I'm bored!!

Do you ever say that? I've been in this mood all day long. I don't really want to do anything! It's too quiet, I don't have anything that I have to do. It's the perfect opportunity to read something great, or sew or anything else fun that I think of when I'm busy and can't do it! Sometimes I just get in a little rut. These are times when I loved being at home or even in college. There was always someone around to chat with or do something with. I don't really have anything particular on my mind, so I feel bad making Jacob stop reading the book he is enjoying to stare at me! So here we are..I guess I'll surf the internet for a bit. Hopefully I'll find some interesting tid-bits. Maybe I'll show you later.

Teaching and learning is life long...

Now that it's "back to school" time, I'm starting to feel a little off. I think that this is the first year (at least that I can remember!) that I haven't had a change in my schedule and am getting ready to go back to school as either a student or a teacher. I was starting to get a little sad about that and I was thinking about all the roles that I have had over the years. Sometimes I like change. I feel like I can usually go with the flow. When it comes to how I define myself, that's a little harder. When I meet new people and they ask "what do you do?" I am proud to talk their ear off about little miss Isabella. But sometimes I wish I could talk about some of my jobs outside the home. I have always wanted to be a teacher. When I was little I wanted to be other random things like Miss America, a Rockette (I didn't even dance! My grandma would just always say that I had nice legs! he he!), and this is a little odd, but when I was in Kindergarten, I wanted to be a factory worker. Teacher (and mommy) was always on the top of the list.

So I went to college and got my degree, took a while to finally land a job and then the madness ensued! This was a great learning experience. Let's say that! There were definately some great kids, parents and other teachers that I worked with. There were also some terrors! I think I like the ideals of teaching, what it would be like in a perfect world. A classroom where all the students stayed in their seats and did what you asked them to do. Now I know that's not real life. I think that having that type of teaching experience has given me a little more realistic view about some of the tough things that parents and teachers have to deal with and has broadened my horizons.

So anyways, back to "role that we play". We can each have so many different things that we are- friend, sister, wife, mother, daughter...all at the same time! When I was feeling bad about not being able to put "teacher" on that list anymore, Jacob pointed out that I will always be a teacher because I am now a mother. I see that more everyday with the things that Isabella is up to. I also am volunteering at church to help teach kindergarten sunday school every couple months or so. It's a new chapter in my life. I'm trying to take advantage of the time that I have to myself (rare) and the time that I have with Isabella. I'm now able to do some of the things that I wanted to do before, but was too busy with school (again either in it or teaching it). I can invest time in my hobbies like sewing and scrapbooking. I can volunteer and take Bible studies at church. I'm also looking into the possibility of nannying part time for a few hours each day, if (of course) I can bring you know who!...I'm trying to leave it up to God what I fill my days with. I'm also trying to be positive and thankful for this time too. (most of the time it works!)

Don't worry, Be happy (at least that's what I'm trying to do)

So I can't sleep. I'm doing the opposite of helping this cause by being on the computer! I feel like I need a little outlet though. So remember how in my last post I said that this tight budget was kinda fun? Well, I have changed my mind! I'm awake now worrying. Not about anything particular. Jacob read Matthew 6:26 to me. I know that we will have clothes and food to eat. I know that Jesus will provide. I don't know exactly what it is. But I don't like this feeling in my stomach and the fact that I can't sleep! I think I'm worried about upcoming other random expenses-like gifts and such. I love to give gifts to the people I love. It's going to be a little harder this year. I'm trying to think now of all the crafty, creative things that I can do. I have heard the Bible stories about giving up things to show your commitment and passion to God. I always thought, "yeah, that's nice. That's the right thing to do." Now I feel it much more. It's a bit uncomfortable, but I think I am growing in Christ through this experience. Plus I should probably get used to it! When we go to seminary things will probably be like this too.

I guess I never realized how easy I had it before. It's not like money was no object. I still would pay attention to prices and think if I should really buy it. I think I'm just wired that way . Even when we registered for gifts for our wedding. I still looked at prices, even though I wasn't buying it, and usually picked the cheaper thing. The other day I went to the mall to wander and window shop. I thought this was a great idea to get out of the house for free. It was okay while I was there. Then that night I had a major jealously fit. I was going in every direction, comparing me to others, wondering why I couldn't just go and buy some fun things sometime, how things just don't seem "fair", how it's hard to be at home all day with Isabella (even though I know it is a huge blessing and love being home with her).. all sorts of things. Jacob was so understanding and caring about all this. We take turns being the "sane" one!;) ha ha.. I tell him when he's being crazy too. But usually for much different reasons than my crazy is! I go in waves with these sort of feelings. I think it's a girl thing. I know that God is leading us. I'm sure of that. I know that I'm truly and richly blessed (even in material goods, but I don't feel like it now!) Now is when the rubber meets the road as they say...I have to trust that God will not fail us and will provide abundantly.

the frugal life is a good life

Well now that our path is decidedly pointed towards Louisville,KY/seminary in a year, we have tightened our budget. I thought that we were pretty frugal before.. Well we are have gotten even better. I have to say it's kinda fun. I feel so great when I get a deal. It's like a little game to me. I found this website-www.kraftfoods.com and there is part of the site that has a menu/grocery planner on it. I love it. I feel organized and it's one less thing to think about during my surprisingly busy days. I have dinner all planned out for the whole week. I only spent $45 for everything this week:) I started shopping at Aldi. They have some pretty good and cheap food. The downfall is they don't everything that a larger supermarket has. Actually now that I think of it, it might be a good thing. That's how I can stay focused and get the things I actually need. My parents shop there. When I was younger I used to be embarassed bringing my lunches with non name brand things in it. Now I'm all about it! The food tastes just as good, so there's no problem here. We are also eating out a lot less. When we made up our new budget, I thought this would be hard to give up eating out one or two times every weekend. It's not so bad though. We can still go out sometimes, just not every week.

Garage sales, Goodwill and Craigslist-these are a few of my favorite things! I have found most of Isabella's things through one of these places. My thinking is as long as Bella is happy and safe, then a (clean) second hand thing is just as good. Actually I think it's usually better because it's like a third of the price as it is new! Especially when they are babies and don't know what they have nor do they care. It's amazing how fast she is growing. I can hardly fit in time for her to wear all of the cute new outfits (that we got as gifts) before she grows out of them! I was looking at all of her toys out today. I think I spent a total of $15 or $20 and she can more toys than she knows what to do with. You know kids, they're usually happy with the odd things like a piece of paper or a bucket and a spoon!

Have you ever seen that show on TLC, 18 kids and counting? Some of the things they do as a family is amazing. I love the way they are debt free. They regularly shop at thrift stores. They make things like laundry detergent, all their meals and even their own home! Last but not least (or related to being thrifty!) all of their children obey and show respect!

I think of my mom, she says "I was 'green' before it was cool to be." It's very true. When we were little, we used to think that our mom was just plain cheap. But now I see the wisdom in her ways. If there is something dry in a ziplock bag, rinse out the crumbs and use it again. If you out grow or don't need some clothes or household item, don't throw it away- give it away. In short recycle and reuse as much as possible. Not only is it helping your wallet and the earth, it's showing good stewardship. That's what God would want from from us, to be responsible for the wonderful gifts He has given us!

Wedding fun

Well let me tell you about our adventures from the wedding outting! It started with a very abrupt waking up super late for our plane. We woke up at 6:30 on Thursday (Jacob accidently turned the 5 am alarm off) and our plane left at 7:30! Thankfully we were all packed. We threw some clothes on, I dressed poor sleepy Bella and we were out the door in 12 minutes! ( but no breakfast:( We ran in the airport and made it. Jacob with his shoes and belt in hand! An hour later we were in Philly. The rest of the day went pretty fast. We had some fun family time all in the pool. Christine (our youngest sister), her boyfriend, John and I helped Amy with wedding favors. Saturday- wedding day! The boys went golfing. I can't remember what the girls ended doing! Maybe the reason for my fogginess of the order of events is because Isabella was a bit of a nightmare! She was screaming for a good portion of Friday and Saturday. I think many factors played into this- teething, consistpated (tmi?!) and mostly just not home. So anyways Saturday was a beautiful day. Amy and Bob looked great. The whole ceremony was beautiful, calla lilies everywhere. Christine and I (we were the maid and matron of honor) had our speech at the reception. It went quite well if I do say so myself. Bella just kept being passed around to different wonderful friends and family since Jacob and I were both in the wedding. We brought the pack and play to the reception and we were able to put Isabella to bed for a bit while we danced and ate dinner.

Sunday we woke up to thunder and rain. I should have known then that wasn't a good sign for flying that day. Thankfully Amy and Bob were driving to South Carolina for their honeymoon and not flying. We had a little breakfast with family and friends, all meeting together in the lobby. One of Amy's friends took us to the airport. When we got there we saw a long line waiting out in the rain. Then a long line inside for ticketing. We got in line and was moving along pretty well. Then little miss Isabella woke up and boy did she have a suprise for us! Remember what one of her problems was from the past few days? (no poop..) Then an explosion! YUCK! All over her car seat and everything:( I ran to the bathroom with her and tried to clean her up as best and fast as I could while Jacob waited in line. We got to our gate and everywhere was so crowded. No seats, so we sat on the floor for a while. Thankfully we didn't have to stay on the floor too long.. Everyone's flight was either delayed at least 2-3 hours or cancelled altogether. Our flight was suppose to leave at 2:50 and we ended up being in the airport all day! I think God wanted to give us a break after such a hard time with Bella over the weekend, because she was simply AMAZING! We were in the airport for like 6 or 7 hours. I think we got on our plane around 6 something. By the time we landed, got our bags, drove home it was 9 pm! What a day!