New look, New year

I’ve been playing around with our blog lately and making some changes.  Here’s what the new header looks like in case you read our blog through google reader.

I’m happy with the change and being able to use our wedding pictures.  The tagline fits us:

a decidedly simple &  wonderful life

Looking forward to blogging more in 2011!

Tying my shoestrings…

Running is an endorphin lifter.  It’s been researched and proven.  Well, I think that can be said of most exercise.  But running for me is a way to clear my mind, let go, and just be me.

I stated it on Facebook and I will state it here as well.  I am training for my second half marathon in the time we are taking a break from trying for babies.  I am hoping if I say it out loud enough it will become true in my head and I will get motivated to train.

You see, today is the first day in a long time that I am tying my running shoes for the activity of running.  It’s been almost an entire year from training…I’m hoping for the best, that I can still run for 10 minutes without having to stop and gasp for air. 

Lord, help me so I do not keel over and die on the side of the road from exercise induced exhaustion.  Wish me luck:)

Ps…what is your favorite exercise activity/endorphin lifter?

We're back...and finally adjusted:)

We made it!  And what a welcome back we had!  My friend and her husband were staying in our apartment while waiting for their house to close while we were gone...I think we might need them to stay here again if we ever go away!  Coming home to a spotless house was an incredible feeling especially since it was 11:45pm.  Thanks Steph!

Our last days in St. Andrews were really nice.  Alex and I were able to hole away a bit in our great room at the b&b while the winds howled outside our window as well as get out and explore the beautiful countryside, once the winds subsided.  From Inverness we headed south to St. Andrews where we finished out trip.  A visit to St. Andrews, the home of golf, would not be complete without those last few rounds, so Alex was excited to hit the links.  This time he skipped St. Andrews (he played it last year and the Dunhill Links was going on) and headed to Muirfield and Royal Aberdeen.  Muirfield was the only course that would not let me walk with him, it's a gentleman's club...no women allowed.  I guess that's okay since it is the oldest Golf CLUB in the world.  So I was dropped in a beautiful little, seaside town where I relaxed with a mug of tea and was able to take in the gorgeous view of the ocean. 

We also had the opportunity to head to the Dunhill Links Tournament.  It's a tournament where the pros team up with ametuers including some well known people; Hugh Grant, Huey Lewis, Kyle MacLachlan, and more.  The second day was cancelled due to 70 mile an hour winds, so we were able to catch the last two days.  Best part, the tournament was free!  After the first day we watched, we happened to notice some of the ametuers giving autographs at the end, we low and behold we got Hugh Grant's!  It was very exciting b/c he is definitely one of our favorite actors and I must say I was hoping he might do a little dance, like in Love Actually:), but he didn't!

Our flight home was fairly uneventful as we left for the airport at 6am Scotland time (12 am here) and headed to Amsterdam, then to Detroit and then home.  We arrived back at 11:30 pm which was to our bodies, 5:30 am.  We managed to stay awake and it only took a couple of days to get back into our sleep pattern, surprisingly enough!  We are happy to be back and the Lord was so very good to us while we were there, strengthening our marriage, giving wisdom and direction for work, and just gave us a great time with Him.  It's good to be home:)

On to Scotland!

It's been a very chilly and delightful last few days!  We've navigated the curving roads of Scotland and have seen the most gorgeous landscapes.  It really makes me want to sell everything and head on over to own a little working farm:)  It's my Laura Ingalls love that is coming out in this great land full of sheep and Highland Cows (hairy coos to the locals).  Though I am not sure I am cut out for sheep and cattle, a chicken or two and a huge garden might just do it!

To begin where I left off, Alex and I found our way to our hotel in Ayr, Scotland and because of this great website Alex and I were able to stay in an amazing hotel for nearly a third of the price while staying there.  The Western House Hotel was a real treat:)  From Ayr, Alex headed to Prestwick to play golf while I relaxed in the hotel and caught up on some life in the US!  Following Prestwick, Alex and I headed to Turnberry for a great day of golf.  Alex teamed up with a man from South Africa who was not only friendly but offered to plan the trip of our lives when we decide we would like to head to Johannesburg.  It was a chilly and windy day while we were there but the course was in great shape.  If you haven't noticed already, the golf portion of the trip has begun:)

After two days in Ayr, we began driving north, entering the highlands.  With a brief stop in Stirling, we headed to Edinburgh for a little sightseeing and golf at North Berwick.  Edinburgh was okay, highlights included St. Giles Cathedral, home of John Knox the great reformer and Pizza Hut.  Yes, you read that right, sometimes there's just nothing like a taste of home (though if we're honest, we don't eat it at home, but it was really yummy over here).  North Berwick was a nice little course where I sat and enjoyed my book adn some tea while Alex braved the weather to play in the wind and rain.  The weather over here for this part of our trip has definitely been cooler, averaging between 42 and 55 degrees.

From Edinburgh we headed to Stirling and then on to Aberfeldy for a distillery tour.  When entering this part of the country, it became evident what trades are popular.  There must be one distillery per person:)  One whisky tour and sample later we were ready to head towards the famous Loch Ness in hopes of sighting the monster.  No nessies today, but a delightful drive through the countryside made the day quite perfect!  Parking our car in Inverness, almost at the top of Scotland, we got ready for golf the next day at Royal Dornoch.  Right along the North Sea, we were very far north, and felt every bit of it when we woke up to a chilly 40.  Gorgeous coastline and view from the course.  That brings us to today, where I am taking a day off from photographer on the course to settle in to our Marriott hotel room and catch up on things back home:)

That's all for now.  With less than a week left, we are sad to leave but excited for what the next week will look like.  We're off to St. Andrews for some golf, some great food, and the final round of the Dunhill Links!

Top of the morning!

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." 

e.e.cummings

England.  Quirky.  Beautiful.  Refreshing. 

For the past week, Alex and I have been traipsing all over England.  From London to Sunningdale, Southport to Lake Country.  England has not disappointed.  From Paris Alex and I flew Easyjet to London, where we settled in for a few days.  Last year, our time in London was very short, only one full day.  This year we stretched it out and it was grand.  Upon arriving at our B&B near the British Library and Museum, we found our bearings and then began exploring. 

Highlights included the British Library and viewing the Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Gutenburg bible, and the codex sinaiticus (one of two of the earliest Christian bibles dating back to the fourth century).  Other highlights included the British Museum, Hare and Tortoise (one of our new found favorite Asian restaurants), a 3-story Whole Foods, Kensington High Street, Imperial War Museum, National Army Museum, and Sunningdale Golf Course.

We really liked London but after four days were ready to hop in our rental and head north!  Thank goodness Alex is left-handed, it's much easier for him to navigate and operate our manual car:)  From London we drove up to Southport, England home of Royal Birkdale, the golf course we visited last year for the Open Championship.  It was even more fun being there after the event, remembering fun little tidbits from the tournament, and enjoying the gorgous landscape.  From Birkdale we traveled even furthur north, stopping for hot chocolate and a walk towards Derwentwater lake in Keswick, the heart of lake country.  Then we stopped for a walk on Hadrian's wall.  All the while we were driving up and down winding roads, with lush green landscapes and the company of many, many sheep:)

We are now in Ayr, Scotland home to many of the best golf courses in the world; Turnberry, Troon, and Prestwick to name a few.  We'll keep you posted on how they fare:)

By far, what we have seen up until this point, we are uttering the words of cummings as we go, we thank you Lord for your gorgeous landscape.

Paris, then and now

Five years ago in July I found myself in France.  That is literally and figuratively.  I went to Toulouse, France with Campus Crusade in the summer of 2004, and it changed me, forever.  I was older than most, a year already out of college, but the people that were with me were God-ordained.  I needed them, I needed a chance to just be me, and they let me do just that.  Not only did my teammates welcome me with open arms, so did the French.  That time around, the Lord sheltered me from the emptiness that exists for French women.  Instead, he showed me their confidence and a city that needed Him.  That trip was about growing more intimate with the Lord and having my eyes opened to His will for my life. It was about seeing the lost with the eyes of Christ and depending only on Him.

Songs of Summer 2004:  Blessed be your Name, Days of Elijah
Verse:  Habbakuk 1:5 was one;
"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded.

 For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told"



This fall Alex and I returned.  A very emotional meeting if I might say so myself.  I was a little excited, a little afraid, a little disheartened.  What would the Lord have for me this time?  Upon landing, emotions hit me from every angle.  Where were my groupies?  Where was the Settlers board?  I didn't remember the language!

God answered.  He awoke me the first night for to sleeplessness to remind me of this:

You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

 (God of this City; Chris Tomlin)

and this:

-that He is still very much at work there
-that He is in control
-that it's not about growing me this time, it's opening my eyes to the darkness that exists

Satan was very much present in Paris.  It came upon me almost instantly; the presence of Satan was almost palpable.  It was not the city of love but of lust.  Not the city of style but of distaste.  It was a city full of people who need the Gospel.  It is a city built on sinful ambition to be the best, look the best, etc.  It is a city that is ultimately empty.  Go quickly Dave and Heidi...this city needs you. 

Open their eyes and let them see Jesus.

A Short Sabbatical

We're on a short sabbatical.  We've been sharing that it was a vacation, but after much thought and reflection, it's far more than a vacation...it's a sabbatical of sorts! 

Sabbatical or a sabbatical (from Latin sabbaticus, from Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbat, i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a hiatus...In recent times, "sabbatical" has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something.

There is a reason.  There is a purpose.  

2 years ago on our first anniversary, Alex and I dreamed big in our little cottage at Madden's Resort in Brainerd.  We took the weekend to ask big things from the Lord and well he answered.

          -we watched a lot of flip that house (we didn't have cable then, so on vacation we watched tv)

            and we dreamed big...what would that look like, wouldn't that be fun to flip a house?

          -we discussed our house and where we would live, when to sell and if we should sell

          -we cast vision for South Face and our desire to work as a team in growing the company

Well, if you know us, you know the Lord has answered, directed, established, and blessed our prayers.  In the past two years, despite many days and weeks of sweat, tears, labor and love we accomplished all of these. 

            -We bought and sold our first flip and learned to depend on the Lord in new ways

            -After a year and a half of fixing, remodeling, and relinquishing, our house on the lake sold

            -After two years, the Lord answered our prayers for clarity on where to direct South Face

The Lord has answered, directed, established and blessed us.  Now it's time to refocus, reenergize, and seek again His guidance for these next years.  May You direct our minds to see Your will for our lives.

Our trip to Great Britian is not quite a vacation.  It's really a sabbatical.  We're taking a rest from work to reevaluate, refocus, reenergize: so we can hit the ground running when we get back and most importantly reconnect as a couple.  These past two years have made us stronger, but there hasn't been a lot of time to relax and really enjoy each other.

After 10 years of owning his own company and all that entails, Alex has earned a break.  It's not easy.

Things we're dreaming of right now:  a family, a design firm that allows us to work as a couple in the best capacity possible, a chance to flip another house, to be a couple that does not waste their life but instead lives it with a single passion: to display Christ.

We moved...again!

Just wanted to let everyone know, we are now back at our house in Prior Lake. We closed on the St. Louis Park house on Tuesday! Praise God! If you need the address, email me: andreabrogle@gmail.com

A new day, a new jacket:)

During the football games on New Years Day, the girls were chatting away, and my friend Nichole mentioned that there were some great deals at the outlet mall in Albertville. Always one for a great deal, I grabbed my christmas money and decided to head there on Saturday while we were having a showing at our house. I love the outlet mall, or any outdoor mall for that matter. The day wasn't horribly bad weatherwise out there, so I enjoyed the walk to and from various stores. There were indeed some great deals.

I was able to pick up a dress shirt and sweater for Alex for the spring and get a new jacket for myself. I have always wanted a puffy jacket, but didn't want it to make me look like a snowman when I wore it. At the Gap Outlet they had fabulous deals on their jackets, so after a phone call to Alex for the color choice (white or brown), I found myself walking out of the store with a new coat! Yea for a good deal.

Here it is:

As for the past week...

it's been a busy...but good busy. A little glimpse into the past week... New Year's Day- We had a bunch of friends over for a very casual and fun day of football watching, chatting, and enjoying the company of friends we haven't seen in awhile. That night, hungry as can be, Alex and I went in search of dinner, ending up at Davanni's. With pizza in hand we went home for a dlightful picnic on the floor. Friday- It was back to work for both of us, for me that meant playing monopoly with Riley and keeping the energy of three boys in check as cabin fever set in. Alex on the other hand was busy finishing up a basement remodel in Lakeville. That night we settled in for some comfort food and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Saturday- Another busy day. On New Year's Eve we had two showings of the St. Louis Park house. In turn, one couple was very interested and requested a second showing for Saturday. After a very relaxing morning, we got our act in gear, cleaned up the house, and headed out. Me to the Outlet mall in search of some great deals and Alex, to well, the backyard. He was set to head out in the work van but it wouldn't start. With me in Albertville, he was stuck to the van, so he holed up in there with blankets and work:) poor guy! That night we spent the night with Nate and Sarah from our small group...so much fun getting to know them better! Today- Church, brunch with my great friend Shari and her boyfriend Mike and an afternoon of quickly getting our seller's disclosure finished, wishing my brother happy birthday, and relaxing. Alex just headed out to watch the game with friends so I am settling in with a new book! We're ready for the week ahead, please pray with us for God's guidance and hand in next days over the house in St. Louis Park. Oh that His will would be for it to sell!

a little holiday hello...

we have been so busy...but so blessed by friends and family:) it's been awhile since the last post, and in the past few weeks, things have been pretty normal around our house. here are some glimpses into our lives... -after thanksgiving we have been decorating the house for christmas and shopping for presents; as of today all gifts are bought...yea! -my mom was in town the first weekend of december and i hosted a table at our church's christmas luncheon...so much fun and a great kickoff to advent -work, work, work...shop, shop, shop...plan, plan, plan -this past weekend Alex and I headed back to Appleton for my family's christmas...a christmas party with all the siblings on saturday...so much fun:) i love seeing and interacting with all the family we don't see that often...all those 12 nieces and nephews have grown so big, not to mention my little brother who has now surpassed me in height and weight at age 14! saturday we spent the day with my dad and stepmom, watched rv at their house, finished up christmas shopping for my mom, and ate at Frank's pizza with baskin robbins for dessert...yum! sunday my brother chris made us a pancake breakfast and we headed back to minnesota after picking up alex's birthday present at macy's a great weekend and a great december...we can't wait for more!

And the winner is...

SOUTH FACE!!!

Last night we attended the COTY awards hosted by NARI the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The COTY awards stand for the Contractor of the Year. Basically you choose a project and present it as a nominee and a committee judges the binders. This was our third year at the COTY's but our first year submitting projects. We submitted two, one in the category Additions over $200,000 and the other in the category Whole House under $250,000. We were up against some really amazing projects and we WON in the Whole House category. We actually submitted our house on the lake that Alex remodeled. It was such a fun experience! Yea...Alex and South Face:)

Birthdays, Fall, and Fun!

I have been so behind on posting that I thought I would add in some pics from what we have been up to in the last couple of months now that it seems like we have all the time in the world. After our trip to Europe, Alex and I were basically working around the clock to finish the house. We would leave our house in Prior Lake around 6am and work until 8pm then head the 30 minutes back home, crash, and then do it all over again. Good thing this didn't last too long, only about 3 months. Believe me it will all be worth it. But in between all that work we actually did take some time to have a break, enjoy family and friends, and relax. Our niece Macayla celebrated her 5th birthday in September, along with my mother's 60th, and Alex's parents birthdays as well. September is a busy month with birthdays. October held the Remodeler's Showcase where 500 people went through the house. It was amazing. Also in October, my mother, sister and her son, brother and his wife and their triplets all came to visit the cities for a very full and fun-filled weekend. Also I gave Alex his first haircut...I have to say it didn't turn out too bad! So here are the pics of the happenings from July forward.

The first haircut...oh what a kitchen scissors can do:)

Lauren, looking a little concerned

Happy 5th birthday, Macayla!

Macayla and her Barbie cake, isn't Patty talented!

Update...

Wow, it's been awhile. Things with us are as good as can be. We are finally finished with the home in St. Louis Park. We started the remodel in May and finished in October just in time for the Parade of Homes Remodeler's Showcase. The house is now finished and on the market.

We have officially moved into the new house, leaving our house on the lake up for sale as well. Reasoning behind the move, location and a break from commuting almost an hour each way to work. I'd say it has been well worth it...though the change from 950 square feet to 3500 has been a little difficult. Raising our voice is now necessary to catch each other's attention in another room, no more whispers:)

Here's the house...

the master bath

the 4th bedroom

the 3rd bedroom

2nd full bath

living and family room

master bedroom

kitchen with dinette area off to left/mudroom through doorway on left

dining room

living room

family room

New Photos of the New House!

After the past few weeks, so many changes have happened over at the Kipling house (the one we will move into in August)! The garage has been built, everything has been framed, the master bedroom is finished, the soffits and fascia are being done, the roof is on, windows and skylight are in, and the new front porch is being finished.

Alex will be taking the next three weeks off to finish up the railing on the stairs to the lake and some landscaping at our house in prior lake. After that the drywall and such will be happening at the Kipling house, we will leave for our trip to Europe (yea!) and when we return all the fun things will be happening, paint, cabinets, etc.

Things have been moving along really smoothly with the houses. If only that were true for our cars. Two weeks ago I was rear ended and a couple of days later the alternator on the jeep went out. Thank the Lord that we have a work van so we could get around and that we did not have to try and figure out how to get a new car. The alternator is replaces, jeep is running well, and the honda will be finished in about a week. The rental car we have though is great...the little hyundai gets great gas mileage!

Enjoy the pics!

Skylight installed in the new mud room

New garage/access from the alley

New soffits/fascia

View of house from the alley

Windows

Life in Fast Forward

Have you ever felt that way? Our lives in the past week have been crazier than ever. Last week Alex was busy working on the houses, I was busy planning out the new kitchen and packing up our house, and over the weekend we were both busy serving at our church for our women's conference.

The conference went amazing...we had 392 women attend and as for what I heard, the speaker Susan Hunt, was sensational! Why didn't I hear it all? Well I was in charge of feeding the 400, or so I called it for the conference. We ordered lunches from Panera, but then with my amazing crew of 13 we fulfilled our duties leaving nary a crumb afterwards! It was a hit, but stressful as well. With my mom, Alex's mom, and Alex all helping it was so fun! But I am glad it was over. Hearing from many they seem to think that catering would be right up my alley, but due to the stress levels, I think I will keep it for special occasions. Though I did love planning the menu, getting everything together, and revealing the final product!

One more announcement...Our first OPEN HOUSE is this weekend. We don't really like to sit around much:) So pray we can get things ready. Though the landscaping is not complete, it's lake season and the best time to have our house open.

Here are the new pics from our new house. This last week the second story addition was framed in and today the roof is going on...it's coming together!

Photos of the new house!

Well what can I say,  this house used to be completely furnished.  This is after one week!

This is the view from the old living room to the den; window points to the alley.  The old living room will remain a living room but the den will become a family room that flows into the new kitchen.

This is the upstairs bath.  A new master suite will also be added on, including master bath.

Here is the view again of the old kitchen, will become the new dining room.

This is a view of the front

Another view of the front

The back of the house; footings dug for a bump out addition that will become the new breakfast area and garage.  There will be two garage entrances one from the front the other from the alley.

View of the old living room and front door.

View of the space that will become the new family room/kitchen.  The first doorway is stairs leading to the basement.

We bought a house!

Well, we went and did it!  We bought a new house...  The new house is located in Saint Louis Park, in a great area.  Though we bought the house, it won't be ours forever.

We are embarking on an adventure...house flipping.  This house is in a great area, where houses are still moving and it was in need of a new floor plan.  This is right up Alex's alley.  I do not think that I have seen him so excited in some time.  The best part is that we are able to pick things out that we can get excited about instead of always having to be at the client's bidding.

It is so much fun.  We purchased it one week ago Thursday and already the new footings are poured and the first floor and bath upstairs are completely gutted.  No water, no bathrooms, no kitchen.  It's ready for some work and we are anxious to get it finished.  It will be ready in August and by then we will be moving in!  Our house on the lake is almost finished and we hope it is on the market in June!

We've got a lot of investments, so pray they sell!  This is so much fun...photos to come!

Wow...march already!

Well, it's been awhile since the last post...oops! Things have been a little crazy around here. We have stayed busy watching our nieces and trying to get some things done around our house. Last week Alex finished the first set of classes through CCIM, for real estate. He really loved meeting the people in the class and just learning more...plus he was able to get a new calculator so the new toy was pretty fun too:) I have been busy with our women's retreat through our church. I am in charge of the lunch on Saturday morning and with a projected 700 women attending it's crucial everything line up. We are catering through Panera, kind of like Atlanta Bread, so it will definitely be yummy:) Our biggest time consumer though has been our house. With the deadline of June, the things needed to be done are adding up. We did hear some good news potentially from the city that we may not need the variance to take out our hill. We will post some pictures to hopefully make some sense of all of this. But as of last week we have new garage doors, our crawl space went from being a dirt floor cave, to having a door, cement floor, insulation and built in shelves to extend the storage. Hopefully come the end of sumemr someone else will be enjoying the views of the lake!

It's that time...trade show time!

This past weekend we had our work cut out for us. We were scheduled to watch our nieces for the weekend while Alex's brother Jeff and his wife Patty were on vacation in California. No big deal, they are adorable girls! But then a couple of weeks ago we realized that the first trade show of the year was scheduled that weekend as well. Good thing they are only one day. So, could we handle it, of course we could. Were we dead tired by Sunday night, a little:)

So Friday we watched the girls and ended up having a movie night. Saturday Alex headed off early for Richfield to get the booth set up. That's it in the picture. Those panels are heavy. As his usual right hand chick for trade shows I am usually the one that helps carry them in and set the up. But this time the pop-in-law graciously helped out leaving me to the girls. The trade show was a success and some great contacts were made. We have been doing these for the past two years together and they have proved to be a great way to meet prospective clients and get our name out there for very little expense. Plus what could be more fun than hanging out in the school gym for an afternoon:)

Alex constructed the trade show booth himself so we are pretty proud of that beast. Weighing in at 60 pounds a piece, the booth is not light by any means. But attractive, yes that it is and it always seems to be a great conversation piece.

Business is going well and the bathroom project we were working on is now finished. We wrapped it up today and will have photos coming soon. Next up, an entire first level update and redo.

On the family front, Alex leaves this Thursday for the annual ski trip with the boys, this year in Lake Tahoe. Not wanting to be alone for seven whole days, I am heading up to Duluth for a spa weekend with one of the other wives. The thought of relaxing is music to my ears!