Weekends are a Blessing

This weekend was nice. On Friday Bruce and I went out to dinner and had some intentional conversations. Sometimes I don't want to tell Bruce how I am feeling, I want to keep my feelings inside and I want him to figure it out without even giving him a hint. Well I have learned that is just crazy. He wants to know how I am feeling and what is going on, but I have to be intentional and tell him. He is not a mindreader. It was nice to have an open and honest conversation about where we are both at.

On Saturday I went to the DTS wives retreat. It was interesting. I only knew one other lady there and her and I talk for a little while. I met some more women and it was nice to talk with them about where they moved from or what year their husband is in in school. There were all different ages there, I was one of the youngest ones but there were women who looked just as young as I am. The speakers were pretty good. The first speaker talk about the importance of going to Jesus first. Getting to know Jesus and being satisfied in him first and foremost, before going out and trying to change the world. It was a good reminder to seek Jesus first, and if my relationship with him is first, then out of that others will see my love for Him. The second speaker was a native of Texas, and her accent gave her away quickly. She discussed how to manage your time wisely. She also discussed how to keep the house clean, how to be a good mom, and how to keep dinner on the table. It was funny. In our culture today I rarely hear about the importance of being a good housewife and mom. I mean, I feel at times it's almost looked down upon to 'just' be a stay at home mom. I really am looking forward to having children and I hope Bruce and I will have the means for me to be a stay at home mom, but I wonder when people ask me what I do, will I still say I'm a teacher or will I say I am a mom? Or will I say I am a teacher, but I am just taking some time off to raise the kids. I don't know. Will I be satisfied with being a full time mom or will I be counting down the years until I can go back to work? I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Bruce and I had a low key Sunday. We stayed in all day (with the exception of going to church) and got some chores done around the apartment. I also ordered a cable plan for our new tv. This caused a bit a tension between Bruce and I. Bruce despises cable. We have not had cable for the past year. During our first three months of marriage I was fine with it because I was really busy with student teaching, and during the summer I didn't mind either because we were running around all summer spending time with our friends and family before our big move. But now that Bruce is in school, and my job is less demanding I would like to have cable. Bruce doesn't like it because there are so many trashy shows on, and I agree there are a lot of trashy shows, but I really like watching the news. I also like watching the kids movies that are on occasionally. So this weekend Bruce went along with my desire and we ordered the most basic plan of cable you can get. I am excited, which is kind of sad. I keep myself busy by reading, writing to friends, blogging, etc. but sometimes it would be nice to watch a little tv. So we'll see if cable rots my brain?!

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving in a few weeks. It will be the first Thanksgiving Bruce and I have spent together (just the two of us) and I am hoping whatever I decide to make tastes good. I hope we enjoy the day and I don't miss my family too too much. Maybe Bruce and I can start our own Thanksgiving tradition this year. Any suggestions? Bruce and I got a Christmas tree this weekend at Hobby Lobby at half price, so I am going to continue the Allen family tradition and put up my tree the day after Thanksgiving!

Happy Monday!

It's November...Yay!

I have been in Texas for approximately 3 months. Wow. On the way home from church last night I realized that our time in Texas is a part of our journey. What I mean by that is someday we'll be telling our kiddos 'yeah, when we lived in Texas is was so hot,' or 'the people we met in Dallas were so nice,' etc. My parents used to tell us their stories from when they lived in Ohio and how they had to move three times, and about my dad's adventures as a youth pastor. It dawned on me that Bruce and I are having our own adventures, and even though we have tough times that someday those tough moments might be some of our favorite memories.

It was just a strange thing to think about. Dallas doesn't really feel like home, but we are beginning to belong more and more. I have no idea how long we will be here (that depends on Bruce's job) but I know we are making memories we will never forget. Our first apartment so far from home, my first job with a salary, our first Thanksgiving alone, choosing a church on our on, Bruce's time at DTS, etc. So many memories. I am so thankful God provided this opportunity for us (even when I didn't want to move.) Bruce and I are learning how to be married, how to fight well, how to communicate better, and how to do life together. Although I feel lonely at times, being in a new place, with few friends, I am thankful for God using this time to build my relationship with himself and with Bruce stronger. My relationships with my sisters, parents, and friends have also been strengthened by this experience. Because I live so far from many of the people I love it forces me to be intentional about calling, sending letters, etc. A relationship means so much more when you are invested and intentional rather than being friends simply because of proximity and location.

All this being said, I am SO excited to come home for Christmas!!! Can't wait to spend time with family and friends. I am so blessed, and I will be forever thankful.

Random Note: Bruce is getting glasses. We were in Lens Crafters for about 2 hours on Saturday. I think he is excited, now he can officially go for his dream of becoming a professor because he looks the part! I'll post pictures as soon as he gets them!