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?

Life Beyond the Institution

Well, graduation went smoothly. Diploma is still nowhere to be seen. However, one week after graduation, I was laid off from my job. Wonderful present. But, it presented me with the chance to go home for a few days.

Missouri is so much better in summer. I relaxed for the first time in many years. The best part of the trip was just laying in the boat, soaking up the sun, and taking in the radiant "mountains" that I love and miss the most. Spending time with family was the second best. My dad, brother, best friend, cousin/should be sister. Crazy adventures of whipping out my wedding dress to take pictures in an open field. Country music blaring in the background. Pineapple whip. Nothing better.

I did miss the hubbyman, I suppose. We take off to Indiana this weekend to check out our future church. I'm praying all goes well because I don't want to begin this process for the third time in a row. I just want to move somewhere, settle. Now, if only I could get that publishing job that I can't get my mind off of. Trusting God is hard sometimes.

Until then, I have the urge to continue working on the memoir that I began as my senior project. My struggles against divorce and my own marriage. It needs to be out there, that hope and determination. Kids of divorce do not need to live oppressed lives. They can break the mold. So here we go...

Anxiety

I graduate tomorrow, and am dreading it more than anything. Not because it means that I have to get a job or because I'm scared of falling flat on my face, because I really honestly don't want my family to be there. All major events in  my life have been wrecked with their drama, and I would really love something like this in my life to just go smoothly. I'm crossing my fingers and praying that I don't have to step into any fights, listen to snippy comments, or defuse ridiculous rumors. I trust that everyone can be grownups and behave themselves, but a huge part of me is worried sick. So much so that I'd rather they just not be here at all. 

As for the rest of life, school ended so easily, hardly any tests, no papers. It was wonderful. Now, I'm just working until we move. I'm sick of my job and kind of sick of life. I just want things to get on the move. I'm ready to be someplace different, to settle down, to find a job that I love. I'm just praying God works everything out perfectly. I feel like if we accept a position, and we know it's the right one, then he'll provide an awesome job for me. I'm praying anyways. 

Other than that, not much going on, just the hecticness of graduation and balancing three families. It's going to be a stressful next three days! :/ 

Calm in the Storm

A lot has happened in the last week. We went to Chicago for the interview and liked the looks of things. When we got home, the place called and offered my husband the position, but told him it would be a financial burden to bring him on staff. Through this process, we realized that we were compromising on a lot of little things about the area and the job. After talking with a lot of people, we decided to hold out. There is something better for us out there. We just have to be patient. 

It's funny because all day long I've had these song lyrics in my head- "We declare Your glory Oh God, for You are great. You are great. We declare Your wonder Oh God for You are great. You are great." 

It just gives me this surreal peace. Something is coming, something bigger than I can imagine. We will find a place that fits us perfectly and that we feel passionate about. I'm excited. I can't wait for it to happen! 

On a side note, I can't believe I have been married for almost a year. I have been so blessed. Whoever said the first year of marriage is the worst is wrong. Although I think this next year might be rough with all the transition, but even so I love my husband so much more than the day I married him. I am so lucky. : ) Life is good, and God is great!

Getting Away

So my husband and I randomly decided today that we wanted to get away for the weekend. We're going out in the middle of nowhere and staying in a cute little lodge. I'm quite excited. Plus, I get to see hills again. I've been dealing with a little homesickness, so maybe that will help. 

This is our last weekend before chaos hits. Next weekend we head to Chicago for an interview, then my husband has a retreat the next weekend, then after that is my senior project presentation, then graduation basically. Before I can blink my eyes, this will all be over. 

I've been a little impatient and frustrated. I just wish we could finalize things, but I just have to be patient. Hopefully in two weeks we will know where we are going to be. And then, I can get the beagle puppy that I've been waiting for four years for ; ). 

So that's all for now. Just getting away and relaxing with my hubby before chaos starts and before we pack up and move and have to adjust to life in a new city. :) 

One Month.

I have one month left in this city, basically. One month. 

Minneapolis. This is the city I willingly left my humid Ozark hills for, escaping from the pain that haunted me. Here, I have learned to love, to forgive, to overcome. I am not the same person I was when I came here. My heart has grown and expanded. I have new passions and desires. 

The city skyline no longer intrigues me. It's the people that capture my heart. I will miss my junior highers more than words can describe. I have seen them through a critical point in life, and they have seen me through a critical point in mine. 

I have now grown beyond this school and what it has to offer. I have taken the knowledge they instilled in me and am now ready to run. I am leaving with new ideas, new opinions on life, and a new voice. 

Thankfully, I am not alone in this new journey. My husband and I will cling to each other these next few months as we explore a new piece of land, get to know a new bunch of faces. But, we are excited, ready to see what is in store for us. This is our adventure. 

I am ready. 

Almost April, Already?

Alright, so here we are again a few weeks later, thanks to my apathy towards blogging. 

We've had one job interview, and it looks pretty promising, a little stretching, and much farther from Missouri than we had hoped, but it's a job. We'll know by the end of the week. At least I can finally have the puppy that I've been patiently waiting for these last four years. 

Other than that, I attended the Sigma Tau Delta National Conference this past week. They chose me to present a piece that I had written. It was a children's story about an adventurous squirrel. It turned out to be a lot of fun. I was able to hear some great authors that spoke just what I needed to hear in relation to my senior project and where I am with my writing right now. It was really neat. 

Well, that's it for now. Hopefully next time I'll have some exciting news about what specific direction my life is going to take! Ciao!

Moving Forward

Well, I'm apparently horrible at blogging. I know this is something I need to be doing, but have been struggling. Since Christmas, life has been interesting. Family struggles that I'm attempting to forgive and forget. Then, Ben and I had a wonderful trip to Italy. I definitely had a skewed perspective of Europe until then. It'll be awhile before I want to go back, but I feel that I still need to see France, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, and some of those other places of interest before I die. 

So, here I am in the last half of the last semester of college. My husband and I are starting to look for jobs, which is exciting because basically the sky's the limits. We'd like to be in Missouri, but seriously, we'll take whatever we can get. But lately, I've felt the need to be back in the hills and humidity of Missouri. I feel the need to connect with home again. I've pushed it away for the last four years for time to heal from the past. But, now I've healed and I'm ready to be that country Missouri girl again. 

Speaking of healing, that should be the theme of my senior project. Basically, I'm writing about my journey through my parents' divorce. It's been good, refreshing, and heart breaking at times, but it's coming together. Hopefully, it will turn into a book someday. It's hard to write about the things that hurt the most, but in a way, it helps to know that everyone now knows the gory details and you can't hide anymore. 

I'm ready to be me, to dream, to live, to be "Happy Abby" again. I'm excited for these next few months of uncertainty. One thing's certain, as numerous people keep telling me, I have an amazing husband who can be strong for me when I feel so broken. I am so thankful for him and am so excited to see where life takes us! :) 

Stay tuned for more of our journey!