Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Countdown

The numbers of days till this business is over are slowly counting down. I'm finding it hard to be excited and not just stressed and wanting it to just be done.

Three days till Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we are having my parents over for breakfast, we'll go to church at 5:30. Then we'll head over to Nick's parents for dinner and presents.

Four days till Christmas Day. On Christmas Day we'll wake up and open our stockings and presents to each other and have breakfast together. Around lunch time we'll head to my Aunt's house to have lunch and spend time with family. Since it's a Saturday at night we'll go to church like we do most Saturday nights.

Ten days till New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve we are having over my best friend and her boyfriend to just hang-out and play games and get to know one another since they have only been dating for a month or so.

I know it doesn't seem like much, but it's hard not having a relaxing weekend in over a month. It means both Nick and I are kind of on short fusses so a little bickering can turn into a heated argument. We're both trying to avoid it, but sometimes it's unavoidable. At least the end seems more attainable this week.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Lazy

Today I have tons that I need to get done, but I'm lacking the motivation to even start. Days like these drive me nuts!

I'm a doer. I love having a list of accomplishments that need to be finished before Nick gets home from work or before I have to leave for work. I love checking things off the list and seeing it grow smaller and smaller. I love being able to get everything done and having enough time to do something just for me, like play bass, play piano or watch some mindless reality show on the computer.

I have a God given gifts of loving organization (and being able to accomplish it) and loving housework. Every once and awhile though I just can't seem to be motivated to even begin checking things off my list. Some days I just want to be lazy and no do a single thing but toddle around on the internet, maybe watch a movie or blog about my thoughts.

I don't know why sometimes the first step in starting my day seems so big. I think this month the lack of motivation has to do with the craziness of the season. Every weekend from now until well after Christmas is jam packed with things to do. This weekend we have a Christmas concert Friday night, Christmas in Norfolk, NE Saturday afternoon, a friend wants to go out Saturday night and then church on Sunday. After last weekend being a Drill weekend for Nick it would have been nice if this weekend wasn't so busy.

I guess I'll just start with the most important thing, my time with God, and see if I can rustle up any motivation from that. Here goes nothing!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Wonderful Weekend

I had a great weekend. Which is amazing seeing as though it was Nick's Air National Guard drill weekend. That means he isn't around Saturday and Sunday from 7:00am-4:30pm. Usually that means I have a pretty boring, lonely weekend. But I actually had a wonderful weekend that was quite busy.

Saturday I worked from 8:30am-11:30am. Then I went home had a quick lunch and set out for some Christmas shopping. I bought Nick his stocking stuffers and some art supplies for the project I'm doing with the kiddos I nanny. I got home just in time to get a few things done around the house before Nick got home. We had an early dinner then headed to church. After church we went over to a friend's house to watch the second half of the Big 12 Championship game between our Nebraska Huskers and Oklahoma's Sooners. The game ended up being kind of a disappointment, but it was nice to hang-out with friends. It was a long day, but fun.

Sunday I woke up early and got ready to go to church with my best friend Caitlin and her new boyfriend, whom I had yet to meet. We went to church then all had lunch together with a couple of Caitlin and I's other girl friends. Her boyfriend Quint is a gentleman and treats her with such respect. It's great to see her with such a nice guy. After lunch I headed to my sister's salon so that she could do my hair. Got my hair done and then went home to spend the evening with my hubby.

Though it didn't seem like I had much of a weekend it was nice to be busy. Now I'm headed into a fairly normal week with another hectic weekend. I have a feeling most December will be that way.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Struggles

Today I read the last chapter of "A Wife After God's Own Heart". I had been going through the book for 12 weeks now, one chapter a week. There is a lot I've taken away from it. A lot that I already began to change and work on. But there is one big thing that is my biggest struggle. I have a quick temper and this leads me to snap at my husband.

I've always had a quick temper. Before getting married though I never had that much to get worked up about so I rarely did. Then I got married and started living in close quarters with someone who didn't think exactly like me. This leads me to get very frustrated about little things all the time.

I'm very meticulous and need things done a certain way to feel as though they are done right. Nick is more of a free spirit who goes with the flow and makes things work even if they don't go as planned. This leads to many "arguments" over how he isn't doing something right, because it isn't my way. Don't get me wrong I love my husband dearly and honestly I wouldn't change a thing about him even if I could. Sometimes though he can just get on my last nerve.

Most of the time I am quick to apologize and repair the damage my outburst made and we can move on. Other times I hold on to my anger, for no other reason than my selfish pride, and won't let go of it for the life of me. I allow my anger to get the best of me and it takes on a life of it's own. It's those times I look back on and feel the most ashamed.

I've been trying to be more aware of when I'm being unreasonable, letting my sinfulness rear it's ugly head. Then taking the steps to calm down before things get out of hand. I've also been trying to stifle it at it's source and be in more control over my tongue so that those snide remarks don't come out of my mouth at all.

All of it just feels overwhelming. I don't feel as though I've made any progress. But I guess if there was an easy way to control ourselves without work and help from God, we'd have no reason for Christ's death.

I'm eternally thankful that my LORD is overflowing with grace enough to continue to lift me up and help me along even though I continue to fall.


Monday, November 22, 2010

Christmas Time is Here!

Last Sunday (the 14th) I convinced Nick to let me put up all of our Christmas decorations. I had been hounding him to let me for at least a week prior. He finally gave in if I promised to do it myself and he could just watch. I didn't care if he wasn't helping I wanted them up!

So needless to say I spent he whole afternoon put up the decorations. I'm so loving having them up though! I just love Christmas decorations.

Our bedroom decorations. (Sorry it's dark)

Straight on view of the bedroom decor.

On the desk.

Our Dinning Room Table

Stocking Holders

Stockings hung not on the fireplace, but the bookshelves.

View of the tree and the coffee table.

Now the tree was quite a fiasco last year. We only had it in our living room for one day, because the cats were constantly knocking it down. This year we used some bricks rubber-banded to the tree base to help stabilize it. So far it's working. I've only had to reattach some branches that the cats knocked down while trying to climb it. The only thing is we have no decorations on it yet, just lights. We are gonna wait till Christmas Eve to put up decorations in the hopes that they won't get played with too much. So right now our tree looks pretty plain, but it's ok.

The tree without decorations.

Overall I think our house looks great! I love having new decorations up and since I don't have the money to change my decor all the time different seasons are a nice excuse. I'll make sure to upload some pictures when we actually get the tree decorated.

It's so nice to start feeling the happiness of Christmas even if it's only the week of Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Stuck

So before I met my husband Nick in August of 2008 I had been dating a guy (I'll refer to him as J) and he had been gone for the summer working at a summer camp. Things between J and I didn't really end well and I was ready for something new thing in my life. Right before completely calling it quits with J I had gone on my second missions trip to Haiti. Upon returning and then breaking up with J I felt God might be calling me to Missions work. I had felt that the whole time I had been in Haiti maybe that was where He was leading me. (Little did I know!)

I was so excited when getting back to the States to be able to dive deeper in to my options for missions work. My mother had helped me find a program with Youth With A Mission with their missions college. This specific one was focused on Haiti. I was extremely excited and really looking into it when POW I met Nick and everything did a 180.

Now that I'm married and know that I am exactly where God is calling me to be in my life. But I'm still kind of struggling to see where foreign missions fits into my life now. I still have such a heart and desire for spreading the Word of God to those in every corner of the world. But since Nick doesn't share the passion to be the ones to go with me, at least not yet. I realize that it might never be in God's Plan for me to go. Maybe with the exception of short term missions trips.

Our church takes time the first 2 weeks of November to focus on Missions. So last night at church the whole service was on the mission work the church is involved with in Asia & the Middle East. It always really speaks to my heart and gets me so ready to Go wherever God wants me. But then I realize that God wants me here.

We could give money to missions work. But we are a young couple who really doesn't have much extra every month. We defiantly have enough to give some, but it seems so insignificant. Though I know that isn't how God sees it.

I could pray more for our missionaries. I plan to! More so then I ever have before. I can even pray for God to plant a desire inside Nick to want to be involved more with Missions and seeing if maybe God will call us to Go one day.

I guess I don't know where I'm going with this post... I think it's just a means of venting my frustration about not knowing God's future plans for our life. I guess I just kind of feel I'm stuck in this waiting period to see what's next in God's plan for us. Whatever it is I know it will be what's right and it will bring God the most glory possible!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I'm Still Here

It has been a long time since I last posted. I guess I've just been really caught up in work and taking care of our house and (believe it or not) Christmas shopping.

Six weeks ago I started a new Bible Study. I'm reading Elizabeth George's "A Wife After God's Own Heart". I've been loving it so far. This is why I've been kind of absent from the blogger world. This book has really been challenging me to use my time at home wisely. So I've been working really hard at being productive with my time. Today I'm almost finished with my To Do List. I have one thing left and another hour to do it before Nick gets home. Since it's only put away laundry I have plenty of time. This is the first time ever I think this has happened, at least in the recent past.

Another thing that is occupying my blogger time is that I've started working out again. We are going to Mexico the first week of January. Since in winter I usually pack on a couple extra pounds, for no apparent reason, this year I'm trying to combat that by being extra active. I've always been really active. I have 2 very active jobs, nannying and teaching gymnastics. But now I'm making it a point to work out everyday even if it's just a walk with Nick. Lately the schedule has been:
Mondays: 30 min. walk around the neighborhood.
Tuesdays: Ab work out, then 30 min. walk around the neighborhood, ended with abs again.
Wednesdays: Run/Walk for 30 min. on treadmill.
Thursdays: Same as Tuesday.
Fridays: Same as Monday except usually with Nick.
Saturdays: Walk with Nick.
Sundays: Walk with Nick.
I read that just walking 25 mins. 5 times a week can help you to tone up and lose 12 pounds in a year. Though that isn't much I'm not looking to lose much at all. I'm just looking to feel toned up and healthy.

That's basically all I've been up to. I'm always surprised at how much I can get done with my time. Unfortunately blogging is pretty low on the list of things to do. I'm going to try to keep up with it more.

Friday, September 17, 2010

End (Not Really) of a Very Long Week

This past week has been hectic. Thursday night of last week we started to tape, sand and prepare our bed room to be painted. Paint was a spur of the moment idea Labor Day weekend. I saw an ad for True Value that had gallons of paint buy one get one free. So we decided to go that route. We finally finished the finishing touches yesterday. So we can move back into our room this weekend. Oh did I forget to mention our bed has been in our living room for the past week! That made for not getting much sleep. We honestly only used about 1/2 of the paint we bought. One gallon of the blue and 2/3 of a gallon of cream. This means we have enough to paint the other bedroom. We're going to do it opposite though; cream walls and blue trim. I'll post pictures when we have both the rooms finished.

On top of the craziness of paint and being displaced from our bedroom work picked up again for me. The fall sessions of gymnastics started Monday night. It's going really well and I'm glad. Hopefully things continue to run smoothly. So far there isn't any classes that just make me want to rip my hair out, but it's only the first week and I have yet to meet my Saturday classes.

The reason this crazy week doesn't end yet is because it's Drill Weekend. Ugh! I can't stand drill weekends. Once the weekend comes I'm just ready to spend some quality time with my hubby, but drill weekend robs me of that. This weekend is not only drill weekend but jammed full of evening things we need to do, at least on Saturday. Saturday night a friend of Nick's from high school is getting married and we're going to celebrate with them. It should be fun, but we'll have to be the old married people that don't want to stay out too late because we both have to get up in the morning; Nick for more drill and me to go to church.

On a bight side this weekend is my best friends birthday! I'm probably not going to be able to make it to her party Saturday night, but we are having a girls lunch on Sunday after church. I'm pretty excited. It's fun to spend time with my friends on their birthdays.

I'm just praying we can make it through this super long week and make it to next weekend which is our short break before Nick has yet another drill weekend.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Today Is A Hard Day

I try not to complain. I really try to be as positive as possible at all times. This comes from the very dark periods of depression I've been through. My life has been short in the scheme of things, but I've had some really dark and long periods of debilitating depression. I have been blessed by God in that I haven't been that depressed in well over a year. I think it's about a year and half now.

I've also been blessed that about 6 months ago I realized what I long to do with my life. I want to devout my life to being a stay-at-home mother & wife. I also long to home school my children just as I was. I always kinda knew this is what I was made to do, but I listened to too many outside voices & not enough to God's. Too many people said that I needed a career and that I wouldn't be happy just as a mom. I know now though that I'm going to feel completely and utterly fulfilled the day I become a mom. I feel fulfilled now, but I can tell that I'm not doing exactly what God has created me to do.

That's why today is hard. Today I'm just down about the fact that I long to be a mom. Nick isn't ready to be a dad and I understand that. When we got married we talked about how it would be years until we had kids. God has changed my heart and I'm trying to wait patiently as he speaks to Nick's. But it's hard. I find myself sometimes being very resentful of the fact that Nick isn't ready. He says we can start trying at the beginning of the year. That way there is no possible way he could still be in the National Guard when we would finally have a baby. To me I just want to take the step of trusting God that it will happen when it's His Will. Which to me means that I go off birth control and just trust Him. Trust Him that He will work everything out. I know that a silly little pill can not thwart God's Plan, but it just feels like we are still trying to control it ourselves, which seems wrong.

I just needed to vent. Get my feelings out. Honestly I feel a little better. Today will still continue to be hard though.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Update on Sisters Post!

Well Praise the Lord! When I had to go with my sister's out to dinner it was actually a really fun time. For the first time ever I was treated more as a peer then a little sister.

I also got a chance to talk with my sister Jenn and realize how terribly wrong I was being in judging her family situation without actually knowing it. I felt terrible for how I've been thinking of her for the last year. Thankfully it looks as though God is working out the situation for His glory and now I can fully see that.

I'm just happy that I seem to be at a point where I can get along with my sisters and enjoy my time with them. Hopefully it will just continue to get better.

Bah! Writer's Block!

So over 4 years ago I started writing a novel. The first rendition didn't make it very far. I then changed my format to more of a journal entry and I almost finished it. I was literally like 20 pages from it being done and then lost momentum and motivation.

Then about 8 months ago I started working on it again and decided to change the format yet again. I worked on it for a couple of weeks and then let it go. I would now really like to work on it. Honestly work on it. But I have absolutely no inspiration or drive to do so.

This is so frustrating!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Sisters?

Yesterday my oldest sister came in from Michigan. I've been roped into going to lunch with her and my mom today around noon.

Tammy, Jenn, Me & Tasha

A few years ago I would have been excited to get to hang-out with my sister. Because back then she was the only one of them that treated me like an adult and that I remotely got along with. Now that's changed drastically. Honestly I wouldn't be feeling like I'm missing something if I didn't even get to see her while she's here.

I've always been the baby and as such have been treated so. Even now that I'm older and married they still treat me like their baby sister and don't really talk to me. I've become extremely reserved around them, because I just feel like my thoughts on anything are not really listened to or wanted. I don't remember the last time one of my sister's asked how I was doing and what I've been up to. I've also never been able to please them. I'm never doing enough with my life to make them happy and they feel my aspirations in life (ultimately being a stay at home mom and homeschooling my kids) isn't good enough. They think I need to go to college and be a career woman who puts it on hold for a bit to have kids but then just heads right back. I don't even have kids yet and I feel the most fulfilled I ever have in my entire life.

I really want to be like those sisters who all get along (at least most the time) and feel like their sisters are like friends. But I'm just realizing more and more that won't ever be my family.

Thankfully, the Lord has blessed me with the most amazing spiritual sister's I could ever ask for. My 3 best friends are the best sisters I could ever have. I'm so blessed to have them in my life and still have them in my life after all these years. (With Caitlin it's been almost 16 years!) So I might never be "friends" with my sisters, but my friends are great "sisters"!

Kelsey, Caitlin, Me & Briana






Monday, August 9, 2010

Setting Goals

I have a chance with the next few weeks to get back into the habit of working out. I have a break from my typical work schedule because Gymnastics is on it's break before Fall Sessions start. Therefore I have more time on my hands. So I should use that time wisely and start working out more.

My only problem is that I just can't stand to work out. There is nothing about working out that I enjoy. I hate getting sweaty and stinky. I also really don't like how worn out I feel afterwards. I know I need to do it more though.

I've gained 20 pounds since going on birth control and getting married. I know that most of that excess weight was put on because I went on birth control and my metabolism took a hit from that. I also know that some of it went on because I began to slack in the working out and activity department and began eating like my husband. I got the eating in check I'm more aware of my portions and I stop eating when I'm full. But the work out thing never has really been picked back up.

So hopefully I can get my butt in gear and just start pushing myself. I think I'll start right now!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Birthdays

I think we've finally made it through most of our friends who are turning 21 for awhile. The next few won't be for a few months or even years with some.

Though I love going out with friends and enjoying a couple of drinks, 21st birthdays get to be a bit much. I'm more of a low key drinker who would rather go to 1 or 2 bars and enjoy myself there rather than hopping from bar to bar and then heading to an after party. Actually I prefer our weekly game nights with good friends and good beer to going out at all.

Birthdays can be fun though. Like last night. Our friend Nick (aka Naked Tim...don't ask) was turning 21. He had never drank before. He was getting $1000 for not drinking and doing drugs. So that made for an interesting night to say the least. He lived and honestly didn't even drink that much. He kept giving away his drinks cause he didn't care for them.

Over all it was a great night. Tiring, but very fun.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Falling Short

I just started a new Bible study a couple of weeks ago on Proverbs 31. It's written by Elizabeth George and it's called "Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman".

This study has been a very humbling experience. Realizing what God has said about a Godly Wife and then realize you fall short in many areas is kind of hard to deal with. It at least gives me something to strive for and work towards instead of being stagnant and thinking I'm fine in most areas. I honestly know that I won't ever obtain everything that the woman of Proverbs 31 is. But that doesn't stop me from trying.

Monday, July 19, 2010

A Need To Be Thankful

On Saturday Nick and I found out that his mom was finally making plans for us to go to Mexico after Christmas. She had been saying that she wanted to take us and his sister on a vacation, but she wasn't making any plans.

I got super excited at first. I've never been to mexico and I have never been out of the country for a vacation, only missions trips.

Yesterday she sent us a link to the hotel we're gonna be staying at. Upon reading the reviews I was getting really confused as to why she choose this place. I kept reading the reviews this morning and just really didn't even want to go anymore at some points.

Then it hit me. I'm being extremely ungrateful. Instead of looking at the fact that we're getting to travel with his family without having to take on the expenses of the trip I'm nitpicking about what 1/3 of the reviewers that say it's not worth it. I need to just focus on the positive and the fact that we are getting to go and thanking God for the experience.

So goodbye complaining and ungratefulness and hello positivity and thankfulness!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Letting Go

I think I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that I need to let go of my ideas of what my birthday should be.

I honestly don't remember the last time my birthday was one that I would consider happy. I know that a lot of that is my own fault for having expectations of how my birthday would go and only being disappointed. But after two years ago being dumped (Even though I knew it was coming and it ended it really well because I met Nick a week later.) on my birthday I've come to realize it's not ever going to be a good day for me.

This year I had no plans for my birthday (Which isn't till August by the way) but I had plans for the weekend following. We were gonna go to a nearby water park with whatever friends were up for coming. Well I hadn't checked the calendar yet and when I did I realized that the weekend I wanted to go was the weekend in August Nick has drill. So I was bummed so I called my best friends and asked if the weekend before the originally planned one would work and they just happen to be out of town that weekend! I'm so terribly bummed that the 2 people besides my husband (and a friend who might still be able to come) I really wanted there can't make it.

So needless to say I'm just resolved to just not ever expect anything from my birthday. Not even that it will go well. Maybe it would just be better if I didn't bother to celebrate it at all. Who knows. I'll try to make the best of it, but it will still end up being a bittersweet day.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Day Six: It's Over

Yesterday was my last day watching Drew. Her parents got back late last night so she spent the night at my parents house.

I took Drew with me in the morning to play with the kids I nanny on Wednesdays. She knows them because my boss works with my sister at a hair salon, so she was super happy to get to play with the kids.

Drew stayed until about 2. That's when my mom came and picked her up.

It was nice to have Drew with me at work, because that way she could play with the 4 year old girl and I only had to monitor them and keep the 2 year old boy happy. Which was a nice break after 5 days of entertaining and watching Drew.

I'm happy to be back at my own home and be spending my time as I would like to. I'm exhausted even though I spent in till 10:30 this morning. I felt so lazy for doing that! I'm honestly even a little happy to have some time to myself this weekend while Nick has drill.

I was happy to get to spend some time with Drew though. Hopefully we'll get to spend time with her again soon!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Day Five: All Day Just Me And Drew

Today it's just Drew and I.

We went to Panera with my parents and got some breakfast. Then we shopped for awhile. I bought some new shirts and some new swim suit bottoms. I also got Nick some pants and a sweater because they were on sale.

After shopping Drew and I stopped by our house so that I could feed the kitties and get my pictures in their frames. The new frames will look great once we can get them hung.

Now Drew is sleeping and I'm getting things done like cleaning and doing dishes. Since I have to work all day tomorrow I'm trying to get all the stuff picked up today so that Nick and I just have to stop by tomorrow night to get our stuff.

My sister and her husband are getting back tomorrow really late. So Drew is spending the night at my parents so that they won't disturb her when they get home. It will be nice to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night.

We're gonna paint some sun-catchers when Drew wakes up. So I'd better get to finishing cleaning...too bad I'm exhausted!

Here are a couple pictures from painting sun catchers!




Day Four: Exhaustion Sets In

Everyday that we've stayed here with Drew she has been up and ready for the day by 7:30. No matter how late we stay up (some days it's been as late as 11) it's always 7:30. This has led me to being exhausted everyday.

To add on top of watching Drew all day yesterday I had to work from 4:30-8:15 at the Y. Thankfully Nick had the day off so it meant he could help out a lot.


Even though I love Drew dearly I'm ready for these next few days to be over.

On an upside I got new picture frames for Nick and I's bedroom. When I get them hung I'll put some pictures up.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Day Three: The Foggy Fog

Yesterday was the 4th and we woke up to a cloudy, rainy day. Not so great for fireworks.

We decided not to go to church, because we knew it would be difficult with Drew. Instead we took our time and had a leisurely breakfast of pancakes. Then after Drew had a bath we went over to Nick's Parent's house for lunch.

Drew took a long, long nap that afternoon and Nick and I were very appreciative. We also spent that time napping and reading and just getting to spend sometime alone together. Thankfully after nap time it had stopped raining. So went spent sometime outside watching the neighbors shot fireworks.

Around 5:30 we headed over to my Aunt's house. It was fun to get to see my nieces and nephews from Michigan and other family too. We stayed there till around 10:30 and spent most of the time covering Drew's ears because she didn't like the loud fireworks. And wow we had some loud ones. There were at least 5 M80's!

On the way back home it was so foggy we could barely see! Somehow because of the humidity it was making all of the smoke from the fireworks just stay in the air and cause some major fog. Drew referred to it as "the foggy fog".

Only 2.5 more days left! I'm already exhausted though. Having a kid is tough!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Day Two: Missing Mommy And Daddy

Yesterday started out not too bad. Drew woke up around 7:50 and then her mom and dad called to talk. Well she drank a whole cup of water and then we headed to the Farmer's Market to meet my parents while Nick headed to work at the Y. Well when we got to the Farmer's Market I got Drew a chocolate milk. She drank her milk way too fast and filled her tummy up and consequently ended up throwing up her chocolate milk all over my mom. She was fine and never got sick again or even acted sick. But it kinda put a damper on the morning.

After that though we came home and waited for Nick to get off work. Since she wasn't acting sick we went grocery shopping after Nick got back and then went and bought some fireworks. Drew had tons of fun picking stuff out. She tried to get us to buy a big one that cost about $60 and we had to tell her it was way too expensive.

She kept saying some really funny things. For instance she came right up to Nick and said, "Nick, I like your face. Can we take a picture?" I found that absolutely adorable. And then she was singing along with the song "Hey Soul Sister" by Train. She was singing the chorus and said "Hey Soul Sister, I'm a mister." Nick and I both got a kick out of that.

Well after dinner we went to my parents house and watched their neighbors shot off fireworks. Drew even shot off a couple of ours. She was getting tired though so we didn't stay out too late. Tonight will be a late night though. But since her cousins will be there hopefully she'll be in a good mood. We'll see.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Day One: Check

Well I survived day one of watch my niece. Things were actually pretty good.

In the morning I went over to my mom's house to pick her up. She had spent the night there cause my sister was leaving so early in the morning that she didn't want Drew to be disturbed by them making noise.

We waited around at my mom's for about 2 hours for my sister's kids from Michigan to show up. It was nice getting to catch up with them. I hadn't seen them in almost a year and they are all getting so old, and tall! Now that the middle one is going into high school, that will mean three of them are in high school. The oldest both being juniors! Man that makes me feel old.

After having lunch with the 5 kids and hanging out we came back to my sister's place so that Drew could take a nap. After Drew's nap we had to take our kitty Izzy to the vet to get some shots so that we could set up a time for her to get fixed. (She's already going into heat so we want to get it done as soon as possible.)

We went swimming after the vet. That totally wore us all out! We then came back to the house and had dinner.

I was surprised putting Drew to sleep actually went fairly well. She only fussed a little and then was super sweet and told us she loved us after we prayed and tucked her in.

Today should be more low key. Resting up for tomorrow and the late night at my Aunt's house! Can't wait for tomorrow!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Time For Fun

I'm getting myself ready for a very hectic weekend/week. Nick and I get to babysit my niece Drew while her parents are vacationing in Cancun. She's such a cutie and at least for now she's super excited to have us spend the night at her house.

On top of that my sister's kids and her husband are coming doing from Michigan for the 4th of July and we're gonna get to spend some time with them. Did I mention that there are 5 of them! So needless to say when we're all together things get loud, quickly!

I'm excited though. Praying I can keep up my energy and that Drew doesn't miss mommy and daddy too much. It should be a great weekend/week though!

Monday, June 28, 2010

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

At church Saturday night one of our Pastor's, Pastor Kremer, was preaching on 1 Peter 2:9-17. He was talking about a Christians role in the world of politics. He said lots of things that got me thinking, but one in particular really has stood out to me. After reading verses 13 & 14, which say;

"13. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14. or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right." 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NAS)

Pastor Kremer began to say how he has heard people saying "I can respect the office of the President, but I can't respect the man." and how that is disrespect all the same. He then said that we are to respect all mankind as being created in the image of God Himself. That we don't have a choice to not respect them because of this or that.

Upon thinking about that and then reading verse 17;

"17. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
1 Peter 2:17 (NAS)

I began to think, "Wow, I know for certain I have failed in this area." I know I have not always "honored the king" (in our case the President). Because when you honor someone you don't speak slander against them and I know at times I have spoken quite ill of President Obama.

I've come to realize that though I may not agree with the opinion of some of those in authority over me I'm still called to respect them. Respect them as God's craftsmanship, respect them as being placed there in that position by God Himself, respect them as the Bible tells me to.

Peter was talking to Jews in Rome during the reign of Nero. Nero was a horrible dictator who persecuted the early church. If Peter can tell them that they need to respect and honor this man who was killing and tormenting them, because it's what God has called them to do, then who am I to say I can't respect a man who just holds a differing opinion to mine.

Here is a link to our churches site that has the sermon online to listen to. The sermon is called "Faithful Presence In A Politically Charged World" it's from June 27, 2010 by Mark Kremer. Sermon

Saturday, June 26, 2010

The Perks of Summer

I'm so happy Nick has the luxury of having only half days on Fridays. Since I don't normally work Friday afternoons it means we get to have a long weekend every weekend his doesn't have Air National Guard Drill. If I didn't work Saturday mornings it would almost make it feel like a holiday weekend.

Yesterday for the 2nd Friday in a row Nick and I headed to the lake around lunch time to enjoy the day. It's was nice. 93 degrees and sunny, only draw back was there was lots of wind.

The wind made it interesting to try to float on our rafts. We had to drag our rafts all the way to one end of the swimming area. Then swim them out to the buoys and begin our leisurely but quick float to the other end of the swimming area. That float was also not so smooth, because the water was kind of choppy from the wind.

All in all though it was a good time. And always bring food out to the lake always helps. Yesterday we had brought sandwiches, sun chips (garden salsa flavor, which is our favorite!), grapes and animal cookies. I couldn't help but get the animal cookies, they were on sale and the same kind my mom bought me when I was a little girl.


We didn't stay out at the lake too long. I felt like I was getting sunburned. But I had a great time. Maybe we'll go out there again with my niece that we're babysitting next weekend. That'd be fun!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Yum!

So last night I made the best dessert ever! It's called Snickerdoodle Cake. I never knew there was such a thing. I love snickerdoodle cookies and the cake tastes just like them, but more moist.

I don't make dessert often. I try to watch what I eat so I don't like there to be sweets or junk food in the house. But after I found the recipe I had to give it a try right away.

I'll share the recipe here. I'm a member of allrecipes.com. They have both free and paid memberships. I'm just a free member. I find recipes for dinner on there all the time. It's great!

So here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
- 2 c. white sugar
- 1/2 c. shortening
- 2 eggs
- 1 t. vanilla
- 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1 c. milk
Topping:
- 4 T. white sugar
- 4 T. brown sugar
- 1 t. cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13x9 in. pan.
2. In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, salt and one teaspoon cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl cream together 2 cups sugar and shortening until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Alternately add milk and flour mixture in three stages each, mixing well after each addition.
4. In a small bowl mix together 4 tablespoons white sugar, brown sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
5. Pour half of the batter in you pan, sprinkle on half the topping, pour the rest of the batter into the pan, top with the remaining topping.
6. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.


I used my mixer the whole time and it worked perfectly. It's a very easy cake to just throw together and the ingredient will just be in your pantry and fridge anytime. I think this recipe is defiantly worth a try.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Let's Give This A Go

I'm fairly new to the whole blogging thing. Well kinda...not really. I've tried it a couple of times in the past only to either get bored of it after awhile or to just forget about it entirely after the first post. I'm hoping this time could be different and I could keep it up. We'll see I guess.

I guess I should say a bit about myself (though I don't know who will be reading this but me) to start. Well I've been married now for a little over a year. Our wedding date was May 16th, 2009.


It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. We got married in a same bed & breakfast with only our closest friends and family there. (About 50 in all) I actually wanted to elope, but my husband didn't think his family would be all too pleased. So we settled on a very small intimate wedding.

Everyday I thank God for bringing my husband into my life. I've changed immensely since meeting him and I've seen an enormous change in him as well. The biggest of which being his becoming a believer. We haven't known each other for all that long. Only 2 years in August, but for some reason with Nick it doesn't seem to matter. I feel we are the true definition of soul mates.

My life is fairly ordinary. I work 3 days a week (one of which being a 12 hour day on Wednesdays), I take care of our house and I take care of the cats. (We have three). My goal for my life is to be a stay at home mom/homemaker. Hopefully sooner rather than later that will happen.

The goal of this blog for me is to just document my feelings, thoughts and happenings of life. It's called Preparing for Eternity, because for me that's what I'm living for here on earth. I'm striving to live my life the way God intends me to, knowing that my life belongs to him.

Even if no one reads this but me, I feel like this is just a good outlet for all the thoughts that rush in and out of my head everyday. Some of which I'll want to remember, but without writing them down I'll forget. I've never been much for journaling so I'm hoping blogging will be a better option. We'll see I guess.