Simplify-ing

Blake and I have been trying to simplify our lives. We are trying not to buy things if we don't need them. Not eat out as much. Asking if it is a need or a want. Asking if we need the top of the line item or if a less expensive item will do. Questioning how much tv we watch and how much time we spend with other people.
I saw this book Simplify at Urbana but they ran out at the conference before I could purchase it, so I bought it online at Amazon.

The book provides some great principals and insights, as the author Paul Borthwick, lives out what he writes about. For us, the book didn't provide many new thoughts or ideas to how we are already living but acted as great reinforcement. The book was easy to read and one that I would recommend if anyone is looking for a starting place on how to simplify their lives.

Going to the Dentist

I have gone to the dentist every 6 months for as long as I can remember.

And each time I dread going.

I don't think that is ever going to change.

A New Job!

No, not me...

After 10 months of being unemployed, Hubs was offered a great job with a local company. He is finishing up his third full week of work and loves it.

The best part of his job...he works 8-8 1/2 hours a day, like any other employee. He is at work by 6:30ish am, and gets off at 3:45ish. This is a far cry from his previous job where he had to be at the job site more than an hour away at 6:30 pm, and if he left before 6 pm he was said to not be a "team player". I could only imagine how that could have been a huge strain on our marriage after awhile.

We are glad to be in this place, even though it means more change to get use to!

I'm a Bad Aunt

I married into a large family.

Hubs has 4 siblings and 4 step siblings. There are 7 of them, including Blake, who still live in the area. Needless to say, family functions, when all kids are there with their spouses with their kids, can be fun, but insane.

Take Christmas for example...32 people. All immediate family.

I have 13 nieces and nephews that are out of the womb and walking, 2 more baking in the oven, and who knows how many more in the works.

I can't keep track of birthdays. Since we have been married, I haven't sent a birthday card.

I'm pretty sure that makes me the. worst. aunt. ever. There are worse things in life, right? Probably not to kids under 8! Maybe I should get on that one...

DC in the Winter

Hubs and I headed to the East Coast for a friends wedding and some r&r at the beginning of March. It was cold, but we had a blast hanging out with old friends and making new ones! One of the highlights of the trip was going to the White House...we even got to see Obama!

To Watch Jesus Heal

I have been reading through the Gospels lately. I am in the middle of Luke, and the thought occured to me...

It would have been insane to watch Jesus perform miracles 2,000 years ago.

To watch...
the lame walk
the deaf hear
the blind see

To watch Jesus cast out demons

And then I wondered...

If I were a Jew 2,000 years ago, would I have believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah?