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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Sadie

I have issues with people who abuse and neglect dogs. Presently, I look at dogs off of the SPCA websites and look for a dog that I will someday get to take home with me. Many of the dogs on the website come from abusive homes and have sad stories. There was one dog in particular named Sadie. Sadie was a beagle mix who had been so badly abused that she was bug eyed and paralyzed. When I saw this dog, I wanted her immediately. She is a special needs dog. As stated previously, she is paralyzed and has to be helped around and fed and given water with help. Her little tongue always sticks out of her mouth and she was completely adorable. I was so moved by her story I was wanting to call and ask the place to hold her for me. As I read, I came to the part that said "we lost Sadie on.." I don't remember the date, but it was a memorial fund for dogs who are abused. I was incredibly sad that I wasn't able to be the owner of this dog, but atleast she isn't in pain anymore. That night, I cried...cried for dogs who are abused. People take out their aggression on these innocent animals. They starve, beat, burn, and do so many things that you could not even imagine. The crazy part is that most of these dogs still love humans. Anyways, as I was crying and feeling horrible I realized that people do this to children and sometimes adults, too. There are people on this earth that take pleasure in torturing not only animals, but human beings. Anyways, my heart is saddened for pups that are neglected and abused and I wish I could take every one of them home with me. This may sound silly but I've been praying for these dogs, afterall, they are His creation.


This is Sadie

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What?

8 things you've always wondered about me!I was tagged by a few people.
8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Italy II
2. Olive Garden
3. Jalepeno Tree
4. Taco Bueno
5. Jason's Deli
6. Campo Verdes
7. China King
8. Did I say Taco Bueno?

Things that Happened Today:
1. Work
2. Andy and his sister came over
3. I am making a big supper later
4. Christmas party at work
5. Went to Walmart with Tim
6. Ate Subway
7. Walked a girl to the nursing building
8. Cleaned house

Things I Look Forward To:
1. The real Christmas break...Dec 24 we finally are off for a bit!
2. Graduating
3. Having kids!!!!
4. Getting a dog
5. Sleeping in
6. The stars playing on Thursday
7. Seeing a movie with Jeff and Sarah on Friday or Saturday...I forgot when
8. Seeing my family next week

Things I'm Scared Of:
1. Spiders
2. Snakes
3. Sharks
4. Where we will be in the next years
5. Debt
6. Not being able to transition smoothly from college to real life
7. If Tim were to die
8. People in other cars

8 Things I Wish For:
1. No more debt
2. Kids
3. For my kids to grow up to be strong in their walks with Christ
4. To finish college with a 4.0
5. For Jeff and Sarah to end up in the same place as us
6. A dog
7. A home
8. More time in the day

8 Things I Watch on TV: ( We don't watch much tv)
1. Sports Center
2. Dallas Stars
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Rangers
6. Simpsons
7. What Not to Wear (I am a bit obsessed)
8. Wheel of Fortune

I tag EVERYONE...that means you maaaaa

Monday, December 15, 2008

My goal

I set a goal in high school to make straight A's in EVERY class. I blew that goal in chemistry the 5th six weeks by getting an 89. Although my semester averages were all A's, I did not achieve my goal.

So, in response to my high school failure, I set a goal freshman year to graduate with a 4.0. I have made it this far and I just got all of my grades in and I am one semester closer to achieving my goal! Three more semesters with two crazy hardcore classes and I will hopefully achieve this! Pray for my sanity while doing so.

I think that college is more about experience than grade point average, but I didn't come this far for nothing. So...GO Jenni!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

About that...

Finals are finished! I am just waiting for my grades to be posted online. Thank goodness for that! Now, it is the break and all I am responsible for is work! BUT, luckily I love my job. I actually may not finish this post because I have a tour coming up in a few minutes...but maybe I will- time will tell.

Tonight we are having Jeff, Sarah, Colin, Ben, and Tiffany over for dinner and it is going to be swell! Tim is making is famous twice baked potatoes and we are going to indulge in food and fun! I am excited. Life just seems so much more enjoyable when I am not stressing about projects and tests. Sometimes I don't have a life because of how busy school gets...but this week has been social and fun!

I heard on TV the other day that how your house looks reflects how things are going in your life. I have found this to be true. Our house has been a DISASTER the past month and I was so stressed. Now that this week has come about, the house is clean and I am not stressed at all. Funny how that works.

I am so thankful for Tim...I know I say that every post, but it's so true. He is the best husband and I am so grateful that I found him before some other girl did, haha! They surely would have snatched him up before me! I guess I can thank Daniel, Mary, and Chaz for that one :0)!

I am going to try to enjoy my break and I hope everyone is enjoying the cold!

AND, because I got tagged TWICE...here is this.
Rules are, you must list 5 addictions and pass it to 5 people!
Addiction -- an abnormally strong craving
1. Tim. I can't help that one. I love being around him and doing things together. I love that we sit on the couch and laugh at our goober selves. I love that we go to the grocery store together. I love that he loves me.
2. Chapstick...I cannot live without it and I freak out when I don't have atleast one with me.
3. Watching the Dallas Stars...I can't help it. I get so excited when I know they are coming on TV.
4. Animals...I am such a sucker for animals. I love them and I love to cuddle them and talk to them and be a goober about them.
5. I am obsessed with Facebook...it's sad.
6. I am adding this one because I can...I am obsessed with hanging out with Jeff and Sarah. I get withdrawls sometimes. It scares me that in a year and a half, we will quite possibly not be in the same place and that makes me incredibly sad...Tim and I are very thankful for our friendship with them.

I am tagging:
1. Maaaa
2. Kristen Clifton
3. Sharon Wheat
4. Andelicia
5. Mary

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Outta my way, BOX!

This Thanksgiving I was sitting at the in-laws house and they were watching Jingle All the Way. There is a part where this guy is running through the holiday parade and there is a person dressed up as a gift box and the guys yells "outta my way box!" and pushes the box down. The movie is horrible, but that made me laugh, so I thought I'd share.

Last week was way too nice. I did not do a single thing that had to do with school and I enjoyed my family and friends. We had TWO thanksgivings, so we definitely had our fill! I was not ready to come back at all! Almost my whole family was at our Thanksgiving which was so awesome considering there is always someone gone to one place or another. It was delightful! I love my family.

Now that I have come back to the real world, I am stressed out the worst I have been this semester! Atleast I got a nice week before, right? Today, I have a math project due, the homework for the next test due, three chapter reflections due, and a test. Tomorrow, I have my huge science project due that is most of my grade and I am only 1/5 of the way done! I have to finish this tonight. I have a final on Thursday and then two take home finals due Monday and Tuesday of next week. If you have ever had a take home final, you know that they are much more challenging than in-class finals. The other final I have next week is in-class and stress free. I have an old edition of one of my books that I have to use for my take home final in my Ad. Lit class...so this could pose a problem. On top of that, I am having to work extra for our Shadow Day that admissions runs. So, this week is definitely not my favorite, but there is light at the end of the tunnel! Pray for my stress level.

On a more positive note, the relationship between Tim and me has never been better! The more days that go by, the stronger we grow, the more we love each other and the more we understand how to make the other feel loved. I remember back to six months ago when things were very shaky, hard, and sometimes just flat out bad. Since we have been married, we have been able to be completely honest with each other, talk out our issues when they pop up, and love each other like we deserve. I have never been so in love with him and I look forward to this to continue!

Dear Sarah (and Jeff)- thank you for being wonderful to Tim and me! We love y'all!
AAAAAnd, Dear Mary, Happy birthday yesterday! We love you very much too!!

Well, I was just taking a break between the math project and the science project so back to work I go!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew!

My title has absolutely nothing to do with my post...often times they don't.

Last night Tim and Jeff had their soccer championship game, and they sadly lost. My team also played our championship game...we lost, too. I scored our only goal though! I also pulled my hamstring pretty bad...all in the love of intramurals! Too bad I don't get a tshirt out of that one...

This weekend is coming fast, and I am definitely ready for it. I have had so many projects and papers, it's time for a break! It's too bad that I have one more big project due the next week, a test, and a final. BUT, I am almost there. I know that the next semesters are NOT going to be any easier...in fact they get busier and harder...but, a break will so so nice. I can't wait until I can just go to work and not have to worry about class over Christmas break. I guess it'd be nice to not worry about either, but gotta make that money and pay those bills!

I am ready for this week, but then again...although traveling is nice and I love to be with family...I know it's going to be exhausting. Luckily, we get to have a Thanksgiving with both families! HOORAY! I am just praying that this one will be a little more tame than the last.

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

**EDIT**
So, I'm sitting here thinking about the things I want. When my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas...there wasn't anything really that I wanted. The things that I want are unrealistic not possible for the time being. Examples...
- I want a baby. This is not okay for many reasons. One, there is absolutely no way on earth that would be financially feasible right now. Two, Tim and I definitely need a few years to enjoy just us and cherish that time. Three, I haven't graduated yet, and being pregnant could DEFINITELY make things difficult.
- I want a dog. This is not okay because we are not allowed to have pets where we live. There are stray dogs everywhere that we could rescue, but alas, no animals allowed.
- I want to graduate. Well, duh, this is not feasible because obviously I have three whole semesters left.
- I want to know where we'll be in a year and a half...well, that's God's timing and not mine. SO, who knows when we will find out that bit of info!

So, if you ask me what I want for Christmas...I don't really know...I just know that I'm getting ahead of myself.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I copied Sarah...

So, here's to procrastination and blogging!
I have copied Sarah's Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY Tuesday, Novemeber 18...
Outside my window...I can see the parking lot...but I feel the coolness from the outside which makes me smile. I love cold weather. I just gave a tour of our campus in this cold weather.

I am thinking...that I have two more projects I need to finish in the next few days, so I really should be reading right now.

I am thankful for...this Sunday. We went back to Crossroads and it felt good to be there. I think we are going back next Sunday.

From the learning rooms...I have two classes today. I have a classroom management which I love, and a math class tonight that my attitude has been poor about. The math class is not bad, but I get so frustrated with it because it is so late. I need to not be a poop about it.

From the kitchen...tonight, I am not cooking! Tim is making his infamous twice baked potatoes...oh they are sooooo good!

I am wearing...my Rec-ing crew shirt with a black undershirt...it makes me smile to remember those awesome times at Children's camp. I love getting people excited...that's why I work for admissions at ETBU.

I am creating...a movie for my science class, annotated bibliographies for my Adolescent literature class (I love this class!) and working on a math notebook with article reviews.

I am going...to clean at some point today...

I am reading...Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants for my Ad lit class.

I am hoping...That God clearly shows us (Tim and me) where we need to be after I graduate.

I am hearing...a lawn mower close to our house...otherwise it's just me in my apartment clicking the keys away.

Around the house...there are guitar hero guitars laying out and our running shoes on the ground from when we played raquetball and crashed on the floor to play guitar hero.

One of my favorite things...is falling asleep beside my husband everynight.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
-Finish the three projects
-Win soccer playoffs
-Go to Ennis this weekend.
-Not go crazy.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...




This is a clip from the movie I am making for my science class. It's a slowmation movie that Emily and I made out of playdough. We took tons of pictures and barely movied things so that it would be animated. This took forever...

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Rainy day

Three projects, a test, and reading two books are on the agenda for the week! Next week I have to do annotated bibliographies for those two books, two article reviews, and a TEKS notebook...my goodness! Maybe by Thanksgiving I'll be able to breathe...until then I will sit here and slave away as I listen to the wonderful rain!

I have not been sleeping well the past two weeks. I wake up a lot, so in the morning, no matter how much sleep I get, I don't feel rested. Last night I had three dreams about going to the moon. In the first dream, we were chosen by a church group with Sarah and Jeff to go to the moon! In the second dream, we went with one of our married couple friends Sarah and Matt. The last dream, we we won some contest to go. Before we left in the third dream, we went to this big convention that was very crowded and there was a hockey game going on, shopping, people everwhere! I got separated from my family and I didn't have a cell phone so I laid down on this cot and waited. It was strange...maybe God wants me to be an astronaut!

Kristin came in this weekend and it was awesome! I love my cousin...I forget how good of a friend she is. Tim and I definitely enjoyed her company. One night we went over to Jeff and Sarah's and Nena and Ken were there...so we just had a big party!

That's just about all going on in my life at this point...dreaming big and not sleeping (oxymoron?). Soccer playoffs are next week and I am extremely excited!

Have a nice week!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Red Raiders

Well, how 'bout em??

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Oh corn!





The title of the post is for my granny and my mom. They say "oh corn" or "oh foot" when something goes wrong, haha. Really, there's nothing wrong minus the fact that I am yet again procrastinating.

Also, I mention corn because Jeff, Sarah, Colin, Tim, and I went to the corn maze/pumpkin patch/farm thing in Shreveport this weekend. I value my friendship with them so very much, this weekend was pleasant! I laugh so hard when we hang out with them...we have many "adventures" even if Sarah does not like being adventurous!


Tim and I are still absolutely clueless about where we need to go to church at. We still don't feel "at home." It's disheartening...it just makes us want to stop church for a while. But, we need the fellowship and family...so that's not okay. Pray that we will find a church home somewhere that we can be loved and used for His work.


I had a traumatic hair cut this weekend. It is uneven and not at all what I wanted...so in an hour I get to go get it fixed, and I am incredibly excited...I have had to wear my hair up in the past few days because of how awful it is. Luckily, my old roommate's mom is a wonderful stylist and she will save the day!


Can I just say that I am really bad at personal relationships? Since I've gotten married, it seems the thing I care about the most is coming home to Tim to hang out and rest...which isn't bad, but I feel like I have neglected other friendships I have made in the past. Luckily, we have married friends, too, which makes it easier to hang out all together at once..but still...sometimes I feel like I isolate myself...and lately it doesn't bother me that I do, and I don't know if that's okay.

Well I hope everyone is having a good, yet cool, week!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Can I just say....


Can I just say that I love my husband? I do. He is wonderful.

We are on the etbu commercial together and we look cute :) .

This is us being our crazy selves this weekend for Homecomming at ETBU.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Number three

Lives can be taken so fast. I was informed that a friend and fellow youth that I used to take home from church almost every Wednesday was killed in a car accident. She was a sweetheart, a youth that I was hoping I could be a good influence for. When I was a youth at University Baptist Church, we had about 15-20 students. Out of those, three have passed away in the past two years. One from an accidental gun shot at a party, one from a weak immune system from leukemia, and one from a car crash (she was present when the one at the party died). It is so hard to fathom what God's intentions are. Why would he take a life so young? Obviously, in His plan there is a reason, but in my totally human mind...I get so frustrated.

In my frustration, most of it stems from knowing how little time we have here. Part of me screams inside begging to God that these young people knew Him...and that I was someone who could have helped or hurt their belief in God.

I guess my big issue is that I was the female youth leader of all three kids that have passed away. Could I have done a better job? Did anything I said help them see the glory of our Majesty? Did my example open their eyes to accept our wonderful Savior? I don't know any of these things for sure, God does. But I want to know...I want to know full well that these students are up celebrating the new life with our Creator.

When we see the God of the Old Testament full of anger and revenge on His people, it's hard to believe that Jesus came from that same creator...gentle, humble, loving, accepting, forgiving. I know God is all of these things, but contrasting that to the wrath he put upon the Nations of Israel, he doesn't seem to be the same God....or atleast until something like this happens. God gives AND He takes away. I just wish I could grasp why.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I sing when I'm alone in my apartment :0)

It has been a while since I've blogged...I'm sorry to have kept you guys waiting.

Life is busy...and while it's busy I sit here and procrastinate. I haven't had time to blog because of school and such. I love being an education major and not writing papers all the time...but project after project gets tedious and time consuming! I am ready to get in that classroom!

In other news, Tim and I have begun praying about our jobs. We figure it's never too early to start praying for direction and clarity. We have thrown around the ideas of living in Mansfield and then I could teach in Arlington or Mansfield...I would love that! We both love that area! But, that's what OUR plan is, haha! God does place desires in our hearts for a reason, and so living back in the metroplex is still realistic! I am excited to see what the next few years will bring! I am scared at the same time, though. When we move, we will not have income yet...so that could be a bit rough. If everything goes as planned, we will be out of debt (minus school loans and a car payment everymonth) next year! It is so nice to be able to say that! When I start teaching and Tim is doing ministry, our income will triple if not quadruple what we are making now! We can finally have a real saving account!!

I probably won't be blogging again for a while, Homecoming is this week, soccer is starting, and like I said projects are piling. So, this will have to suffice your hunger for now!
Just know that God is good, and we are doing great!

Monday, September 29, 2008

I am quirky, too!

Okay, so I'm not all spiffy and I don't know how to get the little icon....but I know I got tagged by Sarah to name 7 quirky things about myself, SO HERE GOES!

1) I keep chapstick with me at all times. I CANNOT live without it. I have five different kinds in my purse right now!

2) I have to press snooze at least two times in the morning. (Sorry, Tim!)

3) When I use the microwave, I leave the left over time up...and it drives Tim nuts haha!

4) I am obsessed with cleaning my livingroom and kitchen.

5) I have to hang up ALL of my tshirts and hang them in order of color- Black, brown, blue, purple, red, orange, yellow, grey, and white.

6) I shower multiple times a day.

7) I never finish what I am drinking...there is always something left in the can or the cup. (and I don't drink my cereal milk)

I know I have tons more, but those are few. Haha

If all my readers could keep my granny in your prayers, that would be wonderful! She has breast cancer, so it's scary, but they caught it early. So, prayers please. AND, granny I heard that you read this so I want you to know that I love you! (you too, Papa!)

This weekend went by way too fast!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Another week come and gone...

I am sitting at work passing the last 10 minutes, and I figured this would be a good way to do so. It is Friday and for that I am incredibly thankful! This was not a bad week at all, but the weekends are always more than welcomed! I am incredibly excited about tonight...Tim and I are going on a DATE! Who says you can't go on dates once you're married??

My husband is the best. We were just laughing together last night remembering that our first meal was at Arby's! We went to Arby's in our mock wedding outfits and a just married car. We were so hungry, we didn't want to wait! I never thought I would love someone so much...God truly created something amazing!

We are visiting another church on Sunday. I am pretty excited, we both have a good feeling about this one...so pray for us! I applied for two scholarships today...so pray for that, too!

Tim has cooked for us twice this week! He is a great cheif, might I add! He made some wonderful chicken and then last night twice baked potatoes! What a catch!!

God keeps blessing us! Life is wonderful :-)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sleep habits

One of the biggest surprises of marriage has been the sleep habits of my husband, Tim. Before we got married, he swore to me that he layed on his stomach with his hands pulled in and did not move at all (like he would know since he was asleep, right? haha). Well, I have learned that is NOT what happens. He changes positions a lot and talks. Many nights I am awaken and I can't help but laugh at the funny things he does in his sleep. One night he was on a roll! He woke up at one point talking about his feet and when I said "what?" he mumbled something and fell back asleep. Later that night, he rolled over and patted my leg and was still asleep. After that, he rolled over and put his arms around me and said, "no shower." And I asked him, "you don't want ME to take a shower?" and he said, "no" and then I asked, "do you not want to take a shower?" and he mumbled and was out again. He does things like this many nights, but I can't always make out what he says. Last week, he mumbled something about moving rocks. Last night, he mumbled something about food, but I couldn't make out what he said. The funniest thing he has done happened last night as he was falling asleep! I was facing away from him and I heard like a smacking noise. He was kissing his hand! He woke up and was like, 'oh my gosh, that's not you!" It was so funny, somehow he thought he was kissing me...so I kissed him and laughed for a while.
On another note, I woke up myself up last week punching the air...haha I've never done that before, Tim must be rubbing off on me. I was punching this guy in my dream and lo and behold, I awoke taking a cheap shot in thin air!

I have my first test and my first peer teaching today! Wish me luck! This weekend we are coming to Arlington to visit my family, then to Cool to visit the grandparents and then Sunday to Ennis! Busy, busy weekend!

I hope your week is going splendidly!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Hello old friend...

It's definitely been a while since my last post. As suspected, school beginning has taken over my life and no longer do I have time to dawdle around on the internet.I should be reading and working on endless MINDLESS projects for my classes...but I think it's good to unwind a bit.

My classes this semester are not that bad. Sometimes I get really tired of classes that feel like an insult to my intelligence. I feel like I am wasting my time and money on certain classes that will go unnamed. Anyways, I am definitely thankful that it's a light load even if I still have a lot to do. Projects, projects, projects...and they're all the SAME just for different subjects! Venting completed.

It's weird to have wifely duties. When I get home from work, I usually have an hour until class. So, I do dishes. When I get out of class, I go home a straighten the house, vacuum, make the bed, sort the mail, clean the bathroom, and the kitchen (I can't stand a dirty kitchen...or even a dirty house for that matter!). Then, I sit and I read or work on whatever assignment or project I have until Tim gets home. Tuesdays and thursdays I go to class and get home at 6:30 and cook dinner afterwards. Then, I clean up dinner and spend the small remaining time left with my husband. I have never been much of a clean freak...but now that this is our HOME, I cannot stand for anything to be out of place. Ask Tim haha. I like that I have routine, but it's just funny to look at myself as a wife.

This week we began our Journey program here at ETBU. Journey is an organization that gives freshman upperclassmen mentors aka "mom and dad" and brothers and sisters that are all freshmen, too. They meet once a week for bible study and encouragement and then hang out and build relationships all semester. For this organization, I am a coordinator. Monday went AMAZING. We have done a lot of preparation and retreats and meetings and we finally began! We had almost 200 freshman show up!! Our moms and dads this year are amazing....all spirit led passionate people who want to be RELATIONAL. I am so stoked. It takes up a lot of time, but it's so worth it!

Tim and I are church hopping. Lucky for me, chapel on Wednesday was a church fair. So, I got to go around and meet people from different churches and see what they had to offer. Two churches in particular stuck out and we will be visiting them in the coming weeks. I talked to the youth pastors of both churches and both were so excited that I brought up Tim and I wanting to help with youth! We want to work with youth, just not full time. So, I am incredibly excited about checking them out and seeing where God wants us! In fact, one of the youth pastors emailed me personally. Pretty cool...I hope we find where we need to be!

I should probably update this more often so that I don't write novels every post.

Friday, August 22, 2008

These are the days of our lives...

*UPDATE* I was off this afternoon and I went and changed my social security card, drivers license, and my school registration...SO, I am OFFICIALLY Jennifer A Darst!


I'm posting from my job here in admissions again...surprised? You shouldn't be, I still just sit around all day. However, lately I have had a sense of contentment with my job. I have been told that people have told my boss that their tours were they best they had recieved on a college campus. My bosses are pleased with my work and it makes me feel accomplished, especially when most of the day I feel like I am just wasting my time and the school's money sitting here.

The freshman moved in on Wednesday. I felt bad for them, it was the rainiest possible day that they could have moved in. BUT, they all got settled in. It is so refreshing to see excited young people coming into college! They are so excited and alive waiting for their new lives to start...it rubs off on me! Just talking to them charges my day up because they want to know all about college, what they can get involved with, and what kind of professors they will have. I have met a few of the students I have given tours to and they were excited to see me, what a welcome! All of our BSM Journey Coordinators are sitting out at the meals recruiting people to join our freshman family program and we had tons sign up in just one day! This is going to be a good year!

As for me and the school year starting, I feel quite uneasy. I don't mind working, but classes starting just does not sound appealing at this point! I bought my books yesterday...but it still hasn't quite dawned on me that classes begin in 2 days! I am now an upperclassman in college...how odd. I feel like a sophomore since this is only my second year here. When I look at my semester by semester plan, it is so crazy to see student teaching next year! WOW, college really does fly by. I can't wait until I can do what I am actually going to college for! I will say I am incredibly excited about my bowling class....that's going to be freakin awesome!

Last but certainly not least, the marriage update! Married life still has not ceased to be incredible! Not only that, but God has provided for us in big ways and we are feeling good about where we are! Tim is an amazing husband. The little things he does mean so much! Like last night for instance, there was one of the biggest mounds of dishes that we had so far. I was not feeling well and he got up and did the dishes for me! He's so sweet! We got new phones and we have unlimited texting and picture mail...and he sends me sweet messages all the time and cute pictures. I love Mr. Timothy.

I have a lot to say this time around...there is more but I think I will break it up and save some for later because this is probably too long of a post.

Fairwell my friends!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

One month!

Today, Tim and I recieved a blessing. Everyday I go get the mail for my job, and I check our mailbox as well. Today, as I was leaving the postman said, you have some mail in your box so he gave it to me. There was an unusual letter that was not addressed with our correct address or return address- just "Jenni and Tim". So, I opened the letter and inside there was a note that said "you guys are good people" and a $100 bill! I started tearing up right away and ran outside, jumped in my golf cart, and drove to where Tim was working to show him. This was such an exciting surprise because as you read in the last post, we are struggling financially. So, to our anonymous friend(s)...thank you so much. Know that you truly blessed us and God will bless you in return. Thank you.

In other news, today is our 1 month anniversary. One month ago today, I was getting my hair all touched up and ready for our wedding. It doesn't feel like it's been a month already. I love married life a lot. It can definitely be stressful, but when you have your best friend with you all the time, the stress doesn't seem unbearable. I am so grateful for the month we've had together and I look forward to the ones to come! I love my husband so much!!

We have some friends getting married suddenly this weekend. It's exciting, but it was supposed to be in November and so they are kind of stressed out. Prayers for them. Prayers for my attitude, too. I really wanted to stay home this weekend and relax, but it looks like we will be bsuy busy getting this thing together. I don't want to be a sourpuss...I love them very much.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Ay Ay Ay....

I know Tim and I followed God by getting married. So, why are we struggling so bad financially? I know God provides...and He will continue, but oh my goodness- bills keep stacking up! Today, I was trying to get cleared from the business office so I can go to school this semester. We owed $728 for our summer rent which showed up as being covered by our financial aid package. Well, we were told that we were to pay it and then we would get a refund since it showed under our financial aid package. Apparently, that was incorrect information. I went and paid thinking we would get our refund in six to eight weeks, and she told me I would get $415 for a book voucher and nothing for a housing refund. So, there goes the $728 we charged on the credit card thinking we would get the refund and pay it off as if we had never charged it. We are struggling financially, and it's scary! I am just ready to be on our feet making normal paychecks so that we can get in the swing of things.

We are both very ready for me to graduate so we can both go get the jobs we actually went to school for. Our annual income will almost quadruple when we get jobs in two years. Poor Tim, I know he is really not enjoying his job right now because it is SO hot outside. He is working 8 hour (well 10 hours until this week) days in the sun. If it weren't for me getting my tuition paid for my senior year through his job, he probably wouldn't work there. I really want to get out of debt...most of the debt is from school and it is terrifying when I look at the amount of the loans between Tim and me. I am venting...

God provides. That is what I keep having to be reminded.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Mawiage

When I fell in love with Tim, I fantasized about how marriage was going to be and how wonderful it would be to have the love of my life with me forever. Now that it is here, I can't believe how naive I was....naive in a good way...naive to think that it would only be as good as I thought. It has exceeded my expectations and I am in awe at how wonderful it is to spend everyday and every night with the man God has called me to be with. It is crazy how perfectly God created marriage. Sure, it isn't always easy, but it is so amazing. The bond that grows between a husband and wife is absolutely breathtaking. How could two people be designed to help each other's weaknesses and feed off of each other's strengths so perfectly? I guess that is the mystery of God's power.

It brings me grief to see what our world today sees marriage as. It is a broken, corrupt, temporary fling that has fallen with mankind. This is not how it was intended to be. First of all, 1 Corinthians 13 explains the importance of love. Well, what is love? 1 John is full of love references that explain what love is and how we should love. Love is applied to each of the husband and the wife in Ephesians 5 telling of how the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church...bathing them in the word of God. Wives, they are to love their husbands and to submit to them. So, now it is obvious why marriage here has gone wrong. If people don't know of Christ's love in the first place, how can they have the marriage God intended them to?

Now, I'm not saying me and Tim's marriage is perfect by any means, but becaue we have the love of Christ, our love goes beyond what many American's love does. This is the wonderful gift of God. Knowing this, I am challenged to use our marriage as an example of grace and love and let people see that who may not know Christ. I want everyone to experience what God has intended for those who accept His love.

I love my husband and I love our marriage.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Work Work Bo Bork

So, here I sit at work again. Our system is getting upgraded today and tomorrow so besides campus tours...I have nothing to do! Again, I like my job, but when there is nothing to do, the time passes so SLOWLY. I wish I had something really exciting to write about...but I don't haha. I am actually up at the front desk since my boss went home and I guess it looks like I am working while I sit here and type, play on facebook, and look at wedding pictures. Poor Tim, he works outside in the heat all day, and I go out there everyonce in a while, but for the most part I get the luxury of airconditioning. He is always so tired when he gets home, it makes me feel bad for him!

I am starting to work out again today...oh hooray! That is sarcasm. I haven't really worked out since the Tuesday before our wedding...that was like two weeks ago! I definitely don't want to put on any weight or lose any progress that I have already made.

I cannot say that I am ready for school to start. I don't mind working, but when school AND work come around, I know it won't be as fun. Plus, when school starts I only will be getting like 11 hours a week, so Tim and I will definitely feel that. But, God provides :0).

Am I weird? Is it normal to look at your wedding pictures atleast once a day everyday after your wedding???

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Back to reality

So, here I am...back at work. Haha, it's not bad at all, but I definitely miss sleeping in everyday and spending all of my time with my husband. But, we definitely need the income, and my job is pretty sweet so I don't mind. Yesterday, I gave like 4 campus tours on my first day! It was pretty fun, I definitely don't have my facts all straight but they were short handed so I was kind of thrown into everything...but that's usually the way I like it! Today, the phone isn't really ringing, no one has come in for a visit, and there is only one person scheduled for later. So...here I sit waiting for my financial aid stuff to get all worked out.

I love married life. It is definitely a challange and it is very different, but I love it. It's crazy how much your mindset has to change from thinking about yourself to having your spouse being included in "myself." But, I think I definitely have the hang of it...I like automatically putting Tim into the equation of my thought processes and decision making. I think he's having a little more trouble, but he's definitely getting there!

I have found myself to be a much better housewife than I had expected. I like my house to be clean, so I have been cleaning up almost everynight, doing dishes without dreading it, and cooking as if it's been something I've done forever. I thought I'd be the last person to be domestic, but I'm getting the hang of it!! We have some friends who live across the hall from us, and it's nice to have people there to hang out with randomly. I love it because they just come knock on our door everyonce in a while and we'll hang out for an hour or so.

Dear SAAAEEEER, I'm glad you're back...tell Jeff to come home, too.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

It's over!





First thing is first-
The wedding was wonderful and if you want to see some of the pictures from it go to www.studioworkstx.com, go to view images, weddings, Stapleton Darst, and the password is "jenni". Other fun pictures on are facebook.

As the title said, it's over! It's so crazy! I have been married for a week already! The day was beautiful and perfect and I couldn't have imagined it being any different! I can't believe that everything is done...I used to have wedding stuff on my mind all the time...now it's over. WOAH. Now, I have to think about grown up things like money haha. I really don't know what else to say about the wedding besides it was everything I ever dreamed of, just take a look at the pictures.

The honeymoon was also wonderful! We went to San Antonio and stayed in a hotel on the riverwalk...it was so much fun!! We had this whole week to spend with just us. I must say I love married life. It is true there are many more things to worry about than I had anticipated, but it's so worth it. I love going to sleep and waking up to my Timothy. God is so amazing for giving us the gift of love and marriage, what an incredible gift to know and experience the slightest glimpse of Him.

We are almost all settled in our apartment! Tomorrow we have to organize our bedroom and we will be in!! WOOHOO!

Too bad real life starts back again on Monday...I really enjoy sleeping in and spending time with my HUSBAND!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

I have some readers!

I was informed by Sarah and Taylor that I needed to update...that means they read this! HOORAY! It makes it a little more fun to write when I know I have an audience. However, I really don't have much to write about which seems strange because I AM getting married in three days...but I feel as if I have talked that out the window. I am extremely excited though...I'm ready for it to be here. Today we finalized the order of service and now I know what will be going on!

Tim gets here tomorrow. I am so ridiculously...well, ridiculous. I miss him so much...I'm pretty pathetic. I said this many times, and I will say it again...I can't wait for the day when we don't have to say our goodbyes all the time. I am going to love waking up to him...not just a phone call everyonce in a while. He is working a half day tomorrow, then checking out of his room at ETBU and here he comes!! He will spend the night here and Thursday until his boys come pick up their tuxes. Then, they will have his bachelor party that night. Friday, he will come back to Arlington to help us with the reception hall followed by our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. We say our FINAL singlehood goodbye and then it's the wedding! WOW! I am so ready.

He's been in our apartment unpacking his things...he brings his friends and I feel jealous because I'm not there in my own house hanging out with him and his friends. That's pretty absurd, I know...but I'm ready to be there with him. I'm scared I will come home to a big mess- a guy "organizing" his things in our home without my concent...yikes. I guess I'll see next Thursday when we get back from our honeymoon!

So...here's to the people who actually read my blog!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

So sick of this....

I am so tired of being in a long distance relationship! Good grief, we already did a year and a half being very far apart...but the month before the wedding, really?? I feel like we've already served our time, we shouldn't have to do it again. This weekend is proving itself hard and it hasn't necessarily started yet. Tim usually comes in town or I go see him on Thursday night. Well, it's Thursday and here I am Tim-less. I mean, I understand because my bachelorette party is Saturday and so I'd only get to see him friday, during the day saturday, and sunday...but still bah! He went to Sugarland, TX to spend time with his friend Andy and to see Andy's mom get married.

I think it will be better tomorrow when Jeff, Sarah, and Colin are here. I will have some social interaction! That will be nice. I drive around all day running errands-no fun. Not that I think that will stop, especially since this is the week of the wedding...but still it will be nice to have people around.

I think that this next week will probably fly by...but I am so ready. I feel stupid because I sit around longing for Tim to be here and wishing for the day I don't have to leave him. I feel so pathetic...then again, I don't know many brides who would be excited to be long distance from their fiances the month before their wedding.

Today I spent a majority of the afternoon on the phone with auto insurance companies looking for our best option. Well, State Farm is amazing because their price is the best coverage for less than half of like Geico or All State...so I'm pretty sure that's what we're going with. This whole growing up thing is more difficult than I though! We have to worry about money and bills and life without our parents..weird. But, that's a part of starting our new lives together.
(sorry for the whiney post)

I am so ready for it to be here!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

God's Answer to My Plea

This past semester, I have spent time after time in prayer weeping before God to change an aspect of Tim and I's relationship. It was a small thing that affected our relationship a lot deeper than he thought. Time after time, I cried pleading with God to change it because it was not in my power to mend something that was not in my control.

Today, I got a big answer to my prayer. This morning I spent a majority of it crying and praying to God to again mend what was broken. Tim called and knew something was bothering me and we finally got to talk tonight. In the middle of me explaining to him how I felt, he asked me if he could interrupt because he wanted to tell me something. He told me that God really spoke to him this morning and made him realize that our relationship was more important than little things that caused tension and fighting. He was afraid he would lose me to them. He told me that I am more important to him that anything else and that the things ailing us were worthless. He told me how much I meant to him and how much he loves me.

I can say with confidence that I know he is truly amazing and he loves me more than anything. I am the most blessed bride of Chirst and Tim, and I am so thankful. Prayer is so powerful. Just when I felt hopeless, God worked his magic and my spirit feels so alive. Such a burden was taken away from me today, and it feels so good.

Monday, June 30, 2008

And it continues....

Life definitely went crazy this past weekend. Tim came in Thursday night so he could attend Nathan's (Josh and Taylor's baby mentioned last post) visitation and funeral.

All day Friday we ran around getting wedding stuff done. When the evening came, we went to the visitation. It was so beautiful! Nathan's short life was showcased in the most wonderful way. It was very difficultto be there, but I had my Tim. It is so amazing to have a man of God that is willing to hold me and comfort me in my times of sadness. Those are the moments I cherish the most. Saturday was the funeral and it was the sweetest ceremony. Dr. Greg Deering did the service and reminded us of the perfect place Nathan is now. Jeff, Sarah, and I did a song and it was difficult, but I felt so blessed to be a part of it. Again, Tim was by my side holding me and wiping my tears. Truly Mr. Wonderful.

Later that day, my parents, Tim and I frantically loaded all our furniture and things into three cars and set out to Marshall. We got all our stuff moved into the apartment! We called it a night and played guitar hero with my brother. Sunday, we bought a bed!!! We couldn't get into the apartment until 3 so I was there until 12am unpacking and trying to get things situated so we could come home to our place.

It's so crazy to think that we have our own home. We don't live there yet, but it is waiting for us. In 12 days, I will be Mrs. Jennifer Darst. Woah. I am so excited to have a place called home with the man that I adore. These past months have definitely proven themselves difficult as we have been long distance AGAIN, but it is going to be so worth it. It was so sad to leave Tim again. I won't see him for 9 days (which by then it will be 2 days until the wedding!). I have had to replay in my mind over and over, this is the last time I have to leave him. I am ready to be done with the whole dating thing...I am ready to start life with him.

These next two weeks are going to be a challange, but I think I'm up for it.

Please continue to pray for Josh and Taylor!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Love

Today was a tragic day. My cousin's wife had their baby. The baby has a chromosomal abnormality and was 2 months early. He passed away quickly once he was born. His name is Nathan Taylor Stapleton. I got to see and hold this sweet baby and he was so precious! What is so incredible to me is the love of the parents of this baby boy. They have been so strong through this whole ordeal and have relied on the Lord more than anyone I have known. To see them hold their baby boy and spend time with him was so sweet. The love we have been given from our Creator is so strong. This love overcomes everything. Please pray for the family we all deal with this hard time. God WILL get the glory, even if it's difficult to comprehend His ways.

Monday, June 23, 2008

People Don't Read Xanga...let's give this a try

I thought maybe more people would read my blog if it were on the same site as other blogs!

As of now, I am 19 days from my wedding! How crazy! When we got engaged, we were 260some odd days away. This is incredible! I am so ready for the whole long distance thing to be over. It was one thing to be long distance for a year and a half, but it's another thing to go from seeing each other everyday to being long distance for over a month right before the wedding. But, as my mom, Tim and myself keep telling me, in three weeks we will have the rest of our lives...so that is keeping me going. Tim is working hard in Marshall on the grounds crew making some money for us. My job has been helping my dad and working on the wedding. Yeah...we can give me the title of POOR.

I have been doing aerobics classes for the past few weeks, and I must say I love it! It is so much more fun than running on a treadmill! Sadly, when I get back to ETBU, it's back to running a few miles a day because we don't have classes there.

So, if you noticed...my blog name is JenniD. And, I know I'm not JenniD yet, BUT might as well because I will be so soon!!

God is providing for Tim and I and it is amazing to see how things are unfolding. We are in the process of finding the right insurance plan for us...so pray that God shows us which direction to go with that!

Godbless!