Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I am thankful for family. The past couple years of my life has been quite a challenge in many aspects with my biological family. Needless to say, my biological family isn't really what you'd call a family anymore. God has been so gracious to me, though. He could have left me without a family to call my own, but He didn't. Through Jared, God gifted me with an amazing family! I love them all to death (as I do my biological family). Family truly is a gift from God.

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I am thankful for my/our new bed. Jared's parents bought us our mattress and box spring set and some of the money from his Nana and Papa got us our bed frame. Jared's dad and a man from church (Terry Girts) went and picked up the bed stuff yesterday and dropped it off at my apartment. When I got home from work last night, I was DYING to set it all up. We also have a gorgeous comforter set (just the one we wanted!) that was a shower gift from a friend from church (Melissa Slayton). So...after about 45 minutes of very difficult labor, I was able to put together the bed frame (without breaking any nails! - I thought I was going to a few times), and unwrap the box spring and mattress from their plastic wrapping. I then drug them into the bedroom and got them (they're queen-sized) onto the bed frame and then put on the new sheets (400 ct. from Nana and Papa for our shower gift) and the comforter set. It looks amazing! I can't wait to jump in bed on Saturday night! :-D

I've attached a few pictures (sorry for the quality, they're from my webcam).

Ignore the horrible "nightstand/dresser" - Hopefully we'll be getting some real stuff soon!

I love the "pretty pillows" - I'm dying to get some Euro pillows so I can use the shams that came with the set. Once we get our sleeping pillows I'll probably use the shams with them when I make the bed, just so it can be pretty. I'm sure that'll wear off after about a week!

It's so BIG!

I Love Pink!

I Love Pink! by Heather Jean Lehman featuring pink tops

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today is day 23 of the challenge. This fabulous idea (I love it, find myself unable to go on with my day without documenting something I'm thankful for!) comes from Leah at South Breeze Farm. Today, I am thankful for the time I have to sit down and spend some time with nobody but myself and God. I'm thankful that I'm running low on gas and that Jared told me to stay home today. (Yes, I miss him, but I need this time - especially when I'm 4 days from my wedding!). I'm thankful that Jared didn't get hurt any worse than he did last night (he smacked his head on a low-hanging ceiling...it hurt him pretty bad). I'm thankful that he was here at the apartment when he hit his head (moving some of his boxes into the storage downstairs...getting ready to move in this weekend!) and that I was able to have him sit down and give him an ice pack, some Ibuprofen, and a big glass of Coke. I'm thankful that I still have an ice pack here that his parents lent me when I had my surgery. I'm thankful that I had the Coke here for him (he bought it fore me a couple nights ago). I could keep rambling forever, likely, but I'll stop. God is so good!!!

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I'm thankful there are only 5 days left until my wedding. I'm thankful for God's grace. I'm thankful that Jared loves me even when I'm a total jerk. I'm thankful for the opportunity I had last night to remind my parents that I love them. Last of all, I'm thankful that my mom sent the heirloom hankie I was hoping she would send for my wedding. :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I'm thankful for a free necklace I won on a giveaway on A Little Lovely. Starfish Designs is where the necklace is coming from. I'm so excited! I've been wanting a necklace with a key pendant, and now I'll get one for free!! It's a nice one, too! :-D Isn't it neat how God cares about our little desires? :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

I just got finished watching "Miracle on 24th Street" with Jared and his mom - I LOVE that movie! Jared went and picked each of us up a surprise - Coke and almond mms and strawberry preserves for me, Dove chocolaltes for mom, and a couple things for himself :-) Earlier I picked up make-up - wedding is a week from today and I was running out of almost everything! I decided to try some new stuff...BAD idea :-( Anyway, I stopped at Wal Mart and got my normal stuff. I just tried to call home and talk to my mom and dad, but didn't get through, so I left a message. That's pretty much my day so far! So I just sat down and was talking to Jared and gasped, "I haven't done my thankfulness thing yet!" He said, "You better hurry, it's 9:11" My reply, 9:11? Really? That's kinda funny (meaning interesting, not actually funny - haha, funny). He said, "Maybe you should us that, like thankful for our freedom or something. At first I brushed off the idea as cute, but the thing is....9:11 on the clock or as the date always reminds me of that day in 2001. I doubt I'll ever forget it. Today I'm thankful for our freedom and hope we never lose it.

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I'm thankful for the opportunities God puts into our lives to be an example for Him. You know how sometimes people just say things that get under your skin? Sometimes people are just confused or mislead and take a strong stand in their position even though they're in the wrong. Regardless of the situation, sometimes it can be frustrating, but I'm thankful for those times. It's times like these that we can truly show God's love.

Giving Thanks Challenge

Last night when we got to work we were told they didn't need us for the night - a lot of kids are sick right now, so there weren't many kids there. Although it was a downside to miss out on the pay, it was nice to have some time to relax. I'm thankful for the time Jared and I had last night. Got to sit down and watch a movie with almost no interruptions :-D

Giving Thanks Challenge

Wow...17 days into this! Today I'm thankful for everything I've been able to accomplish this morning. I was able to pick up our marriage license, order a corsage, and book our hotel for the honeymoon. I still have time left before leaving for work! Perfect time to spend some time in the Word :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I'm thankful I'm alive and thankful I'm feeling better. Last night (12:30 am, so it's technically this morning) at work I had a horrible pain in my side and had to go to the ER - thought it might be appendicitis. After being there for 3 1/2 hours and having blood work and a catscan done, they told me they're not sure - my appendix looks like it might be inflamed, but they can't really tell. I'm scheduled to go back for follow-up on Friday, but so far today I'm feeling fine :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today we had some weird issues going on with my credit card/wedding money. We have some last-minute things to do and we need the money. I'm thankful we figured out what was going on!

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I'm thankful for the fact that we, as believers, always have God. No matter what life may bring us - the good or the bad, we have God. No matter how others may fail us or we may fail others - we always have God. God is what binds us (or at least what should) together. God never fails us. :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today was a gloomy, rainy day. I overslept 'cause I've been sick (still feeling kinda poopy - actually wondering if I'm hypoglycemic, but that's beside the point). I was in a crabby mood throughout most of the day up until around dinner time - it was one of those annoying moods where no matter what people do, it irritates you and it seems as though you have no control over it. I got some sugar in me, and my mood almost immediately changed - Yes, I know my mood/attitude is my choice regardless and made sure to apologize to my poor fiance' for how crabby I'd been. Through all of this, I'm thankful that we were able to get our mattress and boxspring ordered and were able to get a few more things done for the wedding and I'm thankful for God's provision financially, yet again, through a wedding gift, and I'm thankful that 2 weeks from today, Lord willing, I will be married to an amazing man.

Giving Thanks Challenge

I am thankful that I am feeling a bit better today and thankful for my wonderful fiance' - he went and got me chicken noodle soup :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

I'm thankful for the extra time I had this morning to spend in God's Word. Also, in a roundabout way, thankful for the time of rest I have today - feeling pretty bad, so had to call in to work. I've been exhausted, so this is a good time for me to rest up :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I am thankful for forgiveness. I'm thankful, ultimately, for God's forgiveness, but also for the forgiveness of others. So many times I do or say stupid things (sometimes unwittingly, but often knowing exactly what I'm doing). I'm thankful for forgiveness and how we can "forgive and forget" and move on with life.

Giving Thanks Challenge

I am thankful for fun times. I just love the time I get to spend with Jared and how we can be completely crazy with each other and still love each other 100%. I'm thankful for laughter and happiness :-D

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today is day 8 of the challenge. I am loving this! Every day at some point I say, "Oh, I have to do my thanks thing!!" I then grab my computer and am, in a sense, forced to have a grateful heart. It's good for me! I'm finding that as each day goes by, it's more and more natural to just think of something I'm thankful for - this morning I woke up thinking of something I was thankful for. Today, I am thankful for the time I had to sleep in. Jared and I decided that today I would just stay at my apartment instead of driving to Kaukauna to meet him to work on wedding stuff - we accomplished a bit this weekend. I got to sleep in and will have time to get groceries and just have some down time (or cleaning time whichever I choose). It was nice to have the sun shine in my window and to turn over and ignore it for once :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

I'm thankful for a friend from church, Patsy Priebe. Patsy is always willing to help out with whatever she can. She loves to have fun and is quite the hostess! :-D Jared and I were able to go over the her house last night and spend time with her and a couple of college students who stay at her house each weekend (they come down to minister in a Spanish church in the area). Patsy is a great encouragement! :-D

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I woke up at 8:45 with my laptop still opened and resting on my arm, a huge pillow propping me up, and the bedroom light on and all. Clearly, I must have been exhausted (and still am a bit - that didn't make for the most restful night). I am thankful today is Saturday - it is going to be a busy day, but it's nice to have a day to get things done and have some time to rest :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

Hmm...Day five of the challenge :-)

Today I am thankful for the provision God gave through a paycheck I was able to cash this morning. It's fun to see how God takes care of everything and, no matter how we may see things, everything always gets taken care of :-)

Giving Thanks Challenge

I am thankful that God granted my request and kept me safe through the night last night. When got home from work there were 3 police cars at an apartment in my area and all kinds of stuff going down. I prayed in bed, that God would keep me safe, and He did! :-D

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today (and every day) I'm thankful for my wonderful fiance'. He is an amazing, godly man and a wonderful help and encouragement to me.

Giving Thanks Challenge

Today I am thankful for the sunshine that woke me up. I work nights, so getting up isn't really a big deal, but our wedding is coming up, and I need to get to Jared's house so we can work on more wedding stuff and spend some time together. I would have kept sleeping away had the sun not shined in my window!

Giving Thanks Challenge

So, I ran across a fellow blogger at South Breeze Farm who is doing for the 4th consecutive year a "Giving Thanks Challenge". Participants are to post on their blog one thing they are thankful for each day of November. I love this idea and think it's a great way to keep our focus right. I've decided to join in on the fun! You can find out more info here.

Since today is day one of November and the Challenge... Today I am thankful for the centerpiece dishes we got for our wedding. A friend from church is being generous enough to let us borrow (and tear up what she had done) hers from here wedding a couple years ago. This is such a huge help!! :-D

Personas for Firefox | Starbucks magic

Personas for Firefox | Starbucks magic

Protection and Provision

I know it's been quite a while since I posted, but I've had a lot going on...
A little over a week ago, we finally set a wedding date - we'll be getting married 56 days from today (November 27, 2010)! I also had my surgery on September 21 - It went well, and, apparently was a success. Recovery time has been taking a bit longer than I was told it would take, but in the past few days I've noticed a big change. I'm almost feeling back to normal now! :-D

God has provided a way for us to pay for the wedding expenses, which is a big answer to prayer. Also, Jared and I have been offered a different shift and will be starting to work nights together on Monday. I will now be the PM Lead Teacher and Jared and I will both be the "closers" - there have to be two people in the building at close, so it works out perfectly. Being a lead gives me a $.50/hr raise in pay, and working nights gives each of us a $.50/hr raise in pay :-) So, I'll be making $1.00/hr more and Jared $.50/hr more. It also helps that we're on nights because it gives us some time in the mornings to "wedding shop" when we need to. :-)

My wedding shower will be on the 23rd of October - Looking forward to fun and (gotta be honest) wedding gifts!

That's about all that's been going on...well, aside from a lady "rolling" into Jared and I at a stop light the other day, and a truck dumping a car-sized wad of depends onto the road and almost causing a pile-up - which I would definitely have been in.

God protects and provides :-)

God is so good!!!

This weekend, Jared and I had been planning on going down to IL for a couple of days. We wanted to try to talk to my parents and to pick up my stuff down there and just spend some time away from the "norm". For various reasons from my parents, the trip was postponed/cancelled. I'll admit, we were a bit bummed. Since we had saved up gas/food money for the trip, we decided that today would be a fun, date day for us. In my words, "We're gonna party!" Of course, I was being silly.

Last night I had the hardest time going to sleep, I just wasn't tired! So, I decided to "surf" craigslist and see if I found anything interesting. Sure enough! I found an awesome looking black coffee table for $20 - emailed the link to Jared. I saw a gorgeous 5 piece kitchen table and chairs set for $20 - emailed the link to Jared telling him "um, I want this" as the subject ;-) I had no real intentions of getting either one, but they seemed like amazing deals to me, and they were our style. I decided to go out on a limb and email the person selling the kitchen table set. I sent her an email just asking if she still had the set and then went off to bed.

This morning, I woke up to an absolutely GORGEOUS day! Oh, it was so hard to get out of bed - just lying there hearing the wind rustle through the trees and feeling the gentle breeze floating through the window was so peaceful, but I had to get up for our special date day! So, I sat up in bed and decided to check my email quickly before getting ready. Among my emails was a reply from the lady with the kitchen set. She said, "You're the first that emailed back so you get first dibs. :) Would you like to take a look at it today? Please let me know asap." I get first dibs?! Oh, that's got to be a sign! Haha...I quickly replied letting her know I was very interested and that me and my fiance' would try to come by today. She replied letting me know the earlier the better for them because they had errands to run, so I let her know that I would get ready quickly and then go the 30 minutes to my fiance's house where I would do my best to convince him that we have something really important we need to do right away. :-)

On the way to Jared's house, I spent time talking to God and thanking Him for the absolutely gorgeous day He had given us and the beauty of the creation He made that we get to enjoy. The ride there was incredible!

Once I got to Jared's, I ran into his house exclaiming my excitement about the absolutely gorgeous day and then quickly told him about the table and how I have first dibs and we have to hurry! He kept telling me to calm down 'cause he wanted to show me something quickly, but I really wanted to get going, and from the look on his face - it probably was car-related. I went outside to see what he wanted to show me, still raving about the table. He looked at me and said, "It's not the one in my car is it?" I said, "What? No, you can't have it - She said I have first dibs." He smiled slyly and opened the back door of his car where I looked in and saw....
the awesome black coffee table!

I said, "Oh, no, I was talking about the kitchen table set, but I love this, too!" He then looked at me and said, "Wait, you're the first person?!" Jared then explained that he emailed the lady with the kitchen set(he wanted to have it there to surprise me with, as well), but she told him she was waiting to hear back from the first person who contacted her. If she didn't hear back from that person, Jared had second dibs. Well, we figured since I had first dibs and he had second dibs, that must mean we were supposed to get the table and chairs, or at least go check them out. So, we called the people and set up a time in the evening to meet them.

Jared had an appointment to get his timing belt replaced, so that was our next step of the day. We drove in both cars, so that we could get around while his was being worked on. We went to the mall and walked around and looked at a few things (and smelled the amazing fall candles! - poor Jared - one of the employees walked up and said, "Hello, ladies" then apologized profusely). After the mall, we went to Noodles and Co. where we both got our favorite - Wisconsin Mac 'n Cheese - we had to sit outside 'cause the place was packed! It was a bit chilly, but we still enjoyed our date. Then we went next door to Starbucks where I got a (fall drink!!) Spiced Pumpkin Latte and Jared got a bagel and cream cheese (and a marked down expensive chocolate bar). We then went and got Jared's car and headed back to his house, where we had some down time and I made Peach London Fog's for both of us (though he hates tea, he loved it!). We headed out and picked up the kitchen table set and then came back to his house to enjoy a delicious meal of steak, corn on the cob, garden green beans, and garden tomatoes.

After dinner, we drove our incredible purchases to the apartment and set them up. We then decided we are going to have to get a centerpiece for that amazing, huge coffee table. We stopped by Wal-Mart and looked at their decorations for a while and then headed back to his place.

After an amazing day, I'm back home now, in my cozy little apartment with it's amazing coffee table and super-cheap kitchen table set.

I realized that if we had gone to IL, we probably wouldn't have the tables and chairs, and would have missed out on the amazing day we had today.

God is so good!!


Here's the coffee table...




and the kitchen table and chairs...


I love them! :-)

Engagement Pics

This weekend, Jared and I decided to work on our engagement shoot - we've been wanting one for a while now and we just haven't had or taken the time to do it. Oh, did I mention that Jared is an amazing photographer? Since we're low on funds, we decided we would just do the engagement shoot ourselves. So, out we went with a camera and a tripod (much needed since Jared was in the photos). We're very happy with the way the photos we have taken so far have turned out - especially since the photographer is in the pictures instead of behind the camera. It took a bit of work for Jared - running back and forth changing settings and tripod location, but we're loving our pictures!

I decided that Jared needs a blog to advertise his skills - we're trying to get a small business started up here! Check out the blog here!

Crafty Things...

OK, so I love to read "craft" blogs - someday I hope to be able to do a bunch of crafty things - when I can afford to. One great craft blog I follow is Little Birdie Secrets
Right now they are hosting an AWESOME giveaway! Check it out here!

The Perfect Father/Friend

You may be thinking, "The PERFECT Father/Friend? I'm not sure if that is possible - she must really love her dad", or something along those lines. Believe me - I have the perfect Father and he's also the perfect Friend. He loves me and cares for me and so much more! If you don't believe me, read below for yourself...this is just one example of how much I'm loved. He's the best!

Since I switched to the new job, I just found out a couple of days ago that my paychecks are not going to fall into place at the times I really need them to. I have a bill due on the 27th and then rent and another bill are due on July 1st - wasn't really too certain how they were going to get paid, but was leaving it in God's hands for once :-)

I found out that the bill on the 27th actually has a 10-day grace period so that one may be easily taken care of - that was about all the answer to prayer I needed yesterday - I was so happy to find that out!

Found out today that there is a lady who wants to buy an item that Jared and I have been trying to sell for forever. She'll pay $1,000 and will give us $500 on Monday - My rent is $475, so that means rent will be covered! I get a paycheck from my old job at the end of this week - smaller one, but it should cover both of the other bills.

God is so good - He provides and protects and so much more. He is the perfect Father/Friend :-)

Short and Sweet

Just yesterday I posted a praise that Jared was getting later hours at work, which meant that we could see each other at least a little bit. He was to go in at 10:00 am tomorrow and work until 2:00 pm. I went in to work today and was informed there was good news for me...Jared's hours are now 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm!!! My hours are 4:30 pm to close (around 1:00 am) - more time together!!! I'm so excited :-) God is so good to us.

Also, I was able to share some of my "story" and my faith with 2 co-workers tonight...it was pretty neat! Anyway, I'm totally exhausted and need to get to bed. Just wanted to share a couple of highlights from my day.

Shift Change

Yesterday was my first day at my new job, Adventure Child Care Center, LLC. For some reason, state licensing has decided that I'm not qualified to be a teacher in a childcare center (even though I have 93 overall credits in el. ed. and have been teaching in a center for 8 months now), so it looks like I'll get to go take a college course before I can teach in this new center. God worked it out, through the kind hearts of my new bosses, that I still have hours until I can get into a classroom. I am currently working in the office - which isn't bad - and I'm happy to relieve poor Sarah of some of her many duties.

I work 2nd shift at the daycare, so I go in at 4:30 pm and leave anywhere from 12:30 am to 1:30 am. Jared started as an assistant teacher (he, too, will be taking a course so that he can teach) at the same center last week. Currently he is on 1st shift so he has been going in around 5:00 am and leaving around 2:00 pm. We knew this was coming, but we weren't too excited bout it. All summer we were to be on these schedules, meaning we would really not see each other much at all other than on weekends.

Yesterday before work I was praying that God would help us to be able to keep in touch and keep our relationship strong. That being apart like this would bring us closer together and not bring us apart. I prayed that God would maybe even work it out so that we can see each other more.

Last night at work I was informed that Jared's schedule is changing tomorrow. They want him to get used to working 2nd shift some since that's what he'll be working eventually anyway, and since they're overstaffed a bit right now in the mornings, it only makes sense to have him come in later. Jared now will go in to work at 10:00 am and leave around 7:00 pm. So, we don't have the exact same shifts, but we sure can see each other a lot more than we were going to be! Praise the Lord!

Kids Are Such a Blessing!

Tomorrow is my last day at 21 For Tots...I've been working as a teacher in the 2s and 3s room since last August - not quite a year yet, but long enough to love those kids more than I ever thought I could! Today I made a card that I was going to have my co-teacher, Cindy, read to the kids next week, but I'll probably end up reading it to them tomorrow. I want for them to know that I love each of them dearly, but it's so hard to convince a toddler that you love them when you're willing to leave them.

God has been directing me to move to a daycare in Oshkosh - this daycare is just starting up and Jared is working there as well. For numerous reasons, it seems that Adventure Child Care is where God wants me and that it will be of a better benefit to Jared and I for our future together.

It's been quite a while since I've hurt as bad as I do today and I cannot even imagine what tomorrow will bring. As I'm typing tears are rolling down my face.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about the new daycare! I want to work there and look forward to what it will bring. I just...I just love my little kids so much!

I know that God had me in the lives of these little ones for a reason and I pray that I've been able to show them His love. I pray that at least one of these precious little ones was able to learn as much from me as I have from them.

I will miss my kids and will try to always keep them in my prayers.

God's Ways are Higher Than Ours

Jared lost his job a couple months ago - a scary bit of news for us since I had just moved into an apartment, we had recently taken out a loan for a new(er) car for him, he was already making payments on a loan for school, we had insurance to pay for both cars, gas money, and whatever other needs there may be. Although we're not married yet or living together, we had/have been pooling our funds to help things progress more quickly. We thought it would be impossible for everything to get paid with only my income.

God has shown us otherwise! Since Jared has been without work (yes, he has a job now - he starts on the 9th of June), we have sold our first car, sold Jared's old laptop, sold some HID headlights, sold an ipod, and maybe a couple other things. Not only have all of the bills been paid on time and all other needs been covered, we've ended up having "extra money" for dates and such!

I got my 2nd electric bill in the mail today, and quickly ripped open the envelope to find out the news. My first bill was significantly lower than we'd imagined it would be ($61 for a month - and that includes heat), so I wasn't too incredibly concerned about this one. This bill was $31.90!!! - Basically cut in half!! God is so good! Truly, His ways are higher than ours.

The Adventures of Childcare

I have the best job in the whole wide world, in my opinion. Every day I get to go to work and play with 2 and 3 year olds! It is an absolute blast! I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity I have to work with these amazing little kids. Am I a babysitter? Absolutely not. Working in childcare is so underrated. Sure, we watch kids while their parents are working, but it's so much more than that! I get to teach, to instill good habits, to lead by example, to form great relationships, to explore, to "doctor", to nurture, to learn new things, to potty train, but most important: to love and show God's love as best I can.

Along with all of the great things we do in a day come some pretty crazy adventures - For example, yesterday, I picked up a baby, and two seconds later his puke was running down my arm. Today I led one of my boys into the bathroom during a fit of rage/sleep interruption (nap time was over), got his pants down, and then got my leg "pottied" on.

Nevertheless, working with kids is the absolute best thing I can imagine.

I am so thankful God led me into childcare work!