Craftiness: Checking Account, Beware!

Since I've not been working, my creative side has reared its [pretty] head! I have a feeling I'm spending as much on crafts as I was making when I was working! Oops...I have no idea how that happened...hmmmm. {sarcasm noted}

So, here are a few projects I'm going to be working on in the next 2 weeks. And one I've just finished for a friend. Thanks for [hopefully] starting my card making biz, Melissa! ♥

This is a card I made for Melissa's grandpa. Cute, no?

Next Sunday, Joe and I will be hosting our first Superbowl Bash!
And I will be baking and decorating cookies! Yay! =D


I'm making a sweetheart candy wreath for Valentine's Day. =D
It's going to be so cute! I got the idea here.


Of course, I'm going to bake and decorate more pretty cookies for V-Day!
And I'm going to share them with the fam when we visit NC in these cute lil bags!
I don't remember whose blog I got this idea from (woops), but they're so cute!

(I really can't figure out why this picture won't rotate! Grr!)

Then, I'm going to make 2 more cards. One for the hubby, and one for the bestie. =D I think that completes the list of projects to accomplish in the next two weeks. Along with cleaning, laundry, dishes, and other sorts of household chores. Woohoo!

Oh, and I finished reading The Heretic Queen today. Oh. My. Goodness. It was a fantastic book! If you like love stories, Egypt, and/or history, you will absolutely love this book! Go ahead, order it now! I dare you. You won't be able to put it down! =) Yes, Melissa, I'll be sending it to you soon! I also requested a book from paperbackswap today. =D And, I'm seriously considering ordering Nefertiti, the prequel to The Heretic Queen. So, lots of reading and crafting going on in my future. I totally love this unemployed thing! Now, I can catch up on all the reading I didn't get to do for fun in college. Hehehehe.

Hope everyone has a fantabulous week!

Random Picture Post

So, I really wanted to blog tonight, but couldn't think of anything to say. I've taken a whole bunch of random pictures in the last few weeks, so I thought this would be a good time to share them all with you! I hope you enjoy my randomness! =)

I walked in and saw Jasper sprawled out on Joe while he was playing video games. Silly boys.

We decided to play Scrabble...
Yes, we're nerds.

Sometimes I get bored while waiting for Joe to play. =)
So, I took pictures.

This was my response to something he said.
Don't remember what now. =D

My crappy letter selection.

We took a walk to the pond on the grounds of the apartments.
Cute.

Jasper really wanted to get a hold of this duck!!

This is the pretty new comforter I bought from my fave store: Target! ♥

I'm trying to lose weight, eat better, look better, etc.
Melissa suggested this book. I'm sold on her ideas.
But, I refuse to be a complete health nut.

Another book I'm reading. Ah, historical fiction how I ♥ you!
I found this on d.a.r.'s blog. Thanks for the suggestion!

So, that's it for my completely random picture post! Maybe I'll be back with something insightful tomorrow! =)

Another First for Me

A couple days ago, I decided to delve into the world of card making. I figured that since I love scrapbooking so much, that card making shouldn't be too hard either! I got the idea for this card from one I saw at Target last week. =) Seriously, I love that place! I decided that since it was my niece's first Valentine's Day - and I'd already bought her a little something {a shirt that says "I Love Auntie =D} - that she needed a card! Anyway, here's how my card making adventure went. Enjoy!

So, I started with an 8x8 piece of cardstock...

Cut down to the "perfect" size and folded it in half.


Typed and printed off this cute little phrase.
And cut it to fit.


And with some help from this friend of mine,
I glued it to the paper.


Lookin' cute already!


Then, I punched out a circle and attached a cute
ladybug sticker to go along with the phrase.


I typed up some "baby's first" to put on the front.
Then, cut them out.


And I glued them to pretty purple paper. =)



And cut those out.
With more help of my friendly glue dot roller...
I pasted all of my cutting...hehehe ;-)

And this was the result!!
It's super cute! If I do say so myself. =)



The back says "Made with love by Aunt Sarah". =D

So, it may not be the best handmade card ever but you gotta start somewhere, right?! What do you think? Do I have possibilities in the card making world? =)

"Wow" Moment...

Have you ever had one of those? Where things just all sort of come together...and it's just..."wow"? I've had a couple of those lately. The first was last night, and the second this evening.

Sunday, we went to church at Stevens Creek. The pastor there is doing a sermon based in Joshua. This one was centered around the Battle of Jericho and how to overcome our own obstacles using principles from this story. {Found in Joshua 6} Basically, he said that when faced with obstacles in our own lives, we should do what Joshua did at Jericho. First, he assessed his situation and defined the reality of it. Second, he had a plan that God gave him. Third, he followed the plan. Most of us create a plan for whatever (i.e. weight loss), but don't stick with it. We change our minds, whatever. And fourth, he allowed God to be God. Joshua didn't try to take control of the situation and push God out. Rather, he allowed God to lead him and work through him. What did all this lead to? Joshua and the Israelites overcame Jericho, with God leading and working in them. They most certainly could not have done this without God. {You can watch this sermon and others from the series here.}

So, that's what I did last night. I sat down and made a plan. I assessed my own reality and came up with a plan. I'm going to stick to that plan, and let God work through me. The only person I can control is myself, so I'm going to have to be disciplined in order for "the plan" to work. I have to seek God and then get out of my own way so that He can do His work and help me be who he created me to be. It's not going to be easy, but I can already see that it's going to be amazing.

After I came up with "the plan", I wrote in my prayer journal. This is a huge way for me to really connect with God. I started doing this in college and was amazed at the things that happened. So, I prayed and then read my bible. It was absolutely amazing. I'd asked God for peace and healing with everything that's been going on in my personal life, and what do you know? He gave me reassurance in this verse: "I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him and to his mourners." - Isaiah 57:18 Can you say, "WOW"?!

Then, this evening, Joe mentioned that he'd read a verse in Proverbs about treasuring the "wife of your youth". And he just reassured me that he didn't take me for granted, and that I pleased him. =) Sometimes, I feel like I'm not good enough or I don't do things the "right way" or...whatever. I'm sure all of us girls have felt like that at one point or another. Gotta love those emotions. Ha. I actually asked Joe last night - because of those durn emotions - if he thought I was a good wife. Yeah, like he would actually say "no". After the fact, I realized that I shouldn't be asking my husband that and trapping him. I should ask God that question. And then God allows my husband to find that verse and reassure me that he loves me and treasures me. 'Wow, God!'

Anyone else have a "wow" moment you'd like to share? I'm all ears! Er...eyes! =)

Evil Dogs and Pilates

Beware: this is a random post!

I have a new found hatred for pit bulls. This is why:

When I get up in the mornings, I take Jasper out first thing. So yesterday, as usual, I got out of bed put on my flip flops (seriously, it's like 60 here. what the heck?), got Jasper out of his crate and leashed him up. I thought I'd heard a dog in the breezeway, but I figured it was the sweet german shepherd pup from upstairs. I didn't think a thing of it. So, out we went. The dog was NOT on a leash. Turns out it was a pit bull pup, but still about twice the size of my cute {and very friendly} little Jasper. So, the dog makes her way to us. Again, I didn't think a thing of it. I thought that she was just going to sniff him as most dogs do. WRONG! She totally went after Jasper. In mere seconds, she was all over him, growling, snarling, biting at him. Me? I totally freaked out. Pit bulls are known to be aggressive, and I thought I was going to watch my precious puppy get eaten! I heard myself scream "Jasper, Jasper!!" but I didn't really realize I was doing it. Finally, I was able to pick him up away from the other dog. How, I still have no idea. She still was biting at him in my arms. Finally the owner/teenager ran down the stairs and called the dog away from us.

By this point, I was shaking and terrified. I thought for sure the dog was going to bite me and kill Jasper. The girl apologized, my thought was "don't apologize, get rid of that monster" but I didn't say that. She tried to pet Jasper, but he growled at her. "Good boy." =D Poor Jasper was so shaken up. He'd peed and 'messed' all over the place in front of the door to our apartment. Not that I could blame him. How the heck are you supposed to "hold it" when you're being attacked. The neighbor across the hall said he'd already reported them that morning. For what, I'm not sure. Maybe just because the dog was off the leash. Who knows. So, I walked Jasper a little just to calm both of us down and see if he was ok. Which, he was...is. We came back in and I tried to feed him, but he peed all over my kitchen floor. =( So, I just cleaned it up. No way could I get mad at him. I was still shaking. Then, I put on clothes and marched down to the office to make a complaint. The lady I spoke with was so sweet and understanding. She took care of it, and about an hour later I saw the girl get in the car with the dog and then come back without it. Thank you, Lord! She told me [later] that if I see the dog come back to give her a call and it would be taken care of. Hopefully, I'll never see that evil dog again. Hence, my new found hatred for pit bulls.

Because it is raining and I hate getting out in the rain, I decided to do a Pilates video instead of my usual trip to the mini gym to run. The first one I did didn't really do a whole lot. Yes, it killed - I mean - worked my muscles, but my heart rate wasn't up enough to do anything. So, I found another one on Netflix instant. I heart Netflix. =D This one was Fat-Burning Pilates. And it killed. 10 minutes in and I was dying. Of course, part of that is because I did the first one. Still, it killed. I hurt more and was more tired from the 25 minutes {I didn't finish the video...ouch!} from that video than I usually am from running for 30. So yeah, ouch! Definitely doing the Fat-Burning next time!

Now, I'm off to do some cleaning, scrapbooking, and anything else I can think of to keep me inside and away from the rain! I like to hear it and look at it, but not be out in it. =)

Crazy Emotions and an Awesome God

You know, sometimes I really wonder about myself. Last night, I had the weirdest "attack" of emotions ever. It started when I took Joe to recall formation. He always wants me to get out of the car and chat with him and his buddies (and occasionally, their wives/girlfriends). So, this time I gave in. We started walking over toward the multitudes of people when I saw four wives all chatting, laughing, and having a good time...each of them holding children under a year old. This is when the emotions began. Why? I don't know. I swear to you, it seems like everyone around me either has kids or is about to. Not that it's a bad thing, but when you don't have kids...it tends to make you feel out of place. Well, it makes me feel out of place. So, I got upset because not only do we not have kids, we're probably not going to for a while. I really want kids {like asap, but you didn't see that}, but it's just not the best idea right now. I mean, we're about to move to Hawaii where Joe could get deployed a couple months after we get there. A deployment could last up to a year, and having a baby just really doesn't mesh well with that whole...setup. I know this. I do. My heart doesn't seem to though.

Then, we head back home for dinner and I'm like 10 kinds of emotional. Seriously; we got in an argument over what to have for dinner!!!!! Now, I wasn't really hungry, nothing sounded too good, but I knew I needed to eat. I'm hypoglycemic so if I don't eat, it's not pretty. I knew I needed to eat or I'd be sick. So, we literally had a 10-12 minute argument. I ended up crying. Seriously?! What the heck?! Finally, Joe forced a decision and we got Chick Fil A. I was still a little upset about the kid thing.

With some prompting from Melissa, I sat down later that night and popped open the good 'ole Bible. I hadn't read much over the weekend - with church being the exception - and I hadn't really prayed about this sudden desire to have a baby. So, I opened to Isaiah because another friend/mentor/prayer warrior of mine suggested I read it. And, let me tell you, it felt like God was smacking me. In a good way, of course. I think we all need a little bit of that from time to time whether we want to admit it or not. Here's the verses that hit me the hardest:

Isaiah 54:1-8

¹ “Sing, O barren,
You who have not borne!
Break forth into singing, and cry aloud,
You who have not labored with child!
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD.
² “ Enlarge the place of your tent,
And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;
Do not spare;
Lengthen your cords,
And strengthen your stakes.
³ For you shall expand to the right and to the left,
And your descendants will inherit the nations,
And make the desolate cities inhabited.
⁴ “ Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;
For you will forget the shame of your youth,
And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
⁵ For your Maker is your husband,
The LORD of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.
⁶ For the LORD has called you
Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
Like a youthful wife when you were refused,”
Says your God.
⁷ “ For a mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.
⁸ With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”
Says the LORD, your Redeemer.

I felt like God was telling me not to worry about having kids right now. That I won't "be ashamed," but that my "descendants will inherit the nations" and will be many. I may be struggling with that, and other things, right now but it's not something I should concern myself with. I know that God will one day give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4), but I have to become who He wants me to become; I have to seek Him first. This has always been really hard for me. I've always felt that I had to plan my life...and I've been disappointed when those plans didn't work out. It's so irritating because I know that His plan for me is greater than my own. But, dang it, sometimes I just want things to go my way!!!!! So, I think I'm going to be doing a whole lot of praying, because it looks like more of my plans are going down the drain...because they're not His plans for me.

Here's another good passage that correlates to me and my own plans:

Isaiah 55:8

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Oh, and:

Jeremiah 29:11

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.

I just need to keep reminding myself of these things....and maybe, just maybe it will all get better. =)

*Random info you don't really need to know*:

My tattoo is getting all scabby and I don't like it! I'm a little afraid that if the whole scab falls off that my tattoo will go with it. I know, it's weird and doesn't really make sense. I just hope it still looks good when the thing does fall off. Oh, and it's itching me to death!!! =P Lol!

To Work, or Not to Work?

That is the question.

Honestly, I'm really enjoying not working right now. Ever since I quit the restaurant biz, I haven't felt inclined to work. So, as most of you know, I've been exploring my options. I have a teaching degree (in History, grades 7-12) that I haven't used as of yet. I still love history, and get excited when I talk about it or someone asks me a history question. If we got the history channel, I'd probably be glued to it. That's how big of a nerd I am. Now, I don't go around and buy up all the historical books I can find, but I do buy them occasionally. So, teaching is option #1. I loved my student teaching. Despite the fact that I was working 8 hours a day and not getting paid, plus working at the restaurant for 4 hours 5 nights a week, plus all the extra assignments my wonderful university decided it would be fun to throw on top. I connected with most of the students, I enjoyed lecturing and seeing those "aha" moments. It was great. Then came real life. And the economy. So, no teaching job.

Lately, I've been thinking about writing. Obviously, I like to write or I wouldn't be here almost every day. I didn't always like to write. It happened my junior year in high school. I had fabulous teacher {NOT my english teacher}, who really showed me what essay writing was. I suppose I had this idea that essays were supposed to be...short and get straight to the point. I had no idea you could embellish them, and use words to really prove your point. It was great. Before long, I was in love with writing. On most of the tests he gave, there was an essay portion. I always studied hardest for the essay portion because I knew that even if I bombed the multiple choice, I could do an extra essay. =) Once I got in college and into my history classes, I sort of had a love-hate relationship with my writing assignments. I loved to write them, but the extra research and citing sources just got in my way. Lol! Now, I just get random ideas for topics to write about. Not necessarily historical either. So, there's option #2: writing essays, editorials, articles, whatever.

I pretty much love scrapbooking. My bestie, Melissa, introduced me to it in college. I wasn't very good at first, but it was fun putting all that stuff together. Might I add that I never finished that first one either. I don't think I can now either...it's so much, um, worse than what I do now! I didn't do much more scrapbooking until I made one for Joe for Christmas one year while we were dating. I didn't make the next one until last Christmas for a friend. Well, I started it and gave her the stuff to finish it. She'd mentioned that she'd like to start...so I helped her! Then, I made one for our wedding. =D It turned out great, and I was officially hooked! I think I finished it in about 3 weeks, but only because I forced myself to stop working on it for a while. =) Then, I started one for my niece when we found out that my sister in law was having a girl. I'm actually still working on it, but this time, adding pictures of the first few weeks of her life and then the pregnancy journal that Anna kept. Recently, my bff's sister asked me if I could make her a scrapbook for her son...and said she'd pay me for it. Holy cow! Here's a thought: getting paid for something you absolutely love doing! So, that's option #3: making custom (or pre-made, or both) scrapbooks.

I'm glad I have options now, but I don't know what to do! Honestly, the thought of getting up at 6 a.m. (or even 5! *cringes*) does not appeal to me. I am in no way, shape, form, or fashion a morning person. Plus, dealing with all the extra junk teachers have to deal with...ugh, I'm just not so sure anymore. I still love kids [of all ages], but I'm not so sure I want to teach them anymore. In church, sure, in school...I don't know. Writing sounds great...and so does scrapbooking. So, you see my problem. I think it would be easier for me to decide (or stay home and do nothing) if we had kids. Then, my decision would pretty much be made for me. STAY HOME. But, alas, that is not the case and may not be for a while. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Advice? I'm at a loss. I'm also going to go work on Eden's scrapbook for now! =D

Adventures of Joe and Sarah

Very rarely do I do anything...out of the ordinary. I'm sort of a stuck-in-my-little-bubble, don't-do-anything-outlandish kind of girl. Most of the time. O=)

Today, this is what I did.

Yep, that's right. I got a tattoo!!!! I still can't really believe it myself. I'd actually wanted one for a while, but I never really thought I could go through with it. I mean, they hurt! Not to mention, it's permanent. I've wanted a cross on my wrist for a while to remind me that God is always with me. I mean, I know it but I don't always think about it or remember it. Now, it's a permanent reminder that, no matter what, God is with me. I'm never alone. =)

Joe got one as well. His says "Joseph and Sarah 06 07 08" for our wedding day. =) I guess I can really say it's marriage for life now. Lol! Like it wasn't before, but I just think it's funny. His brother said he was cursing himself. I know he was just kidding, but if he'd been here...I'm pretty sure I would have smacked him. Lol!

Ok, so here are the pictures of how it went down! Enjoy...and laugh. =)

This is me before the tattoo. =)

This is me getting very nervous!

And this is the exact moment that he started the outline. Nice job, babe!

OUCH!!!!!!


Almost done. Thank goodness!!
And, the finished product! Cute, is it not? I think so! =D


Joe, right before he "got inked", as he would say. =)


Takin' it like a man! My hubby, Army Strong. LOL!


His hurt a lot more than mine. He was making some great faces!!
I thought I would keep his "Army Strong" rep intact.


Tada! Joe's finished tattoo. For those who can't remember, it says:
Joseph and Sarah 06 07 08
{Wedding day!}

So, that was our adventure today. =) Who knows if more are to come. I hear tattoos are addictive! We shall see, I guess!!

My First...

Blog award!!! Woohoo!! It was given to me by Amy at The Undomestic Army Wife. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! =DThe rules for the award are to blog about a woman (real life, celebrity or fictional) that you think is fabulous and explain why you think she rocks. You then need to pass the award onto 5 other bloggers that you think are deserving.


Her name is Anna. She is my sister in law. =) And I love her. She may not be blood related, but sometimes it really seems that way! Well, to me anyway.

Before I met her, she and her husband were trying to have a baby. I was newly married so I didn’t really understand how hard it could be. This past spring, we (both of my sisters in law and I) were doing a bible/book study. In it was a section about how women believe that they need children to be fulfilled...or something to that effect. I remember her talking about how hard it had been to try and be unsuccessful. She wanted a child, but knew that God would give her a child in His own time. She talked about the struggles of going to the doctor, and trying to lose weight, be better fit, all of the things that women who are trying to get pregnant do. I remember when one day she said, “I can’t let this be the focus of my life.” {Again, paraphrasing!} I suppose God had revealed to her that He would give her the desires of her heart, but first she had to trust Him and not put things in her own timeline. She started selling Mary Kay and was getting very successful at it. Then I heard her say, “You know, I’d really like to go somewhere with this. I can’t imagine getting pregnant right now.”

A week later, we got a phone call....and she was pregnant!!!!! Now, I hadn’t been there for the year and a half or so of her struggles, but I was super excited! A few months later, she found out the baby was a girl. It was so fun to see her and her husband talk about names and pick out stuff for the baby’s room. I could tell that both of them were extremely excited. Even though it wasn’t the easiest pregnancy ever, I’m sure Anna would do it again just to have little Eden. =) Who, might I add, is the cutest little thing ever!!! Her name is Eden Rose, and she made her entrance [4 days late] on December 6th. =D I think her name really shows how much of a blessing she is to both of her parents. I honestly can’t imagine going through so much...and experiencing complete joy once little Eden finally came. Truly a blessing from God! ♥

And now, for the nominations!

1. Melissa -- Crafty Things and Stuff

*because she's my bff and she makes AWESOME stuff!

2. Erin -- The Unexpected Army Life
3. Rebecca -- From My Mountain View: Words Works and Rabbit Holes
4. Jamie -- My Life as a Mommy and A New Army Wife

*join the club! Lol!

5. Jamie (J.L.S) -- Better When We're Together

*just because I love reading her blog!

3 Rooms Down, 1 To Go!

So, today I embarked on the journey that is unpacking. I'm desperately trying to finish unpacking these boxes. It's incredibly overwhelming. My main goal for today was to find the books that go on my bookshelf in the living room. Apparently, the packers weren't too concerned with keeping all of the books I had placed on the shelves together in the same box or two. They were spread out among about 3 or 4 boxes. GRRRRR!!!! I even opened a box labeled "books" and it was full of MK things like samples and brushes. Oh wait, there was ONE binder in there, so I guess that works. NOT. Ugh. Anyway, I did find all the books I wanted to. I even got to a few "office supplies". =) It doesn't really look like I got a whole lot done, but I feel like I did! Here are a few photos just because!

This is what Jasper was doing when I began my unpacking today. Lazy puppy.

Before I started doing anything...

This was my snack =D They're so good!!! (Yep, still leftover from Christmas...trying to cut back ppl!)

Now for the "after" pics:My bookshelf has books on it! =D Finally!
{Notice the summer boots to the right...*sigh* Army life}
I know...it doesn't look like much.
Ahhh, no big boxes in the chair! Or in my way!
Proof that the packers will pack anything:
the file box on the bottom of this pile was in a box. Yeah.

When I checked on Jasper at lunch time: he hadn't moved from his perch on our bed. Lol!

And that was basically my day! Other than a little bit of scrapbooking, folding laundry, making dinner and hanging out with the hubby for a few hours. =) Not bad for a Tuesday, I think! Tomorrow, back to the grind found at my local mini-gym! Bring it on, Wednesday!

Oh, AND before I forget Designer Blogs is having a giveaway for their upcoming anniversary! 4 people will win one of the following: 2 (one per person, I assume) custom blog designs, and 2 premade designs! If you're interested, you can find it here. I'm super excited about this!!! =D