I'll Be Home For Christmas

Getting a job has been a wonderful blessing and much needed for our home and my sanity. But being a new employee means little to no time off, especially during the holidays. Knowing this fact, I tested the water by asking fellow employees if they thought I could get time off during Christmas (because the thought of going home has been a huge comfort for me being here in South Bend, not to mention that Wes' little sister, Jamie, is getting married five days before Christmas). Needless to say, going home is really, REALLY important to me, and the thought of not being able to is one I can't even stomach.

The prospects looked grim the more I talked to coworkers, but I went ahead and emailed my boss and explained the situation. Many emails followed with further questions and me anticipating the final word. More than just my hopes were on the line because so was our budget - We've been watching ticket prices gradually increase, and we know they will only continue to do so.

But after agonizing for two weeks wondering and waiting to see if Wes and I would be able to go home for Christmas, the verdict finally came in: We're going home!! Woohoo! Purchased plane tickets Friday night. We're flying in late the 19th of December and leaving the 26th. It seems like nothing in comparison to the four weeks Wes gets off from school, but I'm just grateful to have the days that are the most important. I have to work crazy hours before and after our trip, but it will be well worth every second :)

"I'll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents by the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams"

Yay!! See you December 20th!

House Guest

Monday afternoon of this last week brought our first house guest! Grandma Anderson (Wes' maternal grandmother) makes an annual fall trip back east, and we were privileged to receive a visit from her as she passed through Indiana. It was wonderful to see her and enjoy an evening together. She toured Notre Dame campus with Wes while I was still at work, and then we met up at the South Bend Chocolate Company - YUM. Dinner out and chatting followed. I fell asleep on the couch (typical), but she loved our little apartment and spending the night with us.

Her visit was quick, but it was lovely to have a piece of home come to us. Bringing things forgotten, news and love from our family, and a welcome, familiar face. Grandma Anderson is such a sweet, wonderful lady, and we love her! We're now looking forward to seeing Wes' parents in a couple of weeks for the BYU game! Still haven't decided who I'm going to cheer for...

Wes was right!?

Our first Sunday attending the Plymouth Branch. First I have to say that the drive to the building was very pretty. The leaves here are just starting to turn (love Autumn), so I look forward to future drives when the trees are all 'on fire'. Utah highways are ugly. Especially compared to the green, tree lined roads we get to drive on here. Though the little towns we drove through reminded me of Sanpete County - small, old homes with property and the occasional large, beautiful home with gorgeous property. Also passed a drive-in movie theater.

Anyway, we get to the small Branch building and discover that today is their Branch Conference. The Stake Pres. greets us and asks me if I'm bashful. I laugh and say no, and he replies 'Good. Anything can happen in a Branch'. We sit down and Wes tells me I'd better be ready to speak. No way! They wouldn't do that. But he just smiles at me, and my heart starts to beat a little faster and my mind starts casually preparing what I might say, just in case Wes is right.

The program is announced - my name is not said. Whew, I relax and enjoy the speakers. Except I keep feeling very...emotional is the only word that comes to mind. I keep feeling so many things and my thoughts are everywhere. Pres. Jones gets up to speak and says instead that we will hear from Anna Harward first...

Wes was right! Darn it, haha. So I get up and bear my testimony to people I've never met. I first tell them what transpired since the start of the meeting and that anything really does happen in a branch. They laughed. The spirit then hit me so strongly that these people are good and faithful saints of God, and I was so humbled to be in their meeting today. I bore my testimony simply - while fighting through some tears and a squeaky voice, of course.

After taking my seat, I was still really emotional for a few reasons. The Holy Ghost again bore witness to me that I am in the right place and here for a reason. I know that Wes and I will be able to do so much good while we serve in Plymouth. I also felt the wonderful love of my Heavenly Father - that he truly knows me and is mindful of my needs. He knew I needed to bear my testimony today and that maybe someone needed to hear it. I'm so grateful that Pres. Jones felt inspired to call upon me today and that Wes helped prepare me for this situation, even if I didn't want to admit that I knew he was right ;) I'm also grateful to have received personal revelation and to have been a part of this neat experience. It may have been a really simple thing, but simplicity is often where the most profound things happen.

I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Can't wait for more Sundays in Plymouth, Indiana.

YES!

So, it's been a week since my last post, and I'm done waiting for the news I last wrote about. The anticipation ended Wednesday actually - sorry for the delayed response.

Short story: I got the job, and I start tomorrow! And our calling is one that came out of left field, but we are so excited.

Long version: Last Monday's interview went well. I felt really good about everything and was confident in my performance. Tuesday - call from the operations manager and she says there is another position open at a different branch but more hours. Interested? YES. Later Tuesday I get a phone interview with the manager there. Again, feel really good and even more confident. Wednesday - email comes with a job offer! Woohoo! Like I said, I start tomorrow with orientation and training for two weeks, then working at the Maple Lane branch.

The peace of mind that securing a job brings is great. One constant worry is now off of my mind. I'm ready to have my weeks full and busy again and to bring home the bacon ;) Oh, and I'm excited to wear some new clothes! (date night this week was shopping at the mall :) we spent more on Wes than on me. haha)

Back up to Tuesday night now. We met with our stake president, and we have been asked to attend the branch in Plymouth - a town about 45 minutes south of South Bend. They have lost a lot of members recently due to economic difficulties, and they need some strong members to reinvigorate the branch. We were not expecting this. Or anything like this. But we are so excited! Wes especially because he has served in many branches before on his mission and has loved his experiences in them. This will definitely be very different for me, but I'm looking forward to all of it and the missionary experiences that we will have.

This week has been full of great moments, and it has reminded me to trust in the Lord's timing. I wanted a job weeks ago - He knew I needed this one, this week. We were ready to serve in the South Bend ward - He needs us in Plymouth. I know these things are right, and I am so excited to see what lies ahead.

Waiting. Anticipating.

Highlight of this last week: I had a phone interview! Job situation is looking very hopeful. After a few weeks of applying to countless jobs, and after receiving a few no's, I got a maybe from a local bank. Just a teller position, but I've had a phone interview and took an assessment which has led to an in-person interview tomorrow at the branch where I hope to work. Pretty excited to think that I could get this job and be busy once again - not that I don't mind the waking up whenever I feel like it and not having a schedule everyday, but I do think it's time for some structure in my life. And making money. And buying some new professional attire ;)

Let's hope for a job offer this week. But until I have the interview and hear back, I'm in agonizing anticipation.

But this is not the only thing I'm waiting on this week. Wes and I received a phone call to set up an appointment to meet with the stake president... Speculation began right after Wes hung up. Guessing 'who's getting the calling?' and 'what's it going to be?' Fun questions to ask, and we're hoping thinking it's going to be me. Just because Wes has almost zero time on his hands for anything but school. So, again, we'll see.

Maybe I'd better take advantage of the last few days I may have to sleep in and be somewhat lazy and relaxed before real life kicks in. Because Wes keeps joking that I'll be the new Stake Relief Society President, which is really not funny because my dad has joked about the same thing and needing to compare notes with my mom - I'd rather keep the note comparing to home and cooking stuff... I'll do whatever the Lord needs me to though and trust in His timing. And know that it is right.

OUR HOUSE - the other spaces

And the rest of our house. The not so exciting parts like the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and oh wait that's all. ha

kitchen

Kind of old fashioned with the ugly cabinets, but it works. No pantry so it's a good thing there's a lot of cabinets to hide everything :) Oh and the fridge has its own little nook to the right of the cereal on the counter. I didn't feel that it deserved it's own picture.

laundry room closet

The washer and dryer work, which is a miracle because they're both so old and so, so LOUD! It sounds like a war zone when they're both running. So I've taken to doing laundry when Wes is gone and when I won't mind not being able to hear myself think. Oh and speaking of loud appliances, so is our dishwasher. It's like a mini hurricane in there every time I use it, but the dishes come out clean, mostly, so that's what counts. 

My view from the kitchen sink. Except Wes is usually in his chair when I'm doing the dishes.

bathroom

This picture is significant because of the small cabinet to the right of the toilet, and not because of the toilet itself :) The only storage in the bathroom was the cabinet under the sink. And we filled that up in about two seconds as we unpacked. I do not consider myself high maintenance by any means, but a girl has a lot of hair products and hair tools that need a home in the bathroom. So this little guy was born (thanks Target), and it works well. Though you have to watch out for the door if it's open when you sit down on the toilet - as Wes can tell you... The edge is really sharp! :)

hallway

bedroom

Dresser and things at the foot of our bed.

closet

 inside the closet

 His and hers. Hanging space on both sides. Love that it came with this built in shelving, even if it is wire. My baskets and boxes make it all better. 

And there you have it. That's our house. It's cozy and comfy and ours.

OUR HOUSE - the living space

One morning this week, I finally remembered to take photos of our apartment. The lighting is not the best, nor are the photographer's skills, but you get the idea of what our house looks like (: 

So here is the view of the place from the door as you walk in - Kitchen is off to the right, but this will come in a later post.

door. what you just 'walked' through

Wesley's work station.

(Wes and I are watching the first Notre Dame game of the season as I'm working on this, and he has been reading over my shoulder. He complained that his desk doesn't normally look like that - he usually has more fancy Apple stuff out and "all that junk usually isn't there. like the headphones. and that book. and that glass" My husband likes a very tidy house :) So he wants another picture of his desk. I'll get one with him in his chair to show what the desk truly looks like.He also just said he's going to start a blog called 'The Rebuttal" because I may have moved some of my stuff and papers and such out of the way to take the pictures, but didn't pick up his space. He feels misrepresented.)

comfy couch. and ottoman

entertainment center. and bookcases

We thought that the bookcases were the exact same size, but to our surprise they were not. Wes was ready to go buy another as soon as the taller one was put together because it was "going to drive him crazy" (and apparently it was going to drive me crazy too, but I don't recall saying any such thing) But eventually he decided - and just said this to me again today - that he really likes them the way they are. ha ha

view from our back door

We love this because it lets in a lot of great light during the day, and the sound of crickets and sightings of fireflies at night. Plus we've basically got a forest to look at and not another apartment building - so lovely.
(Wes says I need to take another picture of this outside of the glass door to "get more of the outside" and what it really looks like. I'll work on that.)

dining table. and guitar

 Looking back to the front door you can see my beautiful guitar and our dining table. Eventually I'll get some of our wedding family pictures printed and up on that lonely wall...

You can kind of see this in the first picture walking into the apartment, but this sign separates the dining space from the living space. These words are special to us because they are some of the words the Sealer spoke to us in the Temple. The Harwards made it for us, and we love it.

So here we are, in our little apartment, loving the one we've found.