A Look Back on 2013

As 2013 comes to a close, I look back on the year and I see how much God has blessed us.

I am in complete awe as I look here and see what has been accomplished and what we've done.

In 2013, I made my word of the year, 'Grace.'

We bought a new-to-us car for Tyler.

We had our first B&B experience.

We vacationed at Walt Disney World {Here, here, and here}

We started a new way of eating.

I wrote for Young Wife's Guide.

We celebrated two years of marital bliss.

We had a getaway to celebrate those two years.

I quit my horrible job and got a new one!

We bought our first home!

I learned what grace really meant.

Overall, this year has been a milestone for us in our adult-hood.  We've made a lot of adult decisions, but it's been a fun year!  I am extremely blessed to get to do life beside my best friend.  

I hope and pray that your New Year will be blessed! :)

Hello!!! :)

Well hey there, Blog!!

You do remember me, don't you? 

I totally wish I had some awesome excuse about why I haven't blogged in 80 million years.

Buuuuut........I don't. 
Life has been full of exciting things, that yes, I keep telling you I will share.

I promise I will...starting with my new job! 

Well, here I am almost two weeks into my new job.
Yes, it is definitely different than what I've been used to. 

This is my third accounting-related job.

I worked for a small grocery store while I was attending grad school. 

Then when we moved to St. Louis, I worked for a small hospice company.

Now I work for a super-humongous cable and internet company!

I am working predominantly with all the utility invoices.  St. Louis is one of three corporate offices, and the utility bills for our locations and anything else you need to get cable and internet come here.  I think it was said that we get around 5,000 utility invoices a week. Say wha??  I help validate them once they are scanned.  So it's a lot of data entry, but I also get to cross train in my spare time.  The Accounts Payable department is almost 30 people and there are lots of different positions, so being able to cross train is amazing.  I love knowing that I have choices in other areas in the future.  There is a lot of room to grow!

Not only has the job been good so far, the atmosphere is wonderful.  At hospice, I had my own office and the 7 employees that worked there were very spread out within our 16,000 square feet.  It was nice to have an office, but there wasn't any bonding between all the employees.  Here at Charter, I have a cubicle and I'm close enough to my co-workers that we can have conversations all the live-long day.  I'd take a cube and relationships with co-workers over an office and no relationships ANY day!!  Those of you who know me know that I need to talk to people!  So I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone better. 

Did you know that there's such a things as Accounts Payable Week?  
Neither did I.
This year it's October 14th-18th.
I'm not sure what is planned for the week, but I know that we're celebrating it.
How cool is that?

Oh, and did you hear the Cardinals are in the playoffs?
Yeah...we're celebrating that, too!
We get to wear Cardinals gear to work!

Working for a large company hasn't been bad at all...it's been a great change of pace.  I think it's been exactly what I needed.  I hope that once the newness of it all wears off that I will love it.  I hate being new...not knowing exactly what I need to do and how everything works.  But I have plenty of support, in which I'm grateful.

I hope to be more of a regular around here!  I miss you all!

BIG Changes

If you've talked to me at all in the last month or so, you know that we've been really busy!

I like being busy, but I don't like being so busy that I have no time to live life.

Some things get put on the back burner.

Other things don't get done at all.

So here I am...at a point where I have to make some decisions.

First of all...before I let you in on all the decisions being made, let me tell you how continually blessed I am.
Last week was the best week that I had had in a long time.
This past weekend was one of the greatest since moving to St. Louis.
When we first moved here, I had a hard time with homesickness.
We are a 5 hour drive from my family, and we had no friends here.
I prayed that God would bring me a friend...just one.  That's all I really needed.
When we got plugged into our Life Group, I had high hopes.
Fast forward a year and here we are.
This weekend was spent with our friends from our Life Group.
We dined together.  We had great fellowship.
The boys watched football together, while the girls shopped together.
It was exactly what my heart needed.

I am so thankful for each of them.
For the way they pray for me and with me.
For the way they welcome others into our group.
For the way they rejoice with others!
For the way they lead by example.
And for the way that Christ shines through them.
I am very blessed.

And now...the changes that I've been making in my life:

1.  My shop has always been a creative outlet for me.

I have enjoyed pursuing things that uses the opposite side of my brain than it normally uses.

BUT I have decided to pursue some other options in my life right now.

With that said, I am clearing out my inventory and closing up shop.

I don't feel like I can successfully run a shop at the same time trying to be successful in all the other areas of my life.

Prices are already marked down, so no coupon code is needed at checkout.

Most items are marked down at least 50%.

Stock up on some Christmas gifts!

2.  If you've been around here a while, you have seen my lifestyle change take place.

That is one of the reasons that I can't keep up with my shop right now.

I need me time, and that time is spent in the gym working out.

But I've also decided to pursue the goal of being an Independent Fitness Consultant.

**I'm hosting a 30 Day Challenge starting on September 30th.  Contact me if you'd like more information about it.**  You can get a little more information on my page, The Fitness Princess.

I want time to focus on this in my spare time.

3. A couple of months ago, I started wondering why I was still at my job, working as an Accounts Payable Coordinator for a hospice company.

Then, I started praying about why I was there.

About a month ago, I asked a friend in my Life Group to specifically pray for me to be content with where I am (job-wise).

I haven't really figured out yet why I am at my job.

I don't know why I've put up with the junk that goes on there, and I'm not sure what I have accomplished there.

Around the same time I asked my friend for prayer, I put in some job applications.

It wasn't a big deal, as I had done that before and never heard anything about them.

Two weeks later, I got a call from a company asking if I was still interested.

Two weeks after that, I had a job interview.

Two days after the interview, I got a call offering me the position.

SOOOOOO......

I am incredibly excited to announce that I will be working here:

I am now an Accounts Payable Specialist for a very large company...Charter Communications!

My first day will be September 23!
I am excited to deviate from the smaller companies and gain experience {and structure} at a large corporation.
My husband is just excited because we'll be getting cable {something we haven't paid for since we've been married}.
I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me here!

Linking up with Carissa today!

Focused on the Plan?

Just when I think I know what God's plan is...

....BAM.  He goes and changes it on me.

That's just how He is.

But I'm so thankful that's how He is.

I've been quiet for some time here in my corner of the internet.

It hasn't really been on purpose...

We've just had a really busy month, and I haven't had much to say.

Shocker...right?!?

via

But during that time...

I have been focused on my life.

I have been focused on my job.

I have been focused on my future.

I haven't been focused on God's plan.

He's been doing some really cool things in my life lately.

I can't wait to share them with you!

What are you focusing on?

Your plan or His?

There's No Place Like Home

This weekend went by in a hurry.
I was not ready to come back, but here I am.

Saturday, we went up to see my Granny. 
My aunt and cousins were there, and we spent an hour or so just sitting outside talking.
My Granny lives about 3 miles west of my parents.
Her house is considered, "The Farm."
This is where the guys' shop is, as well as most of the machinery.
My dad farms with one of his brothers, and my brothers help in the summer and on some weekends during the school year.
I grew up helping out on the farm as well.
**For my brothers' sake, I'll mention that I didn't help near as much as them, but I still put my time in.**
Although I'm living it the city now, I still love getting back to the country.
There's just something about the dirt roads, 4-wheeler rides, and quiet that I love.

My mom's knockout roses were absolutely gorgeous, so I made everyone take pictures after church on Sunday.

I love her sass in this picture.

We played a lot of games this weekend:  Monopoly Deal, Farkle, Wii.

I know my dad would have loved to have been able to be in the field this weekend, but I'm selfishly glad that he got to be home and spend time more time with us.

I also love that he plays the Wii with us. :)

Applesauce made me sad this weekend. 

Yes, that is our dog's name.

My brother named him...because he looks like applesauce.

Anyway, Applesauce is 15 years old.

He's losing ability in his back legs so he drags his feet.

You can tell he isn't himself because he doesn't run much anymore.

Well, he came in and was laying beside me (which is also hard for him to do), and he kept looking at me.

I knew that couldn't be comfortable, so I put a pillow under his head.

I think he liked it. :)

We also raided my parents' freezer before we left.  

We got all kinds of steak and a brisket and some hamburger.

Yum.

And this barely fit in our freezer. :)

One last thing...

We are still celebrating 200 likes on our facebook page!!

Have you "liked" it yet?  

You can get the latest information regarding shop promos and items there!

You can get 25% off our purchase in the shop through this evening!!

There are also some discounted items in there as well!!

Hope you have a wonderful week!!

Did y'all do anything fun this weekend?

I'd love to hear about it!!

{Thanks}Living, February Edition

Today is the last day of the month...
Do you know what that means?
It means it's time for a Thanks-living post!
And I haven't done one since December November!

This month flew right by...
but I think I'm okay with that 
because that means Spring is coming! :)

This month I am extremely grateful for several things.

I am so thankful for the instagram friends that I've "met."
Most of them I haven't met in person, but they have prayed for me
and sent happy mail.

Stephanie aka "Honey" (how neat is that?) got my name for the Valentine's Day swap that I was participating in.

A swap is kinda like having a pen pal, only better.  You get someone's name and buy them a gift (this particular one was Valentine's Day themed).  You wrap it all pretty and send it to them in the mail.  And someone else gets your name!  This allows you to "meet" other ladies around the US/world. 

Anyway, I had just posted my entire heart on my blog
and she happened to read it.
She also happened to receive my name as her swap partner.
She sent me this beautiful gift.
It not only looks beautiful, but the thought behind it all is so touching.

I can't tell you what it meant to me.
She is such an encouragement...I'm grateful to have her as a Sister in Christ. 
If you haven't "met" her yet, ya better get yourself over to her blog and introduce yourself.
Seriously...she's a gem!


Another thing that I'm extremely grateful for is how much God has blessed us!
At the beginning of the month, we were able to purchase a new-to-us car!
This is our first "major" purchase together, and we Tyler is sure enjoying it.
Sure, I enjoy it, too, when I get to ride or even drive it! :)
Tyler is thankful to have a more reliable car that he doesn't have to dump a quart of oil in every 2 weeks {and so am I}. :)

I am so grateful for the ways that God is working in my life.
I want to be used by Him, to be His hands and feet.
How can you be a blessing to someone today?

Today, I'm linking up with Leslie.

If you haven't met her, either, you need to!  

Go on over and say hi to her! :)

Bunton Christmas 2012

My parents' house is magical at Christmastime.
My mom just really knows how to decorate.
And I didn't even get it all!!

These are just some scenes from my family Christmas:
Opening gifts at 11:00 pm.  I have never done that before.
Playing Monopoly Deal.
Playing the Wii.  I love that my dad plays with us!

We had Bunton Christmas at my Granny's house on Saturday.
It included:

• looking at old Family Calendars
• looking a pictures from past mission trips (my brother is giving his "report" in the picture above)
• singing Christmas carols (and yes, my Granny at 83 years old still plays her piano)
• going around and telling a favorite Christmas memory from this year
• My cousin, Carl, reading out of Matthew 2
• My cousin, Luke, reading a poem he wrote for my Granny (which left us all in tears)
• receiving this year's family calendar
• and going to church together on Sunday morning (my cousin Conrad is my Granny's buddy).

I am so blessed to have an extended family that always gets together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  We all love the Lord, and it's so awesome to see it.  We are a crazy bunch of people, but anyone would do anything for anyone else.  I love them!  And I love that my husband is just as crazy and fits right in!! :)

On the 11th Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me...

A year ago yesterday, we were packing up our tiny one bedroom apartment in Springfield, Missouri...

Sorting things into piles of "I won't need for 3 months," and "I will need this in the next 3 months."

We loaded all of our belongings into the farm's trailer and 15 passenger van.

We made one last sweep through, reminiscing about the memories made in the few short months we lived there.

We climbed into our vehicles and made the 80 mile journey to Lamar, where we would unload the trailer and van and put our "home" in storage until the end of March.

My heart aches as I remember back.

Sometimes I wonder if that ache will ever go away of if it will always be there.

Springfield holds so many good memories for Tyler and I.

But with that said, I wouldn't trade our past year for anything.

I don't want to do it all over again, but I wouldn't trade it.

The experience has made me realize the need for my husband that I might not have realized in any other circumstance.

Today, I want to share why I love you, Tyler and what you mean to me.

1.  You are a very hard worker.  You have worked so hard at your job this past year and have received many compliments from your superiors as well as your co-workers.  I'm so proud of you.

2.  You are just as stubborn as me.  When you make up your mind to do something, you will see it through.

3.  You love me at my ugliest days...and I don't just mean my appearance.

4.  I can trust you with my whole heart.  I know that I can tell you anything and you will still love me, no matter what I have to say.

5.  You keep me laughing.

6.  You do your best to console me when I need to cry...especially when I get homesick.  And then remind me that God has a plan...

7.  You support me and my crazy ideas...even when you might not want to.

8.   You see how much family and traditions mean to me and are wanting to start our own family traditions. :)

9.  You have grown so much in your relationship with Christ.  I love being able to see what you're learning and how God is changing your heart.

10.  You see us as a family...even when we don't have kids or pets.  I absolutely love that, because it is exactly what we are! 

11.  You're my very best friend and I would not have survived this past year without you.  I'm so blessed that I get to be the one who does life right beside you, that I get to be the one you come home to every day, and that I get to be the one you confide in.

So while I may not have the same plan that God has for us, I will pray that God will lessen the ache in my heart.  I will be content in my circumstances.  I will always thank Him for the best friend that he gave me 4 years ago...and I pray that I will always be the wife that Tyler  needs me to be.  This has been a learning experience for me, and I pray that God will always give me the chance to learn.

Thanksgiving 2012

Did you all have a good Thanksgiving?

I woke up this morning and thought, "Wow, it's Saturday for the third day in a row!"

It was pretty sweet.

We had a wonderful couple of days with my family.

I'm so glad that they were able to come up, and Dad was feeling well enough to travel.

God has been so good to us this year.

This was my first time to host Thanksgiving.

It was so much fun.

I wanted my family to not to have to do anything but show up.

However, since I'm a little inexperienced at cooking a turkey, ham, and stuffing, I had to have a little help.

Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving table.

We live in an apartment, and our "dining room" doubles as my craft room.

So I had to put everything away and make room for us all.

I made the napkins with Sally.

We finally got to use the China that my Aunt Kristie gave us.

My mom made the centerpiece trivet that I like to use in the Fall.

I got the owl napkin rings at Hobby Lobby for 80% off.

I also made the leaf "table runner," as well as the place cards.

Not all of the serving dishes matched, but they were all wedding gifts that I haven't gotten to use.

I was excited to dig out those nice dishes and finally put them to use!

I also got to use my roaster pan that I hadn't used.

Here are some more pictures of the rest of the weekend:

All the boys on the couch...waiting for lunch to be served.

My perfect pumpkin pie.

Tyler made a buttermilk pie all by himself! 

We played Clue!

My late Aunt Irene gave us this game as a wedding gift, and we just opened it this week!

My ornery brothers.

Then we played Monopoly.

If you ask my husband who won, he'll say my dad whooped everyone.

We went to Wal-Mart on Thursday evening for about 45 minutes.

It was ca-razy!!

My momma helped me put up my Christmas decorations on Friday.

I'm so glad she helped!  

I haven't felt very good this week, and she was a tremendous help!

She also made me this absolutely gorgeous Christmas wreath for my door!!

{She read my mind...I was just thinking the other day that I was going to have to figure out what kind of wreath to make for Christmas...now I don't have to.}

The "birthday kids."

We celebrated our birthdays this week since we won't be together next week.

Tyler's is the 29th, and mine and my brother's is the 30th (no, we're not twins.  And I'm older than him, too).

We went to eat pizza at a cheap, but yummy pizza place for lunch!

That would be my youngest brother and my parents.

My beautiful momma and I.

Then we went to Target.

This is how the boys felt about it.

By the way, it's safer for my dad to wear his cervical collar out in public so people won't bump into him.  ESPECIALLY during Black Friday sales...I can't believe he braved it out there.

My daddy and I. 

I'm his "mini-me."

I love him.

My family left last evening.

They had a 4.5 hour drive home.

When they left, my husband told me to sit on the couch.

Then he retrieved a blanket, my pillow, and a drink for me.

He told me that I was to rest and the only reason I could get up was to use the restroom or go to bed.

He served me supper, dessert, and refills on my tea.

Then we watched Netflix.

He's so good to me. :)

I was blessed to be able to host my family in my home.

I absolutely loved having them here.

We had a good time, and memories were made.

I hope y'all had a good Thanksgiving!

What'd you do?

Who did you see?

What was your favorite thing to eat?

Oh, and by the way, I've decided to extend my sale through the entire weekend.  To help celebrate my last week as a 23 year old, you can get 23% off in my shop using coupon code YAYFOR23 at the checkout.