There and back again...

It's been an eventful few weeks in the recently established Gainey household. 6/12 we got a call from David's work that he was needed in Hawaii. On such short notice a plane ticket for me would have been around $2500. Needless to say, Sunday morning I kissed him goodbye at the airport. From there, I drove to South Carolina to meet Sarah and the kids. David and I decided it would be better for me to go with them to my parents than to stay in our home in PA since he was going to be gone at least a week, possibly two...a long time to be alone in a new town. So that week I got to give my parents a surprise visit. It was great to get to see them so unexpectedly. I also got to catch up with my "extended family" in Alabama where Jerod (Sarah's oldest) was going to camp). Sarah's family in Alabama gave me a place to clear my mind and pray two Thanksgivings ago as I tried to discern God's will for me regarding a certain young man...to whom I am now married : )Seeing Rebecca and Rachael (Sarah's cousins) again brought that time back to me so vividly and also gave us a chance to create some fun new memories!

After that trip I spent a few more days with Sarah and Eric in SC, then went up to see Stacey for a day (also SC). It was such a blessing to get to visit so many people I hadn't expected to get to see any time soon, but I was missing David terribly. The six hour time difference made sure that when he called I was either A.) just about to eat lunch or B.) Completely groggy from being woken at 2am (when he got off work his time). Finally, after nearly 2 weeks apart I picked him up at the airport. It was amazing to both of us how little time it had taken us to take one another forgranted in many ways.

Since he's been back we've been trying to find our routine again. I've noticed that despite being able to make my own schedule, it's easy for me to get apathetic and lazy towards spending time with God. When situations in my life come up, I often feel if I can't do anything about them, neither can God. This week I finally got conviction that He is able. Which of course, led to prayer, which in turn gave me peace that He works where I can not.

In other news, David and I visited another church this week. For me, it was wonderful. For David, a little too liturgical (it's amazing how the nuances in our backgrounds change how we respond to things). The awesome part was, we both felt fed by the sermon, something we have really been missing since we left Tallahassee. Finding a church home is really important to me and probably the thing I miss most after my family, so finding one we both enjoyed is encouraging.

Now, we are preparing to leave PA again, this time to move the rest of my things up here.

Which means I will have a dresser!!!!

I wont have to live out of suitcases anymore!

This is exciting.

Oh and I will get to see my parents.

And my church family.

And my husband is going with me this time!

Life is good.

Life in the Kitchen...

I've spent most of today digging through recipes online and in cookbooks. I'm constantly humbled by how much I don't know how to do! Our goal has been to eat as healthy and frugally as possible...oh and did I mention it should taste good too? LOL. It's been a challenge, but a fun one for the most part. I highly recommend the site recipezaar.com, it's been a life saver. Getting to hear what adjustments other cooks made to make the recipe work for them is awesome.

We've had lemony dill salmon with green beans, chicken and bean burritos,turkey sandwiches, chicken parmesan (which we justified because it was also for our neighbors hehe), chicken caesar wraps, and lentil stew. I'd like to find more vegetarian recipes that are filling and tasty. Since I don't like beef in many things and seafood is often expensive, we end up eating a lot of chicken. Suggestions welcome!

David worked from home today, which was fun for me since it meant I could bounce idea's off of him as I planned the grocery list. I broke down and decided on yummy, gooey baked ziti for dinner tonight. I'm squishing some spinach in it to make it a little more healthy. Despite my desire to eat what's good for me, I'm a pasta and cheese lover at heart!

So despite what this post might lead you to think, my day (and thoughts) do not normally all center on food. I'm also enjoying the chance to reinstate some pursuits that were lost as I finished grad school and helped plan a wedding. I'm reading a book. For fun. I actually was able to do that (a little bit) during the semester. I began C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves before Valentines Day and finished it on our honeymoon. Needless to say...it was slow going. I loved it though and would gladly read it again. Now I'm reading Marley and Me. I know I'm a little late jumping on this bandwagon and for someone who doesn't plan to have pets it may seem an odd choice, but having grown up with 2/4 dogs who fit into the "neurotic pet" category, the book has been a riot (and a reminder of why we've decided "no pets").It's a great read and amusingly, most of the book takes place in Florida until...they move to Pennsylvania! It's the cool thing to do. You should consider it ; )

Home at Last!

After a year of being apart, it is still surreal to me that David and I are finally married. We both still feel like I'm going to have to pack up and go back to Florida again. Of course, part of the reason could be that the majority of my stuff is still there minus a few suitcases.

I'm really enjoying being a house-wife. It's amazing to me that I have all day to plan meals, grocery shop, cook, clean and organize instead of having to pile those things on after 8-9 hours at school. David has been loving it too since now he doesn't have to pile all those things on after a long work day (and, apparently, because he likes my food : )

The honeymoon was absolutely amazing. It was such a relaxing, peaceful time to enjoy one another. There have been a few bumps as we've had to "get back to reality". I've been swinging between elated that I'm finally married to such a wonderful man to sad that I'm so far from friends, family and places I'm used to. David has been wonderfully patient and understanding of those changes though, so it's made it much easier. Another fun game we have is: I like my routine and you like your routine and now we have to make a routine that we both like lol. It actually is fun most of the time.

In other news:

We have amazing neighbors: Matt, Ann and their 3 year old Gray who are really helping us learn the town.

I'm warming up to the grocery store here

I had to wear a fleece to the grocery yesterday because the high was 63 degrees

I actually liked that

I did not like that it was raining

I'm praying for God's direction about how to best use my time once the house is set up and all I have are my "cleaning routines"


That's all for now!