tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44468116365430993452024-03-13T08:03:43.274-07:00It's Just the Beginning: The VanderBoeghsMy husband and I are newlyweds living in NC. We are excited for the new adventures to come in this chapter of life.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-20461692176311106122013-06-02T14:23:00.000-07:002013-06-02T14:23:03.317-07:0030 weeks!I think I am becoming delusional. I am 30 weeks pregnant today and for some reason it doesn't feel like I only have 10 weeks to go. I feel like I have all the time in the world but I know August will be here before I know it.<br />
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<b>How far along? </b>30 weeks</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> maternity everything but a few shirts I can stretch out for a few more weeks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Stretch marks?</b> no</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sleep: </b>This week has been great!<br /><b>Best moment this week: </b>Seeing Star Trek: Into Darkness with Nathan. It's the first movie we have seen in theaters since my 1st trimester when I couldn't stand the smell of buttered popcorn. Also when the baby tried to kick the doppler when the doctor was checking the heartbeat</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Miss Anything?</b> not feeling tired all the time and I miss sub sandwiches<b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Movement:</b> Tons, she's starting to move even when I walk which is a very odd feeling. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings:</b> Chick fil a chocolate shake and Panera Bread's Cinnamon Crunch bagel<br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick:</b> There were a few smells that made me queasy but I don't remember what they were<br /><b>Gender: </b>Girl</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Labor Signs: </b>No</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Symptoms:</b> Heartburn, hip pain, back pain, no energy<br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> top half is almost flat, bottom half is shallow<br /><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> on</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Overall Mood: </b>pretty good but yesterday I was very moody<br /><b>Looking forward to: </b>2 year Anniversary on the 4th!</span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-77230552109356038532013-05-31T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-31T07:30:00.140-07:00Hello 3rd Trimester!Yes, this is over a week late. Things have been very crazy around here now that we are in full baby prep mode so it's been hard to get on here to post.<br />
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So I have been documenting my pregnancy on Facebook and I think I will continue for the next 12 or so weeks will post my progress here. I promise the post on how God's timing involving this pregnancy should be here the next week or so.<br />
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<b>How far along? </b>28 weeks 4 days</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> maternity everything but a few shirts I can stretch out for a few more weeks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Stretch marks?</b> no</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sleep: </b>It depends on the night, very hit and miss.<br /><b>Best moment this week: </b>Found a dress at Motherhood that I had my eye on for a few months on sale. All I need to complete my maternity wardrobe is an amazing part of jeans then I will be set :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Miss Anything?</b> doing the dishes in one sitting (i have to take breaks to put up my feet because they have started to swell if I stand for too long), bending over to pick things up and deli meats.<b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Movement:</b> Very much so. I think I am starting to feel more movement when I am at work but since my job keeps me moving, it's hard to tell. Anytime I sit down all I can think is "the force is strong with this one"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings:</b> ICE!! I am so glad there's a Sonic near by because their ice is amazing!<br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick:</b> buttered popcorn ick!<br /><b>Gender: </b>Girl</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Labor Signs: </b>No</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Symptoms:</b> Heartburn, hip pain, back pain, starting to lack mobility, swelling in my feet if I stand up for too long, and it takes more energy to do basic things<br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> in but getting shallow<br /><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> on</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Overall Mood: </b>pretty good but I have had my moments this week<br /><b>Looking forward to: </b>Getting more things ready for the baby! </span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-24847202111541782102013-05-19T16:59:00.004-07:002013-05-19T16:59:49.435-07:00August RushIt's hard to believe my last post here was in August. So much has happened in the span of the last 9 months and I will not try to recount it all. I find it somewhat humorous that my last post was in August because since December, I have been waiting for August to come back around. Sure August is already a neat month, my amazing mom's birthday is that month and school starts in August but this August will change Nathan's and my life forever. How? Well for those who don't follow me on Facebook we are expecting our first child, a girl sometime in early to mid August. We were not expecting to get pregnant when we did but it's amazing just how perfect God timed it looking back. But I will save that for my next post. This is about how we found out that I was pregnant.<br />
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It was just after Thanksgiving when Nathan started to think something was different about me. I didn't seem like myself. When he first mentioned it I knew I was acting differently but I thought it was from stress. Thanksgiving had been a very tough holiday to be away from family and I had been extra homesick. On top of that, it was the last 3 weeks of school and like always, I was running around trying to make up everything I had procrastinated on all semester. So for me it was just the wonderful time of the semester and it was nothing out of the ordinary. The week after Thanksgiving was pretty much flew by and Nathan still had his own ideas of what was going on but kept them to himself.<br />
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Then, the last week in November, I snapped. I had a few good cries that week, I got so mad at Nathan that I threw my keys and to top it off my face was having it's monthly acne spree plus I just didn't feel great. Well my time of the month was due to come any day so I didn't give much thought that there could be something else going on. Then, Friday, I got acid reflex. This was the one of the things that made me think something wasn't right. I told Nathan to pick up a pregnancy test on his way home from work and I would take it Saturday morning.<br />
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I woke up Saturday, December 1, morning with Nathan and took the test. I had false alarms before and I figured this was another one. Even though they tell you to wait 2-3 mins for results to appear, I stared at it waiting for it to tell me that I wasn't pregnant. Then, a faint pink line appeared. Yelled for Nathan to come in the bathroom and once there I asked him if he saw a little pink line and he said "yes. what does that mean?". I replied "It means I might be pregnant" (Side note: does anyone else see a trail of denial on my part?) Anyway, when I said that Nathan's face spread into the most elated and goofy smile, a smile I hadn't seen since our wedding day. I was in shock. He was thrilled and wanted to tell a few people. I told him not to until I took another test and got it confirmed at the doctor. Later that day, I went to Target and picked up another test. The entire time I was still in a weird stage of denial. It wasn't until I took the second test in the middle of the day and that same line appeare that I truly believed that I was indeed pregnant. That night we told our parents and our siblings who were in about as much shock as we were and a few days later the doctor confirmed that I was about a month pregnant and could expect a baby in August.<br />
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Needless to say, after this, the last two weeks of school flew by. I found an OB group and in January I got to see my baby for the first time. Seeing the baby on the sonogram made it all very real. I was still nervous about miscarrying but once I saw the baby, my worries eased a little bit. Then when I was almost 12 weeks, we announced to everyone that Baby VanderBoegh would be coming in August.<br />
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So the last 6 months have been thrilling and nerve wrecking. I got off very easy the first trimester. I was sick but barely and once I hit 14 weeks, I felt so much better. It's still hard to believe that we will be parents in 3 very short months but it is really happening. Today I am 28 weeks pregnant, the start of the 3rd trimester WOO!!! I am very excited and I am looking forward to getting back into blogging this wonderful journey.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-91845623664756507032012-08-07T08:01:00.002-07:002012-08-07T08:01:56.549-07:0015 lessons I have learned in the first 1year and 2months of MarriageMy neighbor recently posted things she had learned in two months of marriage on her blog and it got me thinking...what has my time being married taught me?<br />
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<ol>
<li>Your spouse can amaze you with how far their support goes.</li>
<li>It's okay to procrastinate on chores sometimes but don't wait too long to do them</li>
<li>There are places cheaper than walmart</li>
<li>If you find a great price on a certain food item you use a lot, stock up as much as your budget will allow</li>
<li>Pintrest is a housewife's best friend</li>
<li>DIY laundry soap and fabric softener can save a lot of money.</li>
<li>Always make time for your spouse.</li>
<li>Budgets are amazing</li>
<li>Just because you can't keep your house clean and dinner on the table every night, doesn't make you a bad wife.</li>
<li>If you have student loans or credit cards, know your debt and have a plan to pay it off</li>
<li>Baby fever will get the best of you if you let it.</li>
<li>Don't let baby fever cloud your judgement when to start trying for kids</li>
<li>The farther away from family that you are, the more precious that family becomes.</li>
<li>God will always provide even when it doesn't seem like He will.</li>
<li>No matter your circumstance, you can make it through. Nathan and I were told we were crazy for moving 500miles from family while we both worked and went to school but here we are a year later and doing well. It's not easy but we are getting through </li>
</ol>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-33531053218540483472012-08-05T20:53:00.001-07:002012-08-05T20:53:24.584-07:00Bloom where you are plantedThere are moments in our lives when we have a great epiphany where it feels like God himself has blessed you with bit of wisdom on a circumstance. If you are lucky then even as years pass, that same wisdom keeps popping up from time to time. Nearly three years ago, God granted me one little piece of wisdom. At the time I was an 18 year old freshman who was living away from home for the first time in my life. I heard a sermon preached by Dr. Richards and I all of sudden, I had a peace about my circumstance. Even though I had issues adjusting to college, I knew I could not give up. Now I am 21, married and been living 500miles away for over a year. Yet, I find myself in a very similar circumstance. I will admit, Nathan and I haven't had the easiest of times getting to know people, I still sorely miss my friends from my senior year of high school, and I am not adjusting to my new job as well as I would have liked. Yet, in the times when I wonder why God put us where He has and I think about those negative thoughts, I remember the epiphany of a very scared 18year old who ended up blooming where she was planted. Baptist College of Florida changed me and gave me the chance to meet this amazing guy I now get to called Husband. Now, once more I have a chance to bloom where I am planted and I know God has me right where I need to be.<br />
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Family update: I started a new job as a part time teller for a bank and Nathan has a few job leads so hopefully we will know something soon! And 15 days until the new semester. Oh we are in for so much fun!!!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-27691272472394027982012-06-16T20:01:00.002-07:002012-06-16T20:01:34.207-07:00The VanderBoeghs One year laterOver a year ago, I was waking up on a beautiful June 4 morning with my best friend from college in the bed next to mine and the thought came in my head "I am getting married today". For about as long I as I had been with Nathan, I dreamed of this day. Nathan and I had talked about what would be in store after this day but this very day was going to change my life forever. It was the first of many events to transpire over the next year that would challenge us and grow us as we began to live with one another. The first two weeks of marriage flew by. The honeymoon and the move really sent us for a whirlwind. Then the dust settled and it was just me, him and a brand new place we would call home.<br />
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The first 3-4months were some of the hardest for me personally. I was unemployed for part of this time (i got a job just shy of the two month mark) and I was transferring to a new college. To make the latter worse, I was a minority at my new school. I was one of the handfuls in orientation who was married and to my knowledge, I was the only one who was under the age of 25. This was also my first time at as married student. I was so lost on even how to behave in my new idenity so to say. No one here, unless they were from the college I went to before, would know me by my maiden name. My life was so vastly different from when I was single and the adjustment period was tough. Also at this time we were a one car family and since Nathan works 40hours a week in Raleigh, guess who got the car? I was lucky enough to find rides to work and I could walk to class. But this period of my life had so many adjustments, it's really only by God's provision that I made it through as I did. I have an amazing support group of my husband, my family, in laws and few friends that made getting through a lot easier.<br />
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After this adjustment period, things started to fall into a bit of a pattern. We go to church on Sunday, Nathan works during the week with class on Thursday. I had class Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the day and the worked at night. We have had some adventures along the way. In December we saw family and boy did that teach us a lot about planning family trips. We decided to do a day trip to DC and while we had fun, it was an exhausting day. Note to anyone: Day trips can only work if your are traveling less than four and half hours to get there.<br />
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Honestly there has been so much to happen over past year that I don't remember a lot of it. Much to the chagrin of my shutter bug family, I haven't taken that many photos of the last year and I wish I had because it's been an insane ride of a year. Nathan and I are still struggling with meeting new people and making friendships but we are lucky enough to be each other's best friend so that part isn't awful. We have had our fair share of fights and non happy times and it's felt like we are dancing minefields.We do miss our family and FL but we know God has us here for a reason. And at the end of it all, God is in control and He's the one taking care of us. Without Him we would not have made it this year so to Him goes all glory for what we have done, are doing, and will do in the future. We have one year under our belt and I'm look forward to what God has in store for us next.</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-62325650064037543192012-05-19T07:14:00.000-07:002012-05-19T07:14:06.198-07:00Life, Marriage and new projectsWell I took over semester off from blogging but it wasn't because I didn't want to but rather that life got in the way. Since becoming a two car family, things have been a lot easier on us. I can get things done when I want to and I don't have to wait on Nathan being home to do them. That is probably my favorite thing, that plus being able to go to school and back with out walking or asking for a ride. Since I haven't posted in a while I will give a brief update on the last few months and then the next post will be a reflection on the last year:<br />
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Decemeber we went to FL for a few very short days to spend time with family which was wonderful. And we also enjoyed our first Christmas as a married couple. At this point I should mention my absolute love of Skype. It has over the years allowed me to keep in touch with Nathan and my parents and over Christmas we got to enjoy having our family with us even though they were 10hours away.<br />
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In January we joined a church and started to get involved a little bit here and there. Also the new semester started. I was especially happy for Nathan because for the first time since he has been a student at SEBTS he had a class that met weekly.<br />
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February was fairly uneventful. The highlight was Valentines Day when Nathan surprised me at work with flowers and had dinner with me on my break. Have I mentioned how awesome my husband is?<br />
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March and April were also fairly uneventful. I did get my haircut and it's a similar style to what I got when I cut it back in July. The semester has been tough on both Nathan and myself as homework has piled up and sometimes doesn't get done. I also has to withdraw from a class for the second time since I started college. Honestly, it's an awful and sick feeling knowing I have to retake a class and that I wasted money on a class. Though the more I think about it I know I have learned two things: 1) I don't want to have this happen again and 2) even though it's awful, it's teaching me lessons I may not have learned otherwise. God is shaping me through my mistakes and maybe one day I can encourage someone because of my own life lessons. Also my closest friend I have made since coming to NC got engaged and we are now in the midst of planning her wedding. It's so crazy since it was just last year I was putting the final touches on my own wedding!<br />
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May has been a little bit more eventful. It started with celebrating 11months of marriage by seeing the Avengers which was an awesome movie :) I did find out that would not be able to pass another class which means I will only have 6 hours less hours to take but I can retake the class I failed over the summer so I will still be on track for graduation in 2015. Then the jeep decided to break down, yet again and my dear husband is in the process of trying to get it fixed. But I am so thankful for the community I live in and the other seminary wives' willingness to take me to work until the jeep is fixed. The rest of May will continue with us working and then going on a wonderful, ten day trip south to see family and friends as well as celebrating our 1 year anniversary at the beginning of June.<br />
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Well that's an update! Reflections on the last year coming soon.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-56446400282379959822011-11-09T11:37:00.000-08:002011-11-09T11:37:23.013-08:00Two car family!As most of you know, for the past 5months, Nathan and I have shared a car. We had not been very diligent and it took us a bit to decide what we wanted in a car and how we wanted to go about getting a car. Well yesterday afternoon Nathan wanted to look at a few dealerships after I got home from class so off we went. We decided to start with the dealership that was furthest from us and work our way back which was a Toyota dealership. We got to there and told the salesman what we were looking for and our price range. He was a bit concerned he would not have anything but he got his used car list and started looking. He found a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid and so we went and looked at it. It was out of our price point but we realized we might have to stretch that a little bit for a car. It was decent looking but it was missing mirrors from the sun shades and didn't have cup holders in the back. We test drove it and it was a decent ride. Thus far, it was the best car for the price that we had seen. We told our salesman we needed to talk about it so we went back to the jeep and made a few phone calls to consult our parents on what they thought. There were some concerns but we knew we needed to do what was best for us. So before we went back inside we prayed that God would guide us as we looked into this car.<br />
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When we went back in, Nathan asked a few questions and we realized that the honda was not for us but our salesman had a trick up his sleeve. While we had been consulting our parents about the honda, there was a 2007 Toyota Yaris that had just come out of detailing and was preparing to go onto the lot for first time. Our salesman told us that even though it was more expensive, it would fit better into our monthly budget. We decided to look at it and I personally fell in love with it when I saw it. It had fewer miles on it, wasn't missing random parts and was still very good gas mileage. The drive was very smooth, granted most anything feels smooth compared to the jeep. After we came back from the test drive, Nathan and I talked about it and knew it was the right car. It had the four doors like I wanted with the fewer miles that Nathan wanted. Plus it's a Toyota which my family loves and it gets excellent gar mileage which everyone loves. The payments ended up being more than we wanted but we are still able to stay within our budget. It's crazy to think we have two cars now. The challenge for me is getting used to Nathan's jeep and making sure I take care of it. We can afford 1 car payment...not 2. Today has been my first day with jeep and I love the freedom. After class I was able to go to Target and pickup some stuff we didn't get last time we went shopping, then I checked the mail and I came home. I really do love the freedom but I will always try to not take having a car for granted. For 5months, I relied on Nathan and many friends and neighbors to get me from place to place. For everyone who helped me get from point A to point B: Thank you from the bottom of my heart, your willingness to make that type of sacrifice for me is something I pray God will allow me one day to pay forward.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-23335852752073259402011-11-04T06:35:00.000-07:002011-11-04T06:35:16.658-07:00Five months married with updatesFive months ago today, I started on the most insane adventure of my life when I married Nathan. Two weeks later we would move up to NC where the craziness truly began. But man where did October go? It's seems like yesterday I was baking a cake for Nathan's birthday. I experienced a milestone birthday with turning 21 but since I made the decision that I didn't want to drink alcohol when I came of age, it just seems like another birthday.For my birthday, I worked an 8hour shift but the next day Nathan took me shopping which was a lot of fun. We ended the night with ordering chilli's to go and renting Car 2 from red box. It was a great way to spend my birthday.<br />
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Overall life has been nuts. I am working 28-31hours a week with no chance of my hours being cut. We are slowly shifting into holiday hours which after Thanksgiving mean we will be closing at midnight. Up to Thanksgiving we close at 11pm meaning I don't get off until 11:30. Then, since we share a car, I have get up at 7 to leave with Nathan so he can drop me off at SEBTS and then normally I walk home. It's crazy but we take heart in knowing that it's only temporary. Nathan found out this week he's being transferred to a bank about two miles away from the branch he works at now. It's not ideal but it is what it is and I know he will do well.<br />
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We have been approved for a car loan through the bank so we are semi actively looking for a second car. I'm so ready to have another car and gain some independence. Nonetheless this season has made me very appreciative of having reliable transportation which is something I think we tend to take for granted. In other news, we still have yet to find a church home. We have visited around to about 10 churches visiting most twice. I know we are both ready to find a church home and I'm hoping God will show us where He wants us soon.<br />
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Five months in, I am still beyond thankful God has allowed us to be here. It's crazy to think that a year ago Nathan first mentioned going to SEBTS and told me he wanted to move up here.I honestly couldn't imagine that we would be here. It's crazy just how much life has changed in my family. Rachel and I are both on our own, married, and thriving. These changes in seasons are never easy but they are so worth the effort :)<br />
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Speaking of seasons, I will post pics so of this gorgeous fall we are experiencing in NC. I love the weather!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-28457223504936737492011-09-05T18:36:00.000-07:002011-09-05T18:36:05.175-07:00Dancing in the MinefieldsWhen Nathan and I got married over three months ago, we knew the journey we were starting on together would not be an easy one. It kind of felt like we were sailing out on the ocean knowing there was a nasty thunder storm directly ahead but not know how big it was or what it had the power to do. It took us about two months to make it to the thunderstorm but we saw it coming. The waves were getting bigger and the wind was gaining strength. Nathan got more hours at work and I was looking for work.We started really working together as a team in order to make it through. Then it hit. Waves crashing on the deck of the boat and the was wind sometimes too hard to pull through. We started working more and then added school in the middle of it. Where we stand right now, Nathan is working 38-48 hours a week and I'm working 28 hours a week. We are both taking classes and our schedules are opposite.I have class in the morning and work at night. Nathan works in the day and has online classes at night. This is very tough. We are sailing in the middle of our first real storm and we working together to make it through. Seminary and college is not easy when you are single and worse married. Last week I broke down and got up to make it through the rest of the week.<br />
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Even though I say all of that, I wouldn't change where I am. We are right where God wants us and He is giving us the tools to make it. Does it stink that I barely see Nathan? Oh yeah but I thank God for allowing us to not only pay our bills but put some into savings. I am thankful that God is providing for us even though it comes with some sacrifice. There's a song called Dancing in the Minefields by Andrew Peterson. It's about a young couple who get married and even though they struggle, they stick with it. Moving up to NC right after getting married was extremely hard but I can't imagine doing this with anyone else. I am more in love with Nathan now than I was three months ago when I married him and that also makes everything more difficult but it's worth it for where we are.<br />
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So in review of the past three months: the most difficult yet rewarding three months of my life.<br />
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Here's the song I mentioned above:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NtTa81LyuQM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-19203843493110179552011-08-20T14:53:00.000-07:002011-08-20T14:54:13.755-07:00Married life, Two months inI know it's been awhile since my last post but I just felt like there wasn't very much that had gone on that was enough to blog about and then when there was stuff to post, I was just too busy. Nathan and I have gotten into a routine here. We wake up around 7-9 depending on that morning. We get our showers, Nathan does his devotional and I come down stairs. Some mornings Nathan even makes breakfast. After that we just hang out around the house and we do what little bit of cleaning needs to be done. Of course that varies if one of us works. Yes I said "us". I finally got a job late July at Kohl's and the best part is it's about a mile from the aparment! Honestly, I really enjoy working there. It's so nice to not work fast food and I'm not handling as much money either. Nathan also got a second part time job at a bank as a teller. From Aug 15-26 Nathan is in Raleigh for training from 8:30am-5pm. The bank is a huge blessing in that Nathan and I can get off our parents' insurances as well as giving us a chance to bank with a larger bank. I was accepted into the College at Southeastern and I start my classes Tuesday. From August 14-19 I was put through a long and somewhat painful orientation but it's done and I'm happy to start classes. I declared my major as BA in Christian Studies with a minor in Music. It feels strange to go back to music in school after abonding it in high school. Nevertheless, I am thrilled to get back into playing clarinet, my primary instrument. My ultimate goal now is to get connected with a homeschooling group teaching music and giving private lessons to elementary and middle school aged kids. I started playing clarinet in the 4th grade so the age group has a soft spot in my heart.<br />
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In other news, my brother in law finished Navy boot camp early August and I am so proud of him and my family for making it through those two months. I'm not sure when my sister will get to move up with him but I know it will work out in God's timing. Also, Nathan and I are getting more settled in. It seems like every few days or so, we meet someone new and there a friendships that are starting to form. A family friend on my mom's side moved up right before orientation and it's been fun having her around as well. So that pretty much sums up the last month for us. It's crazy to think we have lived here two months already but it's been such a blessing. Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-81138760499519661182011-07-11T16:02:00.000-07:002011-07-11T16:02:30.633-07:00The Journey of 577miles Begins With the First StepIt's hard to believe it even happened. I think back on moving and it feels like it was ages ago. Once we got back from our honeymoon with set our sights on trying to get everything together before June 17. June 10-12 we spent with my family and getting my room packed. Then on the 13th we said our good bye to Orlando by visiting Disney. Tuesday and Wednesday (14th&15th)we spent packing Nathan's room up and getting our wedding gifts in order. Thursday (16th) we picked up our moving truck. We packed up the stuff at Nathan's place first and then we packed up mine in to the truck. Friday June 17, we woke up early, got everything else together and, with my parents, we headed to NC.<br />
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Honestly, the drive was not as bad as I thought it would be. It was very long but it gave Nathan and I time to talk and listen to music. If we were bored enough we even sang along. We also continued to play a game called Penske. It's like punch buggy without the punch. If we saw a Penske truck then would call it and who ever called it first won. We didn't keep score but it was still fun for a 11 and half hour drive. We also would pick out cities that we would see on signs and keep track of how close we were to them. Once we passed the city, we picked a new one. The worst part of the drive other than going straight through middle of SC was when we hit Raleigh traffic at 4:30. With a 16ft long truck plus a car carrier on the back made for a <i>very</i> interesting drive. Plus Nathan was not used to the hills that NC has. It's a lot different than flat Florida. But we finally made it safe and sound.<br />
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Once we got the townhouses, we located the housing office and got our keys. Then the fun part of unloading began. For the most part it was just Nathan and my dad. Half way through we realized that the AC wasn't coming on. So we called the emergency maintenance guy who came and looked at it. He told us that they would have to replace it on Monday so for the weekend they would have us stay in another apartment. Near the end of it a neighbor one door down came over with her husband to help us finish getting stuff done. After that we went a got dinner before heading in for the night.<br />
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The next day we started settling stuff in with the help of my parents. It was nice to have their help with getting some of the stuff accomplished. We went to some of the stores and started getting the extra things that we still needed. Sunday was bittersweet with having to say good bye to my parents. I know I didn't make the most of my time with them and that was hard. It felt so strange being there by myself with Nathan. There was no turning back. We were here to stay. We spent most of the day at the townhouse getting more things done and putting more things in place. Nathan also found out that his job wouldn't start until July. I wasn't too happy knowing that we would be without a paycheck for two weeks but I was happy I would get extra time with Nathan before he started at Best Buy. I wasn't going to have to start straightway with being a stay at home wife. Now that we had a home, married life was really going to start.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-60872844648125198202011-06-30T07:48:00.000-07:002011-06-30T07:48:26.064-07:00HoneymoonThe thing I loved most about our honeymoon was how close it was to the wedding. Once we got there, we didn't have to worry about a flight to catch or making a reservation; we just checked in and settled in for a relaxing week with each other. Now we told most people we were staying St. Augustine for our honeymoon but we actually were in Palm Coast. We took three days to spend in St. Augustine but would always go back to our resort in Palm Coast. Now the place we stayed in was a vacation club. The room was basically an apartment. It was 1,100 square feet with a living room, full kitchen and two bedrooms (one with a queen size bed and the other with a king). Plus the master suite had a whirlpool bath tub. Once we got checked into the resort we went to Walmart and picked up breakfast and lunch foods for the week that way we only ate out once per day. Sunday morning we woke up, ate breakfast and decided to explore the resort. Later on we went and saw X Men: First class and ate at a Japanese steak house for dinner. For rest of the week took little day trips out for shopping at to see St Augustine. One of the really neat things we got to do was go on a kayak tour in a salt water marsh at sunset. It was an interesting experience for Nathan and I because it was double kayak. It took a lot of teamwork but it was fun. We even got to see dolphins twice. The first encounter was at the beginning of the tour and our guide told us it was two males who had probably been kicked out of the pod. The second encounter was at the end of the tour and our guide told us it was a small pod. It looked like two females and juvenile.Our guide was going to let us get closer but one of those huge charter cruises came through and scared the dolphins away.Overall the honeymoon was a great time for Nathan and me. We enjoyed going at our own pace and relaxing.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-45424724546586288512011-06-23T06:03:00.000-07:002011-06-23T06:03:52.641-07:00Wedding!!!!So the day finally came. June 3rd I was a mess but everything went fine for the rehearsal. June 4 morning I woke up feeling calm. I was too nervous to really eat but I did feel very serene. We got to the church and started getting things set up. I went into holding take number 1...I mean I went into the room to get ready. Unfortunately for us someone forgot to tell us that the AC was broken in the room. I was fine but the rest of my bridesmaids and family weren't doing so well. After getting my hair and make up done, I got into my dress and then I felt the heat everyone else had felt for the past hour. Then it was time for pictures and after that people started showing up. I was put into a small room attached to a bathroom to hide while everyone came in. It was a lot cooler than the other but eventually people stopped coming in and out I was left by myself in holding tank number 2. I was there for probably 10 mins when my wedding coordinator (my aunt) realized I was missing haha. The ceremony was a blur. Seeing Nathan was amazing. He had the biggest smile on his face and I felt so blessed to be marrying him. The only thing I really remember from the wedding is when we were saying our vows my dad thought it would be funny to add in "obey" to the end of my vows and so I stood there for what seemed like minutes before I choked out "obey" to which all of our guests busted out laughing. We made it through the rest of the ceremony pretty painlessly but then came the kiss. My dad said "You may now kiss the bride" but he should have said "You may now kiss the groom" because I unknowingly grabbed the sleeve of Nathan's tux and pulled him in to kiss me which caught him completely off guard. After the recessional we took pictures for what seemed like forever and then it was off to the reception. It's funny because I see brides always so relieved to be sitting down and never understood why. Well after walking around in my dress all day, I understand now. It was heavy even for an A line dress and poor Nathan kept stepping on it during the reception. The fellowship hall looked beautiful. When we picked a meadow theme, I was worried it would look too country but all you could see was colorful flowers that just brighten up the room. The reception for the most part was a blur as well. We went around to all of our guest's table to thank them for coming and that was tiring. The cakes were beautiful. Again I was worried about how they would look and it was beyond my dreams. Nathan did get me with cake after we took the first bite but I didn't take revenge right then and there. I know I will get an opportunity later on for that ;) After the speeches and the tosses, it was time to get ready to leave. My mom helped me out of my dress and I changed into my going away dress. Nathan and I posed for a few more pictures in our going away clothes and the headed out into the storm of birdseed. It truly was a storm and it was everywhere. The right as we were about to leave Nathan's cousin took a cup of birdseed and threw it into the jeep. It's been 2 and half weeks since this happened we still have birdseed in the jeep. Overall the wedding experience was hard work but worth the effort. My parents and the rest of the family gave me a wedding I won't ever forget. Thank you to all who were there, all who helped and my parents.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-69211085779006045402011-06-04T04:09:00.000-07:002011-06-04T04:09:27.522-07:00Finally here!Today is the day I have been dreaming of for over a year. The day I marry Nathan. For 10months we have planned and thought out how this day would go. Now here it is. Everything is set. The church and fellowship hall look great, all of my stuff is set to go, the bridal party has their things. I mean it really is all done. And many might ask.... how do you feel now that your wedding is 7 hours away? Honestly, I woke up tired and now the nerves are setting in. I could barely sleep at all last night and my room so uncomfortable that at around 2:30 I took a blanket and pillow and slept on the couch. Mentally, I'm very calm but physically I can tell my body is nervous. I don't why considering I feel pretty calm and tired. Well this is my last post before I get married. I am very excited and I can't wait to see how the day turns out.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-38579963409491729862011-06-03T12:12:00.000-07:002011-06-03T12:12:43.803-07:00Tomorrow I will marry my friend...It's hard to believe that tomorrow I will be married. It's been such a hard and joyous time leading up to this wedding. I remember meeting Nathan vaguely and after the first time we meet, I saw him a lot around campus. I would go into the pool hall and just hang out while him and some other friends played a game or two. Nothing ever really stood out about him until one October night when I went bowling with some friends. Well we were supposed to go bowling but the place was closed so we decided to mini golfing instead. That night was freezing, I was sooo cold and I was mad that plans had changed. I just calmed right up. I didn't talk, I didn't play and I just walked around the course while everyone else played. Nathan offered me his coat but I refused it. Later, after the game, he decided to steal my shoe to try and break my irritation. It didn't work but I was starting to warm up a little bit. After the game we went to Krispy Kreme and I don't know why for life of me I decided to ride in his car, much less the front seat, but I did. The ride back was nice and it was this night that Nathan caught my attention. One October night that has turned into many nights of movies, dinners, skype, walks, puzzles and the sheer enjoyment of each other. In Nathan I have found someone who brings out the best in me in a way I never dreamed possible. Everyday I know we grow closer and with this bond as our base as well as our mutual faith in God, I know this marriage will work. I'm looking forward to celebrating many June 4ths after this one with the one God has given me :)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-24238336132196796182011-05-18T12:49:00.000-07:002011-05-18T12:53:49.837-07:00Everything is changing17 days...Just 17 days until this chapter of my life finally ends and my new one as a married woman begins. It just doesn't seem real to me that this is happening. These past few months have been extremely difficult for my family. Everyone in my house has a full plate and it's been difficult on everyone, even my nephew to an extent. It's like my world has been turned upside down a few times. It's been hard but it's so amazing to see how God has gotten my family through all of this. It's been hard at times to realize that high school is done and people have moved on. I look back at all the outings I took with some friends and I miss those times. I miss the friends I had and I wish that some of those friendships were still around. In the end I know high school is a faint blimp in my history andr a chapter of my life that ended nearly two years ago. I'm now trying to look forward to the things to come like meeting new people when I move and cherish the people I have supporting me now.<br />
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So the packing process is underway. Nathan came over last Friday and between Friday and Sunday, we got a lot of my room cleaned out and got two boxes packed. It's still crazy to think how soon that room will be empty of my stuff and be in a U Haul headed up to NC. There's still packing to be done but I think the rest of it should be pretty easy.<br />
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In wedding news my dress is in and looks great. The hem and bustle are perfect. I can walk around in it and it's actually not too heavy nor does it feel like I'm going to trip in it. So I should be able to walk around the church and fellowship hall pretty easily :) Both of my wedding showers are done and I was amazed by how generous people are. Both were beautiful and a big thanks to all who help put them together. This weekend, we are finishing up flower arrangements and possibly a hair trial? All these little details are coming together to make a beautiful June 4.<br />
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Well that's it for now. I'm going to try and post more as the wedding get closer but we will see how that works out :)<br />
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Also I need all of my readers' help. Since I created my blog, I haven't been too thrilled with the name of it and I want to change it but I'm not too sure what to change it to. If you have any ideas, post them please. I would love to hear them.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-66978388828344994372011-04-21T21:05:00.000-07:002011-04-21T21:05:48.412-07:00Blooming againSo on August 19, 2009 I posted the following note of Facebook:<br />
The sermon in chapel hit a nerve with me today. I have been in the midst of an inner storm involving many things including people, my self esteem, and missing home. I felt like God wasn’t providing me with anything to grab on to and the rope I was hanging on to was my own strength when in reality it’s God holding the rope and He’s waiting for me to stop squirming long enough to pull me up. As most of us know it’s hard to give up all control to God in hard situations because we wonder if He’s really going to take care of it. We stand there like the Israelites and think about how much easier life was when everything was just a little better. Egypt wasn’t that bad. We had only a little food. The beatings weren’t that painful compared to the exhaustion of wandering in a desert with as much food as we have hope. I think of that with me and my struggle first coming to BCF. Life in DeLand wasn’t that bad. I could grow there. Life there isn’t bad compared to this pain of homesickness and loneliness of being here at BCF. Then like God told the Israelites, He tells me “Oh but the life I have for you in Graceville isn’t that bad either. In fact it’s better. Where DeLand could only grow you so much Graceville can grow you beyond what DeLand could merely hold. You are looking for a way out of your despair. Look to me for I am The Way.” I am not completely fixed because like all Christians I am a constant work in progress and I won’t be finished until the day God takes me from this planet. But it’s nice to see the work of the Potter’s hand.<br />
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I look back on this a year and half later and I find that I am in same spot that the 18year old Leah was in but with a few changes. At this time, I had not met Nathan yet and I wouldn't meet him for another week or so. Now I'm marrying a man that was completely unknown to me at the time I wrote this and we are moving to NC! I knew I wanted to go to SEBTS but just not this soon and it was so supposed to be for my Masters, not my husband's! God has allowed me the opportunity to grow in DeLand for a season and it's been amazing. I never knew I would learn so much about myself just by working at Taco Bell! Now, my season is almost up and I will be on to the next one in NC. I know I will face trials and a lot of homesickness. Poor Nathan will have to deal with nights of me just crying because I miss home even though, honestly, I will already be home. By that I mean my parent's safe ADT secure nest will no longer be where I call home. Home will be in North Carolina in a small townhouse with Nathan. Once again God will be giving me a chance to blossom and strive in a new state with new challenges and excitement. Tonight, it really hit me that this is happening. So I cried for a good hour, wallowing in my bitter sweetness of the fact that this is happening. My room is in the mess of packing, May will bring two wedding showers and I will begin really trying to get things in together because 4 days into June I will become a Mrs. Well it is getting late and I'm getting sleepy. I'm nervous but excited to get things going and to move on into the life that awaits me :)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-57204823874672374952011-03-23T18:13:00.000-07:002011-03-23T18:13:15.889-07:00Two and half months and counting (with big changes)Wow has it really been over a month since my last post? Well life has gotten pretty insane. Work was getting out of hand because I was working 35+ hours a week and I finally got the courage to get them to cut my hours. From that point on it's been pretty smooth. School I must say has been up and down. I'm not failing but it's been very difficult to keep up with my online courses and I'm praying I will find a balance to keep it all together. Wedding wise my family and I are finally on the ball with stuff for the wedding. On Saturday we got a bunch of flowers for the center pieces in the reception. Gotta love Michael's having a sale! I also decided to add on fourth bridesmaid to my bridal party. It's a very dear friend from my time at BCF and I am so excited she is going to be up there with me and the rest of my girls. Nathan and I have been very blessed this past month with managing to see each other about once a week and it's been so wonderful. We did finally get engagement pictures done and they turned out very well. We might do another session with friend of ours because we found a location in Altamonte Springs that we fell in love with and would love have some shots taken there.Also we have our wedding bands and I will be scheduling my first fitting sometime in April.<br />
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A big answer to prayer came Monday but I need to give a little bit of background information: Ever since Nathan decided on where he would go to seminary, we have been faced with the big decision of whether to stay in Florida while he continues online or to move up to North Carolina right away. We have gone back and forth for months asking different people and getting different answers each time. About 3weeks ago I told Nathan that we needed to apply for housing at the seminary and if we were approved, we should go. So fast forward to this past Monday and well... we were approved for housing and are now looking to schedule a move in date. Yes we are indeed, moving to North Carolina. A missionary came and spoke on the day before finding this out and she quoted Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps". My mom has told me this has been a crucial verse for her and my dad over the years and now it's becoming one for Nathan and I as we plan out how we will start our married life.I'm not going to lie, it's down right terrifying knowing I am moving to a totally different state that's over 500miles from home with a new husband with just our savings, possessions and God's promise to not leave us. I have looked online at where we will be living and the place looks nice. We will really need prayers as we prepare for the homestretch of the wedding and our move to North Carolina. Needless to say, the next 3months are going to be hectic.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-3697217604161027042011-02-02T06:23:00.000-08:002011-02-02T06:23:16.253-08:0018 weeks and a fun weekend This weekend was sooooo much fun! Friday afternoon, I got off work early and so did Nathan. Seeing him was so wonderful. It's such an amazing feeling to be back in his arms even after two weeks. I was excited for the time with him and seeing his family. We got to his parent's house, ate a very yummy dinner, I cut Nathan's hair and we played a few games with his parents, his sister and her husband. Nathan and I were both pretty tired around 10ish so we prayed and parted ways for bed. Nathan being the gentleman that he is gave up his bed for the couch so I could sleep in his room. It is very strange sleeping in a bed that i know will become my bed in mere months. The next morning I woke up a little early and I got sometime to chat with his mom. When Nathan got up he made us all breakfast and we spent part of the morning relaxing. After that we started on our way out with errands to run. The first being the mall. Nathan expected to only spend an hour or 2 in the mall but I had other plans ;) He's learning how much time I can really spend in a mall. We got our wedding bands purchased and wandered around a bit with a few other purchases here and there. I dragged him into a store to look at Vera Bradley and I have to admit I loved looking at his face as he saw price tags hehe. After we finished at the mall we went over to Men's Wearhouse and decided on what Nathan, my dad, and the groomsmen will wear. From there we looked in a few more stores and I bought a book full of wedding music for my pianist to use. Then we went a few more places before going back to his house and walked through his neighborhood. It was so nice just sitting there and talking to Nathan. Even with having skype, having long talking in person is one of the things I miss most when Nathan and I are apart. That night we went out with his parents for dinner and the looked in Best Buy for possible phone. I won't switch to Nathan's plan until July but we still decided to look for him and his parents. When we got back to his house, Nathan and I sat and talked some more before going to bed. Sunday morning we opted not to go to Sunday school because my stomach was acting up but we did meet his parents at their church and ate lunch at Steak and Shake after the service. Nathan and I decided to see a movie since the local movie theater does $5 movies on sundays. From there we went back to my house where we spent time just cuddling and watching TV. I also had an awesome Skype date with my best friend / MOH. While I talked Nathan ate and played with his iPod. But all too soon it was time to say good bye for another two weeks. I know it's hard this every two weeks thing but it's really the best for us. <br />
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I wasn't aware of this until one of the women on The Knot message board posted something about it but my wedding (like hers and many others) is 18 weeks away. It's hard to believe it's getting so close. I'm past the half way mark and I'm 2months away from the start of the home stretch. The next two months leading up to the 2month mark will be filled with getting the guest list set and invitations address, probably setting up my first fitting for march, deciding on a general color scheme past the cornflower blue, picking flowers, getting engagement pictures finally done, start/ finish premarital counseling and deciding on the cake design. We also will probably start making candies as well. Ahhhh soooo much to do in the 4months we have leftLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-85752526740652011562011-01-26T18:15:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:16:42.520-08:00Life in full swing!!Note the date is wrong: If you know how to post date blog entries, please tell me! This was thursday or Wednesday when I wrote this. <br />
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I'm not going to lie, my life has gotten very hectic and I know this trend will only continue leading up to the wedding. I am working on average 30hours a week and now I'm in full time school. Honestly though, I love being back in school. I seriously wish I had taken more lecture classes because I forgot how much I missed being in them! Online school is still hard but I'm getting the hang of it. I have been working on cleaning up my room for about 2 weeks and slowly but surely, it shows signs of improvement. My goal is to put a desk in my room with my printer so I actually have real study space! *happy dance* I'm hoping to finish it before spending a much needed weekend with Nathan. It's been almost two weeks since I last saw him and it's been easier than last time. This weekend will most likely be filled with wedding stuff I need to get done down in Orlando. It will be so much more fun since I have Nathan there. I'm trying not to think too much about it since anything could happen and I don't want to plan too much. But I know things will come together and it will be worth it come friday afternoon.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-78919641816467636152011-01-11T21:54:00.000-08:002011-01-11T21:54:51.036-08:00Storm is brewingSo I think today marks the beginning of a very hard 4months, 3 weeks and 3days or 143days, take your pick. Basically I know leading up to June 4th is going to be a lot harder than I ever imagined. Today was one fiasco after another trying to get set up with DSC which I should have done before last semester was up. But did I? Nope so I was stuck being pushed one place and to another and back to the same place. I was at DSC from around 10am - about 3pm. I went home once to mope about how things weren't working out and then I took an hour lunch going all the way to Chick Fil A in Orange City. Then CFA messed up my order but I didn't care, I was hungry. Anyways most of the day I was wishing I had never left BCF but when I saw my school bill get cut in half, it made it all worth it.... I think. But for now I'm in and I'm set. As I said in the beginning, I know today marks the start of a hard few months. I look at my schedule and I have 2 online classes and 2 in class(I am not looking forward to telling my boss about those). I think it's a God thing one of them doesn't start until March because it gives me valuable time to get a car. Between this and work, I already feel overwhelmed. Plus I am still teaching a Sunday school class and I would like to see Nathan more than once or twice before I marry him. Right now though, that seems like a very slim possibility. And that class that starts in March meets 4days a week plus a lab on the 4thday. And did I mention I'm planning a wedding?<br />
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I know it seems like I am complaining which is probably right but I'm trying to sort out how the next few months are going to play out. I don't like not having an idea of what's going to happen other than it's going to be hard. Not ideal but it's what I have been given. Recently, I think God has been trying to teach me about faith and relying on Him. Two things that can be difficult when all you want is for things to go smoothly and for there to not be any hiccups. When I was out and about with my MOH and her mom I found a sign that said "Faith makes things possible- not easy." Right now, I want things to be easy. I want to throw my temper tantrum and deny what's going on, kind of like the ostrich effect. In the past and even today, my poor fiance has been on the opposite side of one of my nervous breakdowns as I was realizing how much I have to let God control my life. Honestly, I am scared for the next few months because I know it won't be easy and I don't like the pain that doing something hard can bring. It's in these times that I know I have to look to God the most. It's now that I have to find my courage and step up as a woman to my mountain and climb it. I know it might all seem mellow dramatic but I have learned that's how my mind works. Anyways I am going to start studying one of my favorite women in the Bible, Esther because Sunday I get to teach my kids about her and how we can be brave like Esther. I think this lesson will be more for me than my kids haha.<br />
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So I have another busy day at work tomorrow and Thursday I'm going to hopefully get financial aid worked out. One final thought: I thought about where it says "Be still and know I am God", so I looked it up and went ahead with reading all of Psalm 46, it's a great one. That's my challenge to me and my readers, we have to remember who is in control and be still and know He is God. Good night :)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-64353721662147498652011-01-09T19:21:00.000-08:002011-01-09T19:21:22.349-08:00Long Distance and wedding newsOver the summer Nathan and I faced our biggest challenge in our relationship when, for 3months, we were in a long distance relationship. After spending the first 6months constantly spending time together, it was a dramatic and difficult switch. I had sometime to adjust to not seeing him for two weeks before I went on my mission trip to South Florida. I thought the summer would never end and I know it was the hardest 3months of my life. But somehow the Lord got us through it and we ended up closer than before. It had been so hard on me that I even told Nathan that I didn't ever want to be in a long distance relationship again. I loved him but I wanted him closer. Well the Lord had other plans in mind.<br />
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Currently, Nathan and I are a little over an hour away from each other.Technically, it's a long distance relationship. For most people this wouldn't be a big deal but both of us work and I don't have a car and gas prices have gone up recently. It makes it difficult to see him when I would like to. I wish I could see him on a daily basis and be more in his life but I know right now that's not possible. But even with this, I know there's a reason behind it and God has provided us with ways to make this time apart easier. It is now that I will say that Skype is one of the best computer programs ever made. I honestly thank God for the modern technology that gives us the ability to communicate more and on a daily basis without running up a huge phone bill. Even with this stuff, I still long to have Nathan with me. So the other day on my way to church, I started thinking of reasons for us not living closer. And I came up with a few:<br />
1. It makes the time I get with him in person better because I don't take it for granted.<br />
2. It keep temptation at bay because we aren't actually seeing each other in person. <br />
3. It gives us (me especially) the ability to have an identity outside of our relationship. I'm not just Nathan's fiance, I'm Leah. I'm a Child of God that was fearfully and wonderfully made, I have my own thoughts and ideas and my own dreams.<br />
There's definitely more but those are my top 3. I'm thankful for this time apart because I know how much it's strengthening our relationship and growing us closer to God. <br />
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In wedding news we got our "unity portion" of the ceremony taken care of. We decided to do unity wax which is granulated wax that acts like sand until heated. So we are making a candle. We have purple wax for me and green for Nathan plus white to represent God being the base of our marriage. We are still trying to get flowers done. DIYing them has been harder than I thought and we haven't even purchased flowers yet! And we are still looking for a photographer. I can't believe it's under 5months! I can't wait to be Leah VanderBoegh with all the trials and joys will come our way.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-20036297591410504102011-01-01T06:56:00.000-08:002011-01-01T06:56:02.346-08:00New year new changesIt's hard to believe 2011 is here. I was getting ready for bed when I got another deep thought. It started out as hurt but it became joy believe it or not. Now I can't sleep again haha. I didn't think being engaged would change me so much but already I'm dealing with loneliness that married women have admitted to crying over. It's so hard at times. I so desperately miss having a social life but it disappeared when I came back to DeLand. I have heard of friends getting together and me not getting invited. I knew I would deal with this once I got married but I'm already feeling the sting 5months before my wedding. I guess it's God's way of preparing me for the things to come. The one feeling I dread the most is loneliness and I'm feeling it so strongly already. I think I'm already mourning the days over my single youth while looking forward to the days of married youth. Okay vent over.<br />
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So 2011 will bring about many new changes. It will bring a new life for Nathan and I as we become husband and wife. As the date draws near I have some fear for the unknown. I have no clue what God will do with us in 2011 and where we will be lead. I finally have a peace about leaving Florida should God grant us the ability to go. I have accepted it as a very real possibility and I am more willing than ever to follow it. Granted right now it could be because I am feeling lonely but I think that God could use it to break me and show me I wasn't 100% on board. It's so unfathomable the changes that will happen. I will, as of June 4, take on a name that's nearly double the length of mine. I will no longer live with my parents but rather with Nathan. I will have to pay bills and plan out things for Nathan and I. I will have to run my own home and take care of the Nathan and Leah VanderBoegh family. This will be double my laundry, double my dishes, and double a food bill. When I look at all that the typical working wife has to do before having kids, it does seem like a lot and I know it will be doubled once we add a baby to the mix (Lord willing not for a while). It's a daunting mountain in front of me but I know with the Lord's help I will make it. I know that it's worth every lonely feeling and every uninvited event to be married to Nathan. The Lord took Nathan and I on a roller coaster last year as we fell in love in January and then went through making the ultimate decision to get married and planning our way to that day. It was so much harder than I thought it would be but God brought us through it. There's a song by Andrew Peterson called Dancing in the Minefields and even though it's meant for married couples I love it because we all face those challenges and storms whether we are married or single. Following God is harder than we dreamed but I believe that's what His promises are for. I have said a lot in this entry but I'm actually becoming okay with the lonileness. Maybe I wasn't to start typing this but I am now haha. I know God is doing an awesome work not only in Nathan and in me but also in us as two people becoming a new family. I know what the cross means and I know what the ring on my hand means. The cross is the fulfilled promises of the One who chose me to die for and to give me a new life. The ring on my hand was given to me by a man who chose me to go through an at times painful and at other times joyous engagement of 10months and 5days in order to at the end call me his wife. I doubt any man (Nathan included) goes through an engagement for the fun of it and not for the end product of a wife. That ring means, he's not leaving me. Even though, yes you could take away the ring and I know he's still mine, it's visual reminder of a promise. Both God and Nathan chose me. I rely on both, God first then Nathan and lastly the family who brought in to this point for the plans ahead.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446811636543099345.post-16464977745365094092010-12-14T05:28:00.000-08:002010-12-14T05:28:29.385-08:00Engaged!!!As I mentioned in my last post, I had double ear infection and pink eye and was recovering at home trying to get better. I felt bad for Nathan because I knew he wanted to be here taking care of me but had his job in Thomasville to do. Well the morning of July 30 was like any other morning except i slept in very late because I wasn't feeling too good. I got up and I was hanging out in the den playing with my nephew when all of a sudden Nathan comes in the room. I was speechless but elated that he was here. He brought daises (my favorite flower), chicken soup, toy story 1 & 2, and Chuck season 2. We got settled in and watched a few Chuck episodes before my mom came back from work and we went to walmart and got dinner. After dinner we hung out and watched tv. But it was a show i knew Nathan didn't like and so after a little bit we went out on the deck of my house and sat and talked mainly about my summer. Then Nathan asked me if i felt like i was really ready for ministry and everything thing that comes with it. To me this was a no brainer. Of course im ready for whatever the Lord has in store, especially in ministry. "Well there's just one more question to ask," he said (not direct quote) as he was pulling out the little black box and when he opened the box he said "Leah, will you marry me?" I was apparently speechless to Nathan because he didn't hear me saying say "yes! Of course!!" in my lacking an ability to scream at the time from being sick. Finally he did understand i was saying yes and with shaking hands (both of his and mine) he place the ring on my hand, we hugged, and for the first time we kissed. I was in such shock that he was even there in the first place and then to have him propose was that much more to the day.<br />
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But there was even more surprises. First one was that his summer job was done and he was in Orlando for good. The second one was, if I was up for it, going to universal on Monday instead of in two weeks like we planned before. We did go but only with one condition from my mom which was i had to be in a wheelchair most of the time.The next 10days felt like a dream to me. I spent a whole ten days with Nathan and it was pure bliss. It was like we literally got a bit of "engagement honeymoon" with how much time we were able to spend together. But alas, this was the most time we would get together in one chunk until we are married. In the four and half months since we got engaged, we have set a date, June 4, 2011, set an officiant (my dad), reserved a venue for ceremony/reception, pick out the bridal party, reserved tuxs, bought my dress, bought invitations, picked out bridesmaid dresses and reserved a baker. We have decided to do our own flowers minus the bouts and the corsages as well. The planning process has been hard and a bit tedious at times but it's still a lot of fun. I enjoy the online community of other brides getting married in June 2011 as well and the community of Christian brides. They have become like a second family to me and I'm so thankful for the support from The Knot and my Knotties :)<br />
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Eventually Nathan and I both got jobs but he works in south Orlando and I'm up here in DeLand. It's made seeing each other often difficult but we some how manage at least once every 2 weeks if not once a week if our works schedules match up. Now that I have brought you up to speed on what's happened, we can begin the journey to the alter!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710117833429778558noreply@blogger.com0