Mom for a week

This week has been challenging to say the least. But it has been great. My friends Mark and Beth had to go out of town for a conference in Orlando and asked Max and I to watch their 2 kids, 3 dogs, and their home. The biggest challenge has been their dogs. Their great and love attention and love but one of their dogs hates our dog, Pia, and gets in the nastiest fights with her. Nonetheless I have been reminding myself to stay patient and that this isn't a permanent situation. I took the whole week off from work so that I could be available for the kiddos, Noah and Emma, whenever they needed me. Being a "stay at home mom" is tough, really tough. If Max and I were lucky enough to be in a situation where one of us did not work I think I would pass the torch to him, Duties and cleaning just seem so endless. But for the few hours a day while the kids were at school, Max was at work, and the dogs got along I was able to sleep for a few hours. This was sooo nice. The puppy, Daisy, that is 10 weeks old is just about the cutest thing you have ever seen but she gets up every 3 hours during the night to use the bathroom. The second night was the most chllenging. Not only did we have to keep getting up for the puppy but Emma threw up 5 times, including once all over herself and her sheets in bed. I definitely learned a lesson in patience and love that night. Although I don't want children for a while, I think I will be a good mom when that day comes.

Dancing Lessons!

A few months back Max and I went to a silent auction that was honoring his uncle for his amazing efforts and contribution to Las Vegas' architecture. We bid on Ballroom Dancing Lessons and won!!!


So Max and I took our first ballroom dancing lessons ever on Monday! We had a lot of fun but felt a lot like fish out of water. We were told to come if comfy clothing so of course we show up in clothing appropriate for the gym when everyone else is wearing nice formal clothing and the ladies have heels! First we had a private lesson where we learned the rumba, tango, waltz, and triple step! So much fun!! Then after that lesson we had a group lesson and learned some jazzy choreography. I felt a little like Baby from Dirty Dancing😉

My hips were a little sore the next day but I am very glad we did it.

My Rainbow in the Cloud, December 6

Oh Oswald Chambers, you were so wise.

"It is the will of God that human beings should get into a rightstanding relationship with Him, and his covenants are designed for this purpose...When I have really transacted business with God on the basis of His covenant, letting everything else go, there is no sense of personal achievement- no human ingredient at all. Instead there is a complete overwhelming sense of being brought into the union with God, and my life is transformed and radiates peace and joy."


I love that last sentence. It sums up today for me.



Don't you just love Jason's Deli?? I do. What I love even more than that is hanging out with my friend, Mo, there today. I love how God has been growing me and stirring my heart the past few months. I have had to overcome a few dark times to get where I am, but couldn't be happier with the sanctification process.

The Lord did amazing things in my life as well as the life of my Young Life kids this past weekend. We went to Lost Canyon for a winter weekend and had an amazing time playing in the snow, growing deeper with God, playing Apples to Apples and Mafia, and drinking warm chai. I am so thankful that God has chosen to work through me in order for high schoolers to come to know Him. I don't know why he chose me but I am glad he did. I am glad when I can look beyond myself and realize what is truly important in life.


The next few weeks are going to be very busy, but I cannot WAIT!

I will be graduating from college, having family in town, going to Christmas parties, a dance recital, a band concert, watching the Lion King at Mandalay Bay, celebrating my incredible husband's birthday, going out of town for Christmas, and having my best friend back in town for New Years. Gah!!

Where I'm at

These past few months have been extremely challenging. I've had to put forth so much work for school, my marriage, my job, and my ministry. I constantly get asked "How do you do it?" I don't have an answer. It's tough. I take it day by day and try not to worry about the future. I can't predict what will happen when I get there anyway. Please keep me in your prayers.


Right now my focus is getting through an interview tomorrow and the gluten free pumpkin cheesecake I will be making on Saturday :)


Oh yeah, and I'm seeing Lady Antebellum on Friday-woo hoo!!!

FIRST Year Anniversary: Part I

My first year anniversary being married to my amazing, sweet, wonderful, more-than-I-could-have-ever-wished-for husband is today! Boy, did that go by fast! Like really, really fast. This past year I have grown so much as a person. I have tried to kick some of my annoying habits- like pouting when I don't get my way. I have been successful often and being married has stretched me spiritually and emotionally in amazing ways. I love the relationship I have with my husband and knowing that if we both work at it every day and keep centered on Christ, in the end we'll always be okay.

Our gift to eachother was tickets to the Steelers vs. Cardinals game this past weekend. Max and I had never been to an NFL game before and we were so, so excited to get to have that experience with one another! That game was INCREDIBLE if you did not watch it! There was a 95 yd pass that resulted in a Steelers touchdown- that is the LONGEST successful pass in Steelers history and WE were there for it. We had so much fun eating hot dogs and nachos and cheering for our team.

The trip to Phoenix was great too! We stayed with family (who happened to be Cardinals fans, but we didn't hold that against them) down there and had time to sleep in (one of our favs) and just chill with Mac, Randy, Hannah, and Christy, and hear all about how amazing the Taylor Swift concert was from Christy and Hannah... so cute!

Here are some pics from that day. (We didn't get to snap any shots of the girl fight we saw on the patio of Yardhouse while we were eating dinner though..HAHA!)

The trip was a success! I"ll catch you up on Part II soon

Jamaica

Almost a year ago I spent the most wonderful week of my life in Jamaica with my favorite person in the world for our honeymoon. We drank delicious fruity drinks, got caught up on all of our lost sleep for the year, ate INCREDIBLE food, and met some great friends. I really want to go back.



That is all,

Adieu.

Alone

Sometimes I feel bad about myself in the fact that I'm not more outgoing. Most of the time I am more than happy to be spending my time alone, away from people. Is that wrong? It's not that I do not like people, it's that I often don't want their company. I don't know why I'm wired that way. I guess it's normal. Some people love spending time with others and can never get enough, but I feel like time never seems "special" or "relevant" unless it isn't all of the time. I suppose that's strange. My tolerance for others isn't high. That's one thing I wish I could change.