Do you ever find yourself narrating your life inside your head like a blog? Maybe I'm the only strange one, but almost daily--weekly for sure-- I'll be out and about and come across an interesting situation or encounter someone that will get my gears grinding.... and I think to myself all these philosophical thoughts that would make a great blog... but I'm never close to a computer! This is my dorky confession of the day. :-) But it explains the lack of wit in this blog, because nothing particularly interesting has prompted this entry.... just the houding knowledge that its been way too long since I have updated.

But, a few things are new in our life.... we're buying a house! Its gorgeous! I have pics on my Facebook and Myspace, if ya wanna see. Or just ask. I may post some here when I have more time. It was a crazy ordeal... we saw the house on Friday, made on offer on it before we even left the house that day and by Monday we found out there were 11 other offers on it! We upped our offer just a bit, assuming we wouldn't get it... but then we did ! I have no idea why or how, but we are hoping to close by the 28th! So that is exciting but also scary! Oh, and we just found out that our car has no A/C. No, its not broken, it just DOESN"T HAVE IT. Yeah, we got bamboozled when we bought the darn thing. It was December, so we didn't even THINK about A/C.... and its a 2002 Honda.... I never would have thought in my wildest dreams Honda would sell a 2000 or later model with no A/C.... apparently they do. So, seeing as that is our only car, A/C is less than a luxury here in Central Cali.... more of a dire necessity. But, a refridgerator is also a necessity... so we'll have to see.... we may be sweatin' a lot this spring and summer!

Other than that, life is good. My family (including my adorable 6 month old niece) came to see us a few weeks ago, and my best friend, Tracy is coming in a little over a month, as is my Father In Law, Jay! We're excited....

Anyways, there's an update.... no promises on the next one, though I really will try!

Well, One more day before I have to go back to work. While I can't say that I'm exactly "excited" to be going back to work, I am ready to have a paycheck again. And I am very greatful that I actually have a job... Unemployment is high in our town and it is difficult to get a job here... so for that I am grateful... but I've really enjoyed having the time off again... It was like being in NC again. :-) Yes, i enjoyed not working. So sue me! Kidding... but I am ready to get paid again.

So what have I been doing with all my time off? Well, nothing for the most part... and it has been wonderful! This week I have done a great deal of scrapbooking, which is what I would choose to do if I had endless funds and didn't have to work for a living. I got together with Megan (Jimmy's wife) and a girl from our youth group and worked on some pages. I am currently working on my Ancona, Italy album from 2002. Yeah, I'm a little bit behind. I have LOVED using my new Cricut and cannot wait to get more cartridges for it!! I'll try and post some pics of my scrapbook pages when I get them done.

I've also spent some time organizing our files... I am dreading taxes this year... its the first year we are going to have to hire it out and I'm nervous about that. But, it is what it is and it will all work out, one way or another!

I've been looking at houses, even though I don't think we are anywhere close to being able to buy a house out here. Never in my sphere of reference would I have previously considered a quarter of a million dollars to be an affordable amount to pay for a home. But, regardless, I still look and lust after homes... Here's one we're looking at now....who knows....
**sigh**

Moving here has been a very humbling experience. I was comfortable in NC... I didn't have to work, we owned a home, 2 cars, and made frequent trips to the beach. I had good friends and great realtionships with our youth group. We were progressing with our attempts at getting pregnant and I was happy. But here, it feels like we've take a step (or 10) back.... we are back to apartment living, with one car, and I need to work for us to make it. We have a few friends here from college, but even still, it has been years since we've really been close to them, so even our relationships are in the rebuilding stage. I know that this is where God has called us for this time, and I know that this particular situation will not last. But everytime I can't sleep at night becuase of the neighbor's noisy music, or every time I get frustrated because the same annoying guy's car is in the only close parking spot, I find myself slightly resentful of the whole move. And the crazy irony of it all? I really LIKE it here! Like, I really enjoy our town, our church, our new life. So its just a constant battle of getting over what I once had and moving forward with what I have now.

That said... I'm excited about this upcoming weekend... we have a hs retreat coming up at a place called HUME LAKE... they have snowbaording and all kinds of fun wintery things to do. I'm really looking forward to the snow, as well as getting to know some of our kids a lot better!

I am trying to go home in February... for the Oscars... Tracy, Will, Wade and Chad and I always have a big Oscar party and I missed it the past 2 years, so I'm really going to try to go home for that... I just hope the actors don't go on strike from the Oscars, too!!!!! Well, that's all for me.... if you made it this far in the post, you get should get yourself a cookie!!!

Have a great week!
Love, Shey

Well, I'm not really a fan of resolutions. In fact, I don't remember the last time I made a new year's resolution. I've been thinking about it a lot this year, and have decided to make some resolutions. But its almost like I need a new word for it.... to me, the word "resolution" almost inevitably denotes a promise you don't intend to keep. But, whatever the word is, I've decided to make a list. And I think the reason I've avoided resolutions in recent years is because I have just been plain lazy....... so we'll see. I'm up for a challenge and some positive changes! :-) So here goes....

2008 Resolutions:

1. Start and finish some of the Bible studies that I have been wanting to do for years.... some I've even started but didn't get past week one.
2. Keep up with this blog ("keep up" is a relative term... so I'll aim for weekly updates, at least).
3. Scrapbook- finish college and some of my vacations and trips

There's more, but that's enough for now.... and about as much personal disclosure as I feel comfortable with right now.....

I've gotta get onto Sean to make his list of resolutions.

Well, we are off to the church in about an hour for our New Year's Eve all-nighter. Oh, joy. :-)

We've been married almost 6 and a half years, and in that short amount of time have had quite an adventure. Here's just a glimpse....
Here we are in Monterey, Ca.

From when we lived in NC.... lol.
Fun times in Viriginia Beach!
Our first date!


This was our first trip to Italy together.... we were at the train station in Riccione!