We're In!

Hard to believe that as of tomorrow night we'll already be living in Grandma's house for 1 week. It's been a busy, yet really enjoyable week. I feel like "my cup overfloweth!"

We wrapped up all the moving and cleaning efforts at our other house on Wednesday. It was nice to be done with that part. Now we can focus on where we're at. Our renters moved in yesterday and we are now officially landlords!

I have somehow fell in love with the kitchen during this whole process. I suddenly (and magically, I swear) care about collecting recipes...and actually doing something with them. Ha! You'd have to really know me to understand how HUGE this is. I feel so expanded living at this house. More capable of maintaining a home or something. I guess it all has to do with desire...desire that I didn't really have all that much before. The dishwasher at Grandma's is broken and we're going to get a new one eventually. In the meantime I have been washing some serious dishes. And, I don't even mind that. I guess it doesn't hurt that I have an amazing view to look out as I am washing. Washing and thinking. There is something to be said about getting back to the basics. I have noticed that time extends when you are doing things the long way.

We do have t.v now! And, the beauty is that it's basic t.v so no t.v bill. I don't even think we'll need more than that. We have so much we can do at our new place that having 800 channels doesn't even seem appealing anymore. Plus, we're used to no t.v...so having 30 channels is like a dream : )! I've always thought all the good shows were on "regular t.v" anyway...so we won't be missing much.

I'm looking forward to getting everything organized. There is much to do, but I am loving it and now that we're just there I can take my time with it and get everything "just so."

Looking forward to the beautiful weather (upper 80's) that we will be having all weekend.

It feels so good to be excited about life again. I find Grandma and Grandpa's home to be very healing. Grandma spent time with Jesus every single morning in that house and I can feel that. There is definitely spirit there. I know that I can't just expect to have all the benefits of her prayers there though. I need to make my own way. I'm looking forward to spending quiet time with Him before each day begins just as she did. I saw how that really enabled her to maintain peace throughout her life regardless of what was happening around her. I have so much to thank Him for. So much.

2 More Days (not that I'm counting)

Only 2 more nights at our current house and it's off to Grandma's we go! I have been feeling really excited about life lately. Not just because something new is happening, but because when I look around at all that is in my life...I just really like what I see. There is so much left to do, but I don't even feel an ounce of stress about it. They are redoing the main road in our town and people are so bothered by the work that is happening (and I've had a few mornings where I was ready to just drive over the cones rather than going around them...I am no saint), but the point of me telling this is that getting to the good stuff in life is like the repaving of that road...the work, the struggle, the frustration has to happen in order to get to the end result. The road is not going to become magically new and beautiful overnight while we're all sleeping soundly in our beds. I am choosing to focus on the end result...the hope for the future...rather than the stuff that makes me uncomfortable. I feel that I am learning so much these days. I feel like a sponge for goodness. I am soaked in it. My main goal in my lifetime is to learn how to remain peaceful, to stay centered and focused on God, in the midst of the stuff I'd rather skip over. Thank God I don't have a fast forward button.

Time as Healer

Happy Anniversary to my blog!!! I'll always remember that I started this blog on Mother's Day of 2009 because that was a really hard day for me. It helped me to sponsor a child as a way to honor Faith's existence on that day last year. There were many things I did to "heal" myself after our loss, but the main two are that I deepened my relationship with the Lord and the other is just plain old time. Yes, time does heal.

Time passing does not equal forgetting. Time passing doesn't mean you aren't changed on the inside. Time passing doesn't mean you are "over it" ... whatever your "it" is.
But, time passing is healing if you are focused on the healing and not the disappointment at the cards that have been dealt. I think the fact that I always let myself feel my feelings has finally paid off...I am happy to report that I was not even a little sad yesterday. It was like night and day compared to how I felt at this exact time last year.

Right now I am feeling excited and hopeful about our life. I am finally not thinking about the baby subject and really haven't been the past few months (and you know what they say...when you aren't thinking about it then BAM!)...I am wrapped up in this great house project (which is totally energizing me). I am focused on creating an oasis for us. I never felt like the house we live in now was home. Mainly because there is no room to grow as a family in that house. There was always something symbolic to me about that fact. But now, now there is room for so much...future children, family parties, sleepovers with CJ & Alyssa, Emily can even have her friends over on the weekends!

I really do feel complete even though there is "lack" in my life. Focusing on what you do have is really powerful. I am blessed with a loving husband, family, and friends. I'm on the verge of having this home that reflects all that I love. I am thankful for all that is and all that will be.

Snoopy

Yesterday after I left work I rescued a dog named snoopy. I was sitting in our kitchen finishing an activity for a business class that I am taking (and loving by the way) when Roxy started going 'insano' ... I looked outside and there was a beagle in our yard. It was obviously someones pet (the bandanna around his neck gave that away). I had never seen the dog before, so I ran outside and called him which caused him to run far away from me. I went into the house and grabbed Roxy's leash and proceeded to follow the dog into a field. He finally gave in, he knew I was on a mission. All I kept thinking was if that were my dog wandering around I would want someone to pursue her and get her home to me! I called the number on his tag and it was actually for the Rabies certification place...they got his id # from me and then told me where he lived. Snoopy lives 2 houses away from us! I thought I knew every dog on our block...clearly snoopy does not receive walks from his owners. Snoopy was not happy to go home, his owners didn't even know he was gone. It was all very strange. It's crazy what dogs do to my heart. I love them so much and am now thinking of ways to break into my neighbors house to steal their dog. Issues ... I know.

Tonight we are taking Rob's parents out to dinner for Mother's Day since they will be gone spending time with Rob's Grandparents tomorrow. Going to one of my favorite non-chain eating places. Excited to eat and spend quality time with my in-laws!

Honors

Over the weekend we moved 6 trailer loads to Grandma's. Our house literally echos. We just have our beds, clothes and some kitchen and bathroom stuff. Things we can't move until it's time to not return. I was also able to pack a trailer full to bring to Grandma's church rummage sale. It hardly made a dent in how much stuff is left in the house though. I just keep telling myself every little bit counts. I think the process of us getting things in order is what makes moving there fun as well. It's a journey in itself, one that I am truly enjoying!

When we move we are going to hook back up with t.v and internet. That was fine to save some money for awhile, but now it's just kind of annoying not to have access to either of those at home.

Last night I went to our local high school's honors banquet on behalf of our business and our local chamber (I am the secretary for our local chamber board and we sponsor the banquet). I was dreading going because I was attending by myself, but it turned out to be a really nice time. I realized how many of our clients have smart kids!!! : ) It is so wonderful to see these kids who are excelling in their school work as well as involved in so many extracurricular activities...athletics, clubs, community work. I felt so proud of them, I can only imagine how their parents felt at the moment their child's name was called. It made me regret not trying harder in school. I can totally see Emily being up there...she is an amazing kid...so good in school and likes to get involved with everything. Hopefully, someday I'll be on the parent side of the banquet watching one of ours. And, if not ... that's cool to. I didn't turn out so bad and I don't think I gave my parents much to be proud of when I was in school : )!

I Survived...

...Prom 2010!!!

Today was our local prom so our schedule was filled to the rim at the salon with lots of girls getting ready for their special night. I always get nervous about this day each year. So many things could go wrong...the girls show up late, they come in with sopping wet hair or even worse than those two things...they don't know what they want, they say "do whatever", and then they hate it!!!

I am thrilled to say that this was the perfect day. Filled with lovely, on time girls, with dry hair!

Thank you Jesus for this day. And now...it's the weekend. Lots of moving stuff to Grandma's house. I could not be more excited.