Buying a Car

Steven and I have been very blessed this past week. I received a promotion at work which gave me almost a 3 dollar raise, and Steven was hired to work in an electronic department. In just a few days we doubled our salary! This is great news for us, but left us with one challenge. We needed another car, and we needed it quick! We have been looking for cars for a while, but it was difficult to find what we were looking for. A car with low miles, a body that is in good shape, and a great price! Last Thursday we found just the car though. It is a 1995 with only 80,000 miles on it! The body is in great shape and it runs really well. The weird part about it though is that it is the EXACT same car that we already had. A white 4 door Chevy cavalier. We bought it and are very happy with our purchase, but today's task has been trying to find auto insurance for a reasonable rate. I don't know anything about insurance at all, but I do know that we have cars that are 12 and 15 years old, so it isn't really worth it to put a whole lot of coverage on them. Does anyone know what is needed, or what company is good to work with. I've been entering data into a lot of different companies websites to compare rates and so far Progressive seems to have the best rates. Anyone heard anything about them?

What's For Dinner Tomorrow?

A couple of times each week Steven's youngest sister comes over to spend some time with us, keep in mind she is four and will talk your ear off, but she asks me the same question every night she is here and sees me cooking dinner. What's for dinner tomorrow? Today is clearly taken care of because she sees me cooking, but she's already looking ahead at tomorrow. I never have an answer for her and it makes me think that I should really plan our meals better. My mom threw meals together every night and always seemed to have everything she needed at all times. It also seemed that as long as she had hamburger to brown anything was possible. I've tried this approach and it pretty much leads me to burgers, tacos, spaghetti, or sloppy joes, each and every time. So my question is how do you go about planning meals better and what are the pantry staples that make creative cooking possible. Keep in mind we grocery shop on a budget and I can't buy everything under the sun. I just need the core essentials. My poor lack of meal planning often leads to us just eating out because by the time I get home at 7pm each night it's far too late to thaw out meat, and my desire to run to the grocery store to pick up the missing pieces is never there. This whole thing leaves me lost and looking for answers. I have the desire to make better dinners!

Big Blog Beginnings!

I know my audience isn't huge by any means, but I want to get back into blogging again and I want to cover more than the ups and downs of the week. I want to create a place to share together and to voice opinions. For the new overhaul I started with a new background. I have a list of ideas in my head that I want to cover, but I would like to hear your ideas too! More to come very soon!

Holy Cow It's been a month...

....I think it's time for some Cheers and Jeers!

CHEER: The wedding is 19 days away and I cannot WAIT! It is going to be the greatest day of my life no matter if everything goes perfectly or not!

JEER: I hate all of the little details of finishing up plans for the wedding. I just want to give up on them and call it a day.

CHEER: Work honestly hasn't been all that bad lately. Moving to the Toddler room has actually been a blessing I think. God definitely had a plan when he moved me there. I feel like I have much more room for growth and leadership in that room.

CHEER: We have been hanging out with my soon to be Sister-in law Tiff and her boyfriend Matt. Even though it's family it's so much fun to have a couple to hang out with that is a lot like us. We have a blast together.

JEER: Money is always an issue. I'm not making as much as we need and it makes things tough.

CHEER: Steven has been working and has had the ability to bring home a lot of extra cash which is definitely helping us out!

CHEER: I had an awesome bridal shower. I was a little nervous about it. I don't really enjoy to be the center of attention like that, but it really did go great.

JEER: This heat is ridiculous. I'm dying today.

CHEER: We went to the lake this weekend with Tiff and Matt to see some of Stevens family and watch fireworks. It was a lot of fun and a nice random little get away.

It's Been A While..

Lately updating a blog has been pretty close to the bottom of my to-do list. But, I've managed to scrape up a few minutes tonight and would like to shed light on what's happening in this Delta Residence.

Money is getting tight around here, so I've been working as many extra hours as I can get my hands on. Literally open-close some days. Steven has been applying for jobs like crazy. Anywhere and everywhere. He has an interview on Tuesday so we need prayers that it turns out well!

We have been meeting with the pastor doing our marriage counseling sessions. I was nervous about what he would have to say to us considering what we had been through in the past, but it has been GREAT! He is saying exactly what we believe and the things he is warning us about we are already on top of. It gives me great faith that this marriage is going to last a good 70 years at least ;)

Wedding Plans have been at the top of my list this week. I feel like it has been on a back burner for a while and this week I've been really pushing through. Getting invitations ready to mail has been the focus of my week. It takes so much more work than you would think!

The business is going decent. I sort of mentally took a break from it this week because I feel like I keep hitting the same brick wall when I try to work with it, but I know that June will be a great month full of growth! I'm determined to make it happen!

We are doing a weight loss challenge at work, well the Pre-k room is and I've been surprised with my results. Since starting carb blocker I've lost about 12 pounds. I'm hoping next week is more than my 2.5 pounds I lost this week since I've been doing a lot of swimming and walking this weekend! No matter what I just can't gain weight. We decided that the person who gains weight has to dress like a cow and let people moo at them! AHHH! Now if that isn't enough to keep you working I'm not sure what is!

Steven and I keep watching the oil spill out into the ocean and we keep waving goodbye to our honeymoon! Our boat is supposed to leave from tampa...We want blue water not the muddy maumee!!

Owning a Business...

When Steven and I were first told about the idea of joining this business team I was very skeptical. I knew nothing about it and the junk that I read online scared the crap out of me! We then sat down with an absolutely fabulous couple who were able to explain to us what it is really all about and it was exciting. For me I thought it would be a great way to make a couple hundred bucks a month to help pay bills and to help us save up to buy another car. The more I learned about the business the more I wanted to get started. We've only been doing it for a little over a month now, but it is truly a blessing in disguise. It has given me a sense of purpose and a desire to want more out of life. I have always wanted the teaching job in a school, but I was content in waiting around here for one to pop up. I don't want that anymore. I WANT that teaching job and I'm going to go to where the job is. This business isn't about selling a couple products each month it's about changing people and giving them the lifestyle they have always dreamed of. It is making me want to be a better person, it is making me want to connect with other people, it is making me want to work on my self-image. And without it I would be stuck in the same rut that I was stuck in before it came along. It is hard work and it takes a lot of time but it is completely worth it. It doesn't have to be hard and it doesn't have to take a lot of time, but we want to be successful fast. We don't want to wait around for it to show up. I feel so much more alive with something to look forward to and something to really work for!

A random mess...

1. The wedding is coming in a little over 3 months and that is SO exciting! Having found a church I feel much more relaxed, but now other things are causing issues. If it's not one thing it's another! I know in the end it'll all work out somehow, but I just wish it would go smoothly for a short period of time!!
2. I love my job, I really do, but there is one particular individual who is just driving me bonkers! She is so difficult to work with because she can't see anyone else's point of view. She will walk into my class and question everything that I'm doing even though everyone is happy, learning, and safe! Who cares how I do it as long as it gets done!! Blah!
3. Job searching is scary. I want so badly to get a great paying job and be able to feel comfortable financially and I'm applying all over the state, but I feel like I'm going to be a mega failure if not one single town in Ohio wants me!!! I'm SO excited about the opportunity to move and to start fresh and to really make something with our lives, but my impatience is getting the best of me.
4. Friends are difficult sometimes to deal with. When I feel like I'm making great strides in my life and doing things to really make me a better person they are there saying things that make me feel like I shouldn't be doing whatever it is. Confusing, I know. I just have to let myself be happy and do what is best for ME!
5. Speaking of me I have been reading a couple of books and listening to some Cd's with Steven that are supposed to help us in our business. They really truly are too. I feel like I'm growing as a person by reading and listening to these things. My self image and confidence are rising which business or no business is just a good thing!
6. Sales aren't exactly where we need them to be yet. We need a bigger customer base and I believe that we just haven't hit the right people yet. So if you are in the market to buy anything hit us up first! Even as simple as a new deodorant, dish soap, or face cleansers!

Time Flys...

Things are quite hectic around here and it seems to only be getting busier instead of calming down!! I feel like all I do are lists, but here we go again!!

• Church: We have found a church!!!!!!!!!!! We have it for the wedding for sure and we are not leaving no matter what. It seems much less judgmental though than the other churches that we have been trying to deal with.
  
• Wedding: Aside from finding a church we've got a lot done lately. The bouquets/boutonnieres are finished and we bought our rings!!
• Business: We are still trying to get our business up and running. In fact we are having a second Grand Opening on April 25 at 3:00 and this is your invitation!!
• Jobs: I am currently searching for a job at a school and it has been eating up a lot of time. Steven and I have agreed that if I can find a job somewhere else in the state then I need to take it. So, come August we might be moving. Part of that scares me but part of it REALLY excites me!!!
• Work: I am still working with the Pre-K kids and I love them dearly. Last week we had it easy because it was spring break, so our numbers were pretty low, but this week I have a feeling we will pay for it!!
• Steven and I are going to Dayton for a quick trip at the end of the month. There is a job fair that I want to go to, but I think it will also be a nice short little get away for us.
  

Wow...a month...

A lot has been going on in the last month and I can't believe how quickly it has gone. I also can't believe that I haven't blogged all month. oops. Let's catch up a little.

• Work: I started working full time at the Children's Discovery Center in Holland this month. It has been so great to be working with an age of children that I adore and to be in a regular schedule. For the most part it has been great, aside from a few snotty kids who don't listen of course! I still love them though :)
  
• Work again: Steven and I are officially Independent Business Owners. We are teamed with Amway Global and LTD and we are so very excited for what is coming with it. Check out our site and try some of our awesome products!!
• Wedding: We still don't have a church to get married in. I have been stressing about it like no other but I haven't given up. We are having this wedding some way some how.
  
• Church: Along with the wedding woes we have to find another church yet again. I think we are both feeling a little bit discouraged, but we keep pushing forward.
  
• Friends: I feel like I haven't seen so many of my friends in so long and it sucks. Life is so busy and hectic though that it keeps us apart. I have recently got to spend some time with people that I haven't seen in months and it has been great to catch up.
  
• Honeymoon: We have booked our honeymoon!!!! A 7 day cruise to the Caribbean. We are going to the Grand Cayman Islands, Cozumel Mexico, Belize, and Isla Roatan. We are so excited and after this very stressful month I have been looking forward to it SO much.
  

Cheers and Jeers

Cheer: I officially start my job as a Pre-K teacher tomorrow. This means steady hours, and a steady paycheck in a classroom with children of my ideal age. It's truly a blessing.

Jeer: I've been sick. It started as an ear infection and turned cold and turned DOUBLE ear infection. It basically boiled down to having to get antibiotics (which make me nauseous) and losing my hearing for a couple of days. I can finally hear a little better now.

Cheer: We finally got a new couch. OK well a new couch to us, Steven's grandparents gave it to us. The futon finally had to go. It was so broke that it was starting to damage the floor.

Jeer: My car is broke. The muffler needs replaced I believe and my check engine light came on tonight, I hope that it is related to the muffler issue.

Cheer: Our wedding is less than 5 months away. I cannot wait for it to be here and I cannot wait to go on vacation afterward :)

When it rains it pours...

Luckily for me, this time it's pouring good things!

• I have been given a job as a Pre-K teacher. It isn't full time, but it's close. (30 hrs a week) And it is in the age group that I LOVE!
• I got a random phone call today from a Methodist Church in Swanton..they wanted me to be their Preschool teacher. Had it been a month ago that I got the call I would have jumped on it, but it's only for a month and a half and it's only about 15 hours a week. Sadly I had to turn it down.
  
• Steven received a random check in the mail yesterday from his school stuff. Apparently they still owed him some money. It was very unexpected, but we were very grateful.
  
• Steven's papaw also got to come home from the hospital yesterday. He was only supposed to be in there for a couple of days but it turned into nearly 2 weeks! Everyone is glad to have him home and happy to see him doing better.
• We went to a church last weekend that we enjoyed and plan to go back on Sunday. I hope this can be "the one" yet again.
  
• Wedding things aren't really moving much. I feel like I haven't worked on anything at all, but I'm not really stressed about them either.
  

What's New?

That is a good question. A lot and nothing all at the same time would be the answer I suppose.

Church: Due to differences of opinion, lack of support, and hurt feelings I no longer have the same respect for our church. I don't enjoy going like I used to and I seriously am second guessing wanting to be there. It breaks my heart all at the same time and I can't quite cut the strings yet. It is actually very upsetting to see it all turn out this way. It was so perfect in the beginning and I was so happy and it turned so quick and I seriously feel like I've lost parts of my family.

Wedding: Because of the above topic the place for our wedding is also in question. If we leave the church where will we get married? I have absolutely no idea at the moment. This is ridiculously stressful for me and I worry about it a lot. Other than that though everything is going really well with the plans.

Work: I still don't have a full time job, but I've been subbing at the Children's Discovery Center in Holland. It isn't my absolute dream job, but I feel very comfortable there and feel like I am supposed to be there. I work practically everyday for at least a few hours and some days (like today) I work from 7 in the morning until 6 at night! It definitely is helping to ease my worries about working.

Finances: Money is definitely flying out faster than it is coming in right now. I still have money set aside from TMC that I did plan to spend in my budget, but I just hate the thought of having to move it into my checking account. I don't want to touch it, so instead I keep depositing little bits here and there hoping that they balance out enough to get me through.

Prayers: Steven and I both need a lot of prayers right now for many different things and I trust that I can count on many of you to put in a good word for us :)

Wedding Planning

Everyone always asks you how it's going and everyone always has their 2 cents to add, but when push comes to shove its all ultimately your choice. I feel like I have been greatly blessed with how easy things have came together and how willing everyone has been to pitch in to help lower costs. I have a few things on the to-do list yet, well OK more than a few, but after doing some reading tonight I have a few new ideas.

• Buckets. I need to organize things into rehearsal, ceremony, and reception that way I don't have to fish through everything 14 times.
• Taking a sudafed an hour before the ceremony that way when you cry your nose doesn't run...double check to make sure it isn't going to make me drowsy!
• Look for deals on emergency kit items.
  
• Wrist check! Girls always have hair ties and such on their wrists, get rid of them for pictures!
• Hold your flowers at you belly button, it won't feel natural but it will look right.
  
• Make a list of the pictures I want taken for sure!
• Itineraries for everyone.
  
• Put someone in charge of my cell phone to answer all the random calls and texts.
  
• Make centerpieces of some kind.
  

Oh there are so many more things to do, but I like to think about it, it is kind of fun actually!

Answered Prayer of the Week....

I've been praying about my financial situation and my career path and had an interview set up for today to nanny for a family. Yesterday afternoon I decided to cancel the interview because I wasn't sure it was what I should be doing. Today I was feeling the Blahs from not having done much lately and got a call to sub next week, I then got another call to sub today and while I was in there I picked up 7 more days! It really was an answer to my prayers.

It really was a great reminder that all you have to do is give it to God and he will help you. I'm thinking of making it a habit to have a segment similar to this each week and I invite you to do it as well! :)

A new year!

Last year brought many changes to life. And the end start of a new year is a great time to look back over what has happened recently. I started dating a boy who I always considered to be "out of my league". The relationship grew quickly and I was head over heels for him. I finished my last semester of college and walked across the stage to receive my diploma. After school I searched frantically for a job. It was a dead end road until July when I got a teaching job with TMC. Here I taught six ridiculously difficult Spanish speaking toddlers. What a challenge! It opened my eyes to so many things and really brought my teaching methods to a whole different level. In August I watched my best friend get married and celebrated with her. I also moved into my very first apartment only a short week later. The house came together quickly with loved ones giving us their unneeded 'junk'. In October I was once again unemployed as the migrant season came to a close for Northwest Ohio. I joined the ranks of substitute teachers and didn't get a single call. Bummer. Steven and I also began attending Calvary Baptist Temple where we were both saved and baptized. In November I saw Trans-Siberian Orchestra which was the most amazing thing I had ever saw, until afterwards of course when I saw Steven on one knee with a ring in his hand! From there the wedding planning spun into high gear and the holiday hustle and bustle began kicking in. We shared both Thanksgiving and Christmas with both of our families making it a few very hectic days. I wouldn't have changed it for the world though. And on the last night we celebrated the New Year playing euchre and eating tacos at the club where Steven got to shoot a gun at midnight!

So far, 2010 has been a great year! Well, the two days I've seen of it. I celebrated my one year anniversary with Steven by going on a date to Olive Garden and the movies to see Sherlock Holmes, which is a great movie by the way. I also picked up my bridal gown and got to spend the afternoon with my roommate that I rarely see anymore.

I'm looking forward to what 2010 has to offer. I hope that it involves steady employment somewhere, but mostly happiness and good health. Of course I'm looking forward to July when I get to marry my best friend, but I have a feeling the whole year is going to be one to remember!