Disgusted-

I am disgusted.

Completely disgusted.

As you know, Roger and I moved to North Carolina without jobs. It was a scary thing to do but we are trusting that God will provide. And He has, I have been able to find temporary work guarding at a country club. And this is what disgusts me.

The country club that I guard for is for member's only but to be a member costs a pretty penny. To be a member of this country club, the fee is well over $20,000. Yes you read twenty-thousand dollars. It is some ridiculous high end country club. Everyone drives a BMW or more expensive cars. Children run around with their parent's credit cards going up to the food stand demanding service. They feel privileged. I feel pain for them.

The lifeguards that I guard with are just as bad. They also drives BMW's and feel like the world owes them everything. Yesterday, I had to listen to a few of the girl guards talk about their shopping habits and how they can drop a thousand dollars of Daddy's money in just a few hours.  They have no respect for adults and feel like swear words are the only way that they can communicate.

And here I am, in my little corner, and the only thing I can think about it is how this is all a waste. Children are dying overseas, they need water and here we are spending thousands of dollars on country club memberships. And I know that many of you reading this do not belong to a country club but it always makes me think about what things on my level am I buying that isn't a necessity?

It's a nice reminder for me to put things into perspective. I just feel so disgusted and I have no idea what I am supposed to do with these feelings. I love that He puts these things in my path so that I am forced to look at what is necessary in life.

-Last Moments-

We are winding down on our time here in New York. I cannot believe after 22 years of being in this state that I am actually moving away. Then again, I can believe it... I hate winter. (Now that isn't the reason that we are moving but it sure does help). 

This weekend my husband (man I love saying that...) and I spent the weekend in Norwich. There is just something about moving that makes me cherish every moment that we have. I know we will be back for many visits but these "last" visits are just so special in my mind. 

Jaxon was able to spend one more night at our house before we move. We ate pizza, watched a movie, and took him to the park. It's such a blessing to be able to have this darling little boy in our lives. And from the picture to the right, I think the feelings are mutual.

We were also able to support Jaxon's parents in their Adoption Walk-A-Thon. They are following God's plan for them by adopting right here in the US and I honestly couldn't be more excited for them. I am glad we were able to help and Roger and I enjoyed walking together with Jaxon. While at the Walk-A-Thon, Roger and I were able to visit some dear friends from Norwich and their children. It's so fun just sitting in the grass, eating BBQ while enjoying conversation. 

Later that day I had the privileged of cooking dinner for Roger's family. Everyone was there and that made it even more special. However, my favorite part was sitting outside and watching Roger and his brothers interact around the basketball hoop. There is just something so wonderful about a barefoot, summer night outside. 

And if the Lord hasn't blessed us enough, Sunday, we visited with an old Camp friend of mine and her sweet boyfriend while we ate Ethiopian food at the Darlings. Just being able to soak up some great conversation was just what we needed. I thoroughly enjoyed the Ethiopian food and their precious children as we spent the afternoon together.

Even today as I write this, Roger and I have plans with our dearest friends, baseball and Starbucks will be filling the evening. I just can't believe how blessed Roger and I are here in New York. Sometimes, I wonder why we are leaving but when those thoughts flood my mind, I just remember that Roger and I believe this is what God wants for us. He has a great opportunity for school and honestly, we have a great opportunity to really build our marriage together, apart from our comfortable world. Who knows, we may return in a few years...but I would rather if everyone moved down South! ;) 

One Month In

I am  a few short days away from being married for a month and now I am an expert at all things marriage. Okay, we both know that's not true but in a very short month, I have learned many things about being a wife and homemaker and thought I would share them here.

- Doing laundry together is something I really look forward to. It's easier for both of us to go to the laundry mat to sort, wash, and fold. 

- Communication is key to a successful relationship. It doesn't matter if it's just sharing about our day or communicating that I would like help in the kitchen. It is very important for Roger and I to intentionally communicate.

- Roger and I are each other's helpers. If I have a late night at work, I know that I can leave Roger a note and he will start dinner-if not make it before I get home from work. And after we eat, we seamlessly fall into this pattern where cleaning up is a breeze.

- We understand each other's needs, sometimes Roger just needs to play video games and enjoy some time with his brothers and sometimes I need Roger to turn off the TV and spend time with me. And you know what, it is fine with both of us. 

- A homemade dinner beats going out to eat almost anytime. It is so wonderful to be able to make Roger a meal that he truly looks forward to. Dinner time is a great time to just sit and chat about the day and what's to come the following days. (Pictured on the right is the homemade Bruschetta I made the other day)

- I have learned that I am a weekly grocery shopper. I know that that may have to change once our lives get really hectic but right now I can pull it off. I like weekly shopping because I don't have to plan my meals out more than a week at a time. (I would be so stressed planning so many weeks out...) Also, being a weekly grocery shopper means that there is always fresh fruits and veggies in the house and I love that.

- I HATE raw meat. Oh the thought of it grosses me out completely. I am going to have to go gloves or something so my bare hands do not have to touch raw chicken. I also struggle with freezing meat then unfreezing it to cook with. I don't know what it is about meat but it really makes me sick.

- We have also found that praying together really brings us together as a couple. I love these sweet moments we get to share together where Roger gets to cry out to God and is asking God for the exact things that my heart is aching for. I cannot help but shed some tears when I hear my husband pray for our marriage together and how is desperately wants us to be married forever.

I really love being married. I really do. I know that tough times will come (although we haven't fought since before the wedding...) but it is nice to know at the end of the day, I have someone to come home to. Someone that I really love and care for and know has the same feelings for me. I pray that these things do not change. I pray we stay in love and continue to always fight for each other and our relationship.