Updates and such

Well, a brief update is in order, I believe.

Life's been going so fast lately, I feel like I can't keep up! Plus, I've been having these freaky dreams that really set me in a funk first thing in the morning.

The house has been a disaster for the last week or so. Especially our room. It seems like as soon as I start cleaning or picking up, something happens and I have to stop or leave. GRR!

Working from home has proven to be fun, exhausting, rewarding and frustrating for me. Robert and I decided it's best for me to stay home, but if you're reading this blog, I am certain that you know I won't just sit here and knit or watch TV. I'm teaching piano lessons to 5 students now, and am considering opening up space for 3 more students. Between the two of us, we're still nannying for the Kings and their 4 kids (1 is away in the Marines). Our days/ hours are jumbled right now, and sometimes we just go up there because we want to spend time with them :) But all in all, it's working out great for everyone.

Also, Robert has been back in Everett for some time, since the Anacortes location hasn't quite started serving lunch yet, so he hasn't had to go up there to do training for them. I love it, because he's home more. He is a little torn, because it's more money and he feels really productive.

We've received confirmation of our plane tickets and condo reservations for Oahu in May! I'm so glad this has all come together for us. We really need a break.

I am very excited to be starting all 3 of our new small group studies this next week! Ladies' Bible Study on Thursday nights is starting a study on Esther - one of my two favorite books of the Bible - by Elizabeth George, HOV is starting a new study on the life of David, and our young marrieds class at church is starting something new, but we don't know what it will be just yet!

Well, that's all I've got for now. :) Enjoy this pic of us one year ago yesterday at Gion Don's in Maui.

One Year Ago Today...

We got married!!!

And then we went to...

Maui!!!

We're headed back to Hawaii May 18th-25th this year. :) Oahu this time. 

Thank you ALL for your unending love, support and care for us. This year has not been easy. 

We've experienced loss (Grandpa Crombie, Brandon Yost, Chuck Doyle - all in Heaven with Jesus), heartache, changes, job loss, schedule adjustments,  and much more. While most people say, "Oh, the first year is the hardest!" We would argue that the MARRIAGE is the BEST part of the first year together, and that all the other stuff - life in general, as tough as it is - was what made it difficult to persevere. But we DID IT! Looking back, we have no regrets, because we've learned and grown. Don't get me wrong; we were very, very hurt and very, very scared many, many times! But we know God is in control. And He has a good and perfect plan!

A brief but current update: I am currently a stay-at-home wife, and work from home in my Etsy shop, selling stuff on eBay, and keeping our home and schedules in order. I also teach piano lessons to 5 wonderful students, and try to squeeze in teaching a coupon cataloging seminar now and again. Robert is still working for Anthony's Home Port, and he's currently wearing many hats in the Everett location (server, lead, front desk, trainer, etc.), as well as helping the Anacortes Location get on its feet by training the new employees up there. He also works very hard to help me as much as he can around the house. We're still serving in ministry as the Directors of the Trek ministry (6th-8th graders) in the Awana program at our church. 

A few things we've gleaned over the last year:

1) Amendment J.O.Y. - Jesus first, others second, yourself last

2) God has the best plan

3) If you put your faith in God, He will give you the desires of your heart

4) Being a stay-at-home wife does not mean that my house is perfectly clean, my things are perfectly in order, and I've got life figured out - and it's OKAY

5) It's okay to be emotional; just as long as your actions aren't based solely on emotion

6) Actions are always better than reactions

7) We aren't perfect; so we'll make mistakes

8) Any situation can make us bitter or better (borrowed from Michelle Duggar)

9) People are only mean when they are threatened (borrowed from Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom)

10) Ask each other questions all the time - communication is a good thing

Of course, we've learned much, much more, but this is just what I came up with off the top of my head.

Things we can use prayer for:

1) Praise God for the kindness of Grandpa & Grandma Byers and Uncle Roy, without whom we would not be going away for 8 days to enjoy a tropical vacation for a second honeymoon.

2) Praise God for our work situations - He is faithful to provide, and we are not going without anything!

3) Pray for wisdom and discernment as we enter our second year of marriage.

4) Pray for better time management.

5) Pray for my working from home, as it's been a huge provision from the Lord, and that He would continue to provide for us in that way. 

Again, thank you for everything you all have done for us. It means more to us than you'll ever know!