Thank You.

Well, I'm trying to do this more often! Life is pretty great right now. Aaron&I have been married 200 days! I only know the exact number because I stumbled across our wedding website, which is still counting for us! :) 

We got cable this week...and let me tell you it was a hassle. 4 visits, a free month of internet with a free modem and DVR(because they messed up so many times), and 2 days later...it's finally working! This morning, I've been listening to....the...CHRISTMAS MUSIC CHANNEL! Its wonderful! 

Although, as much as I love Christmas, I try not to start decorating and celebrating until the day after Thanksgiving...because November is the month of thanks. And to me its not very thankful to forget about Thanksgiving and just start celebrating all the superficiality of all the commercial Christmas stuff. I choose to be thankful the entire month(and not just this month..but you know what I mean) And celebrate Christmas when its time. Christmas music is my weakness, though.

Part of the reason I don't start celebrating early is because I love fall. I'd rather it be 55 and slightly windy, with pretty colors everywhere...year round. But, since the cold is inevitable, I'll embrace it when the leaves are all dead!

Since this is the month of Thanks, I am going to 30 things I am Thankful for. One for each day of the month.

1. My Savior. He died for me. He loves me even when I don't deserve it.

2. My Husband. I've always been thankful for Aaron. As a friend, a boyfriend, and now my husband.I know I'm not the easiest person to live with! He's the best.

3. My parents. All 4 of them. Life has been hard for all of us, but somehow we're all still here.

4. My In-Laws. For all that they do. Their always caring attitudes.

5.Our dogs, Embry and Elliot. For the constant source of laughter and happiness. Oh, the messes they are...you gotta love 'em.

6. Brothers. Chris, Brett, Adam, and Dylan. These 4. Where to start...from the jokes, and the obsessions to the fights.... they're always there.

7. Sisters. Jenna and Meagan. How different can they be?! Laughter, tears, chick flicks, and home decorating conversations....they seem to last forever. The advice they always have...whether they be form the 24 year old or the 10 year old....it always works.

8.Our Church. They're like our family. Always have been. Always will be.

9. Our home. We have a roof over our head, a place to chill out, a place to be ourselves. Its wonderful.

10. Aaron's job. He may not feel this way most of the time, but without this job we would be in some serious trouble. This year has been hard, but we've made it.

11. Water. I know this seems so, simplistic. But its something to be very thankful for. We have the water for showers. Drinks. And its healthy, clean water. Definitely something to be thankful for this year.

12. Tasty things. I have to add this because of something that was said in our Sunday School class 2 years ago... we had an entire discussion on things we're thankful for. And somehow the conversation ended up with a book of edible tasty things. Our conversations were always so funny.

13. Friends. We have some of the best friends. Always there for us.

14.Vehicles. Although, I wonder sometimes why I am thankful for this...with the Blazer its hard to be thankful! But, we have two, most of the time running, vehicles that let us travel to see our family and friends, go to church, and get to wherever else we want.

15. Books. Mad props to authors. Seriously. All that imagination has created worlds upon worlds of escapes.  They have taught us about friendship. Love. Geography. Peace. History. And so much more.

16. Vacations. Oh how I love this one. I love to travel. I can't wait to see the world God has created.

17. Home and Foreign Mission(arie)s. Their bravery. Courage. Excitement. Motivation. I know its not about them;its about the lives they're touching...but, all these traits are needed to that job. To go. To love.

18. Music. Without music, life would be so quiet. And without music, my husband's passion would be useless. "Music gives wings to the soul".

19. Warmth. I'm thankful that I have clothes to wear, shoes to love, blankets to cover up with when I'm cold, heaters, dryers, and a totally different kind of warmth...but, love.

20. Technology. It has changed the way the world communicates. 

21.What freedom we have. Freedom to still worship God. 

22. Persecutions. Without them, you'd never know your strengths.

23. Family. In general. Grandparents, cousins, Aunts&Uncles. All of them. How they make life more fun, interesting and full of love!

24. Light. Darkness is only fun for so long. "Happiness can always be found if one only remember to turn on the light."

25.  Rain. The looks, the sound, the smell...I love it.

26. Art. The beauty. The challenge.

27. Pictures. The memories, the lives, the love, the happiness. Everything the represent.

28. Fun.

29. Air fresheners. As silly as this might sound, they make things smell a lot better!

30.Clocks. I don't like to be late.

These are just a few things!

It's been awhile...

Well, I'm getting worse at this. It has now been almost 2 months since I last posted...(sorry Lorita!haha) It has been a couple of crazy months, too! Since September 1st...what all has happened....Let's see...        

Aaron had ACL Reconstructive Surgery, spent 2 weeks off work where we watched the entire Star Wars series, the first season of Lost, the 7th season of The Office, and had a good time just hanging out together at home. 

We got new furniture this week! Its awesome. 

I got red highlights in my hair for fall...and I love them!

Our revival was last week with Jacob Berry...it was amazing!!!

I've had 2 job interviews in the last week;I should hear back tomorrow!:) 

Halloween is next week and I can't wait for trick or treaters!

Aaron&I are going to be an Aunt&Uncle....to a little NEPHEW! :)

Our Embry girl turns 2 tomorrow! :)

That's about all the news there is....I think.

Just Kidding Around

Well, it has definitely been awhile since I last posted!(Almost an entire MONTH!) 

1.) I finally got my unemployment money! Thank God for that!:)

2.) I still haven't found a job. But I want a job that makes me happy and lets me still be able to go to church. So that's why its taking awhile.

3.) Aaron has to have an ACL Reconstructive Surgery done October 5th. He really messed up his knee.

Those are the biggest updates.

Has anyone else noticed that just about EVERYONE is pregnant?! Its spreading like wildfire! There are only 2 couples that Aaron and I hang out with on a regular basis, and thank goodness, they're the only 2 couples NOT pregnant! One has a kid, but he is the cutest kid ever, so its okay. Right now, I am counting like 8 couples that we come in regular contact with!!! Even my sister-in-law is pregnant! And my cousin! Its kinda crazy this baby boom. Last night my best friend, Emily(a non pregger.) and I were talking about how crazy this is....and how we're lucky we aren't prego right now. That sounds bad. BUT if we announced we were pregnant, it'd be like "So, what's the big deal? Everyone else is pregnant too." We want our kids to be a big deal. So for now, and for those reading this, Aaron&I and Josh&Emily have planned to enjoy this time(especially with us being just married) and throw everyone else showers, go to parties, and enjoy being kid-free for awhile. Aaron&I are talking 5 years-awhile, not sure about how long for Josh&Emily.  Although, wanting to remain kid-free right now has its challenges. For instance, with all the showers we've been to and have thrown, we've seen a LOT of baby stuff. Like A LOT. And its really cute and fun to shop for it. I know several times when Emily&I would be getting ready for a party, we would have to stop ourselves from planning nurseries, picking out the most awesome stroller(which btw, there are some super cool ones out...we decided that by the time we have kids, strollers with hover next to you..no more pushing!lol),picking out more names, or whatever.  We've had to distance ourself from it. So instead we talk vacations, working out, and how much we hate to clean! Wow, how in the last five years I've changed. The other day my mom stopped by the house, and I was in the middle of making my grocery list, and she just laughed. I asked her what was funny and she said "5 years ago you couldn't have cared less about a grocery list.It's just funny." And now that I think of it, it kinda is.  Five years ago, I was 17, a senior in high school, working at Subway part time. All I cared about was band, seeing my boyfriend,and getting out of high school! Now at 22, I'm married, with a house, 2 dogs, a Sunday school teacher, and making grocery lists, honey do's, paying bills, and throwing baby showers. Haha.  I still enjoy staying up past midnight playing in the park(which we did last night.), shopping at Victoria's Secret for more than just perfume(awesome tee sale this week!), being spontaneous and driving to Fayetteville just to eat at an amazing pizza place, sleeping in on Saturday mornings, etc. We have a lot we want to do before kids! Thank goodness, that once all our friends and family have their kids, we can take a break from babies. I think by March 1st, everyone I know will have their little peanut, bean, jellybean, or whatever.(Which another btw, Emily&I decided that we will refer to our children as lightningbugs until we know the gender! Its a long story as to why, but we love it!) And Aaron&I can focus on our anniversary!(Whoa.Our Anniversary.) I just realized that this kinda turned into a kid-themed thing. That was an accident.

Anyways, Monday morning I made all natural homemade peanut butter dog treats!

'E' for Embry&Elliot!

 

Here's the recipe:

1 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 1/2 Cup White Flour

1/2 Cup All Natural Peanut Butter

2 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup water

Mix peanut butter, water and oil. Add 1/2 cup of flour at a time until a dough forms.

Roll out to 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes!

Bake 20 minutes.

Its super simple and so far, Elliot has LOVED them! Embry...well, she is just like me. A picky eater!

She is warming up to them though!

Oh. I ALMOST forgot. I painted our front door....PURPLE!!!!

As soon as I get the wreath done for it, I'll post a picture!

Its September 1st...guess what that means?!?!?!

FALL! FOOTBALL!S'MORES! COFFEE!SWEATERS!BOOTS!LEAVES!

ahh..I love fall. I can almost taste it.

Have a blessed day!

 

Long Time...

Well its been awhile since we've posted anything. I still haven't found a job, still haven't got my unemployment money, and its still superhot in Arkansas. Aaron FINALLY went to the doctor about his knee....and he thinks its either a meniscus or torn ACL. We have to go back for an MRI and then we'll know for sure and what we need to do for it after that. Temperatures hit 115* in good ole Van Buren this week...which is a new record. Our dogs haven been hanging out inside with us quite a bit, and they are loving it. Aaron and I are teaching the 5 year olds &Kindergartners in VBS this week...its been a blast!

A couple prayer requests:

1.) My cousin Jenny's husband, Kevin, went in to cardiac arrest last night during rugby practice. They have run some tests and the doctor seems positive. They are keeping him sedated until Sunday or Monday and then will check his neurological status. He is 26.

2.) The job hunt. I've now applied for about 22 jobs. Pray that someone will call me back with the right job for me. Money is getting tight, spirits are getting low, and we are trying not to freak out and get upset.

3.) Aaron&I are applying to be Eteam leaders for next year. Pray that God will use us to lead teens to another place and minister to them. Our trip will be paid for. We will just need a month off of work and our bills to be paid for the months of June and July, since Aaron will have to take a leave of absence for the trip and will not get paid. And more than likely I will be in the same position, unless I get the job I'm really hoping for. ;) So specifically pray for : Us as we fill out the applications and go to the Culture Link Seminar, the Director as she decides who are the team leaders, and us if we are selected! If we are chosen, more information will be provided later!

Other than this, life has slowed down alot...but trust me, we AREN'T complaining!

And its been awhile since I've posted a photo of the day. So here it is....

Who wants to john me here? 

New Week

Well it has been awhile since I've been able to post.

So here goes:

My thoughts on the new HP movie. It. was. AWESOME. The.End. Literally. Its the end. I'm happy about it. I'm sad about it. There's never been a series that I've enjoyed so much. I like the Twilight series, yeah, but who cares to read about the teenage angst that you yourself feel like you went through when you can read about action heroes saving their world from the evil villain? Ha, I sure don't. Although, she has an advantage. The vampire/werewolf boyfriend(s) was definitely more interesting than the controlling, cheating, and loser guys I dated while in High School. So, now that the epicness that was Harry Potter has come to its as expected end, I am in need of something new to read. Preferably something that already has a movie out, that way when I read the book I don't get the disappointed feeling like when you read the book first then watch the movie. I won't nitpick it apart. I might actually get to enjoy it.

The job hunt is still on. 

Boredom is quickly setting in with my days at home. The house is clean. I've applied for countless jobs.

I've went shopping. I've spraypainted. I've done "upcycle" home repairs. I've exercised. I've read. I've slept. I've danced. I've taken bubble baths. I've pinned on Pinterest.I've played with the dogs. I've paid the bills. I've watch about...all of our movies.

I NEED SOMETHING [NEW]TO DO!

Oh wait, I am going to Tulsa for a girls day with my cousin tomorrow! That'll be a change of pace. 

But after that?

My mother in law sent me a Bible verse last night that gave me some peace.

Phillipians 4:6-7

"Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and request while giving thanks. Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus."

I read this verse probably 5 times before I went to sleep last night. And then Aaron prayed this prayer before we went to sleep, and right then, I knew. Everything is going to be okay. We're gonna make it. The peace that these verses talked about washed over me. And for the first time in a long time, I fell asleep without worrying. Without freaking out.  

Summer is halfway gone. I've always wanted a summer vacation, and now I have one. But I can't afford to do anything. So any cheap, or free, suggestions of something to do at home that will feel more vacay-like?  I prefer indoors when its over 95 outside. Unless I'm in a pool. Which I guess, I could do. Aaron's aunt has a pool I am free to go swim in...I just feel bad when I do that, because I feel like I should be job hunting and not enjoying this time.  But I'm allowed a little freedom right? I mean, my house is clean. The bills are paid. Dinner is planned. Hmm...

Well, if anything new happens...There'll be a new post!

And I hope you enjoyed the honeymoon pictures! 

Searching

Well, its been 2 weeks since the job loss. And I still haven't found anything. Not for lack of effort though. Keep praying that God will show me what I am supposed to do,because at this point, I have no idea. I hate this lost feeling.
I have been working hard inside our house in the last week or so. Hopefully in the coming weeks it will be getting closer and closer to being done. My next pictures will be of the finished projects.
 Its hot here. It reached 109 degrees yesterday. That's crazy. I've never wished for snow in the middle of summer, but I'm telling you....I want it now!
Embry&Elliot aren't enjoying the heat at all. They've gotten a swimming pool, which was promptly tore to pieces. Okay, it lasted almost a week. Which is actually pretty good! They've gotten to hang out inside alot too. Which means, I've been vacuuming everyday. Sometimes 2x a day! The heat is just making me exhausted!
We went rock climbing Saturday morning...and it was terrible! I'm terrified of heights!! So, naturally, I tried and cried. Yep. I plan to go again when its just me and Aaron so we can practice and I won't continue to humiliate myself in front of people every time!
And as you can tell, the look of our blog has changed. I've added some color! Yellow & gray seem to be in these days. Along with the chevron stripes!
The FINAL installment of Harry Potter comes out this week. And of course, we're going at midnight. And I get to dress up! I'm so excited!! Aaron said I could go as Bellatrix Lestrange(death eater. I know, but she is the only one I can actually pull off. Thanks, dark curly hair!) I'm pumped! Update on my thoughts about the movie coming Friday!
Honestly, I wish there was more I could update on, but things have slowed down alot. We don't do much these days. Its either too hot or too expensive!
OH, and about the honeymoon pictures! No clue why that didn't work. I'll try again!
~S

Honeymoon Pictures!

Well, I guess its about time to update this thing again. Its been almost a week, if not longer.(I can't really remember.) Anyways, life's changed quite a bit this week.  I lost my job on Monday. I'm not mad(anymore). I see it more as a blessing. I didn't like what I was doing, but I couldn't think of a way to get out.(other than finding another job, which I had been doing vigorously.) So this week, has been a week of... searching. progress. movies, lots of movies. alone time. cleaning. playing. So, its been a great week! I'm still searching for another job. I made lots of progress in the house(pictures to be on the last post!), I've watched about 12 hours of movies in 3 days. I've spent all day, everyday...alone. And its been nice. I've cleaned the kitchen.(which needed it desperately!!) and I've played with our dogs, my in-laws dogs, my sister inlaw's dogs...lots of dogs. Maybe a dog walker is a new career path?! Just kidding.
Moving on, this post is titled Honeymoon Pictures because well.... I have honeymoon pictures to post! Here they are!