One year ago today...

...I waited anxiously while George went to the embassy again, in hopes of finally hearing "approved!"

He was approved, and we waited for two more weeks to have visa in hand and man on the way.

This time last year, I could feel change coming, but had no idea what it would like. I didn't really think too much about 2010, just that it wouldn't be as sad and hard as 2009. I was right about that at least. There was still a lot of hard, but different hard. I'm not sure if transition is ever easy. It has been surprising just how long it takes to settle in, for the constant changes to slow a little; for us be a little more in control of the chaos instead of the chaos controlling us.

I have had far fewer sleepless nights; I've mostly cried because I'm just so darn happy or empathetic to someone else's struggle or pain...not because I am the sad one. I laughed and smiled a lot more this year. I let things roll of my back and tried to just enjoy the moments. I wake up every morning to the man of my dreams with a smile on my face and thanksgiving to God that we made it! Okay, I do that nearly every morning....but the mornings after that man snored all night and kept me up?.....it takes a few minutes to get to that happy place!

2010 has been great! Lots of ups, some downs, but all around wonderful! I had no idea this time last year how great things would be. God gave us better than we could have imagined!

As for 2011? This time around, we do have hopes and plans and dreams....

Seriously?!?!

Last month I hurt my knee. I toughed it out for a while, but after it wasn't getting better (and a chit chat with my SIL who's an OT) I finally went to the Dr. It's not too serious or anything. Ice it...blah, blah, blah.....do special exercises...blah, blah, blah.....wear a support sleeve...blah, blah...no high heels.

Wait....NO. HEELS!?!

I just about fell of the table when I heard that!! NO HEELS for a month!! What does he expect me to put on my feet?! Seriously?!?

Sigh....

P.S. Thank you Jesus for awesome health insurance.

Gingerbread house & Christmas fun!

I've been bad about blogging lately...we've just been enjoying our Christmastime together too much to take a blogging break. :)

We made a gingerbread house this week. George enjoyed it more than I thought he would and was very meticulous in his decorations. It was fun and I think may be a new tradition.

We are just so, so happy to be together. I could go on and on about all that mushy stuff! When we think back about what our lives were this time last year, we are just in awe of what has happened in the last year. We are very thankful to be together! We are REALLY looking forward to our celebrations this week! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Charlie and LaFawnda

This is a very delayed post! A couple weeks ago, G and I got our first Christmas tree together and decorated our apartment for our first Christmas together! We were very excited! So I guess George was so excited that he closed his eyes...whoops! That amazing Michael Kors beauty you see on my arm?? A pre-Christmas gift from my love. What a sweety! George was legitimately excited for the lights.... ...and ornaments! These are his first ornaments! Once the tree was fully decorated, George decided we got a Charlie this year. I like it. Of course, our Ghana nativity has a prominent place....although not a very good pic. We are really enjoying this Christmas season and hope you are too!

Love hurts...

This has been a very difficult week for my family. Hard, sad things have happened.

The wonderful thing about being a close knit family is that we've got each other's backs. The terrible part is that we feel each other's pain. This has been a very painful week. We are looking to God and hoping in Him through these times. We know our God is faithful, even when things don't make sense to us. If you think of it, pray for my family. Pray for peace, pray for hope, pray for comfort and strength.

First Thanksgiving...

Our first Thanksgiving was a hit! G and I had a fabulous time together and with family. He kept telling me that this was a very great day. My mom set a beautiful table, the food was delish (my Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake was to die for btw:) the company was fab and all in all it was just a sweet, relaxing day. I love my family and love how different this year was from last.

I just dropped George off at the mall. He will work the next 15 hours of Midnight Madness/Black Friday HELL. He has not said one negative thing about the amount or timing of his hours. He is thankful just to get to work. I am so blessed and proud to have such a hard working, long suffering man!

I hope everyone else had a day as great as we did.

What a life!

We've had a pretty hectic couple of weeks, but things are going great! I am so excited for Thanksgiving and ready for a couple of days to relax....and eat!

I am so thankful that this year George and I are TOGETHER! There just aren't words to describe the completeness I feel or the gratitude I have to God that He is letting me have this awesome life and that we are not currently dealing with immigration. Wow...it's still hard to wrap my mind around sometimes.

In addition to having George here, I am thankful for my family; especially for the support from my parents over the past 10 months or so while we have adjusted to American life. We are so thankful and blown away by how great our church is and the wonderful relationships we are building-we really love our small group. I am thankful for my new job and for the amazing health benefits. Of course there is more, but those are on the top of my list right now. I feel so blessed and so grateful to be living this life.

Still here!

I'm still here and things are going great! I'm loving my new job! We're having Internet issues, so I've been pretty much disconnected from the world.....okay, just the world wide web. We're getting that fixed this week, so I'll update on all the happenings then.

I love my life and I love having George here (finally). I want to be a person who is content with my life, no matter what. There's one thing though...I want to travel! I really miss going on adventures and exploring new places and I would love to do that with G. Until that day comes, I will keep dreaming and expanding the list of places I want to go. All of these seem nice...

Halloween & Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend and are really looking forward to all that this week and November hold!

Our young married small group had a Halloween party earlier in the week and it was fun! George is experiencing so many new cultural things, Halloween may top them all. I've never been a huge Halloween person and didn't really grow up celebrating it, but I love parties and love costumes. George wasn't super into dressing up, so we took the easy way out and went as Heidi and Seal. ;) We carved pumpkins, which kind of grossed George out, ate Frito pie (and tons of desserts) and had punch with dry ice in it. ALL new for George! We both had a great time and love our small group. On Friday, G and I had opposite work schedules-which I hate-so I took advantage of the alone time and went Birthday shopping for him. His B-day isn't until the 9th, but I wasn't sure when I could be sneaky again. I wrapped the gifts and put them in the living room so they would taunt him for a week and a half. Mean, I know. On Saturday evening he started jumping up and down and running around the apartment shouting, "I know what it, I know what it is!! Wow!! Thank you so much!!" Yep, he had figured one of the gifts out. So I let him open it early. George is the VERY PROUD owner of, As Seen On TV Shake Weight!! He loves it so much it's funny!

One thing we did this weekend was a November Expectations meeting. As the holidays approach, I start a new job, and things get crazier with G's job, we wanted to make sure we were on the same page about everything. It was actually really fun to discuss everything coming up and make plans together.

Speaking of plans, since this Thanksgiving and Christmas are our first together, I really want to make them special and start meaningful traditions. I've been doing research and writing down all my favorite holiday things so I don't forget (nerd, I know). I was wondering what traditions my readers have or things they wish they had started or done their first married Christmas? I know not many of you comment, but I'd love to hear!

Happy NOVEMBER!!

He's Got My Back...

On Tuesday, the 2 year old was at MDO, so I went on a long walk with the baby. I intended to go to the "big park" with her, which is about a mile away. While I was on my walk, my mom called me (one of my favorite things). It was windy and the connection was kind of bad, so I stopped for our 13 minute conversation...I really wanted to hear what she was talking about. While we were talking, I saw a few Police cars, but didn't think anything of it (I work in uber suburbia). When I hung up, I kept walking. As I continued towards the "big park" I noticed another police car and a car with a shattered window and windshield...as I walked across the glass on the pavement I assumed highschool vandals were responsible, but changed my route nonetheless....

Meanwhile/earlier that morning a man killed his wife and put her in his car. He then crashed his car into a tree (right next to the sidewalk on the way to the "big park"). A passerby stopped to render aid and the man shot at him-shattering his driver window and windshield. Then the murderer got out of his car and fled on foot. He was eventually caught and arrested, but was on the run for a while.

When I went on my walk, I was worried about a huge list of small things. I was just talking to God and worrying, worrying, worrying. I was not however, worried about crossing paths with killer on the run-not even on my radar! It was on God's though. Who knows what would've happened had it not been for the 13 minute call and bad connection? It is quite possible that I would have been the passerby, right in the middle of the gun toting action.

It's funny how easy it is to fret about tomorrow and about all those tiny things we are aware of. Funny how easy it is to believe God doesn't care about those things or isn't listening to our prayers. The thing is though, He's got our backs all the time and we don't even realize it! I realized this time because the story made it to the news. What a great reminder to me that God really is in control and He really does have good things in store for me. Thanks, God.

Bye Bye Nanny!

I've been a nanny, for several different families for a while now. It's mostly been great-but it's definitely time to move on (though I must admit, it will be a little sad to finally say goodbye). I'm excited for the future and looking forward to really wanting kids again. Until then, I will file away some of what I have learned as a nanny and will hopefully one day apply it as a mommy.

I have learned...

• Every parent thinks their kid is the best/cutest/brightest. That's ridiculous. Mine really will be though. Seriously.
• Kids are sponges, if Daddy says things like Dick-Mite, child will repeat.
• Pithy comments to toddlers are not understood, somehow that's okay, because it makes me feel better.
• My vocabulary changed immensely when kids were my world, NO, GROSS and POOP as well as AWWW, SWEET and CUTE became the new "it" phrases.
• I will spank. I will sooooo spank. This whole time-out and "I mean it" thing don't really work. Thankfully, Proverbs has got my back on this one.
• Video monitors are AMAZING! I WILL have one!
• Poop. I didn't realize how important poop becomes and how often you have to talk about it!
• Children know when their parents think they are a bother or don't have time for them. They may express it (i.e. act out) in different ways, but they know it. I never want my kids to feel that way.
• Kids are hilarious, I want to write down all the funny stuff my kids do and say.
• Kids in America have WAAAAYYYY too many toys! I plan to donate/put toys away for later regularly.
• Potty training is not fun...for anyone.
• Sleep training on the other hand, I've got that!
• People don't use car seats properly. I didn't realize how many people fit in that category 'til I was a nanny. Strap those seats and those kids in TIGHT!!
• Children don't need schedules as much as they need routine. When I first became a nanny I was a super-scheduler (like, we had a 5 minute window). No longer! Routine is better for everyone.
• I don't know what it is, but if there's a gross bodily fluid that could make it onto me or my clothing, it happens...at least when they're mine, I can change.
• Cool mist humidifiers are my friend.
• Sand brings a level of anxiety I didn't realize. It gets everywhere! Also, I'm always afraid when kids pick up a clump of sand and pinch it, that the sand will come off and reveal something nasty. Maybe I won't let my kids play in public sand areas.
• I will have an awesome stroller...bye-bye ghetto rider!
• Watching a sweet baby, in footie pajamas sleep, undoes all their rotten of the day...that's why kids go to bed before the parents.
• I am in control of how picky a kid is about food.
• Authority doesn't equal big, mean and loud. I'm glad my hubby already knows that and that our kids won't have to endure that.
• Kids need to see their parents be in love, it changes a lot of things. I'm glad I grew up that way, I'm sad a lot of kids don't.
• Bath time is wonderful, so so wonderful.
• Using words other than "no" so a kid doesn't say "no" all the time doesn't work. They still somehow pick that up!
• Raising kids is HARD! It's worth it, but HARD! I hope I have great and supportive mommy friends when it's my turn.
• Kids grow up so fast....I really want to treasure every moment when they are my own. It just goes by so fast.
• That poop thing, again.

I wonder what else I will learn in the next two weeks...

That other thing...

More great things happened this weekend, but I wasn't quite ready to blog about it. I am now...

On Wednesday, I got an e-mail requesting an interview at a local baby store. I had applied for the job quite a while ago and was shocked that they asked for an interview. I didn't really want to go, especially considering all the drama that had happened with changing jobs just a week or so prior. G and my mom encouraged me to go and just see what happens....

Well, I'm glad I did. I knocked that interview out of the park! The position was for a CSR, but about mid interview the owner and his associate revealed that the company would be doubling in 2011 and planned on adding nursery design to the business. They saw design on my resume and asked how good I thought I would be at putting nurseries together. My response, "Pshh! AWESOME!!" Oh how professional, Bethany.

Anyway, my wheels really started turning...a design career is my DREAM!! And nurseries? Even better! Once I calmed down enough to think, my big bro and I formulated a plan. After the standard thank you, I would be sending the company my portfolio. I got pictures of some of my past work and made two mock-ups of nurseries I would design with the company's current offerings. Wow...it was a bigger job than I realized. Since the design boards needed to completely speak for themselves, I had to be pretty detailed. I was pumped...until I was finished. Then, I started second guessing myself and my skills. Also, I don't know how many of my readers have submitted unsolicited portfolios or work you have done for critique, but it's tough, I felt somehow naked!

Yesterday, my courier (a.k.a. my Dad) delivered my portfolio....and today, less than 24 hours after he got the portfolio, the owner offered me the job! I am so, so, so excited and so thankful for God for this opportunity!! I took it, obviously! I won't start designing immediately, but I'm fine with that. I get to learn the company and work into the design/store side in the new year. I am SOOOOOO pumped!!!

Telling my current boss was not fun, as I have been deeply connected to her family for the last two plus years and didn't want to hurt anyone. She was very understanding, but sad. I know this is the right step though, and I know that the family I've been with all this time will be okay without me. I'm looking forward to the future and enjoying the now.

My creations

Yes, this is three posts in one day! I guess I remembered all the things I meant to post earlier!

I've been having fun with Sewphia so I thought I would share. :) I'm not gonna lie, these look even cuter on! The boy shirt is for the 2yo I watch and the girl stuff is for his 12mo sister.

9 months...

Yesterday marks 9 months since George has been in the country!! I thought the day would never come! I still look at him sometimes and can hardly believe we are together!

Here are the notable things George has experienced/learned in the last 9 months:

• Our wedding!
• SNOW- in Texas!
• New church/membership/small group
• Learned how to drive
• Got a Driver's License
• Learned how to gas up a car
• Learned how to use a credit card
• Learned how to swim
• Moved
• Applied for tons of jobs...still doing that
• Got a job
• Learned how to grill
• Learned how to order and pay at a restaurant-American style
• Seriously experienced Six Flags
• Enjoyed the State Fair
• Went rock climbing
• Tried and LIKED Pork
• Tried lots of new foods
• Learned slang and sarcasm
• Joined a bigger family

George has learned and experienced even more than I listed, but I won't bore you. He has done so, so well! I am really proud of him-this has been a huge adjustment and he takes everything in stride and without complaint.

I've noticed recently how settled we really are becoming (in a good way). The underlying fear that we'll be separated soon is pretty much gone and we are starting to feel more and more comfortable doing non-work things without the other person...you know, like real couples do. Of course we LOVE spending time together, but we aren't as clingy as when he first arrived and the forever wonderfulness is really starting to sink in! I love seeing G with my family and have noticed that he is much more relaxed around them now, it's wonderful.

Who knows what the next 9 months will hold? I hope it includes a career job and vacation! Either way, I'm happy to find out with G by my side!

Catching up...

I've been meaning to blog, but I've been getting too busy or don't have internet (funny how none of the affordable providers offer service to our apartment!). Anyway, last week was busy, but great!

Work has been going well, I feel re-energized to do this job, even though it's not always something I love. I'm trying to focus on all the funny and good things and none of the crap-literally and figuratively. I only had a 3 day work week last week and it was fabulous!! My mom and I made some awesome freezer meals; I got to catch up on some sleep, spent great time with the Hubs, did some super creative stuff and just enjoyed life! It was good. Things are good.

State Fair Fun!

I am so bad at taking pictures, but I'm trying to get better! We went to the State Fair in Dallas with my parents this weekend and had a blast! I had never been and George had no clue what it was! Here's a glimpse of our fun... Big Tex! I have pictures of George with him, but I can't get them to be the right side up! Cool pumpkin, huh? I think they said it weighs about 400 lbs! George got to learn about Texas wildlife...delightfully educational! We seriously enjoyed Fair food! Yummy! Love my man!!

We stopped at the Czech stop in West (just north of Waco) to get some of their amazing pastries and George was blown away! Czech Stop is my favorite stop for a road trip headed north, but I think he likes it even more. He's already mentioned going there just for the food (it's an hour and a half drive!). Haha!

Also, we all totally loved the car show this weekend...if anyone wants to buy me a Lincoln MKT, I would be okay with that. ;)

WHAT?!?!

Last night, I came home to a blanket covering something large on top of our coffee table. There was a note on top that said, 'I just want to say I LOVE YOU!' Beneath the blanket was this.......

Yep! My hubby planned and schemed and got me THE SEWING MACHINE! I was so shocked and blessed! My sweet husband just wanted to give me a token of his appreciation for all I have done and still do and to reiterate how much he loves me and believes in me. Sweet, sweet, sweet! I am still shocked that this is mine! Unfortunately, because I was so surprised, I didn't take any pictures.

As we watched the DVD that came with it (yes, a DVD) we were in awe at all this machine does! I have never even used a sewing machine this awesome. I also find it funny that the first touch screen technology I own is not an iPhone or iPad, not a phone at all, computer, PDA, book reader or even a coffee maker....but a sewing machine! Welcome to 2010, Bethany!

So woooohooooo! I can't wait to start creating things!! What an awesome gift. :)

Oh yeah, the machine still needs a name. Any suggestions?

Dreaming of....

THIS!!! I've been wanting a sewing machine for a while. Now that things are settling down a bit, I've decided to pick one out and work towards it, hoping to actually buy BEFORE Christmas! :) I found one at Wally (oh, store that I hate) for a good price, so G and I went to check it out. George however, decided that I need the super deluxe machine! He was pretty convincing, so I want that one now too. It has a zillion different stitches, LCD touch screen, drop in bobbin, self threading needle, computer hook-up AND it embroiders! Watch out people! I'm such a nerd...

Weekend...

This was a crazy and dramatic weekend! I don't really want to recap everything, but the long and short of it is that I had a last minute job interview. The interview went really well, things got complicated with my current family (who are no longer moving...for the time being) and I'm here at the same job, for the foreseeable future. I have to trust and believe that God knows what's best for me and that I am staying at my job for a reason. I'm also upping the prayers for G's career job!!

I think if I had more control and creativity in other areas of my life, it may bleed over to my job situation. So I'm working on getting back into to sewing as well as doing more baking and creating in general. I'm hoping that will help me to balance out stress a bit and make my job smaller in our lives.

Also, now that I really know that my job isn't temporary, there are things I can do in the day to day that will make it more enjoyable/easier.

So that's that. In other news, it is totally feeling like Fall here! I'm super pumped and ready to get some Fall decor! I'm making pumpkin bread today and I have to wear a cardigan when I go to work because it's actually CHILLY! I don't remember early October being this nice, but I love it! Also, I saw this cheesy thing at Sam's the other day, and I kind of want it. It's a fake fire and heater. Hee hee. It doesn't really go with our deign aesthetic, but I do love a fireplace! :)

Hoping for great things this week...

Making the everyday special....

I'm working on making simple things special. Dinner last night. The weather was fabulous, the food was pretty great and the company was the best!

(I need a better camera...it looked sooooo much better in person!;)

I've Got The Power!

(Yep, you can say it like the song.)

Friday was a very hard and discouraging day for my man...and a little bit for me. Something big that we had been hoping, praying and preparing for didn't happen and it was another blow to his/our spirit, pride and waning hope.

I was bummed...super bummed, until I came to the realization shared in my previous post. I hate using overly churchy or Sunday School terms, but God was really speaking to me about my heart, hope and attitude. Once I got those things in order, I realized the great power I have. Power to turn this day around, power to encourage my husband, power to choose to trust in my God.

I was supposed to get off early on Friday, but (surprise!) I didn't. Instead of letting it piss me off and bringing that negativity home, I used the extra time to think about how I would build my husband up when I finally got there.

After work, I stopped by the store and got 2 of George's favorite treats. Then, I went home with a huge smile on my face and open arms. I listened and listened to my sweet man, validated his feelings, filled his tummy and then spoke. I shared with him how God had been speaking to me and where our hope should be. I told him how happy and blessed I am to have him here with me, regardless of his job situation. I told him providing is not ALL about paying bills and encouraged him that God really does have a plan for us.

Then, we got out. He had been in the house all day and needed a change of scenery. We had a great evening and as we went to bed he declared, "This has been a great day!" Funny, the change that happened around 6:00pm.

I don't share this to say how awesome I am, but to encourage others. You have the power too. Power in your home, work place and relationships. It's easier sometimes to be grumpy or to whine, but it's better to have a contagious joy...it can completely turn around a bad day.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:7

Still waiting and believing....

Who I Want To Be

I've caught myself thinking (and possibly saying) things recently that do not reflect who I want to be.

Things like, If only my husband had a real job....Will we ever get a house....I neeeeed another job sooooo bad, you don't even understand....Will I EVER be able to stay home and have babies?? Oh, the angst! Those thoughts and comments reflect discontent, selfishness and a lack of faith in my great God. If you have heard me say these things, I apologize for my crappy 'tude! Furthermore, when did I get so yuppie?! I do NOT do yuppie!

Yes, my husband needs a better job, and at some level so do I. And no, owning a house and being able to have children one day are not bad things. It's the attitude behind it that is. The belief/feeling that no one is looking out for us and our entire future is on my shoulders. That is not true and I know it. My God is in control. I'm not naive enough however, to think that God being in control makes things easy. So buck up, huh?

What really freaks me out about this discovered attitude is that I could become that girl. You know, the one who always has something to complain about (sometimes disguised in ridiculous "prayer requests"), something in her life is always bad or dramatic and nothing ever seems to be good enough. Nooooooo! That can't be me-I refuse!

This is me (or at least who I want to be), someone who is happy and thankful for the things in her life-especially the little things. Here are some of those little things I'm happy about...

I got up early to brown meat and deglaze the pan with wine for a stew that is slow cooking all day...the hubs keeps sending me texts about the aroma. I feel like super-wife. :)

I've been a really rockin' nanny today and I'm proud of that.

I love my husband so much and am so glad he is here.

I tried on clothes today and thought, 'Wow I look good!' Awesome.

These are the times that build our character and build our marriage. Like my parents, we will one day have great pieces of wisdom (and really great stories) to share with and encourage others.

Happy weekend!

Food.

I think a lot about food in general and food in regards to budgeting. I am very concerned about what I put into my body (for health and weight reasons) and what I provide for my husband to put into his (just for health reasons). I'm also concerned about the cost of said food. One reason is to ensure that our budget works, but also from an ethical point of view. Just because we have the money to spend on expensive/fancy food doesn't mean it is right to do so-we also try HARD not to be wasteful. As silly as it sounds, I really do struggle with this in my mind. I can't really shake the image of what people in Ghana eat, compared to my at times, wanton consumerism for what I 'deserve, work hard for and need'. I do need food. However, I don't need to stock up on expensive, unhealthy trash, because I simply feel like it.

I stumbled across the following on Holli's Ramblings, it made me think about these things even more and I had to share.

This excerpt is from a book called Hungry Planet - in which a sampling of families from around the world open their homes up and show us exactly what they consume in a given week. Each family is photographed with their entire weekly food/drinks spread in their kitchen, and the amount spent is recorded to the penny.

I was blown away by some of the findings. Notice the amount of soda and alcohol in the high dollar families. I wonder what my weekly shopping would look like...

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07 United States: The Revis family of North Carolina Food expenditure for one week $341.98 Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11 Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09 Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27 Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53 Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo Food expenditure for one week: $31.55 Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03 Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23 Wow. As Holli states....So many things are striking - the sheer cost of living in Germany, the massive prevalence of process and take-away foods in America, the absence of all processed foods in Egypt and Bhutan and the glaring poverty of the family in Chad with just over $1 a week to feed a family of six.

This is my life.....

I posted this last year, while still in The Valley, struggling everyday, wondering where God had gone.....

I see my life here in Texas with my husband by my side. I see enjoying my career for a little while longer until we start a family. I see owning a home, complete with western conveniences and practicing hospitality, sharing our GhAmerican culture. I see us living a bi-continental life-living fulfilled in two cultures and knowing and loving both families. I see US...here. Endless possibilities, finding our place.

I see my life in Ghana, with my husband by my side. I see myself teaching in my community and learning constantly. I see myself with braids and a baby strapped to my back. I see owning a different home, one that requires more work, but I am happy to do it. I see myself never blending in, but I don't mind. I do not see us being bi-continental, but hope my family would be willing to brave Africa...for me. I see US...in Ghana. Endless possibilities, finding our place.

I see my life in the unknown, with my husband by my side. I do not know what I would do or where we would live. I see US...that's all that matters. Endless possibilities, finding our place. I just don't know which life is ours...still waiting for an answer...

And here we are, more than a year later...endless possibilities, finding our place. It was not easy or without pain to get here, and we remember that all the time...sometimes with lingering tears. It's still hard some days, when we pray and struggle and search for jobs and get that (familiar) feeling that God has left us in the dark. And then we are grounded again, reminded of His faithfulness, when we see it and when we don't. If my life stayed the way it is right now- small apartment, terrible job, hubby workin' retail, I still wouldn't trade it...and I would still rejoice that my man is here.

We're living in that "unknown" but blissfully together. I guess the adventure continues, it's just a little more domestic now.

Ever wonder?

Do you ever meet someone and wonder, "How on earth did you become this??" I do! I meet people all the time and become curious about their upbringing and how they came to be who they are (whether I think they are a cool person or terrible person!). Parents are a great indicator of that. I thought some of you might want a glimpse into how I became who I am. Check out my mom's great blog, I'm looking forward to all of her future posts!

TGIF!!!

It's been a tough week. We are very discouraged on the job front and sometimes wonder if our great God even hears our cries anymore. It's just been tough. I don't know what it is, but there is a point when doing the same thing over and over again (in the noble sort of way) all of the sudden becomes unbearable. I'm not sure if that's immaturity on my part or just how life works, but I feel like I'm in that unbearable place again.

In comes Friday. We CELEBRATE Friday in our home! I am excited to celebrate tonight. We made it through the work week and we're saying "goodbye" to all the yucky it held! I think our celebration menu tonight will be something along the lines of this: Fruit Tray (while we cook the rest) Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Sweet Potato Fries, a KILLER Salad, ChAmPaGnE (!!!!!!) and Ice Cream! Woohoo!! I'm counting down the rest of this day and looking forward to a great evening with my man...

Random Post...

This is some of what is going on in my mind right now...

Inés Sainz....you are ridiculous. Act and dress like a professional. Women all over the world are being taken seriously in their fields because they dress, speak and carry themselves like professionals. You, my friend, look like a sex advertisement. If you don't want men to treat you like you're givin' it out, then don't look like you are. Spray painted on jeans and a top unbuttoned to your navel most definitely do not speak of professionalism. God only knows what was jiggling around when those football players (who are not known for their manners, btw) whistled and made comments about you. It was wrong of them, but you asked for it. Furthermore, (right or wrong) that is part of the sportscasting business...big, smelly, crude, rich men who are full of themselves.

Job searching sucks...but I'm going to keep doing it!

I am in LOVE with Alexia's new Waffle Cut Sweet Potato fries! They are sooooo good! We get them in the freezer section of our natural food store, I highly recommend them! Another new favorite, Mom's Best Dark Chocolate Oatmeal. Yuuuuuuummy! It's like breakfast AND dessert! Christmas! I am already thinking about Christmas...and Thanksgiving....and Fall and cool weather in general. I am so excited to finally be able to share such a wonderful time of year with George! It's gonna be great and I want to make sure that it's extra special. :)

I would love to travel, I am really missing travel. We can't go on any major trips, so I've decided to take advantage of some of the great places and sights Texas has to offer. I'm making a list of places to go and waiting for it to be juuuuust a bit cooler! (Did I mention I can't wait for Fall?)

This is long enough, so that's all....

P.S. I made fat-free brownies today....YUCK-O!!!

Recession State Of Mind

It's taken me a really long time to finally come to grips with the cold hard facts of our current (and most likely, future) economy. I can finally honestly say to myself that I WILL have to work HARDER for LESS and that less won't go as far as it used to. Wow. That's sobering. Some days it's even sad and disheartening. The only thing that would be worse is being in that boat without the Hope we have in Christ.

As I've struggled with this (not so) new reality, I've searched my heart (and discovered selfishness) about my desires and "worth." Some adjustments have needed to happen. I used to believe that if you work hard, you earn your "worth" and you can achieve your goals and the desires of your heart will be granted (read: you can buy your dream house, drive a nice car and life is goooood). I'm not sure if that's part of the screwed up American Dream or if it's more Spiritual Junk Food, but that's just not true. Sometimes working hard just isn't enough....or it doesn't seem that way. Sometimes, "enough" needs to be redefined.

I struggle with this on a daily basis, because as we all know, I NEED a job! Then I realize, the person who really NEEDS a job is the 40 year old father of 3 who's working at Walgreen's for minimum wage. Ouch. I guess I only semi-need a job. I'm not sure where this entitlement attitude came from, but I'm not a fan. It's tough...it's a constant battle. It's really easy to get sucked in. Into the American Dream, into the life-is-easy-for-Christians mentality, into the I-DESERVE-IT mindset. But I shouldn't. Money and a house and a car (and cute Fall clothes) are most certainly not bad things, but the pursuit of them can be.

It is frustrating sometimes when you work SO HARD and don't have much to show for it or feel like you will never get ahead. But it is very gratifying when you change your priorities, wants and desires and realize less can be more.

My great Aunt gave George and me a Couple's Bible for our wedding. It's not just any Couple's Bible though, it's a Bible she and her husband used and wrote in and underlined. It is so great to see the notes and dates next to things. I opened it tonight searching for a different verse, but this one popped out at me (it was underlined in red:). What a blessing.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Hope is a good thing. Hope in someone who knows the end of the story...

Pinup girl??

My grandmother (I won't "out" which one) took some really great (and really tasteful) pinup style pictures to send to her man who was a GI in Korea. I have loved these pictures since the first time I saw them! I have wanted those pictures for a very long time. Last year, they made a trip to Texas and my mom had them in a safe place. Last night, they made it over to my place! WOOT WOOT! I was so excited! I can't wait to do something amazing with them...they are small, so I don't want to over power them. I also started thinking, what if I did a re-shoot of the same pics? Nah! I wouldn't.

...but maybe I would. ;)

Pictures

Long weekends are so great! We really enjoyed our time to relax this weekend and hang out with some of my family members. One of the things we did yesterday was a photo shoot with my sister. Since G wasn't here for nearly all of our engagement, we never got a sweet shoot like most couples do. It made me kind of sad, so we decided that we didn't have to be engaged to get great pics, newlywed pictures are great too! My sister is an aspiring photographer and she did a great job. Here is a glimpse (they are stolen from her blog, so the quality got messed up a bit-oops!)... We had fun, thanks Tiffany!!

August

August is almost over-I can hardly believe it. I think a lot about significant times of the year and/or what was happening this time last year. So I read my blog posts from last August.

Wow! August was miserable (okay, a lot of last year was miserable, but August kicked off a new level of miserable). My posts are full of anguish, longing, disappointment and general pissiness. Neither George or I had any clue what the future would hold. Things were hard on all sides!

And now, here we are. Together. Things have changed so much in a year! Sometimes I just want to block out the pain of 2009. In doing that though, I can forget how far God has brought us and I don't want to do that!

God has done great things for us! We are together, we are in a wonderful church, we are growing on many levels and we are at peace. Jobs are our only real area of need-and even that, when together is of lesser concern. So thanks God, and thanks to all of you who have supported us.

Weekend and Apartment Update

We had a great weekend! After a looong week, the Hubs and I wanted to kick off the weekend right! So we grilled on our patio and enjoyed the unusually fabulous weather! The food was super yummy (I highly recommend Sprout's marinaded Kabobs and Carne Asada) but the company was fabulous! I. Love. My. Husband. Excuse the tacky ladder...we're trying to get it back to my brother- in the meantime, we have no place to store it. :) I'm a big fan of Champagne/Sparkling Wine, but not the price. Barefoot's Chardonnay Champagne is a great option for us poor folk! Love, love, love!

Our new home is coming along nicely. We sold a piece of furniture that just didn't work anymore and it has made a world of difference! G also bought our dining room art, which has a huge impact (I'm so proud of my working man:). This didn't photograph very well, but we have built-ins and I love them. Living room.HUGE picture! It reminds us of the canopy walk in Ghana.