Change

I've never done well with change...I'm talking big changes, first day of college, first day of school, first time living alone. There will inevitably be a meltdown a few days after the change to release the stress and tension that comes with it. It's because I like routines, and when there is a change I have to come up with a new routine. I'm a creature of habit, and I like knowing what to expect.

I also don't like change when it takes people out of my life. When my friend Ashley quit working with me, when I leave a visit to PA there have been tears shed. I'm going through a friend change now. I just bought a house (yay), and I've been working with a Zack, my realtor who has become a good friend. We actually went to high school together! I have been working with Zack since the beginning of August when the house search began, and then all during the building process. We talked almost daily, and got to know one another. He is the best realtor I could have asked for. We would get together weekly and would spend at least an hour at the house, with 75% of the time spent talking about our lives. I am going to miss spending time with him, getting his advice, and learning from him. It's hard when someone is just out of your life "cold turkey". I know that we will see each other when he comes to look at the house after I get it spruced up, but I will definitely miss our weekly meetings.

I am very excited about my house and all the decorating I get to do, and parties and functions I will have there. It will be fun to be done with renting and apartment life. I can't wait to see how my cats do in the "big house". It is going to be fun watching them run around.

All that to say, I have a lot of change coming in the next few weeks, and I know that I am going to need time to adjust and comprehend all the new responsibilities I have. Thankfully I have a lot of friends and family around to help me out.

Got one last "new adventure" in before the end of the year, and I'd say this is a big one!

Happy Birthday

To my amazing sister!! She is my best friend! She is hilarious, knows me way to well, an encourager, and very practical. She is the complete OPPOSITE of me, and that is so much fun! She brings me down to earth quite often! I am so thankful that we are very close and that I can talk to her whenever I need to!

Happy Birthday Sarah! Love you!

Blessed

I have an amazing family! I know I say that all the time, but I really do.

Mommom and John came to visit last Sunday to spend Christmas with us. Since my mom would be making dinner for them every night, Ben, Sarah and I invited ourselves over as well! I mean what's a few more people right? My mom made dinner every night for 7 people, except for one night when we went over to Ben and Sarah's house. I really enjoy the times when we eat together as a whole family. My mom is an amazing cook, and it was fun to hang out and laugh with each other, and to spend time with Mommom and John.

Mommom and John told me they wanted to do something for my new house, so they took me out shopping for towels and mats for my bathrooms! It was was incredibly generous of them, and I am so thankful! That is one more thing off my list! My family absolutely blew me away this Christmas! They went above and beyond for me, and I am so humbled! I received not only practical items for the house, but I also got fun gifts. I am so incredibly thankful that they are looking out for me, and are willing to help me. My mom has the memory of no one else I know, so she got me things that I had mentioned wanting months ago. I am truly blessed by them. They are the most generous people I know, with not only gifts, but with their time, and help, and love.

Today was Sarah's birthday! Every year, we get up at the crack of dawn to be at Target when they open at 7:00. Target puts their Christmas stuff on sale for 50% off, and there is always a line outside the door, so we get there early. We then ran a few other places (including Chick-fil-A for breakfast) and got together again tonight for her birthday dinner and gifts. It was a great time, as always. I'm very thankful she is my sister!

I am so glad to have had the past 4 days off. It has given me time away to clear my mind and gear up for the next couple of weeks, I am going to be pretty busy. God always knows when to give us rest, and His timing was perfect (as always). I am thankful to have had the past few days with my family to just re-group, unwind, relax, and plan. I am excited about the next few weeks, but also know they are going to be very hectic. Wish me luck!

Thankfulness

The more I get out in the real world, the more I am thankful for my upbringing. I'm more aware of the way my parents raised me, and the standard they instilled in me. Now, I understand that it is my decision to follow their guidelines, I could ignore them completely, but thankfully it's rooted in me.

I'm very thankful that they instilled in me a good work ethic. It has served me well at my job. It's the reason that I was approached to become an admin assistant for Keith. The higher ups liked they way I worked and decided it was at the level needed to move into this position. I work hard, when I get to work, I'm at work. I keep busy, I find things to do, because I can see the bigger picture. It's amazing to me, how some people do not have this same ethic. They could care less, they are there to get a paycheck and they don't care how good of a job they do. My friend at work told me the other day "you realize you spoil the boss..." I responded with huh? and he said "you are dedicated, reliable, on time, and hard working, unlike other people on the floor." It's sad to me that these character traits are described as "spoiling" Shouldn't they be the norm?

I'm also they instilled in me the idea that the world doesn't revolve around me! I obviously don't mean that they don't pay me any attention, in fact its the opposite, they have been so incredibly helpful during this house building project - more than some parents would and I can't thank them enough for that. Instead, they taught me that I am one person of many. I don't have to be the center of attention all the time. Things aren't "my way or the highway". They taught me to work/play with others, to give other people attention, to help others out. This again, is rare now a days. So often, whether it be at work, in restaurants, or in the car, people think it's all about them. We see it with kids, everyone makes the team because we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings - its all about the individual, not the team. Instead of helping people, letting someone in front of you in traffic,or when someone tells a story don't start thinking of your own to "out do" theirs. Let them talk, vent, get it out, whatever they need. The world doesn't revolve around me.

Another thing, I'm grateful for, is that they taught me to live within my means. To set budgets, to not rely on the next paycheck, or worry about to work overtime to get some more cash, and more importantly - not go into debt. I'm so glad that they gave me the principles and training to live within my means. It's the reason why I can buy a house at the age of 25. I'm not in debt, I don't live paycheck to paycheck, I have savings, I don't worry about my finances. Do you know how freeing that is? I know people who aren't like that, and I feel sorry for them.

I'm very thankful that they not only taught me these things, but they also lived them out as an example for me. My life is great thanks to my parents, and their role in my life as a child, and as an adult. I wouldn't be the person I am today without them.

Can't wait...

for this movie to come out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN68cu-NW48

Restless

I have to admit that I am a bit restless. I do not like chaos, disorganization or waiting. I am in a sate of all three.

I have started packing which has been great! it was nice to get to the point where I needed to get started, but that means that I am living with boxes. I am trying to pack as much as I can, yet not live in a skeleton of an apartment. I also struggle with packing. I like things to fit perfectly, like a puzzle. You can't do that with every box. It doesn't always fit perfectly, and you don't always have the right size box, bag, container to fit what you are packing. I am also very impatient. I like things to happen once I have a plan set. While I would not trade this building experience for anything, I am ready for it to be done.

I am down to less than three weeks, and am so anxious! I have started to plan how I am going to unpack, what I can do on my own and what I will need help with. Dad is going to paint my house for me before I move the furniture in, so while he is painting I plan to move the boxes, and small furniture that will fit in the car. I have already mapped out what I think I can move and unpack. Things like books, closets, bathrooms things, laundry room, etc. I have used my handy dandy floor plan Ben made me to figure out where I want my furniture, for the most part. I have my plan, now I am ready to put my plan into action. I am not stressed out or worried, just excited and ready. It has been a long almost 5 months and am ready to move.

I just have to wait.....

House Mock Up

I am a visual learner. I learn much faster if I can see what I am doing, verses reading it on paper.I think pictures should be included with all directions. There are some things I have no problem visualizing, other things, I struggle. I bought my house without physically walking through it, but because I had the floor plan and could see it in my head, I was able to buy it. I can not place furniture in my head - at all. I don't know if it has to do with the different sizes or what, but I really struggle.

Moving day is fast approaching, and I was a little stressed about placing my furniture in my house. I have people helping me move, and I didn't want to waste their time while I tried to place my furniture. I didn't want to be the girl who moved everything multiple times in order to get it just right. I am also a planner, so going into moving day blind just wasn't going to work for me.

So, I had an idea - draw out a House Mock Up, that is drawn to scale, with furniture drawn to scale, that I can place ahead of time.

Problem: that requires Math (major struggle), and drawing (even worst struggle)....I then another thought....BEN!!

Ben is an artist and he is good with math, win win! So, I asked him if he would be willing to take on such a task and he said "no problem". Today at work, he brought it in, and it's AWESOME!! I can't wait to start playing with it and placing furniture!

Thank-you so much Ben!! You are the best!!

New Experience, and Lesson Learned

Well, I can check another new thing off my list - although this one, I didn't want on there at all....Traffic Court!

Yes, that's right, I got a ticket. I was driving through a neighborhood here in town and didn't come to a "full and complete stop" at a stop sign, or the official wording on my ticket disregarding a stop sign. No, I didn't stop completely nor did I run right through it, I did the famous "rolling stop" and I got caught. The cop was hiding in an unmarked vehicle up a cul-de-sac, parked outside of a house. Sneaky if you ask me.

Today, was my court date. I had no idea what to expect. I had all intentions of pleading "not-guilty" mainly because I was mad at the cop and thought the judge should know how sneaky he was by hiding. On Monday night, I called my dad and we talked through things, and he talked to me about what I could expect. Later that night and the entire next day, I had this terrible feeling, I didn't have peace about going to court and I couldn't figure out why. I knew I had to go to court, and if I had to go, I didn't want to be terrified, but I didn't have peace. So, I asked God...Point Blank. "God, why have you not given me peace about going to court? I have prayed for it, and none has come!" And He so clearly said:

I will not give you peace, because you are not doing what you know is right.

Well, crud! Definitely not what I wanted to hear! Deep down, I knew He was right (as He always is). I needed to plead guilty because I was in fact, guilty. I had convinced myself that a "rolling stop" was good enough, when it's not what the law says. This was not my time to get on my soap box and tell the judge my thoughts on the cop and why I thought he shouldn't have been there. None of that mattered! I would never have known a cop was up there if I had come to a complete stop a the stop sign. So I decided to do the right thing and plead guilty if I needed to.

So today, my mom (who I asked to go with me) and I went to the courthouse. I was nervous, my heart was pounding. We walked into the courtroom and were there for about an hour. My cop, was not the nicest guy on the face of the earth. He was rude and talked down to me. Thankfully I didn't have to appear before a judge, which I am very happy about, and the cop did reduce my fine since I showed up. It definitely was not a fun experience, I do not want to go back, and have stopped at every stop sign since that day.

So, there we go, my first visit to Traffic Court, and while it was an experience, it is one that I do not need to go through again.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Ben!!!! (technically, I'm a day late...) I am so very lucky to have you as a brother in law. You make me laugh all the time, and look out for me. So glad that you found Sarah and have been such an example to me! Thanks for all that you do, and have done! You are the best, and I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Thoughts

Well, it's Thanksgiving weekend, and there are so many things that I am thankful for. I am thankful for my amazing family, my friends, upcoming things in my life,so glad I am not the same person that I was last year, and many many more. Among these, is that I'm thankful for my job, and that it gives paid holidays! These past three days have been really great! I have gotten so much accomplished, but most of all, I have had time to think.

I am a thinker by nature, I ponder, wonder, scrutinize, scenarioize (yes, I made that word up, means I come up with multiple scenarios for different things). Unfortunately, I do this at times that I shouldn't, like when I am with my family at dinner, or in a long car ride with the family. I go into "Ashley Land" where I shut down and go into my own world. Little things can set it off, and sometimes I ponder things of no consequence. I just start thinking and playing things in my head.

Now, let me say that this can get me into lots of trouble. Sometimes, it is great, for instance when I want to arrange furniture, or if I need to come up with a game plan. I can see things in my head and come up with about 4 different routes/ideas/suggestions for doing one task. God also teaches me a lot during these thinking moments. He reminds me of things, He puts ideas and thoughts into my head that I wouldn't have thought of. He teaches me so much about life and about myself during these trips to my own world. That is helpful, when it's not however is when insignificant things become massive and I can't stop thinking about them. There is a Friends episode that can describe what I'm talking about. There is an episode where Rachel and Ross get locked out of the apartment with Emma locked inside, and here is the scenario Ross comes up with in order to mock Rachel's nonsense.

Ross: " . . . a pigeon! No, no wait, no, no! An eagle flew in! Landed on the stove and caught fire! The baby, seeing this, jumps across the apartment to the mighty bird's aid! The eagle, however, misconstrues as an act of aggression and grabs the baby in it's talon. Meanwhile, the faucet fills the apartment with water! Baby and bird - still ablaze, are locked in a death grip, swirling around the world-pool the fills the apartment!"
Rachel: "You are going to be so sorry if that is true"

I know that is hilarious, but it is also true in my head. I can go from one insignificant thing to the most obnoxious, impossible scenario. I know that it is crazy, but have a hard time convincing myself that it isn't true because I can actually picture the insane happening despite it being impossible. I can also go into deep thoughts about life, about situations, about work, and I can focus on things for hours. I can sit and think on one subject, reliving a recent encounter, remembering little details, fixating on certain things, and analyzing my responses and thinking of ways I could have responded better. This has helped from time to time, as I can learn from past mistakes, but it also can be just time wasted fixating on something that is in the past. I can't change it, so why analyze it just to drive myself crazy.

I am very thankful for my family who helps me talk through things, who bring me out of "Ashley land", who bring me down from the insane scenarios and bring me back to reality. As I said, I have learned a lot of things from the Lord during these moments, and have given me insights and revelations that I know only He could have put in my mind. I only pray that He will help me with the insane and absurd thoughts that I waste so much time on. I pray that He will help me overcome these insanities and use my time to focus on the things that He wants to teach me.

Drywall Is Up!!

The drywall is up! I went on Tuesday with my realtor, and it was so much fun to see everything defined just a little bit more. You are used to seeing through the walls to the other parts of the house, but now you get a better idea of how rooms are going to look. I can't believe how far it has come in such a short time. I mean not too long ago, my realtor was showing me how compacted the clay was so they could lay the foundation. Not too much longer now! All the finishing touches are going to come in now, cabinets, painting, lights...can't wait to see it all completed!!

Pre-Drywall Meeting

On Friday, I had my Pre-Drywall meeting. What is this you ask? Well, it's a meeting at the house before the drywall goes up! :)

My realtor, Zack, and I met the builder at the house and we walked through the house making sure everything was in place before they put up the drywall.. The builder pointed out every outlet, light switch, light, smoke alarm, thermostat, etc, and make sure that it is in an ok place. All was well except for one light switch that I asked them to move because it was awkwardly behind the railing of the staircase. The builder said it was an easy fix, so problem solved! We also had an issue with the stairs to address, but that was taken care of as well! Overall, it was a very productive meeting. I was orientated with the ins and outs of the house more, found out how my attic stairs were going to come down, what size AC filters I would need, my closet in my bedroom is 100 square feet by itself, and most importantly found out my closing date hasn't been delayed!! whoo hoo!!

So in little over a month my house will be completed! So hard to believe, and yet so exciting! I can't wait to see all the finishing touches put on. Each step has become more of a reality to me. At the beginning I bought something that I hadn't even seen, and now I have walls and insulation, and this week, drywall!

Now the fun really begins...packing! Trying to figure out when to start is the hardest part. You don't want to pack too far in advance, because if the stuff can stay in a box for 6 or so weeks, do I really need it, and do I want to live with boxes around, yet on the other hand, you don't want to wait until the 11th hour. I hope to start packing soon though. It's going to be a crazy few weeks, but oh so exciting!!

Mandi's Wedding Weekend

I just got home from a whirlwind weekend to Pennsylvania for my friend Mandi's wedding. Ben, Sarah and I left Friday after work and drove up to Lancaster only to return home today. We arrived Friday at 2 am, slept for about 5 hours and then Saturday we were hanging out with friends. We started the day at Shady Maple for breakfast - it is an Amish run restaurant and it is amazing food! This is the first time we have been there for breakfast. After breakfast, we went to the park with Ray, Sara and Lily and hung out with them until the wedding.

The wedding was beautiful!! It was held in a country barn that was converted to a wedding/reception venue. The wedding was everything Mandi. It was simple yet elegant. She had great music! Most of her music came from movies, she had Disney, Pirates, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter...it was so much fun! It was a typical Northern wedding with seating charts and a full sit down dinner. At dinner time, the DJ said "I would like to introduce you to our dinner" to which our table said "introduce?" with questions marks on our faces and then we saw what he meant. Two guys walked in carrying a big that had been barbecued. Yes, the entire pig face and all. It was quite disturbing to walk up to the pig and the guy pull meat right out of him. Phil leaned over to me while eating and asked me if I wanted to know the pigs name...I quickly told him no! I did not want to know the name of the pig that I was eating. She didn't have a traditional cake, instead she had 4 flavors of whoopie pies!! Oh my stars they were amazing. We had fun filling out the MadLibs at the table, and they had an ornament in the shape of a star for everyone at the table to sign. We also got to see friends and hang out for awhile.

Even though it was a short weekend, it was well worth it to go up for the wedding. We have traveled those roads so many times that the 9 hours don't seem that bad anymore. It's fun to see everyone if only for the day, and I love going home!

Fulfilled Life

My brother wrote a blog on contentment and ever since it has gotten me thinking. How content and I in life right now...am I content? I have been thinking about this for a few days, and I have to say that I am very content with my life. I know I have written before that last year I wasn't content with life, but this year I am. The only thing I can attribute that is to God's work in my life. I used to be so afraid of my future, worry about things that could happen, and I would allow myself to go through the "What if's" in life. I have to say that ever since God did a 180 on my life I haven't worried about my future, or focus on the things that could happen, I have been able to focus on the things of today. I am able to enjoy the days, the processes of things.

There is a quote that says "Wherever you are, be all there" and that reminds me to live in today and not in the past or the future. To be content with where I am.

House Update

So things moved fast this week! This time last week, I only had a slab of concrete and today I have an entire house framed!! It was so exciting to be able to walk around and see things up close and personal! As you know, this is the first time that they have ever built this floor plan, so it was exciting to be able to see it life-sized, and not just on paper. So without further ado..here is a picture of my house!


There is a funny story here....as you can see those are my stairs that my dad is looking at and inspecting....so if my stairs are outside, how did we get up to the second floor you ask? Well, when we were there on Saturday, the framers were still working and we saw one guy climb up the wall via a make-shift ladder to the second floor. This ladder was built into the existing wall frames, basically horizontal steps put up between two vertical 2x4's. So, today, being the adventurous family that we are said "we can do that" so up the make shift ladder we went! Yes, we are crazy, but it was fun! The hardest part was coming back down, but no worries for us - we all went up and back down without a hitch.

The house is more than I expected! I am so very glad because it could have easily gone the other way, and not lived up to the image in my head, but it went way beyond! Now all the fun really begins and the planning can get underway!! I am so excited!!

Year

On February 16th of this year, I decided that 2011 was going to be my year...my year of adventure and I am proud to say that so far it has been! So far, I have done more than I ever thought I would. I have stepped out of my comfort zone several times, I have learned and realized a lot about who I am and about myself, and I have made some huge decisions.

God has taught me so much about myself so far. I have realized that I am stronger than I ever thought I was. I am more capable than I believe, I can handle more that I ever thought possible. Honestly, I always thought that I was going to need a "guy" in my life to do things with because I never thought I had the abilities to do them myself. Boy was I dead wrong! I have surprised myself in more ways than one. What we can't do on our own, we can do with God as our partner! I am so thankful that He has been there for me this year to guide me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, and to show me areas where I needed to change.

You know what the best part about this is? It's only November! I still have 2 months left - and as I am typing this, God pricked me and said "Why does it have to be just 2011?" Why do I think that at midnight on December 31, 2011 my year of adventure is going to end? Why can't it flow over into 2012? So let's just say that I think God has some things in store for me that I can't fathom yet, and I have to say I am very excited about them!

House Update

Well, it has been a long 3 weeks but I finally have a foundation!!! I'm very excited!! I received an email from my builder stating the company that was initially contracted to lay the foundation never showed, so they replaced them and the foundation was put in this past week. This has delayed my closing, but they hope to make it up in the next two months. Yes, my closing date is supposed to be December 28th, so we will see if that is going to be the case. I have to say that I am enjoying this process, but it's been frustrating because it seems to be off to a slow start. Especially when there were 4 houses that were started together (mine included) and I went out today and all of the other three houses are framed and 2 have windows, yet I got my foundation this past Thursday. So I'm trying to focus on the positive side - my foundation is in - but it's also annoying knowing that I was the first contract, and my house is taking the longest. But like I said, focus on the positive right? and hey, when I went out there today, a kid was using my foundation as a skate park, so I guess he was enjoying it too!

Here is a picture of my house as of now! :)

Happy Day

Today is my dad's birthday!! (yes, my parents birthdays are close together...) My dad is hilarious, smart, quirky. He is great at girl problems - believe it or not, he knows how to shed light on the heart of an issue and make it seem so simple. He is encouraging, supportive, easy-going, and just plain to fun to be around. He loves his family to death and would do anything for us. I'm really couldn't have asked for a better dad, and role-model. Love you!

I'm a day late

but Happy Birthday to my mom!! I am so thankful for her and couldn't ask for a better mom. She is incredibly smart, wise, great at giving advice, doesn't give up...ever, an amazing cook, hilarious, and fun to be around! She is generous, and helpful, and always there when I need her. I LOVE YOU!!

Update

I wanted to share some pictures of my house....still in the early stages, but here is what I have so far.

The red clay has arrived

They started putting up "boundary" type things on the left and back...

This is the front of the house - they started digging the foundation today.

This is the back half of the house

I have definitely learned that it is hard to go out there alone - I need to go out with someone who knows what is going on. Tonight I left with a few questions as to what is going on.

It's funny how it can seem so small. I was walking around it thinking, how small it looked. I hope I look back on this day and am able to say "wow, remember when I thought this place looked small?"

I'm so excited to see this come to fruition!! I can't wait until it is framed and see my house for the first time in 3D!

My Standard

I hold myself to an incredibly high standard. I always have. Along with that comes the fact that I am my own worst critic. I will beat myself up over something so miniscule that it's doesn't deserve mentioning, but there I am giving myself the what for over it. I expect way too much of myself. I have this image in my head of what I think I should be able to accomplish, handle, do, complete, reach and when I fall short the disappointment sets in. When I was younger, all my parents had to do was look at me, and I would immediately confess, and feel horrible. A disappointing look was way worse than them yelling at me. There were times where I wanted them to yell because it would make me feel better, instead I would get a look and I would want to die. I guess in a way, I'm the same way today. I don't want to yell at myself (although that would be quite the image), instead I make myself feel even worse by giving myself the ultimate punishment....disappointment.

Usually, I do pretty well hitting my bar. Each day I set goals, and have things that I want to accomplish, and most days I come out ahead, but the past few weeks I have been coming up ever so short. Its miniscule things, forgetting to do this, not paying attention to that minor detail, getting distracted, relationships aren't as they should be, I have the feeling for frazzlement and harriedness. I'm not meeting my standard and that disappoints me. I haven't been as detail oriented, I'm not as organized as I would like to be, I find it hard to find words that describe what I need, I feel like I am grasping at things that are just out of reach. I am not meeting the standard that I have for myself - not by a long shot.

I know why I'm this way lately - I am building a house. I am taking on a huge undertaking and it is using a lot of my brain power to make sure things go according to plan. If you remember from a couple of posts back, this is all riding on my shoulders. I don't have a spouse to share the responsibility with, and that makes the pressure even worse. And you know what, I beat myself up because I let building a house get to me. How screwy is that? Instead of lowering my expectations bar and giving myself some slack, I raise it and expect to sail right over it. I beat myself up because I feel I should be even more organized, more put together, have it all, instead I am the opposite. I'm a human being, not superman. I have faults, issues, handicaps. I'm not an electrician, builder, foundation layer. I can't know it all, be all, do it all.

So, here is to accepting help, getting better organized, thinking things through, taking things one day at a time, looking at the big picture, being patient with myself, letting go and enjoying this process. Here's to not beating myself up over small things, and embracing the changes that are headed my way - the good...scratch that....great changes that are ahead. Here's to realizing that I don't always have to have it all together, that I can not reach the bar and not be disappointed.

What a day

Wow, today was a very big day!! When I look back on it, this day was full of emotions...mainly good. Work was insane today, and I won't bore you with the details, but lets just say that I worked about 9 hours today, and didn't stop all day. I got to work at 6:15 this morning, and was all over the place...i desk hopped...and I floor hopped. I was covering for someone else today, as well as setting up our customer room for a visit and making sure they had everything they needed. It was an exhausting day to say the lease...I am about ready for bed.

As you know I am going to be an Aunt - although as I think about that, I don't like the phrase "going to be", because I already am. I mean I believe that even though the baby isn't here yet, it is still a human being, and if something terrible were to happen, I would still morn as if I knew who that person was...so I am an Aunt, and I found out today that my sister and brother are having a boy!! His name is Caleb James and will grace us with his presence around March 2. Now March 2 is a special day, because it is also my great-grandmothers birthday (my mom's mom's mom), so I think it would be so special if he was born on that day. The big reveal was so much fun! Yesterday I was given 2 boxes, one had the number 1 on it, and the other the number 2. When Ben and Sarah found out the gender, they sent an email with which box to open, and inside was a blue sock - a tiny blue sock! I was so surprised and so excited at the same time. I couldn't wait to talk to Sarah to hear all the details of the visit and how everything went. The doctor checked twice, so I don't think there will be any surprises! I can't wait to meet Caleb James!!

Another big event today (although not nearly as big), was that I had my Pre-Construction meeting with the builder, and the architect. It was a very interesting meeting, but it went well. There were of course some things that needed to be adjusted, and a few surprises, but we were able to get them all fixed. At the meeting, they show your the floor plan (blown up), and they point out where my light switches will be, where the outlets are, make sure all your options are correct, tell you which way your attic is going to pull down...things like that. It is a very detailed meeting, and Praise the Lord I am a details girl. There were small things that I noticed, like they gave me upgrades that I didn't pay for, they had to move a light switch because it interfered with a door (I'd have to go into the closet, shut the door and then turn on the light), oh yeah...and the house was laid out backwards :) When I picked my lot, I was told that the house would be a certain way, but on the plans, everything was on the other side. This makes a huge difference! Thankfully, they were able to work it out so that the house could go the way that I wanted it to go, which I am glad because I think Zack, my realtor, was about to tear them a new one! (in a nice, courteous, professional way of course :) ) So this meeting was full of emotion, concentration, and trying to understand "construction-ese" I have obviously never done this before, so I didn't understand all of the lingo, but everyone was really nice and understanding, and allowed me to answer questions.

So the day was filled with insane craziness, complete excitement, with a mix of a dash of terror, and inadequacy. Now I am going to drink my root beer, pop some popcorn, decompress with a phone call and then call it a night!

Big News!!

Are you ready?? I bought a house!! I can barely believe it myself. I am actually building a house! That's right, building! I am so excited to see this journey unfold!

I'm sure there are some questions floating out there, so I will tell my story.

I have been renting for about 3 years now. I have loved it, and it has been good for me. I am in a great location, and the apartment has been very nice. I live in a gated community with a few amenities. I will say, it was a great idea to start here. I didn't want to rent at first just because the idea of throwing money away, ie - not going toward anything, wasn't my cup of tea. After talking with my family they thought this would be a great first step and I agree it was. A great step...step...not something I wanted to do forever.

A few months ago, say around the beginning of summer, I felt God nudging me to take the next step. I wanted to buy a house, but I didn't think I could afford it. I tucked the thought away until my friend bought a house...now this friend is my age, and we are on the same track in life so it got me thinking again. I talked with her about how she did it and looked into it. Turns out I was wrong in my thinking, and was able to start this journey.

So now that I've decided to go ahead what's next...ah yes a realtor! There is a close family friend of ours, Reggie, who we have looked to for advice on several occasions, and knew that he wouldn't lead us wrong. My dad talked to him, and he suggested a realtor that he knows. Boy did he send me in the right direction - I knew Reggie wouldn't lead me astray. My realtor, Zack is awesome! He is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, encouraging, and gives great advice. His best quality is most likely patience. He has had to work with me, someone who has no idea what she's doing, and who has OCD. I don't know if he has ever had a client who has had as many questions as I have. :)

Now to start looking at houses. I looked at some that were built, and some new construction, and the new construction fell right within my time frame. See, I still have 4 months left on my lease, so I didn't want to have to pay to break it, and new construction takes about 3 to finish, so it was a match made in Heaven. It came down to 2 builders, and one won out on location. As they always say, you can change your house, but you can't change your location. It is only about 5 minutes from my apartment, so it is still very close to everything. I am the first to write a contract in this neighborhood, so that is exciting. I am not alone however. My builder bought some land in an existing neighborhood full of town homes. I'm the first single-family home, but not the first in the neighborhood if that makes sense.

I actually have not seen this house in person. It is a brand new plan, so none have been built yet. That is exciting and a little nerve-wracking all the same time. It is 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, with an open floor plan. It has plenty of storage, a fun "loft" at the top of the stairs, and a laundry room (yay)!

I'm so excited to go on this journey and watch my house be built! God's timing is all through this and it's awesome to see His hand at work. I wanted to do this 3 years ago, but the girl I was then definitely couldn't handle this next step. God has worked in my life so much, and I can say that I am beyond excited for this step. I know it is the right thing for me, right now. I can't wait for the next few months!

Hilton Head Island

Friday was my 25th Birthday! I am a quarter of a century old...hard to believe! We know someone who rents out a house in hilton head island, so my parents thought it would be fun to go there for the weekend! they were right! Ben, Sarah and I drove down after work, mom and dad left a little earlier on Friday.
We really took it easy this weekend. We met mom and dad for ice cream Friday night at a place called Munchies. On Saturday we slept in, dad brought us pastries from Fresh Market. We then got ready and went driving around the island. We went through some shops, ate lunch (Dad and Ben really enjoyed lunch :) ), saw a lighthouse, we also went to the Disney hotel on the Island and got Mickey Premium Bars...if you have ever had one, you know they are worth it! That night we went to Outback for my birthday dinner, and it was really good. We also went through the Tanger outlets, then back to Munchies for ice cream. Sunday we went to Coligny Colony and then Giuseppe's for lunch and headed home.
It was so nice to get away for the weekend. We all have had a lot going on recently, so it was nice to be able to escape, and enjoy some time away. Plus, my family might be considered odd because we actually enjoy hanging out with each other. Let's just say there is never a dull moment. We had some great conversations, we rag on each other and can be quite honest...and sarcastic. We laugh constantly! I am so grateful for them! I had an absolute blast, and can't wait to do it in October for our next vacation :) :)

Fall

I love this time of year! We are coming into my favorite two seasons, fall and winter. There isn't anything about it I don't love.

The main reason is the cooler weather. I am not a fan of sweating of any kind - can't stand to get out of the shower, and sweat while drying my hair, or just standing outside for 30 seconds and you are soaked. That is not my idea of a good time. I am such a fan of hoodies, jackets, scarves, sweaters, long sleeves, and boots. There is just something about them, that I can't explain. I love walking outside and the cold takes your breathe away. I love snuggling up under a blanket with hot chocolate, watching a movie. I love sleeping with the windows open when it is freezing outside. My roommate in college and I used to sleep with the windows open, and the AC on in the middle of December - I've never slept better.

I also love the fact that we are getting into the holiday season. I love the spirit of the holidays, yes some people get cranky and bent out of shape, and the traffic is bad, but it also is a time to spend together with family and friends, and if you don't put the emphasis on those bad things, you don't mind it as much. I love to give people gifts - I love to see their reactions, and I enjoy being able to give them something, to do something for them. Not only is it the holiday season, but it's birthday season in my immediate family. All 5 of us have birthdays from September to December, so that adds an extra element of fun to this time of year.

I look forward to this time of year with much excitement and anticipation. I can't wait to get it started!

Tattoo!!!

So, I got a tattoo!! I know this comes as a shock to many people, but it is something that I have been thinking about for a long time....so here's the story. (and a picture)


Ever since High School I have wanted a tattoo. I just didn't know what I wanted it of. I also wasn't sure if I was ok with the whole permanent thing. Which is why it has taken me 6 years since HS graduation to get one. I used to get Henna tattoos, which was great because it would last for a few weeks and then go away. I found that I missed it, which is when I knew I was ready to get one.

Now, I know you are thinking - what is that? Its a Greek word, sozo, which means healed, redeemed, and rescued. We were studying the book of James in Sunday School, and my leader (who loves to point out the Greek words) mentioned this one. As soon as I heard the meaning, it struck a chord with me and I just knew that's what I wanted tattooed on me. I wanted it as a reminder of what God has done in my life. He has healed, redeemed, and rescued me many times in my life, each time I am so very thankful.

Did it hurt? Not as bad as I was expecting. At the beginning it was fine, but as it went on the more it hurt. I went to a very safe place (recommended by a friend), and my tattoo artist was a paramedic for 12 years so he was quite sanitary and was used to dealing with needles. He was funny and made sure I knew what was going on. He didn't rush me which was nice. My friend Elisa went with me, and I think I broke her hand as I squeezed it the entire time. :)

I am very glad I got it done :)

Roles

I had dinner the other night with a good friend of mine, Sarah VG (whose nickname may become VG because of the other Sarah's in my life). I am so thankful that I got to spend some good quality time with her. She is in the same exact place as me, and that makes it very easy to talk to her about life, because she gets it. She knows what it is like to be in this stage of our lives.

One of the MANY topics we covered that night was how intimidating girls can be in their twenties. For the most part, girls have it together. We have stable jobs, we live on our own - either in a house or an apartment, we have friends, and family that we hang out with, we are involved in church. We are confident in ourselves because we have it all together - and that intimidates guys. Think about a relationship, and what the guy and girl brings to it - girls have to be both in order to survive. We have to handle the emotional side of things, as well as the financial side. We can't afford to be lax in either. We take care of the bills, we clean and fix parts of the house, we also handle the emotional side with our friends and with ourselves. We have so much to juggle, but we do it because of necessity!

Guys don't realize that underneath all that confidence, is a girl who is asking for help. We don't want to handle all the roles that we do! We are more than willing to have a guy in our life, and for us to say "here you go" and let them take over their piece. Right now, we just don't have that luxury. Guys don't see that though - they see a girl who has it all and they say "she's intimidating", and they go after the girls who don't have it all together. In the meantime, we go on with our lives, we buy houses, we buy cars, we fix our plumbing issues, we take care of the bills until a guy comes around and says "here, let me help you" and they take it over.

Sarah also had a great point that she heard somewhere - the feminist movement has weakened guys. I have no problem admitting the fact that there are things guys are better at. God designed it that way, He said that the woman is to be submissive to her husband, and he is to be the head of the family. The feminist movement made women take some roles from the men, which then weakened them. They no longer had to step up to their role, because women were doing it for them. I find this down right annoying. I'm a girl who is looking for a man to step up and BE THE MAN! I do not want a "wuss" of a guy, I want someone who isn't afraid to lead, to take control. Someone who follows the Lord proudly and confidently - that kind of man I have no problem being submissive to.

Until that day comes, I will be confident in who God made me, in the plans He has for my life, and wait patiently for the day when MY MAN looks past my confidence, stops being intimidated, and asks me out.

School

It's so cliche, but hearing about school starting up get me thinking about my years of schooling. I was fortunate to go to private school my entire life and while it had its down sides (like every school) I am very grateful for the time I had there.

I was a very studious student (imagine that). I was the geek who got all excited about back to school shopping because everything was new, and I could figure out a way to organize everything. I loved the crisp notebooks with dividers. My books were always covered by my dad from brown grocery bags (the edges were turned in so no tape would get onto the book). I had my day planner that had all my homework written in it, and would get crossed off as it was completed. I think this is where my love of pens originated - standing in the aisle staring at them all wondering which one was going to be my favorite that year. Sigh - how I miss new school supplies.

I was the kid that would come home from school and immediately start my homework. I didn't like it hanging over my head all night because it was always in the back of my mind. I was also still in school mode so that helped. I was never good at studying, I would study for hours and still get confused on tests. I would make the color coded flash cards, and would quiz myself. I wasn't a great test-taker. I would much rather you give me a project than a test.

Moving on to college - what a great time! I enjoyed my 3 years there. I went to CIU and lived on campus, did the roommate gig, enjoyed all of it. There are days that I would love to go back and have breaks through out the day - working 8 hours a day will make you appreciate that! Life was "worry free" in college. I made some amazing friends there. Had the best RA ever, had great roommates. I loved hall life! Petty 2 woot woot!! I also got to do yearbook, and that was a many all-nighter, but that gave me a passion for some things I can do in my job now. If I could go back to college, and not have the work part, I would!!

So I'm a little jealous of the students this week who get to enjoy their first week at school - how I miss it sometimes.

Coupons

I am learning to coupon. I still haven't wrapped my head around it yet, but I think it is one of those processes where you just have to do it in order to understand it.

Sarah coupons and I went to her house this weekend where she taught me everything she knows. I'm starting out small - clipping coupons I would use and when they are on sale get them with the coupon. The hard thing is going to be waiting for the sale, and not buying something just because I have a coupon for them.

I'm also interested in the CVS Extra Buck process. I don't understand that one either really. I know that when you buy something you get so many Extra Bucks that you can use the next time you come in, I just don't understand how you get the Extra Bucks - is it only select items in the store, is it the items that are on sale...I don't understand...anyone know??

So I thought I would try this out and went tonight to CVS. I got 2 bags of skittles for $1.09 each and I got 3 12 packs of soda for $1.99 each which isn't bad! The bottom of my receipt didn't have any info on it, so I don't htink I earned any Bucks so I am not confused. Maybe I am not using it properly...any help is accepted!

So here I go, embarking on the coupon world. It will take me awhile to get the hang of it....and I will need to find some storage for the "bulk items" I will need to buy, but we will see how it goes first before I start re-arranging the pantry.

Oh one more funny note, when I got home, the side of my 12 pack came unglued and there were coke cans rolling down the parking lot....just what I wanted to do in 100 degree weather at 8:00 at night.

food

Us Yankees know how to eat!!

OMG I have eaten so much in the past 10 days that I don't think I will be hungry for days. There is so much food up north that we can't get in the south. Here was my food routine...

Thursday: Stop in Elkton, MD for sub sandwiches, go to Acme grocery store for gingersnap cookies. Stop in Claymont, DE for steak sandwiches - best ones I have ever had. Arrive in Lancaster, PA and go to Oregon Dairy (grocery store) to get some "essentials" to hold us over. Dinner at Shady Maple - the biggest smorgasbord you will ever see, all cooked by the Amish. You will not go hungry there.

Friday: Go to Central Market in downtown Lancaster for Achenbach's (long donut with loads of icing on top, only way better than donuts), go to Hammond's for pretzels, go to Wilbur for chocolate, go to Stauffers (grocery store) for too many items to count, then head to Oregon Dairy to get what we couldn't from Stauffers....Some of these items include Tasty Cakes, Pies, Utz chips, Herrs chips, Martin's kettle cooked chips, Turkey Hill Ice Cream, Hot dogs, Pasta, Extra Dark Pretzels, Bulk candy, Wild bills beef jerkey...the list goes on. Dinner at the Yingers for Deb's tacos and then to the Perry's for homemade ice cream, brownies

Saturday: travel to Ocean City, get Dough Roller Pizza for lunch and Phillip's restaurant for dinner

Sunday: Thrashers French Fries, Dumser's Ice Cream, and Order in crabs for dinner...eat funnel cake as well

Monday: Go to Harpoon Hannah's for dinner - get friend shrimp and encounter the "bread lady"....she brings around a basket of bread, the Coconut muffins are by far the best things I have ever tasted.

Tuesday: Eat dinner on the boardwalk, got pizza and ice cream

Wednesday: Phillips for dinner again, ate fried shrimp

Thursday: head to Rehobeth beach and eat at Grotto's pizza, then got Gelato for dessert - close to Italian gelato believe it or not

Friday: last night in OC, so we ate at Phillips for the last time (that's right, 3 times) and got Crab Ravioli


There you go, that is my food diary, and here is a picture of the food that I brought home...




I feel a diet coming on...after I eat what I brought home of course! :)

The Gang:

Here are our group shots from this year:

The Girls:

(top to bottom, left to right) Meg, Mandy, Andrea, Sara, Sarah, Ashley

The Guys:

Ray, Bob, Dan, Adam, Al, Dave

The Moms:Marilyn, Lanie, Leslie, Deb

Home...

written July 24, 2011


I know I have said this before in a previous post but it is so good to go home!! Yesterday we left Lancaster, PA and it was so rejuvenating for me to get home for a few days.

Let me tell you a little about Lancaster. It is hard to describe to someone who hasn't been there but it is such a beautiful place. Everywhere you look there are farms and rolling hills and Amish. You drive primarily on back roads, and will most likely get stuck behind a horse and buggy. If you need produce - stop at one of the multiple road side stands. "Corn for sale, third farm on the left" is a common sign. It is considered "country" but it is way different from Columbia country. Columbia country is hunting and camo. Lancaster country is farming and vegetables and animals. It's a different way of life.

In addition to seeing my home it was also great to see my peeps again. The people I saw have been our friends for over 25 years. We have been through a lot together, celebrated a lot! We always get together when we come to town! It's great to have friends who after all these years still want to hang out. There were 20 of us that got together two of the three nights. These people "get me". We see each other once a year unless we go up for a shower or a wedding and are always able to pick up where we left off. It's like we never left. We get updates of their lives, on people we haven't seen, and laugh a lot!! I love these people to death!! They are my family and I couldn't wait to see them! We had an absolute blast together. Here are some pics...

Our group is growing! Megan and Dwayne had Tanner a few years ago, and Ray and Sara had Lillian 2 months ago. We got to spend a good bit of time with both of these kids. Lillian is adorable!! She is so small and is a great baby...didn't mind being passed around...alot... haha one night I was holding her at dinner and she threw up on me three times! I got in some good practice for march :). Tanner is by far the greatest kid!! He is adventurous, loves to observe, and he had us laughing most of the night! I'm not sure this boy has a rough day!

Tanner:LIllian

Multiple blogs

Hey guys!

Sorry I have been MIA - Just returned from 10 glorious days off!!! I am going to put up a few blogs that I wrote while I was gone, but didn't have access to internet...

so stay tuned!

Ash

Car Rides

written July 19, 2011

Car rides have changed since I was l little. My family has never shied away from long car rides. Some examples.....
.I remember driving from PA to NM when I was really little. We drove straight thru with my parents switching off and on driving. (random flag..that trip I had 2 black eyes).
.We made the trip again when I was in elementary or middle school, this time we were living in SC. We were told the trip would take 5 days and we were very surprised when we got there in 3!! (smart idea from my parents)
.After we moved to sc from pa we have visited yearly - all 9 hours.
.We visit Ocean City Maryland - 3 hours from Lancaster
.There have also been multiple trip to Orlando (6 hours) to visit my moms parents and to go Disney world...those trips are too many to count many were just for the weekend.

As I am writing we are currently on the road from SC to PA. We couldn't leave until I got off of work so we are making it in two trips stopping in Fredericksburg VA. As I'm riding, it got me thinking about all our car trips...

I remember when I was little, we would pass the time by playing the alphabet game and the license plate game. You know, whoever finds words starting with all letters of the alphabet (in order) wins, and whoever finds the most license plates from different sates. We had little travel games, and decks of cards that we would play in the back seat. We would try to figure out ways to keep the pieces on the boards, or cards on the seat. I remember when we we borrowed a friends gameboy for one trip, which was high tech for us! Then we got a car with a DVD player in it and thought that was the coolest thing ever! We would watch movies that dad liked to listen to, so the time passed quickly for him too. Now I am riding along listening to music off my iPhone thru the radio and typing this up on my iPad. How car rides have changed!

I'm also reminded of how communication has changed. We never took more than one car, then again it was just the four of us. I remember making several trips with the Gehman family to Busch Gardens Virginia. The first few trips we would use cue cards and would pass each other holding up our signs with either FOOD or P (for bathroom breaks). I remember the trip when we graduated up to cb's and my mom still tells the story of Kevin getting on the radio yelling "evasive maneuver....evasive maneuver", when we were almost in an accident. This trip is quite different. There are 3 cars, Sarah and I in a one, dad in one, mom, mommom, and John in the other. (trust me there is logic behind this) ....side note, Ben isn't able to come and is severely missed. How are we communicating you ask?...thru our iPhones...no cue cards, no cb's...good ole cell phones. It is nice that we can just call one another and chat!!

It's amazing how times have changed...

Names

I don't know if you remember my post awhile back about names....well I have a new name to add to my list...

AUNT!!

That's right!! Ben and Sarah are having a baby!! I am so excited! Can't wait! :)

I've been thinking of names, because they are such a big deal to me, and I'm thinking about going by Auntie A...Aunt Ashley seems a little tough for kids to say, but Autie A is fun and easy.

March 2nd needs to hurry up!!

Sigh

I still count myself as a night owl. I love to stay up late watching tv or reading. I love long weekends because I get to do this for one more day than usual. I also know, that this throws off my sleeping schedule. Sunday night I stayed up late, which was great, but that means that I have to wake up early on Monday because I have to be tired by 10ish to get to bed at a decent hour. So I had a bright idea...if I have to get up early on Monday anyway....I should go get breakfast....which means....

Chick-fil-A

Yes!!! Great plan!! Haven't been in awhile because I like to sleep in on Saturdays, and since they aren't open on Sundays and I am not getting up any earlier during the week......yes this is perfect. So I ask Sara Jay if she wants to go with me.....she's in. The goal is to get up at 8 and leave when we are ready.
Today is here (yes, I am VERY excited), we get up, get ready, get in the car (where I almost blow her ear drums out because I was rocking to my Celine Dion cd and forgot to turn it down) and we are off. Pull into the parking lot and we see this....

We will not be opening until 10:30 on July 4th

Sigh

So we say alright, we will go to another one. Half way there it dawns on us (not morning people remember) this might be a company wide thing. So bring out handy dandy iPhone, find the phone number.... call them......yup, they are closed until 10:30 too...

Sigh

So we get home and the disappointed person that I am for A. not getting a chicken biscuit and B. not getting chickfila at all...... I decided to to on my way to my parents house! yes great plan, just get lunch instead of breakfast, new plan!! Then it dawns on me

Ice Cream Cake

I had made an ice cream cake for dinner tonight. Darn! Can't leave that hanging while I go through the drive thru....won't be ice cream, let alone cake by time I get there....

Sigh

So I give up on my Chickfila and decide to make waffles. Something else I don't do in the AM because it takes too long. Alright, batter made, batter poured into iron....ah the smell of waffles. Plate...check. Fork...check. Butter...check. Syrup......... uh.........syrup....

no syrup....

You are kidding me right? Plan D....No chocolate chips. Plan E....roommate doesn't have syrup....sigh. Waffle is now done....try it with just butter....nope, not a fan. Pour batter into Anchor Tupperware and put in fridge.

Breakfast just isn't my thing today

By this time, I am now defeated and decide to bail on breakfast all together. I would have cereal, but that just won't cut it, and I had that for dinner last night. But now that the dishes are done...kitchen is clean, and think I am going to head to my parents, drop off cake, and THEN head to chick fil a for lunch. That is the current new plan - let's see if that one turns out :)

My Week

It has been an interesting week. A lot of highs and a few lows. I will give you some of the highs...

Tonight, I got together with some girl friends and we had a great time chatting it up and laughing. After that I went to a grocery store called Kroger and they had Utz potato chips!! I was quite excited over this. Utz is a brand that we can find at home in Lancaster, but have never seen them here. Mom and Dad went to Kroger last night and said they had a whole section of them! I had to go check it out for myself and what do you know, a whole section! It was like Manna from Heaven! I can't tell you why these chips are the best, they just are! It probably goes back to what I knew first. I just hope that people here like them and buy them so they continue to load the shelves. I'm sure my family could keep them in business but we might weigh 300 pounds if we did, and that's just not good.

Work was also good this week - and it also helped provide my biggest low. Wednesday was a rough day for me - not sure why, but it was just one of those days...I talked to a lot of angry people. Today made up for it though. I got some questions answered that had been hitting the back of my mind and it felt good to have a resolution to them. I am very thankful for my job and love what I am doing. It is stressful, and hard, and demanding at times but it is also keeps me challenged, is a lot of fun, and I have the privilege of working with some awesome people.

I also started to work on a Bible study by myself. It is going to be hard to stay disciplined, but I think I can do it. I am starting the Esther study by Beth Moore. I hope to go this weekend and get the video tapes (I have a coupon :) ). I am really excited about it!! I have heard great things about this study and it was recommended to me. Now it is about setting aside the time to really dive into it and I pray that I am able to get so much out of it . I really like the idea of studying a book of the Bible. My Sunday School class just finished a 30 week series on the book of James - that's right 30 weeks on 5 chapters! It was so encouraging and enlightening and really made me think about things and how I live my life. It really wet my appetite to do another book study. So here I go, onto another adventure.

I have really started working out. I am watching what I eat and am exercising several times a week. This week I have started to see some results and that is really exciting, and also motivating :) I wasn't overweight, I will be the first to admit that, but I just needed some toning and some shaping up. They say that once you start living the new "better for you " lifestyle that you will wonder how you lived any other way, and I am beginning to see that. The things that I craved before - the unhealthy stuff - have gone by the way side and I have craved better things. So here is to keeping motivated and eating better :)

My dad gave me this awesome fun Pirate songs CD. I think it might be a kids CD but the songs on there are hilarious!! They are so much fun and can instantly make my day better. The CD is to get us in the mood for our cruise coming up - oh yes its definitely helping :) It is called Pirates of the Caribbean: Swashbuckling Sea Songs and is on iTunes - you definitely need to check it out you will get a great laugh!

I know this is cliche, but I mean it - I have the best family! I am so thankful for the time that I have with them. I got to hang at my parents a couple of times this week and eat with them, and I get to work in the same building as Ben and Sarah. I mean if I need anything at all, Ben is one floor above me, and Sarah is 2. Not many people can say that. I am so thankful to have my family here, in the same state, nearby. I am also so thankful that we are as close as we are. I know not all families are like that, but we actually enjoy spending time with one another and I love that! I'm excited about getting together on Monday to scrapbook and hang out together. I think it is going to be the highlight of my weekend - just saying.

2 words that make me smile: long. weekend.

Tables

My dad is awesome!!! He worked incredibly hard at stripping, sanding and staining my coffee table and end table! They were dark brown, almost black, and he re-stained them so they are now a light brown!

I'll give you some back story...Some 30 years ago, when my parents got married, they bought a Living room set (entertainment center, coffee table, and end tables), and a Dining Room set (hutch and dining room chairs and table) My sister got the living room set, and I got the dining room set. Everything was the same color.

Through the years, Ben and Sarah bought darker furniture, so their coffee table and end table no longer matched. Last summer, dad re-stained their coffee table and end tables darker to match.

Well, this year they gave me the entertainment center because they needed the space for something else. So now, I have the Dining room set, and the Entertainment center, all matching wood. When I moved on my own, my grandmother gave me her coffee table and end table. They are a very dark stained wood - not the same color. This summer, I asked dad if he would make my tables to match the other set.

Today, they dropped off the finished tables, and they match perfectly!! I am so excited about them! You would never know they didn't come that color originally. It took him almost 2 weeks I think to strip them down to the bare wood, then re-stain them. They were complicated pieces too with lots of curves and he had to take the tables apart in order to do it correctly. My dad is a perfectionist when it comes to work, and I am so thankful that he is because they are perfect, and look brand new!! And now, I will always have the legacy that the tables came from my grandmother, but my dad put is sweat and hard work into them to make them what they are. I will have these tables forever because it will be incredible hard to give them up now. Too much history behind them.

Thank-you dad, you truly are amazing Love you!!!

Before

After

Harry Potter

My sister has been bugging me for years to read Harry Potter. I have always turned her down because I didn't want to take the time to sit down and read 7 books. I have watched all the movies, but never really understood everything that went on.

My sister doesn't give up, and I am glad! She finally started to bring me the books and I started reading them. Needless to say after book 1 I was hooked - which is misleading because it is the smallest of the 7 books. She gets you hooked with a small 100 page book then she writes these 700 page books! I will tell you, it is all worth it! I read all 7 books in 7 weeks!! They are that good!

Rowling is an amazing author. I was a little nervous that they would be too child-like, but they aren't! They are intricate, deep, and dark. They have a little bit of everything, romance, fights, conflicts, love.

Each book builds on the one before it, and every detail counts. In the last book she brings out details from the earlier books that you had forgotten or didn't realize until she points it out. I found myself going back and looking to see if it was true, and it is. She has a way of pulling you into this world, and you find yourself cheering for them, crying with them, wondering, hoping your favorites don't die, or get injured, or that they get together. While reading the last book, I was holding a pillow so tightly, and punching it, that at the end of the book, it was no longer in the shape of a square.

Rowling has one great imagination! I have no idea how she came up with this entire world. I can't wait for the last movie to come out in July. Definitely going to the midnight showing with Ben and Sarah - since she got me hooked, I'm making her go then :)

Prayer

Today in Sunday school, we talked about James 5:17-18 and it really resonated with me.

It pulls from the Old Testament, from 1 Kings 17, the story of Elijah when he prayed for rain. There had been a drought in the land for three and a half years. Elijah prayed for rain, then sent a servant out to see if there was evidence of rain...there wasn't. Elijah prayed again, sent the servant, but no rain. Six times they did this, and on the seventh the servant saw a little cloud, "and the sky poured rain and the earth produced it's fruit."

So often with prayer we pray for things - specific things, and then get upset when we do not get the answer we desire. We get upset when God doesn't answer our prayer right away, exactly how we want it. We give up, we get frustrated, we loose our trust in "the system" if I can call it that. We don't realize that it isn't about praying for what we want, it's about praying for what God wants. We can't pigeon-hole God into answering prayers. He is much bigger than that. We think we know what is best, but we don't - God has the best plan for our lives, we need to trust Him and His plan.

Elijah had to send the servant 7 times before he got his answer. Sometimes we have to pray 7 times, sometimes its a year, sometimes its 10 years, whatever the wait, we need to pray for His will. "The length of the wait develops the depth of my faith and trust." (Amy Peterson) Sometimes God delays giving us what we want because it isn't what is best for us right now. That is so hard for me to understand, because the things that I want aren't bad things. How can they not be good for me?? The longer He waits to give me my answer, the more my trust and faith grows. The more deeper my relationship with Him is. That is what is best for me right now - not what I am desiring, but my relationship with Him. Becoming the woman I am supposed to become - which will influence and impact the rest of my life.

So the question is: "Can I let go and surrender what I want in prayer to receive what I get through prayer" (Amy Peterson)