Canning

For my birthday, I requested a canning starter kit.  (I have been dieing to learn and thought that there would be no better time to learn something new.)  Yesterday, my neighbor invited me over for dinner and to learn how to can blueberry jam...her daughters favorite.  I am not as intimidated as I once was.  Taris wants me to get to cracking so that I can mail him his own stash.  Maybe I will be adventurous this weekend.  I did capture a few pictures of the evening...testing out the lens again.

My New Lens

Today I came home to a VERY nice surprise.  The 50mm lens that Taris ordered for my birthday arrived on my porch today.  I was so excited.  I immediately put it on my camera and took it out for a spin.  I love it oh so much.  I am still working out some kinks, but a BIG thanks to Kathleen and Courtney for telling me that this was the next lens for me to invest in.  Here are a few shots of day one...

30

On Saturday, I turned 30.  I don't know what I would do without good friends.  I have actually been celebrating my big day since Thursday.  Because I took a vacation day on Friday, my birthday was celebrated at work on Thursday.  My wonderful Accounting boss got me a great potted plant (to add some color to my office) and the office got me a cookie cake.  Taris sent me a beautiful bouquet and balloon to the office.  What can I say...I LOVE getting flowers delivered to work!

On Friday, I took the girls to the vet for their weigh-in.  (That update is to come in a later post.)  I got a box of goodness delivered from Taris' favorite on-line store...Amazon.  (He was not as creative this time...I had to put what I wanted on our wish list.)  I did a ton of laundry and relaxed.  That evening, I went out with my friends Gena and Angie.  We spent the evening at the Fish House enjoying good food and good company...and kid free.

A package from Taris' favorite store

Taris got me everything I asked for

Just waiting on my new lens

Can't wait to use all of this.  I just have to go buy some Ball jars

Gena, Angie, and I at Fish House

On Saturday, I just took the day and relaxed.  Taris and I watched the Sling Box together, I talked to a lot of family, and I treated myself to sushi and fried rice for dinner.

I am just glad to be putting this birthday behind me.

Life in a Day

I do believe the big 3-0 may be looking up.  I took a vacation day today...woohoo, thinking that I would be hanging with my sisters this weekend, but tickets were just too much.  So, instead I am doing laundry and counting down the minutes until I take the girls in for their big weigh-in!!  (Here is hoping that the fabulously expensive special prescription diet food is working.)  Anyway, something very cool is happening tomorrow and I wanted to share with the group.  Ridley Scott, of Black Hawk Down and Thelma and Louise fame, has teamed up with Kevin MacDonald, of The Last King of Scotland and State of Play fame, to put together a new documentary titled Life in a Day.  The theory behind it is to have an entire day on earth documented.  And that special day to be documented for 24 hours?  July 24th of course.  This is the cool thing...everyone can participate.  All you have to do is video your life (or a segment of your life) and upload it to YouTube via their special page.  There are a few rules, but it is a neat opportunity to do something that you would not normally do.  I am definitely going to go for it...how about you?

BE THE ONE

Sign the pledge here.

Life

Life has been pretty uneventful these days...not that I am complaining.  We are going on day 81 now of the 365 days that Taris will be gone for this little adventure.  Time seems to be CRAWLING!  I have to admit that 90 days seems way too far off into the future.  I honestly think that part of it has to do with this weekend.  This Saturday I hit a milestone...I turn 30!  (It hurts just to write that.)  Normally Taris not being here for a holiday/birthday is not a big deal.  (This certainly isn't the first time.)  But, there is something about turning 30 that changes things. 

I have been thinking about everything that I planned to have accomplished by this age.  Notice I said what I planned.  I have been re-evaluating what God's plan for my life is.  Taris and I have been throwing around where we want to move when he gets back.  It isn't like we have a TON of options, but the few we have all come with their own pros and cons.  I am constantly praying for guidance and for Taris to have guidance to make the right decision for our family.  I want to start a family...and start the adventure of adoption.  I want to find my passion for life again...and make it a priority. 

Don't get me wrong.  I love my life so far.  I love my job and the challenges it brings.  I love our girls.  And I love my neighbors and friends that I have made here.  I certainly could not make it for one year alone in a place four states away from family without them.  (I just wish Taris was here too...he owes me one big shindig when he gets back!)

Here is to the days passing by a little faster.

World Cup 2010

The World Cup came to a close today.  Taris loves soccer and he loves the World Cup.  When I say that he loves it, I mean that we have to record EVERY game.  With him being out of the country, this year was no exception.  (This is where that Sling Box comes in handy.)  This years tournament did not disappoint.  It was held on the continent of Africa for the first time and South Africa was a very gracious host.  There were great stories and plenty of controversy.  The final two teams came down to Spain and the Netherlands.  Neither of the teams had ever won a World Cup title.  The game was great.  It was played into overtime and in the end Spain won the coveted title.  So long World Cup...see you in Brazil in 2014!

FPU

On Wednesday, I completed our Financial Peace University class.  We met for twelve weeks and learned how to be Gazelle intense with our budget, what to look for in your retirement savings, and the joy of giving (this is the part that I am looking most forward to).  With Taris deployed, we had already come up with a plan to be debt free before he came home.  (We have some huge hurdles that have to be overcome when he gets back.  It will be time to move, which means...paying the difference on the awesome house that we (like everyone else in Florida) overpaid for, a down payment for a new one (and who knows WHERE that might be), and having enough money in our emergency fund (because wouldn't you know that our renters will be moving out about when we will be...really?!?!).  My ultimate goal is to not work at our next location so that we can either work on getting pregnant or adoption...which ever we are lead to.  I am excited to announce that after being so motivated and heading straight down the Gazelle intense path, we should be debt free by September!!  I can't wait to scream...We are DEBT FREE!!!  In the twelve weeks that I attended FPU, Taris and I were able to pay $13,672.  After seeing what we are capable of in 12 weeks, it is easy to stay on a roll.  We have even stashed away almost two months in our emergency fund.  If you have never heard of Dave Ramsey, I would strongly recommend that you check out his website...it could change your life.

Favorite Bible Verses

The Show Us Your Life theme today at Kelly's Korner is your favorite Bible verses.  I love today's idea and wanted to share mine with you.

As some of you know, Taris and I have struggled with having children.  We have been married nine years and have been trying for at least seven.  We have been pregnant eight times, but have yet to carry past 10.5 weeks.  I try to remind myself of all of the blessings that God has given to our family of five so far.  We have great jobs, we are both healthy, and we love one another unconditionally.  I am blessed to have 2 nieces and 2 nephews...that I love more than I should.  (Yes, I am THAT aunt!)  But through this roller coaster of a life, I try to rely on God and his promises that he has made to me in the Bible.  As I continue to navigate this road of pain, loss, and healing, I wanted to share with you the verses that I turn to.
 
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"GOD gives, GOD takes. 
God's name be ever blessed." 
Job 1:21 (The Message)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, -which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

Fireworks, Sun, and Friends

I always hate holidays without Taris.  (This is going to be a LONG year!)  My wonderful neighbors invited me out to the beach with them.  Gena's dad, step-mom, and brother are in town from St. Louis, so we spent the afternoon with them, cooked out for dinner, and walked to the fireworks.  The beach was beautiful (on the sound side)...no tar balls, although I still didn't get in the water.  I have plenty of pictures...but none with me in them...shocker!!

Gena's brother enjoying some fun in the sun

It was certainly more crowded than I thought it would be

Playing at the pool...after we went to the beach

Pensacola Beach Fireworks