Simple Excitements and Doors

There are many things in my day to day life that remind me how lucky and, above all, blessed that I have the life I do filled with the people that God has placed there for me. Things aren't always easy, but they are always worth it.

For example... After this week, I only have 2 days of work next week, and then a 30 hour week the first week in January. It makes me a little nervous, but it gives us the opportunity to turn what was going to be a 5 day trip (2 driving to and from, 3 actually visiting) into a 7 day trip (still 2 driving, but 5 visiting!) God has a plan for everything and I know that it will all be worked out. After Christmas, Chris won't be working at Walmart any more. His position was a seasonal temp and our store isn't keeping any of its temp associates it seems. While this is sad news, I have to believe that it just means that another door will be opening up soon and he will be in a better atmosphere that is more suited for him. Not that he doesn't like the guys at work, but its not something that he enjoyed doing. Just say a little prayer that the timing for the door will be soon.... we know its always perfect. There is a plan that we are trying to start into motion but its not ready for other ears... er, eyes rather in this case... just yet.

So as I was sitting on my break at work today, I was once again people watching. This time my subject was a little blonde girl, maybe 2 years old, looking at the toys that we have along the cart rail shelf as you first come into the store. Of course they are placed so the best toys for her age were right at her eye level. She would push a button on one of the toys and giggle... then run to another and push a button on it and giggle again, take a step back and eye up the aisle, her eyes landing on her next victim she would half dance, half run over to see what sound or light would come on that time. It made me smile as I remembered what it was like to have the pure and simple excitement as a child. It also made me think how fun it will be in the future whenever I have one of my own. I know it will happen, but not for a few years at least.

God is amazing. I've known that my whole life. However, sometimes the things that we have known need to be refreshed in our minds. We finally made it back to church last Sunday after being MIA for about a month due to work, illness, and a morning of laziness. It was a nice sermon about Radical Love... and how many Kings would ever lay down their crowns to die for someone else. There was a song that was sang during worship, Lord of Heaven and Earth. A song that I have known for years, and that they have used in worship a time or two since we've been attending there. But last night before he went to sleep, he needed to hear it. It had been stuck in his head all day and was the only thing that got him through the day. I almost cried. He isn't perfect, no one is. But to have the desire, the want to work towards being a more Godly man, I'm so blessed. He says that I remind him to be a better person, but he has no idea how much better I am because of him. I can't remember when I have been happier, felt safer, more loved, more cherished. There are still things that we need to work on.. to change to follow God's word. But we're working on them, and doing so together.

And for a final thought... I had a customer come up to me today at the service desk and after asking me about where to find paper mache materials, he/she asked "What is it that makes me not look like a woman?".... My only thought... I don't get paid enough for this...

*smile* He always has a way to make me feel better and make me happy. How I love that man.

Goodnight loves!

Day Off Number 1

Two days off in a row... really? How'd I get so lucky? Not being one to argue with a good thing, I didn't ask questions. I must say, although today wasn't what I had in mind, not in the least actually, it was productive. I got the laundry done, folded, hung, and all that good stuff. I did dishes twice, once before and once after dinner. Which, by the way, I actually made tonight. Went grocery shopping, mainly for the stuff for dinner, but got a couple other things too. It was burritos, and pretty tasty if I do say so my self. And to top things off, I just got out of the shower. So, I actually get to relax some now. Well, kinda. Still need to clean up the room a little bit more. We seems to have bottles everywhere. Ugh. Oh well. My day today was suppose to be spent with Chris, but some things came up and that didn't work out. Oh well. We'll have another day off together next week. Maybe it will happen then. I mean, I know I see him daily, but doesn't everyone want undivided attention every now and then? *shrug* Yet, some things just can't be helped.

Odd happening today, however. After doing dishes the first time I went into the bathroom and when I looked in the mirror I had a scratch across the top of my chest. Its a straight line and I have no idea what could have caused it. I didn't see it this morning when I woke up and its still there, its for sure a scratch. I kinda thought it might just be a red mark, but the skin is broke ever so slightly. So who knows. Jasmine kinda thinks she has something that follows her, and there are odd noises and happenings in the apartment every now and then, like the stove being on when no one used it that day. But I know God has us in the palm of His hand and that things will be fine. But I swear if thats what scratched me, we're gonna rumble.

I meet his family in roughly two weeks, and they hardly know I exist. I'm nervous. I know I shouldn't be, I mean who doesn't love me, right? HaHa.. yeah. I dunno... I know it will all be alright its just... ugh. I don't like being this way! I don't like being nervous about things. I don't like the unknown. Hmm...

Oh! So I also got an amazing Christmas card in the mail today! I love you, Rena and Alex! And I miss you tons!

I know there was something else that I wanted to chat about but for the life of me I can't think of what it is.. It will come to me I suppose. Gonna try to relax now, but I've been kinda restless today.

Of all the things...

... that would remind me of home, I'm watching an episode of Ghost Hunters and I find myself tearing up because they are in Mansfield, OH. They showed them on the roads and I felt my heart wrench a little. Not to say that I'm not happy here, I am. But that doesn't mean that I don't miss home, and my family. So as I sit here crying a little, the only things that I want more than Chris home to hug me is to feel the touch of my mom's hand on my cheek, to hug my grandma and my great aunt and my dad, to cuddle up with my puppy, and to know my family is close enough for me to see in a single day. I knew there would be days like this but that doesn't make it easier and I wouldn't change my decision for anything. I just need a teleporter. *nodnod*

I had a slight surprise today! My phone has been giving me issues the last week or so, but today my "o" key started working again! I was so excited! God is soo good! Not to mention I got 3, count'em 3, Christmas cards in the mail all in the same day! And Chris got one of his own. I know he'll be super tired when he gets home, but he'll be excited to see it.

My desire to lose weight has been renewed, and at this point, from when I started losing in February, I am down 33 pounds. :D... I still have quite a bit to lose, but it will happen. I'm determined. First order of business... lots more water and cranberry juice, and a lot less regular soda.

I should really be sleeping about now, I have work in the morning again at 10:30 am. But its hard for me to sleep when he isn't here, so I'll wait up until he gets home and then I'll drift off quietly, peacefully.

Oh! Update.... I got my days off approved for the end of December and beginning of January for the Cali trip. I'm so excited! It's been almost a year since he has been home, and it makes me happy to know that he'll get to be home in just a couple weeks. God is moving big with the plans, and I know that his scheduling manager will do his best to make it so he has the days off. Now if only I could make up my hours for the days I was given off... Hmm. God's a big God.

Mmm... I want something, but I don't know what. I know, really helpful for the weight loss thing, lol. I suppose its a good thing that I don't have any money to go get something.

I love you all!

Say a Prayer, please...

Just checked our schedules for over New Year's and we are both scheduled to work the 30th and 31st, which is when we were planning the Cali trip. I know God is big enough to move in this situation and that there is a reason for everything, so please say a prayer that He will move and it will be in His perfect timing. Gonna try to not stress about this.

It's that time again..

Those morning hours where I'm awake, but not fully here yet. Don't get me wrong, I love the morning. Its so pretty and makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. There are days where I would love to sleep the day away, but when I do, I just end up feeling like the day could have been so much more. I know, I know... I'm an odd one.

Anyway, on to my life... At this point, the end of this month and January cannot come fast enough. My phone, the piece of crap that I have been dealing with for almost a year, has decided that it doesn't see any reason for me to be able to use the "o" key. Hrmph. I would think that would be for me to decide. So if you get messages from me from my phone, and there are letters missing, just add in an "o" here or there and it should be fine. I promise I have not resorted to "text speak" as it drives me insane. I don't believe that adding all the letters into a word saves you that  much time. So in January, I can upgrade my phone. Yay! Now I just need to decide what kind of phone I want to get and we'll be all set. I just have to suffer until then. Ah well. And at the end of this month, as long as we can fund it, so please say a little prayer, we are going to Cali to visit Chris's family. He will have not seen them in 11? months so he's really looking forward to it. As am I, however I'm quite nervous. We still aren't official and they know I exist but don't know anything else.  And, well, you all know how I am about meeting new people... lol. So, lots of prayers if you please.

I have had a few songs stuck in my head lately, and I'm sure there's reason for each of them. The other day we went to Washington to pick up the copy of the game expansion that he had on reserve from before he moved and went to Blue Cannon. On the way home we were listening to my iPod and the song "The Man I Wanna Be" came on. When it ended he asked what I thought he could do to be a better man, the man that I think he should be. We discussed it a little bit on the rest of the drive home, and yesterday at work I was thinking about it and all I could think of was the new song by Sanctus Real, "Lead Me." So its been stuck in my head for about a day now, and I keep thinking of the back story of it.... lemme see if I can find it, for those that don't have any idea what I'm talking about.

Lead Me: The Story Behind the Song

And for those that haven't heard the song at all....

Sanctus Real "Lead Me"

So today is my day off. Yay! Not that I don't have anything to do, mind you:
-Oil change
-Hang laundry
-Get groceries
-Clean room
-Dishes?
-Call my momma
-Pay insurance, phone, credit card, internet, electric

Sounds like a blast, right? I know.... and somewhere in there I have to find some time to relax. And spend time with Chris before he goes to work tonight. I'm so proud of him. I know he isn't thrilled with his job, but he goes, and works his butt off, and doesn't complain too much. He really, truly is such a good man. <3.

I suppose its time for me to start my day. It's 10:30 over here and I went to bed kinda early last night. I still feel tired but I expect that with it being that time of the month. Ugh. Anyway... loves to you all!!!

Happy things!...mostly...

I drive home from work last evening only to find that the one parking space we have for the apartment is being occupied by a Comcast truck. Fantastic... So I turn around and make my way back to the street to park. It isn't terribly far, its just aggravating for the spot reserved for us to be taken by a vehicle that doesn't belong there. Anyway, I park and decide to check my phone before heading in, its illegal to use your phone in a non-hands free manner here, and as I'm doing so I hear foot steps and see a shadow coming up by my door. Within seconds Chris appears... Not something I expected but I was happy to see him nonetheless, so I asked what was up. He had been out knocking on the neighbor's doors trying to find the comcast guy to ask him to move for me. I almost fell over. *happy sigh* I love that man. Little things on a daily basis make me smile and never cease to amaze me. And always with perfect timing...it had been a rough day at work. I had a woman tell me I was doing my job wrong. It was one of those times I had to bite my tongue from asking her if she wanted to switch sides of the counter.

Today has been better. I'm closing, but its going quickly because we're so busy. I'm currently on my lunch, drinking a Dutch Bros coffee...mmmmm.

In less than a month I'll get to see California for the first time in my life. I'm so excited. But most of my excitement is knowing how much Chris is looking forward to seeing his family. I love when he's happy.

A facebook friend had a picture up on his profile that made me smile... it amazes me to no end how there are people that think that war is not needed and if we just back down, so will they. And the ones that say its against God. It makes me wonder jut how many times they were dropped on their head as a child. Anyway, the picture is around here somewhere... I may move it after I get home if it looks funny but I'll attach it to this email anyway. :)

Time to call my momma and say hello. *waves!*
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