More of the usual randomness

T-8 days until Mav arrives!  That's assuming he stays put.  I feel sometimes like there is just No. More. Room.  Short girl problems, right?  I feel so fortunate to have had a good, smooth pregnancy.  I'm at the stage where I'm uncomfortable most of the time, my back/hips hurt daily and the heartburn is going to drive me to drink, but that's all the 'normal' pregnancy stuff.  Kody is so excited, every day he reminds me, "One more day closer, Mom!".  So blessed.

The menu has been good!  I've had quite a few yummy new recipes that add a bit of diversity to the daily eats.  My co-workers keep saying how lucky my boys are that I come home from work and cook for them.  Well; it's for me too!  Fast food is EXPENSIVE and bad for you; I've tried to cut it out as much as possible.  So no, it's not "lucky", it's self preservation, lol!  If you're looking for some food ideas, look no further:
Slow cooker ranch pork chops  These were a hit!  Made it last night, and the gravy is divine over mashed potatoes.

Chicken bacon pasta  This was great too!  I browned my chicken w/ some Lawry's season salt.  Not at ALL like my alfredo pasta, more like spaghetti carbonara.  I liked this better than carbonara b/c making things w/ raw eggs makes me nervous!  The bacon just sealed the deal for the boys.

Slow cooker balsamic glazed pork roast  VERY good!  The boys loved it, big hit and VERY easy.

Copy cat O'Charley's potato soup  Ok, yes, it was good.  NO, it does not taste like O'Charley's soup.  I feel better about eating this than the bagged variety w/ all the fake ingredients and dehydrated potatoes.  It was NOT a "quickie" recipe, I'm glad I made it on a Sunday when I had plenty of time to put it all together.  For anyone that may have a slightly larger family, this recipe makes a TON of soup!

One pot chili mac  Um, YUM!  Takes a standard batch of chili and nearly doubles the amount yielded b/c of the pasta.  Also, it heated up VERY well for lunch the next day.

So, just a few little gems to help you get through the week!  The slow cooker recipes are so quick.  Even the chili mac and the chicken pasta was quick.  Just the soup took a long time to make.

My mom and dad are coming to visit starting on Easter!  It's been almost 3 years since I've laid eyes on them, so very excited!  Then my sister will be here in about 3 weeks, SO excited!  I haven't seen her in almost 3 years too, I can't wait.  It's crazy that it's taken a baby to bring everyone out, but hey, whatever works!  Assuming Mav is still safely tucked away in my womb next Wed, we plan to drive Mom and Dad out to The Avenue of the Giants.  PICTURES of Redwoods just don't even help you understand the magnitude and the magnificence of these trees.  EVERYONE should experience them, it's a spiritual experience.

Not much more to talk about I suppose.  Just working on  packing as much non essential stuff as we can and storing it out of the way so we don't feel cramped and cluttered once Mav and People arrive.  I think we're as ready as any couple CAN be for a new addition.  I don't think you're ever really fully prepared, but you do your best.  Excited for what's to come, thanks for following along with my journey!

Just plugging along

I have no intention of joining a gym.  The money I'm spending doesn't motivate me to show up.  I paid for a gym for 3 years ... for the first 6 months, I went about twice a week.  The 2nd 6 months, about once a week.  The next year, about once a month.  The final year ... maybe 6 times total.  It's just a matter of DOING it.  I have workouts ... Piyo, Insanity, T25, and good 'ol jogging right outside my apartment; all I have to do is get UP and WORK.  Today, I did it.  Sweated my butt off, ate a yummy lunch pretty much identical to the one pictured in the last blog post, and came home and had some AMAZING home made broccoli beef and orange chicken.  On Saturday, not only were there GIANT donuts from one of our hygienists, one of the DA's went to McD's and bought everyone a chicken sandwich.  I said thanks but no thanks and enjoyed my same lunch I had today :D
Yesterday was a bit of a "cheat" day.  Had some amazing home made ice cream (only 1 scoop) in a waffle cone.  I enjoy food.  I enjoy trying out new places for treats.  It's all about the portion control, and the NOT eating it every DAY that's important.  Tomorrow, I will get up and sweat again.  I will watch what I eat and pray that those tight pants loosen up a little, and my over-inflated "girls" shrink back down to a manageable size.  I will scour Pinterest for healthy, clean eating recipes, and I will try to cram more veggies into my diet.  I will continue to tell sugar to "bite me", and I WILL prevail once again ... this time for good.  MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Updating

Well, it looks like I'll be going to Crossfit for the first time tomorrow morning.  My riding trainer has been after me now for months to go, but money and "fear" have been holding me back.  She gave me a month for Christmas to go and see what happens, so now I have no excuse!  I had to go back to the beginning of my blog and read some to sort of ... re-find my inspiration, if you will.  I began this blog to be honest about my journey through life.  In all honesty ... I HAVE to get back on track.  I've fallen off, big time, and I've got to find my way back on.

The hubs and I have been really, really talking, and we're planning our future here.  As we make plans, it's important for me to get back to where I was, personally.  I'm working hard at work; things are progressing in such a way as to pave the way for possible promotions in the future, so that's good.  At some point in my life, I want to get back to horse ownership, but that needs to come after home ownership.  It will all happen; we just have to keep our mind on our goals, and our eyes to God.

My grandfather passed away recently; it really rocked my world.  I love him so much, and I appreciate EVERYTHING he's ever done for me, and I'm so grateful to him for being there during my childhood.  I wasn't able to get back to GA to see him "on his deathbed", and while a part of me is deeply saddened by that, a selfish part of me is also glad I couldn't.  Our first trip back to GA is tentatively scheduled for Spring Break, but so many things have to happen for that trip that who knows if it will happen.  We're going to try, though!

Today, I remember that it IS the first day of the rest of my life.  I need to remember to live every day as it comes, and not worry too much about the past and the future.  Concentrate on enjoying the moments and appreciating the journey :)

NOT reflecting back on 2013 ...

Yep.  It's Yosemite!

Beautiful blue bird

Reflecting pool

Beautiful little church inside the park

No deer in the road this time, thank goodness!

I love my beautiful family!

Me taking a pic of the SIL taking a pic of me!

I could live in this small town :)

Low water levels :(

I absolutely, 148% LOVE California :)

Loved this view so much, made hubby pull over so I could take a pic!

On the way to Yosemite

My little man's growing up so fast!

I'm about to be brutally honest ... I hate New Year's.  Yep, I never stay awake until midnight, I hate to look back on the previous year, and I despise "New Year Resolutions".  I do not/will never eat collard greens, and black eyed peas are my least favorite peas on the planet.  To me, it's just a new day.  When I started this blog, my plan was to live EVERY day like it's the first day of the rest of my life.  When I wake up each morning, the days behind me are just that, BEHIND me.

The last few years have been tough for me.  I would venture to say that 100% of my problems in life are money related.  I contemplate ALL the time picking up a 2nd job to boost the income, but then that will suck every single ounce of enjoyment out of life.  We're still struggling pretty hard right now because it took us SO long to find jobs, and what we make right now barely covers our outgoing, there's just nothing left over to bolster us back up.  It's depressing, to be honest.  But, I work hard to not let that bother me.  I trust that God will help us; even when I really can't afford to do so, I drop a $20 in the offering plate every Sunday.  I've paid for other people's meals in the drive-thru line, and if I have a few dollars in my wallet, I will drop them in a sign holder's bucket on the side of the road.  I haven't bought myself NEW clothes in about 6 years.  All my "smaller" clothes, I purchased from Goodwill.  Heck, my SIL had to buy my son new clothes, he's been sorely lacking in that department because Goodwill hasn't had a good selection in his size.  My only "new" indulgence has been my running shoes I purchased from the running store.  Not looking for sympathy, just stating facts.  I'm constantly optimistic about what may come about, but I pretty much always have a small feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach every single day thinking about upcoming bills, bills I'm late on, groceries I have to buy, gas I have to put in the tank ... THAT is my wish for 2014, that I can be current and UTD on everything in my life, I can look at my bank account without feeling that sinking feeling of dread in my gut, and I can provide for my family without relying on outside help.

ANYWAY, WAY too much information, I'll probably delete this later, but it feels good to get it off my chest and release it to the atmosphere.

Had the BEST time with the SIL at Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.  It makes me a little sad that both venues are so low on snow this year, but it was great to be able to negotiate without having to worry about needing tire chains.  My teaching outside all those years helped teach me how to layer, so I was WARM and snuggly :)  We had no plans to ski this year; after seeing the prices of everything, I see it will cost us right at $500 for all 3 of us to ski one day.  YIKES!  Good thing I planned for that for next year anyway :)  At least I know now!  Going to leave y'all with some pics of our trip to Yosemite.  I have no "resolutions" to set, I'm simply resolving to let each day be on par, or better than the last.  When I feel discouraged, I pray.  When I feel particularly broke, I give.  I shop smart and don't apologize for it.  I have complete and utter faith that the $$ situation will improve, because that is something I CAN control.  I'll do what I have to do, even if that means waiting tables from 7-11 every night.  Hard work never killed anyone, and if there's one thing I know how to do, it's work hard.

Your weekly dose of scripture and motivation

Going healthy :)

Hello!  I am VERY pleased to report I did not cheat myself out of any exercise time this week and did my Insanity every single day like a good girl :)  Lunch has been an adventure!  Carrots, a "salad" of black beans/chick peas/mini corn/red onion/cucumber/italian dressing, yogurt, Kashi bar, string cheese, and a piece of fruit.  It's lots of "munchy" food and I get my crunch desire satisfied, but by the time dinner comes around I'm ready to eat, so not stuffing myself with too many calories.  I've traded in my wheat containing Cheerios for gluten free Rice Chex, and dinner is just whatever.  I wish I could cut out the wheat 100%, but I had to "go cheap" at the grocery store :(  I spent $75 at Bel Air last week on all my "healthy food" that didn't make a single 'dinner' meal, but did last me for lunch.  Spent $79 today at Winco foods and got 9 nights worth of dinner plus a few lunch items.  Sad, I know.  Also rode 3 times this week, so definitely got in some good moving around!

This morning was one of those days where I wondered where the message was heading.  We always begin service (after singing) with reading a full chapter of the Bible.  Today it was 2Kings Ch 7.  It's a slightly confusing story of men robbing a tent, people locked inside a city being offered a chance to buy flour, and a lord getting trampled at the end.  I thought it was going to be a sermon on the evils of Black Friday, lol!  No seriously, this just goes to show how good and focused Pastor Jimenez is.  He was able to develop the sermon, referring back often the Ch 7, and I got the point of the whole thing.  I think I told y'all that sometimes at the end of a church service, I would leave feeling somewhat confused.  Or even feeling as though I was just too stupid to get the point of the sermon.  So far, I've never felt that way at Verity, I always leave feeling like I learned something.

Basically, 2Kings7 is a story of a starving Israel locked inside the walls of a city.  In Deut28:52-57, God tells the Israelites they will be punished by a famine so severe, they will begin to eat their own children.  In 2Kings, this prophesy comes to pass.  It was because of their sins that they brought upon them this horrible, horrible famine.  In 2Kings6:26, a woman talks of how she actually killed and ate her son!  The people were desperate, and utterly hopeless.

The story relates to our modern life; how many of us have felt like our situation was completely hopeless?  You were totally desperate, unable to see a way out, maybe even contemplating suicide?  2 things to keep in mind; 1.  We don't know HOW God works.  2.  We don't know WHEN God works.  When life seems worthless and hopeless, God is always working on the other side.  He uses people that are in our lives, SINNERS, to help us through.  He uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.  He brings us through our hard times in unexpected ways, and always in His own time.  We need to walk by FAITH, and NOT by sight.

Back to 2Kings7 ... 4 lepers decided to enter into the city after coming across a camp of Syrian soldiers and pilfering all their food.  The offer to sell flour and meat for a reasonable rate, just as God had said.  He used LEPERS, who were the blight of civilization back in biblical times to bring hope to the people of Israel.  The lepers took a risk, it worked out.  When YOU take a risk, when YOU take the first step, God will meet you there.  If you go to church and enjoy it, good for you.  Your life will not be fully blessed because you lack the faith to take it a step further.  You MUST grow in your journey as a Christian; share the gospel, invite people to church, give offering, tithe, get baptized, THEN you will begin to see your life be truly blessed.  Walk by Faith.

I've always loved "Walk by Faith" by Jeremy Camp.  That song was running through my head as the pastor went through the sermon today.  I'm so thankful that God is allowing me to open up and FINALLY grow in my own journey ... I'm 34 years old, and I rarely have ever openly talked about God, the Bible, or anything related to religion.  While I'm still not ready yet to go door to door and minister that way to people, I do bring it here to the blog.  I do give offering.  In January, we will begin to tithe even though it's going to hurt!  I have invited several co-workers to church even though they haven't come yet. I'm going to be faithful in my giving, faithful in my volunteering, and faithful in my faith and see where I'm at this time next year.  Looking forward to continuing to grow spiritually and always remembering that when things seem unmanageable, God is always working in unseen, unexpected ways.

Life as I know it

Sorry to update the blog for a third time in one day, but I'm feeling the words flowing from my finger tips!  I'm so psyched and excited, I just had to get it all out!  First and foremost, I am so excited about our new church.  We have FOUND a church home here in Sacramento!  And bonus:  it's closer than any church we've ever attended :D  The name of it is Verity Baptist Church.  Yep, Baptist.  Why is this surprising?  I mean, I grew up Baptist.  I attended the First Baptist Church of Woodstock for my entire childhood, and then went when it was ... ahem, convenient as an adult.  It's an awesome church.
http://www.fbcw.org/

My husband, however, grew up Pentecostal.  Long hair, skirts, speaking in tongues and all.  He's no bible scholar, but he has definite ideas of what is Right and what is Wrong, and I don't, so during our 14 year marriage, we've gone to a wide variety of churches, but never really finding a church home until we found Truthway, about 2 years ago.  Our church relationship began when David struck up a deep and quick friendship with the pastor, and it helped that the pastor is a Really Good Pastor.  So, for 2 years, we faithfully did not miss a single Sunday unless we were on vacation.  Then the pastor decided to move around, Truthway was no more, and the rest of that is a long story.  And of course, we moved here to Sac.

David has always enjoyed movies and videos about the End Times.  The book of Revelations and all that.  He found a Youtube movie called After the Tribulation that just blew. his. mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvv2HPYdhMA

This movie led us to Verity Baptist Church and pastor Roger Jimenez.  Let me tell ya ... I have learned more in 2 days than I have in 34 years.  It's amazing.  HE is amazing.  He IS a bible scholar; I think Pastor Jimenez has the bible memorized, no joke.  The message is delivered STRICTLY from the bible.  Every single statement he makes is backed up fully by the bible, with multiple scriptures to illustrate his points.  Amazing, I've literally never met a pastor like him.  The service is a full hour of the Word, and I actually enjoy and follow every second of it.  So praise God!  I'm so excited to have this to look forward to, and I'm really enjoying learning more/understanding the Bible.

Second:  I GOT A JOB!!!  And my husband has a 2nd interview tomorrow for a job himself, so happy!!  As y'all know, I was going from an outside, teaching position to an inside, office position.  It has been SO hard finding something.  Every single interview, not even exaggerating, has had a minimum of 14 other applicants there as well, resumes in hand.  And they're all so much more qualified than myself; let's face it, I just don't have inside office experience.  In fact, the position I got was a long process to get there.  It began in a room with 13 other applicants (14 of us in the room).  The office manager spoke to us as a group, the doctor spoke to us as a group, then the office manager came back in with paper and pen and quizzed us on the doctor's details.  5 questions.  We were all dumbfounded, I can promise you that!  I must have gotten all the questions right though, because 8 people were dismissed right away, BOOM!  The 6 of us that remained were ushered into the back where we had a 1 on 1 interview with the Dr. and OM.  She informed me there was another round of group interviews that evening, then she would contact me if she wanted anything else.  About a week later, she asked me in for a "working" interview, where I literally worked 8 hours, being taught the job.  I felt ok about it, but I knew I had worked a little slow, just to make sure I didn't make any mistakes.  Another week later, I got a call to come in for a SECOND interview, which was this past Friday.  Again, I worked all day, this time feeling like I really rocked it.  Today, I got the call that she's offering me the position.  PHEW!  So happy and excited, glad it finally has happened.  We NEED some income, our finances are stretched so tight right now we can't breathe.  Hindsight being 20/20, we would have spent a LOT less money in the beginning of our time here, but we both TRULY felt like we would have jobs within 2ish weeks.  We had NO idea 3 months later we'd still be sitting here on the couch watching daytime TV.  IF we ever decide to move again, we have certainly learned a lesson!

So, please have prayers that my husband lands this job tomorrow; it literally is right across the street from our apartment, he could walk there if he wanted to.  The pay is good, the job is good, he really wants it.  Please pray I pick up quickly at my new job.  Even though I did well Friday, I still have a LOT to learn, new people to get to know, and patients to get to know ... it's going to be tough, but I know I'm up to the challenge.  God is good, I feel like we're slowly figuring out our new life, and things are progressing forward:)

Catching up

My favorite of the recent snap shots I've taken

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since my last, ahem, rant.  Monday.  THIS Monday, we FINALLY got the truck registered.  In CA, if you own a pickup, it's considered a commercial vehicle, which means you have to go to a certified scale and have it weighed.  Yes, really.  So, it's official.  Both vehicles now have CA plates, so we're here!

I've been a little quiet on the job front.  I tell ya ... there's NOTHING that will make you feel more worthless than job hunting.  I thought I had a job all lined up upon arrival ... at Target.  Turns out, I just got put off and put off until I finally quit pursuing it.  They never said we're NOT hiring you ... just, "You'll hear from us".  Yeah.  So David and i have just been sitting around, praying for work.  I can't TELL you  how many apps both of us have filled out.  Sadly, we've reached that point where we can't afford to sit here any more, we need the first thing that comes along ... it's been like 8 weeks.  Up until this week, all those apps haven't resulted in ANYTHING.  No phone interviews, no actual interviews, nothing.  Finally, this week, we've both had a little action.

I had an interview Monday, another one yesterday, and one tomorrow.  David also has one tomorrow, but his is technically the 2nd one since this same company already went through the phone interview process, and now it's an in person interview.  So, high hopes!  Fingers crossed!  I'm tired of feeling like the last 15 years of my life have been a waste, job market wise.  I knew I wouldn't just instantly get the first position I applied for, but I did NOT realize I would submit my resume upwards of 20 times and get nothing from it.

Same thing with regards to Kody.  I kind of thought he would get picked up by an agent pretty quickly, but turns out not so much.  I'm resubmitting his pictures to the company I had picked out back in GA as the agent I want him with, as what I sent them a month ago obviously wasn't what they were looking for.  What's frustrating to me is I'm not looking for him to do prints stuff.  I'm trying to get commercial acting stuff.  Why is it that they decide who to speak with based on pictures?  They don't want a video example of the kids's stage presence, they want snap shots and clothes measurements.  So maybe I just need better pictures, I don't know.  Photography isn't exactly my strong suit.

Swimming has been going well.  Even though I'm not angling for speed, I feel like I'm turning over the laps a little quicker.  Did 12 miles on the stationary bike the other day; wow, my butt was sore at the end of that lol!  Can't wait to actually have a REAL bike to log some actual miles on.  2015 is closer than you think!  I will start to push my distance a little more there soon; right now I'm SUPER happy about 750 yards, but really I'm only swimming for maybe ... 1/2 an hour or so?  I don't know, I don't wear a watch in the pool.  I will be logging some laps tomorrow in lieu of running, so maybe I will set the timer for 45 minutes and just see how far I get.

Today, I ran 8 miles, then walked an additional mile picking Kody up from school.  I am SO proud!  My time wasn't super fast because I alternated walk a mile, run a mile, walk a mile, run a mile, etc.  That being said, I'm happy with my time because the FIRST time I went 6 miles (as a run/walk) I could BARELY manage the 2 1/2 miles total I ran mixed in with 3 1/2 miles of walking, AND it took me over 2 hours to complete.  Today, I walked 4 miles, ran 4 miles, and even with waiting to cross streets finished in a hair over 2 hours.  I couldn't have done it without my new shoes; no rubbing/blister/pain at ALL!  I will definitely never buy running shoes not from a running store ever again.  Best investment in my fitness I've made:)  I have 2 long term goals; do the 2015 Lava man Tri in Hawaii with my sister.  The other is to run a marathon with my aunt and uncle.  I don't have a specific date goal for the marathon, but I DO know that if it's ever going to happen, I have to start upping my miles and doing a long day at least once a week.  I know I'm not ready to hit 15 or more miles yet, but I do think 10-11 is doable right now, especially considering I felt good at the end of my 8, not "dead" at all.

That's all I've got for right now!  Prayers for some money would be good right about now, lol. So, if you feel like lifting us up for any reason, finances are the major concern at the moment.  I know the jobs will come, and the money will come, but the immediate is what I'm worried about.  Oh well, hard times build character, right?  Until next time!