Have I mentioned lately how stoked I am about the secret gift I'm planning to give Casey for our anniversary??
Well, I am. I can barely contain my excitement.
About Me
- Pamela K
- The youngest of three girls, I used to be the littlest lamb. Then I met a boy, fell deep in love, and now I'm a Krasen! But in my heart, I'll forever be my parents' Littlest Lamb too. I'm told I'm over-dramatic, and I prefer to think of it passionate about my feelings, but you know, whichever...I tell myself I love spontaneity, but let's be honest, if I didn't have organization, I would lose it. So I love planned spontaneity (totally not an oxymoron). I love loving. And I love to write. Enjoy the drama (passion), organization, and love as it unfolds in my life...a life that is not my own, but is dedicated to serving my God and my husband. And a life in which I am clothed in grace.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
It's here!!!!
That is our coffee table. And that (upper left) is the previous centerpiece of the coffee table. And NOW our wedding album shares the spotlight with the little flower cluster. It's finally here!!!!!
All the way from Italy. Ballin, I know. But it's so fabulous. The picture of the album just does not even do it justice. It's huge. Could seriously lift weights with this thing. I'm talking legit Halle Berry arms. Fitness competition worthy. You get the point. It's heavy duty, high quality, and straight-up amazing. The pictures are so vibrant, and everyone who has seen it so far is enamored. No joke.
The first time Casey looked at it, he asked me if the front cover was 3D cause we "jump off the page." I could not stop laughing. And he was completely serious. I'm just saying that cause he's cute and because I wanted to portray how real all the photos are. Way different than digital images.
Anyhow, a whole blog post about the fact that our wedding album is here. Absolutely.
P.S. The front cover says "Only You Could Love Me This Way". That's the name of the song we danced to first. So adorable, huh?
Here's the song if you don't know it:
I think I'm gonna have to go look at the album again before I start on the house-cleaning process. Don't worry about it. I'll probably do this once a day for a long while...
Definitely, definitely recommend Sassyfras Studios (click on their name to see their website) for any of your photo needs.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Nesting
Casey and I got the opportunity on Friday to adopt a 3 year old bulldog. He is so so so adorable. He looks like Patch! So when we jumped on it (despite my skepticism of him already being 3 years old), we found out we were 17th on the waiting list. Seventeenth?! This is a testament to how sweet, cuddly, and precious bulldogs are. Now this made me sad and happy all jumbled together. No new bulldog (probably), and I had gotten so excited about it in a mere couple hours. But happy that so many families wanted him. His family is moving to Scotland, and they don't allow smoosh faced pups on international flights. What in the flip? I think it's silly. And I feel bad because he's going to wonder why he has a new family.
Anyways, we were already super excited about the idea of our own little baby. We began buying pup stuff in October I think. I just got the fluffy bed last week. And Kate bought her a toy puppy to cuddle with. The puppy has our little lamb's harness on until we get a real one (see the far left side of the bed below). I also bought puppy shampoo last week. The things we already picked out are two toys (owl and rope elephant), 3 chew bones, some puppy treats, a brush, a dinner mat (for food and water bowl), harness, and a dog First-Aid book. Here's the stuff. It's on the floor in the guest room.
And now after this little tease of adopting a bulldog and nevermind, I am even more ecstatic about our very own puppy.
Things we still need to get:
A crate
A puppy gate
Food and Water bowl
A leash
Puppy food
A baby pool
Toothbrush
I still need to make our dog first aid kit to have on hand. And no, I'm not kidding. It's important stuff.
We're just about ready. We even have a name picked out, but I can't tell you what it is. We'll have a big reveal when she arrives. We both want her now, but realistically, I think it'll be more like summer time.
Here are the bowls we want (but can't afford...or can afford, but won't). They are so fantastic. Tattoo-style. Instead of "Lucky" and "Love", the bowls will have her name or something. Gotta love some Etsy-shopping.
Perfect-But-Too-Expensive Dog Bowls
Oh my good gracious, and we have to find the perfect vet.
Until we get our own puppy, here are two of my fav Youtube vids to tide you over till we post billions of pics.
This one is a little bit longer, so just watch the whole thing cause the end is totally worth it.
I decided that we're going to HAVE to buy a video camera when we get our puppy.
Things we still need to get:
A crate
A puppy gate
Food and Water bowl
A leash
Puppy food
A baby pool
Toothbrush
I still need to make our dog first aid kit to have on hand. And no, I'm not kidding. It's important stuff.
We're just about ready. We even have a name picked out, but I can't tell you what it is. We'll have a big reveal when she arrives. We both want her now, but realistically, I think it'll be more like summer time.
Here are the bowls we want (but can't afford...or can afford, but won't). They are so fantastic. Tattoo-style. Instead of "Lucky" and "Love", the bowls will have her name or something. Gotta love some Etsy-shopping.
Perfect-But-Too-Expensive Dog Bowls
Oh my good gracious, and we have to find the perfect vet.
Until we get our own puppy, here are two of my fav Youtube vids to tide you over till we post billions of pics.
This one is a little bit longer, so just watch the whole thing cause the end is totally worth it.
I decided that we're going to HAVE to buy a video camera when we get our puppy.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Orzo Soup with Turkey-Parmesan Meatball
Orzo Soup with Turkey-Parmesan Meatballs?
Yes, please! This recipe is absolutely divine. A recipe so simple, yet tastes so gourmet. It's delicious. And especially yum on a chilly winter night!
It seriously is so flavorful that you don't need to even pair this soup with anything. Although, Casey was super hungry from hunting all day without much food, so I whipped up a fancy grilled cheese with sun dried tomatoes. It browned perfectly. It was a prized grilled cheese. Definitely one to write home about (or at least blog about). Picture worthy for sure. Unfortunately, that does not mean I have a picture. I have not joined the 21st century with a phone that I can upload pics from. So that leaves the point and shoot camera that I all too often forget.
Anyhow, back to the main attraction of this blog. The soup.
So what I have done is mesh two separate turkey meatball recipes. This is because what I do is use an entire pound of ground turkey, but make meatballs to go in two recipes. So I have created my own turkey meatball recipe in order to accommodate both recipes. Talk about smart cooking. So fun too. I used to only be confident enough in my baking skills to throw in whatever and not measure, cause I baked all the time. But I tell ya, since Casey and I got married, I've just been chef extraordinaire. Experimenting in the kitchen with all kinds of fun stuff. And it has all miraculously been amazeballs. After the soup on Monday, I decided I want to open a restaurant. I think Casey would've been on board if he had not been trying to have a completely different conversation. I mean, COMPLETELY different. I can't even remember about what now, but I do remember how confused Katie was when he kept talking about his discussion topic, and I kept responding with more restaurant ideas. Ha ha.
Okay, for real back to the soup now. What I do is make a full recipe of turkey meatballs and use half for the orzo meatball soup and half for spaghetti and meatballs! So easy. Then you have--voila--two meals! Crazy, right? I use half and then freeze the other half until I need to use them. I think we'll have spaghetti next week. Maybe with fun shaped pasta and not just plain old spaghetti noodles.
These meatballs are the best. So good that, for years, I wouldn't even use any pasta when my mom made them. I would just have meatballs and tomato sauce. Like soup. I guess I thought I needed a lot of Lycopene to prevent prostate cancer. That was clearly a joke. Because girls don't have prostates.
Please visit the benefits of tomatoes at the link to your right: I Love Tomatoes!
And these meatballs are super duper healthy!
So combine 2 egg whites (beaten), 2 T parsley, 1/2 small red onion (finely chopped), 1/4 tsp pepper, 1-2 cloves garlic (minced), 3/4 c bread crumbs (I use Italian or herb seasoned), 1/4 c Parmesan cheese (shredded), and 1 pound of lean ground turkey. Smoosh it all up with your fingers (warning: take off any rings) because a spoon just doesn't get it all mixed quite right. I also threw in some oregano, thyme, and Italian seasoning on Monday night, but like I said, I'm a chef now so there is no telling what I will or will not use in this recipe. Or any recipe for that matter. Just sayin...
Now once this is thoroughly mixed, make meatball about the size of a ping pong ball or whatever size you choose. Mine are about the size to make 24-26 meatballs. Put half into a shallow tupperware or pie plate and cover tightly to freeze. And put half on a pan to chill in the fridge or freezer a minimum of 30 minutes (so they don't fall apart when you put them in the soup as they would if at room temp).
For the soup, you'll also need: 8 cups of chicken broth (I have discovered the College Inn Culinary chicken broth that has Chablis wine, rosemary, and thyme in it...and I have no words, it truly truly makes a broth based recipe come to life...if I don't have any of this broth in my pantry, I'll add herbs and white wine that I have on hand to the plain broth to help out), 12 oz baby carrots (halved), and 3/4 cup orzo.
Bring broth to a boil in a large pot. Add carrots and orzo; reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes. Add turkey meatballs and simmer about 15 more minutes.
Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: 350 calories and 14 grams of fat (5 g sat fat)...not sure why I don't have any other nutritional information. Apologies.
Enjoy!!!!!
This soup makes me happy.
Yes, please! This recipe is absolutely divine. A recipe so simple, yet tastes so gourmet. It's delicious. And especially yum on a chilly winter night!
It seriously is so flavorful that you don't need to even pair this soup with anything. Although, Casey was super hungry from hunting all day without much food, so I whipped up a fancy grilled cheese with sun dried tomatoes. It browned perfectly. It was a prized grilled cheese. Definitely one to write home about (or at least blog about). Picture worthy for sure. Unfortunately, that does not mean I have a picture. I have not joined the 21st century with a phone that I can upload pics from. So that leaves the point and shoot camera that I all too often forget.
Anyhow, back to the main attraction of this blog. The soup.
So what I have done is mesh two separate turkey meatball recipes. This is because what I do is use an entire pound of ground turkey, but make meatballs to go in two recipes. So I have created my own turkey meatball recipe in order to accommodate both recipes. Talk about smart cooking. So fun too. I used to only be confident enough in my baking skills to throw in whatever and not measure, cause I baked all the time. But I tell ya, since Casey and I got married, I've just been chef extraordinaire. Experimenting in the kitchen with all kinds of fun stuff. And it has all miraculously been amazeballs. After the soup on Monday, I decided I want to open a restaurant. I think Casey would've been on board if he had not been trying to have a completely different conversation. I mean, COMPLETELY different. I can't even remember about what now, but I do remember how confused Katie was when he kept talking about his discussion topic, and I kept responding with more restaurant ideas. Ha ha.
Okay, for real back to the soup now. What I do is make a full recipe of turkey meatballs and use half for the orzo meatball soup and half for spaghetti and meatballs! So easy. Then you have--voila--two meals! Crazy, right? I use half and then freeze the other half until I need to use them. I think we'll have spaghetti next week. Maybe with fun shaped pasta and not just plain old spaghetti noodles.
These meatballs are the best. So good that, for years, I wouldn't even use any pasta when my mom made them. I would just have meatballs and tomato sauce. Like soup. I guess I thought I needed a lot of Lycopene to prevent prostate cancer. That was clearly a joke. Because girls don't have prostates.
Please visit the benefits of tomatoes at the link to your right: I Love Tomatoes!
And these meatballs are super duper healthy!
So combine 2 egg whites (beaten), 2 T parsley, 1/2 small red onion (finely chopped), 1/4 tsp pepper, 1-2 cloves garlic (minced), 3/4 c bread crumbs (I use Italian or herb seasoned), 1/4 c Parmesan cheese (shredded), and 1 pound of lean ground turkey. Smoosh it all up with your fingers (warning: take off any rings) because a spoon just doesn't get it all mixed quite right. I also threw in some oregano, thyme, and Italian seasoning on Monday night, but like I said, I'm a chef now so there is no telling what I will or will not use in this recipe. Or any recipe for that matter. Just sayin...
Now once this is thoroughly mixed, make meatball about the size of a ping pong ball or whatever size you choose. Mine are about the size to make 24-26 meatballs. Put half into a shallow tupperware or pie plate and cover tightly to freeze. And put half on a pan to chill in the fridge or freezer a minimum of 30 minutes (so they don't fall apart when you put them in the soup as they would if at room temp).
For the soup, you'll also need: 8 cups of chicken broth (I have discovered the College Inn Culinary chicken broth that has Chablis wine, rosemary, and thyme in it...and I have no words, it truly truly makes a broth based recipe come to life...if I don't have any of this broth in my pantry, I'll add herbs and white wine that I have on hand to the plain broth to help out), 12 oz baby carrots (halved), and 3/4 cup orzo.
Bring broth to a boil in a large pot. Add carrots and orzo; reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes. Add turkey meatballs and simmer about 15 more minutes.
Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: 350 calories and 14 grams of fat (5 g sat fat)...not sure why I don't have any other nutritional information. Apologies.
Enjoy!!!!!
This soup makes me happy.
Flip your dog
I have a few ailments at the moment, but honestly, what else is new? It's always something with me, huh?
I can't really use my ankle. The left one. The one that has very little cartilage remaining due to a rock climbing mishap a few years back. I have about 6% mobility in the ankle right now. I wore my AWESOME blue Brooks to run, and it looks like my ankles and feet and hips and knees need the support of a real sized shoe. Bummer. The Pure Cadences will be banished to cross training--bikes, ellipticals, circuits...oh my! And looking cool when I'm trouncing around Charlotte. I still love them though. I'm just convinced more than ever that the Adrenaline GTS is my shoe. When it comes to running anyways. If 8 years of the same shoe didn't tell me that, then this little predicament I'm in certainly has.
Also, I feel like I'm 80. My toes constantly hurt. The second, third, and fourth ones on both feet. It's the worst in the morning and after I've been sitting a while and when I don't have shoes on. The diagnosis? Metatarsalgia. Try saying that five times fast...that's what I thought. Anyways, after 10 years post-surgery (on both feet), I'm going back to see Dr. Miller. Here's my plug for Carmel Foot Specialists. It's time for new custom-made orthotics, kids. I sound like a foot snob. I just can't help it. My feet are special. What they want, they get. That appointment is for 2.5 weeks from now. Let the countdown begin. Hopefully this will solve the problem. If not, next year, I will definitely be asking Santa for new toes for Christmas.
I'm wearing my glasses today. Because my right eye is puffy, bright red, and kinda feels like I was up in the biochemistry lab and someone threw some burning chemicals at my face. Other than that, I'm pretty good.
On the upside, we did handstands in yoga last Tuesday. I was kind of terrible at them. I mean I haven't been in gymnastics since I was in middle school. And who else does handstands in their spare time? Yogis. That's who. Now I am one of them. I've been practicing all week with a wall. You know, getting up gently so I don't put a hole in it. Balance on your hands is tough. With a capital T. So, I legit pulled a glute on Monday night when I was practicing. Just one. The right one. Don't ask how. Because not only will I not tell you, I can't tell you how that happened. I have my suspicions though. Then we did handstands again in yoga last night, and I did it! Without the wall. In the middle of the room. So I come out of my handstand and realize everyone is looking at me. Eeeeek. I'm sure Casey had a surge of pride at that moment. And if he denies that, it's probs just cause he's jealous. So we got home and all I could do was practice some more. And today, ALL I have wanted to do at work ALL DAY is handstands. And the crow. And flip my dog. I love yoga.
I think when I get home from work, I'll get out my mat and do handstands until dinner. Yay!! And we found out that Anje is in the rotation to teach on Saturday this weekend. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Totes going.
**Oh and two people at yoga last night told me mat was pretty. I was excited.
I can't really use my ankle. The left one. The one that has very little cartilage remaining due to a rock climbing mishap a few years back. I have about 6% mobility in the ankle right now. I wore my AWESOME blue Brooks to run, and it looks like my ankles and feet and hips and knees need the support of a real sized shoe. Bummer. The Pure Cadences will be banished to cross training--bikes, ellipticals, circuits...oh my! And looking cool when I'm trouncing around Charlotte. I still love them though. I'm just convinced more than ever that the Adrenaline GTS is my shoe. When it comes to running anyways. If 8 years of the same shoe didn't tell me that, then this little predicament I'm in certainly has.
Also, I feel like I'm 80. My toes constantly hurt. The second, third, and fourth ones on both feet. It's the worst in the morning and after I've been sitting a while and when I don't have shoes on. The diagnosis? Metatarsalgia. Try saying that five times fast...that's what I thought. Anyways, after 10 years post-surgery (on both feet), I'm going back to see Dr. Miller. Here's my plug for Carmel Foot Specialists. It's time for new custom-made orthotics, kids. I sound like a foot snob. I just can't help it. My feet are special. What they want, they get. That appointment is for 2.5 weeks from now. Let the countdown begin. Hopefully this will solve the problem. If not, next year, I will definitely be asking Santa for new toes for Christmas.
I'm wearing my glasses today. Because my right eye is puffy, bright red, and kinda feels like I was up in the biochemistry lab and someone threw some burning chemicals at my face. Other than that, I'm pretty good.
On the upside, we did handstands in yoga last Tuesday. I was kind of terrible at them. I mean I haven't been in gymnastics since I was in middle school. And who else does handstands in their spare time? Yogis. That's who. Now I am one of them. I've been practicing all week with a wall. You know, getting up gently so I don't put a hole in it. Balance on your hands is tough. With a capital T. So, I legit pulled a glute on Monday night when I was practicing. Just one. The right one. Don't ask how. Because not only will I not tell you, I can't tell you how that happened. I have my suspicions though. Then we did handstands again in yoga last night, and I did it! Without the wall. In the middle of the room. So I come out of my handstand and realize everyone is looking at me. Eeeeek. I'm sure Casey had a surge of pride at that moment. And if he denies that, it's probs just cause he's jealous. So we got home and all I could do was practice some more. And today, ALL I have wanted to do at work ALL DAY is handstands. And the crow. And flip my dog. I love yoga.
I think when I get home from work, I'll get out my mat and do handstands until dinner. Yay!! And we found out that Anje is in the rotation to teach on Saturday this weekend. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Totes going.
**Oh and two people at yoga last night told me mat was pretty. I was excited.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Follow-Up
I mentioned money yesterday. And also that Casey and I did not win the lottery.
It's funny though cause just last week we were talking about what we would do with all our winnings if we hypothetically bought a Power Ball ticket and happened to win. Even if they taxed us and took over half the winnings, we'd still be sitting pretty. We had seen a billboard advertising the Power Ball jackpot on the way to his parents house on Christmas Eve. Every now and then we talk about what we'd do with our money if we happened upon a large sum of money.
1. Give money to each of our brothers and sisters for their future kids to have a college fund.
2. Pay off his parent's house.
3. Pay off my parent's mountain cabin.
4. Pay off our house.
5. Maybe buy a small place at the beach.
6. Set aside money for our (future) kids to go to college.
7. Give a HUGE chunk of money to the humane society (my heart breaks for animals mistreated and without homes).
8. We have a list of different things people can do every day for a money to donate to different organizations (Kate and I found it in a magazine and want to start working on all the things on the list), so we'd donate to each organization of the month...every month. It's amazing the impact of a small donation.
9. Give lots of money to our church.
10. Go on a couple missions trips.
11. Buy people meals at Thanksgiving and families presents at Christmas.
12. Sponsor a couple families through World Vision.
13. Send our families on a couple vacays.
14. I told Casey I would want to make tons and tons of sandwiches for the homeless shelter every week.
15. Send ourselves on a couple vacays...some places we've always wanted to go.
16. Save LOTS.
17. Casey's always wanted a boat. I'd buy him a boat.
18. And some guns and a bow to add to his collection.
19. And a piece of land to hunt on.
20. And the Tag Hauer watch he's been eyeing for years, but that we're convinced we could never afford.
21. Maybe buy something fancy or go to an extra movie a month.
22. Even start in on a bucket list...skydiving, ride camels, that kind of thing.
We have lots of ideas :) We want to help people. We don't want to keep it all. We don't want to spend it all. We don't want a huge house. We don't want flashy things. Maybe a new fun dress and some new pairs of pretty shoes. Maybe some wheels a bit more reliable than what we both have (since both of our vehicles are over 10 years old. But hey, they still work, and we can still afford gas!). Nothing fancy. Just a newer version of my cute little Honda CRV. That's all.
Maybe it's time to go splurge on that lottery ticket...
It's funny though cause just last week we were talking about what we would do with all our winnings if we hypothetically bought a Power Ball ticket and happened to win. Even if they taxed us and took over half the winnings, we'd still be sitting pretty. We had seen a billboard advertising the Power Ball jackpot on the way to his parents house on Christmas Eve. Every now and then we talk about what we'd do with our money if we happened upon a large sum of money.
1. Give money to each of our brothers and sisters for their future kids to have a college fund.
2. Pay off his parent's house.
3. Pay off my parent's mountain cabin.
4. Pay off our house.
5. Maybe buy a small place at the beach.
6. Set aside money for our (future) kids to go to college.
7. Give a HUGE chunk of money to the humane society (my heart breaks for animals mistreated and without homes).
8. We have a list of different things people can do every day for a money to donate to different organizations (Kate and I found it in a magazine and want to start working on all the things on the list), so we'd donate to each organization of the month...every month. It's amazing the impact of a small donation.
9. Give lots of money to our church.
10. Go on a couple missions trips.
11. Buy people meals at Thanksgiving and families presents at Christmas.
12. Sponsor a couple families through World Vision.
13. Send our families on a couple vacays.
14. I told Casey I would want to make tons and tons of sandwiches for the homeless shelter every week.
15. Send ourselves on a couple vacays...some places we've always wanted to go.
16. Save LOTS.
17. Casey's always wanted a boat. I'd buy him a boat.
18. And some guns and a bow to add to his collection.
19. And a piece of land to hunt on.
20. And the Tag Hauer watch he's been eyeing for years, but that we're convinced we could never afford.
21. Maybe buy something fancy or go to an extra movie a month.
22. Even start in on a bucket list...skydiving, ride camels, that kind of thing.
We have lots of ideas :) We want to help people. We don't want to keep it all. We don't want to spend it all. We don't want a huge house. We don't want flashy things. Maybe a new fun dress and some new pairs of pretty shoes. Maybe some wheels a bit more reliable than what we both have (since both of our vehicles are over 10 years old. But hey, they still work, and we can still afford gas!). Nothing fancy. Just a newer version of my cute little Honda CRV. That's all.
Maybe it's time to go splurge on that lottery ticket...
$$$
Not $$$ because of a windfall or we won the lottery or anything, but because money has been on my mind alot. Worrying about it. Silly, right?
I know I should not worry about it at all. Trust in the Lord. He has blessed us, and we use our money responsibly, but still. And I know I shouldn't worry about tomorrow or what the next day or week or year will bring, but that's my nature as a sinful, sometimes-disbelieving child.
Verse 28 is my fav. "See how the lilies of the field grow." Without effort. Love that.
There are a couple things on my mind this morning, all of which come back to money. Shocking, right? I strongly dislike finances. Casey and I are pretty good at dealing with them (if I do say so myself), but partly because money and focusing on finances scares the ish out of me. I hate money because its so dangerous and can disappear so quickly and causes many a disagreement, but also because when it comes down to it, you need money to live in this world.
Sigh.
So, I've just been thinking about expenses in the upcoming year and expenses this month, and then there's the puppy we want to get and mini trips we'd like to take. And it's just stressful even planning it all. We can do it, but to be perfectly honest, I'd much rather just throw it all into savings. No worrying, no spending, but also no enjoyment. Sure, we work to make money to live, but we also want to enjoy a few things that we are able. The joy of a little puppy! A mini 2 night trip to the beach for our first anniversary. A plane ticket to visit some friends or experience NYC at Christmas before kids come along. Time to do this stuff while we can. Together. And we know we want to go back to Alaska. So we're planning that for 2013. Time to save, save, save.
OH! And the awesome first anniversary gift I'm secretly planning and scheming. Can. Not. Wait.
Then there's also the debt (school loans!...All too familiar to some of you I'm sure) we're scraping extra money to get rid of those encumbrances quickly while still throwing bits and pieces into savings. And mostly, there's the things we want to get other people because we love them. No, not to buy their love. Just because!
For one, I'm stoked about an impending anniversary surprise for my parents coming in the next 1-20 years (I had to give a wide range so that they wouldn't be suspicious at any particular year cause they faithfully read my blog). I am just bursting at the seams with the ideas that Kate and Dawn and I have been tossing around. YAY. We wish upon wishes that we could more or do it this year, but it'll be more awesome when it all does come together. It is their 35th this year, so that's kind of a big deal too. 35. Does anyone stay together that long anymore? I'm happy about that. I'm even more happy that they still enjoy each other and go on dates and love on each other after 35 years. I would give them the world if I could.
Then there's Casey's parents. This year is their 25th. Another kind-of-a-big-deal year. And his brother is graduating. And the list goes on. So many things to celebrate!
It's funny because every time I feel like Casey and I are doing a good job and on top of our finances, the Lord sizes me up and hits me with whopper. A reminder that we have plenty, and He has provided and will provide. Every month it's been something. This month, so far, it was $400 on my car. Last month it was tires for Casey's truck. The month before that I believe it was nearly $400 for the dentist and before that $400 for tires for my car. Before that it was my ER bills. Why always $400? And why is it always something? Isn't God funny? I think so. Anyhow, we still have our house. We still have jobs. And we still have each other (and our fabulous families). I'd say we are definitely watched over.
Time to balance my checkbook, then stop thinking about money. And, instead, think about something worth way more of my brain waves!...at least until mine and Casey's next financial pow-wow.
I know I should not worry about it at all. Trust in the Lord. He has blessed us, and we use our money responsibly, but still. And I know I shouldn't worry about tomorrow or what the next day or week or year will bring, but that's my nature as a sinful, sometimes-disbelieving child.
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifeb?28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
--- Matthew 6:25-34 ---
Verse 28 is my fav. "See how the lilies of the field grow." Without effort. Love that.
There are a couple things on my mind this morning, all of which come back to money. Shocking, right? I strongly dislike finances. Casey and I are pretty good at dealing with them (if I do say so myself), but partly because money and focusing on finances scares the ish out of me. I hate money because its so dangerous and can disappear so quickly and causes many a disagreement, but also because when it comes down to it, you need money to live in this world.
Sigh.
So, I've just been thinking about expenses in the upcoming year and expenses this month, and then there's the puppy we want to get and mini trips we'd like to take. And it's just stressful even planning it all. We can do it, but to be perfectly honest, I'd much rather just throw it all into savings. No worrying, no spending, but also no enjoyment. Sure, we work to make money to live, but we also want to enjoy a few things that we are able. The joy of a little puppy! A mini 2 night trip to the beach for our first anniversary. A plane ticket to visit some friends or experience NYC at Christmas before kids come along. Time to do this stuff while we can. Together. And we know we want to go back to Alaska. So we're planning that for 2013. Time to save, save, save.
OH! And the awesome first anniversary gift I'm secretly planning and scheming. Can. Not. Wait.
Then there's also the debt (school loans!...All too familiar to some of you I'm sure) we're scraping extra money to get rid of those encumbrances quickly while still throwing bits and pieces into savings. And mostly, there's the things we want to get other people because we love them. No, not to buy their love. Just because!
For one, I'm stoked about an impending anniversary surprise for my parents coming in the next 1-20 years (I had to give a wide range so that they wouldn't be suspicious at any particular year cause they faithfully read my blog). I am just bursting at the seams with the ideas that Kate and Dawn and I have been tossing around. YAY. We wish upon wishes that we could more or do it this year, but it'll be more awesome when it all does come together. It is their 35th this year, so that's kind of a big deal too. 35. Does anyone stay together that long anymore? I'm happy about that. I'm even more happy that they still enjoy each other and go on dates and love on each other after 35 years. I would give them the world if I could.
Then there's Casey's parents. This year is their 25th. Another kind-of-a-big-deal year. And his brother is graduating. And the list goes on. So many things to celebrate!
It's funny because every time I feel like Casey and I are doing a good job and on top of our finances, the Lord sizes me up and hits me with whopper. A reminder that we have plenty, and He has provided and will provide. Every month it's been something. This month, so far, it was $400 on my car. Last month it was tires for Casey's truck. The month before that I believe it was nearly $400 for the dentist and before that $400 for tires for my car. Before that it was my ER bills. Why always $400? And why is it always something? Isn't God funny? I think so. Anyhow, we still have our house. We still have jobs. And we still have each other (and our fabulous families). I'd say we are definitely watched over.
Time to balance my checkbook, then stop thinking about money. And, instead, think about something worth way more of my brain waves!...at least until mine and Casey's next financial pow-wow.
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