I'm going to be a mommy...

Well, In case you missed the huge facebook announcement on Sunday, I'M GOING TO BE A MOMMY!!!  I can't believe it. I am so very excited about welcoming our bundle of joy in December. Our families couldn't be happier and couldn't be more supportive as we enter this new phase in our lives.

Morning sickness is killing me, and yes I know all about keeping my stomach from getting empty, eating a cracker every 5 minutes, taking my pill at bedtime and everything. Unfortunately, the doctor said pregnancy has aggravated my allergies and the reason I am getting so sick is b/c of drainage and frankly there's nothing we can do about it....so let's hope these allergies clear up soon! I am taking phenergan (when I can keep it down) which helps, and lots of sleep. Everyone has been so helpful with advice, I just wish some of it would work!!! Oh well, the price we pay for the kids in our lives!!

Graduation is Saturday. I can't believe 3 years of law school went by so quickly. It seriously seems like yesterday that I was walking in to orientation and now I'm done. Isaac graduates a week from Saturday as well and he is so thrilled to be done. He passed his BOC exam and is now nationally licensed as an athletic trainer and I couldn't be more proud of him. I cannot believe all of the things God has helped us accomplish in these past 4 years of marriage. What a blessed ride it has been!

Hope this next adventure is even better!!!!

I still wouldn't eat off that floor...

Well, after 3 days of cleaning the house is starting to clean up nicely. My MIL, GIL and SIL did an excellent job on the bathroom and kitchen. My good friend Laken Wisdom let me borrow her Shark Steam Mop which did wonders on my tile floor in the kitchen and entry way. (However, gonna have to clean it a couple more times before I'd say I'd eat of it!) I'm going to take the pad home to wash and do it all again until I feel better LOL.

But, I have to say the house is starting to look great! We just have to figure out what to do about the room that was their teenage son's. It is the nastiest room I have ever seen in my life and is going to take longer to clean than anything else in the entire house! I'm hoping to get finished cleaning by next weekend and then get started on painting and be done! I continue to pray everything else goes smoothly!!!

A house to call our "own"...

We finally have keys to the house! And let me tell you it was an utter wreck when we got there on Saturday. Apparently the last tenants have never cleaned the house in the four years they lived there and figured there was no need to do so if they were leaving anyway. There was trash on the floor in every room not to mention paintballs, beads, and dead bugs everywhere! The carpet looks like they poured oil on it, the tile has never been mopped and I'm pretty sure they groomed their dog in the master bathroom tub the day they left. The teenage boys room has parts to two ceiling fans on the floor with no ceiling fan or light hung and hundreds of staples in every wall. I could go on and on about all of the damage in this house, but I'm tired of complaining.

We worked for a few hours both Saturday and Sunday and made quite a bit of progress. We got out most of the stuff they left behind and cleaned up all of the trash, swept and vacuumed and changed the locks. It looks so much better all ready! I am so excited to keep working on it and get to the finished product that much sooner! It's bad now but it's going to be amazing when I'm done with it! Yay for a new project!!!!

Moving in a new direction!

Well, today we get the keys to our new rent house! I can't wait. So now the cleaning and painting must commence so that soon we can actually move in. I have attempted (although half-heartedly) to start packing some stuff that we can move into the garage for now but this is going to be a long process.

We are so excited about getting to start a new life, just me and Isaac, in a new HOUSE and see what post-school life holds for us. I ask that you please continue to pray that we find jobs and a little security. We continuously thank God for all of the blessings and prayers he has answered for us these last short weeks and know he will continue to take care of us!

Recipe of the Week - Almond-Stuffed Chicken

OK. First the good news, We got the house!!! I am so excited. We should hopefully get the keys and everything sometime next week so we can begin cleaning and painting and getting it ready to move-in! My wonderful MIL and GIL are coming around the 19th and 20th to help clean and paint and decorate. If you've ever seen my MIL's house you know why I asked for her help! She can watch any home decorating show and recreate what they've done and she has an excellent eye for decorating! I cannot wait.

Now to the real reason of this post. I have decided (thanks in big part to Leslie Montandon) to post a recipe every week. I have had a couple of requests for this one so here you go...

Almond-Stuffed Chicken (it is delicious!)
1/3 cup light garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese (this is with the specialty cheeses at United but I have been using the garlic and herb cooking cream by philly and it's even better!!!)
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted, coarsely chopped, and divided
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11/2 teaspoons butter

1. Combine the spreadable cheese, 3 tablespoons almonds, and 2 tablespoons parsley in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Cut a horizontal slit through the thickest portion of each breast half to form a pocket. Stuff 1 1/2 tablespoons almond mixture into each pocket; secure each pocket with a toothpick. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Heat butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; cover and let stand 2 minutes. Top chicken evenly with remaining 1 tablespoon almonds and remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed chicken breast half, about 1 teaspoon almonds, and about 1 teaspoon parsley).
Calories: 288; Fat: 12.7g; Protein: 37.5g; Carb: 3.9g; Fiber: 0.9g; Chol: 111mg; Iron 1.7mg; Sodium: 496mg; Calc: 109mg.

I will admit the recipe sounds intimidating but it's really easy and tastes wonderful! Good luck! Let me know what you think!!!

Learning to Love the Ride!

Well, we finally saw the house last night! It's kind of a wreck and really going to take a lot of cleaning and painting but it will be really cute when its all done!!! (We can use all the help anyone wants to offer!!)

We are still not "for sure" on the house but only because jobs are still up in the air. I am going to call the landlady today to talk about our options as far as leasing are concerned and see how much she is willing to work with us. I hate to do that since she is already waiving the deposit and one month's rent but we really want the house!!

Prayer of thanksgiving I do have a teaching "audition" on Monday. If I "pass" I will get an interview and could possibly become a part time Criminal Justice instructor for Kaplan College. It's not a full time job but at least its a start! So say a quick prayer that I "pass" the "audition" with flying colors!!! This just means this week I have to bust my booty on a presentation for my "class"!

Isaac is seriously contemplating starting Massage Therapy School in June. This would help in several ways and maybe not in several ways so we are still weighing our options and praying fervently that God will show us what He has in store! Just keep saying those prayers please!!!

Faith will carry us through!

Well, some good news instead of complaining.

We. Found. A. House.

A rent house that is. Right in the neighborhood with our best friends! Just a few doors down from Lance and Carli and a few streets over from Brooke, Brian and Brodye!!! Needless to say I am very excited. Let me tell you this awesome story!

Last week, Carli texted me to let me know the house down the street was coming up for rent starting April 15. I was hopeful but knew we didn't need anything until June 1 and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to secure the house. I called the landlady anyway. And boy, am I glad I did!!

She confirmed that the house would be available April 15 but it would take around 2 weeks to get everything cleaned up and painted following the current renters. She then proceeded to tell me that most houses in this neighborhood rent for $1000 a month but "I don't do that." She said we could rent it one of two ways. We could pay $800 and she would fix any problems that arose, or we could pay $700 and she would fix any problems that arise with the heater, a/c, or water heater and we cover anything else. I could not believe my ears!!!! She then told me she normally requires a $400 deposit (which is great) but decided if we would clean the house and paint (however I want) after the current residents move out, she would waive the deposit and May's rent and let us move in rent free until June 1! How amazing is that?!?! Needless to say we are going to look at it tonight (although Carli has already told me it's nice)! I hope its perfect! (Especially when I get done with it!)

The only issue now is making sure we have jobs to pay the rent. Isaac has a promising lead from yesterday and I have two jobs to hold me through the summer. If we can scrimp for a while I think we should be good to go. We are praying fervently about this housing opportunity and taking a leap of faith but we know God will see us through. He always does!!!

Olive Juice!

Each day, more than the last, I am so thankful for my wonderful husband. Each day I fall more and more in love with him and cannot imagine my life without him. Let me share our story.

Isaac and I met in Praise Choir at Lubbock Christian University. I thought he was really cute and kept asking his friend Brian who he was. Finally I asked Isaac out on a TWERP date and he agreed. However, before we even got to the TWERP date he asked me out on a real date. To this day he tells me he just couldn't wait that long to go out with me. We sat at Starbucks for over 4 hours that night and literally had to be asked to leave so they could close up.

However, at this point, I was still a silly freshman who wasn't ready to be in a relationship so I told him I wasn't ready to date. Which really meant I just wasn't ready to date him. Pretty quickly I started dating someone else. I was then in a relationship that was, to put it lightly, an emotional roller coaster that almost killed me. Isaac was always there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to. But somehow I still only thought of him as a friend. And once I got over the bad relationship I was too busy having a crush on my best friend Tyler to think about Isaac.

I then left for the summer to be a counselor at Pine Springs and I was gone for 2 and 1/2 months. During my week off I came home to Lubbock to see my parents and friends. I went to see Isaac every night of that week. And fell in love. I remember sitting on the couch in his living room one night when the power had gone out and just talking to him. That was the night I knew. There was never a moment that I remember talking about being together, I just remember feeling like I knew we were. And we've been together ever since. Almost 6 years (almost 4 of marriage) later I am the happiest and most blessed woman in the world.

Happiness is the Law School in My Rear View Window

Days like today are awesome. I get to my 8:00 class and know I don't have class again until 2:30 only to find out my 2:30 class was canceled!!!! So now I have between 9:00 am and 4:20 pm to do whatever I want!!! What do I want to do?

Well I already have an appointment to look at a few duplexes with a friend from church (who is the landlady), and then lunch with some of my best gals from school. Then...I'm thinking a nap is in order. These last few days I cannot get enough sleep! (OK i never get enough sleep) But lately I can sleep 8 hours (or 9) and still not feel like it was enough. Naps are greatly appreciated whenever I can catch them!

I would really like to thank everyone who has responded to my posts and my "complaining" about waiting for God's plan. I love having such wonderful friends and family who have all been so encouraging to me lately. Now, I ask for continued prayers as we trust in God that His will be done and that we have the patience to wait for what that is. I know everything will work out, it always does.

Spring Fever = Baby Fever

Well, my best friend Brooke Cole (and Brian of course) had a baby girl yesterday! Brodye Shea Cole was born at 3:57 pm and weighed 7lbs 11oz and was/is 20in. long and absolutely beautiful just like her momma. I am so incredibly happy for them and can't wait to spend a lot of time loving and spoiling that baby girl. And I hope Brooke will understand when I say this, but I also can't help but feeling incredibly jealous.

Over the last 3 months four babies have been born to families in our class at church. I can't help but think sometimes, when will it be my turn? I know God has amazing things planned for Isaac and I and some of those include finishing school and finding jobs first. I just want time to speed up a little bit!

I didn't get the job in Midland that we were hoping (kind of) for which is ok. To be honest I don't know that I really wanted it. However, it makes me feel anxious that come the end of may when our lease is up, if neither of us has a job we won't be able to afford a new place to live. My parents have graciously offered to let us stay with them until we figure things out, which we greatly appreciate (don't get me wrong), but I hate to have to do that. We are 25 and 26 and have been married for almost 4 years, shouldn't we be able to do this ourselves?

Anyway, I know things will work out according to God's plans, I've just never been good at waiting to find out what that plan is. I pray that I can find the patience to wait and the ability to sleep again without feeling anxious constantly.

And needless to say.....I have baby fever...

Alarming isn't it?

Today is one of those days where everything feels out of whack. I had difficulty sleeping last night and either forgot to set the alarm or slept right thru it. To be honest I have no idea which it is. Either way, my day started out not as planned and that throws me off. I missed a meeting (again) and could not for the life of me wake up.

I finally got myself off the couch and in the shower and ready to go get started for the day around 10:30. Then by 11:40 we were running out the door to get the grocery shopping done in time to make my rescheduled meeting at 1. I spent the whole trip to Market Street feeling rushed and unable to concentrate. I hate that feeling. When you know you have things to do and little time in which to do it and all I wanted to do was sit down in the middle of the store and cry because I felt like I couldn't make today get back on track. BOO!

Luckily, tonight marks the beginning of the weekend and I can try and relax a little. Tomorrow boasts a busy schedule with homework and the EPJ Dodgeball Tournament tomorrow afternoon but hopefully some fun and relaxing in between. Sunday will hopefully bring much needed rest and rejuvenation as I spend time with my church family and my wonderful husband and parents!!!

Complacency is the killer...

A little over a year or so ago, Isaac and I and several couples at church started the Foundations Class. We were all struggling to find our fit at church and knew there had to be other couples experiencing the same feelings. So we banded together and began our class. At first we struggled with sharing a room with what felt like every other ministry at church. It was difficult to feel like we were accomplishing something when we were constantly having to overcome new struggles. Finally we were given our own room to decorate and make our own. And the class grew and and took on new life that we were so proud of and loved.

Lately, it seems as if we have all grown too comfortable and far too complacent in our roles in the class. I personally have not stepped up and connected with more people and developed deeper relationships beyond those I already have. We have all become lax in attending class functions such as small group and I fear in that complacency we have hurt feelings. We have failed as spiritual leaders, I have failed as a spiritual leader and I'm sorry.

We began discussing this at small group this past week and have since included others in the conversation and it is my prayer over the next few weeks that we can overcome this bump in the road and move out of complacency and create new life and meaning in our class again. I wonder, have any of you experienced this? And what did you do to overcome it?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away...

Well, looks like almost the entire Wimberley clan is sick. John (Isaac's Dad) has pneumonia, Kayla (Isaac's Mom) has bronchitis and a sinus infection, and Isaac and I both have something. What an awesome way to get back into the week following spring break!!

Still waiting to hear back on the job interview from Midland. Hopefully I will hear something the beginning of next week. We really don't want to move to Midland, but you do anything necessary for your family right? And at least that way one of us would have a job!

Nothing really exciting going on right now. Hopefully later posts will be more interesting!!!

Let's Try This Again

Ok, so....I'm going to try this blogging thing one more time.

Since my last post...Isaac and I will be graduating in 2 Months! I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown. We currently are waiting to hear back on two jobs. One in Amarillo for Isaac and one in Midland for me. We'd prefer the Amarillo job or something in Lubbock, but I guess a job is a job is a job.

We spent Spring Break in Vegas with Isaac's family (pictures to follow). It was amazing! We turned 25 and 26 on the trip (we are so old!) but had a blast. Unfortunately, we both got sick once we got home! Boo!!!


That's all I can think of for now but I promise to have a more interesting post later!