tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91086883236111825342024-03-05T03:01:43.477-06:00[the good life]Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-968792920586694102013-04-17T16:53:00.001-05:002013-04-17T16:53:19.063-05:00come find me...come find me at <a href="http://www.alsberries.com/">www.alsberries.com</a><br />
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(the posts on this blog will end up there eventually anyway.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-61136449518094632062013-03-27T23:38:00.000-05:002013-03-27T23:41:20.710-05:00so far, seattle...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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so far, seattle is pretty great. the other morning i got to look at a beautiful mountain range on my way to work. i don't expect to get tired of that view.<br />
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we were smart to move here on the dawn of spring, because we've actually had quite a few sunny days. the rain hasn't bothered me at all, but i already love the sun more as i see it less often. </div>
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i've been honked at several times. boo. it's only annoying because i can't change the fact that the cars in front of me are turning very slowly, so honking at me is pointless. city problems i guess. </div>
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on a related note, i officially got stuck in traffic yesterday. it was probably the first time in my life that i've ever actually been stuck in traffic since i'm a born and raised iowa girl and all. this wasn't horrible seattle traffic, this was just downtown renton traffic. but still, we weren't moving for a good ten minutes.</div>
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i noticed the other day that i have not seen a single walmart. anywhere. it's awesome. only target. i thought about doing a google map search to show you how scarce the walmarts are here, but then i decided that they are probably lurking out there somewhere and i'm choosing ignorance. i'm choosing to live in a world with no walmart. </div>
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at bryan's parents house we have three city issued trash/recycling receptacles. one for trash, one for recycling and one for yard/food waste. the recycling and yard/food waste bins are literally TWICE as big as the trash bin <i>and</i> the trash only gets picked up once every two weeks. crazy hippies. [i secretly love this about seattle and want to be a crazy hippie]</div>
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so that's seattle so far!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-5467167218486173082013-03-24T15:13:00.002-05:002013-03-24T15:13:38.942-05:00random thoughts on a sundayi really thought i would have tons of time on my hands...time to blog and craft in particular. but there are a few things that are keeping me quite busy:<br />
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<li>we live with two other people now (bryan's parents) so, we automatically have people to hang out with when we're not busy.</li>
<li>because we had to leave iowa city so quickly, i've been working from seattle to pass all my veritas responsibilities to different people. i've been working on that quite a few evenings after i get home from work.</li>
<li>WE LIVE IN SEATTLE. this place is seriously so cool. and WE LIVE HERE. we have so many adventures to go on, so many things we can do. it's crazy. i love iowa with my whole heart, but it's really cool to live in such a sweet place. </li>
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we've also been visiting churches which has been weird. i'm not used to being a visitor in a church. i feel horrible about attending a church one week and not coming back. during announcements, i mentally comb through our calendar to make sure i can make it to "salad night" for the women or the tuesday night prayer function. </div>
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it's definitely a strange feeling. </div>
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veritas launched their service in cedar rapids today. bryan and i prayed for them this morning, and i was brought to tears by how wonderfully God has blessed that church. it was SUCH A HUGE BLESSING to be apart of God's work in little 'ol iowa. that's what i've been praying for here. we want a family like we had at veritas (and cornerstone before that). we want to be apart of bringing God's glory to this area through a church we love and loves us. we'd love for you to join us in that prayer.</div>
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blog 'ya later. happy palm sunday! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-16777078937236711462013-03-20T01:10:00.003-05:002013-03-20T01:10:27.543-05:00how to move across the country in 3 weeksas many of you know, we had basically three weeks to move across the country. i found out that i got a job in the seattle area on thursday, february 7th and we went straight to texas that night to meet our newly born nephew (aka: the most adorable, dimpled, half-indian baby in the world!). we got back from texas on tuesday, february 12th and figured we needed to leave on tuesday, march 5th to get to seattle with enough time to rest before my first day of work on march 11th...<br />
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...anyway, three weeks. here's how we did it:</div>
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#1: we started packing immediately. as in, we rolled in from a 13 hour drive from texas and we started packing.<br />
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#2: we looked into the cost of moving expenses and found out that it is dang expensive to move your crap across the country. we decided instead to sell everything we own and try to fit everything we wanted to keep into 10 boxes to ship over to seattle.<br />
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#3: we started to sell everything we owned. literally every piece of furniture we had was free, thrifted or from ikea. aaaaaaand since my new office is literally in walking distance from the ikea in the seattle area, we figured we'd survive. if i really, really missed our wonderful dark gray couch, i could buy an identical one if i wanted. :)<br />
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#4: by the end of the second week, with a little over a week to move, we had pretty much sold everything between our indoor garage sale, giving things away, putting things on craigslist and bringing the rest to a consignment shop. woohoo!<br />
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#5: we started actually packing the boxes as this point, as space-efficiently as possible with lots of bubble wrap for the dishes and such. we ended up with 13 boxes including our giant tv and kitchenaid...so really only 11, i would say that we were pretty successful!<br />
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#6: the sunday before we left, our friend's ben and jamie came over and helped us fix our trailer. ben put in a new back door (and custom fit the door frame!) and jamie painted our bathroom while we finished packing and throwing everything away.<br />
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#7: after several people from craigslist looked at our santa fe and no one wanted to buy it, we decided to just take the things to seattle...it was a win because between the two cars we fit 8 boxes plus our kitchenaid and our giant tv (which we found out we couldn't ship anyway), as well as our suitcases, my wedding dress and all the other last minute stuff we packed away. it was a lose because we had to drive separately the whole way there and although we were ignorant to this fact, it was a miracle that car even made it to seattle (more on this later!)<br />
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#8: we had lots of going away parties. the bodin's hosted one for us in iowa city, the meyer's had one last friendship gathering for us and my parents hosted one for us in ames. we have such great people in our lives in iowa.<br />
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#9: on monday night, we found out there was a big storm coming into iowa city, so our actual exit was pretty anti-climactic. we hurried up to tidy the now empty mobile home, returned everything we borrowed and shoved the last few things into our cars. we left our pink flamingos in safe hands and left the city before the storm hit (good thing too, because they got over a foot of snow!)<br />
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whew! we did it! we get everything done in iowa city, now for the 28 hour road trip to seattle....<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-82281209059562518022013-03-15T19:31:00.002-05:002013-03-15T19:31:30.767-05:00completely expected emotion.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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WARNING: this post is not for the faint of heart...i cried pretty much the whole time i wrote this. </div>
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at this particular moment, i'm feeling pretty sad about the friends we've left behind in iowa. seriously, can't you all move here please? like right now?<br />
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i had a moment today where i just needed to cry. and those of you who know me well know that i'm a community cryer. and i had a thought that only made me more sad: i have no one to cry with here! </div>
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i better find some friends who i can dump on soon...(my apologies to my future friends in the seattle area) </div>
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friends, if you doubted it for a second, I REALLY MISS YOU. </div>
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i stayed very busy this week with my new job (as well as corresponding with everyone at Veritas to make sure everything is still running smoothly there...) but after the work week was over, i finally had time to think about our HUGE loss. man, we had it <b><i>good</i></b> in iowa. so many wonderful people, so many best of the best friends. i logged on to facebook to take my mind off of the sadness i'm finally feeling only to see the wonderful veritas community reaching out and helping each other (it was you, mikki, offering to help watch karlee's three kids while she's at the hospital with little garrison, just in case you're wondering). STOP IT, YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE, YOU'RE MAKING CRY! </div>
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i desperately miss our my little veritas staff family, and even more so my connection group family, and even more so my sweet, sweet little group of friends. not to mention my actual family...they are the best. </div>
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yes, we really had it good.</div>
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still, we're really happy to be here, you should know that. God has really been so good to us, and we continue to see that in our lives, even in our short time here. so it's not all sad. </div>
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okay. i'm feeling better now, looks like i just needed to cry with you, readers. there will definitely be more tears to come. </div>
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BUT, until then, i have lots of other happy, fluffy and silly things i want to write about, so look forward to hearing from me soon!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-61233909006923519742013-02-19T12:05:00.001-06:002013-02-19T12:23:02.942-06:00so, we're moving to seattle...i thought it wise to update you on our imminent move across the country. this will very likely be my last post before the move but don't worry, after we get to seattle, i'll have no friends and plenty of time to blog. and, this is going to be a long one, but there are some pictures at the end to reward you.<br />
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so, we're moving to seattle. it's been a very crazy 2 weeks, and we have a very crazy 2 weeks ahead of us. </div>
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going all the way back to <a href="http://thegoodlifeiniowa.blogspot.com/2012/08/were-staying-in-iowa-city.html">july of 2012</a>, we found out we were staying in iowa city. honestly, northwestern mutual wasn't ever our first choice for bryan's career, but it was the best option at the time and bryan doesn't shy away from hard work. and we were excited to stay in iowa city with all of our dear friends and near my family in ames. </div>
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northwestern mutual proved to be exactly what we thought it would be. it's a fantastic company with fantastic products (really, i have nothing bad to say about northwestern mutual as a whole). however, bryan was starting from the bottom and responsible for finding 100% of his own clients. as i said before, bryan doesn't shy away from hard work, but this obstacle was exactly why the company wasn't ever our first choice for bryan's career. </div>
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i will also say that bryan has done a great job! he's met most of his personal goals, helped a lot of people and passed his series 6 license exam all within 6 months of his start date, he'll take (and most definitely pass!) his series 63 license exam next tuesday as well. being a financial advisor excites him, he's great at it and truly cares about people and their needs. </div>
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as 2012 went on, we continued to discuss and keep an open mind about bryan's career. there aren't a lot of other options in iowa city. we were content in iowa city and content with our jobs, but we really felt the need to be forward and that was not happening. frankly, we were surviving, nothing more. </div>
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in the beginning of december, we were talking to bryan's parents on the phone, and his mom mentioned a possible job opportunity in seattle...<b>for me</b>. a lady in her office was retiring in march of 2013 and as my mother-in-law described it, her job was "tailor-made" for me.</div>
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while this was exciting, it was an unexpected opportunity so i didn't quite know what to do. we struggled and prayed throughout the whole month of december, asking God to show us what He thought of this.<b> namely, i struggled between my strong to desire to have children and my strong desire to see my husband find a job he's great at and he loves. </b>taking a job in seattle would mean more waiting to have kids, but there was a good chance that bryan would be able to find a job he loves. </div>
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at the end of december, i felt that i should at least submit my resume and see what they think of me. so on december 31st, i called the owner of the company, mentioned that my mother-in-law referred me to the job, and told him i was interested. he was kind and took down my information and told me to send him my resume. </div>
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[side-note: i've never actually had to put together a resume before and i've actually really never had to interview for a job. people just walk up to me and offer me jobs-ha!]</div>
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i worked hard on my resume that week and after my in-laws gave me a lot of feedback and edits, i sent it on january 4th. every time i looked at the "education" section of my resume, i grimaced...no college degree=no chance at a job like this. we decided to keep my application under wraps until i heard something more hopeful, because it was very likely that i wasn't going to get the job and nothing was going to change.</div>
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and i didn't hear anything at all until february 1st! </div>
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january was a very painful month, but i think it was for the best. <b>i died to myself several different times. </b>i died to my desire to be a mother, i died to my desire to go a new adventure to seattle, i died to my desire to control everything. meanwhile, bryan and i decided that if i didn't get the job, bryan would start to look for other options for his career anyway. </div>
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i also discovered that i really <i>wanted</i> to move to seattle (as did bryan). i was determined to be content either way and to stay present and productive in my current job and life. but as each day of january passed without hearing anything from seattle, i was more and more disappointed at the thought of not getting this job. </div>
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finally, in late january, bryan's mom called me to tell me that they were going to call me soon to set up an interview. an interview, an interview, an interview! that's at least something, at least i have a chance!</div>
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on february 1st, they finally did call and we set up my interview for the following wednesday, february 6. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8Opmr12njJFravgRJDYazIw0AUUtf6_cRWJ8v3_z9EKB6fMM3rpoIhLiV0l0Y8JlFIWy5Z7gsprk_5cS9crMAppQME1LwNofBNyFvQIdB2vROL4H2u2GtAhLYhQaN0Z6dWvgAic9BM8y/s640/blogger-image-1723095840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8Opmr12njJFravgRJDYazIw0AUUtf6_cRWJ8v3_z9EKB6fMM3rpoIhLiV0l0Y8JlFIWy5Z7gsprk_5cS9crMAppQME1LwNofBNyFvQIdB2vROL4H2u2GtAhLYhQaN0Z6dWvgAic9BM8y/s640/blogger-image-1723095840.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we cancelled our internet back in january (see above, "surviving"),<br />
so layla and jeremiah let me steal their apartment and internet<br />
for my interview over webex. i found this note, layla is the best!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89fqAEuLDzKSj2UpK6VmbjkKOn7FoiaWNfcacJxvLwMmldYp9GK3h5Yon4uH7JjhEbDsqre3zGATSs9yO8Fje9FBynKG6TtUlX4yRsTNzaOBWAnFIotOSTGDxESeAxXaLQGaqz8SZYoHe/s640/blogger-image--238845938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89fqAEuLDzKSj2UpK6VmbjkKOn7FoiaWNfcacJxvLwMmldYp9GK3h5Yon4uH7JjhEbDsqre3zGATSs9yO8Fje9FBynKG6TtUlX4yRsTNzaOBWAnFIotOSTGDxESeAxXaLQGaqz8SZYoHe/s640/blogger-image--238845938.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">layla also texted me this picture right before my interview. ha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
the interview went so great that i was pretty sure they were going to offer me the job, they promised to call to let me know the next day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
they called as promised and all within 2 hours on thursday, i got the job in seattle, bryan passed his series 6 exam, and our first nephew was born! </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbgcI-lPAvOfUmET7Q-VkYpeqDQKP7pM_hAycmV5FCLMfqv5fxyuOjpqRsod-G8BSzKAbF8i4xtp7RGr2FVolEv6CkcjGBy9OIBdGmhHP9j-o74X2FbnUjyWpu30pYjTrhI6GKxCbJDnN/s640/blogger-image-157896210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbgcI-lPAvOfUmET7Q-VkYpeqDQKP7pM_hAycmV5FCLMfqv5fxyuOjpqRsod-G8BSzKAbF8i4xtp7RGr2FVolEv6CkcjGBy9OIBdGmhHP9j-o74X2FbnUjyWpu30pYjTrhI6GKxCbJDnN/s640/blogger-image-157896210.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bryan with baby jonah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i'll end with a small FAQ section:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>my start date in seattle is march 11th, my last day at veritas will be march 4th</li>
<li>we are in the process of selling everything we own. my goal is to fit everything into 10 boxes to UPS over to seattle. </li>
<li>we will be living with bryan's parents for a little while until bryan finds a job</li>
<li>the job hunt for bryan is officially on, with a lot of promising options</li>
<li>we're really excited! so excited that we haven't really even felt super sad about it yet. i'm sure it will hit us eventually, we have some of the best people in our lives here in iowa.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
whew! there you go. everything you wanted to know about our move across the country!</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-75893683587785871672013-02-14T11:28:00.001-06:002013-02-14T11:28:22.901-06:00throw back thursday [happy valentines day]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWravwX37fEyPpNrO8a3nxaRAFFO4j6TEgCUc3lu3fv6wsBCGHlu6TRRKFc4eoH0mWlf-nxGzSU9NQtjdeioY8_D8ztYjxBsx1ddAEkJYm90uY0kPEYtmoMKLLNA9CAshqGV6sYV8lnHIl/s1600/Roller+Skates.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWravwX37fEyPpNrO8a3nxaRAFFO4j6TEgCUc3lu3fv6wsBCGHlu6TRRKFc4eoH0mWlf-nxGzSU9NQtjdeioY8_D8ztYjxBsx1ddAEkJYm90uY0kPEYtmoMKLLNA9CAshqGV6sYV8lnHIl/s640/Roller+Skates.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
let's skate away together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
happy valentines day.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-69777999760068735062013-01-17T08:45:00.002-06:002013-01-17T08:45:24.618-06:00a favoriteOne of the best things about my family, is that even though there are already biologically 8 of us, we keep "adopting" people into our family. If you need a surrogate family in Ames, feel free to stop on by my parents house. :)<br />
<br />
My sweet friend and "sister," Eve is one of the first and certainly the longest lasting Duvick adoptee. Eve's been around forever. The woman taught me how to drive (which was not an easy feat). She's seen us all through our ups and downs and she still loves us. The feelings are mutual.<br />
<br />
So when Eve was back in Ames for the weekend and participating in Family Fun Night with the rest of my family, I couldn't resist. I had to see her!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa3cORZky5dfn1tSx4sRWcaATBCyZ6o9Cbiz3lRBXT7n1MXngmS_f-MK8KPX2g8aHGYLvE38il38_gHThZhzXN2ZvE2zMIfbUEVowWVxNk3mU4XVtBzBgj60Cfxxv3GjpZ6FV8wZ-2xLd/s640/blogger-image-688738397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa3cORZky5dfn1tSx4sRWcaATBCyZ6o9Cbiz3lRBXT7n1MXngmS_f-MK8KPX2g8aHGYLvE38il38_gHThZhzXN2ZvE2zMIfbUEVowWVxNk3mU4XVtBzBgj60Cfxxv3GjpZ6FV8wZ-2xLd/s640/blogger-image-688738397.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think it was fate that Eve was sandwiched in between Alyssa & I during the game. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Obviously, it was worth it. I just love this lady. Then, a week later, I received the most encouraging note in the mail. Not only was it from one of my favorite people, but it was a handwritten letter, which is one of the best things in the world to receive. It uplifted me on a day I really needed it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL28yNZe83ElWrRU1dAUu8s8hd3D_0oBjOkp7LMt_QRw6XmC1mTPBHhcAAdIPVX5EM-StJA0doOH8r9gFkK0iuWScRq6-fQ81y1Vzi7_rK2Q-l7C11sQDJD8kDUqHy9j1oJT37GPfrp6K/s640/blogger-image-1747653715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL28yNZe83ElWrRU1dAUu8s8hd3D_0oBjOkp7LMt_QRw6XmC1mTPBHhcAAdIPVX5EM-StJA0doOH8r9gFkK0iuWScRq6-fQ81y1Vzi7_rK2Q-l7C11sQDJD8kDUqHy9j1oJT37GPfrp6K/s640/blogger-image-1747653715.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So thanks Eve, you're a favorite. So glad you're in my family.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-89731080611431203052013-01-15T00:00:00.000-06:002013-01-16T09:11:16.588-06:0030 Before 30i wrote this about 7 months ago and found it in my drafts. here you go!<br />
<br />
my blogger friend, <a href="http://mrsdexter.wordpress.com/">mrs. dexter</a>, inspired me.<i> i call her my blogger friend because i really don't know her other than <a href="http://mrsdexter.wordpress.com/">her totally rad blog</a>. which i think is kind-of cool. </i><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
anyway, <b>she inspired me to write a list of things i'd like to do before i'm thirty</b>. i'm <strike>23 (shocking, i know)</strike> shoot, i'm 24 now, is that still shocking? and i have approximately <strike>6 </strike>5.5 years left to accomplish these things. so, because i've been dreaming and scheming about a lot of these things anyway, here you go. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
in no particular order...</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>ride in a hot air balloon</li>
<li><strike>travel overseas to another country</strike> CHINA 2012 BABY!</li>
<li>develop my (limited) graphic design skills and design a website/blog</li>
<li>create my own craft blog/shop</li>
<li>become proficient at five new craft skills (such as quilting, needle-point, crochet, etc.)</li>
<li>design and develop at least one unique, from-my-own-brain craft</li>
<li>pay off all debt</li>
<li>pay off our mortgage for our mobile home</li>
<li><strike>pay cash for a second car</strike> DONESKIES</li>
<li>save 6 months of expenses</li>
<li>buy a house (one that has a foundation and everything!)</li>
<li>run a 5K</li>
<li>meet my goal weight and maintain</li>
<li>become a mother (Lord-willing)</li>
<li>develop a home management system that works for me</li>
<li>plant a garden</li>
<li>eat more food it it's most natural form</li>
<li>study the entire bible in depth</li>
<li>research and form my own opinions about birth, vaccinations, child-rearing</li>
<li>learn how to french braid my hair</li>
<li>become more hilarious (while trying to curb any offending sarcasm at the same time)</li>
<li>buy my husband a new musical instrument</li>
<li>read 60 books (approx. one per month)</li>
<li>attend a birth</li>
<li>buy a cow or a half cow (not alive, to eat, from a real farm)</li>
<li>learn how to play an instrument (even if it's the kazoo)</li>
<li><strike>share the gospel with someone</strike></li>
<li>work up to giving 20% of our income away</li>
<li>make my children their own clothes</li>
<li>plant a tree</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-42760055107640327172013-01-14T12:50:00.001-06:002013-01-14T12:53:13.222-06:00Our Christmas Letter & Picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those of you that didn't get our christmas letter in the mail, I thought I'd post this for you to enjoy. I try really, really hard to write a witty, clever and often sarcastic letter every year so that our friends and family have something to look forward to. This one is my favorite so far. While it is heavily cloaked in a narrative about Bryan and I evidentially becoming hipsters, it actually tells the reader quite a bit about our daily life. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed6RBdzxfIZ6w7KAM2TRTKekNnPUz5AsUuV0zlhLgeu0wp8KT9AXNhY-2SDz3b0sS_2wPBq-1gm6AFu093w77KBF0obl0G5dJPMCopV7qPFFcH2cdiVCyORiFKGxoJ39oVHoA6WXMpR-s/s1600/Christmas+Letter+2012-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed6RBdzxfIZ6w7KAM2TRTKekNnPUz5AsUuV0zlhLgeu0wp8KT9AXNhY-2SDz3b0sS_2wPBq-1gm6AFu093w77KBF0obl0G5dJPMCopV7qPFFcH2cdiVCyORiFKGxoJ39oVHoA6WXMpR-s/s640/Christmas+Letter+2012-01.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you click on this picture, I believe you should be able to read the full-size version. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With the letter, I included one of two pictures. The first of the two pictures below is for the people in our life who may have appreciated a silly letter, but a silly picture on top of that? Well, that may have been too much to handle. This group is mostly make up of extended family, the ones who may be able to endure my sillyness in the letter, but they still wanted to have a normal picture of us to hang on their fridge. <br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGq0DM2wDJOUtC7ujyTN8LEVDVotBYB0D2JmIbtwAx7XS_Asb60YHkzf-A-dhvWgP9FAVImScbMIUToF_8zmwdERlUSQwxtorsiIxIMp6vZaKpNsHFUBnDUx3Ghz7yikT2l96-S6KPwDU/s1600/ChristmasCardFamilyFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGq0DM2wDJOUtC7ujyTN8LEVDVotBYB0D2JmIbtwAx7XS_Asb60YHkzf-A-dhvWgP9FAVImScbMIUToF_8zmwdERlUSQwxtorsiIxIMp6vZaKpNsHFUBnDUx3Ghz7yikT2l96-S6KPwDU/s640/ChristmasCardFamilyFinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Bryan and I at Jeremiah and Layla's wedding in September. This is the dress that I referenced in the letter. Aren't we the cutest?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The following picture is the one we sent to most of our special friends who we thought could handle a little extra dose of over-the-top comedy.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgom4kMfpxyHR32CjIm6dqeJYFgEW9UbbueTP928UzeuKV1CcBt2ww6iUpfdr6-c1VoMwcG8l5bN3gZX88PJlqZEo_QVjgo62VyMcd3XhcmC24xZ2izT-uzeBeOziaQ0H8CeDmDiqWJ2-A/s1600/ChristmasCardFriendsFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgom4kMfpxyHR32CjIm6dqeJYFgEW9UbbueTP928UzeuKV1CcBt2ww6iUpfdr6-c1VoMwcG8l5bN3gZX88PJlqZEo_QVjgo62VyMcd3XhcmC24xZ2izT-uzeBeOziaQ0H8CeDmDiqWJ2-A/s640/ChristmasCardFriendsFinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Bryan and I next to my tree sweater in downtown Iowa City. We're wearing oversized plastic rimmed glasses (not the ones we normally wear), skinny jeans and ugly christmas sweaters. Also, the picture was instagrammed before final production. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So, which picture did you get?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-47905677407442005332013-01-13T23:01:00.002-06:002013-01-13T23:01:14.260-06:00nesters. Do you want to know something about my sister-in-law, Valerie? She's a nester. Ah, I'm so jealous of her nesting skills. Just look at her <i>apartment</i>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1lKohJPvYysXnp8IE-qOxlEWiB6xhV9UiHVPy7MVsUQPxod23TftdIuTNoZYENNDJUWRjjdu3ZoVL8KyFkslSZHM6PBi7o900XGy2zKCPbhFEPhmV-IULhRXxmjq94WyVCUJdRqE6TlZ/s1600/mark&valapt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1lKohJPvYysXnp8IE-qOxlEWiB6xhV9UiHVPy7MVsUQPxod23TftdIuTNoZYENNDJUWRjjdu3ZoVL8KyFkslSZHM6PBi7o900XGy2zKCPbhFEPhmV-IULhRXxmjq94WyVCUJdRqE6TlZ/s640/mark&valapt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>totally stole this from you sis. stop being so awesome and it won't happen again. </i></span></div>
<br />
Yes, that's right, apartment. And their last apartment was just as adorable. Oh my goodness, I've owned and lived in our trailer for almost 3 years and I'm still not nested in yet.<br />
<br />
I have other friends that are nesters too-like Lauren, just look at her <a href="http://laurenjanelle.blogspot.com/search/label/welcome%20home">apartment via her blog</a>. SO CUTE. And of you other nesters out there, you know who you are. And I am not one of you.<br />
<br />
I've deduced a few of reasons why I'm not a nester.<br />
<br />
<i>ONE</i><br />
I don't know what I want or what my style is and I'm scared to make a decision in that regard. I'm a trend follower, I don't have very many original ideas yet and I simply don't know what I want. So my home is basically ikea-clad with a few touches of my own that I've been slow to add. It's cool, I'm okay with it. Kind-of.<br />
<br />
<i>TWO</i><br />
I get distracted from my own home and own style. I see something on someone else or in someone else's home and then I make something or buy something that reminds me of them. I'm all, <i>Ooooo, I should totally make so-and-so this because that would fit perfectly in their house/with their baby! </i>What can I say, I'm a giver. And I don't know what I want to make myself or buy myself because I'm still working on number one.<br />
<br />
<i>THREE</i><br />
Probably the most dominant of the three, I'm a purger and I hate moving our stuff around and I'm sure were going to move out of this trailer eventually and WHY DO WE EVEN NEED ALL THESE BLANKETS AND BOOKS AND COFFEE TABLES AND RECORDS AND INSTRUMENTS?!?!? I seriously don't know how to properly value the things we do own. I'm trying to work on it but I can't say I'm doing very well. [Anyone else catch that gem of a quote on Downton tonight?]<br />
<br />
Anyway, if you're a nester, I applaud you and I'm jealous of you. And that's really all I have to say about that.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-50611895537396270332013-01-09T14:34:00.002-06:002013-01-09T14:34:45.530-06:00pandora knows me so well. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ThqottqgHD4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
this song played on my pandora today. it made me smile. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-34698744174803435292013-01-08T12:57:00.001-06:002013-01-08T13:37:32.721-06:00Stewardship | My word for 2013In case you were a little concerned about my well-being after <a href="http://thegoodlifeiniowa.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-reflection-on-2012.html">yesterday's post</a>, rest assured, I'm going to be okay.<br />
<br />
Because of my unfavorable 2012, the ringing in of the new year was more refreshing then it ever has been for me. I was so ready for the new year, that by the middle of December I had completely given up on 2012. I <i>needed</i> that new year. When it finally came, it was truly a joyous moment. A new year, a fresh start, a new perspective.<br />
<br />
It was so good and necessary for me to put into words how awful last year actually was, and it was equally good and necessary to resolve to leave it as it is, in the past. Onto a new year.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, as I was writing, praying and considering the new year, I feel like God gave me a word. I've done this for several years now, that is, picked a word to define my new year. One word to describe what I want to see in my life after a year. God gave me the word, "<b><i>Stewardship.</i></b>"<br />
<br />
Stewardship.<br />
<br />
<i>Definition: The responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
What are the things in my life that are worth caring for? In no particular order:<br />
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My work<br />
My time<br />
My home<br />
My husband<br />
My friends<br />
My family<br />
My money<br />
My hobbies<br />
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Frankly, I think last year could be summed up by a lack of stewardship in many of these areas. So happily take on this word for this new year. It couldn't be more perfect.<br />
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As I journey through this year, armed with my word, I hope to share with you how God is transforming me in stewardship and anything else along the way.<br />
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Happy New Year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-7622234237061242662013-01-07T11:50:00.001-06:002013-01-07T11:50:11.794-06:00A Reflection on 2012<br />
I think a lot of people are with me when I say that 2012 just wasn't my year. I don't want to appear ungrateful for the blessing of another year of life and truly, I'm not ungrateful. It's just that, it wasn't my year.<br />
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As we passed into 2013, a little less than a week ago, I honestly felt relieved to finally wash my hands of 2012. And of course, here I am, ironically rehashing my 2012 for all to read. I suppose I just can't deny that all of last year is going to dramatically affect this year. Therefore, I'm brought to reflection, so I go into 2013 equipped with the lessons of the past (more on that tomorrow).<br />
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I'm only 24 years old, so I know I'm being dramatic, but last year may have been the worst year of my life to date. As the year went on, it seriously just kept getting worse. By that I mean, the external pieces of my life continued to crumble one by one. I hated it. I could spend many sentences inducing your pity by over-sharing about all of the "bad things" that I encountered. But as I consider it more, I believe the internal struggles in my life to be the true disappointments. These are things that beat me down over and over again this year.<br />
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<u>Unhappy, Discontent, Restless, Depressed, whatever you want to call it. </u><br />
My general mood in 2012 was...something...this year. I apologize to all of my friends who had to put up with me. At one point I might have said that "I wasn't myself", but the horrifying thing is that I started to believe that <i>this was who I truly was</i>. A depressed, unhappy person who just wasn't content with her life.<br />
I kept hoping for some big change to sweep my off my feet. Something to excite me again, to stir my heart toward all of things I was made to do. And when things didn't change, I spiraled further down into my unhappiness. I've never been more guarded, stoic, and grumpy then I was last year. Again, my apologies to those who are my friends.<br />
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<u>Seeking distraction</u><br />
In the open and vulnerable moments of the year, I was a mess. Tears filled my eyes at the drop of a pin, and I emoted over every one and everything. (Should I throw in another apology here?) But most of the time, I sought distraction. I attempted (and often succeeded) to bury my fears, my sadness, and my discontentment. I watched a lot of tv.<br />
Slowly but surely, laziness crept into my life. I wasn't dealing with my own sadness and that turned into not dealing with a lot of things. Things like cooking and cleaning. I avoided these simple chores at all cost, only acting when absolutely necessary. My poor husband, we actually started to get sick of eating out because because we relied on it so often. And then, of course, this led to the guilt of shirking my responsibilities as a wife and homemaker.<br />
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So I had this cloud over me for most of the year. One of sadness, guilt, laziness. One of waiting for something. I don't know what it was, or what it is, but it was keeping me from living my life as I was created to.<br />
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To sum it up, I suppose 2012 was one of those years of my life that I just barely skated through. I managed to keep up with everything just enough. I managed to keep my head above water-sort of. I managed to survive. Sorry, I must repeat myself, I managed to survive. I guess I'm a little amazed that I made it to this fresh start of a new year.<br />
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I'm washing my hands of 2012. <i>I'm giving it to the Lord, asking Him to take it and make something beautiful of it in this new year</i>. Because I couldn't do anything beautiful with 2012. 2012 was a dark cloud in my life, but God doesn't see the dark clouds. He sees all of eternity. In His sovereignty and His greatness, He sees not only my whole life, past, present and future, but also all of eternity in one glance. He sees His glory over it all. And eventually, I pray, He will give me the eyes to see not a dark cloud of a past year but His glory.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-89417371853576940882013-01-03T21:07:00.002-06:002013-01-03T21:07:26.719-06:00i've accomplished some things. as a follow up to <a href="http://thegoodlifeiniowa.blogspot.com/2013/01/speaking-of-unfinished-things.html">this post</a>, here's where i'm at with life.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-15891511808035415022013-01-01T23:08:00.001-06:002013-01-01T23:08:35.112-06:00speaking of unfinished things...you want to know something? i'm a flip-flopper. i think it's who i was created to be. if you need proof and believe in those meyers-briggs personality descriptions, you'll be interested to know that i test nearly dead center on three out of the four letters. i'm only slightly more extroverted than introverted, i'm definitely sensing (the only strong letter i have), i'm a feeler that was raised by a thinker of a mother, and i toggle between judging and perceiving based on the day.<br />
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i've loosely been an esfj for the last five or six years, but i think i'm entering the next season of my life as an esfp. my mom has recently taken to calling me her "p" girl. which basically means that while i'm creative, i'm also scatterbrained and have a tendency to move on before whatever project i'm working on is finished. </div>
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this blog is a great example. it's been a while. hey friends. thanks for reading again. </div>
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and here is a little something to prove my "p" tendencies. i took these pictures last may:</div>
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any guesses at how many of these things i've actually finished? </div>
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until next time...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-75032343210209688182012-11-07T12:27:00.002-06:002012-11-07T12:27:21.549-06:00someday, i will update you. but that day is not today.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-65113041971746517692012-08-10T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-10T00:00:06.922-05:00this is awkward, but hilarious.on a stressful day, i can expect kaylee to send me awesome links to cheer me up....<br />
<br />
here's the <a href="http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/07/video-urges-singapore-couples-to-make-babies-now/">link</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
or if you want absolutely no context to the video, which is quite possibly even more hilarious, here you go:</div>
</div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8jxU89x78ac" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
by the way, it worked. totally cheered me up!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-81981203839476614252012-08-09T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-11T16:50:01.476-05:00we're staying in iowa city!the fact is actually kind of old news for us, but i realized that i should probably update you all since you so faithfully read and supported me through my time of emotional explosions. sorry about that, i can't realistically say it's going to end anytime soon.<br />
<br />
as you remember, since last october really, we were considering our job options in seattle after bryan graduated. [oh yeah, bryan graduate from college! that happened too!] in april and may, he began interviewing at many different companies, a few in seattle, and several in iowa city, too. then he left for china, and everything he started was put on hold. then i left for china. then we came back together.<br />
<br />
almost as soon as we got back, bryan started studying for his life insurance license exam. it is a required licenses for most companies, so he was getting a head start.<br />
<br />
all in one day, july 10, here's everything that happened:<br />
<br />
FIRST.<br />
we received bryan's diploma in the mail! it felt pretty official-he graduated from college!<br />
<br />
SECOND.<br />
bryan called jim in seattle, to see if he had made a decision about hiring bryan. basically, jim liked him, but it didn't seem possible to make room for a new financial advisor on his team. that was the main job bryan had a shot for in seattle, so the door to seattle was basically shut at this point.<br />
<br />
THIRD.<br />
bryan had a two hour interview with northwestern mutual. bryan was super nervous about the interview, not because he didn't have confidence in himself, but more because he really wasn't sure if this job would be the right fit for him. he was basically afraid that he would get offered the job, but not want to take it.<br />
we both had a great time with God as he prayed it out on his drive to cedar rapids. we knew seattle was out and we knew God would provide a great opportunity here in iowa city. bryan absolutely had the freedom to not accept the job and keep looking (that freedom was afforded to us mostly because we don't have any school debt). we gave it to God, trusting that He would guide us.<br />
when i received <i>the call</i> from bryan, i honestly didn't know what he was going to say. when he started gushing about how great the interview was and how he got a perfect score on one of the tests and how they were really fighting to hire him and really seemed to want him. i was a little bit shocked to hear him completely change his demeanor about the job. immediately, i knew. <b>we're staying in iowa city.</b><br />
<br />
FOURTH.<br />
i called my mom, she screamed. i called holly, she screamed (and i heard all of her kids scream too). i told the salt staff (i was a salt), they were all pumped. i texted some of my other friends who i knew were waiting just as much as i was. it was a fun night.<br />
the majorly bummed out pair was bryan's parents, who were obviously pulling for seattle-i'm still a little sad we won't be living near them!<br />
<br />
<br />
two days later, bryan passed his life insurance license and officially accepted the job. since then, he's passed his health & accidental license and started his training with northwestern mutual. he's officially a working man again, going into the office everyday. we even got him some dress clothes at goodwill and a new lunchbox to celebrate.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-12050588767093908272012-08-08T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-08T00:00:03.214-05:00so i went to china. [the God thing]yeah. that actually happened!<br />
<br />
i'm <i>really</i> going to try to keep this short and readable, so it might turn into a couple different posts.<br />
<br />
let's start this blog out with a bold statement: <b>two days after i arrived in china, i told bryan i would move there if he wanted us to. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
those that walked through these last 8-9 months with us know that one sentence is <i>exactly</i> why i needed to go to china. eric & holly (aka the best connection group leaders in the world) said that almost immediately after we got back.<br />
<br />
here's a little background. i took perspectives. it completely opened my eyes to God's heart for the world and totally shook my view on the Bible and God up. i loved it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the class in no way made me want to go overseas. not even a little.</span><br />
<br />
but it <i>did</i> stir my heart for the nations, and i began to support others with prayer and money with excitement. i was 18, working a fulltime job with no plans of going to college. and i wanted to be a wife and a mom. i remember saying that i didn't have any desire to go overseas myself, but i think i would be more willing to follow someone overseas (in other words, i want to get married and if he wants to go overseas, well, i guess i would consider that).<br />
<br />
well, easier said than done.<br />
<br />
last semester, God did A LOT in my heart regarding following my husband. a lot. it was the source of a lot of my tears, anguish, and worry. but God was working and just like Elizabeth George in <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woman-After-Gods-Own-Heart%C2%AE/dp/0736918833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344352485&sr=8-1&keywords=a+woman+after+god%27s+own+heart">A Woman After God's Own Heart</a></u>, i was fully prepared to receive a call from bryan while he was in china asking me to move there and say, "yes!" ha. hahahaha. hahaha.<br />
<br />
actually, i thought bryan was crazy for even <i>thinking</i> we could move overseas. what would he do? what would i do? when would i get to have babies?<br />
<br />
not.going.to.happen.<br />
<br />
i know, i know, i wasn't exactly the picture of an awesome wife. i was more like, sure, go to china, i'll stay here and cry until you get back.<br />
<br />
i just needed to go. and here's what God showed me:<br />
<br />
one.<br />
my husband KILLED IT. and by killed it, i mean, SAVED IT. because he was a part of saving eternal lives. and he was really, really good at it. he was bold, direct, honest and loving. and his impact was great.<br />
<br />
two.<br />i actually love asians! it's not that i didn't love asians before. it's just that i didn't love them NEARLY as much as a lot of my other friends. i think i was a little intimidated by my dear friends who are simply put, <b>obsessed</b> with all things asian. i was all, "if that's what loving asians is, i'm out." but God provided such sweet girls and guys that it was impossible <i>not</i> to fall in love with the people and culture there.<br />
<br />
three.<br />
the fact that bryan went for five weeks and i went for one was just perfect. bryan had a enough of life there to become a little more grounded and a little less idealistic about overseas life. he got a realistic idea of what it would be like (somewhat), talked to the long-termers about their struggles, vision and advice, and had good days and bad days there.<br />
and i went for one week and was prettily easily sold on the idea. i was all, "I LOVE THE FOOD. I LOVE RIDING BUSES. I LOVE SWEATING. I LOVE THE PEOPLE. I LOVE THE FOOD."<br />
<br />
and that's when God said to us, BAM! I JUST UNIFIED YOUR MARRIAGE IN ONE MORE WAY. YOU'RE WELCOME.<br />
<br />
thanks Father, we really appreciate it.<br />
<br />
[as a point of clarity for the sake of our moms, we currently do not have plans to go to China at this moment. more on that later.]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
coming up...<br />
so i went to china [the experiences]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-9332002199709706062012-08-07T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-07T08:26:35.437-05:00so i started running.right now it's midnight, and i'm still up because my husband is driving back from chicago and i've got some nerves about it. those nerves are apparently turning into adrenaline which is fueling this writing spurt. lucky you.<br />
<br />
normally it wouldn't be a big deal that i am up this late. but it is a big deal because i'm looking forward to a 5:35am wake up call...to going running. by my own choice. my eyebrows are furrowing in confusion too.<br />
<br />
here's the story:<br />
in late march, i got a call from ashley, one of the pastor's wives from veritas. she told me about this idea she had to start a run/walk club this summer and how all of our veritas ladies would get together and run/walk and get fit and we'd all do a 5k at the end of the summer.<br />
<br />
sidenote: as the very general "coordinator" of a church, i get to hear a A LOT of these "ideas." and really, they usually mean, "lisagrace, here's something else i'd like you to magically organize and make awesome like you do." but you see, ashley is awesome (not JUST because she remembered "administrative professionals day" and made me a heart shaped sucker). no, ashley is awesome because she read my mind. she was all, "you won't have to do anything."<br />
<br />
sold.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-S27yc1iDfxkviiODmhgmQUI1SG_uXy4VZL7bBTDTPkpPGKXZRc-C-z9YR5kD0iNw51VXjQDYksbhmUJTC1uICLFRUw-cj5gkdj3bqFMMBSlw5WHdrIJpML4fEa23s4EgX7sWDrCst70/s640/blogger-image--191033661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-S27yc1iDfxkviiODmhgmQUI1SG_uXy4VZL7bBTDTPkpPGKXZRc-C-z9YR5kD0iNw51VXjQDYksbhmUJTC1uICLFRUw-cj5gkdj3bqFMMBSlw5WHdrIJpML4fEa23s4EgX7sWDrCst70/s640/blogger-image--191033661.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>this is me after a run, my face is way more red than instagram makes me look.</i></span></div>
<br />
well, anyway, i was excited about this little club, because although i look skinny and tall and athletic, it's all a lie. so i went the first week and told my friend kaylee to make me run.<br />
needless to say, it ended in me, keeled over and gagging, while kaylee ran ahead because she was so grossed out.<br />
<br />
the second time wasn't much better. nor the third.<br />
<br />
but i'm pretty competitive and i <i>was </i>going to run without almost dying! and after hearing about it a bunch on facebook and all that jazz, i decided to download an app on my phone. <b>and it's working. </b>the app is called 5k Runner or "Couch to 5k." i was convinced by the name, because i was all, "hey i like couches and sit in them a lot currently."<br />
<br />
i hated running (and almost all forms of exercise for that matter) for a long time because i wasn't good at it, i always quit too early because i felt like i was going to die, and i never knew how to breath while exercising.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vnallUFFVScQ_7i8x4_87qHR89ac6X6BjHAbEjiqEym0NH1XjV7k29-b5cmB2IhW0gOWYVovRfaxsWspq7bkhPl9cIPq3AHqbm5SWqJqG6WNRF8E2JeVh9UxG42X9PUO7nKfF4Gz8GSO/s640/blogger-image--413259343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vnallUFFVScQ_7i8x4_87qHR89ac6X6BjHAbEjiqEym0NH1XjV7k29-b5cmB2IhW0gOWYVovRfaxsWspq7bkhPl9cIPq3AHqbm5SWqJqG6WNRF8E2JeVh9UxG42X9PUO7nKfF4Gz8GSO/s640/blogger-image--413259343.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
but this little 8 eight week program is all i needed apparently. that and an iphone. here's how it's helped and made me believe that i can run a 5k.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>it starts off really easy, which made my ego shoot through the roof</li>
<li>i don't have to think about it, all i have to do is run until my phone buzzes in my hand. then i walk until it buzzes. and all of sudden, i just ran for 8 eight minutes straight and i am in shock.</li>
<li>it's not distance, it's time. i can go as slow as i want, as long as i'm still running. i take advantage of that as much as i can. i believe my friend sarai calls it wogging (walking+jogging)</li>
<li>it's pretty much a built-in idea that you pace yourself and that is what improved my breathing the most. it still takes some focus, but my breathing is much improved and i don't gag anymore!</li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<div>
i actually also have a really spiritual post in my brain related to running, but i'll save that for another time. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-17280424652600670012012-08-06T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-06T00:00:42.901-05:00iwanttodoeverythingawesomemy latest self discovery is that i am a perfectionist. but i'm kind of a weird version of a perfectionist, because i'm also a very fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind-of girl, which often warrants a lot of imperfections. <br />
<br />
the perfectionist part of me can.not.handle. too much. which is what my life is right now. bottom line: if i can't do everything perfectly, i don't want to do anything at all. <br />
<br />
and the worst part, the part that gets me in trouble, is that i want to do EVERYTHING. it's not just that life has given me a lot to do right now (which is part of it), but it's also that there are just so many things that i like and even love doing! so i say yes, yes, yes, and more yes...and then (you can probably guess) i end up crying in yet another staff meeting and this time it's all about how hard it is to be a wife and have a job and do every hobby and hang out with every person that i would like to. <br />
<br />
and while in the past week my life has actually had somewhat of a routine to it, and i'm actually doing things i should and want to be doing, there is still so much i'm not doing and i'm just trying to sort it all out. sheesh. it's time for me to make a list. or several.<br />
<br />
<br />
THINGS I LOVE TO DO:<br />
write. <br />
craft.<br />
help people with crafts.<br />
spend time with people. <br />
<br />
<br />
THINGS I SHOULD BE DOING:<br />
making dinner.<br />
grocery shopping.<br />
having energy to love and care for my husband.<br />
helping my husband with whatever he needs.<br />
laundry.<br />
cleaning my house. <br />
<br />
<br />
THINGS THAT I KNOW ARE GOOD FOR ME:<br />
reading the Bible. <br />
journaling to Jesus. <br />
confessing my sin.<br />
running/exercising.<br />
<br />
<br />
THINGS THAT I HAVEN'T DONE YET THAT HAVE BEEN ON 'THE LIST' FOR YEARS:<br />
painting my bathrooms. <br />
fixing all the slightly damaged clothing we have.<br />
getting our back door fixed. <br />
continuing to de clutter.<br />
<br />
<br />
THINGS THAT I WISH I WAS BETTER AT:<br />
being a good friend.<br />
being a good family member. <br />
staying calm and collected under stress. <br />
convincing bryan to get me pregnant. <br />
<br />
<br />
right now. i'm working on 'write.' we'll see what i get to tomorrow.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-62920828063613344262012-07-23T14:07:00.000-05:002012-07-23T14:11:19.962-05:00a bit of awesome for your mondayI'd thought I'd re-enter the blog world with a bit of awesomeness.<br />
<br />
So, I sent this picture (how talented am I?!?) to some of my friends that I wanted to make sure I see when I'm in Ames "on business" (how fancy and professional am I?!?!) this week:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfTqfH8_O6WjkG4VKJEI-CPM387VHDqK6rCPROHNsgV6PMScwlO-_XPcClDHqrl91egvDOBg1CiP9NvgITxkQXwQBKN62_JZu0fHmoL7wNdi4OL1xwJK6vT8dD_pmlwCovAQi79eRjtdp/s640/blogger-image--1961089818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfTqfH8_O6WjkG4VKJEI-CPM387VHDqK6rCPROHNsgV6PMScwlO-_XPcClDHqrl91egvDOBg1CiP9NvgITxkQXwQBKN62_JZu0fHmoL7wNdi4OL1xwJK6vT8dD_pmlwCovAQi79eRjtdp/s640/blogger-image--1961089818.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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and this is how one of my favorite people on earth, <a href="http://teamvanvoorst.blogspot.com/">paige van voorst</a> replies:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Y8aJ7omTEAiaFAgGx9f5526leeCpxC2NbFvkhafP1mWy14SRx15GiwbMvGjWVSpT_SS5JKMTiINTpXOA-R6u5NlN-xwJeyATvdYSnpCjBxU-k2qoI1u7-hKi5YhYLdkurcaEiMChr4a/s640/blogger-image--1463684802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Y8aJ7omTEAiaFAgGx9f5526leeCpxC2NbFvkhafP1mWy14SRx15GiwbMvGjWVSpT_SS5JKMTiINTpXOA-R6u5NlN-xwJeyATvdYSnpCjBxU-k2qoI1u7-hKi5YhYLdkurcaEiMChr4a/s640/blogger-image--1463684802.jpg" /></a></div>I will also note that the picture filed is name "BRING IT ON."<br />
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If a picture is worth 1000 words, then you just received 1000 awesomes. <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-61246362773479173142012-06-10T16:56:00.002-05:002012-06-10T21:41:21.443-05:00weak week.<div style="text-align: center;">
"<i>we can be imperfect christians because we cling to a perfect Christ.</i>"</div>
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-<u>Gospel Centered Discipleship</u>, pg. 16</div>
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i just started reading the above book, and that sentence is just a perfect way to start this blog. i was thankful to read it, as well as many other good one-liners about authenticity.<br />
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when i wrote my last post, it was midnight at the end of the hardest day i've had in a long time (obviously). and i really wanted to share how i was feeling. i generally dislike relying on other people (and God) when i need help so in some ways it was a challenge to myself to write about how horrible i was actually doing.<br />
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and you know what? after i wrote that post, the rest of the week i felt so...guilty? frustrated with myself? weak? helpless? insecure? at least one of the above, though i'm not sure which one.<br />
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it was so difficult to go to salt the following evening and hear from James 1:1-18: joy in suffering. don't get me wrong, i was amen-ing just about everything drew said, but i just kept thinking, <i>really? i'm supposed to be joyful right now? are you kidding me?</i> i honestly had a pretty sassy moment with God about it...<br />
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at the same time, i was so convicted by my lack of dependence on Him. it's really stinking obvious that i rely and depend SO MUCH on my husband to de-stress me, encourage me and all around hold me together, isn't it? i mean, my entire blogpost was basically declaring that. several times last week i thought, <i>i don't think i could survive if bryan died, i'm such a wreck right now.</i> and yes, i'm so thankful that i love and miss my husband that much. and i really believe it's glorifying to God when i depend on my husband. but as i continued to feel incredibly alone, God continued to speak to me, <i>I'm here, lisagrace, I'm right here.</i> and He is! but i wan't necessarily ready to be excited about that truth. i still really wanted my husband back.<br />
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and that was pretty much my week. i battled the guilt i was feeling for being such an explosive mess of tears and not depending and having joy in Jesus. and i tried to keep my ears open to hear God speaking into me, telling me how much He loves me and how much He wants to hold me. and everyday, it was hard. and everyday, i didn't know if i could handle it.<br />
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but you know what i just love? that i don't have to be perfect. so maybe i'm not the picture of "joy in suffering" right now. because if i'm not that, i am a picture of God showing great kindness to a dearly loved child (who is truly acting like a child). in this extreme weakness, i am experiencing God's love more than ever. it's not every day or all the time but in these dark days, i hear Him.<br />
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i hear Him say, <i>I am enough. </i>and hearing that from the King makes me start crying almost every time. today, He said in 1 Peter, <i>cast all of your anxieties on me, because I care for you.</i> and in that moment, i truly believed that my Jesus cares for me. and i'm standing in that truth right now, because i'm so, so, so in need of his care right now. when i read that and heard Jesus really say that to me, i felt an arm go around me, and i felt the freedom to cry on His shoulder, and I heard his comforting words speaking into my fears and anxieties and loneliness and sadness.<br />
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and maybe to everyone else in the coffee shop, i looked like a girl in the corner sobbing over a book. but to me, all of a sudden i was experiencing the gospel. i was experiencing relationship with Jesus. just me and Jesus, living life together. just me, crying on His shoulder, and just Jesus, speaking truth into my life, because He is always truth.<br />
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i have a pretty great life. on a normal day, i have the best husband in the world to comfort me and calm me and lead me. and i have a ton of other great blessings too. every so often though, God brings me these horribly uncomfortable and dark and lonely times to bring me all the way to Him again. i need the darkness to appreciate the light.<br />
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so, you know, i'm glad you got a taste of how sad i was last week. because that's me. that's true. and i absolutely should have more joy in Christ, yes, but i didn't last week. i'm glad you know that. i'm glad you prayed for me.<br />
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i'm so thankful i have Jesus, because He is moving in my life, even on the darkest of days.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108688323611182534.post-31943035069875574922012-06-05T00:06:00.003-05:002012-06-05T00:19:59.512-05:00blog it out<span style="font-family: inherit;">well, i had plans to blog a bunch while i'm alone with nothing else to do, but as you may know, <a href="http://thegoodlifeiniowa.blogspot.com/2011/06/falling-apart-its-good-thing.html">i kind-of fall apart when bryan's gone</a>. this time, it's been no exception. up until this past weekend, i really didn't do anything productive, except at work. i've actually been working a lot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but anyway, today was the worst day i've had so far. i cried or was about to cry the entire day. literally. and i'm here to blog it out, while simultaneously updating you on all of my feelings about everything happening in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">we think bryan might get a job offer in seattle. it's still quite up in the air, because the man bryan interviewed with would have to create some sort of position for him, but he really, really seemed to like bryan. (of course he did, my husband is awesome and fantastic and so, so, so amazing) in fact, i'll share what he said about him to bryan's mom (who works at the same company):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: inherit;">"He said that he was really impressed by Bryan, and that Bryan is really mature for his age. I started to say something about Bryan's hard work, and he acknowledged that, but brushed it aside. He said that he was impressed by Bryan because he could tell that Bryan really cared about people. Jim said that in this business, you have just a couple of minutes to gain someone's trust, and that Bryan's caring came through so well and so quickly that in Jim's opinion, Bryan will be very successful, especially as a Financial Planner. Jim went on to say that he met with another possible candidate right after Bryan, and there was such a difference that he didn't even tell that guy about the job, instead he just talked about careers in finance."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">when i read that email from bryan's mom, that was my first good cry about bryan being gone. i was reminded of how awesome he is and how much i love him and that just made me really, really miss him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and then i cried when i heard his voice the next morning. that was so good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and then i cried when i read the email to our connection group. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and then i was okay, at least, i wasn't crying. i was surviving. i've received so many offers to hang out, to come over for dinner, to do whatever, and i really didn't feel like doing anything, but i did it anyway and was and am so thankful for and loved by the offers. it was good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and then i got to talk to bryan for around 40 minutes. and i cried. a lot. but it was the best thing for me. i realized how much i need to vent and talk through everything with bryan, and i was actually able to do that a little bit last friday. if you can't already tell, bryan is my best friend. he is the only one who truly gets all of me, the good, the bad and the ugly-cries. and i need him to have all of me and hear all my fears and stress and everything. and for a month, i have to deal with all the stress by myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and after a productive and also somewhat trying weekend, i lost my sanity a bit this morning. and it lasted all day. i just couldn't stop crying. i felt so overwhelmed and so alone at the same time. and i <i>know</i> i wasn't alone. in fact, i was surrounded by a staff that cares about me and is praying for me. but i'm without my other half-the one who makes me so incredibly happy when i'm so incredibly stressed. and i just lost it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i think i'm just really tired of life right now and my natural inclination is to give up and want some extreme change. so, if i'm honest, i want to move to seattle. because i'm tired. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but i don't get to choose. i have the privilege of following my husband (who loves me and wants the best for me and hears every fear and struggle i have). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">you can see how bi-polar my thoughts are right now, and you probably aren't surprised at how this mixture of thoughts and life-happenings is causing me to erupt in tears that last an entire day. seriously, my eyes looked bruised with redness underneath them after today. but i'm okay, and i'll make it another 12 days. and i cried in front of everyone i was around. and i got my haircut and i had dinner and watched steel magnolias with holly and eric and that was good. i'm good, but only because God is good and He knows me too. He knows the desires of my heart. and God is leading bryan. and God knows our future. and He is my hope and all i need. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">so there is my depressing blogpost for the week. you're welcome. love you all, thank you for your prayers. and sorry if i cry on you. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517628139274469221noreply@blogger.com4