Visitors

I still have a cough and haven't gotten all my energy back, but I am a lot better compared to how I felt last week! I don't think I've been sick like that in a long time. My only symptoms were that ridiculous cough and being extremely fatigued. I'm getting better in perfect time to ready our house for some very welcome visitors :).

Our first visitor arrives tomorrow. Steve has a friend from Purdue who just accepted a job in Memphis. He will be moving down here (about 45 minutes away from us) sometime this weekend, but before he moves into his new place, he has to find it! So he's coming to visit us for a few days this week so he can find his own place.

Our next visitors will arrive on Saturday. Steve's awesome parents are driving here from Colorado. They are driving all the way here so that I can borrow one of their cars (it belongs to Steve's brother who's away at college). What a blessing they are to me! Now I will be able to get out and about (not dependent on Steve's work schedule) as well as sign up to be a substitute!

Until all our visitors arrive, I will be doing chores (like dusting, vacuuming, laundry) and completing last minute house projects. Steve has been working on a little unexpected house project. I dropped my contact in the sink (oops) and he had to cut out the pipe in order to find it. He now has a new piece to replace on the pipe, and is working on putting the pipe back together. It should be fixed in the next day or so (fingers crossed).

Good thing I don't have a job. . .

. . . .because I'm sick! I woke up Sunday morning feeling pretty weak and had a deep dry cough. By the evening, I had a low-grade fever. All day Monday was spent on the couch. My only real symptom is this ridiculous cough. It feels like I have an elephant sitting on my chest (try coughing while feeling like an elephant is on your chest! It's hard work!). Luckily, this morning the elephant decided to move on so now I just have a hacking cough. I've been drinking plenty of fluids, getting tons of rest (I slept 13 hours last night!), and have an awesome husband who is taking care of me when he's not at work.

There's really never a great time to be sick; however, it's good that I'm sick now while I can afford it. Steve and I took Emergen-C cocktails this morning (ha ha, it's just this vitamin mix you put in water that helps boost your immune system). Hopefully, Steve won't get this (even though he's dying to play hooky from work!). Usually, I get sick and he stays immune. He likes to brag that his immune system is invincible. I'm not sold on that idea, but am glad he doesn't get sick easily!

This cough pretty much came out of nowhere! On Saturday, I went to the farmer's market in the morning with Katie (she went to the same church back at Purdue, but we never met, and she lives here now). I bought a watermelon (which turned out to be delicious) and peaches (which i made a cobbler with). Saturday afternoon was spent cleaning and planting a little herb garden tray while Steve planted strawberry plants for his Topsy Turvy. In the evening, we cooked out hot dogs and hamburgers. Apparently we bought bad hamburgers because they kept falling apart in the grill and caused big flames -- oops! Our friends (that we ate lunch with earlier in the week) came over and spent the evening with us. We ate, talked, laughed a lot, and taught them how to play bang. God has blessed us with Steve's job, a great house, and now wonderful friends! God is good :).

New Life, New Friends

Well, I've been getting a lot of questions again about the job search -- It's at a standstill. I have been in contact with a guy who is somehow affiliated to P&G and the school system in Jackson. I've sent him my resume, licenses, and such and am awaiting to hear from him. Most likely, I will end up becoming a substitute and working when needed. Steve's parents are coming out over labor day and bringing Steve's brother's car for me to use while Ian is away at college. Once I have the car, I will be more active in substitute sign-ups. (Also, Steve is still doing 2nd shift, so I don't want to sub all day when he's home, and come home to him at work -- another reason for the delay).

This week, I have been able to meet a girl that lives in Jackson but used to go to Kossuth (the church Steve and I went to at Purdue). Apparently, we went to the church with her, but were involved in different areas and never met at Purdue! She and I went out for coffee in downtown Jackson and had a great little chat. We are probably going to go out to eat sometime soon (sooo exciting!).

Also this week, Steve and I went to lunch again with a couple we've met through P&G. Steve works with Jake, so we met up for lunch with him and his wife Jennifer. We met them a few weeks ago for lunch, and this was our second outting. Now that the nervousness of meeting someone new is gone, we had another great time with them! It was easier to be myself, and Jennifer must have felt so too. She and I are a lot alike! At times, I felt like I was watching myself when I was watching her. Hopefully, they will be coming to our house tomorrow evening for a cookout/chill out.

In other weird news at the Ackerman's : I found a snake in our bushes! Today, I was trimming up the bushes and weeding and this little 8 in snake was staring up at me! He slithered away before I could get a picture and I didn't know where he went. About 5 minutes later, I found him hiding under one of the bushes. I didn't know if he was as afraid of me as I was of it, so I didn't weed under that bush!

Weekend Getaway

I woke up to this message on the floor of the living room on Saturday morning. The theme for our first year anniversary gifts was "paper". So Steve came up with an original paper idea writing me a message in Post-It notes. He gets points for meeting the paper requirement as well as points for the post-it notes, just because I love post-its! I moved the message from the floor of the living room to a wall in the bedroom. Now this is the message I will wake up to every day (well at least until the notes stop sticking).

My gift to him was "Memory Calendar". I went through a bunch of pictures from our relationship and scrapbooked them according to the month the picture was taken. I also wrote little notes on the calendar and made sure to mark important date form our relationship. (I had more time on my hands to make this gift!)

After we exchanged gifts and got ready, we headed to Memphis for the rest of the weekend. Once we got to downtown Memphis, we parked in a parking garage and headed to find the famous BBQ restuarant "Rendezvous". It has been featured on Travel Channel's Man vs. Food with Adam Richmond (Steve is a big fan of his and was excited to eat in a restaurant featured on the show). The place is known for its dry rub ribs. Steve got a full rack, while I got some pulled pork. The dinner was a nice unique Memphis meal (a little pricey for what it was, but it's all about the experience, right?).

After dinner, we walked around Beale Street (known for its street performers and night life). We walked it down to the Mississippi River and back to downtown. It was quite hot while we were there so we didn't stick around to see the night life. We got to see some live bands and get a feel for the street. We headed back to our hotel (which more points for Steve-- the hotel was from the same hotel chain we spent on our wedding night).

On Sunday, we headed to Wolfchase (Memphis's Mall). It was a really nice mall with a bunch of stores and entertainment (like carousel and train for little kiddos). After walking around the mall a little bit, we went into the theater and saw Inception. While waiting for the movie to start, I realized that this was only the 2nd time Steve and I have gone to a movie theater alone. However, this time, I got popcorn and a drink so it was more like our first real movie theater date.

After the movie, we ate an early dinner (Steve chose Steak Escape in the mall. I had never eaten there and he raved about it). We then headed back home to return to reality. While on the drive, traffic got really backed up. Steve pulled out his YP (Young Professional) phone and found out there was an accident awhile ahead. 45 minutes later, we finally got to the scene of the accident. A semi was off the side of the road with its back end on the road (wheels gone), and its trailer was split in half (lengthwise). There was a bobcat filling several dump trucks with all the boxes that had poured out of the semi. We finally got home and went back to the usual Sunday evening at the Ackerman house (Steve playing computer games while I watched tv).

Wedded Bliss. . . . just gets better :)

A year ago last Sunday (August 8), Steve and I stood in front of our close family and friends and married each other before God. Looking back on this past year, I can see how God has used Steve and I's marriage not only to help each other, but others around us. Here is our year in review, things we've learned, and where we're headed:

-Marriage is hard work and not what we expected! Everyday is not filled with roses and rainbows. It's how you get through those tough times that makes the good times all the better. It's rough when two sinners join their lives together -- but with God's unending love and grace, it is possible!

-One of our main draws to getting married in college is that we'd be able to be together in our home in between classes, student teaching, and senior projects. If we weren't married, we would have had to spend a whole lot of time planning times we could see each other.

-Steve is never allowed to go camping with Jared again, and if he does, they are not allowed to play with fire. (For those of you who don't know, just a few months after we got married, Steve was camping with a bunch of guys, playing with fire, and got a severe burn on his inner leg. This burn left him unable to walk and do basic tasks by himself. I had to become his personal nurse, secretary, and caretaker. What a blessing our marriage was during this time! Steve would never have been able to care for himself, and I would have run myself more ragged than I already did, trying to take care of him.

-Steve and I compliment each other in so many ways. When I'm going crazy with silly ideas, emotions, or planning something -- Steve is grounded and keeping me sane. I love to take care of the house and cook while Steve enjoys a clean house and eating. Steve goes to work and makes the money, while I stay at home and spend it :). (See-- complete compliments !)

- Every day that we make it a priority to seek God first, delve into the Word, and try to follow Christ's perfect example, we become closer as a couple. The Bible clearly explains that the foundation for a lasting marriage is through God, and let me tell you -- It's the TRUTH!!!

I can say that I'm more in love with Steve now than I was a year ago when we said "I Do". Back then, I would have said that my love for him couldn't grow, but it somehow seems to enhance every day. (This is an assumption, but I think Steve would agree with me on this).

Since we spent our real anniversary on Sunday driving back to Tennessee, we will be going away this weekend and celebrating. This morning, I woke up to this beautiful bouquet of flowers :) Tomorrow morning, we will be headed to Memphis for the rest of the weekend. I don't know what all Steve has in plan, so you'll have to stay tuned for the full weekend report. I know that he's been getting ideas from the technicians he's been working with recently, so hopefully the locals know all the good things to do!

Revenge of the Lawn Mower

Steve was supposed to mow the yard before he came to IN, but TN had been under a heat advisory and Steve was not about to go against the Weatherman's advice! Yesterday, it was a beautiful overcast day with a cool breeze-- perfect mowing weather! So while Steve was at work, I went to get the mower ready.

I filled the gas tank, primed the mower, pulled the chord -- and it started... then shut off. I could get the mower to start, but not stay started. After reading the manual several times, calling my parents (several times), and trying to rig up a paper clip/rubber band (in case the throttle was in the wrong position), as well as losing an hour and a half of my life, I determined that the mower was broken. The more I primed, the longer the mower would last, but it would always shut itself off after 10 seconds.

This morning (after discussing the situation with Steve in detail after he got home from work at midnight) he headed out to the garage. He checked the oil (which I had already done), pulled the chord a few times, primed it 2x, and pulled the chord again. And what would you know? The mower works fine. How I hate machines! Steve is now convinced (as if he really needed any help) that I'm nuts.

Despite the heat advisory we're still under (for the next 3 days!), I went ahead and mowed the lawn (or weeds in our case). It was definitely obvious it had been way too long since it was last mowed! I spent an hour in weather that is way too hot to be mowing in (this again secures the "I'm nuts" persona I'm developing). And yes mom, I drank lots of water (even though you don't read this)!

All in all, a very productive day! I went grocery shopping this morning (apparently Wednesday morning is the best time to shop because Walmart was empty!), worked out, and mowed in the afternoon. I think this secures my lazy day tomorrow (although, it really isn't lazy-- I have house cleaning and laundry to do!).

How Time Flies

There's so much that happened in this past week! I left on Monday to head back to IN. Two hours into my trip, I got a call from Steve. He informed me that his training in Cincinnati for the following week got canceled which threw off our whole plan about him coming up. All week long, we debated whether it was worth him working till midnight Friday, sleeping a few hours, and driving straight in to make it to the wedding, just to turn around and drive back on Sunday. He ended up being able to get off work a little early on Friday so he ended up coming in to Indiana. This meant that I had to cut my trip short by a week. It was hard to leave with so many plans unaccomplished, but I guess that just means I get to come back to IN soon!

Once I got to IN, it was like I hit the ground running. Monday night was my mother's birthday, so our house was full of little girls and excitement as usual. On Tuesday, I went to the zoo with my nieces and sisters. The weather was a little questionable in the beginning. We drove through rain and some thunder, but by the time we made it to the zoo, the weather was overcast and beautiful! We had a great time.

Wednesday started all my Maid of Honor responsibility craziness! My best buddy Megan rode down to Indy with me to pick up another bridesmaid who had just arrived via Megabus from Wisconsin. Once we picked her up, we had to head to the airport to pick up the bride and her sister-in-law. They had ridden down with the family to the airport to pick up Grandma Millie. We got to the airport a little earlier than expected, so I got to drive the loop around the airport a few times. Once everyone was accounted for in the car, we headed to the east side of Indy to meet friends at Applebee's for Bree's bachelorette party. We had a great time celebrating with Brianna during this special time!

(Sarah, Me, Julie, and Brianna at her bachelorette party)

Thursday, I got to hang out all day in the pool with Sarah from Wisconsin. I hadn't seen her since February, and we had lots to catch up on! It was so great to hang out with her. On Friday, we headed to Lafayette and met Julie to get our nails done. The experience was pretty sketchy since we had chosen to go to a beauty school. Julie's girl had never even done a French manicure before, and it showed! Oh well, the $10 was worth all the laughs we had afterwards! The rehearsal was later that evening. Sarah's husband wasn't going to make it in until late Friday night, so it was fun to hang out with Sarah and Julie (and no boys!). Although, hanging with Courtney and Rachel and their boys on Friday evening was just as much fun!

(Sarah, Me, Julie, Rachel, Brianna, & Courtney at rehearsal!)

We dropped Sarah off at her in-laws and Julie and I spent the evening together. I even crashed with her at her sister's house. Saturday was full of getting ready, crying and laughing with Bree, and celebrating in Brianna and David's marriage. Steve made it in town with enough time to grab some lunch with a friend in Lafayette and make it to the wedding. We all had a great time at the reception together with our friends. I surprised Brianna and David with a special song and dance tagged on to the end of my Maid Of Honor Speech (well I guess it was Matron, but that makes me sound old!). I sang a new rendition of Enrique Iglesias's "Escape" while the other bridesmaids acted it out. The night ended with lots of dancing, laughing, and more dancing and laughing!

(Ryan and Steve getting way too close at the Reception)

Sunday marked Steve and I's 1 year wedding anniversary. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating at our own wedding. Now it's a year later, and we're more in love now than we were then. I'm looking forward to growing more in love with Steve through our many years together. Listening to Pastor Whipple's sermon at Brianna's wedding was a great reminder for Steve and I to continue to seek Christ first, and then each other. That's the only way for a marriage to last, is one that is grounded in Christ! Thanks Pastor Whipple! Steve and I got to spend a delightful 8 hour car ride together on Sunday. We talked a lot about our past and future, and even had a nice little dinner at Fazoli's. We had to go out of our way for that, but it sounded a little nicer to have an anniversary dinner at Fazoli's instead of Burger King. This coming weekend we will be celebrating our anniversary with a weekend trip to Memphis.

Things that Husbands don't understand and probably never will. . .

So.... my weekend project consisted of making curtains to go in the living room and in our bedroom. The sun comes in our window way too early in the bedroom and curtains are needed to get some extra sleep! Steve doesn't really understand the curtains. He thinks its just "fru-fru" that women put up. There is a purpose behind the curtains (well at least in the bedroom, I'll admit the living room curtains are just "fru-fur" but they look so nice!).

Because we're on a budget, I only bought one curtain panel per window. I then cut the panel in half, hemmed the edges and paid 2 panels per window! I thought about just buying fabric and making curtains myself, but I fell in love with these colors, and it would have cost close to the same. In the picture on the top, you can see the print on top of the fireplace that is awaiting being framed. The frame never arrived with my Target purchases, so I did some research on UPS.com and found out my package was damaged and is under an investigation! UPS is supposed to contact me, but that hasn't happened yet. I'll give them another week before I contact them ;).

Today, Steve and I attended a church for the second time in a row. Meaning, we liked the service last week, and decided to go again. Last week, we loved the worship but thought the message was more like telling a Bible story. This week, a different guy preached and his message was very applicable and very refreshing. Plus, the pastor who spoke this week had an unidentifiable accent which made you focus all the more. It was kind of like a South meets British accent with a little Aussie thrown in. He used words like "plumage" (instead of feathers) and "loggerheads" (instead of strange/dumb). It was pretty intriguing. I think this is a definite potential church for us here in Jackson! Praise the Lord :).

This will be my last blog from Jackson for a couple weeks. Tomorrow, I will be driving up to Indiana all by myself. That will leave Steve here for the work week all alone. Since he's working 2nd shift still, it works out quite nicely. We will reunite at our friend's wedding this Saturday. We're still not sure how/when Steve will drive up, but we will figure it out and keep you posted!