It's complicated...

I got a crazy job

2009-09-17T18:22:00.003-05:00

About three weeks ago i went in for an interview for a special education specialist. I got a call three days that said "we hired someone else but i am going to keep your file because we really like you." Yea I was bummed, but understood that I have no experience with Special needs children so i was ok! Thankfully about a week later i started getting calls to sub. No it was not fun getting startled out of a deep sleep at 6 am! But things were looking up! Honestly I was just excited to be around kids again, i am a weirdo because i thrive around kids!

Well last week i got called to sub for a special Ed assistant. I laughed when i figured out that i was the sub for the guy that got "my job" Well then on Tuesday I got called again for the same person, so off i went. I took my lunch break and the principal sat down next to me! He asked me how he knew me and i laughed and told him he interviewed for the position that i was subbing for. He then figured things out really quick and said "Well that position is open again are you interested in it still?"

"Of course i am!" So I started by new job officially yesterday! And I am came home stressed, tired, tense and happy! But I am working with three great people who are full of advice and encouraging words. Let me a explain little about my job.

For the sake of privacy I am going to give my students nicknames. First in the morning i work with "Ticklish" she has more physical disabilities. She is in Kindergarten. She is a smart cookie but just a slower then her peers. So I work with her in her class, with the special Ed teacher and take her to any activities. Basically I am there to get her to all her activites and work on physical issues with her. Then right before lunch i move to "Mr. Hugger" who has behavior issues. He can start biting, kicking, hitting or running away in a split second and you don't always know why! He is very hard to work with, he is more the reason of me being tense! But I know deep down he is a sweet boy and by his name he does love to hug anyone!

Life in Muncie

2009-09-07T20:27:00.002-05:00

Time for an update.

UMMMM....

Still no job. Josh's job is great. Like new apartment. I am watching one movie a day. And finally our dog has eaten chocolate, a picture frame, a willow tree arm and is still alive!

Well in all seriousness things are well. We are really missing family, friends and taco bueno! Josh preached this Sunday, he just keeps getting better! The students were saying that maybe Mark will have him preach more often. I must say I have a small objection to this. He has finally figured out the music stuff. His voice has improved a ton this year and he is comfortable on the stage. He doesn't use his guitar or piano to hide behind. Frankly I love worshiping with him, I always hear something new when I sing in church! But I must confess I enjoy his "short and direct style" As you can see my husband wears many hats at his job.

Well I am still doing this subbing thing and losing some patience over it! I feel like i really should start looking for a job with two big holiday trips coming and Christmas gifts to buy. Cost of living is a bit higher here so money seems to disappear real quick! But I just need to buckle down and make some calls!

All settled in

2009-08-19T12:09:00.005-05:00

Well we did it we moved into our very own apartment. It has three bedrooms and two baths! I like the two bathroom part so this way no one is waiting in line to use it! I have unpacked every box, we have hung up most of the pictures and Amos has

found his own little "doggie cave"

I must admit I kind of miss the life of the Campus House. I would walk downstairs and talk to Leslie and then Call Bonnie to come down and then Josh would hear us all laughing and come and make sure we weren't "talking about him" Plus Amos would come with me. The girls love him and he would sit on the couch and watch all the cars and chipmunks go by.

But we don't have internet at home yet so I am still coming up to the Campus house to use theirs! And Amos usually tags along!

I think we are all settled in Muncie. The first service is this Sunday, so Josh is getting a little nervous. I am just excited to meet some of the girls in my accountability group and all the other students! I am just really enjoying life right now. Though I must admit it would be nice to have a job! Pampered is a little something right now, but not a lot. But it is all in God's timing. I am able to attend a lot of activities with Josh right now, so I am taking advantage of that!

If I had a house...

2009-07-18T20:00:00.003-05:00

Assuming someday when i have a house i would have kids.

If I had a house it would have...

one level

enough rooms for every child

a master suite with a mini reading corner with a fireplace

a chef's kitchen

hardwood floors

heated bathroom floors

a cozy family room with a huge family picture above the fireplace

the laundry room with the latest washer and dryer

a big back yard

a garden

Oh and i guess this means I would be rich!

i am done with so much free time

2009-07-13T17:28:00.002-05:00

I have worked since I was 12. Started out baby-sitting, then got a "real job" at 16 and working ever since. I have had my share of crappy jobs, co-workers and managers! But I have always worked. I have enjoyed the paycheck and friends I have made. I have now been not working for one month. It has been nice allowing Josh to work and me...relaxe?!

In the last month I have read 4 books,watched two seasons of House, a nap every other day, laundry and dishes. But I think my butt, tush, caboose whatever you want to call hurts. It might be flatter anyways I feel i like I have not a lot to do. Now I am not complaining because I will be subbing come August but I am not doing a lot!

I have been diagnosed with discontentment

2009-07-02T21:04:00.003-05:00

Lets see today is Thursday and it was the first day this week i have had something to do! Last night after a frustrating two hour conversation with Josh, I realized that I have no close friends in Muncie, no set church and no job. Aka I have nothing to do. So after gripping to Josh about stupid things I realized that I was picking at him purely from the fact of a case of discontentment.

Now don't get me wrong...I am not ready to go running home to my mommy just yet! I still strongly believe that Muncie will become home and honestly this little town is enjoyable. But I am 11 hours away from either of our families and our friends. We are having to visit other churches for the campus house and I am not working.

I am trying to figure out what my place is here at the campus house. I am not the one that was hired and i am not expected to even be involved. But I want to be. Why not? I can learn so much from the weekly connection group, sunday morning services and the students. But what can I teach? I am the one with the simple faith. I am not going to be able to teach them how to dig deeper, the meaning of words or comparing the old and new testament to each other. I learn and live off of personal experiences and the ups and downs of others.

I do know this though. Having Josh being blunt with me last night was good. I know that I am not unhappy with him, I do know that i can't get through this without him. I know that he doesn't want me to have "his faith" and he wants me to find my own thing in the campus house. I know that i am not unhappy with life just ready for things to be something normal and consistent.

Someday...

2009-06-29T19:18:00.002-05:00

My thoughts on a "Someday"

Someday I will do this blogging thing right

Someday I will have kids, which will give me an excuse to do this blog thing right

Someday I will have a house of my own, with my colors

Someday I will have all my stupid loans paid off

Someday when those loans are paid off I might not have to work so i can stay home with those "Someday kids" and work on this blogging thing

Someday I will take a photography class

Someday I will have the perfect hairdresser

Someday I will not have a craving for caffeine, so the zits go away with the headaches

Lastly...Someday all that will not matter because I will be in heaven.

Week two in Muncie

2009-06-23T11:08:00.002-05:00

So Josh thought my last post was negative, I thought I did pretty good! This week is a little different. I myself don't have as much to do so I am spending a lot of time alone. Which really isn't bad, I am doing lots of reading!

We go out tomorrow for day two of house hunting! We have narrowed the search and it is coming down to the important things! Which has bigger closets, which one needs bigger repairs sooner? Is the kitchen doable? How close is it to J's work? etc We are spending time doing pros and cons and questions to ask the realtor! I can say that watching a lot of HGTV is paying off! I am not a complete dummy going into this! Plus Josh sees a the man's perspective which is nice because well i am not a man!

Josh started week two and already loves it! He still feels under qualified, but honestly he has a lot more under his belt then the last guy so I am not worried! He is very organized which helps! He is coming home for dinner so no extra long hours...yet!! He is leading two small groups with different topics. Plus he has the Praise band and is preaching twice this next semester! He is a man of many talents!

This move has been tough but when God shows you over and over again why he wants us here it makes it a little easier. Just knowing that Josh is learning a lot, I have been to a women's night at a church and we are comfortable with the staff just shows Gods love. We are both getting out of our comfort zone. But seeing and hearing new things.

So for all you family members who may be worried about us, don't be we are in God's hands. We have trusted him thus far and have no intention of stopping!

Muncie Indiana

2009-06-16T10:59:00.004-05:00

Well we are on day two in Muncie! We made it here safely. We got to the campus house and unloaded the truck and then walked everything up three flights of stairs. With no air conditioner! Though we aren't thrilled with the bed we are using right now we were able to get to bed early and slept hard.

Ball State University has a gorgeous campus. I haven't been to a lot of it yet but we are going to walk it tonight. But if there isn't a building there are trees. The campus is huge, with 20,000 students, this place needs to have buildings to put them! Get this in the student center there is a bowling alley! Josh and I were very excited about that.

I have now wondered around Muncie by myself, my gps doesn't even work out here! I got us a bank account, car insurance and a meeting setup to get pre-approved for a house! Amos hates the apartment life already! So many stairs, but we have taken several walks already. He loves all the new smells and the trillion little chipmunks that are all over the place.

So far I haven't gotten home sick but give me more time! Probably when I really start hating the apartment and the stupid stairs! Or maybe with Josh working full time and me well not working! But right now we re enjoying the new place. No happy hour at sonic here though!

We have Plans!!

2009-05-21T19:33:00.003-05:00

WE ARE MOVING TO INDIANA!

So the second weekend of May we drove up (nine hours!) to Muncie Indiana for a job interview! Josh met with Mark, did a rehearsal with the band and then a one hour interview with the search committee. Five minutes later Josh was offered the job of associate pastor and music. We decided to take the night to sleep and talk about it! Even though we had a month or more to think about this job we wanted to call our parents and tell them about everything we talked about and a few concerns we had. The thing though was that God had opened so many doors for this job, even though it is the absolute furthest I have ever been from my family we knew this is what we wanted!

So we excepted the job! Josh will start June 15th! We are excited, scared, thrilled and nervous! I have never lived further then 3 hours from my family, but we are now 11 hours closer to the Casey's! So we know that we will see our families as much as possible! Plus since Josh will be working at a Campus house (did I mention that?) Josh's schedule will go like the college! We can never get away from school! Its like a plague (but a good one)!

We will be in Broken one last time this weekend, so we are going to try and see as much family as possible! We will miss all our Joplin friends and extended family in Broken Arrow! But you can keep up with us on our blogs, facebook and email! Love you all

Which one shall it be?!

2009-04-15T19:32:00.003-05:00

So in March we were told we needed to start looking for a job because come May we wouldn't have one. Well that was like getting hit by a semi! We thought we would have through the summer, no such luck! So Josh started looking, well actually after about a two weeks of me his lovely wife bugging him to death to get his resume done!

OUR FIRST CONTACT

Our home church of Cedar Ridge (the place we fell in love...aaahhh) recently started a satellite church in Sapulpa! And guess what they are looking for a part time music minister. Yea I said part time but hey my mom loves the idea of us living in the same town! (Oh and yes you too Angie) Plus Josh would get to work with Harold who has been a huge mentor for him!

OUR SECOND CONTACT

About a month ago we were contacted by a guy in Muncie,IN! Yes a very long way from here but the half way point of New Jersey and Oklahoma! This position is Ball State University Campus Minister. Josh would be wearing many different hats! My down side is that there are only 75 sunny days out of the year, very depressing. We drive up there for an interview in three weeks!

OUR THIRD CONTACT

Yesterday Josh was e-mailed by a pastor in St. Joe, MO. Josh had sent him an e-mail but didn't really hear anything else, until a very random e-mail. It said something like I am friends with Harold Pittman and he highly recommends you. Are you still interested in the position? This one is fully a Music Minister in a church of about 325. Random but interesting.

OUR FOURTH CONTACT

Also yesterday Josh and I were taking a much needed nap when we were awoken by his cell phone! So he answers it with a groggy voice and a little confusion!!! The man introduces himself and says "we just received your e-mail we would love to have you come down (Katy, TX). Can I throw you a curve ball and ask if you and your wife could fly down here this weekend?" Well of course we had to say no, that was a little short notice! But the man was not discouraged and asked for a skype interview sometime this week!

So I am thinking we should put them all in a hat and draw one out! Ok maybe not, but hey which ever we pick it will be an adventure!

Plug in for Pampered Chef

2009-04-10T16:29:00.002-05:00

So last friday night I had my first party as a consultant for Pampered Chef. It was for a good friend of mine Elisha. The party was a huge success. An average show is 350 in sales I had 600!! That is a huge thing! I was pretty nervous and I wasn't as clear as I should of been, but hey come on it was my first time! My mom is having a show next weekend, so hopefully we will have a huge response to that one!

I thought I would put on here a little plug for my new business but also why I am doing this. Josh and I were wanting to buy a new car and I thought this would be a great way. But also I thought it would be a great thing for when the day comes and we start a family. Having this would allow me to have adult time and also some extra income to pay bills!! I get to make my own hours and do as many shows as I want a month!

No matter where you live we can have a show. A catalog show, a fundraiser or even a wedding registry. It is a great time with the economy down you can earn free products of great kitchen items! It is so simple and not time consuming at all! Do you have friends, family members or co-workers? Of course you do don't lie! Get them in on the fun!

Ok there is my plug I will leave you alone now!

Have you ever wanted an e-mail from God?

2009-03-28T15:20:00.002-05:00

So I have asked this question a lot these last couple weeks. And my answer is Yes! Who wouldn't, right? Well as you guys no Josh is currently looking for a job any where! I mean he has sent resumes to Indiana, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Colorado etc. Unfortunately churches want some one older and wiser with 3-5 years experience! Well Josh is 22 with one year experience and well I find him very wise but I am not the one hiring him!

To add to our craziness I found out this week that Tiffany is going to be a stay at home so I losing my full time job in June! Yea I know how could you possibly be mad at a mother for wanting to stay home with her baby?! I sure couldn't but I will admit it was bad timing for us! We just bought our car and in June we will have to pay rent for the apartment!

I had to put down some pride and ask fro help with Josh's graduation announcements (money that is) that was hard. Because I thought I could handle it but since the month of may includes two weddings, two birthdays, our anniversary and Mother's day I just didn't see how I would have the money to purchase them!

So back to my title, i have thought a lot about how nice it would be that God would send us an e-mail with what our future looks like. A little peace of mind would be nice! Now I don't want to know everything just the next couple months! Through all of the economic issues if we will be able to land a good full time job and life some what comfortably!?

I am a person who hates most change but I admitted to Josh the other day that I don't care where we move to as long as he has a full time ministry and knows that he is doing something he was trained to do. I hate the idea of leaving my family but I also know that they will support us even if we end up 2,000 miles away.

But more then anything Joshua and I have grown so close to each other these last four months! We have really learned to lean on each other. We are more in love today then eleven months ago when we exchanged vows! Oh how I love my husband!

Life Changes

2009-03-15T07:39:00.002-05:00

Well Josh and I have been almost ten months and what a ten months of changes! But yet we will have more before we celebrate one glorious year together! Josh is down to 7 WEEKS of classes before graduation! Right now he is trying to relax during Spring Break!

In the last week we have found out that the church will have to let Josh go the end of May because of finances. This came as a surprise because we though we had until the end of the summer at least! So Josh has started the process of finding a new ministry. He sent out five resumes via snail mail and a dozen or more via e-mail! Thanks to the economy this could be a long crazy cycle. But crazy enough we are getting excited about a new church! Some where Josh can really spread his wings. Hopefully find something he really enjoys and also a challenge! We would also like a church that doesn't have a 8AM service so we have no more of this 6AM rising time! But we aren't picky...well maybe a little! ;)

We have also bought a car! A beautiful sexy red 2007 Toyota Camry! We of course went in just "looking" and went out with keys. Well actually we didn't get the keys yet, because the bank wasn't open and they have to clean it! We were actually looking at a black one and we sent our salesman out to get a price on the car and he came back saying "I know you guys are Christians because God is on you side today!" They had just got a trade in for 1,200 dollars less, 20,000 miles less and this one came certified so we got new tires! It was steal! But we are officially adults, we have a loan! A five year loan at that!

Buying a car was interesting! Josh definitely made this decision. He kept saying you are a woman you have intuition. I told him I didn't think it had kicked in yet! But anyways I knew we could afford it, but it was a chunk of money and it looked like we were signing our life away! I can't imagine what buying a house is like! Josh was strong for me and I did have peace by the time we were signing all the papers! I am so excited this car is ten years newer then my car!

Just an update

2009-02-28T10:57:00.003-06:00

So I haven't posted in forever probably because I have no internet at home and so then I have to take time to go somewhere to get it! This last week as been crazy...well more for Josh then me! Ozark had a huge conference and Josh needed to work some sound in the seminars. So he was gone all day Monday through Wednesday. Then thursday through today he works Drury! My week as been good because Carissa was staying with us until today! So I got a lot of one-on-one time with her! Which was nice, I am still the new one in the family!

So we are done to about two and a half months before Josh graduates, gets ordained and we have two weddings to attend in two different states and we are both in one! Oh and of course the Casey's come in town too! I have a personal shower to plan for Shelby, I have a pampered chef party to plan and figure out all the details of becoming a consultant! I know you are thinking ok seriously two months to do all this?! Yea well you try and do it without internet at your fingertips and a computer of your own! I have plenty of time when I have Whitley but nothing to do it with!

Speaking of Whitley she gets more fun everyday! She rolled over several times last week, I even laid on the floor with the camera waiting for it so mom and dad could see it! She smiles ALL the time and starting to laugh just a little! Though you have to make a complete fool out of yourself to get her to laugh! She has a fake cry now to! She enjoys sitting up and getting different views in the house, so in other words we are moving all the time! So yea way to much fun!

Well I guess that is all right now!

Our first Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T18:50:00.003-06:00

So today was my first Valentine's Day as a happy married woman! My day started off when Josh came in with breakfast in bed. Waffles, sausage and strawberries topped off with a beautiful rose on the tray. Underneath there was a clue to where my gift was. He then started sending me all over the apartment to where I finally got a poka dotted gift. He gave me a hoodie with the Ozark written on it, I know not romantic but it was what I wanted. He did get me a dozen roses too!

We then went to get our taxes done(yea I know not romantic but hey we get money back!). We then made our way to Papa Johns where we got a heart shaped pizza! It was so cute I made Josh take a picture but it isn't on his computer yet! We then went to Springfield to pick up Carissa! We are so excited to have her with us for a few days! But anyways it has been a good day filled with laughter and lots of kisses!

Our sacrifice

2009-02-11T20:58:00.002-06:00

So Josh and I decided that apparently we needed a sacrifice for moving further out of town and cheaper rent...no internet! We were able to basically get this thing that allowed us to pick the 3G network with AT&T but the only thing is that where we are we are only able to get 2G. Which means it is freaking slow! Not as bad as dial up but darn close! Let me just say I am not able to upload pictures or view albums on facebook, because it takes so long! I am now doing all this at the church while Josh has band practice! We are returning this stupid gadget, but not really able to get anything else. So I am going to be checking everything only a couple times a week instead of a couple times a day! So sad and pathetic! How have I, we become so dependent on the internet?

So anyways all goes well with the Job! Whitley gets more fun every day. Today she talked my ears off and I am sure she said something "Mikala you are my favorite and we should hit the mall tomorrow!" I don't know it was filled with bubbles and coos but I am sure that is close! Oh I love my job. We are getting well adjusted in the new place. Josh loves the walks and runs he can take now. Amos loves the freedom and well I just love the whole thing!

Pictures of the apartment

2009-02-11T20:40:00.005-06:00

Ok so finally here are some pictures of the apartment! Enjoy!

The Living room and behind the couch is the study and guest bed nook!
The windows that look out to the river
Our bedroom

The beautiful new kitchen

Front door and Dining

Finally we have internet!

2009-02-01T07:51:00.002-06:00

Hey hey! So I have been without internet for about a week now and we finally got it in this weekend! But right now I am in Josh's office while he leads first service!

Well we got all moved in to the new place! I know I know where are the pictures well they aren't done yet! Well honestly I haven't taken them yet! The apartment isn't in complete order yet, so I am going to try and do it today or tomorrow! But we love it already! We are about two miles off of a main road so all we hear is birds, the wind and a few dogs! No cars, no ambulance and no people above us! We are just close enough to town (about 10 mins to a Wal-mart) for it to be comfortable and far enough to enjoy a creek and plenty of trees!

The apartment is only a few months old. This was a project the Shroeder's worked on while Tiffany was pregnant. There is high ceilings, new stainless steel appliances, shag carpet and a heated bathroom floor with a walk in closet! The walls are painted a beige color, so I now have some color in the apartment! So yea we decided it is nicer then we will ever see or at least for a while!

I promise there will be pictures this week!

Friday High Five

2009-01-23T19:15:00.005-06:00

This is for you Angie....

Top five reasons I love me family

5. They are crazy funny and know how to laugh

4. They are always there for me and Josh when we need them

3. They all care for each other no matter what decisions they may make

2. They may have their differences in faith, family and money but they all listen to each other. (now this does not mean that they take the advice!)

1. They love me and now love my husband as if he has always been there!

I love family and I have been blessed by their love and support!

Move in week

2009-01-21T18:30:00.005-06:00

So everyday I go to work this week I have shown up with my car full of boxes. I then unload my car and then also unpack them. Why would I want to pack everything all in one day...because I own 9 boxes right now! So i reuse and reuse and reuse some more (aren't you proud of me angie I am recycling...kind of!) And to add to that I have to go up stairs, my husband isn't around to help (he is in class so he is off the hook) and every few minutes I have to run into the house to make sure Whitley is ok! So not only are we doing a "moving day" on Saturday but we are also doing it all week!

Josh came out yesterday with a load and went ahead and brought Amos with him to see the new place! He loved it so much he thought he should lay a claim on his domain! Thats right my dog went up the stairs to the our bedroom sniffed for two seconds and pooped all over the place. I am talking a lot of smelly dog poop smack dap in the middle of the room! I just about kicked him down the stairs I was so mad. We haven't even officially moved in yet and already my stupid dog has had an accident in the apartment. Yes we cleaned up and I looked at it today and it wasn't to bad, our bed should cover the spot!

(Josh is a sucker for that puppy face)

It is only Wednesday of my first week and I am back into my old routine of being in bed by 11 and up at 7. I feel like an old married person! Josh and I collapse on the couch when he gets home form work watch an episode of psych and then crawl into bed. So sad! I know it will get better it always does, but man I am tired! Well I should end this post so I can go reuse my packing boxes for the third time!

My First Day

2009-01-19T18:45:00.005-06:00

So my first day didn't go so swell, lets just say Whitley literally CRIED ALL DAY! Mom and dad left and she knew that it was officially stuck with me for nine hours a day five days a week. Her first nap in the morning usually goes about two hours...she did 45 minutes! Then she decided she was hungry a hour early, so I had to hold her off for as long as I could! So we went down for a second nap, that one did last almost two hours, but she woke up cranky! Are you seeing the trend here?

Yea you got it... very little sleep + not enough food = a very upset baby!

I felt bad because Rick and Tiffany worked all weekend with Whitley to get her on a good schedule for when they both had to work and so the evenings would be better for when they got home! Well I messed it up pretty good! I tried and tried, but honestly I got pretty overwhelmed. Whitley is usually a easy going baby, but not today. All I got our of her today was a cry that I swear should of left her exhausted and only a few smiles.

I have high hoped though for tomorrow! I am suppose to go to chapel with Josh tomorrow at Ozark so we will see how Whitley does! But it is a short day for me, I get Tuesdays off early!

I also unpacked some things in the apartment today and I discovered that i have pull out drawers in a cabinet so I almost have a pantry! And also that we probably won't have internet out there because At&t doesn't get service out there so we aren't real sure what we will do with that. But hey we get satellite TV and DVR! Well I should probably get busy with house stuff!

Music Man audition

2009-01-14T19:05:00.006-06:00

SO I am sitting here bored again..oh I am so ready to get back to work...and I am listening to the soundtrack of the movie Music Man. Ozark (where my husband goes to school) does a big Spring Play every other year and well I am going to try out for a part. And the Musical they are doing...yes that is right a musical! If you know me I don't come from a very musically talented family, but I am going to try it out. But anyways they are doing "The Music Man"

I am very excited about this merely because I haven't done drama in several years and I can't wait to get back into it! So I am trying out for two parts, in hopes of getting one of them. First being Eulalie MacKecknie (have fun saying that one) she is the obnoxious wife of the mayor. She has one osng but she sings it with four plus other women and then the other one is Zaneeta the selfish daughter of the mayor. That last part doesn't have a song. Both would be fun characters, but really I just want to get back into something I love! Something I miss so much! So wish me luck! Auditions are on the 26th! Oh and did I say I get to dance too!

Sunday a rest day? Since When?

2009-01-11T16:03:00.004-06:00

The other night I was hanging out with our children's minister and his wife, James and April. I was asking April if ministers and their wives (especially the wives) get used to how crazy Sundays are? She said yes...well I got news I am not! Here is a typical Sunday for us!
6am- we rise with the sun
7am- we are at the church for practice
8am-first service
9:30-Sunday School starts
10:45- Second Service and I usually do Children's church
12:15- Church is over, but Josh has to shut everything down so we walk out about 12:45!
12:45- Lunch with James and April usually!
2ish- We get home to a dog who thinks we forgot about him!
3pm- We sometimes get in a nap or like today Josh has a meeting at the church
7pm-We have a bible study at out house
11pm-BED

Crazy day to say the least, now don't get me wrong I love being at church, but it is not much of a rest day for us. Of course Sunday is a work day for Josh, he gets paid to be there!

It was interesting today in Sunday school because we talked about how the Jewish culture has such a strict code on Sabbaths and how it so much of a worship and family time for them. They don't work and they don't do things with people outside of the family. It is a law they live by, a law everyone should live by. Where are the days when ALL the stores close for a day and everyone has a big meal with family? Josh and I try very hard to make it a relaxing day, but that could be more because we are up at 6 and moving till 2 on Sunday's. I don't know I am sure this is more of a choice on the individual families then on the country. A family could choose to have a more dowm day, a day of resting and time with the family. I mean come on now God rested for a day and well he has many more responsibilities then we could ever imagine having, so if God can why can't we?

A Man with a baby

2009-01-08T19:51:00.002-06:00

My husband is adorable with Whitley! I had Whitley for a few hours today and Josh jsut went with me. When she finally woke up I got a good hour of playtime with her. While I fed her Josh sat next to me and stroked her hair...adorable! I then laid her on the changing table and washed my hands real quick and turned around to see Josh talking to her and playing with her feet...adorable! And then lastly I laid her on the floor for playtime and Josh got down with me and she just smiled real big at him...also adorable! So yea this what I learned today with the baby that my husband is cute with babies and I know will some day make a wonderful daddy! I love sweetheart.

My new love

2009-01-06T21:36:00.002-06:00

So I got a new job! Probably going to be the best and hardest job I have had. I am officially in charge of a nine week old baby girl named Whitley Marie. Though I haven't started full time I am watching her several times a week so mom can get ready to go back to work and get used to being away from her new joy. With this job I thought it would be fun to post the things I am learning about raising a child. You know for future reference! So here is my first thing...

You can try a schedule but babies don't care about them! Even though Whitley has been put on a good three hour schedule she doesn't want to stick to that. Though I think it is because she just got back from Jamaica and has to get used to the old way of things again! But hey what eight week old wouldn't want to be with her entire family for one week on a warm island for Christmas?! No I am no dummy I have had my share of babysitting babies so I know that there is very little consistency!

My first Christmas Married!

2008-12-28T21:45:00.003-06:00

Well I have had my Christmas as Mikala Casey! It was glorious, wonderful, amazing and perfect. My family did somethings a little different this year, some new traditions with a new family! My mom braved the stores Christmas Eve as a last minute shopping trip to buy us all new Pj's. This was a new thing for us, hope we keep this one! Then Christmas morning we got up slowly, ate orange danish rolls (my favorite) and prayed together as a family. When breakfast was over we opened presents. And let me tell you Josh racked it up good. I decided that since my mom hasn't ever had a son to buy for she decided to go all out on Josh! He got more presents then all of us, though mom claims she spent the same on all of us, I think he might of got a little extra ;)

Us opening our presents before going to my grandparents was a first for me. We usually took all of them to their house and open them with all of our cousins, but not this year. We did go to my grandparents house to open gifts and have lunch in the later morning!. This was fun because of course we did our family pictures by the tree and this year we had a hard time getting one, we seemed to goof off a little...ok a lot! Lastly we went and saw a movie another new thing I hope we do forever!

So yes I had a perfect Christmas with my husband! An amazing day with my family! And a memorable day with my Savior!

Jesus in the Spotlight

2008-12-24T13:07:00.002-06:00

Well it is almost here. The day before family, presents, food and more family! But what is it also, the day we seem to skip over sometimes. Well at least the meaning of it. Jesus. One simple word for one simple idea. Why is he pushed aside during this day? Why is the story not being read? Why doesn't he get the spotlight? I think to be able to answer those questions you have to think about your life personally. Everyone has a different reason or excuse. Everyone has had a different kind of roller coaster year.

For me it is so simple it should be laughed at! I have enjoyed my first year of marriage and all the joy and happiness that that comes with. I haven't always stopped and just Thanked Him for EVERYTHING He has done for me. But I can tell you that this last week, I have been able to move Jesus in the spotlight. Josh has been planning the Christmas Eve service this last two weeks or so and I have watched him show me how simple Christmas should be. He has planned this service with one mindset...How do I bring together the birth of our Savior to the death of our SAVIOR? Because really Christmas isn't and shouldn't just be that Christ came to earth as a human but also died a painful death for us.

So really I say all that to just remind you and yourself to put Jesus in the spotlight this weekend. Remember he came to earth for us and died for us. He has blessed you all throughout this year and will continue to bless you as long as you remember him and thank him for all things. Merry Christmas!!!

I got a Job!!

2008-12-18T22:00:00.003-06:00

Well I have decided on a different job! About a week ago I got called about meeting with a family who was wanting a full time nanny! I had a profile on a site but wasn't really expecting to see anything. Well I decided it wouldn't hurt to see what the job was going to be. So I sent my references and then set up a time to meet them. I honestly was a little scared about the references because I needed to put Eastvue done. So I went ahead and told the family ahead of time what happened and said i was hoping that I would still get a decent reference from them!

Josh and I went to meet the family Rick, Tiffany and 7 week old Whitley! I loved them right away and we all hit off well. I found out that I got great references even from Eastvue!! They offered me a full time or a part time job with them. Josh and I had to spend a couple days praying and really talking about taking it. I finally felt a peace about it as well as Josh. It was great when I called Tiffany to tell her that I would take the job. She was soooo excited. Which made me feel good!

I know some of you could say you really should of subbed it would give you more experience, which is true. But this is something with a consistent schedule which is something I personally really need. I need to know exactly what I am doing every day, not get a call at 6:30 every morning calling me in! I am so excited about this. Whitley is a good baby and I am getting her at a young age so I get to see her grow up! I know this is something that God would love to see me do!

Thank you all for your prayers and concerns! Do keep praying as I don't start full time for another four weeks, so we are still having to watch every penny we spend! But I love you all and Thank you again for everything!

2008-12-16T19:45:00.002-06:00

The Casey family on Thanksgiving!

2008-12-16T19:45:00.001-06:00

Josh and I at the shore in New Jersy

2008-12-16T19:43:00.004-06:00

My amazing apple pie for Thanksgiving!

God has a sense of humor

2008-12-15T14:42:00.003-06:00

So Josh and I had a slap in the face by God's sense of humor this weekend! Josh and I were talking Friday night about how we had never been invited over for lunch or dinner by anyone in the church. We had been told over and over again how friendly the church is. We had gone to our sunday school teachers house for a group party but that was it. Well Saturday morning we had to be back at the church and a lady came to me and asked if Josh and I would like to come over after church on Sunday for lunch. I laughed a little and said of course we would! And let me tell you the lunch was great, the food and the conversation. It is an older wiser couple in our church that I trust and admire.

That afternoon Josh came to me and said " SO how do you like God's sense of humor?"

Laugh

2008-12-10T19:07:00.003-06:00

Well I have an interview on Monday for a part time nanny position!! I am so excited! I was able to fully explain to the mother my situation with work and how it all happened. It was nice to know that I was telling her the truth and she just said "well you are human you make mistakes." It was like a ton of bricks lifted off of me to know that someone believed me, who was possibly going to hire me. Well anyways I thought I would let you dedicated followers..haha...know my good news! Please keep me in your prayers though that everything goes well and that when she does call Eastvue that the call will go well. Love ya guys

Pause...Breathe...Smile

2008-12-09T17:00:00.003-06:00

Well I am going to take a pause from Josh and I 's beginning and update you on some interesting things going on in our crazy lives.

Josh and I had a week from hell, last week! We got to to go to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and that was a huge blessing. But we got back in Joplin and we hit the ground running. Josh had rehersals every night for The Living Christmas Tree and I needed to get back to work and ready for finals. Tuesday afternoon I very quickly, unexpectedly and unfairly was fired from my job. I was speechless, I couldn't even argue why because my heart was in my stomach and there was a knot in my throat. Now the incident I got fired over, I was and still am sorry about. It was an accident, I am human and I make mistakes. I am still working through emotions and feelings over the incident and we (the other girl i work with was also fired) have found out that some of the teachers aren't getting the whole story about what happened same with the parents.

Me as a married girl of almost 7 months my first thought was "How am I going to pay the bills!?" I am still worried about that, but we are taking it a day at a time. If it wasn't for Josh's stupid jokes and making me laugh I never would of made it through this week. I would of stayed in bed everyday probably! Thanks Babe for sticking with me! So on to the rest of the week.

Josh got through practices and on to the shows; Thursday night and then two shows everyday through Monday! Saturday afternoon I got a call from Josh asking me how I was feeling, I was fine, but he was not! He then consisted to throw up for the next 12 hrs almost non stop. So if you see the day you will see that that means Josh was sick on Sunday! So who got to get up and get the church ready...me! I was already dreading going to church and people asking how my week was and all I wanted to say was "Awful, yours?" I got through church and then came home to my sick husband who was recovering fairly well! I started some laundry and figured out my dryer was once again not working!!

breathe

Thankfully Josh only had a a 24 hour bug and he was able to be in the program Sunday! Which was good because we had four sets of grandparents coming in and my parents to see the Musical! Josh and some guys were able to put together a mini stomp routine and I was put in charge of taping it and guess what...the batteries went out! It was the cherry on top of the week! Yes I know we might laugh about it later and we right now are doing well, but not much laughing! So there is a small glimpse of our week. This is not much detail, but I will take time through out the next couple weeks to explain more!

Engagement night

2008-09-28T21:05:00.002-05:00

When i got to my parents house on October 26th I walked in the front door and was greeted by rose petals. They were leading to my room, so I followed! When I made it upstairs to my room Joshua was standing there with his guitar, 100 plus candles, and a little table with something on it (didn't pay attention to that much!). Before I could say anything Josh asked if he could sing me a song that he had written, I would post the words but they might embarrass Joshua so I won't. I said "yes of course." When he was done with his song he put his guitar down.

He took my hands and gave his little speech which was something like this:

"I love you

You are my best friend-the one my heart loves

In you, God has given me inspiration and hope

It's in you that I have seen what true beauty and purity are

you are the picture of perfection for me

My love, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

To hold you

To cry with you

To make a future with you.

Most of all I want to love you through sacrifice.

I want to spend everyday for the rest of my life serving you as Christ would, showing you

love by sacrificing my wants and needs for yours

You are the one that I want,

The one that I need,

The one that I love.

Mikala Bryan, will you marry me?!"

Yes I keep every letter, card that Josh has given me these last two years! Now let me tell you that I was home for my birthday and I honestly wasn't expecting this. I thought with the table that maybe we were going to have a romantic dinner or something, so I was in utter shock. So much shock that I answered "yes of course" and our very first kiss EVER wasn't all that great! But the second one was all that I dreamed of and more!

So you want to know what was on the table when I walked upstairs?!?! Well there were two glass Dr. pepper bottles, so much better then anything I have ever tasted! And also a notebook/scrapbook that Joshua had put together with ALL of our facebook messages that we had written to each other since February of that year! Yea that is right I have the most thoughtful man in the world!

the "M" word

2008-09-24T19:17:00.002-05:00

Yea so it was time to mention MARRIAGE to our parents. We had many thoughts on them, whether we should graduate then get married or me transfer to Joplin and we would get married in the summer and finish school together. I wasn't surprised by our parents answers...pray about it. They supported us in what our decision may be, they gave some advice here and there about things. Financial issues needed to be looked over, whether we could handle the stress of working full time and going to school. We talked, talked and we did a little more talking about it and well we didn't come to a decision at all before we both to school for the fall.
Now as a girl this was very frustrating. I knew growing up that my ultimate dream was to get married (relatively young) and have a family. Realizing that that dream could be 8+ months away was unbearable at times. We were now back to our long distant relationship...
It was overly frustrating at times. We had cell phone issues, we got to the point where we hated even talking on the phone because all we really wanted was to be together. We would see each other about every 4-6 weeks depending on money! But at the same time we were spending a lot of time with our friends, consulting with them or just hanging out. We knew that there was a possibility we would have to leave our singleness (well you know what i mean) and I would be moving away from the life I knew as a girl on her own from the last 2+ years.
Come October 26th I came home and found a wonderful early birthday present...

2008-09-21T22:20:00.002-05:00

OK so I am sorry it has been so long, I know I just left you guys hanging!
So our first summer together was interesting to say the least. We had been dating about a month and a half when all of the sudden we lived in the same town, going to the same church and I was "the Joshua Casey" girlfriend. Now to make things more interesting his family was moving away to New Jersey to take a Senior Pastor Job. So I was now dating a guy who is a musician, an emotional and sensitive musician at that, who adores his family but was having to cope with them moving 2,000 miles away! Wow I had my work cut out for me!!
Joshua started his first internship at Cedar Ridge under Harold, who he admired a lot. So this was great, he was working in his church under his favorite person doing what he was called to do! This was perfect he was seeing the good, the bad and the ugly of the church. But he grew so much, maturity wise and spiritually. OK so lets go back to our relationship for a minute.
Thankfully Michele and the kids (his mom and siblings) were staying in Broken Arrow fro the summer because they hadn't sold the house yet. This was a blessing in disguise for the both of us. I was then given a chance to spend time with hos family and fall in love with his three youngest siblings. We were getting support from Michele and Craig in our relationship allowing to bloom. We then decided it was time to talk to our parents about the "M" word...

Our beginning

2008-09-06T08:26:00.004-05:00

So here is my first post! Its sad because I started my blog before my husband and he has already posted twice! Speaking of my husband let me start there with our story.

In January of 2007 Josh posted on my facebook and we started writing back and forth to each other. It got the name of "The novel" because 80 plus pages later we had our beginning. We talked about everything under the sun...our family, our faith and our disappointments in life. Now if I go back a little further you would know that Josh and I had met at our church in Broken Arrow, but he was going to school in Missouri and I was in Arkansas. So we really didn't see much of each other unless we came home to visit our parents.

On March 31 Josh asked me if I would go on a date with him and I of course said yes. He took me to Taco Bueno (my favorite) and the bowling alley which in time he beat me at both games! From then on out we started our long

(distant) and complicated relationship with its typical ups and downs.