Oh my word.

Breathe.

Okay. 

So life lately...

I don't really know where to begin, so I'll just start talking--typing--I suppose. When I started this job of mine, which really is alright besides the occasional freakout from a boss or two, I realized, or thought I realized, the meaning of Tax Season. No. Well, evidently it officially begins in February, but because of the "higher up" denial of understaffing and the overly ridiculous amount of work required by two people (well technically one, but I help), we have to stay until about 8 every night. How does that make sense? 

Anyway, so I guess our house shopping was put on a hold for a while because of work, but ya know, that's just how life is, and really, jobs are more important that housing (which would not be possible without them). Besides, I plan to take an insanely nice trip with all the overtime cash....I see no other option. :)

Anyway, so Twilight was great. I've heard tons of different opinions about the books, but my personal one is just.....AWESOME. I'm such a dork. I don't really care...I love them--LOVE THEM. Anyone want to see the movie, again?

So I'm not sure how Jonathan and I have been staying afloat with his technically 3 jobs---oh that's right, the Lord.  :) Between overtime, house shopping, Tuesday and Sunday church responsibilities, shopping of any kind, moving houses, and ahem ahem--sleeping (yes, it's a category), I cannot say thanks enough to God for sustaining and loving us through these (busy) times. I am so excited to do nothing this week though, and I seriously hope that Jonathan takes a day off! He's sort of like the energizer bunny...but I know that they replace the batteries when that bunny thing is not in a commercial shoot, right?

Also--lovin the Bachelor. I have been slightly disappointed with the last couple of shows, but Jason seems like a real guy with a real life. Go him.

And now...for some of the normal things I miss...

1. Going to Sam's and sampling everything with Jonathan

2. Vacuuming because I feel like it

3. Qdoba

4. Fall weather walks!

5. Taking pictures of people I love

6. Reading a bestseller and then talking someone else into reading it!

7. HGTV :)

8. Mom

9. Nonfat extra-hot Toffee Nut Starbucks latte

10. Michael Buble and Ingrid Michaelson

P.S. I am blessed blessed blessed. The Lord has taken care of me and Jonathan these past years of our life, and i definitely do not doubt him now. He continues to teach and show me ways to show his love to others, and I feel that I have been put where I am in life sort of as a missionary in a sense. It's hard, and it's not always picture perfect, but I am becoming a much stronger person, and I realize that through it all, God is glorified if I just do my part. How are people going to see Jesus if they do not have a chance to be shown Jesus' love? I am grateful to the many friends I have, and those that have prayed for us and continue to think of us. 

God is good, and though we may not understand where or why we are right now in life, there is a purpose. Looking back, I have never been disappointed in my life because I feel that everything I have done has a purpose. It has taught me what I do or don't want, what I need from myself, and I learn more about myself everyday through life experiences that are often awesome or sucky. Either one---haha....or both, like moving! :) 

Anyway, bring on life. I'm pumped about tomorrow!

"Count it all joy."

Okay, so I'm sorry I haven't written in ages and I kind of feel bad about it. Almost. Well, not right now though. I don't have time. I have to finish the Twilight Saga. After that maybe I'll have time to talk. Actually, I'll have a lot to talk about, and if Jonathan has anything to do with it, nothing concerning Twilight. I've almost burned his ears off already.

So I'm sitting here admiring this Christmas Tree thinking about life and how come I'm enjoying it all by myself tonight. I feel bad that Jonathan can't spend these times with me. These sweet days when all I want to do is play tennis or go for a walk. It's depressing I guess if I think about it. But then I just think about that sermon, "God is near" and it makes the time go by a little sweeter, even if the clock doesn't tick any faster.

Macy's doesn't know the vast impact it has on me. It doesn't realize how seriously I take those large balloons and high school bands. It isn't there when my heart flutters halfway through the parade and I pray for it to slow down. It doesn't realize...doesn't care, but I could care less. It's the best parade of the entire year. Yay for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. See you bright and early!! One and half days and counting!! Love you and love you Macy!!

I work in that office.

You know, making 100 biscuts for 30 people never crossed Nathan's mind. He automatically assumed (in his very hospitable mind, of course) that every person at work would eat at LEAST 3 biscuits--with gravy--for breakfast, and that at 7am, everyone was going to eat breakfast, and that from those everyones that did eat breakfast, all of them loved biscuits and gravy. MMmmm wrong, but very hilarious that he made 100 biscuits with leftovers for over a week. Almost as funny as the two and a half gallons of gravy he brought along to go with it. 

Two and a half gallons...

This is true. 

Obama and McCain are going at each other's throats. People--friends...are going at each other's throats because of political beliefs. Yes, it's important, but how easily people forget that they are friends when politics are brought into the picture. We're all people right? We're all hurting in different ways right? We are all called to love each other right? We all have different beliefs, and we come from different places. That's what makes it America, and that what makes this country beautiful, so instead of judging others for their political beliefs, lets love them, and see how much further that might take us. :)

Top things I love this week:

1. Pumpkins. I really want to carve one! It brings back memories of the years when I was 12, tick-or-treating around my neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas dressed as a basket of dirty laundry. Best costume of my life. 

2. Blackberry pie. Hello crispy crust. I was sitting at work this morning, and about 9a.m., I began  thinking about a specific time in my childhood. I was in 7th grade and I was friends with a girl named Adrienne Maddox. I went to her house to spend the night once and her mom brought out blackberry pie after dinner. That was 9  years ago. No one should go without blackberry pie that long. Thinking about that gave me a sudden urge to jump into my past, grab a piece, stuff it in (and on) my face and walk around going "Mmm" with purple all over my face. Who cares. It's pie.

3. Shiny things. I love shiny things! I had my silver ring cleaned at the mall the other day and it keeps catching my eye. I saw a detailed black Toyota sitting next to a dirty Lexus at a stoplight. I wanted the Toyota. I love shiny black paint! I love shiny shoes. I love bright shiny Christmas Ornaments. I love clean shiny windows that reflect the sun in the morning on the way to work.  I love shiny hair. I love shiny chapstick and shiny nails. Shiny Shiny. It's just better.

4. Unplanned conversations. I love those great little conversations that make a good day become a great one, like someone nice on the elevator or a sweet little lady at the Post Office. I love sweet people at Target, cute little girls handing out flyers with pink bows in their hair, and conversations with your husband that remind you why you married him.

5. I love 409. It makes EVERYTHING you need to clean easy easy easy to do. 

6. Cold weather. Well, possibly because I love coats, winter clothes, and hot coffee. But still, I love cold.

7. Music. 

8. Silence.

9. Pottery Barn Books.

10. Gas Prices

Today is a fresh day. A good one. A new one. A new one. 

It's crazy how life is up and down and all around. Recently, Jonathan and I have made huge leaps and bounds. I'm working for a CPA firm, and it's great except for deadline days, but it's getting there. Jonathan is the new gameday emcee for the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team, and I couldn't be more proud! Not only that, he makes time to be with me and make me feel loved despite his busy travel time at SNU, his new job (which occupies 41 nights of the year), and video and graphic design work on the side. How amazing is he? I just have one job, and I'm off everyday at 5:30. Uncomplicated. That's how I roll. 

Well, we are blessed, yet again we'll tell you. We're so blessed. Mini is almost 6 pounds now. She is little, but getting bigger. We are hoping to plan a much needed vacation this next May. :) Yes, I'm already talking about it. Any great location suggestions? I'm ready for cool weather to come, which would also mean movies and hot chocolate, Christmas lights, football parties, and snow. 

Fall break is happening right now for the SNUers. I'm a little jealous, but I realize that adult life is not all that it's cracked up to be, and you never get a random day off just because (or week).  I guess I'm okay with that. I got my fall break last year, and well...the 20 years before that.

Hopefully today will be a little better. Well, it will be. It's the day after the tax deadline, Jonathan's coming home from traveling, I got to see Mendy and Tomy this morning :), I'm having lunch with friends, and my house is clean. How much better could it possibly get?

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will praise the Lord at all times. His love will continually be on my lips. I will praise the Lord at all times. I will praise the Lord at all times. (-Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir)