On a positive note...

I really need to blog more often. It is so therapeutic. Writing is my passion and I've just let it get lost in all the life that's been going on. Today was a better day than yesterday. I confronted one of the things that has been bothering me---but instead of jumping into it and turning into a crazy diva about it (like I would normally do), I approached it gently and with lots of prayer under my belt. God is so good. He really is my Abba. As soon as I addressed it, He responded back with MORE gentleness than I could ever imagine. I am still not ready to share this because of the sensitivity that I feel when I talk about it, but God knows my heart and blessed me with a very understanding and loving husband who sometimes treats me better than I think I deserve. I guess just taking life day by day is really the best way to do things.

Faith

Last night Chris came home and told me that he wanted to talk to me about some things. Naturally I thought I was in trouble for not 'calling so-and-so' or 'forgetting to do such-and-such'. I am the biggest procrastinator AND for some reason, it is hard for me to get the motivation to do ANYTHING unless it seems important to me at the time. It is definitely something I need to work on, but this time I was off the hook. This was something serious though.

Chris basically told me he was not going to be working with the school he is employed with right now next year. He has had a lot of issues with this organization and a few of his employers this year. I'm not going to go into great detail about it all, but he has had a road block in the form of his principal ALL year. She is the most unpleasant woman! She is on a feminist power trip and challenges a lot of the men in the organization, Chris especially, and is not making some very integral decisions.

Anyway, the point is that Chris will not be working there next year, and he does not have a job lined up in its place. He has some options that he is looking into, and we will be more than okay if he has to go without a job for a few months because of our investments, but the unknown is kind of unsettling. Well, last night as Chris and I were laying in bed, I felt God soo strongly tell me to pray for Chris. **A little side note--I am very self-conscious about praying out loud, EVEN in front of my husband...I just feel like I sound stupid, and that my prayers are really basic. I know, I know, I really need to work on that. As I was laying next to Chris, I was battling God in my head. I didn't want to make myself vulnerable. Finally, I said (in my head, of course), "God, I'm not going to be selfish. Who am I to keep your word from Chris. If he needs to hear this, use me." I held Chris in my arms and I prayed. It wasn't a long prayer, nor was it an eloquent one. I thanked God for his love and his blessings. I told him that Chris and I aren't afraid of what is gonna happen in our future, and that we know that HE is our provider, not our employers. I thanked him for always meeting our needs. That was it. With that one small prayer, everything felt so much better. I felt more confident about our future, and I think Chris felt more at peace.

Yay for listening to God and being proactive. God, you rock.

My day off.

I had the day off from work today and I enjoyed every (well, almost every) moment of it. Last night I thought to myself, "Oooo, its my day off tomorrow, I wanna sleep in until 10am.." So much for that: I woke up at 8:30, then 9:00...and laid in bed until 10am. I got up, showered, and then went to the pharmacy to pick up my Nuvaring. At noon, I met my sister-in-law, Shelly, for lunch at Chili's. They have this fantastic lunch special called "The Express Lunch" or something like that. It consists of all-you-can-eat chips and salsa, soup, and salad. It was soooo yummy. After that, Shel and I decided to get the choco-chip paradise thing...super yummy. I had SUCH a good time with her. We really haven't spent much time together since before she moved back to town(which was almost a year ago!!). I love being with her. She makes my heart happy.

After lunch, I went up to the mall (ha...I was about to spell my name) and shopped around a bit. I bought some cute gold sandals and a sexy secretary black collared-shirt (not to be worn together). I would have shopped longer, but the cute red heels I was wearing were hurting my baby toes. Lol. After leaving the mall, I went over to Nikki's house to work out....that was fun! We talked about all the upcoming birthdays.

I got home a little later and then Chris and I made a cobb salad for dinner. Today would have been perfect if it wasn't for the constant power struggle between Chris's mom and sister that they insist Chris be in the middle of. Honestly...they ask him to "mediate" and then get angry with him when he gives them level-headed unbiased answers. Anyway, just say a little prayer because there are going to be a lot of changes in the next coming weeks.

Side Note: Chris's oldest sister, Kristi (who is not involved in the family drama) is pregnant! Yay!!!!

A Dose of Hope

This morning I got an email from my mom. She sent me this video and said, "We watched this video this morning in a meeting. It is very encouraging. Grab a box of tissues." I wasn't able to open it at work, but I sent it to my home email and decided to watch it when I got home. I just watched it right now and WOW. It was amazing. Watch this video and stay encouraged!

Peace on Earth

Today Chris and I went to church (like every Sunday) and our pastor talked about Peace. He mentioned that Peace is not necessarily defined as the world defines it. It is so much deeper. He explained that to have peace, you have to have complete trust in the Lord. You have to trust that he is holding you in his hands, and that he will take care of you and provide you with everything you need. How comforting is that? Anyway, I really think that message was for me.

On another note, I finished all my Christmas shopping for Chris!!! Whewww! He is kind of difficult to shop for. Last year, I bought Chris some pajama pants, a sweater, and some other clothing, and while he was happy and thankful for his gifts, I know (now) that he would rather have gotten something else. Chris really isn't into clothes. He would be just fine in a pair of track pants and a tee shirt. It didn't hurt my feelings (because they were really nice clothes! ha ha), but it definitely was a learning experience for me.

This year, I bought Chris....(drumroll, please) a SUPER nice bowling bag!! I know, it definitely isn't something that would excite me, but Chris LOVES bowling. He has a bag right now, but it is super ghetto (I think it is actually a cooler on wheels)! The bag I got him can hold both of his bowling balls, his bowling shoes, and all of his little accessories. It was very pricey, but I know he will LOVE it, and that's all that matters to me. Besides the bowling bag, I bought him a really nice Nautica wallet, and an electric shaver. I know that he is gonna be really excited!! OHHH, and lastly, I bought him some Hannah Montana paraphanelia for his stocking (I know, I know, I am feeding his unhealthy Hannah Montana obsession...oh well!)

I just have a few more people to shop for, and then I will be smooth sailing into the holidays! Yay!