happy day(s)

Well, life hasn't gotten any "less crazy" since the last time I posted. 

I've applied for no fewer than 25 positions around Northwest Arkansas in the last two weeks (half of which I'm not qualified for..I could be the VP of Revlon for WalMart...okay, I didn't apply for that one. I really wanted to though). 

While waiting on a job opportunity, it's been nice to be at home. I've been able to help my parents a little, and they've been able to keep me company when I would have been bored out of my mind otherwise. 

While hanging out with my parents is so great, I've really started missing the closeness of friendships in Springfield. Our monthly grocery budget has significantly decreased now that Keith and Catie aren't nightly dinner guests. While many people would be thrilled to save money, the decreasing of our grocery bill saddens me.

In related news, I have found "my new WalMart." In Springfield, I had a favorite store. The layout made sense, and it never got crazy busy. I despise the Bentonville WalMart more than anything. It's ALWAYS busy and never fully stocked. The layout is a disaster. You'd think it'd be the best WalMart ever considering Bentonville is the home of thing..no such luck for this girl. I'd rather shop at Harps or Price Cutter (insert shocked face). I'm serious. It's that bad. Thankfully, there is a WalMart about 10-15 minutes out of my way that is much better. Conveniently, there is a Chick-fil-A across the street as well. 

We met up with Chris, Annalise, Catie, and Keith at Cheddar's in Joplin for my birthday dinner Friday night. It was so great to catch up and hug close friends. I didn't realize how important the tangibility of friendship was until some of my closest friends started moving away a year or so ago. It's so great to have that person literally there in front of you, so it meant a lot to share my birthday dinner with them. 

My Catie Bug.. So blessed to have her in my life.

Chris, Annalise, Tye, and I stumbled upon quite the sketchy fair while searching for Starbucks in Joplin. We got out to check prices but decided our safety and health might be at risk if we partook in the carnival activities.

Saturday morning, we met up with some of our new friends (at what point do they become not 'new' friends??) for lunch and then decided to drive around Bella Vista and look at a house that I've fallen in love with. I know, I shouldn't be looking at houses. Oops. Too late.

I'm thankful that we found friends so quickly..friends that are in the exact same position as us, looking for a church, friends, and a new adventure.

Bentonville's big football/sports kickoff just so happened to fall on my birthday, so I got to spend the evening celebrating three of my favorite things: Arkansas, football, and Tye. I wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way.

Dad's healing has been slow. Some minor complications post surgery have left him feeling weaker than we were expecting. He goes back to the doctor Thursday for his first follow-up. That appointment will (hopefully) provide some answers and plans for further treatment. In the meantime, he's focused on regaining his appetite and walking/getting out of bed as much as possible. Thank you so much for praying for him. It means the world to us. Please continue to do so as we wait. 

Pray that we wait well and that we fully trust in the Lord to carry us through this season.