Thanks, coach!

It’s warm outside again, which means soccer nights have started back up.

Tonight was the first game (and by game, I mean a pick-up game of whoever shows up) of the year and I was excited all day.

(Not so excited that I skipped my long run today. I did 7 miles!)

But when we got there, I got a little nervous. I’m such a newbie to soccer. I’ve only been playing for a few months, since we got married really, and I’m not very good.

Ok, I’m pretty bad.

But I could be worse.

And I’m getting better!

Slowly, but still…

I was afraid that all the improvements I made during the Fall would be long gone now.

I’d love to say that I’m always appreciative when Hubs has soccer tips and advice to share. That I always listen and try my hardest to do what he says. That I’m thankful he notices when I do something I could have done better…

But it’s not always like that.

Sometimes my pride gets in the way and I think he’s out of line to tell me something I could do better when I’ve only been playing for a few months and he’s played for years and years.

Sometimes my feelings get hurt because I want him to just notice that I tried to do something well, not notice why my intentions didn’t work and try to help me learn why.

Sometimes I’m just embarrassed.

But usually, most of the time, I’m truly thankful for his interest and advice.

It wasn’t an easy journey to this place though.

I’m a prideful being. I’ve had success in my life in many different areas and it’s hard for me to admit when I’m really terrible at something.

Plus, I’m competitive. I don’t like to be the worst at something. Especially when Hubs is so good!

It’s not that I think I will get better on my own, or that I don’t want to get better. It’s that I need to admit that I need help.

It’s hard to say we need help. And even though a spouse is someone especially close, it doesn’t make it any easier to accept our short-comings. In fact, I think it makes it harder. We never want to admit to being faulted, wrong, or needy to the one person who most inspires us to be better, stronger, and more appealing. At least that’s how it is for me.

I know that he wants me to have a good time, and he knows I’ll have a better time if I’m having some good moments mixed in with all my not so good ones.

I know that he has tips that will help me, and that if I listen to him, I’ll get better.

I know that he doesn’t ever mean to upset me with anything he says.

And with practice, and a humble heart, I’ve learned to accept these truths, no matter how grumpy I get when I miss a ball or pass to the other team or fail in my attempt to “cradle it like an egg.”

So I’m thankful for his help.

Really, I am.

And I look forward to those few “Good ball, honey!” moments throughout the night.

Here’s to a summer of soccer!

What about you? What struggles do you have with being humble? How do you overcome it?

Resolution Update: Saving money

Yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to blog.

I was busy.

I got home from work, ran, took a walk with Hubs, made dinner, and then we went and played our first volleyball game in the rec league we signed up for with friends.

This is what my knee looks like after the game...worth it? Probably, because the volleyball bug has bitten me again.

We lost pretty badly but had fun, then wasted some time eating half-price appetizers and talking at Applebee’s.

Hubs and I live about 40 minutes away so we had a long drive home and it was a late night by the time we showered, packed our lunches, and got ready for the day.

Sometimes I feel like a little kid when I eat my lunch at work with my little baggy of pretzels and my wonder bread peanut butter sandwich, applesauce, and fresh veggies. Too cool for school? Not this girl.

Tonight, I’m also posting late.

It’s been so nice outside that my schedule is all out of whack.

Not that I’m complaining.

It’s fabulous outside!

This is what I saw when I dumped out my afternoon snack at work yesterday. The nice weather has gotten to me.

But none of that is what I wanted to say.

So…

Anyway…

Remember back in January when Hubs and I resolved? Well, one of them was to take advantage of opportunities to save money, track our results, and just do a better job overall of being good stewards of the money we’ve been given.

Tonight, during our weekly grocery run, we did some price matching and used a few coupons, as usual.

But this time, we saved close to fifteen percent of our total receipt.

Woot woot!

(That’s the nerdy, computer-talk way of showing how excited I am…)

Not because we have an extra $17.68 in our pockets.

(Although that’s super exciting…)

And not because we’re following through with a resolution.

(Although I’m proud of that, too.)

But because we have developed a routine of working together on this. We decide what we need and want, make the list, go through the ads, go through the coupons, and weave our way through the store. Then we load up the car, carry it all up the stairs, usually in one trip by lugging as many bags as we can in each hand, and put everything away.

Do either of us enjoy these tasks? Not really. Would we rather not worry about the coupons or sale prices? For sure! Will Hubs get made fun of for helping me with the grocery shopping? Maybe.

(Sorry Hubs.)

But for now, we’re going to settle into the last few minutes of our night, clean up all the clean, folded laundry scattered throughout the living room, and head to bed.

But first, we’re going to spend some time looking at house listings.

Because we’re still trying to do that as well.

Ever feel like there’s not enough time in the day to do everything you want to do after the things you have to do?

Of course you do, that’s life.

So, what’s your advice for making time for the “wants” with all the “needs”?

 

 

Today I ran 5 miles…

Why?

Well, because I got an email from a race that said my half marathon was less than 8 weeks away.

And I realized I needed to get my tushie in shape and start running longer distances than what was convenient.

After I got done, I saw Hubs’ car in front of our apartment so I knew he was home for work. I texted him and asked him to come down and walk with me, so we walked a mile together.

Then we came back in and got ready to make dinner.

Until Hubs realized we were out of milk and had to run to the store to get more.

I took that opportunity to shower the 6 miles worth of sweat off me.

I thought he would appreciate that.

Judging by the fact he hasn’t complained about how close I’m sitting to him right now, the shower must have helped.

But now we’re both tired and ready for bed. We’re so old and lame.

So tomorrow we can do it all over again, although probably not all of it. My body will probably need a rest.

I’m also assuming we won’t run out of milk again. That would be crazy.

Not at all unlike this random, about-nothing post.

Thanks for reading!

Trying to do it all…

I’m trying to do a lot of things.

1. Be a good wife. I get emotional and sometimes I cry or snap at Hubs. I get annoyed at the piles of laundry he hides on his side of the bed. I get tired of doing dishes. I get frustrated that we don’t have enough storage for all the stuff I want to put in our kitchen cabinets. I also leave my makeup and stuff on his side of the sink. All that is true.

But, it’s also true that I love Wyatt intensely, and I’m passionate and excited about our future together, despite the fact that I sometimes mess up. Ok, I mess up a lot.

2. I’m trying to have a career I love.

Yes, I’m working three jobs right now, and I like each one for different reasons. Yes, Job#1 means not all of my “time at home” is “free time.” That’s okay because it gives Hubs some “TV/Video game time” and I love the work and am learning a lot. Yes, Job#2 makes me want to scream sometimes because there’s an endless amount of people that walk through the door, and the phone NEVER STOPS RINGING, but I enjoy the people I work with and I’m learning to let go of the things I can’t change and disconnect from work when I go home, things I’ve never been very good at. And yes, Job#3 is a drive, and pays not so much, and is frustrating, but I’m confident it will help me get where I want to go someday down the road. I’m learning a lot, and getting more and more practice.

They all have pros and cons, but overall, I wish I didn’t get tired and frustrated as easily as I do because  I’m really very thankful for each of them for different reasons.

3. I’m trying to plan a bridal shower for my best friend. This is such a fun task, but it’s harder because I’m no longer living in the town with the people I’m trying to work with. Thank goodness for the internet.

4. I’m trying to keep our apartment clean. I dislike dusting, and out apartment’s vents must be full of years of dirt because there is a layer of dust on our furniture only minutes after I wipe them down. I also try to stay caught up with laundry and dishes and mail and grocery shopping and…

I know I can’t wait to have a house, but it’s crazy to think how a bigger house will tend to mean a bigger mess. Good thing Hubs is helping me out more and more.

5. I’m trying to get in shape to run a half marathon this Spring. Yikes. The cold and rain aren’t making this easy.

6. I’m trying to eat healthier. I know Hubs and I both can use more veggies in our daily meals. We can also use less excess sweets and salt. My how I love sweets and salt! (Not necessarily together, but together is also tasty!)

I know that eating salad at home would be a good way to do this. Sadly, I hate buying lettuce. The bagged lettuce is expensive, but the head lettuce wilts so quickly! I’m at a loss as to what to do. I wish there was a magic kitchen gadget that would make washing and storing lettuce easier.

7. I’m trying to adjust to life in the city, away from my family and friends. Don’t get me wrong. I love our little apartment. I like living in the city. It’s great that we have friends (and family) near us in the city. But there’s a lot of people that I find myself missing pretty often. I’ve lived in one place my whole life until now and it’s hard to adjust to not being around the same people and places.

8. I’m trying to save as much money as I/we can. I price match at Walmart. (Yes, I’m one of those but I do go as quickly as I can at the check out!) I also use coupons when possible. I look for deals and I don’t go in Hobby Lobby or Pier 1, ever. I also try to avoid shoe stores.

Hubs does a good job of this as well. He’s actually even thriftier than me.

With all this trying, it’s easy to see why I get discouraged when there’s so much “trying” and not as much “doing.” I wish things would move faster sometimes, but I don’t want to wish any time away from this first year.

This whole year of marriage has been a huge learning experience so far. And not because I’m learning to love Wyatt more or learning to live with him, thought that’s true, too. But I’m growing up a lot and learning a lot about what I want, what we want, what we need, and what our future will look like together.

But, I’ll keep trying. And right now I’m going to try to figure out a way I can take a nap, workout, shower, and get ready for work all in the next hour…

Wish me luck!

 

Today, I locked myself out of our apartment…

Yes, friends, it’s true.

I did manage to lock myself out even when our door has to be locked from the outside with a key.

How?

Well, it’s actually simple, and quite silly.

You see, yesterday I went for a run when I got home from Job #3. Hubs pulled into the parking lot right as I was getting back to our apartment so I walked up the stairs with him and he used his key to let us both in.

Then I forgot to take my key out of my ipod armband, where it stays safely tucked away while I run.

Then, this morning, I left before Hubs so I didn’t have to lock the door.

You see?

There was a very reasonable explanation.

However, I didn’t notice until I got home from work today, loaded everything up in my arms, and walked up to our apartment that I had no key to let me in.

So I walked back to my car, put everything back in there, emailed Hubs, and went to the store to pass the hour or so until he was going to get home.

Perhaps this means I’m tired from working all week (and thinking about working this weekend). Maybe it means I was so excited to get home from work and run on this beautiful afternoon that I didn’t realize I was totally and completely locked out until it was too late and pretty embarrassing if anyone happened to be watching.

By the time I got inside and changed, there was no time for a run and a walk, so I ditched my plans for a run, and Hubs and I headed out on our planned walk together.

 

 

It was nice out, a bit chilly near the end, but it felt good to walk and talk.

Remember back when we resolved to take a long walk once a week? We haven’t done such a great job of that because it’s been cold and dark by the time we each got home after work. I’m excited for the longer  days so we have some daylight hours to spend outdoors.

But for now, we’re back inside.

Oh, and I did make sure to put my key back where it belongs.

Searching for inspiration…

Lately, I haven’t been feeling all that inspired to write a blog post. (Sorry!)

I think it’s because I’ve been a bit bummed out the past two days. I’ll not get into all of it, but basically, the job search and some other random, silly things have been working on me.

So, I’ll just use this post to list some pros and cons of my day as a housewife today. Hopefully it’ll lead me somewhere that has a little more inspiration.

1. (Pro!) I woke up in the arms of the man I love today. Yes, I was waking up at 3 am because I had to get up and pee, but still, I think it counts.

2. (Con…) After leisurely enjoying some extra minutes while Hubs was getting ready for work, I had to quickly jolt out of bed this morning because he needed his phone charger to take to work and I had stashed it somewhere when we were packing up from our visit home this weekend. Rubbing my very dry, not-awake eyes in the morning while semi-frantically looking for two pieces of a phone charger wasn’t a great beginning to my day.

3. (Con…) Work today wasn’t too fun. We were a bit understaffed and the phone rang nonstop the entire time I was there. As in there were 2-3 people on hold waiting for me to answer their call for a significant portion of the day. Not too fun.

4. (Pro!) It was a beautiful day today so when I got home from work, I changed into my shorty shorts and pulled on my running shoes. And I did a pretty-slow, super-awesome 4.5 miles.

The run-tracker of my run today. I'm trying out using Endomondo to track my runs.

It was so so so needed. And yes, I’m still semi-out of shape, and yes, I’m semi-freaking out about the half marathon I signed up for in April, and yes I’m semi-sore afterwards. Oh, and I’m using “semi” “semi-too-much”

5. (Con…) I got some disappointing news concerning a job today.

6. (Pro!) I got some good news concerning a job today.

I’ll explain those two later.

7. (Pro!) I deposited some money into our saving account today! Down payment fund is one step closer! Woo!

8. (Pro!) I had time to cook a real dinner tonight. I made little cube steaks with breading. It didn’t turn out exactly like I wanted it to. In fact, I’d only rate it a six or so. But the rice and vegetables were good and I liked the meat okay. I’ll do it again someday soon and try something a little different.

9. (Con…) I’m still a bit bummed out in general. I’m not totally sure why, but I’m just feeling not myself. I’m hoping to shake this with some good quality time tonight, both with Hubs and a bottle of white wine, and  some quiet prayer and time in the Old Testament.

10. (Pro!) I had to end on a high note so I saved a good one for last. Hubs wrote me a haiku today! And in response, I wrote two back to him. It was fun, silly, and happy. Here’s one for you guys. Wanna accept a fun challenge? Write one back to me!

Writing a poem is

a great way to make me smile

Hubs knows me too well!

Resolutions…how we’re doing so far!

So, I know I posted my resolutions just yesterday for you guys. but I wanted to do a quick update to make sure you guys know we’re really working on them.

I had this brilliant idea on our way home last night from the party that Hubs and I should see how long into the new year we could go without spending money.

Spoiler alert: It didn’t last long.

So, we had the plan to save our money for as long as we could.

But our rent was due today.

And we needed to go to the grocery store tonight so we had the stuff to make this for dinner:

Our first meal in the new year. Taco salad nachos are a great way to eat Mexican at home! No messy taco shells!

And at the grocery store, we saved $4.90. Wyatt’s even going to make a spreadsheet to help us keep track of how much we save. (Resolution 8 is off to a pretty good start.)

And as for portion control, we both used the small plates and are sitting on the couch not at all miserable after a delicious dinner! Maybe not the absolute healthiest, but a very good meal. And I think we did a pretty good job of not stuffing ourselves. (Resolution 3 is starting off okay…)

Oh, and I’m looking into a half marathon in April! I’m super ready to get in running shape again…I think.  (Resolution 6 is even getting started already!)

P.S. I also resolve to keep blogging and “hanging out” with you guys! Here’s a little peak at what the last few months looked like, blogging-wise. If the last few months of blogging were all fireworks!

http://thenewlywedwife.wordpress.com/2011/annual-report/

What about you guys? What are you resolving for 2012? Anything you want to work on in your marriage or with your Hubby?

We Resolve…Newlywed Style

As we’re laying in bed the other night, Hubs asks me, “So, what are your New Year’s resolutions?”

I don’t usually make resolutions because I don’t like to set myself up for failure and sometimes I think that resolutions are only made to be broken. Plus, when I want to make a change in my life, I don’t like to wait until New Years.

However, after reading Ali’s resolutions from 2011 in my favorite running blog, I realized I didn’t have to make life-changing goals that are vague and basically obsolete…I can make a bucket list of sorts, for the year, of individual goals and specific, tangible things I want to do or see. Sure, I can also have some more vague ideas of things I know I struggle with and need to work on, but as a rule, this year, since I’m going to be publishing this list to the world, I’d like to make sure they are things that are easily measured and recorded as whether or not we’ve accomplished them.

Also, since it’s the first full year Hubs and I will be spending together, I thought we should make our resolutions together. We are a team, after all, and most of our resolutions will involve each other anyway, right?

Ok, so here goes, our Newlywed Resolutions 2012:

1. Take a weekly walk together. Every week. Hubs hates to go on walks, so this will be tougher for him than me.

Our first annual New Year's Eve walk...and our first weekly walk! (In December, and yes, we're not wearing coats. In fact, Hubs is wearing shorts!)

2. Vacuum more. This should be easier with my new Oreck!

3. Work on portion control at meals, even when eating out and dishing up bowls of ice cream…we both need to work on this, as we both love to eat and can get carried away easily.

Yes, I love fried eggplant, but no, Hubs and I shouldn't have eaten this whole plate by ourselves...

4. Buy a house. I realize this is a tough one, but it’s top on Hubs’ list. Wish us luck!

5. Write at least five things that are just for me. I can worry about what to use them for later, if anything.

6. Run more races. I’d love to do another half…maybe a full 26.2? I’m young now, and my knees and ankles and hips will only get worse, right? I only ran 1 or 2 in 2011, and they were fun, so I’m ready for more.

7. Finish reading 8 books that I ALREADY own and have squished into our bookshelf. I’m terrible about buying new books instead of reading ones I already own but haven’t read.

See? It's full.

8. Use more coupons and take advantage of price matching. I also need to do a better job of keeping track of how much we spend and save.

9. Find a church home where we really feel connected to. I miss the fellowship I’ve been so used to my whole life. We need to be surrounded by people encouraging us in our walk.

Going to Myrtle Beach to do beach ministry with these people was an awesome time. I miss this family!

10. Go on another road trip. There’s something so special about traveling with the one you love, and we love the sense of exploring that comes with driving around on our own. Our honeymoon was some of the most fun we’ve ever had and we’re committed to doing this together again as often as we can.

Honeymoon road trip stop #4: Chicago!

I obviously could think of MANY other goals we have, things like being committed to saving money and being good stewards of our marriage. We also need to do things like find doctors up here in the city and making appointments and going to check ups. But I thought ten was a nice round number to focus specifically on for this year. We’ll keep doing all the other things we are currently working on as well. I’d also love to add, “Get a Career Job.” But I don’t want to rush God’s timing on that one. I’ll keep looking, but I don’t know the plans he has for me. (Good thing he does. *Jeremiah 29:11*)

And as a side note, I’d like to say how thankful I am that Hubs often does the dishes and cleans the kitchen for me. I love to cook and don’t mind doing dishes, but sometimes I get overwhelmed by how fast it gets messy again and it’s a huge blessing when he helps with that. I hope he resolves to keep doing that. (Just kidding. (Sorta.)

 

Feeling Crummy

Before you stop reading, this isn’t one of those posts that revolve around me working through feelings of grumpiness and pouting.

I just don’t feel well.

Drat.

And my day started out so well!

I got up, made Hubs breakfast, and his lunch, then I got him out the door and I settled into my breakfast, household chores, catching up on emails and some other tasks. Then I went for a run. And it was glorious. The weather is AMAZING and the sun bright and cheerful.

I did close to 3 and a half miles today and would have done more but my ears were getting cold and I was starting to get tired and didn’t want to push it that much since I didn’t run all weekend or most of last week. (I did run Friday, but it was a short, fast run, a little less than 2 miles.)

But the minute I stopped running when I got back to our apartment complex, it hit me.

Blech.

I wasn’t sure I’d make it back upstairs, but I did, and luckily, I got through my shower and managed to get some lunch down.

But now I’m on the couch, sprawled out with a headache and a stomach that just doesn’t feel right. Oh and the sun seems to have joined me in my crumminess, as it’s now cloudy and gray.

I had high hopes and big plans for dinner tonight, too. Dang.

And for after dinner. I had a whole night of crafting and cocoa all lined up.

I don’t like to take naps during the day because it makes me less tired at night (which causes problems I talked about here) and I feel like I’m wasting time, but it’s time to close my eyes…just for minute…

When did I sign up to play soccer in the cold?

When I met Wyatt, I knew he loved soccer. When I got to know Wyatt, I realized, he really loved soccer. That’s great. I love to see him get excited and I love watching him run around in his element.

But when I married Wyatt? I think that meant that I was automatically entering myself into the soccer club, too. I should have received an ” I heart soccer” shirt after making it back up the aisle at the wedding.

(Just kidding.)

But seriously.

I’d never played soccer before I married Wyatt, unless you count this one time at recess when I landed square on my rear in the middle of the field. I’ve watched a lot of soccer. (Wyatt played, after all.) And I honestly and truly enjoy watching soccer. (Go Sporting KC!) But I’m terrible at playing soccer. Really.

And now? I play soccer every Thursday night with a bunch of guys (and 1 other girl!), most of whom I don’t even know their name. And they are all WAY better than me. And it’s cold out there. And anyone who knows me at all knows I don’t like the cold.

But it’s fine, because I usually have fun just running around trying to do more decent things than bad. I own soccer cleats now. And I am getting better. Very slowly, but still. Better is good, right?

So, here I am, all bundled up and waiting to go play a sport that I’m terrible at, in the cold with my husband.

Is that love?

I think so.