Right Now I'm...

Ok, so I'm obviously stuck in a little blogging rut, but I kinda like it.  I like blogging in this format for right now because it suits my needs and keeps people up to date on little areas of my life. :)

Listening: The Pitch Perfect soundtrack... because it's awesome.  Also the new Glee songs from last night's episode.  Because they, too, are awesome.

Reading: Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson.  GREAT book!

Eating: Real food.  That's what happens when you move home! (It's fabulous, by the way!)

Wishing: That spring would show up in full force ASAP.  I'm sick of winter and cold and snow.

Needing: At this moment, I can't think of a single thing to put here.  That's a good thing though, right?

Rejoicing: I'm home!  It took me 12 hours from the time I started packing boxes in Ankeny to the time I finished unpacking boxes at home.  Go me!

Indulging: Home Cooking. I don't plan to feast forever, but the next few days, I'm just enjoying my mama's good eats!

Enjoying: Being at home. Spending time with my family. 

Loathing: My stupidity.  I totally should have taken a week break between jobs.  My grandparents will be here next week, and my family has half a week off from school.  I definitely wasn't thinking when I said I could start March 25.  Oh well...

Saying: Lots of conversation with my family.  Mostly with my mom, since she's been the only one looking alive and alert today.   

Meditating: On Easter.  The death, burial, and resurrection of my Savior.

Picturing: My final days in Ankeny & my move.  Great stuff!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: All sorts of great new stuff!  Michael Buble's new song It's a Beautiful Day is fantastic!  Also Because We Can by Bon Jovi and Pink's new song (with the Fun. guy) Just Give Me a Reason are both great! Basically, I'm listening to happy music!

Reading: "Coming Attractions" by Robin Jones Gunn.  I'm reading through her Katie Weldon series for the third time. Great books!

Eating: I've been on a huge Peanut M&M kick lately.  I have no idea why, but seriously!  I can't leave those little guys alone!

Wishing: that I knew what to say to help people who are struggling.  People turn to me, and I usually have no idea what to say, but I want to help!  I also wish that life was easier for all of my friends.

Needing: A visit to the chiropractor... desperately! Can't wait to see her tomorrow!

Rejoicing: God's provision of a new job!  Also for His strength and wisdom.  And for good friends who are always there for me when I'm busy being there for others.

Indulging: I think I answered this in my "Eating" category, but I've also been on a Mt. Dew kick too. I think it's the stress of life circumstances at the moment.  It's been a pretty eventful past couple of weeks!

Enjoying: making last minute memories with my family in Des Moines.  We've gone to the movies, to church, and out to eat twice in the past week.  We always have fun!

Loathing: Satan's lies.  He is so good at filling our minds with untruths and convincing us that they're true.  I just hate how easy it is to fall prey to his lies!

Saying: lots of encouraging words to friends in need of love.   

Meditating: On God's strength and sustaining power.  God is my rock and my fortress!

Picturing: Celebrating dad's 50th birthday this past week.  I have the best dad in the whole entire world, and I'm thankful that I was able to be home for his birthday!

It's Time

As many of you may know, I've decided to move home.  And as promised, here are a few more details on the subject:

A year and 4 months ago, I moved back to Ankeny to take a job at which I am currently no longer employed. I came back to see if living here was something I really wanted to do or not.

I still love the "big city," and I loved having my sister and cousins right down the street.  I love my church family at Trinity, and I love the close-knit family I have found there.  I have made many friendships and relationships that have changed my life in the 16 months I've been here.

In December, Helen transferred to Cedarville in Ohio, and April moved back home.  Suddenly I realized that part of the reason I liked living here so much was because two of my best friends were here too.  Now that they're gone, I miss my family even more than I did before. I started thinking about moving home at the end of last summer, and after several key events that happened in the two short months of 2013, I realized that the time had indeed come to move home.

So I began searching for a job.  And as only God can provide, I found a great job!  After two almost disastrous (due to weather) interviews, God provided an open door to begin working at Pilot Grove Savings Bank!  The job comes with great pay and benefits, as well as some pretty great people to work with! I begin on March 25.

I'm hoping and praying that this will be the job I keep long term; that it will be something I deeply enjoy and can be passionate about.  I'm praying that this will be the job that helps me get settled into a life routine.  I'm getting tired of searching for a job that brings both happiness AND a sense of accomplishment.  I think this job will meet both of those requirements!

The hardest part about moving home is leaving people behind.  I have made some pretty strong connections up here, and it will be hard to say goodbye.  I'm thankful for things like Facebook and texting that will allow me to stay connected to these wonderful people.  And I'm thankful that it's only 2 1/2 hours away, so I can get in my car and come up for a visit whenever I feel like it.

I know that this is the right thing for me, and I'm excited to embrace this new life.  I will be moving home (literally HOME, as in my parents' house) on March 21/22.

I'm so thankful for God's leading in my life, and this time, I'm thankful that His leading is leading me to right where I want to be:

Home.

New Bublé

Ok.  So a few weeks ago, I found out that one of my absolute favorite artists (as a singer, anyhow... I've heard he's kind of raunchy in concert)- Michael Bublé- has a new album coming out in 
April.

And I literally did a happy dance.  I LOVE his stuff!

TODAY, the first single was released from his new album
 "To Be Loved," and...

I.

Am.

In.

LOVE.

I downloaded it from itunes, and I've literally listened to
 this pretty much nonstop for like an hour.

Have a listen for yourself!!

Yes.  I can NOT wait for this album to drop on April 23rd!!

I'm Going Home

Well, for the two people out there who still haven't heard, I guess it's time to make this announcement...

I'm moving home!!!!  Back to South East Iowa, for this girl.

I've spent the last year and a half spreading my wings in Ankeny.  And I've enjoyed it!  The ups, the downs, the in betweens.  The happys and the sads.  The changes and the things that have stayed consistent.

But now, it's time for me to go back to my roots.  As much as I love the "city life," I love my family more.  And, as ridiculous as this may sound, I miss the small town way of life.  I really do.

So, in the coming weeks, as details unfold, I will be sure to share them with you here.  But for now, please pray with me that God will open up a job for me ASAP, so I can get back home to where I want to be.