1st off, being married for 1 year. I am so thankful for my husband. I remember first things came up, he's a lot cleaner than I am. I had to work and still am having to work on that, as I insert procrastination in cleaning sometimes until a guest comes over! Clothes, organization,all those little things,those were some of the first challenges is working to find a balance, an in between, and I think we still are working on that ; )
We've always gone on date nights, movies, walks, etc. but we also need to budget with our finances, and that I think yet again we are figuring out and still working on. But I can say we balance each other out, most of the time. Now too it's changed dramatically as we went from 2 incomes, to 1 income. We have diaper cost, grocery cost, budgets, coupons,and let me tell you, I'm thankful for 5% at Target and applications cause I'm not a coupon crazy, certain ones like Pampers and Dreft, but yeah, I make lists and stick to them, with the occasion of smores, or a dessert, or Oreos (ya'll who know me know I love Oreos).
Family & Friends, a balance, I think that is going pretty well, but I always have my God to lift up my prayers. We have a good balance, and our house is drama free, and it was weird at first, growing up with dysfunctional family, but then now I'm content we don't have to worry about much with family issues,and our family is relaxed and peaceful.
Realizing that I don't have to spend every waking second with my husband for me was a learning experience, seeing as I'm an extreme extrovert. At first I thought we had to and I also wanted to do everything together. But that's not always the case. We have different personalities, and sometimes I want to go out, and he wants to stay home, and that's ok. At first I felt bad, but now I know, it's ok. We still need to work on having more couple friends but at least we do have some friends, and family.
We have one car,so at points that has been tough cause I like to go out, but my hubby needs to work. But one good thing is that we have buses close by, even though I have not taken a bus unless I've had to, and I'd prefer not to. But we have the library a few blocks a way,a Starbucks in walking distance. Oh and there is delivery for food, but hence budgeting,it's a hard balance.
Speaking of budgeting, and my Social Work Degree. I applied for and am utilizing the WIC program. At first I was skeptical about getting financial help because I'd been raised a do it yourself, pay for it yourself, type of way. But because of these programs we can afford for me to stay home and take care of Ellie, I will definitely be going back to work in the future. But for now, it's been a huge blessing.
In the beginning of our marriage we were both working full time on the go, and so we didn't have much time together. My husband had one day off. I drove an hour in traffic to work and back. Then in November after I quit, reality check I am home all the time, except for shopping, in which Target and I got well acquainted. But now even more so, in the beginning when we had Ellie I'd run out for an hour with a car ride and errands in the morning. Then now it's changed because Ellie became aware when I left since she's been with me except for maybe a couple of hours since she's been born (date night). So then I had to take her with me everywhere. Then now she's evening out and she can stay with papa for an hour,and she's now getting better when Grandma (my mom) babysits. And it was a few weekends ago I got to go to a housewarming party by myself for 2 hours, talk about extrovert happiness, 2 hours,new people, talking, eating, needless to say freedom. I love all of my new responsibilities but sometimes you need a break.
Learning how to cook,clean, housecare, yeah let's just say I'm getting there. I have time, it's just sometimes the motivation is lacking. I've caught up on all tv shows there can be that I actually enjoy. I listen to the radio, podcasts, but my real sanity is in blogging,hanging out with people, having people over, or going to other people's places.
My little daughter is almost 7 months old, she's sitting up by herself, she can crawl, she can pull herself up on random objects, her crib, people, and she is one crazy active baby :) She is so sweet, yet she'll tell you what she wants. She's strong yet dainty. She's singing, crawling, eating, grabbing anything she can, as in recently I relocated our dvds to the top shelves because that was a daily cleaning project!
This summer has been great! My mom and I go a to church nearby called Chicago Tabernacle, my uncle is in town, my sister aka Aunt Amanda comes in town in a few weeks and I can't wait! The last time she saw her niece was 1 month, and now she's doing a lot more plus she's 7 months! :) Then my Aunt Jeanne comes in town in July as well! So we may not be traveling,but people are coming here. Although I am hoping to go to minnesota in the fall cause I want to visit my old school as well as some of my best friends.
I can say God has carried me throughout my life but more now than ever, with all these changes at points it's been overwhelming, but our God is greater and can move mountains, so with God all things are possible. I'm so blessed to be raising my daughter, to have friends from the past, present, and the ones in the future. But God is definitely my best friend and He's always got a plan!
Speaking of that a few weeks ago my mom and I visited the church I had grown up in. It was such an awesome experience. I had grown up in the church had many memories there and hadn't gone back since I had left. And it brought me this closure, God was proud of me. I may not be perfect, but I truly love God and have all my life and when I was at my church it reminded me how far I had come. God has opened doors, helped me through everything between divorce from my family dysfunction, to now being in a new chapter of joy, forgiveness, completely being found in God. In a few years I hope and aspire to write a book documenting my life, what has happened and what God has done in the midst of everything. :)
So that's all for now, joyful through changes, trials, and working through things. Be open, pray, and patience is always important.
God Bless :)
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