on life

This week has started with a few ups and downs. We are still loving living on campus and have met several other wonderful families. One has 4 kiddos and they live directly below us. I've already talked with the mom, Jackie, and want to be her best friend. Seriously, they seem like such an amazing family. Yesterday, there was a mom's coffee downstairs, but before I went I had to call about our last energy bill to our apartment (it as over $1,200!). When given very little info to aid my broken heart, I bawled my eyes out on the phone to the poor customer service rep about how we could not possible pay such an astronomical amount...ever. Aron is going to call and see if he can negotiate it down (apparently the meter was read incorrectly, so we were re-billed). After this, I didn't want to go downstairs and meet other moms and let Maggie play with friends, but I cleaned myself up and went down and was glad I did so. I believe I am someone who makes friends easily; I just see the value in reaching out and being involved in community and getting plugged in right away, regardless of where one lives. I think I'm a connnector. But, there are days that this process can still seem so overwhelming and the idea of getting to know new people is exhausting. I had a moment of feeling down about this yesterday afternoon. I manage to maintain friendships with many girls who do not live in proximity to me and I have several good friends I want to remain connected with who live near our old home here in the area. Today, it all feels like alot to balance.

I have been purging email this week, and trying a few new recipes. I'm cleaning out my recipes, trying to cook those dishes I have wanted to try (and deciding if they will stay in the repertoire) or tossing them if I think I will just never make it. Last night, I cooked this delish Italian meatloaf; it's been ages since I have made it. Maggie was scooping it up by the handfuls!

Still praying through Aron' s job and when he should transition out; at this point, we are hoping he will stay with the company through the bambino's birth. Ideally, we'd like to be in a ministry position and go to school simultaneously. This makes the most logical sense in my mind.

Our anniversary is in less than 2 weeks and I am trying to figure out where we will go to dinner. Every year since we got married, we have gotten away for a weekend. I see the value in this, even if it's just for 1 night. This year, we don't really have this option for a variety of reasons, so we are going to stick with dinner out. Aron says we can go somewhere nice. I'm mulling on this one.

Fall, please come post haste! With the passing of Ike, a cold front has settled on Dallas and we awoke this morning to a delightful 55 degrees! My favorite season of the year is on it's way in, I just know it! I love all things fall: the weather, the smells, the pumpkins, the colors, the sweaters, the food.

Can you believe this? We actually aren't 100% certain of our bambino's name. A couple other standbys are being tossed about (and if you know them, don't share them!). Hmm...we shall see!

I'm gearing up for my annual girls' trip. These are girlfriends from Bible college and this year marks year 5. We will be in Atlanta at Laurie's new home: 5 friends, 2 newborn babies (4 months and 2 months respectively), a 10-month old, a one-year old, and 2 toddlers will be in the mix as well! Whew. It should be a blast though. I'm already thinking about what goodies I'll bring to share and a fun art project we can all do (we've done something every year). Aron will come out at a few days after the trip ends and we will be going to visit his brother and family, whom we haven't seen in 2 1/2 years (they have never met Maggie!). This will honestly probably be our last plane flight until who knows when. I'm amazed at how much travel we have accrued since Maggie's birth.

I've been reading like crazy for the past 2 months; not having cable has helped, I think: Where the River Ends, Meely LaBauve, Tunnels, Like Water for Elephants, Home to Holly Springs, Jacob Have I Loved, So Long at the Fair, Christine Falls, and a few others that don't come to mind at the moment.

Ok, off to get Mags up from her nap and run a few errands.