Catching Up

So...hi there folks! If anyone is still out there, I apologize for my absence. I stopped writing because I was in the middle of changing jobs, and moving. Then life just got in the way and the longer I waited the more awkward it got and I didn't know what to write...so I didn't.

In November, this happened:

So then things got even crazier as we adjusted to the fact that a little one would be joining our family in July. With all the excitement, I need a place to keep up with everything and write it down so I don't forget the details! Instead of back tracking, I'll just jump right in...

How Far Along: Just over 18 weeks

Gender: It's a boy! My mom is an ultrasound tech and we were really blessed that she was able to scan me last weekend. His name is Levi Eldon (the middle name is after Josh's grandfather).

Size: He's the size of a sweet potato this week! About five and half inches. Crazy to have that little munchkin inside of me.

Movement: Not yet. There's been a few times I think I might be feeling something but I'm not sure yet.

Sleep: Up and down. Some nights are decent, some nights I'm up 75 times to pee.

Maternity Clothes: Not a lot. I've worn a few pairs of pants but they're generally too big still. It's just been the past week that I've really started to show and not be able to wear normal clothes. I haven't been able to button my regular pants since Christmas though, and have been using a belly band faithfully.

Symptoms: Honestly--don't kill me, but my pregnancy has been pretty symptom free. No morning sickness at all. The first trimester I was pretty tired but that's subsided. This trimester has brought some intense headaches but this week has been better. My boobs have been getting HUGE this week though!

Aversions: Nothing really. Though there have been several times that nothing sounds good.

Cravings: Milk this week, which has really been the first craving I've had. I'm not usually a milk drinker, but I keep guzzling cups of it!

What I miss: Nothing really. Coffee hasn't sounded nearly as appetizing as it did before, so even though I only drink a cup once in awhile, I don't miss it.

Feeling toward pregnancy: Just...wow. It's starting to settle in a little more since we know his name, but it's still quite unbelievable. I think once I start feeling him it'll be even more real, but now mostly Josh and I are like "Can you believe we're having a CHILD?!?!"

Best Moment this week: Picking out the name! We were between Judah and Levi, and I love them both--but Levi is just right.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling his kicks!


So that's where we're at.  I'll try and stay on track with posting from now on! I have missed ya'll dearly!

Hi There!

Hi new (and old!) friends! I'm so glad you stopped by my little blog. I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner today to meet some new peeps.

My name is Jennifer and I've been blogging for just about six months now. I started the blog as a creative outlet to write about my newish marriage, crafts, learning to be like Christ, recipes, my addiction to Pinterest, and other random thoughts.

My husband and I have been married just over two years, and every day is an adventure.

No kids yet but we do have two sweet dogs and one of these days we'll get around to having children!

Making real, genuine friends is tough--I'm looking forward to meeting some new ones!

Midweek Confessions--May!

Ugh. I am such a blogging slacker. I seem to get in ruts and I don't know what to write about so I just don't even try. Does anyone have any suggestions for that?

Anyway--Midweek Confessions never fail to make me happy, so here goes!

-We have been searching for a house to rent, and it is oh-so-frustrating. We looked at one the other day, and I honestly don't think it had even been vacuumed since the last tenants moved out. Really? What makes you think I want to rent from a landlord who can't even be bothered to vacuum the property before showing it?

-Speaking of houses, we still have almost two months until we'll be moving, and our house is a disaster! Between Josh running two businesses (anyone need a home inspection or lawncare?), our kitchen table looks like an office threw up all over it.

-I currently am missing half of one of my front teeth. I look like such a dork! I broke it when I was 11, at the time, the dentist was able to reattach the broken piece and do a root canal. Last week one of the babies and work knocked me in the teeth with her head--and crack! I hate hate hate the dentist, and am dreading getting it fixed--but so thankful that worker's compensation is covering it!

-I dislike change so much. I hate change at work, at church, at home... I generally adjust pretty well after the change happens, but dread it up terribly until that moment.

-I have a secret! I have a new job that I will be starting in June! I've been keeping it quiet because I didn't want my current company to find out too soon; but they already found out anyway. I am currently an office manager at a preschool, which I love, but there's not much opportunity for growth in my current company. I accepted a position as an office manager for a charter elementary school. The school is brand new (opening in August) and I am thrilled to be part of their team!

Look at the fancy new button E made for Midweek Confessions! Her blog is all new and spiffy, go check it out!

Happy Anniversary {to us!}

Two years ago today, I walked down the aisle and said "I do" to my sweet husband.

We hadn't even known each other two years, but I have never been so sure I was doing the right thing as I was the day I married him. Our marriage has had it's ups and downs, but there is no one I would rather have walked this road with over the past two years.

Our wedding day was a blur of activity and fun. I don't remember being nervous at all until we realized my flowers hadn't shown up yet (they finally did--several hours late. I still stick my tongue out every time I drive by that florist!) 

We've been through car accidents, emergency surgeries, starting a business, changing jobs, near evictions and a million other every day crisis. Looking back, I would've said our first year was great, and we were happy. And we were--but when I compare that to how much better our second year has been, it pales in comparison.

This past year we have learned how to communicate better, fight fairer, laugh harder, and love deeper. We have learned to seek God's best in our relationship.

 

I am so grateful to be married to a man who loves his family, wants to learn, desires to be more like Christ, is always willing to help others, and has a servant heart. I couldn't ask for a better husband.

This was our first dance song, and it still is a perfect song for us:

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Joshy! I love you more every day.

My Coupon Binder

I really thought I'd never be one of those crazy girls with a coupon binder. But the coupon system I had wasn't working for me. I would cut out some random coupons for stuff I normally bought, shove it in a plastic envelope I kept in my purse, and then desperately try to remember what coupons I had without pulling them all out in the grocery store. Not much of a system, and I was throwing away more coupons than I used. I knew it wasn't working, and I tried a few things to keep track of what I had--even going so far as creating an excel file on my computer with all the coupons I'd cut, which I updated a total of once.

When my sweet friend Becky showed me her coupon binder, I was hooked. Even though I'm not a fanatical couponer, I thought her binder was great and I thought it was a great solution to my organizational problems.

So the very next day, I headed to Office Depot and stocked up on coupon binder necessities.

Here it is in all it's glory! It's a little embarrassing how proud I am of this binder.

I started with a basic 1 1/2 inch binder. I could've gone a little bigger, but since it's just Josh & I, I don't have that many coupons, and I wanted something I could manage easily.

I bought tabs prenumbered from 1-31. These were about $8.

Then I added trading card protector sheets in between each tab. These were on sale for $3 for a pack of 10, I started with 30 of these (one between each tab) and that's working out well for now.

My only complaint is that not every coupon fits nicely in these slots--some are way too big and needed to be folded. I know there are other options out there for inserts, and I may look into those, but for now these work alright.

I used The Krazy Coupon Lady's binder Table of Contents as a jumping off point. Some of her categories weren't relevant to me, and there were a few I added (breads, meats, etc.) I printed a pretty list and used a plain sheet protector to place it at the front of the binder.

At the very front of the binder, I placed a plastic pocket to store a notepad, pen, and scissors.

I'm already feeling so much more inspired to cut and use coupons! I can't wait to get the Sunday paper and add to my stash.

Midweek Confessions {April 18}

Happy Wednesday! I've had some of these confessions floating around in my head for a few days, so I'm glad to get to finally share them.

*I'm getting to this late because we were without power for almost 48 hours. Let me say, I am currently not a fan of our utility company, and even less a fan of our apartment management company. The management company mistakenly switched our utilities to their name, didn't notice for three months, and then had them turned off. Without warning. I had no idea any of this was going on until yesterday when Josh & I came home from a funeral to no power. All that to say this: I dislike conflict with people I love, but man, when I am angry at someone I don't know, I lose my temper quickly. I can get nasty. As I made several phone calls today, I had to pray and take a deep breath before each one so that I would remain calm.

*I was shocked at how difficult it was to survive just 48 hours without power. Dealing with no TV or computer was relatively easy. It was the little things that started to drive me nuts--no coffee, no hot water for a shower, no hair straightener or blow dryer after I survived a cold shower... luckily the weather has been reasonable so we were okay without A/C, but a fan would've been nice.

*I have a really hard time staying awake in the car when I am a passenger. Yesterday on the way to said funeral, I fell asleep multiple times. I was trying to keep myself awake for Josh's sake but it was near impossible.

*Am I the only person who can remember people's birthdays only if they show up on Facebook? I have my immediate family's memorized, but outside of that...so sorry if I didn't send you a card!

*Every night before I go to bed, I feel really thirsty, so I pour a big glass of water and set it on the nightstand. I take two sips, and then the rest sits there until I have about four cups and no more room. Then I dump all the old water into the dog's dish. Then the cycle repeats itself.

Make sure you head over to E, Myself and I for more confessions!

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

I found the Ultimate Blog Party this year through another blog I follow (ummm...I can't remember which one...oops!!) and thought it would be a great chance for me to meet other bloggers. I am always looking for new blogs to follow and new friends!

I started my humble little blog here a few months ago. I have been reading blogs for a few years now, and love to write, so it seemed like a good combination! I've enjoyed it so far and look forward to continuing to grow as a blogger and build relationships with fellow bloggers. If you're wondering about the title of my blog, here's a little explanation.

My husband Josh and I are still what I consider "newlyweds" and we'll celebrate two years in just a few days.

We have two dogs who are our kids for now, one of these days we may get around to having some real kids!

I'm a follower of Christ, wife, daughter, sister, office manager, crafter, wannabe extreme couponer, Pinterest addict, and more. You can read a little bit more about me here. Those are the things I blog about--whatever's on my heart! But more than anything, I want you to see a real, genuine relationship with God through everything I do and say.

Thanks for stopping by--I look forward to getting to know you!