Great Book

Kyle and I have been in a 'Newly' Married Small Group at our church for about one year now. Just recently we started reading an amazing book called 'Sacred Marriage' by Gary Thomas. Although we have just read the first two chapters, I have never had so many questions run through my mind about what marriage is really about! I wish I would have gotten a hold of this book before we were married. The author poses the question, "What if God designed marriage to make us HOLY more than to make us happy?"

There are so many great thoughts running through my head about it that I can not just pick one thing...I highly recommend! Those of you in the small group that are reading- post your favorite thing about it!

This is where I stand!

It appears that some people are not too pleased in me posting the video of Gianna. I am sure that the hard realities and truths that surrounded her being brought into this world are difficult to handle especially since it involves current politics. No one- democrat, republican, independent, whatever you want to be- can look at this video lightly; it is a hard topic to grapple. Pro-life or pro-choice?

To post on someone's blog that they made a wrong decision or were attempting to sway people's vote is inaccurate. I merely posted the video because I think that it is a great story. To see the life of a amazing Christian female who is not supposed to be here, blows my mind; hence the title of my post, "Something you should consider before voting". I DO believe that is is something that people should consider before they vote. I will go on to add that this is my personal blog, my forum of thoughts, events in my life, etc. If you do not agree with what I am saying or do not like what I write- go somewhere else. No one is forcing you to read my blog, I am not sending the link of my blog out to masses of people in an attempt for everyone in the world to read it. I created my blog for those I love to read. If others have happened to come across it then good, read at your own free will.

Furthermore, I am a social worker and have great pride in what I do; working with children. I have personally grappled with different stances to take when working with different people/issues. Other social workers will also agree that we are human and do not take all topics lightly. I know my limits, I know where I stand on issues, I know what clients I can take and what clients I need to refer elsewhere to receive treatment. If someone happened to walk into my office who was considering abortion or who had an abortion in the past, I would refer them somewhere else that could provide them with the care that they need. This is not only based on my personal feelings surrounding this but also on my training. I am not competent working with this type of clientele and this is not the training that I have received. I have been trained to provide care for children in the school setting, specifically those ages birth to eight.

I will close with saying that through my solid Christian faith, I am comfortable where I stand politically, personally, and in my employment. Ultimately my goal is to please God in my daily life- through going on walks to see his nature, marrying a Christian man and ministering to others, spending time with my family and friends, trying to live as frugal as I can so I can give elsewhere, advocating for what He (Jesus) would want me to do. You can judge my post, my employment decisions, etc....but your opinion is not the one that ultimately matters to me.

Clarification...

I want to clarify that I was not posting the video of Gianna (the abortion survivor) as a way to sway anybody's vote on the election this year. I do, however, feel that it is a VERY important issue that people need to understand. I would encourage everyone to read/watch/listen about each politician's viewpoint on important issues (click on their name below to learn more). If I had MY way, Huckabee would be in the race!!

John McCain
Barack Obama

To read more from a Republican's stance: check out my friend, Matt Reisetter's blog.

September Budget, Samples, & CVS!

This week has been really good in terms of samples coming in the mail and CVS deals. Check out below if you have ever considered starting up with either!

In terms of our September budget...the envelope system is going through a change. Kyle finds it rather difficult to take the money out of the envelope before leaving for work or heading to the grocery store. So, thanks to an idea from my dad, we are going to try a new system. The grocery envelope will stay the same at $200/month but instead of $100 in both the entertainment and going out to eat envelopes, Kyle will get $100 and I will $100 to spend on anything we want during the month. If we decide to go out to eat together, we will split the bill. This way I will not kindly yell at Kyle for spending $xx.xx on stupid things. My question for everyone reading is what should happen if you don't spend it all in the month (I know that this won't be a problem for Kyle though)?? My ideas are:
1. Roll over to next month
2. Go towards debts
3. Go into emergency fund

Some fun things that came in the mail this week already (just Monday alone!)
Mini Magic Eraser, 2 Cascade gel packs, Clean and Clear oil absorbing sheets (15)

CVS Trip: all for $21.83, saved $44.65!
Earned $18.99 in ECBS

#1 Transaction:

(4) Kleenex Cottenelle T.P $11.99 (on sale for $6.49)
Earn $10 ECBS when you spend $25

Q's
$2 off $10
(2) $1 off
(2) $0.50 off
$3 ECBS

Total: $20.11, earned $10 ECBS

#2 Transaction:

(3) Suave Deodorant $2.39 (earn $2 ECBS)
(1) Crest ProHealth Toothpaste $3.89 (on sale for 2.99) (earn $2 ECBS)
(1) Nivea 4 Men $4.99 (earn $4.99 ECBS...practically free)

Q's
$2/$10
$0.75 off Crest ProHealth
$1 off Nivea
$10 ECBS

Total: $1.72, earned $8.99 ECBS for next transaction

Something to consider before voting!

My Daddy in Chicago

My dad was between business trips and decided to grace us with his presence for the weekend. It was fun to have some company! The entire time that he was here it rained...seriously! We reached the Chicago record for amount of rain in one day. Since our plans of going on a long walk along the river were destroyed we decided to go to the Chicago History Museum instead. I enjoyed getting to learn more about my place of residency otherwise known as 'Checagou' (named after the wild onion plant).

Here is a old version of a 'El' car. Not very comfortable...

This was Abraham Lincoln's bed that he laid in after his death when people came to visit him.
Remember, my name was going to be Lincoln if I was a boy...

It was sad to see the weekend of spending father-daughter time and going to different restaurants come to an end. I dropped him off at the Blue Line and hoped that he would get to O'Hare okay in the weather, which he did! Good job Dad!

Blah!

Not much has been going on around here. I started school this week at Erikson so I am trying to balance attending two different colleges at once. In addition, CPS started this week so I am working at the Elementary School that I provide social work services to. Also, Kyle is getting adjusted to working at the new store so it has been a 'work/homework-filled' week with not enough couple time. I feel bad for not having any blog-worthy news. Needless to say, my dad is coming in exactly one week and I am excited to have some company.

Kyle found this setting on our camera and enjoys following me around and taking pictures. I call this one: Chaotic Grad Student x2 Wife Housekeeper Chef

Dear State Senator James Meeks...

I would really like to know what kind of idiotic thought ran across your mind to decide to protest Chicago Public Schools (CPS) by enlisting more than 1000 students and their families to skip the first day of school. It seems quite ironic to me that you would protest about children receiving proper education and funding but then encourage them to skip the first day of school. You are sending the message that children can skip school to 'advocate' for their rights. Don't these children need good attendance records in order to get into the good High Schools so they can receive this proper education that you are referring to? Shouldn't you be more concerned about children surviving in school (i.e. getting caught up in gang cross-fire as they depart from school each day). Do you not realize that two young students were killed in less than 24 hours this weekend by gang cross-fire?

By the way, my husband would like to know how you funded more than 1000 orange t-shirts to wear and gas to transport 100+ buses thirty miles one way. Couldn't that money have been donated to CPS instead?




(Meeks on the left, Obama on the right) Vote McCain!

August: Budget

So how did we do in August? Well, if you have ever wondered if you should have a budget...read this! I will put the numbers that we saved in each category:

Sports Authority= $81.25

Gas= $46.64

Going out to Eat= $-2.48 (yep we went over with so many friends visiting)

Grocery= $123.09

Entertainment= $322.31
Golf= 79.75 (since it is now part of the entertainment fund)

To make our GRAND TOTAL saved in August= $650.56!!!

The envelope system proved to be a huge success for groceries and entertainment. The going out to eat envelope was rather difficult to keep up with if you forgot to bring your lunch and didn't have any of the cash on you (Kyle's excuse!). We are going to decrease Entertainment for this month and I have decided to add CVS to that since it is my form of Entertaiment. Groceries will stay the same as well as Going out to Eat. With CVS being most of our hygiene products, we should be able to decrease our Grocery envelope within the next few months since I am able to stock up on many products there (trying to aim for 3-6 months of back stock).

With decreasing some of our funds each month, we will eventually be able to put down more money each month into savings. Currently we have two accounts that we have been saving money for since we were married: a House Fund (100/month) and a Baby Fund (50/month). We would like to be able to pay cash when we put down a deposit on a house and know that we need to increase our monthly savings in order to make that possible. The Baby Fund will come in handy when the day comes in order to pay necessities without seeing a dent in our current budget. In addition, Kyle will not be able to use the excuse that we aren't financially well off for a child!

Walk #5: Ukranian Village, Wicker Park, & Bucktown

We took around a seven mile walk Saturday through Ukranian Village, Wicker Park, and Bucktown. It was a lot warmer than what we thought so it wasn't very enjoyable. I think that we like the walks that are more historical and this walk took us around many different high fashion boutiques...not somewhere that you want to go after sweating! We stopped at a cute bar and grill for a late lunch though and we thought that there was a Jamba Juice near the end of our walk but there wasn't so we had to stop at 7/11 for a refreshment. The majority of the pictures are from Ukranian Village (the shortest portion of the walk: only 1 mile) but it had the most scenic views.

St. Nicholas Ukranian Catholic Cathedral

The front brick building is the Ukranian Cultural Center and the amazing structure in the back is the Volodymir and Olha Ukranian Catholic Church

You can see the changes that are being made in Ukranian Village as people are moving in. This building was once a school (written in Cyrillic) and now is stylish lofts.

Walking home we saw in the background the Chicago skyline. The far left tall building is the John Hancock and the far right tall building is the Sears Tower.

No walk for us today...we are pooped from this long week of vacations and certainly not ready to head back to work/school this week. Well...I am pretty excited about starting school again actually!

Wisconsin Vacation #2: Camping

We had all intentions upon leaving Chula Vista to go to downtown Wisconsin Dells, hang out, catch a bite to eat, and then find a camp site near the area. When we went downtown, we discovered that it was a little more touristy than what we had imagined! Everywhere you looked there was a t-shirt factory or moccasins. We were also looking forward to taking the River Walk but realized that it was less than a mile so it didn't take up as much time as we anticipated. Since we forgot some of our camping essentials at home, we thought that we would find the nearest Sports Authority and grab a few things. Little did we know that we know that it was 82.2 miles away! Since we enjoy doing things on a whim...we changed our plans, found a Wisconsin map, and made our way towards Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. I also found my favorite Wisconsin town: Delafield (which may be a future vacation spot). We found a campground and decided to stay there. It was completely different than any other campground that I have been to before...an 'actual' campground. Your camp site was located in a little nook and you were not able to see anyone else. My favorite part about camping is seeing the children playing and watching what other people are creatively cooking over their fires: there was none of that! I felt very lonely and heard some weird animal sounds (like this one thing chomping: maybe a frog?) Did I also mention that it has been THREE years since Kyle and I have been camping together and never alone! We enjoyed each other's company immensely but camping is so much more fun with friends or family. The next morning we got up and went on a 4 mile hike through some trails. We realized many things on this camping adventure:

1. There are a LOT more mosquitos in Wisconsin then Chicago and they love us even when we have extra strength bug spray on.

2. We have been together for 4 years total! It does not seem like it has been that long and Kyle and I had a few conversations about how we are still learning new things about each other every day.

3. Kyle is like my mom when we are camping...he likes to pick around in the fire!

4. I was completely terrified camping there since we couldn't hear any civilization. I feared that some 'Texas Massacre' type scenario was going to happen to us. Kyle pointed out that I am more scared in the middle of what he referred to as 'Bum 'F' Nowhere' than in one of the biggest cities.

5. I am not a small-town girl anymore. I have slowly morphed into a city girl and nature is not quite as much as my friend as it used to be.

We made bacon over the fire the next morning. Kyle is looking a little rough, hence the reason why I am in no close-up pictures of our adventure.

This bee hive graciously graced us with it's presence over our site.

On our hike...Kyle enjoyed this thing growing out of the tree.

A butterfly!

Looking over the vista on the trail. It wasn't a very clear day so we weren't able to see as much as we were hoping.

I know that I posted awhile back about how our eating lifestyle has changed in the past few months as I have tried to eliminate a good chunk of processed foods from our diet. This vacation did not treat me very well since I was eating hot dogs, brats, bacon, etc. When we got home Friday I had a bad headache from not drinking as much water as normal and proceeded to get 'sick' from my bad food choices. I ended up going to bed around 8:30 while Kyle stayed up so I now I have plently of time to catch up on blogs while Kyle continues to sleep. Our vacation in not over! We have planned to go on a few city walks this weekend before Kyle returns to work on Monday and I to CLASS on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Vacation #1: Chula Vista Resort

We started off our vacation in Wisconsin Dells up at Chula Vista Resort. We paid for the all-inclusive package but still got receipts of what it would have cost so the resort could keep track of what was being ate. It totaled about $300 so we think we saved a lot of money! It was a completely different feel than what we experienced on our honeymoon in Jamaica...meaning their were kids everywhere! We should have expected that and love children but with children comes some slightly annoying parents and shady parenting. We had a blast though and felt like we were children again. Kyle even got to go golfing a few hours alone and thought the course was fun but a lot harder than the ones he has gone to in Chicago. We both agreed that our favorite part was the water slides!

If Kyle were to be in the Olympics...it would be for Mini-Golfing. We played at least three times, I lost track!
Our first night we were able to catch a sunset from our porch.

Behind our hotel room there was a little path and river that Kyle and I explored our first night.
Look Mom, no hands!

The indoor water park. We had a blast in here!

Here is another one of the outside slides. This one was really scary because they pushed you off the top and you slid back and forth but you felt like you were going to fall over the edge. The majority of slides had double tubes so two people could go down together. I was glad that Kyle and I could experience them together and hear each others reactions. Plus...I was way too scared to go by myself.

This is Kyle going down the slide. You can't really see the extent of the drop but I was too scared to go down. You could only lay flat on your back with your hands in front of your chest and your legs crossed. If you would sit up...you would somersault down or flip over the edge: now do you see why I was too chicken!

Our last night at Chula Vista getting ready to go eat. We are standing right by our porch of our hotel room. It was weird seeing trees when you look out the window instead of a cemetary and cars in our case.

My hubby...

We still haven't gotten the chance to take the files from our old computer and put them on our new one and I miss some of the pictures that are on there. I came across this picture in my email that Stacy mailed to me a few months ago and remembered the special moment! This picture is taken one day after Kyle and I were engaged in July of 2005. Just in case you aren't aware of the story...

Kyle and I decided to go camping with Andy and Stacy in Waukee (Timberline Campground). I had only known them for one month but we had instantly bonded and started a great friendship. I should have known what was to come since I had caught the bouquet at their wedding! Before we left in the morning, I decided to bring all my camping apparel (mesh shorts and tank tops). Kyle argued with me and told me to change into something nicer....not to go camping!!! Anyways, I won the battle and we started our trip. Our tent site was near a gazebo and since it was the weekend of the 4th of July, there was going to be a band playing at night (a one-man band). While he was preparing for his next musical stint, he would ask members of the audience to come up and tell jokes. During one of these breaks, I decided to use the restroom. I asked Kyle if he would walk me since it was getting dark and I hate that restrooms are so far away at campgrounds. He said, NO! I was so mad and Stacy was talking on her cellphone so I went by myself. I grumbled under my breath the entire way and accidentally walked into the men's restroom which only fueled my fire. When I returned to the campsite, Kyle was nowhere to be found. I figured he must of went to the restroom after me which almost sent me over the edge. When I glanced up at the one-man band, I realized that Kyle had the microphone in his hand. I thought, oh, great....Kyle is going to tell one of his wonderful jokes (I am being completely sarcastic). Instead, he said my name and asked me to come up. One of the drunk audience members thought that he said 'Jimmy' so he kept screaming , "Jimmy, Jimmy!" I just remember him saying, "From the first minute I met you..." Stacy was completely shocked but Kyle had told Andy earlier in the day about his plan to propose over the weekend.

We had only been dating ten months so our parents were not expecting an engagement so soon. My parents were at my grandparent's house in Okoboji taking a romantic boat ride so we couldn't get ahold of them. When we finally did, they told us that their boat had died and they had to row themselves back in (haha!). I guess we all have memories from that weekend!

The next morning while we were cooking our famous donuts, I just remember being so happy that I was finally engaged to my best friend and with two of my greatest friends! I have wanted to get rid of the shirt he was wearing that day for a long time but it brings back so many memories of that weekend (the reason I want to get rid of it is because it says 'Steel Erection'...and he wanted me to change my clothes!) I have a video of it so I will try and post it later!I can't imagine life without my best friend/hubby...even though he doesn't have the greatest taste in clothes! Isn't he so cute in that picture!!

Good News #2....Finally!!!!

We have known for some time but were waiting for it to be final. Kyle was transferred/promoted at work and started there today!!! At the end of June they told him that he would be transferring but he had to wait until they found his replacement.

I can't believe that he has only worked there one year and is being transferred up so quickly in the business. His new title is now: Hard Lines Manager which means that he is responsible for team sports, fitness, biking, outdoors, and golf! The store that he was transferred to is about 3.5 miles from our house so it will be a lot closer and he has agreed to ride his bikes some days to save money on gas.

I remember when we moved to Chicago without knowing where we would find money/employment to get by. Kyle said that he would do whatever it took to make sure that we were able to pay our bills....thus leading to one rather crappy job in the beginning. Thankfully he was able to find this job which also led to really great benefits! Congrats Kyle!!!

Navy Pier and the Air Show

Our friends Luke and Kittie came to Chicago for the week. We went to Navy Pier one night to watch the fireworks. I saw this store and laughed since it is the name of my blog!! We only went to Navy Pier once before during the day so it was fun to see the view at night.

The ferris wheel...to expensive to ride!

We got caught in the rain about five minutes after the fireworks started!

My friend Rebekah lives downtown and had an extra ticket to the 'Air and Water Show' on her roof deck. The view was amazing but it was rather warm and we retreated back to her apartment after watching it for about two hours.

The street and some more of Oak Street Beach...tons of people were down there.

Da plane da plane!

Making cool designs.