July!? 2011!?

So I know I always start my blogs by saying I'll try harder to blog more... but let's face it... I'm horrible! I have been so preoccupied with so many different things since - well, frankly, July 2011... that I have not taken the time to blog!
Just an update for anyone interested... :)
Our little guy is now a huge 2 year old! Going on 2 1/2 already. I'm not sure where that time has gone. In fact, I don't know where the time from July 2011 to now has gone! Life has become a whirlwind of activity and I'd love for it to slow it's pace just a bit. Unfortunately, I know it won't get slower. I totally understand the whole "life is a vapor" verse... because, I'm living it personally. In fact, I think everyone is. Younger people just don't notice it until they get older. :)
Josh is still welding, though, he's very interested in firefighting. We're praying that the Lord would direct us the way we are to go... but I wonder if the Lord might have that in Josh's future. It would be scary for me, but it's only because I'm not trusting the sovereignty of God enough.
I'm working at the Marriott in town and I enjoy it very much. I had sprained my back and had to quit being a waitress. This job is more enjoyable and I get far more perks with it! We've stayed in so many Marriott hotels for a crazy good price the last few months, I'm starting to get spoiled!
I am also teaching again this semester. Keeping busy, to say the least!
Just recently, Josh and I have changed a huge part of our lives... We left a church we had been attending and now are going to Wausau Alliance Church... A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! We have both been SO refreshed and renewed in our walk with the Lord! We can't wait to start ministering in that church, but for now, we are just soaking in all the Biblical wisdom we can glean. It has been such a blessing to us! The worst part for me is working at a hotel does require some weekend shifts and usually Wednesday nights... so I don't get to go to every service as I would desire... but we'll see. Thankfully, the church has many different studies and services through the week that I can involve myself in! There is a lady's Bible study on Tuesday mornings, and another Bible study on another night (don't know much about that one yet cause we haven't been to it). Anyways, you know in Psalm where David begs God, "Restore unto me the Joy of thy Salvation" --- we'll I'm feeling it and I'm so overjoyed with... well, JOY! :)
I know this is short... but little man is asleep and I've got to get a few things done before I head to work this after noon. Praise God - I have the weekend off!

Until next time... I'm not making any promises of when that will be! :)
Susan

Summer Has Come!

Well, the summer weather has arrived! This summer has been one of the hottest I've ever really experienced up here. It's been a beautiful 80/90 degrees the past week and I LOVE it! I am, however, not so fond of the storms that arrive in the evenings because of the unstable atmosphere! I love the majesty of the thunder and lightning, but not the damage. :) We've just finished cleaning up a tree that fell on our porch and Josh's parents had many trees down earlier this month. It's been... fun.
The little man is growing SOOO fast! Starting to follow directions (and not follow them) very well, talk in his own gibberish - which I find adorable, and he throws his toys like a champ --- the ones that are and are not supposed to be thrown. He is also a magnificent climber. The other day I turned around in the kitchen and he was standing on the tray of his high chair. I have NO idea how in the world he got up there - AND SO FAST! The saying, "I just turned around for one second..." has become a pure reality for me. I think they have some sort of supernatural speed at this age. He has still decided to hold his breath until he turns blue when he gets mad... I'm not fond of this performance and hope he stops doing it quite soon.
It's so funny... I mean to blog so many times and can't believe how fast time flies in between posts. Needless to say, with my climber/thrower/daredevil child... I haven't much time to blog on the computer... but I certainly have many blogs written in my head. I actually have a blog novel typed up in my brain... Wish I had more time to write.

Sadly. I don't.

I... Will... Update!!!

Really, I will... I mean, I am!

First, the news! If you don't already know... which, is near impossible, because I think I texted, called, or Facebooked basically everyone in the world - not really, just said that for dramatic effect - anyways... the most exciting news that has happened this weekend was that Josh got a letter from the United States, welcoming him! In other words, all this paper work, filing, meeting with the lawyer, etc... has finally paid off! We don't actually have his green card yet, and no, we don't have any idea if it's actually "green" (Ethan)... but we shall be finding out very soon! The process was long, and difficult... mostly because we just didn't know where we would be able to settle. Now, we do! Now, we get to start planning our future. I mean, really planning! We've been waiting so long to know if we'd be able to stay or if we'd have to leave. Thankfully, we are able to stay, and we are excited to finally start seriously planning our future! Josh's green card gives him all the "freedoms" of the United States except the right to vote. If he takes his citizenship test in three years (which, I am hoping he decides to --- he has a good tutor for the test!) :) Yes, I mean me. Then, he'd be allowed to vote. A privilege I think is worth taking the test for! Anyways... I can't go into detail about the others because it is confidential, but we are hopeful! God Bless America! He has certainly blessed us!

Second, the kitchen... is coming along. It was supposed to be a "one weekend" job... but it is now week 3 and we are finally getting to a point where we are almost able to function again! The cabinets are in and up, everything is painted, the cabinets actually have everything in them already... the countertop - that has been the last thing to go in. It's going well, except the fact that the countertop is higher in the back than the other countertop, so we have to move the electrical boxes up a smidgen (thus ruining a bit of my paint job)... and the electrical stuff in that house is so ancient, that we always seem to run into some sort of issue with it. They got it taken care of tonight and all should be good to go... tomorrow maybe?

Next, our little man is growing - growing - growing!!! He is walking and talking (in his own language) and as sweet as ever! We are having SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun with him!!

I have pictures and video to update, but haven't had time to upload anything lately! I'll get to it eventually. Just like updating this blog. It may take a while, but I WILL get to it! Time seriously gets away from me.

Finally - Happy Father's Day!
I am so very thankful for my dad, my father-in-law, and my husband [who is not my father, but the most amazing father in the world (sorry dad, I'm biased - it was bound to happen)]. These three men are definitely the three MOST influential men in my life - and I am unbelievably blessed to be a part of their lives to learn from them and grow through their wisdom, integrity, and honorable character. Thank you dad, dad, and husband for being who you are. I love you!

Flip Ultra HD

After 18 months of video from my cell phone, we decided it was time to get a better recording device! So, I went thrift-shopping online and was able to get a brand new Flip Ultra HD camcorder for $36.00! I had an Amazon gift card that I used and was able to get money off my purchase a few other ways as well. Needless to say, we're excited to finally have this! Some friends of ours introduced us to the flip... and the rest is history! :) They're cool. You can see some new video on our youtube channel!
Yay!

Cooking Tips, Cooking Tips, and More Cooking Tips

I was just surfing the E-Mealz blog and came across this...

Cooking Tips, Cooking Tips, and More Cooking Tips

I always need a few extra cooking tips!
I hope it is insightful!