new beginnings

I started to write a couple weeks ago, but wasn't really feeling it. Maybe because I was sick. Maybe because I haven't felt motivated. Or maybe I didn't feel that there was anything worth sharing. Whatever the case, it's now a new year, which means new beginnings.


We enjoyed 2011. A lot happened. The majority of it good. I can't even really think of anything bad. Toward the end of the year we were moving. It was really difficult saying 'good-bye,' but I wouldn't necessarily call it "bad." Just really difficult and emotional. It also found us trying to sell the house, me trying to get a job, having another nephew born, and celebrating holidays.


Now it's 2012. January has been good.


House officially sold.


Lifestyle change in progress which means choosing to eat healthier & work out more frequently.


Baby shower, ladies' progressive dinner, girls night out.


Hangin' with friends, letting our friendships develop and deepen.


I got a job. Starts with orientation on Monday.


It finally snowed a real snow in Wisconsin. But is already melting thanks to the bipolar weather. Panda still managed to find a clean, undisturbed patch to roll around in this morning.


There are many days I take Panda out and I'm in my pink plaid flannel pj pants. Tucked into my snow boots. At almost noon. And I don't care who sees me. 


I take her out late because we went to bed too late. And I'm just not ready to get out of bed on a day off.


So I may also let her get up on the bed on these mornings so she quits whining at me and goes back to sleep. For purely selfish reasons since I wouldn't allow this otherwise.


Don't judge.


Like I said, January has been good. And full...but not in the too busy sense. 

Life is good. :)

today

I realized it's been over a month since I've written. Hubby recently mentioned it had been a while, but I didn't realize how long of a while. I've had various thoughts over the past month, but never paused to share. Figured tonight would be a good night, although if I don't make sense at any point, I blame it on the cold that my dear husband bestowed upon me before he left for his business trip. He obviously knows I'm a big baby when I'm sick and got out of here! Totally kidding. Not about the big baby part. Oh well, making the most of it and enjoying the fireplace, the Christmas tree, and the dog letting me use her a footrest. And I did get to see him via Skype, so that was nice. :) 


On to real-ish thoughts. 


New nephew = my heart bursting and can.not.wait. to hold that precious babe and kiss his chubby-cheeked face!  Also love that my brother and his sweet wife made three little ones for me to love. And beyond cute to boot. They look like their aunt. ;)


Hubster (yes, I use that made-up word quite often). I'm so proud of him and his smartness (praying our kids get his genes in this area). I think I was just telling my MIL this, but when he started considering this job, I didn't have strong feelings either way. I didn't feel like 'yes, we must go,' or 'no way, this isn't happening.' I prayed about it and ultimately told my husband that if he absolutely knew this was what he was supposed to do, then I would support that decision and move to Wisconsin.


So glad we did. 


**Note** This was initially written in December and I'm just now posting it. Yikes.

what we need

Honestly, it doesn't feel like the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, but here we are...

This year will be different since Mark & I are staying in WI. Not that we didn't stay home in the years before; we did. But we had friends that did their family things before the actual day, so we'd celebrate together. This year will probably be quiet, and I'm OK with that. Mostly because I'll be working a combined total of 17 hours on Black Friday...

Anyway, this year I feel that I've been more reflective than in years past. It's a good thing. I'm feeling a 'growth spurt' of the spiritual sort, and my heart is closer to where it belongs: in thanksgiving to the One who loves me unconditionally & eternally.

We've been blessed with a church family who have only known us for a short time, but are loving us with the love of Jesus. The sermons have been scriptural and applicable, and have challenged Mark & I to keep learning and growing in our faith...I love our discussions after church and throughout the week. 

This past Sunday morning we sang this song:

We got to the part that says, "My heart will sing/no other name/Jesus/Jesus," and as I was singing his name I felt his presence like I haven't in a long time. Just goes to show how truly powerful the name of Jesus really is. It was so unexpected and so beautiful. Well, except the part with mascara all down my face. :) 

I am truly thankful for that intimate moment...God truly knows what you need, & when you need it.

Have I mentioned...

how much I love fall? Mark posted a few photos on Facebook, but this is what I did yesterday before I went to work:

Pumpkin seeds....texture didn't turn out exactly how I like them, but  not bad for my first try. :)

Pumpkin cream cheese muffins. Aren't they pretty? 

And I should mention...DELICIOUS!
Here's the recipe I used: 

http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2011/10/pumpkin-cream-cheese-muffins.html 

I didn't have ground ginger, and I don't think it would have made a big difference at all. I'm not a ginger lover anyway.

And here's our cute pumpkin. :)

I couldn't help myself. I had leftover canned pumpkin in my fridge, and a carving pumpkin on the balcony that never got carved. I cut the top to scoop out the 'guts' and drew on a face with a sharpie because I felt bad. Hey, I was lazy this year. 

people need other people

The pastor of the church we've been attending said this to me last week, and it stuck. Because it's true.

Being the new kids in town is always kinda tough. But I can honestly say, we've been blessed yet again in finding really good people. We were extremely blessed in PA with the friends/family we made so quickly and how deep those relationships were rooted from the very beginning.

Being in temporary living in Madison when we first arrived ended up being just that. And although we saw certain people on a somewhat regular basis, no one was willing to get too close because eventually, we were all going our separate ways. So for those first three or so weeks, we didn't start any lasting relationships.

Now we are in Janesville. Much more ideal given it is closer to Mark's job, yet still close enough to Madison to be able to enjoy it when we so choose. Here we found a more permanent home, and started visiting churches seriously seeking out a family to whom we could belong. Church number two, three visits later, and I can seriously say I am going to have some pretty awesome people in my life.

People really do need other people. We need people with whom to love, nurture, encourage, correct, hug, hurt, cry, rejoice, laugh, care for, & pray. And it's a two-way street. We are called by Jesus to love each other. I know there are times that I am selfish or detached, and I am feeling convicted to be more selfless & present & to really, truly love others. Hold me to it.

here's to...

putting the down comforter on the bed & still sleeping with the window cracked...
caramel apples...

all things pumpkin...
walks in the park on crunchy leaves...
lighting the fireplace in the morning...
turning on the heat in the bathroom while getting ready...
brightly hued leaves...

...& mums...
"fall" scented candles...
pots of soup...
& thanking God for all of these blessings, plus so many more, that remind me daily of how good He truly is.

I love this action shot of my nephew, Johnny, and niece, Bella from last fall. Pure joy. :)

Firsts

I've thought about blogging for a while now, and decided that today was the day to make it a reality. Mark & I, along with the dog, embarked on a journey that has settled us in Wisconsin. 

Yes, we've lived away from family for a long time, but now it seems like we are really, really far. 

I've been looking for ways to share our adventure and stay connected with those we love and miss terribly. This may be it.

As the inaugural post, I've been thinking about ' firsts'. We've experienced a lot of firsts:

Travelling/moving while sick.

Being grateful for movers so we didn't have to do the flight of steps to the 2nd floor a million times.

The massive farmer's market at the capitol.

The joy of fried cheese curds.

Taking Panda baby to the park off leash to play with other dogs.

Finding a bakery that is unheard of cheap.

Did I mention the fried cheese curds?

These are just a few things that I could think of off the top of my head. It's only been a month & a half and we have so much to do/see/learn. Loving this adventure already.