Seis maravilloso años!

Yes! Today marks 6 wonderful years since our first date! Woohoo!

Part of me says "That's it? Seems like longer." I just feel like Jeremy has been a part of my whole life, not 23.5% of my life. The other part says, wow time sure has flown by... since we've been having so much fun. I often ponder and go, really? "X number of years?" I replay our story both the ups and the downs. Then I marvel at, and give Him the praise, for all that God has brought us through.

So today, I want to celebrate with my husband 6 wonderful years! Stay tuned... over the next month and a half we have several other "special dates" that I remember. So... check back again.

Much love!

P.S. Does everyone enjoy the oldest picture I have of the two of us on my computer? We look much different... and I think better too!

Ponder this....

I recently heard this quote... and I'd enjoy some feedback/discussion.

It originally was in reference to adverse situations that come in our life.

"Resignation is not the same as acceptance."

How does that fit in with situations that you may find yourself in? I looked up the definition of "resignation" online, and found in one word i meant "submission". I then looked up acceptance which means "approval". So, we can submit to the fact that our situation is, what it is... but we don't have to approve of it. We just need to deal.

I've also found that a reliance on God will truly help. During a period of time when I was angry at God for my circumstances, I was reminded that it's ok to be mad. It's ok, to tell God how we feel. "He's got big shoulders. He can take it." I think it's all about being real with yourself, and God.

Anyway, what do you think?

Truly deep

It can't be denied, I am not getting any younger. As the days go by, I know that I am nearing the next phase of our life. (No, folks, this is not an announcement, but rather more the ponderings of my mind at 2:15 AM.) I know that one day in the next few years we will begin to embark on a new journey called parenthood. I know it will be an exciting, fun, scary, interesting, exhausting, bewildering, fast, amazing time in our lives all wrapped up in one. I look to the future with a lot of hope, and anticipation.

The one thing I was pondering this evening is bad habits. Truth be told, married couples have heard it time and time again... "The qualities that most attracted us, have now become most annoying." I was sitting hear thinking about some of my own weaknesses, and envisioning our future offspring.

I wonder how my own current bad habits will effect them? (Or is it affect? I always confuse the two, and rarely remember that there is an "affect".) I look at myself and see a carbon-copy of my own parents. I look at my husband and see a carbon copy of his parents.

Then I can't help but wonder, do parents realize they have these "bad habits"? Do they see them only when their child is failing in their mid-life? Do they feel responsible, or not? When does responsibility come, and when does it go? How old is your child before you don't feel guilty of their bad habits that they no doubt learned from you.

This post may seem crazy since we don't even have children. But, I often wonder.

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a mom. In fact, I remember as a matter-of-fact, saying in pre-marriage counseling, there is no higher calling but to be a mom. For the last few years, I can just feel it in me starting to blossom... but as the days are approaching when this could be reality in the next few years... I tense up! Me? A Mom? Oh gosh! Where do I even begin? My head starts spinning, and I start a mini-freak out. I'll be in charge of a life? Are you CRAZY?? I'm too yo....ung..... and then it dawns on me... I'm not too young... there are sooo many more people out there with even mulitple children. I mean, so much is out there... so much could go wrong... there is so much shaping, molding, and just overall responsibility... and that will be placed on me?? What in the world am I thinking?

Eventually, I come down out of my freak-out and I begin envinsioning little girls in cute little floral dresses with cardigan sweaters... little boys with button-down shirts, argyle sweater vests, and coduroys ... laughing, playing... and influencing them.

*sigh*

So, I just needed to blog about this.... now... I am done.

To all the parents out there... please know that you are highly honored, and respected in my book. You have one of the most amazing jobs in the world! I hope you feel God's blessings all around you.

Spam! And I'm not talking canned ham!

All I have to say, is WHO SPAMS a blog! I just got notice that my blog had 6 comments.... and to my surprise I was like "oh wow! 6 Comments." When I read them it was some evil spammer that was leaving comments unrelated to my blog, but about how they liked the fact that my blog talked about "family finances, and here's a list of part time jobs in my area." What the heck?

Anyway, I'm off to have some fun today! Pictures later!

Friday Night Date Night!

More recently it seems that Friday nights have become Date Night!

I will note complain one bit. I am totally in love with dating my husband.

This past Friday we went to Zapatelli's in Mentor, Ohio. Now, I will tell you when you first go in there it seems like a very hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Do not be deceived! It is a true Lake County Gem! If you haven't been do yourself a favor, and go! I must warn you, though, at first glance the price for a meal of veal seems a bit steep. But, don't lose heart! It is well worth the price! The portions are mammoth!

Here's a picture of Jeremy with his prized veal! This was taken when he was done! It's hard to tell, but I'm sure that the "side of pasta" had to be at least a pound! CRAZY wonderful! He will definitely make 4 meals out of this night-out-leftovers.

He's happy and full!You can hardly tell that he ate some it.
Mmmmmm it's soo good!

Door shut....

As off this afternoon, about 3pm the door on the house bid was officially shut. We can take the hint from God. In fact, shortly after putting in the bid, we got a few signs here and there that maybe we shouldn't get this house. The straw that broke the camel's back was the 18 page counteroffer that we were given. It left us very little choice but to abandon the house. But, in the long run, it will probably be better for the Flatt household. So, we're still back to square one... looking at house after house.

Please continue to pray with us about where God would have us live. We're getting close to the deadline to either extend our lease for a year, go month to month at a premium, or move out. So... there are many decisions that need to happen in the next two weeks.

Until then! Stay tuned for more household updates!

The door that is almost closed

So, last evening around 7:30 we got a phone call from our realtor. Our bid on the home was not accepted, and a counter-offer was given. We did not accept the counter offer. (It was garbage.) So, we're pretty sure that this is God telling us that this is not our home, and that a better one out there awaits. We are still praying about this, as there is still a slight "door ajar" light... but.... we're nearly certain it won't go through. I thought I'd just give a little update. Those of you prayer warriors, please keep praying.

In light of the possible no go, Jeremy and I also have a few decisions to make. Large decisions. One of which will deal with if we should go month to month for a few months, or if we should just go ahead and sign for another year, and just see what God has for us this time next year.

So, those are the prayer request updates. Thank you all for your intercession. Jeremy and I appreciate it!

I will keep everyone up to date as things progress.