about! Going back through history, you can see how the stories were passed down from generation to generation. Each had a purpose, or a moral to them. Some were about events that occurred; others about how to live the best you could be. The Bible was originally passed down through the spoken word, memorized carefully, and preserved through generations. The books rich with examples of how God calls us to live, work, and show His love, kept the Christian faith alive! 

Stories are a big part of the relationship between John and I! The first time we began to flirt was when I taught a story, and he copied me blatantly! (I should sue him! ;~) Haha!) Anyways, from the beginning, stories are a part of our relationship. We started sometime last year, telling each other stories about silly things or about what might happen someday when we serve God. One of my favorites was one he told about a bunny! They bring us a smile when one of us may be sad or bring us hope when we are discouraged. Sometimes they even remind us of how God always is faithful even during hard times!

Today I want to share a little story of my own, that happened today, two years ago! <3

Once upon a time was two people contentedly emailing back and forth. Those two people were actually John and I. I was working on a blog post, and asked his advice when the tables turned, and the following conversation ensued.

J: Hey moriah could you be praying for me i have some things that have been weighing on my mind heavily lately and im very on the fence on what to do. :-/

M: It is awesome! I certainly will be praying!!! :( God will show you what's right. He always does..... idk if it would help, but Psalm 13 came to mind :~) 

J: Did that seriously just come to you this moment!

M: Um yes....I memorized it this past spring, and it popped into my head! 

J: Thats crazy it. Its like perfect to answer my question i mean wow im kinda speechless right now.

M: Weren't we just saying how awesome and amazing God is?? :' ) 

J: Its just its what ive been asking God for. I think he may have finally granted me my request. I really cant believe it.

M: I'm so happy for you John! That's wonderful!!!

J: Yeah at least i think He is saying i can have what i asked for im still a bit nervous but i think its a yes?

M: I'm sure it will be clear soon, in due timing :~)

J: Thats what i said 5 years ago.... Its been a long battle. :-/

M: :( do you mind telling me about it or no?

J: Um i dont know if i should it isnt bad but i dont know give me a second to think.

M: I understand if you don't. :) 

J: Its so hard i want to tell you because i know you could help but i dont know what the reprucussions of that would be this has happened once before and it didnt go so well last time.

M: I trust you to use your discernment. :~)

J: Ok you what just whatever. Ok for the past few years ive been asking God for a girl one who would fit into his plan and that i could you know "date" for the next 4-5 years i tried and failed twice to interpret Gods plan and i felt like a complete failure for the longest time. And now i think He is beginning to reveal His plan to me after all these years. So yeah thats it.

M: Sometimes God uses trials like that for us to learn and grow. I'm very happy for you :~) 

J: Yeah you are right and ive been learning why its been this way over these years but still i just feel like this girl is going to just be another failure for me to carry with me and i dont know if she even likes be back its rediculous i just dont know and im afraid to say anything for fear of killing our friendship which happened before as well. I just feel stuck.

M: Ah I see...quick story.....last guy I liked I told him so. I was scared stiff from making the mistakes I've made in the past. He didn't feel the same way but he agreed to pray. While my friendship with him became more brother-sister, we both could clearly see God's answer because of our honesty with each other. Now I have an awesome "brother"....honesty is best.

J: Ok ok....well you said it honesty is best moriah i like you its you the one who God put in my yead out of no where ive prayed about it and now you know what im sick of just sitting around its not why ive been so nice to you but through us talking its just been in my head for a while. So there i said it and now you may reject me but please make it quick ive been waiting for closure on this for a while...

M: Oh John! I like you too! You know last week when we were talking?? That was the day I knew I'd never be more than a sister to my friend.

J: Wow im just completely blown away right now you have no idea i wish you could see my face right now. :-D

And they have lived happily ever after! Well, mostly! ;~) The end!

The Train: How Love Works

A simple train, that runs on coal, is a great example of love. The more you toss coals into it, the farther the train will go. If you stop, the fire will die down. The coals will burn for a long time, but at some point will go out and need to be completely rebuilt. Therefore, if you continually put them onto fire, your fire will burn long and hot!

Love is the same way. If you continually work on your love and relationship, it will continue to burn, go farther, and grow. If you cease, then it burns down until you have to rebuild it.

I was mulling this principle over as John and I discovered we were in need of the coals to keep it going. When he came for a short visit, it was evident that when we get grumpy and miserable with each other, it was time to step back and reevaluate so we could add coals (prayer!) to keep us going. Sometimes it's not just prayer, sometimes it's going the extra mile.

I encourage you to think on the relationship you need to start adding the coals to. To keep friendships or relationships going, you must do this, (It's a simple recipe!):

- Love
- Coals
- A Dash of the Extra Mile

Praying for you! :~)

Vacaaaaaaaaaaaation! Beautiful Blessings - 8/19/16

Vacaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaation! Squee!!! I can hardly wait! I'm soooooooo looking forward to it! Well, mostly. John leaves on Sunday for college for eons and eons (aka, the semester) and we leave for camping tomorrow. On the bright side, I'm excited to have a chance to wear clothes that AREN'T work clothes, yet when I packed, I couldn't remember how to! XD I'm an interesting conundrum ;) 

~ friends to talk to....and yell at....laugh with....cry to....and whatever emotional state I'm in

~ smiley face wars with said friends

~ packing up books to read, and activities to enjoy that I've been wanting to do!

~ happily enjoying the fact I've had my blog for 4 years, and haven't given up on it yet!

~ looking forward to seeing what adventures happen the next couple weeks....I can use some fun relaxing adventures! (if those two ideas go together lol!)

Now that I've rambled, I'm off to go pack some more....whoop-de-doo! lol!!!

Expectations...a reflection on the First Summer of Dating

I basically began dating at the end of spring, beginning of summer; the quasi month of May. This past winter, John and I decided to write a bucket list of ideas just for fun of things we wanted to do this summer when we began dating! Well, as he heads back this weekend for college, I thought about the bucket list, and realized we didn't do much at all which made me rather sad. I pulled up today, and realized just how much we did do! To celebrate the end of my first summer of dating, I'm gonna see how many things we did on my list of 26 things! {Edited to add: One of them I realized was a winter-only thing, so 25 is sliiiiiightly more accurate!}

1. Beaver Lake! - CHECK! We did this as our first date! We planned on it for foreveeeeeeeeeeeeer!
2. Spending time together in prayer and God's word! - CHECK! We aim to do this every day over Skype! Skype is awesome by the way!
3. Go through a devotional together! - Nope! Maybe next year!
4. Movie nights at either one's house! - CHECK! Lots of movies at my house, and I saw Star Wars 7 (whatever it's called XD) at his!
5. Dance together! - CHECK! We've attempted this XD It sorta worked
6. Dance together under the moon! - CHECK! We actually managed to do this too! Again....it sorta worked but not really XD
7. Picnic at John's camp! - CHECK! I went to his camp on July 2nd to celebrate the 4th of July!
8. Picnic at Beaver Lake! - CHECK! Did this on the first and only date to Beaver Lake!
9. Picnic at a park! - This gets 0.5 check mark because we did if you count either Beaver Lake or going to a park with a picnic with my family!
10. Chimney Bluffs! - Nope! Maybe next year! 
11. Spending a day at John's camp! - 0.5 if you count half a day for the 4th of July celebration!
12. Read a book together! - Nope! Maybe next year!
13. A Sunday drive! - CHECK! Just to the store probably, but we've gone for a ride on Sundays!!
14. Teach John how to crochet! - Nope! XD Maybe next year ;)
15. Get ice cream together! - CHECK! Did this a couple times!
16. Get together with Heidi! - Nope! Maybe next year! <3 
17. Hike the Canal trail! - Nope! Maybe next year!
18. Share tea! - I'm gonna say 0.5 because we probably did XD
19. Pick wildflowers! - Nope! Maybe next year!
20. Dinner date on July 1st! - CHECK! XD we were both cranky, but we did it anyways! We dressed up and he gave me my first bouquet of flowers which I've hung to dry <3
21. Fireworks! - CHECK! I love watching him enjoy fireworks! <3
22. Sunrise/Sunset picnic - 0.5 because it sorta counts when we went to his camp!
23. Lights on the Lake - well.........this is winter XD soooooo it's not included in this
24. Date at Red Lobster - Nope! Maybe some other time!
25. Date at Panera - CHECK! We went to Panera twice! Once to meet a friend, and then on the 1st for dinner because we changed our minds last minute.
26. Date at Barnes and Noble to browse (and a place of John's choice afterwards!) - Nope! But we better do this next summer XD I love Barnes and Noble ;)

Soooooooooooooooo to tally it all up!

14 out of the 26 we accomplished! 

1 was impossible since it's not Christmas time XD

And that leaves 11!!!

Our most popular date that we had was going to Walmart! XD Don't question why, but we always had fun just window shopping or finding presents for people! Another one we did was to Wegmans (the picture below) which is the same genre. 

And lastly, the second most popular date we had this summer was play games and watching Star Trek together! <3

Beautiful Blessings - 8/12/16

~ going to the Zoo to see the new elephant pool

~ enjoying a snack of french fries while we wait the rain burst out

~ a special surprise of going out for lunch

~ getting a chance to watch the Olympics while we eat

~ a special necklace from John with my favorite verse on it...a very belated birthday present! ^-^

Beautiful Blessings - 8/10/16

~ taking the kids to the Zoo to You program and having different animals at it than the one they went to a few weeks ago 

~ having John and Alexa over to help with the blog-iversary project

~ going out for ice cream with my family and them

~ a kitty proudly wearing a bow made by his girlie

~ teasing John just because

~ ending the night with A Ticket to Ride and losing horribly but having fun nonetheless