Crystal Manor

My new job is going well. I really like the people that I work with, and don't dread going there everyday. Some of the residents are really fun people, they definately say some hilarious things sometimes. It's nice to hear their stories too, what they have been through, what they did for a living, and they really love to talk about their children and family. But it's not all fun and games. I wish we could just hang out with them all night long and build relationships, play games, etc. But I have spent the past week feeding people, bathing them, changing them, cleaning up after them, helping get dressed or undressed, helping them in and out of bed. Frankly, it's quite exhausting. Good thing, I work 2nd shift. I have the whole morning to build up my strength, and when I get home I can go straight to bed. I just hate not seeing Chris very much.
Anyways, I know that this is where God wants me to be right now, and I really feel at peace about the whole thing. And I like the fact that now I feel like I am serving people which working at the same time.
I am looking forward to this weekend off! I am hoping that Trish has her baby, that way I can go down to Ohio asap. I do not want to miss this big event, I am SOOOO excited!! This little boy is going to be sooooooo adorable, I cannot wait to meet him!
If she doesn't have him, then I guess I just get to hang out and spend the weekend with my boy. Which wouldn't be so bad afterall. =)

Valentine's Day

I'm not going to lie. I have greatly enjoyed this past week off. Three more days. Next week I start my new job. But it has been nice, being able to sleep in if I want, which I haven't done too much, getting up, work out, watching tv, running errands, knitting, reading, messing around online, doing whatever.....But yeah, I am nervous and somewhat scared. I know that things will be OK, but I am nervous. Also, my new title is "Community Care Giver."

Valentine's Day was pretty great. Chris and I decided to not get eachother presents since we wanted to go out to eat. He had the day off too which was nice, so we just lazed around. We went to Barnes and Noble and bought Sex God which is pretty good so far, I just need to find some time where I am not distracted by other things so I can actually concentrate on it. Chris had class from 4:30 to 6 so I went to San Chez and got us a table and then me met me there later. The food was fabulous as always. We had the fresh mozarella rolls, tuna and avovado rolls, lamb, tuna, and portabella mushrooms with cheese. The balsamic salmon was by far my favorite, I am totally still craving it today. We were so full but somehow made room for dessert. Deep fried chocolate and cream cheese empanadas drizzled with sauces and dulce de leche gelato. Sooo incredibly wonderful. We had a great dinner. The longer I am married to him the more I enjoy doing things like that. Maybe it's because we know eachother better, and just how we are, how we will react to things, etc. Appreciating the food, how it is different...and of course I love the fact that we get to try a lot of different things and share. I love to share food. I also tried a new drink last night, which they called a capherena or something of that nature, which reminded me of the Kaprina that I watched Martha Stewart make, so I definately had to try it. It was made from a sugar cane liqueur, crushed limes and sugar. And then when we got home we played Uno Attack. And it was great. Haha..we have fun sometimes....

So tomorrow I am going into Tanaz to get my massage. It should be interesting. But I am realllly looking forward to it, it shall be wonderful.

And I think we are going to Muskegon to stay the night tomorrow. It'll be like a little getaway. With the in-laws. =)

But I need it...

Church was pretty good today. Steve Carter talked about Moses, and the first passage in the bible that introduces him is when he kills an Egyptian and buries him in the sand. Something I never knew. In some part this saddens me, because I always looked up to Moses in some way, haha. In another part it saddens me because I should have known this and the fact that I didn't is somewhat pathetic. I really need to start reading my bible again.
Anyways, he talked about PostSecret! I am always telling people about that website and definately check it frequently. About how these people send in these postcards with their secrets on the, but is it really making them feel better? If the secret is still within them, then they aren't bringing justice to themselves, and it's only enslaving them and keeping them in bondage even wonder. He asked everyone, "What is your secret? What is keeping you in bondage?" I am not sure that I have a secret. Or maybe I am just so in denial about it that I believe it's not true. Definately need to think about it some more I guess.
House church met at Dave and Jenny's and we had a barbeque. We also watched the Nooma "Kickball", which is about how we ask God for things.....we want things...but God we need it...and when he says no, we get angry. But I thought you loved me.....it is so true. Or how in your life when all of the sudden things are not going the way you want them to be going and then you start to pray and beg God. I honestly believe that these things happen to us because we need to be broken down and humbled constantly. It's almost His way of saying, Come back to me, rely on me, I am all you really need. Have faith in me. I need to try to remember this more everything. See God in everything, everywhere, in everything I do. To remember to pray constantly. To put my life in His hands instead of trying to control things myself.
I feel like now that I quit the salon, a heavy burden has been lifted. Like I can live my life the right way now. Like God is giving me a second chance, a second chance to make the right choices this time. To love the people that surround me, to be a light to them. I pray that I can be like Jesus to them.
Tomorrow I am going to Crystal Manor to check out this job. Everything will work out how it's supposed to.

Changes

This week has been bizarre to say the very least, but before I get into that, I need to get caught up on my life a little bit.

Two weekends ago (Jan. 28) me, Meg and Dorothy gave Trish her baby shower. It was really fun, the games went well, food was great...we had a good time. The baby got sooooooo much cute stuff, it was awesome. I swear that kid literally has more clothes than me, and he isn 't even born yet. I am so excited for him to come. Hopefully I will be able to go to Ohio in March and be there when he is born. Little "Samuel". If that is what they decide to name him. =)

I am feeling better since I was sick, thank goodness. And I also haven't gotten dizzy at all really.

Last weekend was my birthday weekend so I took saturday and monday off. It was a perfect time to take a day off really. Saturday we literally had a blizzard here. It was crazy, the highways were shutting down, the malls were closing early, it was so beautiful though. I was a little disappointed because Chris's parents, and friends Adam and Amanda were supposed to meet us here and we were going out to eat at the Chop House but they couldn't make it. I am happy that they didn't come though, the roads just were not safe enough. So me and Chris ventured out ourself, it was actually very nice. We had a lovely dinner by ourselves, and the food was FABULOUS. Beef Wellington, and a Norfolf Filet..AuGratin Scalloped potatoes, creamed garlice spinach...wine...martinis....then downstairs to La Dolce Vita for dessert. Creme brulee...Baileys Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate French Vanilla Gelloto.....port...coffee drinks and a cigar. It couldn't have more perfect...more delightful. Our little indulgence cost us a hefty fee that makes me sort of sick about it all, but in the end it was a gift. Later on we rented the DaVinci Code which I enjoyed immensely and I thought it was very interesting, thought false. It was definately a great night with my honey. All that snow just makes you want to stay all curled up on the couch, all toasty and warm.
Sunday we got to sleep in...kind of....church was canceled because of the blizzard. We ventured out towards Lansing to meet the fam at PF Changs, which was also a fabulous dinner. The food there is sooo good, I always forget how much I like it. I got some eiffel tower stationary, a candle and tealight. My collection just keeps growing and growing. I think I am getting about eiffel towered out, haha. I also got some birthday money from Meg and Pat, SkipBo, and Uno Attack. The week before Jess and Trish also got us Battle Ship and Rook. I love games! I like that we will have a bunch to choose from now. After the long drive back to GR, which I don't remember too much of because I was asleep, we finally got to Mike and Julia's after hitting a curb and getting stuck in their street. We ate some good wings and other food, Andrea and Jason brought their infamous brownies and ice cream, yum. The Super Bowl game was pretty good, I wasn't all that into it this year, since I haven't been able to pay much attention to sports or anything, and I wasn't into the teams that were playing. The uno attack during half time was fun though. And I ALMOST kicked Mike's butt in darts, it was sooo close. I think it would be fun if me and Chris got a dart board, just not sure where we would put it. Maybe once we get a house this summer. =)
My Birthday! Monday I spent the day with Thea. Chris had to work in the morning and had class until 6, so I went to Thea's. She let me do our laundry and also took me out to lunch at TGI Fridays. And I bought some sweet lip gloss from Victorias Secret for $2. I love it. We just hung out and talked and played some games. AND she taught me how to knit. I have been wanting to learn for soooooooo long. Thea rocks, she is such a sweet person, I am definately lucky to have her for a friend. And her husband Jason is a very nice person too, I really enjoy hanging out with them. On the way home I picked up some Sushi from Kobe for Chris and I and we just hung out for the rest of the night.
Anyways, tuesday after work we went to Muskegon to meet up with Bob and Jeanne. I seriously love them to death, I couldn't ask for more giving, loving, and supportive in-laws. We had dinner at Topos and had pizza, it was actually pretty good. When we got home I got to finally open my presents! I finally got to see my elliptical, which I knew about and everything, but I was so excited to get to finally bring it home. They also got me a pair of winter boots (which unfortunately I had to take back because they were too small, but I still need them so badly, especially with all the snow) a card with $22 in it, I didn't realize that was my age until Jeanne told me, haha, I guess I am a blonde. And also Friends Season 5. I seriously have been waaaaaaay spoiled this year, it was so ridiculous. I love my family and friends, I am so blessed. When we got home we put the Elliptical together, it seriously took like 2 hours and I was getting so mad, thank goodness Chris was helping me and figuring things out or I probably would have been like freaking out, haha. But I have been working out every day since then, today was the third day, and it was much easier than the previous ones so far. Either it is getting easier or it was because I was watching Days of Our Lives and was totally distracted by that, but it was a good workout. I also decided to bust out the Yoga Mat that Trish got me last year, it is sweet. So I did some crunches, which I am gonna try to work into my workout everyday.

Back to the changes. This week has been so hard for me. I love to do hair, I just cannot work in that industry anymore, or at Tanaz. Today was my last day. It was somewhat unexpected. I mean, I planned on putting in my two weeks either next week or the week after but I didn't expect to be done this week. I just know that I do not belong there anymore. It was starting to weigh so hard on me and stressing me out, I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Anyways, it is all over, with no bridges burned. I am sad that I won't be working with Steph anymore, but I really want to make an effort to be a close friend to her. I feel that all of this has actually brought us closer together, and she said that she would still do my hair for me, which is amazing.
I know that God has different plans for me, and is leading me in the right direction, I just do not know where yet. I totally have faith in Him, and know that everything is going to work out, I just need to be patient, and the doors will open.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11