The Big Move

Well we've made the big move and are settled into our new apartment in Missouri.

It's a nice feeling to be home and be able to say a short goodbye to family and friends instead of the long, drawn-out, "I'm not going to see you for five months" goodbye. I even get to go to two of my cousins' birthday parties this weekend, something I haven't been able to do in five years!

We have our puppy, and house training is going surprisingly well. We love our new apartment and have been basking in the amenities: dishwasher, washer & dryer, fitness center, pool. It is so quiet here, an easy adjustment from the hectic sirens of downtown Minneapolis. There is even a herd of about eight deer that come out into the back field every night and graze. We can walk right up to them, and they don't spook!

Now we are just playing the waiting game on jobs. It's a very frustrating ordeal. I had an interview that I thought went great, but was supposed to have received a call yesterday about a second interview... and no call... It's frustrating because I'd just like to know whether or not to start looking for something else. I'm sick of getting lead on. I know things are going to come together, but I'm just being impatient. It's disappointing to have a college degree and be excited about the future, but then come to the point that a retail or fast food job looks appealing and possibly attainable.

I'm trying to trust God with all this, but it's hard. He has provided for this move so far, and I know He will come through... just gotta wait it out...

Eye of the Hurricane

Things have been mass chaos, but now, there is a stillness. All the boxes are packed, and all cleaning has come to a standstill. We pack up the truck tomorrow night and leave this gorgeous city that I have come to know as home the next day after.

I am sad to leave these gorgeous city lights, rushing traffic, towering buildings, the varieties of people, the utter chaos of this city. I will not miss the months of negative degree weather, snow emergencies, wailing sirens of the hospital a block away, the endless stories of why I must give this random person $23.75, and fearing that my car window will be busted out by morning. I will miss my junior high girls that have left a deep mark on my heart, the many tears I have cried over their struggles and triumphs. I will miss the landmarks that signify the budding and growth of a loving relationship that will stand throughout time.

Through all this time here, in this beautiful city that will always have my heart, I have healed to the point that I can now return home.

And, I am anxious to return... to my dearest family and bestest friends, those humid, hover hills that roll through the backdrop of the place in which I learned how to hurt, how to overcome. and how to become myself. I am ready for the southern twang, endless restaurants, and tooth-rotting sweet tea, family gatherings on the back porch that last until all the fireflies have been captured in pickle jars. Even more so, I am excited to make my own memories, with my husband and the family that we create together.

I anticipate starting my career, finding out who I am and what my passions are, seeing my husband adapt to southern life, and raising our puppy :)

So, here we go. Pack each box carefully, then unload our precious cargo, and begin to start life anew. Missing the good, thankful to leave the bad, and ready to start a new adventure. Missouri, here we come! :)

4th of July...

Ben and I went back home to Missouri for the 4th of July. The 4th July is my favorite holiday. Yes, even more so than Christmas. My 4th of July is filled with homemade ice cream, lots of explosive fireworks, and even a little music this year. It was relaxing and refreshing to sit around with all of my extended family, watching the beautiful colors light up the sky, and of course to be able to share it with my hubbyman.

We were also able to spend lots of time with our new puppy, Snoopy! He is smart. We taught him to sit, come, and even worked on fetching this weekend. He does really well on walks, and we hope that house training will be fairly easy. We also found out that he doesn't do well on long car rides. The two hour trip into the windy Ozark Mountains was rough on all of us, but the views were worth it! I had never been to Roaring River State Park, so that was a fun adventure.

Ben and I also went apartment hunting. We found the perfect one that had all the amenities we were looking for: a pool, exercise room, dishwasher, cable, internet, etc. I can't wait to move in!! It's way better than the apartment we are living in now and almost $100 cheaper! But, I will miss my Minneapolis skyline view.

Yesterday I had the beginnings of an interview for an Assistant Editor position. I did well on the testing section and am now waiting to hear back from the PR department about a more in depth interview. Keep praying that it works out. Ben is also finding lots of job possibilities, so that's exciting. Basically, we will officially be moving back to Missouri at the end of July. I'm excited to see where this adventure takes us and what jobs we end up having. :) I'll keep you updated!

PUPPY!!

We are so excited about the newest addition to the Teigland Family. His name is currently Buddy, but we might change it to Snoopy. He is 4 1/2 months old, born Feb 13 :). He is currently residing with his "Grandpa" in Missouri until we can go get him on the Fourth of July!

I can't believe I finally have a puppy! I've been anxiously anticipating this day for the last four years!! AHHH!!

Going Back Home!? What?

Well, things have settled down a little. We still have no idea where we are going to be living at the end of next month, but some exciting possibilities are opening up. 

When I left Missouri four years ago, I literally burned bridges and declared quite enthusiastically that I would never EVER come back. Now, here I am, ecstatic about the possibility of moving back. I've found that there's no place I want to live more than Missouri. Funny, huh? I think it's because I've actually had some time to heal through my time in Minnesota. I'm ready to create new memories in Missouri. The old ones don't haunt me anymore. 

I miss my extended family and am excited to be able to go to all the get-togethers and birthday parties. I can't wait to "vacation" in Branson as much as I've mocked that all my life. I'm ready for the hills and humidity, for all the roadside vendors during the summer, and to be able to explore all these places with my hubbyman. I think I'm ready to settle down and make Springfield MY home for MY family. AND the Snoopy countdown is now down to a month and a half. I can't wait to finally have a puppy!! :) I think the hubbyman is starting to get more excited about it than I am. 

So, anyways. I'm still holding the couch down, enjoying the summer, and praying that this job possibility works out. I'm thrilled at the thought of returning home and know it's going to be a whole new adventure if I do. We'll just have to wait and see what the Big Man Upstairs has up his sleeve!I'm praying that it's MISSOURI!!

Running out of time.

I'm at the point where all I want to do is scream.

I am sick of jobs falling through, of people not willing to give us a chance, and of stupid excuses. I'm frustrated with trying to find "God's will for my life." Or just trying to find Him period. I keep being told that God has something better for us and that He will come through in His perfect timing. Really? Really?

I've been searching for jobs for the last eight hours... nothing. No editing jobs, no pastor jobs. Nothing. I just want to be close to family and have some sort of job that I feel accomplished with, not like I'm wasting myself.

I want to see my husband use his talents, live out his passion, not to see him destroyed and defeated. I see his potential and to see him doubting himself makes me want to scream. All we need is a chance. Both of us, our own. We can do this...

But, instead, we are stuck with the mundane. I am inside these four walls of my apartment, going crazy, and wasting time. I don't understand this. I don't know how it's going to end up. But we're running out of time. A month and a half until we have to move, have to do something. God better come through.

House Hunting... Or Just Dreaming

Can you picture a beagle in the front yard? I can... :)
I really want this house.. Looks like a steal.. Hmm..
Just not sure if we're ready for this part of life quite yet, but I can dream, can't I?