• Life

    Currently, January

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    Reading// I am currently rereading the Harry Potter series and am on book one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I’m also reading For the Love by Jen Hatmaker, which is a really light, funny read and am really enjoying it. I’ve also been reading plenty of blogs of course! (Probably spending most of my time doing this over the books.)

    Watching// Tommy and I just recently finished How I Met Your Mother, and just started watching Parenthood after seeing many people talk about how good it is. I’m really enjoying it. It’s a nice show to sit down to at the end of your day.

    Trying// To really stay on top of my household chores this week. I usually put them off until I absolutely have to do them, but then I end up doing 5 loads of laundry at once, or cleaning the entire house in only one day, and this just wears me out and I’m usually dead for at least the next day or so. So instead of that, this week I’m trying to do one small thing each day, like today I cleaned the bathroom. Let’s hope I stick to it the rest of the week.

    Cooking// This past weekend I cooked Sweet and Sour Chicken for Tommy’s birthday. It’s one of his favorite meals. It’s definitely different from what I normally cook so it was fun to do something special for his birthday.

    SOURCE

    Eating// Extra light today because my stomach has been feeling kind of funny. Although last night we went out to Olive Garden and I had my favorite, 5 Cheese Baked Ziti. Yum. Tonight we had chicken soup!

    Drinking// Homemade sweet tea! So delish. I’ve also been drinking lots of hot tea today too. 

    Pinning// New, yummy recipes. I love getting dinner recipes from Pinterest.

    Going// To start planning our vacation to Florida soon! My cousin called me and asked if I’d be interested in taking a vacation to visit my grandparents when she has spring break so that’s what we’ll be doing in April and I am so excited. We are definitely going to plan on going to the beach at least once during the week because come on, just look at how nice the beaches are in Florida!

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    Loving// All the free time Tommy and I have now that I’m not working full-time. It’s been great spending so much time with him without the stress of having to worry about when I’m going to get everything done.

    Hating// That adjustment periods can be really tough sometimes. As much as I love getting to stay home and work, it does come with getting used to it, and I am struggling a bit some days.

    Discovering// New vlogs! I’ve been watching Blair’s vlog and am loving it. I also want to try to find other’s vlog’s as well. I’m finding them to be so fascinating. Let me know if you know of any good ones!

    Thinking// About a lot of things. I’ve been thinking a lot about the changes in our life and deciding how I feel about them.

    Feeling// Hopeful. Even though I may be feeling a little lost because of the huge transition from working full-time to staying home, I am hopeful that I will get used to it and love it. Tommy prayed for me about this at dinner tonight and it really helped.

    Hoping// That spring would hurry up and get here. Although I really can’t complain about the weather. It’s been such a mild winter this year. I just really can’t wait to be able to do things outside again.

    Listening// I’m really excited to start listening to Podcasts. I have a few lined up that I think I’m going to love. I just need to find when is the best time for me to do it. Maybe daily as I work on those household chores that I’m trying to commit to! That should help keep me on track.

    Celebrating// Mine and Tommy’s birthdays!! Tommy’s was Saturday and mine was Sunday, and they were a lot of fun. It was also our eight month anniversary on Sunday too. We’ve had lots to celebrate this month!

    Smelling// The slight lingering odor of bleach. Yuck! I accidentally bought a shower cleaner with bleach, and would normally never use bleach to clean. But I was all out of shower cleaner and I figured it couldn’t be that bad, but boy was I wrong! Our apartment is very small and there is barely any ventilation, and absolutely none in the bathroom. So what that meant was that the entire apartment smelled so strongly of bleach we actually had to leave for an hour because it was so awful and killing our heads. The tub is now sparkly but that is the first and last time I clean with bleach. #nothankyou.

    Ordering// My Young Life Essential Oils starter pack soon!! 

    Thanking// God every day for this life that he has so greatly blessed me with. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how much he has blessed me.

    Considering// Starting an Etsy shop with hand painted coffee mugs (like this one below) and maybe eventually t-shirts! I really hope this happens!

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    Starting// Thinking about how to actually start the Etsy shop and what supplies I need for it.

    What are you up to, currently?

  • Coffee Dates,  Faith,  Life

    Let’s Have Coffee || Vol. 3

    If we were having coffee I’d ask you what your favorite kind is. I love trying new kinds – brands and flavors and would love to know what your favorite kind lately is.

    If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that there has been a massive heat wave in NJ this week and I am seriously loving it. My husband and I just came back from a hike and it was blissful – the warm air with the pretty colors of the leaves made my heart so happy.

    If we were having coffee, at this point I’d feel comfortable enough to let you in on a few deeper issues going on in my heart lately. Like I shared in my last post, God has shown up big time for me this month and I haven’t felt this free in, I don’t think ever. I am forever grateful to how God has answered my prayer and freed me from my anxiety. I would ask if you have ever struggled with anxiety and how you dealt with it.

    If we were having coffee, I’d share that I’ve actually been sticking to my goals this month and tell you that I don’t think I’ve ever done that before, embarrassing I know. But this month has been equally challenging as it’s been good and I can’t wait to recap my goals come November. Also can’t believe that it’s almost November.

    I’m linking up for the third month in a row with Amber @ Mr. Thomas and Me and I’m so excited. I never stick to anything but the genuineness and welcoming heart of Amber has me coming back every month. Hi new friend!

  • Life,  Marriage

    What Have You Been Up To?

    Hi friends. I’ve been thinking a lot about wanting to write a post for the past couple of weeks but watching Netflix or sleeping normally win. I guess since it’s been a while I’ll do sort of a “life update” post.

    I mentioned that I was struggling with anxiety in my last post and since then it has gotten SO much better. I did a lot of reading and growing and realized that I need to (try) my best to let go of control of my life and just let God do what is best for me. (Not like I can stop him anyway lol.) I just try to remind myself that He IS good and that He has brought me this far and cares about me so I do not have to worry. I’ve been consistently reading my bible the past two weeks also and this probably has helped with this a ton.

    I started reading She’s Got Issues and I can already tell that it’s going to be amazing. I have already grown from just reading one chapter. I have learned a lot about myself. If you don’t already know, I am currently working at a temp job and it has been really trying me. I’ve been expected to do A LOT and am not getting compensated for doing any extra and it’s probably all just for them to let me go at the end of the project. I was working up to 47 hours a week sometimes, trying to gain approval and in turn have them hire me permanently AKA controlling the situation. I also think this had a lot to do with my anxiety as well. I was over working myself. This book helped me realize that I needed to let go and let God control the situation and after two weeks of not doing any overtime and still feeling very stressed out from the work demands, I have decided to look somewhere else where I am permanent and have room to grow in the company and have my hard work pay off. Your prayers would be much appreciated. 🙂

    Also, my cousin and her boyfriend came to church with us this past Sunday and it was awesome. Her boyfriend has never really gone to a church like we go too and it as really excited to bring him there. My cousin also hasn’t been to church in a while either so I was so happy. I’m praying that the things that they heard will take root and grow.

    I think I am finally “used to” being married. I can’t believe that it hasn’t even been three months yet though. I sort of feel like we’ve been married for at least a year. We’ve gotten to know each other so well and it has gotten a lot smoother than when we were first married lol. It definitely takes time to get to know how someone is when you live with them. For example, sometimes since I am an introvert I just need some me time. I get home from work after Tommy so there isn’t any time when I am just in the house alone. Tommy had to get used to the few times when I would just not want to talk or wanted to read and realize that I wasn’t mad or upset with him but really just didn’t have anything to say at that time. It’s really new living with someone and can be challenging at times but if you keep in mind that this person is yours forever and you have the privilege of living and serving them for the rest of your life then it puts things into perspective when they leave their clothes on the floor again. You can see those things as an opportunity to love and it helps so much.

    Welp this post has been pointless but I hope you guys have like hearing about my boring life these past two weeks. What have you been up to?

  • Life,  Wedding

    Life Lately

    It has almost been a whole month since I’ve shown up here and that makes my heart so sad. I’ve missed sharing my life with whoever may be reading along and let me tell you there has been a lot going on to write about. But that’s also the problem… there’s no time to write lol. So tonight I figure it has been long enough and I need to update you all on what’s going on!

    • So first things first – TOMMY AND I HAVE OUR OWN PLACE!! That’s honestly been the biggest reason why I haven’t had the time to blog. We moved in last Tuesday and I have been spending literally almost all of my waking moments (when I’m not at work or spending quality time with Tommy) working on making our apartment a home. I have to say to, I think I’ve done quite a good job with only being here for a week and a half. Here’s just a little bit of how it looks… I fully intend to do a home tour one day when it’s all finished though. I have absolutely loved reading others of those and decorating my own home has been some of the most fun I have ever had (but more on that later).

    • Second, we are exactly one month away from the wedding as of today!! I literally can’t believe that it’s almost here and I cannot wait. We only really have small things to pull together now but I only have three weekends before the wedding. Three. My feelings are literally all over the place. I just cannot wait to be Mrs. Zinhobl (insert heart eyes here) and get to relax on the beach with my new husband. Just 30 more days.
    • As I mentioned before I have been working on making our apartment our home and have absolutely loved doing DIY projects. I made the most adorable wreath for our door and Tommy and I are making a bookshelf which I’ll share once were done.

    Z wreath

    • I still intend to share our engagement pictures with you all. I’m working on finding a good time to blog. With my new job I’m working 9 hour days, which I am so not used to and it honestly drains me so by the time I get home all I want to do is relax on the couch. But I’m also hating not having any free time so I’m working on finding a time to do things for myself like blogging or reading. Once things aren’t so busy with the wedding and moving in and all that it should be easier. I woke up early to workout one day last week before work and it was really awesome. I plan to make better use of my mornings starting next week but that means I really need to start getting to bed earlier, which is difficult for me. I want to use mornings to blog as well. I want to keep this little space up to date with things that are going on in my life so I have it to look back on, especially in our first year of marriage.
    • So there’s a short recap of where I’m at. God is seriously so faithful and I am in awe of how perfectly He has orchestrated this all and I have never been happier in my life. I will leave you with another one of my favorites from our engagement session but I do promise that eventually I will do a post on them!!

    So tell me – what’s been going on in your life?? I’d honestly love to know!!

  • Life

    5 on Friday

    hi friends! I have another GREAT news week 🙂 I’m just going to jump right in.

    palm tree.JPG
    just because it’s been BEAUTIFUL here and I wish I was on the beach

    one

    A few hours after I posted this about how life is hard and I didn’t know where God wanted me I received a job offer at the last place I applied to! This is a great opportunity and I’m seriously so excited. It is only a temporary job but I’m praying that there will be an opening for me after the project is complete.

    two

    I wrote about this earlier in the week but Tommy FINALLY got the job with his dad and is going to be training to be a welder in less than two weeks. This is a great opportunity for him too and I’m so happy for him. We’ve been praying about this job for over a month and God has been so awesome to answer that prayer. I also can’t believe He planned this out that we both got the news that were starting new jobs this week. How amazing and unexpected.

    three

    We’re just over 2 months away from the wedding and time is flying by. We got our invitations this week and brought them to the person who’s going to do the calligraphy and I just love them.

    four

    This is my LAST Friday at my current job now. I was a little sad about it but I’m mostly just excited now seeing as I finally know what my next steps are going to be and won’t have to be on unemployment. I don’t start my next job until the 28th so I’ll have just about 2 weeks off to rest and get ready for the new job and that just makes me so happy.

    five

    One sad thing to throw in here – I have been doing terribly with eating healthy and working out this week. It’s just so much planning and there’s been so much going on I haven’t had the motivation or time to do it. I do plan to start up again next week. Hopefully it’ll be better then.

    How was your week? I’d love to know.

    Linking up with A. Liz Adventures, Bright on a Budget, & September Farm
    (Hopefully I’ll actually remember to link up this one, I keep forgetting!)

  • Faith,  Life,  Wedding

    The Happiest Five on Friday

    T.G.I.F! This week was a looong and hard one but definitely a productive one so I’m really happy now that I’m at the end of it. I have so much to share this week – I’m so excited.

    Five good things from my week:

    ONE

    jesus

    Tommy and I joined a community group through our church a little over a month ago and it’s been hard to get ourselves there every week. We are both very introverted and have a very hard time putting ourselves out there but this week was amazing. We both really opened up and really learned what true community of a group of Christians is supposed to look like and I’m so happy about it. ALSO I PRAYED OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME. I’m still in shock myself.

    two

    Wedding update: We ordered our invitations! We seriously love them, they’re so cute. My mom’s cousin knows how to do calligraphy so she said she’ll address them for me so I’m excited about that too. We also booked our engagement session photo shoot for March 19th and I’m so excited 🙂 (and also kind of nervous).

    THREE

    I have another interview on Monday for a job that would be just perfect. I’m really hoping I get it but also realizing that having a few months off of work wouldn’t be terrible either so I’m trying to be okay with either. It’s for a position that I would be doing basically what I’m doing now but making 5 more dollars an hour so that would be wonderful obvi. Prayers are definitely appreciated.

    four

    dinner

    Tommy and I have been sticking to our meal planning this week after a terrible weekend and Monday off. I was really discouraged in the beginning of the week because we hadn’t had time to meal plan or shop for food over the weekend because our engagement party was on Sunday but once Tuesday hit I was determined to get up back on track. It was definitely rocky to start, I was really tired from a full weekend but we’ve done pretty well under the circumstances. We’ve also worked out twice in a row this week and have plans to go to the gym again tonight. This might not seem like much but for us it’s huge. We normally talk about going to the gym like all the time and never follow through but since it was the start of a new month I was determined to make this month about getting into gear with working out and eating healthy since the wedding is only about 2 1/2 months away! Sorry for that ramble train I just had to get that all out haha.

    FIVE

    engagement party

    I almost forgot with everything else going on this week that we had our engagement party this past Sunday. I want to do a post just on that but I need to get the pictures from Tommy’s mom. It was so fun to have all our friends and family in one place celebrating with us. It’s really cool to see everyone so excited for us. Both of our mom’s threw the party and cooked, and made decorations and everything. It was awesome.

    So yeah that was my week. I don’t want it to seem overly glorified though because even though it was a great week, it didn’t come without it’s struggles as well. The beginning of the week was just HARD and getting ourselves to the community group was also very HARD but I believe God rewards those who are obedient and I’m glad we pushed through the hard and have made progress. How was your week? Was it an easy one or difficult like mine? I’d love to hear.

    Linking up with A. Liz Adventures, Bright on a Budget, & September Farm