Old vs. New

Since I started working from home about a year ago, Noel and I always planned for me to get a new desk when we moved. We didn't think it would be worth investing in for such a short time, since we never planned on staying here and wanted to move as little furniture as possible. Well, since we decided to stay for another 4 years, we thought it was about time to improve my workspace. No more working on a tiny desk and staring at a white wall all day. That gets old really quickly! My new desk is so much bigger, gives us much more storage and is in a corner by our front window. What a difference! I love it so much. And I've handed down my tiny desk to Noel, who can now work at a desk rather than the dining room table. I'm happy, he's happy, and life is good in Snyderville.

My old desk.

My new desk (to the left is a big window). Once we paint, the desk will stand out more and look fantastic. I can't wait!

Make it stop!

Busy day at the Snyderville blog, I know. But I felt like I needed to let out a cyber-scream. The occasion? Those wonderful red contraptions pictured above. Here goes: "Aaaaaaaaaah! Make it stop!"

Those red things are high-powered fans that have been set up at the base of the building next door to try to dry out its nether-regions after a big plumbing problem. They have been running non-stop for 3 days now, right outside our window. Imagine someone turned on a shop-vac in your living room and left it running for 72 hours. That's what it sounds like around here, with no sign of relief. They were just here checking it (they turned it off for a second and the knot in my stomach relaxed for a moment), but they decided it is still wet down there. Aaaaaah! I'm a seminarian on the edge!

A Great Heidi Lunch

Today Heidi decided to have a random assortment of who-knows-what for lunch. When she got it all assembled and sat down to eat, I thought it was so funny I had to take a picture of it. It was like her own little buffet. Included in the meal were (starting at the top and going clockwise): a bowl of yogurt with raspberries and granola, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, green peppers, two types of crackers, red bell peppers, a homemade fruit smoothie, hummus (for dipping the veggies in), and five layer bean dip. A great lunch, huh?

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Here's to you as you turn 52
Just a year ago we were at the zoo
Two years before we were on the shore
Downing fruit smoothies and asking for more
We took this picture of you in that haven
But of course you look different now that you've shaven
Have a great day and eat lots of cake
It's your fifty-second birthday, for heaven's sake!

Happy birthday, Dad!

Watch

I think my new watch has an attitude. I finally had to get a new watch after my old one of 5 years (which only cost $12!) gave out. I think I definitely got my money's worth out of that one! Anyway, my new watch stops every night while I'm sleeping. I don't think there's anything wrong with the battery because it runs fine during the day; it never slows down or stops. It doesn't stop at a particular time either, so I don't think there's anything wrong with the action. I think it just has an attitude problem. Maybe it thinks, "You're sleeping, so I'm going to sleep, too". Who knows.

Too hot!

Are these temperatures a joke or what? We're experiencing VERY hot weather that won't let up until tomorrow at the earliest. As we were driving to the store at 7:30 PM yesterday, it was 102 degrees...AT 7:30 PM!!!! I'm not sure what the actual daytime high was, but I'm sure it was higher than that. Today is supposed to be more of the same. We've become prisoners in our apartment with the blinds shut and the A/C on. It's too hot to go anywhere...even 21 Choices, which is a lot to say coming from me!

Graduation!

He finally did it! Noel graduated on Saturday with his Master of Divinity. The service was great (a bit long to sit through), and it was so fun to see Noel walk across the stage and get his diploma. We're thankful Mom and Dad Snyder were able to come for the occasion and celebrate this milestone with us. What a great weekend!

Noel returning to his seat after receiving his diploma.
Dad, Noel, me, and Mom after the ceremony. It was a beautiful day!
Here's Noel with Clay Schimt, who will be his advisor in the PhD program. Noel's so excited to study under him and we're both looking forward to getting to know Clay and his wife a bit better over the next 4 years.

Overall, we had a fantastic weekend filled with celebration. The graduation ceremony was followed by a delicious lunch (thanks Mom and Dad!) at the Crocodile Cafe. We relaxed the rest of the afternoon, enjoyed a little champagne, and went to 21 choices later in the evening. We were able to attend church together on Sunday (Noel's first Sunday NOT on staff and his last Sunday he'll be able to be in church until September due to his summer internship) and then headed to the beach for a relaxing Father's Day. The day concluded with a delicious pizza dinner at Avanti Cafe. We sure are getting spoiled!

Mr. Jett

I think I might have the cutest nephew. I wish I could see him in person and see how much he's growing and changing, but these pictures definitely help. His photographer has featured him on her blog in several different places, but most of his pictures can be found here: http://deyoungphotography.com/journal/?m=200805 Just scroll down to "Mr. Jett" and let me know if you think my nephew is the cutest.

Las Vegas

We were invited to Scott McDonnell and Davina Coady's wedding this past weekend. Scott is the son of my mom's cousin, Marcia. Marcia and Paul McDonnell are our home away from home in Southern California; we often slip away to Temecula when we need a break from our routine. Scott and Davina got married in Las Vegas, which is where Davina's family lives.

We went to see the Vegas strip with my parents a few hours before the wedding. Here is Heidi and me at the Bellagio with the Paris Hotel in the background.
The groom and his mother at the wedding.
The bride and her parents walking down the aisle.
Us at the reception.
The cousins: Carol, Marcia, Merri Ann, and Kim.

We're definitely going back to Vegas, because stuff there is nice and cheap if you're not going to gamble!

The festivities begin

Noel will graduate on Saturday, June 14, with his Master of Divinity from Fuller. What an accomplishment! Though graduation is almost a week away, we've already begun celebrating and marking this milestone with friends. We were invited to a banquet honoring the Presbyterian graduates (Noel's one of them) a week ago. It was a fun celebration where we enjoyed a great dinner and had a mini worship service. Below is a picture of the graduates.


Noel was also able to participate in Baccalaureate this past Wednesday. The service was inspirational, with a sermon given by David Scholer, a beloved Fuller professor who is dying of cancer. He preached on 2 Corinthians 4, "We have this treasure in clay jars." Here's Noel and Dani Fukumoto dressed in their regalia. I think they look very distinguished and I'm so proud of both of them.