yay yay yay!

we are finally in our own place in PA and finally have internet … yay, yay, YAY!

it was a rough transition, but i am starting to feel settled and definitely loving being back.

still praying for JOBS for lance and i, because it is no fun having no income (eek) … and also for "mom friends." my friends in GA laugh at this, but that's because there is such a strong community of fun moms to connect with there.

my "attempts" have included going to the stroller group here … but that was a flop. super nice people, but the group was more of a walk through the park and sing songs to the kids while you work out. the stroller strong moms group i was part of in GA was more of a run and do tough workouts and listen to music, instead of sing nursery rhymes. just different. for awhile i was running at different parks, but i would NEVER see any other moms running with strollers?!

i joined a gym now, but i'm doubtful about making connections there. (if i write that i will make a lifelong friend or something, right?) yesterday i tried to go to a class, but we got there late and halfway through it the childcare people came to get me because dax was "not happy." blah. it's hard for me to go with the flow as a mom. like hey dax, i just wanted to work out. so just sleep. at night. for naps. whenever. you always feel better when you do, okay?

i thought joining MOPS/moms group at church would be a really easy way to make mom friends, but apparently that is everyone's plan … the childcare is already filled up, and i'm not paying $50 to join it without childcare. who knew these things were such hot tickets?!

all of that to say, in our wait for jobs … and my wait for friends … i am trying to stay positive and focus on all that God has already done.

i'm reading "the prayer that changes everything" by stormie omartian (love her) and it's helping me to keep my perspective on PRAISE. she walks you through her own life and scripture to get you in the habit of turning everything into PRAISE. putting it into practice is so refreshing.

so i keep praising God for providing us with an AWESOME place to live. house/apartment hunting was taxing! there were times i though we wouldn't find anything or we'd end up in a miserable dump. but we found a place in a great location with great landlords and rent. it has more space than we were expecting to find for our price range, and lance is thrilled to have an unfinished basement where he can work out. so many wins!! thank you God for caring about the details and meeting our need.

something lance and i have different attitudes about is God in the little things. as in: i pray for parking spaces, and he says God is more into the big picture. but the little things make a big difference for me, and it's hard for me to not think God is in them. sometimes if i focus on the big picture i feel defeated. maybe i'm actually focusing on the "medium" picture when i feel that way, because in the BIG picture i am created and loved and saved by an amazing God with a limitless supply to meet all my need.

EITHER WAY, the little things make me happy ...

• on sunday i won the flowers they were giving away in our new small group at church. (after initially remarking how beautiful they were.)
• on monday i won a giveaway from my friends business for cookies. (lactation cookies to be exact, but a cookie is a cookie and i am pumped. i feel weird using pumped for that sentence. i am thrilled?)
• we found a chair for sale along the side of the road, and it was just what i'd been wanting. the lady said she had JUST put it outside. that is one of those things i would have previously said, "that never happens to me!" (never say never.)
• yard saling has been so good to me since being back in lancaster. i keep finding things i am looking for - woohoo! bargain shopping really is addicting … after a few yard saling and thrifting finds, it is hard to even pay target prices, let alone truly expensive prices. 
• when i stopped to buy flowers for 10 cents, the lady threw in extras for free. and the same thing happened when i bought sweet corn elsewhere. LOVE that!
• when i am running (and therefore struggling somewhat, because it's hard getting back in shape post-baby and i'm also not into a habit/schedule yet) there have been so many strangers complimenting me and cheering me on. i feel silly and even vain writing that, but it gives me that extra push to keep running when ladies see me and give me positive encouragement on the road or at the park. they must know. :) sisterhood. always give that cheerful word - it makes a difference!

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." [Psalm 63:3-5]