qt for my qt - santa barbara

don't you love that motto in my title? dp came up with it recently while we were driving. qt (quality time) for my qt (cutie). i liked it so much i thought we should use it as a business motto. dp didn't think it'd be wise to start out a business with the motto first with no such idea... :) i gave that one up easily.

this past weekend/week was nice and relaxing. it was filled with my friend's birthday party, hosting my bro's friend at our place, a trip to see my friend in newport beach, and then santa barbara for a few days! this past week with dp being home has been so nice. we truly got to relax and have no agenda. today is his first day of his new job and i miss him already! it's like dropping your kid off at his first day of school, haha.

here are some recent purdy pics. while we were there i decided i wanted to pretend i had some photography skills so you can see some of my attempts in the photos, hehe.

thought it'd be cool to take a photo sitting on a tree

view from the scenic drive in SB

view from atop the SB courthouse

@ shelley's fiesta

hehe, thought it'd be cool to take a pic of the color contrast of our feet with the water ready to hit them.

"...because we can"

dp has a week off before he transitions into his new job. boy, is he overjoyed. as we chill home together, our favorite thing to say (well, at least his is...) "...because we can". basically meaning that we can do nothing, have no agenda, take a walk, go to the hot tub... all during the day... because we can. dp thinks this is how it feels to be retired, haha. i, on the other hand, can't say i feel AS overjoyed as he is given today marks my first full week separating from my last job. it's been a pretty good week...

- dp went on our church's mens retreat up in lake arrowhead. he had a wonderful time and really bonded and met a handful of new guys that he can now have fellowship with. i'm glad for him since he has been wanting to more "wild at heart" doing man-ly things (ie. paintballing, rock climbing, etc.) i don't have a problem doing them with him, but it's just different doing them with men.

- while dp was out, i was able to have some wonderful girl time. had some sleepovers, dinner with the gals, watched a chick flick (that dp would've hated), and simply enjoyed the company of some lovely women.

- this past weekend marked our first weekend together (without having to report to work at 3pm until 9/10pm). it was awesome and boy did i loveeeee it. back to normalcy, yay!

- in the past month i have also begun a new project- quilting!!!! yes- me- quilting, hehe. with a past co-worker, we are making a cool looking Asian-themed quilt that dp and i will use to hang above our bed. i've included a pic... it's almost done. doesn't look too cool in this form though.



other news... dp and i are volunteering in the youth ministry at our church. dp has been attending a few of their functions, whereas i became available yesterday to join since i'm free in the evenings. dp is co-facilitating the junior high boys' life group and i am with the fresh/soph girls. we are both 1-2 meetings in, but boy are we overjoyed with the experience. i'm thankful that i can utilize my gifts in this capacity and be a part of this experience.

2 years anniversary photo!

We're looking the same, and acting the same :)

the meaning of being thankful (to me)

as some of you know, i ended my job last wed. instead of thurs. in a nutshell, one of my clients ran off into the street and when i tried to encourage her to return she turned on me and attempted to assault me twice. it was quite a scary experience and one that shook me pretty hard. i returned to the unit in tears and my supervisor (who happened to be around) allowed me to make wed. my last day. needless to say, i am overjoyed with being separated from that type of work.

i titled this blog thankful because after having gone through this past experience, i am filled with thanksgiving and joy over the littlest things... to be able to know that i have my nights and weekends free with dp, bible study time, and friends... to know i don't need to cut my day short knowing i have a 10 hours shift or that i need to be at work at 3pm... to know i won't be potentially assaulted at work.... and especially, being thankful that dp will support us in the interim.

lastly, i'm thankful for this experience knowing more what i don't want in a job and what type of job i am seeking to find. i've learned to not jump into something head first and am figuring out that i need to do a little more analysis (like dp does endlessly). i am hopeful, and am glad i am. i know that in due time i will rediscover God's will for me and be completing the purpose he has for me. it excites me. please pray for me as i transition into this new lifestyle (maybe for a while).

jobing

quick update that dp is moving to a new job opportunity- as a benefits analyst at an insurance brokerage company (I believe that is what type of company it is). we are thankful for this new career path for him. We are both excited and wanted to share in the great news with you.

exciting times!

hi everyone!

first off, i want to thank all of you for your continued support, encouragement, love, and everything else! i am especially thankful that i have a strong support system that can be there for me through small trail times... what i am referring to is my work situation. yesterday i gave my 2 weeks. i had a huge weight lifted when i finally told my boss. i couldn't ask for a better boss in this situation. he understood, supported my decision, and even offered to be a reference. today i had my interview for a new job. it went well and second rounds is next thursday! please continue to send positive energy/prayers for me!! i am excited.

daniel is doing well. he has been the best with his unconditional support as i figure myself out with work and being cool when the place is a mess, dishes not washed, and food hasn't been cooked. phew. i wonder how long i can get away with this ;) his mystery thing is still in the process, so hopefully we can provide more info soon!

last thurs and fri our friends got married so that was a nice gathering to attend. it was a jewish wedding, so it was nice to witness a different style of wedding ceremony. monday was our 2 years! wow! and we went and had some yummy Moroccan dinner! (definitely recommend trying it). this sunday we are heading to seaworld!! should be fun since it's dp's first time. with us, nothing else really. i'm excited to find a job that doesn't require me to work evenings and weekends regularly so i can be home and see daniel! (he would probably prefer his book, but oh well) :)

hope everyone's doing well. please give us an update~!! thanks again for being there for us, always.