What's Going On? : A Life Update

Wow.  I was just perusing my blog, and I noticed that it's been a VERY long time since I did a life update.

A LOT has changed in the last year... even in just the last six months. But I wouldn't trade any of it for the world! I've learned and grown so much in that short time.

A year ago, I was still basking in the warm memories of a recent trip to the Caribbean. What an incredible experience, and I'm so thankful my dearest cousin April included me in that excursion!

Six months ago (ish), I had finally come to a place of contentment with my job at the bank and with living with my parents for the time being. My first nephew was also born.

Five months ago, I got a job offer from a customer that was way too good to pass up.

Four months ago, I passed all my licensing exams to be able to sell insurance.

Three months ago, My new boss found me a place to live just a block away from work. And the landlady is a good friend of hers, to boot!

Two months ago, we took a break from life to celebrate and be thankful for all the Lord has done for us.

A month ago, we took a break from life to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

Three weeks ago, Helen and I moved into our new apartment.

Today, I'm settled in (for the most part), and so in love with life!

So there you have it. My life in a nutshell over the last year.

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I've been on a Carpenters kick this week... love me some Karen Carpenter!  This collection is my current jam:

Watching: Helen and I just finished watching the one and only season of Pan Am this week (she'd never seen it before), and it's Bachelor time again. So I've been watching that as well.  I know... it's ridiculous. And a little crazy.  But I just enjoy it. Since tomorrow is going to be a stay-inside-Saturday, I'm sure we'll either have a movie marathon or a tv marathon.  Because... it's fun.

Reading: Vision in White by Nora Roberts.  This is book one in a four-book series. I'm not usually a huge Nora Roberts fan, but this one series I definitely love! I mean... I think this is only my 5th time reading through them? 

Working on:  My 2015 Shutterfly yearbook. I started doing this several years ago instead of "manual scrapbooking" which takes a LOT of time, effort, creativity, and money. Shutterfly books are NOT cheap, but since I'm a Kelloggs rewards member, they send me a $20 Shutterfly coupon for my birthday every year, so that makes it almost cheap! (this hasn't changed since last month. I've since gotten an additional $20 credit for being a Shutterfly customer, but both expire soon.  Hence the stay-inside-Saturday scheduled for tomorrow.)

Wishing: Haha... the things I could put here. Mostly I'm wishing I was Bahamas-bound right now like I was this time last year.  Man that sounds good right now!

Needing: A shelf for my closet. Gotta talk to the lumber guy about that....  And also I'm desperately needing to figure out a good time to designate every single day to read my Bible/Journal. Oh. And I'm needing to bring my exercise trampoline to my place from my parents' place.  So I can add running to my daily routine, along with the Bible reading. 

Rejoicing: Helen and I are LOVING our new apartment!  I'm overflowing with (re)joy(cing)! Wonderful new apartment, amazing new(ish) job, and other exciting things in the works!

Reflecting on: the sovereignty of God.  I'm so glad He knows what's going on in my life because He sees the big picture even though all I can see right now is a speck on the canvas. He knows exactly what will happen, who will walk in/out of my life, and the exact timing of it all! So really... I don't need to worry!

Picturing: This... a year ago.  If only I had a time machine...

52/52 - Music

This was supposed to be posted LAST YEAR (as in... about a week ago OOPS!), but this is the final in my "Photo a Week"  project for 2015.

On Christmas day, we got together at Uncle Robbie & Aunt Julie's for dinner. After we stuffed ourselves with delicious food, we gathered by the piano and sang hymns.  I snapped this picture of Aunt Jules at the piano, and that's the final picture for the saga:

51/52 - Christmas

A snapshot from today's festivities...

50/52 - Return

...HELEN IS HOME!!!!