ah...

One of my dreams has always been to take a rainy weekday and sleep in with my husband. Well, today that dream came true! Darrin got off of work early, at 8:30a, and my walk around lake Mayor with April was canceled. It has been raining since late last night. Darrin turned on King of Queens and in a minute was fast asleep. Now instead of getting up and doing whatever it is I needed to do, I took this time to cuddle up next to Darrin, enjoy the feeling of my new crispy white sheets, and pray. When I can't sleep, I find that that is the time when I utter my most thoughtful and heartfelt prayers. So after a lazy morning of sleeping in and enjoying every minute with Darrin, I am finally up, and Darrin is back at work!

I wish I had pictures from last evening. We went out to, oh man, I don't even know what its called. It is a place where people dock their boats, and you can jet ski and stuff. Its like the little lake that leads to the ocean. Anyways, our friends April and Jared have a jet ski and were taking it for the first ride of the year. Jet skiing in itself is a blast, but imagine jet skiing with two dolphins! It was incredible, we think they liked the noise, because they seemed to follow us! I have to admit, I was a little scared, but in awe of these creature nonetheless.

Trying.

As some of you know, right now I am on day 3 of having no job. Not that I am complaining, but I am kind of in a struggle against myself. Since I have the whole day to myself, I want to use the time wisely. Now, yesterday and Monday I was pretty medicated because of my bum finger. But not today. Although I am looking (really hard) for a job, I have decided to also put more time into being a good housewife. My schedule isn't near as tight or disciplined as Summer's, but I am trying :)

TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
10:30a- Make sure whole apartment is clean (CHECK!)
11:10a- Go walking for 40 minutes.
12:00p- Meet Niq for lunch
1:15p- Go pick up groceries for potluck
2:00p-Finish some thank you notes
4:00p- Make salad for potluck
Then after that, I will talk to Darrin, get ready for small group, pick up friend for small group,go to small group, come home and go to bed.

I think this sounds like a productive day :)

Back in the day...
This picture was the day that Darrin left for SCAD for the very first time. It was almost 3 years ago. I can't believe how far we have come since this day! As Kathy would say...PTL! (Praise the Lord :) )

ouch!

On Monday morning, I reluctantly rolled out of bed, got ready and drove to work. When I got there, something was not right. Then, Ms. Carol told me they couldn't use me anymore, and so I think I was fired. This is my first job EVER being let go. It was weird, but for some reason I am O.K with it! It wasn't my dream job, and to be honest it all was a little shady.
At about 10:30a I decided that I was hungry, so why not eat lunch? I decided to make a grilled cheese sandwich, so I grabbed my velveeta slices, whipped out the Sarah Lee, and was mad because my butter was so cold (I always have a stick out on the counter, nice and soft! But since we had been out of town, all my butter was solid and cold) anyways, I went to cut my butter, but somehow my finger got in the way! Next thing I know, I have cold water running over my finger, and the blood won't stop flowing. I knew that this was the worst cut I have ever had (and I have had many) so I tried to give the blood time to stop, but it wouldn't. I went through 2 huge band-aids, and thats when I decided to call my nurse, Anna. She said to get some guaze and wrap it up good, but I would need Darrin's help...he was about to start class. I by the time I hung up with Anna, the fat in my finger had started to swell and peek out of my cut. So when Darrin got home, he took me to an Emergency Care and they said I would definitely need stitches. I was kind of excited because with a cut this bad, I better have something to show for it! My cut didn't hurt at all, until they started injecting it with numbing stuff, and literally sewing my skin back together. When it was all done, and I had 8 nasty looking stitches, we went to Target to fill my prescription. Now, a day later, my finger still hurts and throbs. So I take 3 different pills. Strong Ibuprofen, and antibiotic, and if it really hurts, a strong pain killer. Well, it really hurts, so I have now (at the appropriate times) taken them all, but the pain killer makes my whole body go kind of numb. It fogs up my brain, and I wonder if it is a legal drug. :) I hope I don't have to take it for much longer.

Here are some pictures.

Today Anna graduated from college. I have been thinking of her all day, sad that I couldn't share this very special time with her. Graduating from college, what an accomplishment! While I don't think I will ever experience this, nor do I want to, it certainly is something admirable. Congrats Anneliese! You will make a great teacher!

This picture describes us perfectly. Different in so many ways, yet so similar.

On a different not, per Anna's request, I will write an update on my life.

Work is going great. A new girl, Nikki started 2 weeks ago, and it is so fun to work with her. On Friday both overcame our huge fear and started stepping on the huge cockroaches. Instead of spraying the heck out of them with raid, or trying to try to squish them with an object before they ran away. I can't believe I step on these things, but its really easy. And is saving me from a mini heart attack everytime I spot one. I am bigger than them!

My boss, Roy, has a lot of property. On one of those acres is a garden and a beautiful pond/lake. I have been working in the garden, purely for therapy reasons. I go sometimes when Darrin is at work, it is a rewarding thing. This is why...
-I feel like I can be a good witness to Roy, and Tommy (my black,61 year old, toothless, friend. And we really are becoming friends.).
-The dirt (although rather sandy) takes me back to when I used to garden with my mother. I feel like I am doing something that she would be proud of.
-I secretly smell the tomato plants, and I feel like I am back in Wahoo. Just me and my mom gardening. I think all summer my mom would smell like tomato plants. Yum...
-It is relaxing to listen to the birds, see God's creation, and actually do some hard work.
- Although I come home sweaty and covered in dirt, I get to show Darrin a part of me that he hasn't seen before. And he likes it.

Speaking of Darrin, he is working a lot. Not because we are struggling to make end meet, but because he is genuinely a very hard worker. He feels that if he has spare time on his hands, he should be working! I think with the jobs he is working, the Lord has really used it to humble him (I think everyone should experience on of these jobs, mine was working at Target.) But he is liking it. He works 5a-10a at Panera, goes to class, and then about 2 days he goes out to the car wash until about 8:30. That is just Monday-Friday, on Saturday he works all day at the car wash, and then Sundays he works at either job. It has worked out because when he works on Sunday morning, we are able to have a date night downtown. We eat dinner, and then go to LATEchurch (which meets at a really neat, old theatre) and then we go up to SCAD so he can work on homework.
So we are managing to hang out...we joined a small group that meets on Wednesday nights, and it really is proving to be a huge blessing in our life. We are meeting really cool people.

This weekend we are going home to visit for a few days...I am really excited, but nervous for some reason! I wonder what my emotions will be like, If I will be a crying mess, or if I will be normal. I just never know these days :)

Thats about it for now...we are really loving it here in this city. I grow to like it more and more everyday. I am just loving this stage in my life. Even if my sisters are 1200 miles away. Even if I don't have kids like all my neighbors. I am content with what God is doing in my life...and content to be my husbands helper!

BLAH!

Just a few things...

1. Why does everyone feel the need to update their facebook status every 5 minutes? That's just ridiculous!
2. Twitter? Pah-leez! In case networking wasn't creepy/stalkerish enough.
3. I like facebook, but sometimes I don't feel like communicating through it! So if someone writes to me, good luck getting a response :) Does anyone else feel like this? I feel guilty. Sort of.

Here are a few things that have been bothering me lately...

When people always have an excuse for why their life sucks...
* I have homework
* My car isn't nice enough
*I've had this cell phone for A YEAR!!!
* So and So is so...
* I need this person so bad...
* I am sad the weekend is over!

Ok, I could go on, but you get my drift. No I am not saying that I am not guilty of whining or complaining. And I know sometimes in life, we go through some really hard times. But come on people, having to actually have to live your life isn't actually anyones problem!

I am not really talking about anyone specific, this is just something that I have been thinking about lately. And wanted to encourage YOU, as I am trying myself, to just be a little more positive :)

the SAV

Things I Love About The City God Has Put Me In...

1. I get to be with my loving husband everyday!
2. I have to be extra careful with the storing of food, because chips go stale in 5 minutes here. It keeps me organized :)
3. I love the big old trees that line the streets.
4. I don't have to worry about running into my old Burke High School friends everytime I go to the mall.
5. There are palm trees here.
6. Spanish moss also is in abundance, it hangs from all of the old trees!
7. It is always on the warmer side.
8. I am minutes from the beach.
9. I am forced to go out of my comfort zone and make new friends.
10. God is teaching me so much about leaning on Him, being patient, and being happy.
11. I don't know the city like the back of my hand, so it is fun to find new places!
12. I get letters in the mail almost everyday.
13. When I am mad and talking to Darrin, all I have to do is break out my southern accent and it puts us both in a better mood.
14. I get to shop at Publix, which reminds me of the stores my mom used to shop at when I was little.
15. I have my own apartment that I am inspired to keep clean, so that I don't get any visiting cockroaches.
16. I seem to be the only one who say's "pop" instead of coke.
17. Chick-fil-A
18. SCAD is right down the street...instead of across the country.
19. The air smells salty/musky.
20. I get a great view of my feet everytime I walk in the grass/dirt, making sure to stay clear of fire ants!
21. Sweet tea is always in abundance.
22. Other people also collect light house themed things, not just me!
23. Beautiful pink, and purple flowers line the streets!
24. I am only 1.5 hours from Jacksonville, FL and .5 hours from Hilton Head, NC.
25. Fried Pickles!

Thats all for now :)

Anneliese.

I started my new job today, it went great! I think I am really going to like working there! It looks like it will only be part time, so I am going to continue looking for a morning/day job. I am in the runnings for a nannying job that I really want and need. If I get that job then we will need to get another car. So these are a few things on my mind right now. Do I worry about it? No way Jose...I just continually pray about it and let people know my needs. It has worked thus far. And the help wanted adds? What a joke!

I can't believe it is spring already, where has the last year gone? I always love spring, but for some reason it is harder for me to do anything outside, with no siblings to do it with. I am in a phase right now of wondering where my childhood went...do you ever feel like that? It seems like just yesterday Dad was the main man in my life, Kami had buck teeth or Elsielynn couldn't talk. Where did those days go? I love my life now, but sometimes I am sad to think that my childhood is over. I think I understand now why some people think it is dumb to get married so young, they want to stay a kids! But clearly my childhood was over as soon as we moved from Wahoo.

Ok, turning off of memory lane...

On to Luke 6

Please take a minute to read these verses that have really hit home lately...thanks Jesus.

20Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
24"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
39He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
The Wise and Foolish Builders

46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

amen.

enjoying...

I love looking at pictures, especially when I am reading a blog! I am envious of Summer's creativity with her camera. I don't have a camera, so I googled all my pictures. I hope that it is sufficient :)

Here are a few budget-friendly products that I am using:

In the shower:
Found this little one at Walmart for under $2. Although I love my Mary Kay wash, this bar leaves a much cleaner feeling. I actually bought it for Darrin, but find myself using it over and over.



Reading:
A lady at CBC gave this to me, and I can't put it down!



Throwing in the Dryer:
They make the laundry smell so fresh and clean!



In My Laundry Room:
this smells soooo good.



Drinking:
Our favorites are strawberry, grape and peach.


Cleaning the Kitchen with:
this stuff takes out any stain that may be on your counter!


Smelling:
More specifically, Warm Vanilla Sugar.
I have these in every room of my apartment.


Eating:
In many different ways.
My favorite is warm with a little half and half.


Listening to:
This CD...more specifically : Would You Go With Me

Ponca.

Every fall my Dad's side of the family, the Burkes, go to a fun-memory filled town called Ponca. It is in the North - West corner or Nebraska, and doesn't consist of much, besides a fabulous State Park! You can set up a tent there, or do as we do, and rent cabins. My wonderful Grandparents rent a block of cabins all in the same area and for one weekend, my whole family gets together and do things out of the ordinary. I will now list my family, and then some pictures from Ponca 2008.

Mark and Judy

Matt and Peggy
Nathan (20)
Megan (14)

Tim
Anneliese and Shawn
Maryclayre and Darrin
Kami (16)
Caroline (almost 13)
Elsielynn (10)
Joseph (6)

Anne and Doyle
Grant (14)
Luke (5)
Heidi (3)
Beth and Jim Dear

Joe and Heidi


Crazy sisters, Beth and Anne


Me and My baby Joe!


Poor little Elsie got sick after we got there. I think the poor girl was just exhausted from school and stuff, but she was still sweet as ever!


Here are a few people eating breakfast.


The dirt hill. You wouldn't believe what these kids do with their imagination! They play up there 75% of the time. Good thing there was a rope ladder for the rest of us to get up there and see there awesome fort.


Doyle, Darrin, Nathan and Megan playing football. Just one of the many activities we do.


Love birds Mark and Judy.


Nathan sporting our 1st annual t-shirts.


We also carved pumpkins. Darrin of course, carved batman.



Good morning! Beth, Anne, Anna and Shawn.


Breakfast tree!


The little kids play area #2. Top bunk filled with toys!


These pictures really don't do my family, or the whole weekend justice. But we have so much fun, it is a great bonding experience and I am so thankful for all the times we have all been able to get together!

I love old hymns!

Here are a few lists of my own:

List # 1.
Birthdays to remember:
Dad- Feb. 19
Darrin - Feb. 19
Liz - March 14
Caroline - March 17
Megan - March 31
Anna - April 7
Joe - May 7
((Kelsey Grad. Gift May 9))
Mom - May 25th
Kami - June 19th

I know that I am looking a little far into the future, but I want to stay prepared!

List # 2.
Things I (and Darrin) am leaving in the Lord's hands...but still thinking about.

- Do we need another car? Where will we get one?
- Will we be able to make it back home in May? And can I please be there for Joe's golden birthday? Especially since I am missing his first communion?!?
- Were will we move after Savannah?
- IS there a church here that we can call home?
- How can I witness to my neighbors that I have nothing in common with?

Ok, those are kind of personal, and come off whiney. But they are not. Those are things that are on my heart, and I am looking to the Lord for answers!

List # 3.
Jobs.
Applied:
Bed Bath and Beyond - They might contact me in a couple weeks.
Dan Vaden Chevrolet- denied after an interview.
Darby Bank - they don't need me either.
Target - not hiring at the time (could they have told me this BEFORE I took 40 minutes to apply?)
Starbucks - good luck.
Armstrong Bookstore - They might contact me.
Horizon Staffing Company (They help you find jobs, I gave them my resume, application and interviewed) - looks positive.
Longhorns - They might have something open, I interview tomorrow. Beggars can't be choosers, but I really don't want to waitress!
Savannahjobs.com - unlikely.
Cleaning rental houses on Tybee Island - waiting for 2nd email response.
Paris Market - I called back today, his business still isn't up...so I'm taking that as a no.

Tomorrow we are going to see where else I can apply, possible a few more banks!

List # 4.
Things I am thankful for.

*Our ever-lovin family who still loves and supports us.
*Our cozy apartment.
*Community Bible Church
*Ford Storage
*Mine and Darrin's health.
* Our car.
* The internet and our phones.
*The ocean.
* Darrins creative mind, and hard work ethic.
* Our friends that we have down here.
* That our apartment is rodent/bug free.
* Our for the most part, quite neighbors.
* My loving and patient husband.
* Good books!
* Coffee with half and half sprinkled with cinnamon.
*My new straightener and bed head products that make my hair look decent, so I don't have to pay for a hair cut!
* Freedom.

Well thats about it, but I want to share one thing with you salad lovers.
Add a few craisins to your salad. No matter what dressing, they taste delicious! They are a very inexpensive way to add something to your old salad!