Changes are A-comin'

J and I have decided that we're moving to Chicago. He really wants to go back to school and eventually seminary, and has his eyes on Moody. We first discussed where we wanted to go to school in April, when he returned from a trip to Atlanta for a men's conference. He's taken on a lot of "mentor" roles with different people at church and while he originally went to school to become a history teacher, we're both feeling that God is leading him into ministry. So we did some research and Moody Bible Institute was a big one that stuck out in our search. We're going to visit it later in the summer, but I think we've settled on it.

I'm excited but also extremely anxious. We won't be moving August 2013, so it's a while away. But there's still the factor of the unknown. And I'm a planner, so hopefully I don't start overthinking this...

What's funny is I was thisclose to going to school in Chicago. My boyfriend in high school wanted to go to art school there so I started looking into schools up there. Elmhurst was my top pick and I had my paperwork all filled out and a deposit check in the envelope, stamped an ready to mail, when Lindenwood called and offered me a very generous scholarship. A whole lot more than Elmhurst was offering. So I took the offer and went away to school close to home. Which is probably the best decision I ever made -- that high school relationship didn't pan out, and I was able to get to know J and we all know how that ended up. =)

When it came time for me to student teach, J and I made the decision that I wasn't going to work  -- I still had scholarships for school so my room and board was paid for and all I had to worry about was gas -- so he dropped out of the community college and went to work fulltime at the hospital (where he still works). That gesture spoke volumes. We were engaged but wouldn't be married for almost another year, so that kind of commitment really meant a lot to me. Of course, that was always hanging over my head (not because he held it there but because I did), that I had a college degree and he didn't. But even that has worked out. It took him a few years to realize that he didn't want to teach. At first he thought he wanted to go into youth ministry, but over the last several months he's been giving serious thought to pastoral ministry. Hence the search into Christian institutions and thinking about going to seminary.

So I've been doing research: the best areas of the city in which to live (if we decide not to live on campus), how to transfer my teaching certificate to Illinois, grad schools for me. I even found a campus group called Student Wives Fellowship that is a group of women who are married to Moody students or are Moody students themselves. I've emailed for some more insight -- because we all know how much I appreciate insight. Ha.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Since my last few posts have been total downers, I need to back up and count my blessings.

1. I have an amazing husband who loves and supports me.


2. I have two adorable cats who are FINALLY getting along.


3. I have wonderful family who is always willing to help us out of a jam.


4. I at least have A job (or, rather... 7). While it may not be a full time job in education, it helps us pay the bills.

5. My church family is awesome. 'Nuff said.

6. My God loves me and while I may be frustrated and feel at my wit's end about this job thing, He does have His own timeline and will lead me to the right job in the right time (AKA HIS time).

And here is a song that I love to listen to and jam out. It's a reminder that we are God's and our life is His.

What' on My Mind

3 Things that are ticking me off:
1. Not having money
2. In laws who shove their ideals down my throat unprovoked
3. not having a job

3 things that I'm excited about
1. Taking care of the family I used to nanny for next week
2. A 2-week (possibly longer) sitting job with an infant
3. Youth group starting back up

3 Things I am thinking about right now
1. The Flair I just made on Facebook is fun
2. I'm hungry
3. I really need to get up and clean the dang house

3 Things I'm Thankful for:
1. A husband who loves me
2, A cat who always knows when I'm about to wake up 'cause he's always sitting there staring at me
3. An AMAZING church family

3 Songs I Love
1. HE IS by Mark Schultz
2. THE WORDS I WOULD SAY by The Sidewalk Prophets
3. UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS by Casting Crowns

3 Books on my Reading List
1. DO HARD THINGS by Alex and Brett Harris
2. THE NOTICER by Andy Andrews
3. LIES WOMEN BELIEVE by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

3 CDs I can't Wait to Buy
1. Mark Schultz's COME ALIVE (out now!)
2. BarlowGirl's LOVE AND WAR (out Sept. 8!)
3. Casting Crowns' UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS (out Nov. 17!)

Hope you enjoyed that brief glimpse into my life right now. =)

It's my friend's birthday

Happy 23rd Katie!

I really want to apologize for the lack of updates recently. My life has been BUSY. While it's nice for the money to be coming in, I've constantly been going from job to job to job. It's hectic. I can't wait to have a full time job, which will hopefully be M-F, and 9-5(ish). It will be so nice to have my and J's schedules more in sync.

My dad gave us his old BBQ grill and I can't wait to use it. I have most of next week's evenings off so we may fire it up for some chicken or something. Anyone know of a good grilled chicken recipe?? All we need now is a nice (or, well... any) set of patio furniture.

J and I and some friends went to see the midnight showing of Harry Potter on Tuesday (Wed...?) I loved it. I'm actually surprised at how many people I know who didn't really like it... And I'm interested to hear the differing opinions about the 5th and the 6th movies. I was disappointed w/ the 5th movie (although upon rewatching it on Tuesday afternoon, it wasn't AS bad as I remembered) but loved the 6th... I wonder if people who loved the 5th were disappointed w/ the 6th??

Hey, will you all please keep a young woman I know in your prayers? I've been blessed to get to know so many wonderful teenagers in my different capacities as youth leader and camp counselor, and they are all amazing girls. One of those girls is facing a personal detour in life that is going to change everything, and I just hope that those in her life can be pillars of support for her now.

Is it really almost the end of February?

The last few weeks have been nothing but blurs of work, church, and more work. In the last 2 weeks I've had 2 days to catch up on stuff I needed to do at home; as a result, my house was a mess. Luckily, I have an amazing fiance who cleaned today after church. now my kitchen is sparkly and my carpets are vacuumed. Now all I need to do is get my butt moving to take care of some laundry that needs to be put away and some reference letters I need to write.

J's mom bought us a headboard from K-Mart. I looked for a pic I could put int he post, but I couldn't find one, so I gues you'll just have to settle for a link to the info page at kmart.com. I love it 'cause it has storage, so I can put, like, picture frames or little knick knacks in there. I will take a picture once our bedroom is put together sso you can see!

I saw the Wizard of Oz at Lindenwood's new performing arts center and I loved it. I'm hoping to see it again on Saturday with my mom and my aunt (there are 2 different casts, so I would be seeing a different group of core actors). LU's new theatre is gorgeous, though, and it has a fly-pulley system, so the flying monkeys (one played by one of my bridesmaids) got to actually FLY. Way fun!

Yesterday evening was church's annual chili supper. We have a silent auction at the same time (I auctioned off a night of baby sitting) and all of the money goes to our Missions fund which helps with things like our high schoolers' trip to Ecuador and the trips to Lousiana, etc. We made $2300 which is pretty SWEET. Way to go! The chili was pretty good, too. I made some for the first time and it turned out way yum! (And it smelled good, too; I brought it into work 'cause I worked till 4 and the supper was at 5 and everyone kept saying, "You brought me chili?! Aw, thanks!")

Last night, I had a GNO with some girls from my wedding board. I haven't been to many because they're always somewhere "out" where I have to spend money (which we all know I don't have much of) and they're on Saturday nights which means I can't stay too late because of church the next morning. Last night was a pajama party theme and we just hung out and brought food... One girl brought cupcakes made w/ diet soda instead of the milk/eggs/oil the box calls for and they were soooo good! Another girl wore footsie pajamas -- yes, a woman in her 20s has footsie p.j.s (technically, they were her brother's but she owns some of her own). Oh my goodness these girls are so much fun!!! Anyway, I didn't end up leaving till 12:30. Thanks to Jenn for straightening my hair for me last night! It cut out a whole step in my morning routine!!

Tonight we'll be spending some time with my dad, grandma, and my dad's girlfriend watching the Oscars. I'm bringing brownies I have left over from last night and some little smokies baked w/ brown sugar. Yum! (I think that's the third time I said that!) Have a great night!!!

Ok, I lied... Sue Me

I promised a substantial entry a few days ago and haven't gotten to it. I could blame it on Thanksgiving. I could blame it on being out shopping all day Friday. I could blame it on finishing my notebook for students teaching. But, the fact is, I can't 'cause I didn't do any of those things (except maybe the Thanksgiving dinner thing). The reason I haven't written is simple.

Twilight.

Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. It's sucked (haha... get it?) me into its clutches. I've finished the first book and am about 2/3 of the way finished with the second. Very well written, even if the 2nd one bored me till now.

Anyway, there isn't a whole lot to report on the front of my life. I applied for two teaching positions which I don't think I'll get, but I gotta start somewhere, right?? I've also started working at the local Christian bookstore. I'm enjoying it, surprisingly. I say surprisingly because A) I've worked retail one other time and I quit after two weeks and B) It's the CHristmas shopping season. But it's a great team. And today I caught up with two people I hadn't seen in a few years!

I'm excited for everything I'm counting down to in my last post. I'm also a little worred about the townhouse issue because I don't have a steady income right now, and while Jerome CAN afford to pay the rent on his own util I'm on my feet, that makes money REAL tight, so I need to find something -- soon!

A good friend of mine is pregnant! She and her husband have been trying for a while and had been having bad luck, so please keep her in your prayers!

It's Advent, which is one of my two favorite times of the year at church (along w/ Lent) because the church is BEAUTIFUL! I will post a picture tomorrow of what our genius worship arts director and decorator came up with. Breathtaking. Makes me jealous of the wedding that was there today -- too bad it couldn't have been mine!

J and I went to Kansas City last weekend to see if this job opportunity with Primerica was something he wanted to pursue. It wasn't, but I did get to see three really good friends of mine (one at the conference and 2 becaus they live and go to school in KC). That was real nice. One friend was a girl from high school whom I hadn't hung out with really since June 2004. I know, very sad. Anyway, she's recently engaged and I had met her fiance (then boyfriend) at her mom's funeral about a year ago and he seemed like a nice guy. He and J hit it off real well. But what cracks me up is how he has changed Katie. not in a bad way, necessarily. Let me put it into perspective. She always said she ould never get married. Their wedding date is May 2010. ha. AND she is a staunch liberal. Like, major Democrat. He's a Republican. It cracks me up, really. But they're good for each other and I can't wait to have more married friends.

I guess that is all for now. Bella, Jacob, and Edward are calling back to their world. See ya later!!

I'm movin' out!

Jerome and I found a place today. We're moving in on December 18. Woo hoo! If you can believe it, it's in West Pointe, which is the same complex he lived with his cousin David (the one who took his life in March). We scored a 2 bedroom, 1100sq. ft. townhome for $642/mo. yes, you read that right. I'm stoked. I can't wait to live with him. And very shortly after that, I'll be his WIFE!! yay!

Address will be given out to those who need it. (What, you really think I'm dumb enough to put it on the internet??)

Life... What Else is There to Say?

It's been two weeks since my lasst update, so I thought I'd write a quick post about what's going on in my life. 'Cause I know that you all are dying to know.

WEDDING: We're almost at the five month mark and I'm starting to get excited. I mean, I was excited before, but my friend got married a week and a half ago and that was the last wedding I'll go to before MINE and I just kept thinking, "It's almost MY TURN!!!" I'm getting giddy. Ha ha. We need to find a reasonably priced baker. That's the last of the big vendors left to book. I bought a veil today from my friend Amanda over on STLWed. We're ordering bridesmaids dresses very soon, once I get the moola from the other 3 who haven't paid me. I've done mock-ups of the invitations and the programs and they're looking pretty good! I'm currently addicted to projectwedding.com for inspiration and I found two pictures -- one of hair and one of a bouquet -- that I am currently drooling over. :-) I've been engaged for over a year and half and I really cannot wait to become Mrs. Hall. J is amazing and I can't wait to become his wife.

STUDENT TEACHING: I LOVE TEACHING. It makes the last four years completely worth it to know that they haven't been in vain. I love being in the classroom. I love helping kids learn. I love making my kids laugh. I love helping them grow. I love it all. What I don't love is lesson planning PLUS writing my standards. ANd I HATE not having a job, but I logistically cannot imagine when I would have the time to work and whether I would be able to handle it, so I'm sticking to sitting jobs which just barely get me by.

CHURCH: We recently did our own Cardboard Testimony at church. Holy. Moly. So emotional, so moving, and it made such an impact. We're int he middle of a series on hope and I hate to say it, but I'm excited for Advent -- the four weeks before Christmas. Advent and Lent are my two favorite times in the church. Christmas and Easter are, like, the whole reason the Church exists, after all. I'm not participating as a youth leader this semester so that I can put all my effort and concentration into student teaching and I miss my kids SO much. I've already found a curriculum I want to do with them next year that has a girls' and a boys' curriculum in addition to a follow-up curriculum. I'm excited about it, and I can't even do it until next September!

I'm not sure what else there is to update on. If I think of anything, I'll post. I promise.

Eight Days into January...

...And I've already had the flu. Yuck. I came down with it last Friday and freaked out 'cause I thought it might be Toxic Shock Syndrome because of something that had happened the day before. (I'm also a slight hypochondriac.) I went to the ER 'cause I thought it wass TSS; I'd rather be tald it's nothing and feel dumb than igonore it and have it turn into soomething bad, you know? SO I camped out in my bedroom all weekend. Yuck. Jerome talked me into going and getting some lunch on Saturday, but I just got some toast and chicken noodle soup (half of which I took home). Sunday I didn't go to church (yes, I was that sick). But I'm much better now.

On the wedding front, I wanted to go to the bridal show at the America's Center this past Sunday with my mom and Jen (maid of honor) and Laura (bridesmaid) and Veronica (a friend who is getting married in September), but because of the flu I wasn't able to go. :-( But, I am meeting with a photographer on Saturday night who offered to honor their bridal show price from the one I went to last month (a $1500 package for $1000). They have everything I like and the woman i've been corresponding with seems really nice. We can't put any deposits down yet, but when we do I have a feeling we'll be booking them. Also, Jerome and I FINALLY agreed on our color scheme. We've been back and forth many many times about the blue to use. I wanted to use an aqua and he wanted something darker. So instead of aqua, black and white, we're going with a marine-ish, sage, and white. I'm happy with the choice, though. The coloros look really nice together.

I haven't set any resolutions for the new year, mostly because I never keep them. But I do have goals:
1. Get out of credit card debt and save at least $3000 for the weedding.
2. Lose 50 pounds. (I was planning on going to the gym last weeekend, but the stupid flu decided to use my body as a gym instead)
3. GRADUATE!!!!
4. Audition for American Idol.

I know that number 4 seems really kind of... childish... but it's something I think I'm ready for.

School starts in 2 weeks, on Jan. 22. I'm excited about my schedule, except for my damn 60 hour practicum that i have to do for Analyzing and Correcting Reading Difficulties. Finding time for it without interfering with working will be incredibly difficult. Luckily, I hear that I have a teach who will let me do 20 hours at work. yay! I, thankfully, have roughly 2 hours of school time before my first class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I hopefully can kick it out then... But we'll see what all it entails on Jan. 22... I am also taking Introduction to Christian Theology which is independent study; I'm really excited about the subject.

I guess that's all for now...

Life isn't Fair.

Why is it that people who are the shittiest parents in the world become pregnant without wanting to be while 2 people who will be the best parents in the world struggle through miscarriage after miscarriage? Two people who want a baby more than anything? Two people who deserve to have a child because the two of them would love that child and spoil that child. And what about the people around them who have to know what to say to console them? What is there to say when you haven't experienced that amount of pain?
Please pray foor my friend and her husband. I want so badly for them to get pregnant successfully. It's hard to watch them struggle through this. I don't know what to do.