Sneak Preview

Our new place.

It won't be long now.

Excited?

Yes.

Nervous?

Definitly.

Coffee Table

End Tables

T.V. Stand

Desk

Couldn't find the kitchen table online but its nothing fancy.

Thought those of you are cool enough to read my blog can have their very own sneak peak of the apartment . . sort of.

A Year of Firsts

This year is a big line of firsts for me. This is both exciting and scary at the same time. I am hopeful that I will make the best decisions and so forth because I have lots of great people that offer awesome advice and support. So here are a few of this years firsts:

First college graduation
First time moving out
First full-time job (coming soon hopefully)
First marriage (and only but still a first all the same)
First time signing a lease

I'm sure there will be many more firsts coming my way and I'm blessed to have such great friends and family coming along for the ride ! !

My New Stash !

So I have to admit that a few days ago when Jenn sent out an e-mail about doing a "Stash Swap" I was a little sad. During this swap, each of us couponers would allow one another to make trades of products we have accumulated. Living at home hasn't given me much reason or space to build up much of one; therefore, I had no stash to speak of. This picture is what my stash was before Sunday.

Thanks to CVS and double coupons at Kmart this week, my stash has grown! I also have a ton of toothpaste that I did not put in the picture because, lets face it, we all know what toothpaste looks like and we've all had tons of it! A couple of these items were purchased on borrowed coupons so the items are going to Jenn, but most of it is my new stash!
I know its kind of hard to see what is there, but its just a lot of stuff. Lots of cleaners, shampoos, and some meds. I feel like this is a great start! I would like to get some more medicine, but there is time (not that I'm hoping or planning on being sick but who knows). So with all of these goodies I should have the cleanest apartment in town, but I wouldn't come over expecting it! The best part about it, I paid less than $10 for all of it. I know I couldn't believe it either! I just might have enough not to participate in the Stash Sway.

Asbury's Children's Super Hour

As some of you may know, for one of my current classes we are taking donations for an organization out of Asbury Methodist Church in Springfield. If you haven't guessed it, its called Asbury's Children's Super Hour. It is really a great place. These are church volunteers that provide food for underprivileged children every week day. Kids come, play games, and eat what might be the only meal that have that day. They may only be here for about an hour, but they it gives them something stable they can count on.

The church is filled with smiling faces and helpful hands. Everyday about 30 kids from the area come to eat. These kids are from the age of 3 to 13. They have board games and coloring books as well as a few computers to keep the kids entertained. They also offer homework help for the kids that need it.

They have one small room that they use as a closet that contains supplies. These supplies consist of food, school supplies, coats and hats, and even hygiene products. These supplies are precious to the church and these kids. While talking to the women who runs the organization, she said something that really struck me. She was telling me that the kids could bring in good grades on tests and things from school and they would let them pick a small rewards. Then, she told me that most of the time when the kid picked a his/her reward, they choose toothpaste.

It is strange to think of things like toothpaste as a reward, but to some of these kids, it is. Helping out at this place is one of the hardest yet most satisfying things I have done in a while. It feels good to help; especially when you see the gratitude in the smile of the kid your sitting across from.

So as many of you know, part of my class is taking donations for the organization. They need all sorts of things. I am NOT asking for money! But things like toothpaste, notebooks, shampoo, canned goods, games (used/new), and anything else you may have that your willing to part with that these kids might use. Anything, no matter how little, it is appreciated. I just wanted to fill you guys in a little bit on the organization so you'd understand where the items you may donate are going. I have a few more weeks and a good stock pile started, but anything you are willing to give would be great. If you have any questions let me know.

113 days until...

So I feel like its strange that I haven't blogged much, if any, about the wedding. I just don't know what to say. There are so many details and i'm having fun planning our special day, but i'm not sure how many blog topics I could come up with that are interesting.

The above picture is one of Kyle and my "Engagement" pictures. I'm not totally sure what they are for, other than the newspaper, but I'm still glad we have them. This one is kind of far back, but i like it. I feel like it looks like we in china or something, but its just good 'ol Nelson Park.

Still wokring on a few key items, then i think it will be smooth sailing. Tips and advice are always welcome. iIll update again when something interesting happens.

The Job Search Begins

As many of you know, I have started the official countdown to graduation. Along with this countdown, I have started the official job search! I feel so . . excited, nervous, scared, intimidated, terrified, frustrated, under qualified, adventurous, surprised, and I'm sure I'll come up with a few more along the way.

Today is my first official day looking for a what I like to call my "big girl job". I have looked though one job web site, but only found two jobs to apply for! . . and the worst part is, I think one of them is a scam! I hate that job sites post things like that! It looks good, but then looking into it further I think it is one of those sales jobs where they send you a kit and well you know the rest. What a joke! I want a real job that pays well, makes me feel good about what I do, and hopeful has benefits! HA I never thought I'd see the day when I was worried about finding a job with benefits!

Anyways, I will keep everyone posted on how things are going. If anyone hears about something let me know because in just over 6 weeks I will have a bachelors degree in Business Administration and no job.

Barbara Jean

This is a pictureof my aunt and i about four years ago before she got sick. This was just the kind of person she was....always smiling and laughing. . . and she brought those silly Christmas headbands just for her and I because she knew I would wear one with her.

Its hard to say goodbye to someone who was always so full of life, but yesterday she passed away. As some of you know, she really fought through her cancer. They told us she had less than a week left over 7 weeks ago!

I talked to her once during that sad and scary week and she assured me that she was going to be okay. She was scared, but that she believed in God and had done all she could to make things right. She also said that she didn't want me to be sad because she was going to watch over me every day and she knew that Kyle and I had a wonderful future ahead of us.

It was so sad and heartbreaking to hear it then, but now it eases my mind a little. This struggle has been really difficult for my aunt and my family. Her services will be held in Decatur some time this week, so please keep us in your prayers as we make it through this difficult week.