Eat pizza and pretend it's Friday.

Last night, Jordan and I made personal pizzas together for dinner. Yummy. I didn't realize what Bisquick mix was until I moved to Cedarville after college. My lovely roommate (wow, that's another really long story) made chocolate chip scones using the mix... and then I was hooked! The pizza crust is way easy, and I've learned that if you're a Shumaker, your favorite meal is pizza and you must have it at least once a week. ;)

Pizza crust:
2 1/2 cups of bisquick baking mix
1/3 cup hot water

*preheat oven to 450, mix bisquick and water and stir with a fork about 20 strokes, spray with vegetable spray to keep it from sticking to your hands, separate dough in half, and form two pizza crusts on the pizza stone. Add your fav. toppings, bake for 12-15 minutes.

The pizza baking on the super-nice pizza stone we got as a gift from Pampered Chef when we got married:

The pizza plated, right before Eugene devoured it.

Last night was nice because I kind of pretended it was Friday. You know, pizza is a Friday food. Plus, Jordan's two friends TJ & Colby came over to visit and watch America's Funniest Home Videos and the winter Olympics. Espn was really well behaved when they visited too {proud puppy mom here} as opposed to when he chewed up three spots on my loveseat {not-so proud about this tidbit}!

Also, we took an online test to determine our "Love Language" since we're now married, I wondered if it would be different. We're both Quality Time and Words of Affirmation. :) Both of which I received last night from my husby = wondrous thing.

Verses today:

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths." Proverbs 4:11

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless." Isaiah 40:29

xoxo,

Jane

I think God reads my blog.

The Air1 verse of the day is Psalm 37:23, and I love it. I love that God delights in every detail of our lives. How loved are we! It also made me think about this silly blog about all the pointless comments I leave about the minute details of my life.  Like I said, I'm not writing this for someone to read, but just for myself. So, now I'm wondering, maybe God reads my blog? ;)

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23 NLT

I'm struggling working this week. I just have the deepest urge to say at home, take care of Espn (who ate some of my loveseat this morning), clean, cook, bake, etc. Isn't it sad that Eugene and I both wish we could retire today?!  I wish (I think) that I could work at home somehow, and still be a homemaker. Well, let's be honest, I'm looking forward to being a stay-at-home-mommy {*fingers crossed*} some day. Ugh, absolutely amazing idea. But even now, I wish I could dream up some idea to work less. I really don't mind working; it's just the idea of not being home and not having quality time with my family. I know, welcome to life, Darlin. It kind of stinks, in my humble opinion.

I got to Skype with Casey last night. She's so pretty & pregnant! I'm so proud of her, and I really wish I could be more supportive and encouraging and present for her during this pregnancy. Although, she doesn't really even need help - she's, well, amazing! :) How cute are the parents-to-be!

Oh how I love them, and Oh how I miss them!

xoxo,

Jane

Words of Affirmation.

So my love languages are definitely words of affirmation and quality time. I'm feeling very conflicted right now. I just got great feedback from my boss about the progress I'm making for work, "now that we have you, we're actually headed in the direction we want to go" but I also have a new event on Saturday and a consultation on Sunday. Seriously, work 7 days a week. Ew. I'm such a homebody, family girl. I about cry leaving my puppy at home every morning. Stinks. I feel like I'm doing well at my job (new since October) but I also feel like it's seriously cutting in on my quality time with my boys (Eugene and Espn, of course.) Oh well, I've got to work, so I'll just keep swimming - as Finding Nemo instructs. Eugene loves this move and would hate that I'm typing that tidbit! HA~!

My devotional today was about Paul's hardships. I especially like the line about being poor but making many rich. Um, speaking to me? Yes, ma'm. I've been thinking a lot about the fact that Eugene and I will never have much money. (I know, never say never, but it's definitely not likely.) And again I'm torn, because I so stinking badly want to get rid of my college loans and not be a slave to them, but I also care way more about having a happy well-housed, well-fed family. I so want to be a stay-at-home mom when the time comes, and I am swallowing the fact that it's just going to mean we're poor. But (thanks God for the reminder) we may be poor, but we can make many rich. That right there = wondrous thing for sure. I'll keep focusing on making many rich, although we're going to scrape by...paying over $1,000 for our car repairs tonight...because it really doesn't matter in the Big Picture. I am so thankful I have that Big Picture - it's my hope. Praise Him for hope.

2 Corinthians 6:3-11 (New International Version) (ps I love http://www.biblegateway.com/)


Paul's Hardships


3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.


11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.


I also emailed Casey these cute pictures of baby girl headbands. Oh so darling! I want to make some of these for my niece-to-be. We'll see if it actually happens, but it's great in my head! She's going to be so stinking beautiful (with or without the headbands)! :) :)

http://www.dimplesanddandelions.com/zoom.asp?Product_ID=33196&Display=1

(this isn't from the same site since I couldn't get the image, but it's pretty much the same idea)

xoxo,

Jane

Hope does not disappoint.

I'm feeling quite a bit better today - not nearly as much pain in my stomach. Yesterday I was blessed with a phone call with each of my best friends: Casey and Libby. I'm so thankful for good friends who are connected to the Vine, honest, real, caring, and make me smile. They are both so supportive and encouraging to me. Friends make life a little less scary. :)

Eugene got a new battery for the loaner vehicle, so we're back to two working vehicles. My dad picked him up from work last night, and then his dad picked him up from the auto store where he got stranded while I was at my event. Dads make life a little less scary too!

Eugene and I finally sat down at 9:00 last night. We went straight to our bed to just lay there and rest. Puppy snuggled on the bed too (a special treat, we don't normally take him upstairs) until he got to annoyed and jumped off the bed. And, another blessing, Eugene actually slept well last night. Amen for Tylenol PM, ha!

Now that I'm actually feeling some-what normal, I need to tackle all the clothes I've shoved in my closet corner, iron Eugene's shirts, cook Tacos (Eugene's fav.), and clean up the kitchen. Oh, and finish by 9:00 for the new LOST episode! Woohoo!

I really relate to Romans 5:1-5 right now.

Romans 5

Peace and Joy

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 

 

I decided to change my desktop background to a flower picture. Come on home, Spring!
 
xoxo,
 
Jane

What next.

A lovely morning today. (That was sarcastic.) Eugene tried to leave early for school because he still had to grade some papers. Well, the van - which is our back up vehicle that we're borrowing because his car died - wouldn't start and wouldn't charge. Lovely. So I had just finished my shower, didn't even get time to redress my lovely stomach stitches, and had to jump in the Element to take him to work. Then, he realized he forgot all the papers he graded this weekend at our apartment. Back to the apartment I drove, then back to the school, then finally to work.  We have four cars, and only one works. And, my poor tummy hurts! Lovely. So now I have an event to work tonight, so we can't go to small group. That's sad because I could definitely use the encouragement. Hopefully, my parents can pick Eugene up from work.

Yesterday's get-together seemed to go well. Always hard to judge your own events, but I think the girls enjoyed getting together. And it made me smile that they said my place was cute. :) We had potato soup, turkey noodle soup, corn bread muffins, brownies, scotcheroos, and cheeseball & crackers. Tons of leftovers. I didn't take many pictures during the event because we just chatted mainly, but here are a few.

Espn did well too, thanks to Rita & Heidi watching him. Friends = wondrous things. Puppy found a new love of crunchy, loud, plastic water bottles for toys...kept him occupied and happy for a long time!

Eugene's not sleeping well. I hope we both rest up tonight *somehow* and relax a bit. Especially him, he deserves a break. I hate that I'm adding stress to his life. I know, part of marriage, part of living. Still, it bothers me. I like to reduce stress, not add it.


Rough day, but God is good. He gave me great news for my surgery, so I'll keep on praising (even though I'm wanting to scream, "WHAT NEXT!?!" ;)


xoxo,


Jane

Made it.

So the surgery went well. I'm so thankful to God  - He always provides - and to my family for their support and encouragement. We basically found out it was the best case scenario, so Praise. :)

Dad made turkey noodle soup, and Casey gave me season one and two of "I Love Lucy" (my wondrous thing for the day.) Instant grin.

Off to try to rest.

xoxo

Jane

Grow (and bloom) where you're planted - update

So last night I took home some of the flowers we had left over from our events and made an arrangement. I love fresh flowers (especially especially when they're FREE!)  I'm hoping they stay fresh until Sunday for my get-together with my volleyball girls. I also still have my single yellow rose that's opened up nicely - thank you, Eugene, for my Valentine bloom. ;)

I love that our oven is taller than our counter ledge (not), so I'm hoping the fresh flowers will distract the eye a bit from the un-lovely aluminum back of the oven peering through the kitchen. Wondrous thing yesterday = smelling real flowers. Mmm, a little bit of Spring despite the mounds of snow outside my window.


Here's my verse(s) of the day. Pretty fitting for the events of my day tomorrow.

Psalm 62



1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah


5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

...
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,

12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.


 
xoxo


Jane

Is it really only Wednesday?

Today's post will be pitiful. I can already tell, because I'm...well...exhausted. I worked all day yesterday and then stayed for an event - we're talking 8 am - 9:30 pm, and then back this morning for another event today. So day 3 with a migraine and super busy and just a tad bit stressed. I know, stop my complaining.

Whenever I get complaining and venting like this, I always remember high school volleyball at Michigan State. We had to literally walk 20-30 minutes from one gym to the next, then to the dorm, then to they gym, then to the cafeteria, then to the gym, then to the other gym...well, you get the point. So my best friend, Libby, and I experienced each trip x10 with blisters covering our poor feet and fatigue pushing us to the edge of sanity. We found the verse in Philippians 2:14-18. I added my own emphasis, just to slap it across my cheek today!

14DO EVERYTING WITHOUT COMPLAINING OR ARGUING, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Actually, now that I think about it, one of the blogs I follow wrote about this same exact notion. That we can take everything we do and do it for the glory of God.  Event the boring seemingly pointless tasks can give glory to him if we do so with a heavenly mentality. Another volleyball verse reference (sorry, can't help myself), every year I wrote on my vball shoe: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the LORD not men." Cols 3:23. I could stare at that one for hours.

Yup, harder than it sounds. Seems like the simplest concepts can be the hardest. For example, "What you give will grow, and what you keep will be lost forever." Chris Speildman. Duh, but why is it so hard to give and easy to keep?

I'm going home to give my poor puppy some attention, lay on the floor, and get LOST with my husby. :) I love my little family.

xoxo

Jane

Ready for rest.

For some reason, today I'm completely and udderly exhausted. I'm talking hard-to-hold-your-arm-up-to-pin-up-your-hair exhausted. It's weird and I have no idea why I'm so tired. Maybe because I had to work until 11 pm on Saturday. I had to set up for an event tonight: 26 tables, 206 chairs. Is it bad that I'm actually looking forward to my surgery on Friday because I know I will rest after it?!

I keep beating myself up for not going into education. Eugene's been home for 7 days now because of the weather. I wish I were a elementary teacher, I'd be home with my two boys, laying under a blanket on the couch...not helping an AV guy set up his projector. I feel like I didn't make a good career choice for having a family. Why didn't I realize that being a teacher would mean good maternity benefits, time off during holidays, Christmas and Summer break, less hours away from my future kids? It's too late now, and I just really regret not even considering that I wanted to be a mom when I picked my major. How can a 17 year old girl even think about the fact that she may want to have a job that's fexlible for a family when she just graduated high school, just stared dating a boy, and doesn't even know if a family's in the future God has planned for her? I know it's not something that I should beat myself up over, but I really wish someone would have asked me to think about my potential future family as I decided on a career field. Oh well. God's got it under control; He will hold it all together. I'm just trying to remember to "grow where I'm planted." Ugh...can I have a new garden? I know. I'm missing the point.

LOST is on tonight. I love that Eugene and I both like that show. I think I'm going to miss it though. There's not much of a chance this event will be over by 9:00. Plus I have to set up tonight for our luncheon event that's tomorrow. Lovely. I promise I'm thankful for a job. God's providing for us through my job, and I regonize that for the huge blessing that it is.

My wondrous thing so far today is that Eugene rode with me to our Urbana venue to pick up some centerpieces, and then we ate lunch together afterwards. It's a perfect day for chili. I'm thankful for unplanned time together with my husband.

xoxo

Jane

Love extravagantly.

It's snowing. AGAIN. There's only a couple good things about the snow: 1) it's pretty when it's fresh and 2) puppy Espn absolutely loves playing in it. Yup, that's it. I'm sorry, but I'm really getting tired of seeing this white stuff...well, mainly brown dirty whitish stuff.

I'd much rather think about my weekend love rather than the poor weather. It was such a nice weekend. It wasn't necessarily the ideal weekend for a romantic Valentine's Day weekend since I had a late Friday meeting, Saturday evening event, and Eugene had to coach his baseball camp all day Sunday, but we still enjoyed the time we had together. I've decided that Valentine's Day is more exciting when you're dating - the surprise dates, the fun gifts, the fresh experience. But the holiday is definitely deeper when you're married. It's a comforting, lasting, smile 'cause you know it's going to be forever kind of feeling. I loved ours.

When I came home from my meeting on Friday, Eugene had the table glowing in candlelight, set with homemade ranch-soy sauce chicken (as he admitted, it sounds gross, but it's really good!), corn, and cheesy mashed potatoes. There was a yellow rose sitting by my plate, a note written by my love, and two candy hearts..."KISS ME" and "LOVE YOU." He made me smile.

My wondrous thing on Friday was pretty obvious. ;) p.s. I love that the heart ornament in the background is perfectly placed over our heads!

Saturday, I experienced the sweet savory joy of doing laundry in my own place! A.mazing. My dad is so generous, seriously. I say I'm visiting Jim's Grocery Store when I go home to visit because he always send me back with bags and bags of food...we're talking frozen ham, peanut butter, cookies, almonds, you name it, I've gone home with it! Anyway, I'm so thankful for the washer and dryer he gave us (they got new energy efficient ones.) Eugene & I seriously have the best families. So blessed. It's the simple things that most people probably don't even think twice about that make my day! Wondrous thing Saturday = folding clean, warm socks that smell like fabric softener in my own apartment. Mmm!

Sunday's sermon was on Love. 1 Corinthians 13. We've studied love pretty regularly for the past year, with engagement, pre-marital counseling, planning our wedding ceremony, and our newlyweds small group. So it's tempting to gloss over at the mention of the love chapter again. But every time, God brings a new point to mind. This Sunday, I was reminded that love is enduring. It covers all. I keep track. Love doesn't. I bring up disappointment or disagreement. Love just covers it over. Ok, something to work on. :)

Also, love is the ultimate expression of maturity. Not sure why, but I never really chewed on this point. Makes sense though. Even in my young relationship with Eugene, I've seen our love mature - long way to go still, but we'll keep remembering to think God, other, self and I think we'll keep maturing. I also really like The Message's translation of 1 Cor. 13:13 "Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly." What a challenge...I think it has my name written to it with an asterisk! I definitely can improve on all three commands.

Sunday night, I had dinner waiting when Jordan got home - homemade bacon cheese burger and "gourmet" shells and cheese. They're not really gourmet, but more expensive than the boxed stuff at Aldi! Well, I think he was happy & full afterwards. We snuggled with the pup for a bit and enjoyed being with each other.

I also got to Skype with my sister and my mom on Sunday. She's so beautiful pregnant! I wish I could be in Tulsa (or even better if she could be here) to give her a much-deserved foot-rub or fold baby girl's clothes for her. It's the little things that I really wish I could help with. I think she's so inspiring and courageous to be working such long and intense hours and growing a beautiful baby. She's basically my role model. I love her and I'm so proud of her!

Here's a picture of my sister and me at my wedding. She's going to have a beautiful baby! :)

Sunday's wondrous thing is the love of my family...my new little family and our big, loving, generous, supportive extended families!

xoxo

Jane

But the greatest of these is love.

So unfortunately, my Valentine's Day weekend won't be luxurious since I have a late meeting for work tonight, an event for work tomorrow, and Eugene has baseball camp until 7 Sunday. Still, I can't help but to be overwhelmed with thankfulness that I have my Valentine for the rest of my life. Valentine's Day tastes even sweeter as a married woman!

Last night, when we got home from watching the Cedarville basketball game, we let Espn lay on our bed with us as we did our devotions. He's so soft and cuddly...minus when he bites everything, I mean everything - my nose, my shirt, my pillow. It was still nice, felt like Jordan and I had a family bigger than just us. Dumb, I know, he's just a dog. But it still makes me think of that amazing time when (Lord willing) we will have children to lay on our bed and read the Bible to - instant deep-down-feel-your-heart-warm-up happiness!

Dad invited Jordan and me to lunch today. What a kind thing; he's so giving and genrous. I want to be more like that.

Oh, and my wondrous thing for the day? Well, I had to get bloodwork done this morning, and it just happened to be located right next to my favorite coffee shop, Coffee Expressions. I debated a lot (I hate spending money on myself), but decided I should treat myself. "Expresions Mocha" white chocolae, caramel, latte, a taste that brings an immediate smile and sigh. Mmm. A blessing in a cup!

My verse today is from 1 Corinthians 13. Jordan read this right before he proposed. I vividly remember him pulling his bible out of his pocket, hands shaking like crazy, and beginning to read the verses. His voice was so nervous, and my heart was jumping. He said he has tried to love me like that, and he wants to love me that way for the rest of our lives. He is and will always be my one and only Valentine.

1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.



4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.


13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

xoxo

Jane

Trust in the Lord with ALL your HEART

I think last night went well. I feel like the host of any gathering or event can never really judge how well their event actually goes. It's too hard to tell when people are appropriately kind and appreciative and you're too busy refilling nacho chips to notice if they're enjoying themselves anyway! Well, we did run out of food (after seconds...gotta love the awesome appetites of volleyball players!) which is always a good sign. We had shredded chicken sandwiches, fresh carrots and broccoli with ranch, salsa, chips, and of course brownies. I pointed that I drew a heart in the icing of the brownies, happy V-Day! I didn't take any pictures because (1) the food was pretty un-exciting...other than my generic heart drawing and (2) I figured I'd look pretty weird taking pictures of a convo about volleyball leadership, team dynamics, etc!

This morning, God gave us our "wondrous thing" early. Jordan was able to go to the doctor's office with me because his school canceled for the weather. Kind of crazy since the roads were fine by us...but that's just like God, showing the love. The appointment went fine. Just fine. I'm thankful that I trust the doctor, although I am honestly scared about it all. Well, scared might not be right. More so, I just plain don't want to deal with it. I know Jordan and I can handle it...anything. I know God will see us through. I just do want to take the trip. I'm tired of facing challenges, so I don't want to anymore. Pretty lame and apathetic, I know. But it's just how I feel. I will do it. I will keep facing challenges and relying on God for every tiny step, I just don't really want to deal with it.

Jordan gave me a lot of comfort when he said, "Nothing is going to stop God's plan. If He wants something to happen He's going to make it happen, no mater what the doctor decides or finds." Once I got to work, I found the verse in my email, "Trust the Lord with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5. Yup, ALL (not just some) of my HEART (it's not a brain thing, but deep in my heart, my soul). I'm learning it, or at least trying to improve a bit.

Our devotional last night was about how easy it is to not be content when you're blessed with plenty. So true. God has blessed Jordan and I way more than we deserve. I'm thankful for every second of it. Even the trials bless us.

On a happy note, tonight I may get to Skype and see my sister and soon-to-be neice! :) Oh JOY! I can't wait to see her belly, show her my growing puppy, and see her smile. I miss her tons, but I'm so proud of what she's doing in Tulsa.

xoxo

Jane

Let's begin.

I've been obsessing over blogs lately. Not sure why, but I've decide I might as well start my own...not for anyone else to read (because, honestly, no one would be interested) but just for myself. I used to journal. Actually, every day from 8th grade to the end of high school I kept a journal. I never go back to read the entries, but for some reason I feel like life is better - more real, easier to handle, and fuller - when it's written down. I can rest easy because I don't have to worry that I'm going to forget something great that just happened. Or something that I should be learning from (or for proper grammar "from which I should be learning" ugh).

So, why not try it online. So this is for me. I want to include posts on my life, my little family, and my God. We'll see where it goes...maybe just this solo post!

Yesterday was a magnificant blessing - definitely my wondrous thing - time sledding with my little family (Jordan & Espn) and Jordan's two sisters. They're beautiful, and I'm very thankful to have them as friends. It was so nice to pretend I was on vacation...about the only vaca we can afford, ha!

I also introduced Heidi and Rita to the best comedy yet: I Love Lucy's Vitameatavegimin. "Well, I'm your Vitameatavegamin girl! Are you tired, run down, listless? Do you pop out at parties? Are you un-poopular? Well, are you?" Makes me smile every time, never fails. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjWtPhO54s

I'm hosting a Tiger Volleyball dinner tonight. I love serving people and hosting events, but it always makes me wish I were at home to actually "do it right" instead of making Jordan pick up, dust and do the dirty work. He's amazing like that though. Such an understanding husband I have!

I'll leave you with this picture I took while Jordan flew down and Espn (my puppy) chased after him. God is the best artist!


xoxo
Jane