Real.

So I said I was going to post soon and I was about to make it all fluffy like I normally do with words like wonderful, precious, adorable...Because if you know me in real life, you know that I do say those words and I truly do try to keep a positive attitude most of the time and I feel like I am genuinely friendly. But then I got to thinking after reading a lot of blogs lately on "being real" just how I portray my life & how I like to show the "best" of everything. And that even when I post about things that are hard I use words like wonderful, great, blessed, precious, and add in the many :)'s so that maybe it doesn't appear like I'm really struggling (or I don't even blog about what really goes on). And I say how I know God is in control and faithful. You see the truth is....I'm pretty prideful. I like to appear like my life is always wonderful. I'm very concerned with what others think of me. I try to "measure up" to ridiculously high standards. I like to appear like I always think my husband is precious but in reality he's a sinner just like me. :) I'm selfish. I don't always trust God. Sometimes I doubt that he is in control. Sometimes I doubt that he is even there. I'm lazy. My prayer life is pitiful. I suck at laundry and let it pile up ridiculous amounts. We currently have dishes in our sink that have been there for 3 days. I am the worst long distance friend and am horrible about calling people back who have left messages on my phone. I could go on and on...

The worst thing is that I am so prideful I HATE being called out on those things which shows the biggest beast of my sins-pride. And my husband likes to sometimes gently, sometimes not so gently call out my prideful heart to which of course I deny most of the time until the Lord, in his rich mercy pricks my heart and softens it. I like my life to seem like it's in a pretty (and precious :)) little box tied up with a bow. But it's not.

The coolest thing when I type all of this out is that immediately I am depressed. Lol, well that's not cool but what is cool is that when I type all of it out and read JUST how much of a sinner I am and how much junk I carry around I am struck with this fact--GOD HAS REDEEMED ME. You see, Jesus needed me to see my depravity and feel overwhelmed with my sin before I could know the depths of his grace, mercy, and love for me. It's funny to me how sometimes in my head I misinterpret the meaning of justification and santification. When Christ became Lord of my life, he wiped away my sin--once and for all. Because of his love for me, he took the punishment for all of the sick sin that I have ever/will ever commit. However, I am still a sinner. I still struggle with my sin on a daily basis. I am not perfect nor will I ever be on this earth. So what do I do with my sin? Ignore it? Let it take over? NO. Accept God's grace daily. Ask him for the strength to fight my against my pride because I can't do it on my own. Ask for opportunities to choose humility over pride and be obedient when he honors my requests. Glorify and honor him when I see fruit in me spring up. So, I'm probably still going to use the word precious and wonderful because I just can't take it out of my vocabulary. :) And sue me, but I also can't escape the smileys. But, I am going to be a little more real because that's what my Dad in heaven would want--and after all, I'm living my life for His glory, not mine.

So long, So long, So long since I've posted!

The past month has been filled with highs and lows.

Even just thinking about it, I can't believe all of the valleys and mountains the Lord has been guiding us through. :)

And although I don't have time at this very moment to share everything (I promise I will :)) that has happened, I do know that God has been very faithful and he I have seen first hand his promise that he never gives us more than we can handle. :)

I am very thankful for that fact. So, today what I do have time to share is that our beloved home that we have had a contract on since May...the home that I pictured hosting Christmas in with my family, bringing our first child home from the hospital in, decorating every room, you name it....it isn't ours anymore.

We found the news out on Sunday night as we were driving back from St. Louis (I will explain why we were there in a whole other post) that our contract became null and void due to circumstances with the seller. This was a pretty hard pill to swallow at first, but since then we have realized that God's hand is in it. That maybe He has another house that is supposed to be ours.

So, we have started the search all over again. And it was fun for the first .2 seconds. Now I just want someone to find it for me, set up a closing date, and tell me when to be there to sign. :) Just kidding....kind of. I am trying to be grateful that we even have the opportunity to buy a house and grateful that there are such good deals out there, but MAN is house hunting/buying stressful in this market. Everything is either a forclosure or short sale & what isn't can be on the market one day and gone the next.

So, until next time (which hopefully will be sooner than later :))....I am going to try to be excited about finding our first home and less frustrated. If anyone knows of anyone selling their home in the NE suburbs of Atlanta--give me a shout.

:)

Happy Weekend!

P.S. I AM FINALLY GOING TO THE CHICO'S/WHBM EMPLOYEE STORE TOMORROW AND CAN'T EVEN HANDLE MY EXCITEMENT!!! :)

Pensacola Vaca Recap & Harry Potter Marathon

Well I am back from our wonderful vacation to Pensacola. (and have been back for almost 2 weeks but we still don't have internet & I am working full time so don't hold it against me :)) My parents & aunt and uncle live there but we rented a condo on the beach and chose one of the best weeks EVER...the week of the Blue Angels Air Show! We had THE best time and aside from Matt only being able to stay for the weekend, it was such a great time.

I stole all of my pictures from my sister and cousin because they have amazing cameras & I wanted to give a recap in picture form. Looking at these make me smile and think how blessed I am to be a part of my family. :) Enjoy! :)

Can I go back to the beach please?!? :)

In other news, our house closing isn't going to be as soon as we thought because we are waiting patiently on someone who works in a Bank of America office far, far away to sign off on it. From that point, we can close in 30 days. Our realtor has said it should be super soon but we are learning patience, patience, patience. Matt and I can't hardly go see the house because we want to start weeding, mowing, painting, and cleaning but we can't!

One last thing--my husband loves the Harry Potter movies. I have never been a fan because I started reading the first book in like 3rd grade and couldn't get in to it. Probably because I enjoyed reading books like "Are you there, God, it's me Margaret" which is a tad different genre from Harry. Matt hasn't read the books, but loves the movies and he told me I would love them too if I gave them a chance. So, last Saturday started our week long Harry Potter movie marathon which is leading up to watching the newest movie in the theatre on Saturday. I really like them and love the character development! We are taking this marathon very seriously. As soon as I come home from work, I'll make dinner and then it's HP time. (Mostly because they are so long and I am an old fart and go to bed at 9:30 PM nowadays :)).

Well, that about wraps things up for now. Happy Thursday! :)

What I Love Wednesday...

I have been wanting to do a What I Love Wednesday Post again so today is going to be the day!

I am loving the fact that we could be closing on our first home in less than 6 weeks! :)

We heard back from the bank (PTL!) and accepted their counter offer.

Now, we are in the last little home strech with home inspections, surveyors, and waiting to close!

I am sooooooooooo very excited about this.

From the very beginning of our house search, we kept coming back to one of the first ones we looked at. We both have pictured ourselves there and are SO extremely excited to settle in and make it ours!

I am loving finding decorating & diy ideas on Pinterest...

I am loving the fact that the Lord has provided a JOB for me!

I will be working as the Corporate Sales Manager for Doubletree here in ATL.

I start next week and again be among the world of the employed! :)

I am also loving the fact that soon I get to experience the employee store at the Chico's distribution center. After being a very patient wife (haha) and not bothering my husband with taking me because he has been working hard & learning I decided that I can't wait any more & that I HAVE to go...I can't wait to see the deals and hopefully get some new things for my new job!

I am also loving the fact that I am going to be on beautiful Pensacola beach for a week with my family in a week and a half. I can't hardly handle my excitement!!

And lastly I am loving my wonderful, supportive husband. His contstant jokes sometimes drive me a bit up a wall, but there is no other person I would rather share life with. He is a blessing from the Lord and I am so thankful for him. I really think we should start having a romantic date night once a week just like the Bachelorette (minus the group crazy Thai boxing dates). Wouldn't that be amazing if you could just fly across the world for a night, have an incredibly romantic date, and come back home? Yes please. :)

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!