Complaints Cancellation: I Never Would Have...

7 months and 10 days

That's how long I've been unemployed. Somehow, every month, God has given me just enough to make it through until the next month.
Good paying babysitting jobs with people I've never meet before, through a friend I haven't seen in a long time. A week of substitute work with my old job. Care package from mom saving me from having to buy necessary things for at least a month. A larger than expected tax return. Generous brother and sister-in-law assisting with occasional financial needs. Small photography jobs that have actually paid. House sitting/companion job. Earlier saved "house plan" money. Valentine's day money gift from mom and dad. And so it goes....

God has shown me just how much He loves me and takes care of, not just my big needs, but my every day small needs. Showing me that I don't have to plan the future to death. That He's the only one that holds my future. I'm SO grateful for where He put me during this time.

If I hadn't quit/ lost my jobs, I never would have been living with Mike and Mindy. I never would have been going to the best church ever. I never would have gotten my crazy, funny Saabreen- at least so soon. I never would have known the feeling of a warm dog head sleeping on my feet and pushing me off the bed. I never would have been a live in nanny for the awesomest kids ever. I never would have the spiritual growth that can only come from trusting God for every single thing in my life. I never would have the awesome quotes that can only come from living in this crazy house. I never would have had the relationship that I now have with my brother and sister-in-law. I never would have had the time for amazing dates with adorable, messy faced children. I never would have had the time for late night bowling or midnight movie showings. I would never had the time to direct a Christmas play. I never would have the maturity I've gained from planning my own life. I never would have the patience or energy to lose 20lbs. I never would have done a ladies bible study. I never would have the relationship that I have with my parents, the occasional visits only being sweeter now. I never would have been able to help  friends have a family vacation. I never would have gotten to be the occasional substitute first grade teacher. I never would have learned to be as frugal as I have to be now. I never would have gotten to meet 7 kids in Weld that are so full of energy and yet so much fun. I never would have had fun coming up with creative ways to make dinner out of not much. I never would have this addiction to lattes that I have now. I never would have been able to watch an adorable, mischievous boy learn to speak his mind. I never would have been able to watch a graceful, ADD girl learn ballet. I never would have been able to listen to a rambling, blue eyed squirt giggle uncontrollably. I never would have known how giving my sister-in-law is. I never would have respected and turned to my brother as much. I never would have learned the art of articulating during interviews. I never would have known what it means to give out of my heart rather than my abundance. I never would have giggled with my sister-in-law over silly things like buns. I never would have gotten to know an amazing church family. I never would have had fun during a church business meeting. I never would have gotten to dress up in crazy outfits to be the mascot for football. I never would have been able to go to an all day ladies conference with mom. I never would have been able to poor chocolate over grinning teenagers. I never would have 10-ish kids fondly call me Ti-Ti and not really know my real name. I never would have been able to go to CHESS and eat lunch with "my peeps." I never would have been able to sing the songs I get to sing in church. I never would have blared music and danced wildly with three dance partners. I never would have known how much germs don't really matter in the long run. I never would have known the freedom that comes from just being what God is making me and dropping my false "christian" self. I never would have been able to be a "kind of church secretary." I never would have known how much joy comes from growing closer to the Lord.

And so, even though I long to complain, that it's about time I could start planning my life again, if just my summer, that I certainly have to have money sometime soon, that life is so hard going from interview to interview, putting myself out there just to be turned down, yet one more time, that I can't live on the generosity of family any longer.............

How can I??? With that list of what I wouldn't have....... I can't. I just simply can't complain. There is way too many blessings in my life.


Honestly, this isn't where I thought this blog would go. I didn't much know what I was going to write but it certainly wasn't going to be thankfulness for where I am.

Sometimes, life hurts. Sometimes it's just way too much of a bother to struggle through to the next day. Sometimes it's just too stressful to get up and try again. And that's when God shows you all He has done, through and for me. And all you can do is praise Him in the storm, to dance with joy in the rain.
He has so much more in store for me.......

Trusting and leaning- leaning and trusting,
Ti-Ti

Collegiate Connotations

My deepest apologies for neglecting you so long.... I could say that I've been super busy planning my bungee jump from the Storms River Bridge, or that I've been caught up in planning my tour of the world, or even that I was so booked with extra cello rehearsals for the piano guys, but the real truth is...... I don't really have a good excuse.

And so I'm going to give you a super easy recipe with minimal pictures that you don't even really need the recipe for to make up for it...... wait..... that doesn't really.... okay so....... that sounded more exciting in my head........ so ummm....... yeah.....

This recipe reminds me of school. Oh, the fond memories I have of eating 2 of these with a cup of very sugary cappuccino just chillaxing with some friends.
It's probably the only food that I really remember from school.... except the epic peanut butter milkshakes. Oh, and the amazing dairy days with the pastries. So apparently the only food memories I have are filled with sugar. What can I say- I was in college and had to do something to stay awake all day.... and night.

So here you go: Peanut Butter/ Frosted Flake Treat/ Bar-ish Things (catchy title, right?)

Start with 1 cup corn syrup

Add 1 cup white sugar

Put this on the stove to heat up

Measure out 5 cups of corn flakes (mine where frosted corn flakes- I just needed a bit more sugar, you know) Set aside

Add 2 cups smooth peanut butter (unless you are into that different texture that crunchy peanut butter will give you)

Stir into the boiling syrup and sugar mixture (so apparently I was all about my bracelet this day- all I have is pictures with the bracelet in focus. You have to admit- it is quite the nice bracelet. Wonder where I put it?)

Pour this over the corn flakes

Saabreen's reaction to my professional manner in which I juggle the camera, spoon, and pan.

I added a bit of chocolate for decoration on top

And there you have it. Simple. Easy. And ummm..... Short?

Collaborating a longer blog in my head for next time,

Ti-Ti

Contending for Cordate Day

In which I climb atop my small, wobbling soap box and passionately defend my favorite holiday.

So I've kinda always loved Valentine's Day. See, my family didn't really give gifts on Christmas. We chose to use that time to focus on Who Christmas is really about. But when it came to Valentine's Day...... whoa Nelly.....that was our Christmas. These days we actually do more with Christmas than we used to, but Valentine's still one of my favorite holidays.

Now, it's not the presents that really get me going for Valentine's Day, just like it wasn't ever really presents that did it for Christmas. Now we all know what Christmas is all about (at least we know it with head knowledge). But do you know what Valentine's Day is about? Sure you could go the historical route. The death of Christian Martyrs. And perhaps even some go with the pagan holiday route. Maybe you think it's all about a improperly clothed child caring a deadly weapon. But isn't about something bigger? Isn't more about the people you love? Or perhaps the Person that loves you the most? Trust me- I'll dig into this deeper with my other rants. They're kinda entwined.

And now, the other rant of mine for Valentine's Day. This may be mostly aimed toward single girls out there but can apply to everyone. Here's the thing. Maybe I'm one of those non-conformist, who does the exact opposite when someone tells you to do something. I admit, sometimes that's not a good thing. But, seriously girls. Do not buy into the marketing of Valentine's day. It's not about romantic love, passion, or being in a "significant" relationship. That's just so they can sell their hallmark greeting cards. I've seen a few posts on facebook along the lines of wishing they had a guy for Valentine's Day and that they guess it will just be them and their dog again this year. Honestly I hope you love someone other than your dog. If you have no one else to that you love (i.e. parents, siblings, family, friends, etc.), then you need to get out more. I've never been in a relationship, so perhaps it *is* the best of times to be with a guy for Valentine's Day. But perhaps, even those married girls put too much stock in their guys coming "through" for them and delivering the most romantic day ever. (gag me now) But let me tell you girls, I'm always with a Guy every day of the week! And this Guy doesn't need a special day to remember to tell me that He loves me! He has shown the greatest love ever! We can't comprehend this love. So be strong! Resist the marketing ploy that you must be "in a relationship" for Valentine's Day. And singles: DON'T WEAR BLACK! (Perhaps no one does this any more, but there was a thing once that single girls were to wear black for "singles awareness day" on Valentine's Day. Honestly, if you are one of the girls that would wear black, I'm pretty sure we all are aware of your singleness just by your attitude.)You are loved by an eternal God that should have you wearing the brightest of pinks ever.

So this Valentine's Day remember the two greatest commandments (Luke 10:27): Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love thy neighbor as yourself. And We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Use this as a time to draw closer to a God who showed the ultimate gift of love, and in turn, take time to show that love to those God has placed in your life for a reason. (which could be a great number of people- "whose is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29))

And just so you know, I do love my dog and will most certainly be doing some cuddling with her on Valentine's day, as well as trying to steal kisses from an adorable 2 1/2 year old boy. :)

Proudly wearing pink on my soap box,

Ti-Ti

Consorting with a Canine

first time meeting Saabreen

A while ago I posted on Facebook what I've learned from Saabreen being in my life.

And it got me thinking how much more I could put on that.... and then next thing you know, I felt a blog post coming on (it's kinda similar to a cold coming on- sneezing, headache, scratchy throat..... you know....)

So I over the past few weeks I have compiled a list of 50 things I have either learned about life or things about Saabreen.

1- All food is her food- whether it's on the table, on the the dash of your car, or in the very reachable hands of a 2 year old.

2- Never yawn without covering your mouth.

3- Crayons must taste amazing.

4- If potty training a puppy is this hard- don't ask for my help training your child.

5- Don't try to exercise with your dog- not even running (unless... you like the feeling of an arm coming out of socket or a sit up full of slobber).

6- Gravity works harder with a cone of shame on.

7- There is nothing quite like cuddling with your puppy in front of a fire with a good book.

8- Saabreen cheats on staring contests.

9- Bree has perfected the look of innocence.

10- No matter how much you love someone- picking up their poop is never fun or easy.

11- Saabreen's hugs are almost as good as little kid hugs.

12- If at first you don't succeed- try again when mom isn't looking.

First night at her new home

13- Saabreen makes a good excuse to get out of most anything.

14- If it is pink (and squishy), it must, therefore, belong to Bree.

15- Praying is a great time to get a drink.

16- When mom gets her mean voice on........... run.

17- Saabreen is super easy to blame for something gone wrong or missing.

18- I call her my kangaroo bunny.

19- Saabreen never laughs at me no matter how horrible I look.

20- And I thought I was lazy when I was tired.

21- Bree is very confident in herself- she is convinced that everyone simply loves her and is dying to get hugs and kisses from her.

22- Spend enough time with someone (Bree) and you start to look like them... or vice versa.

23- Even if you do something in a corner- someone still finds out.

24- Chewing mom's shoes= the longest time out in history.

25- Scary/jump scenes in movies are even worse when your dog jumps.

Saabreen's first Christmas

26- You can tell when she's leaping in her sleep and when she's just running by the twitching of her paws.

27- Apparently I'm not the only one that *loves* Dove chocolate.

28- Saabreen has learned- very, very quickly- that mom is not a morning person.29- "Gentle" means kisses.

30- When mom has a cold- no one sleeps well.
31- She tends to need to ask my permission to obey someone else. (i.e. when Mike is helping train her to stay, she has to look to me for approval first)

32- I always know when I put too much perfume on when she sneezes three times.

33- It is possible to watch people at the top of  the stairs using the mirror at the bottom of the stairs.

34- Mom's pillows are warmer.

35- If mom starts talking really nice and in her "wittle cute lovermuffin" voice......... run.................. it probably means it's bath time or something equally as unpleasant.
36- Saabreen is the ultimate bossy butt..... even with dogs twice her size.

37- Why eat dog treats when you can get human food?

38- Saabreen is one of the few people that can make me smile in the morning.

39- The dog in the window likes to play and loves Bree kisses.

40- It is possible to run too fast down the stairs.
41- Saabreen will find the most annoying place to lick you when you are grumpy- such as your ear.
42- Never make eye contact when in trouble, then you can pretend that you don't hear them- even if they are one foot away.
43- Blowing your nose is pretty scary.
44- It's annoying when I do my devotions late at night- at least so Saabreen tells me -because I apparently talk out loud.

first official photo shoot

45- Tissues, paper towels, napkins, and an entire roll of toilet paper are way too much fun to tear up.

46- Bree is kinda like a bagpipe- the more you squeeze the more the noise comes out.

47- And I thought I slept weird.

48- Saabreen will actually whack you if you tickle her feet.

49- Simple math:  Just bathed clean white fur + chocolate milk + blue cotton candy ice cream + 2 freshly markered hands + lasagna + 1 cup of cherry pop + 1 sand box + 2 muddy days + brightly colored kid lip gloss + 1 Nathaniel + 2 sisters to help =  1 multicolored Bree + 1 longer bath time + 1 hand hitting a forehead

50- Bree blends in with the snow..... quite well.

My kind of New Years kiss...

And this was all learned in just 10 weeks....... wow- how time flies.

Loving my Sabreenser girl,

Ti-Ti