And then there was one... again

Car number two has let us down again. It's still cheaper than a car payment every month but the unreliability of the jeep can be somewhat frustrating at times. When the AAA guy came to tow Carson home he just gave the starter a little hit and it started up. The guy said that it could be the only time that it starts like that or that it could start every time from now on. So we're kind of treading on thin ice with it. God has been faithful and we have been blessed with some wonderful friends that are willing to help out if we ever need a ride.

We've finally finished things up here in the office (besides finding a few things to hang on the walls) so I'm posting pictures of that. We've got a futon now and open to visitors!


We also did a little redecorating in the living room so I'm re-posting pictures of that. My mom did a wonderful job sewing some pillows and a skirt for the TV stand that really changed the color of the room. *Thanks mom!!


Carson and I had a nice relaxing day today. We both were done about noon today so we were able to enjoy a nice lunch together and spend some time this afternoon at the pool. We met some nice people there who had a son who was 3 and pretty much attached himself to Carson the entire time we were there. It was adorable and the mom's were very impressed and bragging on what a good dad Carson will be. When the time is right, of course :-)

Carson's gone for the day tomorrow on a Kayaking trip with some friends so it will kind of a quiet weekend around here.

I watched Jackson at our apartment one day last week. He seemed so excited to be in a new place. I guess he was so busy looking around he didn't want to nap much. But these pictures were taken right after a little cat nap so it was hard to get a smile out of him.

The best job of all!

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.

I am so glad that God picked me to be Carson's helpmate. It's the best job. We're staying in Greenville this week because Carson is helping out as a graduate student for a competition that Clemson is hosting. I don't get to be a part of any of the events, but I get to help him by ironing his clothes, encouraging him, and making sure that he has everything that he needs . . . and I love that! It makes me so happy just to be there for him.

And today marks 4 months (120 days) that Carson and I have been married. We've learned a lot in those months about each other and ourselves, but we have a lot more growing to do and look forward to what God has planned for our marriage in the months and years to come.

I love the Kitchen!

I always knew I loved to cook, but I've come to realize just how much this past week. I only have a few precious hours in the evening between work and bed, and I seem to be spending it all in the kitchen. (Carson has night classes for the next two weeks so he just gets to enjoy the food when he gets home) The suitcases still need to be unpacked, or more like the explosion around them needs to be put away, and I have some organizing that needs to be done in the office. Despite all this I have spent so much time in the kitchen. I have cooked chicken and made chicken broth (which lead to making chicken salad), cinnamon swirl bread (in our new bread maker), apple sauce, some wonderful scones (takes me back to my days in England) and homemade pretzels, which we used to make grilled cheese pretzels. Carson finally had to stop me this morning because we had too much to eat and I think he was a little bit tired of doing the dishes.

Cooking and baking is interesting on a tight budget but with the great deals I'm able to find it makes it pretty manageable. Our Bloom grocery store had triple coupons again this weekend so Carson and I (who will get up at whatever time to get a good deal) went before we had to be at work at 8am. We weren't the only ones though. There were ladies all over that store with huge coupon binders that even overwhelmed me. So I bet you'll never guess how much we got everything below for:




$2.24!! Without coupons this purchase would have been $30!


And as promised, here are picture from the competition that Carson went to for our trip home to Orlando.


And the next few days will be very nice and relaxing. Carson is helping out for an international packaging conference in Greenville and the department has offered everyone their own hotel room at the Westin in downtown Greenville. He will be very busy but I'm tagging along and taking a good book! Woot!

Home Again, Home Again

So there was a little change of plans since I last posted. Carson and I were supposed to both travel back last Wednesday with his group but my family decided to fly me back later so I could spend some more time at home and be with mom on Mother's Day (I didn't have to be back to work until Tuesday). It was so wonderful to have that unexpected time at home. It was mine and Carson's first time being apart since we've been married and we quickly realized how much we missed each other!! So my day started early this morning at 4:30 am so I could fly home to be with my husband again. I had a wonderful week at home with my family and enjoyed the time that I got to spend with them. It was especially nice to spend Mother's Day with my mom.

It is so comfortable to be home. After a lot of time apart, Carson and I are happy to be back together with no more separation in sight for the foreseeable future. I'm learning that life picks back up as soon as you walk through the door. Carson and I were able to spend a nice afternoon together but then it was off to the store for me and off to the first day of summer school for Carson. I'll post pictures from out trip home (mostly of Carson's competition) in the next few days. Right now my house is screaming to be cleaned. That's what happens after you travel and your husband has been home a few days before you! In all fairness, I told him to leave the mess and work on stuff that he needed to get done. I'm weird and actually enjoy cleaning so I'm looking forward to getting my house back in order. I'm also excited about getting to see little Jackson tomorrow. I can't imagine how much he's grow in just the 1.5 weeks we were apart. As hard as it will be to get up in the morning, at least I love my job!