Monday, January 30, 2012

Feels Like Home

Kip and I had such a great weekend away! My parents now live in New Jersey, but they still have their house in Americus where I grew up. They came down for the weekend to do a little work on the house and we decided to join them. Kip and I realized we had not been back since last June! How can time slip away like that??

So this weekend was a much-needed homecoming! It was a flood of good memories at every turn. We saw great friends that we hadn't seen in a long time. It was fun driving through town as we remembered different things that we'd done or conversations we'd had (as there's not a whole lot to do in Americus!). It is the place I grew up, grew in faith, made best friends, and met Kip. When we went to church, all of the memories at Central Baptist were just too many to recount. There's a warm familiarity there even though it's growing and changing in awesome ways. My home church still feels like home. It is the place we were married and seems like the ending and the beginning of everything all at once for me.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

EASY Chocolate Chip Cake

Good morning! I thought I would start your day off right... with a chocolate cake recipe!

I originally got this recipe from my mother-in-law and made a few tweaks to make it a little bit lower in fat. I love all things chocolate, and I love how easy this cake is. Literally about 5 minutes to mix and get in the oven.

Easy Chocolate Chip Cake


1 box yellow cake mix
1 small box chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1/4 c. oil
3/4 c. water
1 c. plain, low-fat yogurt (although you can use sour cream)
6 oz. chocolate chips

Mix everything together and pour into a bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve. (And a scoop of vanilla ice cream never hurts either). Enjoy!
*Photo is courtesy of EatingWell*

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Little Things Count

Kip and I had a fantastic weekend! Productive at home, great time at church, good food, and a little too much Netflix watching. We are currently hooked on Prison Break with only 10 episodes to go... If anyone else out there happens to be as obsessed with this show as I am, please tell me so we can bond over it. (Just no spoiling the ending!!).

I got a card from a patient last week. It was a simple thank you card with only four words written inside: "The little things count" and her signature. I am amazed at the depth of wisdom in those words. I don't remember anything special about the week that I cared for her. We didn't have any grand moments or especially deep conversations. I didn't leave work thinking I had done anything important. I'm sure I was feeling tired and hungry, just like I do after every shift. It was just as most days are -- full of the ins and outs of the job--giving blood, managing pain, trying to stay on schedule while stopping to care for the patients when they need it. I know that for this time, my job as an oncology nurse is what I am called to do. But so much of the time it just feels like work. God used this sweet lady to open my eyes and remind me that the little things count so much more than I realize.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Welcome to our World!

Welcome to this blog, world wide web! I have loved reading others' blogs for quite some time now, but never jumped in myself. I suppose I figured my life is too average, or wondered how many people would care to read. I have kept journals for years-- something I've always found therapeutic, fun to look back on, and a way to see growth. But I think that there's something to be said for sharing with others and feeling understood. Which is why I continue to read so many others' posts about their day-to-day lives, struggles, and joys. And why I hope you enjoy reading mine.

My day-to-day life is probably similar to yours: work, housework, exercising, cooking dinner, spending time with my husband, Kip and my little dog, Ollie. But it is also filled with the presence of God. As I learn to know Him better, I see His hand moving in our lives, guiding and leading us on an adventure. And the ups and downs of that are quite exciting, if I do say so myself!

I named our blog "Coffee Talk with the Wright's" because I've found that there's nothing like a good conversation over a cup of coffee. Growing up in the midwest, my parents always had a pot brewing and some of my fondest memories are of sitting around the dinner table talking with a warm mug in hand. Some of the best conversations I've ever had, about everything and about nothing, have been shared over coffee. I hope that this blog bridges friends and family across the miles and makes us feel like we are sitting just across the table, relaxed and connected. And of course, in-person conversations are so much better, so if you find yourself in the Atlanta area please stop by and see us! Our door is always open. I'll feed you, put on a pot of coffee, and we can catch up!