Christmas in NYC!

Yesterday we met a friend in the city. We took exactly TWO pictures.  Here is ONE of them.

Here is a shot of us 4 years ago in (almost) the exact same spot!

We have spent our first Christmas season in NJ starting new traditions. So far, we have:
1)  Gathered supplies for an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox
2)  Visited NYC
3)  Baked special Christmas cookies
4)  Watched Christmas movies every weekend.  We have enjoyed, "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story."
5)  Planned to donate chickens to a needy family through World Vision.
6)  Partied with our new church family.  Joel wore a suit coat and tie. I dressed up in a cocktail dress.  We should have taken pictures!

We are really enjoying our new life in NJ.  It still doesn't feel QUITE like home, but it's getting  there.

Cookies, Cookies....

On Saturday, Joel and I decided to make cookies. We baked a batch of gingersnaps speckled with chocolate chips.

Joel is a sucker for any cookie with molasses in it.  He also looks incredibly manly in his apron, right? :)   

Yet, another unflattering close-up taken by US. 

The final product. Num. Num.

We are enjoying the Christmas season, making new friends, and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Grow Where You Are Planted

I've been really struggling with the fact that I'm not employed.  Today my mom offered excellent advice when she stated, "Grow where you are planted."  So, even though I'm not making any money or using my plethora of education (8 long years to be exact),  I can still THRIVE and strive to be the best stay-at-home wife/volunteer/job-hunter ever.

The following is a list of how I'm attempting to "grow where I'm planted."  I'm learning how to 1) manage my household more efficiently 2) take one day at a time 3) trust God (this is definitely a slow process).

We Are Ready For Christmas

Our house is all decorated and Maddie sported a bow long enough for me to take a picture!  We are really missing family and friends this holiday season.  We're excited to travel south for Christmas!

Our First Thanksgiving in NJ

Our realtor gave us this turkey made out of cookies.  Delicious!

The flowers Milt and Linda gave us

Linda stirring up Oma's famous stuffing

Milt enjoying the Macy's Day Parade 

Maddie being herself

Me...in a very close self-portrait

Joel in all his morning glory!

We had a great Thanksgiving!  Hope you did, too!  I'm still missing my MN and VA family, learning the Jersey way of life and blogging.

We May Not Have Kids...

...but we have a cute dog that has to wear a sweatshirt.

Joel refuses to take her outside when she's wearing her pink hoodie.  Whatever.  I guess I don't have to give up a "man-card" to walk my bundled, furry friend.  At least she's not shivering anymore!

Wondering what I'm doing since our big move?  Everyone seems to be.  I'm still walking my dog, avoiding the mailman, studying for exams and blogging.  Life is good.

Why?

Why? I've been asking my poor husband this question a lot lately.  God, my mom, sister and friend have all heard me rant, rave and inquire,

"Why did I go to school for eight years if I'm just sitting at home?"
"Why did I choose the per diem job when all the recruiters were calling me?"
"Why aren't the recruiters calling me now?"
"Why am I at home with no children?"
"Why did I have to leave my job in VA?"

Nobody, can answer these queries.  Obviously.   I am continually concluding that God is testing my patience and humility.  It's not fun telling people,  "I'm in-between jobs right now" and "No, we don't have children."

So, that's where I am at, folks.  I'm learning patience, humility,  asking "why?" far too often, walking my dog, taking certification courses and blogging.