Let me just first say: thunderstorms are way more exciting when your husband is home. When it's just you and your hyper puggle at home, it's just plain scary! I have the weather on right now, muted of course. I think that the only real solution right now is a fresh cotton candle, needtobreathe on pandora and my blog.

It's finally time to try and relax for a few minutes, put my feet up and clear my mind.

What a craaazy week....

I am so ready for the weekend! Work has just been so busy this week and I am ready to relax. I am always so grateful for any extra hours but yesterday I worked a twelve hour day and I'm still recovering. No matter how much you love the children you nanny, twelve hours is looong. Speaking of the kids, I have the privilege to take care of and love on two of the most precious girls! This week I was discussing my having kids with Serena, the older of the two, and how many I should have. I thought I should maybe have four but she decided I should probably just have two since I'd end up taking care of four anyways with her and Cambrya. :) Last night I left their house to the shouts of "I love you Jen! love you!" Now, how may nannies get that?! I'm blessed, I tell ya.

If I'm going to write about being blessed (how good am I at these transitions?!), I absolutely have to mention Jason. Without going into many details, something that he has been working so diligently at has hit a major speed bump. All of his plans and hopes are being shifted and completely changed. They say that you see a person's true colors when they are put under pressure. I feel like I'm seeing Jason's blossom in front of me.

Of course he's going to be frustrated. Discouraged. Bummed. Etc. Etc. Etc.

But I'm watching him pick himself up, dust himself off and figure out his plan b. He's building up his strength and confidence and he'll be back at it. And that's one of the reasons why I love him. He is such a phenomenal man and he never quits.

Blessed.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks in the Whittington household...

I know most people put up pictures of their children and families on their blogs...well..here's Bailey! :) She is our 2 1/2 year old puggle we got shortly after we were married. She's hilarious and my little "baby." This picture was taken while she was tanning out in our yard, which is one of her most favorite activities. I think you can tell by the look on her face that she was over the pictures and ready to get back to her laying out! :)

This is my biggest pepper in my garden and thus, my favorite one! I check them every morning to see how they're growing and I cannot wait till they're ready to pick and eat!

My sweetheart and I in Wisconsin Dells. We were up there last weekend with Jason's parents, brother and sister-in-law. This was taken downtown by the river one afternoon while we were walking around.

The Races! This is tradition in my household. My dad has been racing since I was in high school and we love to go and cheer for him whenever we can. We also like to bet quarters on other races, which is also a fun time! That night wasn't the best racing for my dad but I was able to make some money! :)

I am a firm believer in consistent personal growth. Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, etc. I think that change is a beautiful thing and as you evolve you find out what you're truly made of. One of the biggest ways I am growing right now is through my new hobby: running. Let me preface this by saying that I have NEVER been a runner. I honestly didn't know I could run for more then two minutes at a time! I'm a big advocate of physical activity and being healthy so while I do like to try new workouts and ways to stay active, running has never been something I've gotten into. My boss has a treadmill in her basement and has told me I'm welcome to use it while I take my afternoon break. The first month I didn't go anywhere near the thing! But a couple weeks ago I decided to give it a try and I'm proud to say that I'm hooked.

Running is definitely difficult and I find myself sweating and thinking "can I do this?" as I push myself to go farther then the day before. But it is also really rewarding. It is such a great way to clear my mind and sort of shake off the stress and business of the day and set my focus on accomplishing one goal. I also like to crank up some worship music while I'm running and I really feel that it can become an act of worship. I was never good at standing still during Church, I always find myself swaying and bumping into my neighbor. Now I don't just have to sway, I can run as fast as I want to as I engage in the music and worship!

Also did I mention I've lost four pounds since I started running? :) Don't mind that either!

Another way that I've been trying to challenge myself is by putting my relationship with God as the top priority of my day. I'll be honest, I'm not good at daily devotions. I always argue with myself about the best time to get in the Word and when the day's all said and done, I realize I never found that "best" time. So, I made the decision that before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I grab my Bible and do some reading. I would bet that most people who know me would say that I am not a morning person and they would be absolutely right! One of the reasons I've never done morning devotions is because I didn't think I could learn or retain any information because my brain is so foggy, but I have been pleasantly surprised! I find myself remembering verses I read later in the day and thinking them over, praying about what I'm learning and for people in my life. It truly is turning into an all day devotions!

One verse really stuck out to me yesterday, one that I don't recall ever reading before.

"A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads the prisoners forth with singing."
Psalms 68:5-6

I've heard of God being the father to the fatherless and a defender of widows, but I'm blessed have a dad and a husband so that never really stuck out to me. But when it says he puts the lonely in families, something struck a chord in me. I've been lonely before. It's something that I've fought probably since I moved out to go to college but specifically in the past two years when I moved to Chicago and now Milwaukee.

I grew up in such a unique, close knit community that I naively thought that there was no need for locked doors, that if you need a cup of sugar you can go over to your neighbor's for some and if they're not home you know you're welcome to just walk in and help yourself. All of a sudden I was in a world where I was surrounded with faces I didn't recognize and I felt so. alone. I think my loneliness has been the single biggest thing in the past couple years that I had to choose to either let God use and bring me closer to Him or to make me angry and resentful. I'm not perfect and I've cried more then a few tears over my situation, but something I've learned is that God knows me in my loneliness. He has not overlooked my situation or my feelings but is actually drawing closer to walk through it with me. I know it isn't easy, but I also know what God can and will do if you let Him. And it's so good.

I love Fridays at work. Thursdays are by far my busiest day as I have the seven year old as well as the two year old. I've learned that everything takes a little bit longer with a two year old but throw a seven year old in the mix and things get interesting. :) I can appease Cambrya (2) with just about anything, but when it comes to Serena (7) I need to pull out all my nanny tricks including a consistently positive attitude, bracelet making skills, baking projects and more patience then I knew I had. I'm not going to lie, there are times when I feel like banging my head into the wall, but I try to remind myself that there's nothing wrong with becoming a more patient and joyful person no matter the circumstances.

But back to Fridays. :) It's almost like a recovery day. We take things much slower and I can spend quality time with Cam doing art projects and going on walks. I also can get all the loose ends of the week tied up for my boss and feel good when I get off work knowing that their house is clean and in order. It's a good feeling knowing that you're making a difference in someone's life.

Jason and I are off to Door County for the weekend as soon as I get off work. So excited! I've spent the Fourth of July in Milwaukee and Minneapolis before but Door County is by far my favorite place to be. We have a lot of things planned but hopefully we'll find some time to relax, preferably by a pool or at the beach!

Happy Fourth!

currently obsessed with...

Greek yogurt with honey!

I know greek yogurt is nothing new, but the combination of the yogurt with honey....mmmm...absolute bliss in my mouth!