Babysitting Wonders

I have been the nanny for Abby and Hailey for a solid 2 weeks now. These girls are wonderful. They listen when I talk to them and they get along well. They are both very intelligent and enjoy the act of learning. Though they have different personalities, they both respect others and invest a lot of time in things they love.

Granted, these girls are 6 and 10, but they act as if they are much older. They know how to make their own dinner and can do the dishes on their own. Now, I don't make them do either task because I am there, but this is what they have told me.

Hailey and Abby are two very different people. Hailey is 10, is crafty, loves science, and can describe every nook and cranny of a place she's been to once. Hailey will also negotiate her way around any situation and give valid points as to why she should get her way. Let's just say this girl likes to talk.

Abby, on the other hand, is very quiet. Their parents weren't sure if Abby knew how to talk until recently because Hailey usually speaks for her. Abby loves to read and color, both of which she is good at. Abby also loves learning. If she doesn't understand something, she always asks questions. Though Abby is quiet, she will not put up with anyone or anything that bothers her. She will quietly leave the situation and do something else to occupy her time.

I enjoy watching these girls. They bring joy to my life. A joy that I hope to feel one day when I have my own children. The girls also make me things at school, which I think is the cutest. I have kept every single thing they have given me. In a later post, I will describe each one and the significance they bring to my life.

If things go well, I have a full time nanny job over the summer. That, I can handle. :)

Three Course Dinner Date

Yesterday was the perfect day. I would not have changed a single thing about it.

About a week ago, I brought up the idea of having a three course dinner date. For this date, we would go to one location for an appetizer, one for the main entree, and one for dessert. Matt took to this idea so well that he decided we should do that yesterday.

I met Matt at Chili's at 1 to have our appetizer of loaded nachos. I must say, they were pretty darn good. Yummy. I've never eaten them before, but I would definitely recommend the nachos. Knowing we wouldn't be able to eat all three courses at once, I suggested we go get dessert, then eat dinner later in the evening.

I took Matt to TCBY in Ankeny for some froyo. It was different (and frankly, not as good) than Orange Leaf, but it was still great. You can't go wrong with ice cream or any alteration of this goody.

After driving me around Ankeny, showing me his different schools, I had to go to Des Moines to pick up Abby and Hailey (the girls I babysit) from school. I took them home and waited for their mom to get home before I excitedly texted Matt. We were both starving by the time I was done babysitting at 7:45, so we were ready for a hardy dinner.

We decided on Zombie Burger, because I loved it the first time I went and Matt wanted to try it. After an hour long wait, we were seated just around 9:30 for dinner. He got a burger with BBQ sauce, cheese, ranch and other things I don't care for. I ordered the Dawn of the Dead, a burger with fried egg, cheese and meat. Oh my, was it delicious! I will definitely get that again.

We decided to go all out and order a wedding cake shake after dinner, as if we weren't full enough! Of course, this was also delicious. I can't find a single thing I don't love about Zombie Burger. I understand why the wait was so long on a Friday night. We then talked for probably another hour and left the place around 11:00. (FYI, the place closes at midnight, in case you are ever wondering.) One of the best qualities about our relationship is that we get along so well. He is no doubt my best friend. I wouldn't trade up what we have for anything less than God's will for us to discontinue this relationship.

If you haven't tried Zombie Burger, I would highly recommend it. Even if you don't care for meat, there are vegetarian options. ;)

Also, if you are looking for a great date idea, you should definitely try the three course dinner date. From experiencing a modified version, I LOVED it.

Hungry for The Hunger Games

I must obsess, once more, about The Hunger Games. I was so excited about the first book, that I got the other two for Eryn's Nook and finished the last one yesterday.

I'm a sucker for love stories, hence why I enjoy Twilight so much. The Hunger Games, however, is a different perspective on love. Of course, the main character, Katniss, must choose between her lifelong friend, Gale, or the baker's son, Peeta. At the end, I actually cried, because I wasn't sure I liked who she picked. Then I realized it's just a book and I need to move on with my life. 

Please read these books if you haven't. You will not regret that decision. It's a better version of The Uglies series, if you have read that before. 

I get excited to hear the movie is coming out in March. I will probably get all excited like I have with Twilight and Harry Potter in the past. 

Isn't it amazing how reading can take one out of their own world and put them into an entirely different world? We are so blessed to have the capability to escape this world through words. Praise God.

Oh and in case you were wondering, I'm definitely team Peeta. ;)

Mr. Wrong?

While reading Psychology Today last night before bed, I read an article titled: "Are you with the right mate?" This was interesting because I know many people can relate to this feeling, especially married couples. 

This article was geared toward the person who has ever woken up one day and felt like he or she was with the wrong person. The article gave many ideas on what this feeling means and how to overcome it. Here are some points I found worth passing along:

The moment you are in a relationship and decide you may be with the wrong person is the first real day of the relationship. Before this point, relationships usually go well. Even if there are arguments, they are probably resolved, because you are still at that point where you could see a future with this person. The author says that when you suddenly think you have made a mistake is when you have to start working in the relationship. When you start working at the relationship is a preview to how it will be when you are married one day. 

Unreasonable expectations can cause a relationship to fail. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is indeed true. According to the article, women tend to hold higher expectations once in a relationship, thus why women initiate 2/3 of all divorces. To me, divorce is when one or both people give up on trying in a marriage. Women, however, tend to initiate these, because they expect the man they married to be their knight in shining armor 'til death do us part. You may understand that your significant other likes hiking and gory movies and you have accepted that. However, when you learn more about them and realize their love for hiking means you have to make a sacrifice to go hiking every so often, some tend to give up, thinking that is not acceptable. In reality, the good comes with the bad. God created us to be imperfect, unlike Him, so we cannot expect perfection.

Most times, assuming you are with the wrong person actually means you are not being the right wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend. Like in the previous example, your boyfriend may love hiking, and one day, decides to invite you with him on a 13 mile hike. Because you have never hiked a day in your life and you don't care for the outdoors, you say no. However, you are the one who decides he is the wrong person, when, in reality, you refused to compromise and participate in something he enjoys instead. Relationships always require work from both people. 

The takeaway from feeling like you are with the wrong person is that you need to examine the entire situation. Are you actually the one at fault? Do you have overly high expectations of the person you are with? Did you expect marriage to be easier than it actually is?

Though I am clearly not married, I hope to counsel married couples one day. I found this interesting, whether self-explanatory for some or not, because I know many people can relate to feelings of doubt. Times like this are when you must refer to the Word of God and rely on His teachings to get you through a tough point in a marriage.

"So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." - Matthew 19:6

We are to get through the rough times, as well as the easy times. If marriage were easy, there wouldn't be pre-marriage counseling, or vows, or entire professions devoted to counseling marriages. If ever you struggle, just remember that God will take care of it. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6

"I Got You Right Where I Want You"

Matt and I met at Cafe Diem in Ankeny this morning to do a bible study together. Earlier this week, we decided we wanted to start the bible study that we have promised ourselves we would do together.

We found a teen study book, but it had a couple of good studies. The study we chose was about worshiping God together. It spoke about going to church together when things start to get serious, because it is such an intimate thing. It also mentioned that worshiping together can expose one another to our spiritual values and our hearts.

Of course that has been easy for us because we met at church and we have attended it together since meeting last May. After finishing our study, it created the perfect segue into talking about August.

In August, Matt is leaving Des Moines to go to Springfield for college at Baptist Bible College. He took a year off and now wants to go back to finish his education that is preparing him for his calling into children's ministry. Unfortunately, this leaves us 5 hours apart from that point on. 

madamenoire.com

Fortunately, however, we are each going to school in the other's hometown, so visiting home can also mean visiting one another. Things will still be different than they are now, of course. Simple things like going to church together or holding our hands when we pray will no longer be possible. And since I love to plan ahead, I am already preparing how the distance will be hard. 

It is more than just not seeing him. I know I can live without him, but the thing that worries me is missing him. He has become my best friend, my confidant, and some days, the reason I get up in the morning. Right now, we struggle with just a day apart from one another, so when next year rolls around, weeks at a time will be hard.

We are struggling with the idea of what to do. We currently see each other nearly every day because our schedules allow for that. However, it may be better to start going days apart, then maybe weeks apart now, so it isn't such a shock when he leaves. On the other hand, would it be better to take advantage of the opportunity we have now to see each other while he's still around?

Either way, God will take care of us. He always seems to do that. And though it may be a struggle, we will make it out alive. 

"[we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us.]" - Phil 4:13

I feel like this verse will become my best friend over the next year.

The Hunger Games

I just finished The Hunger Games.  What a great book! If you have not picked it up for yourself, I strongly encourage you do so. I hate to say this, but I think it may be better than Twilight. Coming from me, that's saying a lot.

From Wikipedia.org

I finished the last half of the book in the last 24 hours. I just couldn't put it down. But now I am stuck...I don't have the second book and if I purchase it, that is money I shouldn't spend. The libraries at Drake and in Des Moines are both out of copies. I sound crazy, now, don't I?

I am excited about the movie coming out on March 23. It should be amazing! I am a sucker for the "fad" books like Harry Potter and Twilight. I'm not shocked I got into this book so quickly either.

Now I'm already convincing Matt to come watch the movie with me and trying to convince Eryn to read it before the premiere. I'll sucker them into it. :)

A Blessing in Disguise

Yesterday, I faced a challenge I expected to never have to face. By the grace of God, what could have been struggle, turned into a blessing.

At Momentum last night, Matt and I began small talk and sat by ourselves, as self-proclaimed introverts. However, as I begin another story, I notice a familiar face. A VERY familiar face indeed. We'll call him Blake, though that's not his real name. I met Blake the summer after my freshman year of college, nearly 1.5 years ago.

I instantly clung to him, mostly because he was different than other guys. You could hold a conversation with him. And he loved God. We hung out for a short time, then he left for college. I was obsessed with him. We spoke maybe a couple of times after he left, but only in brief Facebook comments.

After that summer, no guy measured up. Every guy that came in my life was not even a comparison to Blake. I was so lost, realizing I would never see Blake again. This all changed when I met Matt. That is the biggest sign I knew God was showing me. I knew he wanted me to take a second look at Matt, because he may just be better than I could ever expect.

And that's exactly what happened. Matt loved God, had a great sense of humor, and would talk to me for hours. In fact, since the time I met Matt, I don't remember a single time Blake crossed my mind. Not once. Until last night, that is.

I feared the day I would see Blake again, if ever again, because I didn't know what my feelings for him would be. Better yet, Matt was with me, so if there were feelings, there was no way to hide them from Matt.

Blake recognized me and I introduced him to Matt. After small talk, I almost didn't exist. Matt and Blake talked for quite awhile, while I just stood there, awkwardly. I almost felt like I was conducting a blind date for my current boyfriend. God can be funny sometimes.

The best part about last night is that I know God placed Blake back in my life finally when I was ready to move on. When Matt had walked into my life, I could deal with my past. I can't express how much I care for Matt, especially in situations like last night. I am so grateful God placed him in my life.

Last night, for me, was a great example of how God never gives us something bigger than we can handle. He always takes care of us. I finally have closure with Blake and I am grateful knowing he wasn't for me. Especially now that I found someone I cannot picture my future without. I am one lucky girl.

New Year, New Family

Yesterday was New Year's Eve. A time when many reflect on the accomplishments of the current year and promise to make many more in the year to come. Others, however, make promises for the rest of their lives.

Kody proposed to Eryn last night. Of course I knew it was going to happen because I was there to help pick out the ring. It is a gorgeous heart-shaped diamond on a solitaire band. It was just what she wanted. :) We did good.

I can't say I'm surprised that he asked me to go ring shopping with him. He's been around for nearly 2.5 years so I figured they would get hitched relatively soon. I'm excited for them. Now the planning begins! :) I'm also excited to help plan the wedding. It will be beautiful. I know it will be.