Finished By Friday

I know I know!! It's just been on my mind so much lately! Sometimes I feel guilty because I want things or I get restless because it seems like Jon and I should be getting further in life (a better car, two cars, a house, etc). If I stop and think about it, I KNOW that since I'm still in school and only working part time and things being difficult for everyone everywhere, that we're doing well for our age. We have a nice apartment, a working car, and so many material things. . . And then I feel bad for saying things to Jon about it because I know he works hard to provide and we never really go without! So I've been trying to focus on Phi 4:11 - "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." For me it's more like "...for I [am learning] in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." I guess the good news is that I am aware and working at it! Thoughts??

Today is a dreary rainy day in Massena. It's one of those days that make you want to snuggle in bed all day and when you DO get up, you feel the need to sip coffee all day either because it seems like it should be cold outside or just because you are having a hard time staying awake. Me, I am awake, up and about, and thoroughly enjoying my rainy day already! And yes, I'm still harping on life's many blessings! After reviewing my last post, the phrase "Showers of Blessing" popped into my head. Then I took yet another look out the window and decided that it was quite fitting for today. There is of course the old camp song ". . . showers of blessing we need mercy drops 'round us are falling but for the showers we plead", but I was thinking of the "showers" of blessings we have already received! I've recently had to stop and wonder several times "Why has my family been spared all the heart-ache others have to face?" I hear/read ab...

At work, we sell puzzle pieces for autism. On one side they say "I AM" and on the other, any number of things - awesome, loved, peace, music, magnificent, unique, original, unstoppable, etc. One of my favorites is the one that says "I AM BLESSED" It's such a simple reminder to stop and think of just a few of the good things when life really doesn't FEEL that good at the moment. I like to give these little reminders for gifts whenever I can. It supports a great cause (one very close to my heart) and every time, it reminds me as well. . . I am blessed to have friends and family to buy gifts for! In other news. . . Jon returned home safe and sound Tuesday shortly before noon and was back to work that afternoon. His overnight flight made the three hour jet lag non existent by bed time that night! For the rest of the week, it was work/school and a little hanging out with friends until the weekend. . . Friday, we both got out of work a little early to have time t...

So I don't have anything exciting to say, I just wanted to write a post about our lack of excitement. Since Tuesday, I've been mostly just hanging out at home. I had friends for dinner Wed. night, worked All day Thursday, and today just more hanging out at home doin' homework. Random note: I finish my program and receive my diploma in Residential Planning (basically the same as Interior Design) Dec. 20th. Jon on the other hand has been livin' it up on Rt. 66. OK, I don't think they're sticking with 66 and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't necessarily consider driving for a week straight as "living it up", but he has gotten to see some of the country's (or maybe world's would be more accurate) greatest wonders like the St. Louis arch, Grand Canyon, and the Hoover Dam (today) as well as miles and miles of nothing but flatland! He is taking LOTS of pictures and I'm sure will be posting some when he gets home. Unfortunately for me, he do...

To make a long story short, Jon and my dad are gone for 9 days to help Bud (my brother) drive cross country to California where he has a new job and apartment. The company is paying movers to move all his things out and paying for food and lodging for his trip out, so Jon and my dad get basically a free ride to CA and then fly home. They're going to see all the sights of the west and my mom and Joy and me are "stuck" at home alone for over a week. We decided that while we were sitting around "pining" (well at least we let THEM think so), we'd have some fun of our own, so today Mama and I went to Lake Placid (Joy and a friend relaxed at home). We had intended to go up Whiteface Mt., but it was so overcast it wouldn't have been worth the money to go up, so we stopped and checked out a couple places (some that sold reeeeeally good chocolate! : ), had lunch at A&W (a long time favorite of Mama's) and then shopped til we were ready to drop in Placid...

It's kind of hard to really celebrate a special occasion when it takes place early in the week. Jon worked today, and I did homework all day, but we DID manage to get out for a nice dinner this evening. After thinking all day and trying to come up with someplace good and unusual, yet not TOO expensive, Jon and I finally decided on Mama Lucia's in Potsdam. Jon had been before, but it was my first time. Just think Olive Garden. . . The atmosphere was amazing and the food was great!! It's an old train station which is absolutely beautiful inside and it has a nice patio area outside (which is where we ate and just barely missed a HUGE thunder storm). Here are just a few pictures. I brought my camera and then left it in the car. I realized before we walked away from the car, but was just going to forget it because I get tired or fussing with Jon to let us get pictures. HE surprisingly enough asked if I was going to bring my camera in and didn't argue at all about getting pic...

I Leah Take you Jonathan To be my wedded husband Today I pledge all my love to you and only you for the rest of our lives. Today, I promise to stand beside you through life’s ups and downs. I promise to listen to your heart when you need to talk. I promise to be faithful. I promise to honor and respect you as is God’s perfect plan. This covenant I make Before God and these witnesses From this day forward Until death do us part.

August 2nd is both my nephew, Austin's, and my brother's birthday. Austin turned 5 and Bud (Timothy II) turned 24. Unfortunately I don't have any birthday pictures of Austin, but here are a couple pictures one of Austin from about a month ago and one of Bud from his Birthday (Sunday).