• Life,  Pregnancy

    Life Lately

    Hey guys! I wanted to drop by today and share just a little bit about what’s been going on in my life lately. It has been such a whirlwind since finding out I’m pregnant. I’ve always wanted to be one of those bloggers who almost always blogs consistently no matter what is going on in their life, but honestly that just isn’t me. I want to get better about blogging when things get crazy but I’m also learning to give myself grace when that doesn’t happen.

    What have we been up to?

    Pregnancy has completely rocked my world. And honestly I would describe my pregnancy as relatively easy and everything has gone as smooth as smooth goes. I am so very thankful for this and consider it a huge blessing from God. But can I be honest with you guys? The pregnancy was a complete surprise to us! It was a great surprise but a HUGE surprise nonetheless. It also came at a time where we were adjusting to living with my mom and family and it was just hard to find my footing in all of the newness.

    I can honestly say that I am just now after 3 months of getting used to the idea of having a baby that it is starting to feel real. I’ve had a really hard time I guess believing that this was all really happening. Pregnancy also flips your world upside down because you just don’t feel like yourself for such a long time. I am just now starting to feel “normal”.

    It helps a lot that we finally are almost completely settled into our new place. It’s been such a great thing to finally have our own space again and has honestly been so life-giving for me and I think Tommy too. I have a little bit more unpacking to do and also need to get things hung on the walls, but it’s almost there.

    What is my blogging schedule going to look like?

    I’m not sure exactly how blogging is going to go going forward but I definitely want to start writing and showing up here more often. Even if this place only becomes a place to document our life I’ve decided to just be okay with that. I love being able to look back into years ago and see how our life was when we were just dating – it’s so special! I fully plan to keep this place going and even more so once the baby comes. I know I’ll just have to get even better at prioritizing it though because I’m about to have so much less time but that’s okay!

    What does the next month look life for us?

    I am super excited for August! We are going on vacation in about two weeks and I can’t wait. We are going to the beach for 5 days and it’s going to be so great. We also have our anatomy scan on the 21st and I still haven’t figured out exactly how we are going to be finding out the gender but just know that we definitely are. I’m so excited to finally know and to start working on the nursery!

    So that’s really all we’ve been up to lately. Getting used to the idea of having a baby and moving. I’m glad to (hopefully) be back more often. Thanks for sticking around and celebrating with us. 🙂


     

  • 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!!

  • Faith,  Life,  Wedding

    What’s Up Wednesday: March Edition

    Friends, I made it back to my blog this week. I know I haven’t been gone long but I’ve really missed sharing my life with whoever may be reading my posts. SO MUCH has happened over the past two weeks. I don’t even recognize my life as it’s changed so drastically. Tommy and I both started new jobs last week – me on Monday, him on Tuesday. It’s been so very awesome but has come with it’s challenges as any type of change usually does. (I actually started posting this yesterday and didn’t have enough time to go past this point but today I was determined to write a post and my favorite What’s Up Wednesday was happening so I knew I couldn’t miss this.)

    WUW Questions

    What we’re eating this week:

    I wish I could update you on how awesome we’ve been doing with eating healthy to follow up on my earlier posts about how I was learning to cook healthy meals but unfortunately that is just not the truth. Well it would be partially true – Tommy’s been doing a lot better than I have been. I just have been so busy with starting a new job where I don’t get home until after 6 so who has time to cook at that hour haha not this girl. But anyways I plan to do meal planning for next week and jump back on the healthy eating train because I really miss how good it makes me feel.

    What I’m reminiscing about:

    silly bahamas
    Here’s a silly picture of us from the Bahamas

    I know I mentioned this in another What’s Up Wednesday post but I’m really truly reminiscing about our Bahama vacation we took last August. Now that we are only 53 days (YES JUST 53!) away from the wedding I honestly cannot stop thinking about getting married and flying off to relax on a beach in the Dominican with my new husband. So the closest thing I can come to that is our last vacation in the Bahamas so that’s what I keep thinking about.

    What I’m loving:

    IMG_6222
    Tommy at his new job 🙂

    Just how absolutely faithful God has been to both Tommy and I. I mentioned before about how we both started new jobs last week and I am just in awe at how God has brought these jobs into our lives at just the right time. He is so faithful and always knows what we need and I just can’t get over how good He is.

    What we’ve been up to:

    Obviously I kind of just talked about this but getting used to our new jobs is basically what we’ve been up to. I’m working 9 hour days, which I am not used to. I don’t get home until 6 and barely have any free time to do anything which is why I haven’t been blogging much. Tommy starts work at 5 am so he’s been sleeping early so I try to spend as much time with him before he has to go to bed.

    We’ve also been doing a lot of planning for the wedding. We sent out invitations this week (!!) and I bought soo many decorations for the wedding which has been some of my favorite things to do. I think I shared that already but those are just some of the decorations! 🙂

    What I’m dreading:

    Hmm well since my job is only temporary – it’s supposed to be 4 months, I am dreading having to look for another one and having to go on interviews again. They’re really not fun but I don’t have to worry about that for a little while. I’m also praying that God opens doors at the company I’m at so it’ll be an easy transition but we’ll see I guess.

    What I’m working on:

    Finalizing everything for the wedding and searching for an apartment for Tommy and I to live in! I can’t even explain how happy I am about that. We’re trying to find something for the beginning of May so that we can start moving everything in and get settled before were married so that when we come back from our honeymoon we can just relax and get used to our new life together. 🙂 🙂

    What I’m excited about:

    puerto plata.jpg
    our honeymoon resort

    Well this post should honestly just be titled what I’m excited about because that’s all I’ve been talking about lol. New jobs. Finding an apartment. Getting married. Going on our honeymoon. So. much. goodness.

    What I’m watching/reading:

    Honestly not much. I haven’t had much free time but I’ve been reading (very slowly) When Sinners Say I Do which is really great. I started a new Netflix show this month and I love it. I’ve heard so many people talk about Grey’s Anatomy so I decided to try it out and I’m hooked.

    What I’m listening to:

    I don’t listen to any podcasts or any audiobooks so I never know how to answer this one but I’ve been listening to Nash FM in the mornings and I just love how happy country music is.

    What I’m wearing:

    Just trying my best to dress professionally at my new job. It’s weird being at the bottom again and having to prove yourself to others. I’m not a fan but I’m trying my best and part of that comes with dressing professionally.

    What I’m doing this weekend:

    IMG_4647.JPG

    Hopefully some hiking, I just love the pictures you get when out hiking. I love how it’s great exercise and so therapeutic too. Tommy and I are also house sitting for his aunt for the week and that starts this Sunday so that should be really fun. Except she has cats which is really the whole reason why we’re there. Yuck.

    What I’m looking forward to next month:

    My bachelorette party and bridal shower! I’m super excited about both of them and I can’t wait to see what my maid of honor has up her sleeve. 🙂

    What else is new:

    This is always the hardest one to answer seeing as I just typed up a summary of my whole month so what else could possibly be new? Honestly not much else is going on. I’m getting used to working again and for longer hours. I’m getting used to not seeing Tommy quite as much. I’m getting more and more excited to be married the closer we get and I’m getting more and more prepared for the wedding. This past month was a good one and so so much has changed. I can’t wait for April to fly by and it be our wedding month! Oh I almost forgot to mention, we took our engagement photos this month finally and I cannot wait to share them. I will try for later this week but here’s a sneak peak! 😉

    IMG_9125.jpg

    What’s up with you guys? I’ve missed reading everyone’s blogs. I’d love to chat.

    I’m linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel for What’s Up Wednesday!

  • Life,  Marriage

    In Between

    My life is so weird right now. Honestly I don’t really know how to feel about it. Some days I am elated and can’t believe how amazing it is and how much God has done lately. Other days I am overwhelmed with the changes and miss the simpler days. It’s a confusing time really.

    I feel like I’m stuck in an in between in just about every area of my life. Mine and Tommy’s dating relationship is coming to an end and the beginning of a marriage is going to be starting just around the corner. It sometimes feels like my friendships are even at an end because I’m at such a different life stage than they are right now and it makes it hard to really connect. And my job is coming to an end and I have been passionately pursuing where God wants me next.

    So you see some days I miss the simple dating days where Tommy and I were just getting to know each other and everything was fun  and new and exciting. Other days I honestly cherish and love this stage where we were at too – knowing each other so well and getting to enjoy each other’s presence in such a different way.

    Some days I miss being able to bond over boy problems or too much homework with my girl friends. Other days I’m starting to love the new people God is putting in my life.

    Some days I miss having a steady job where I knew all of the ins and outs and had a routine down. Other days I’m excited for the start of something new and excited to see what God is going to do next.

    Some days I feel guilty for being overwhelmed, that I’m not trusting God the way that I should be. There are just so many changes and I’m doing my best and in the end I think that’s all God really wants. I’m going to look back on this time and really appreciate all the changes and what I’m learning through them. But for now I’ll enjoy the good times and cherish the times that I’m leaving behind. I’m stuck in an in between but couldn’t be more excited for whats just around the corner.

  • Coffee Dates,  Faith,  Life

    A Farewell Coffee Date | Blogtember Day 30

    Coffee dates are one of my favs. I wish I had more friends who loved them as much as I do. I love how just being face to face with someone, with nothing to do but talk brings out the best conversations. It tends to really bring out our hearts and I just love conversations like that.

    If we were on a coffee date, I would really want to know what is on your heart. What are your fears, concerns, or worries nowadays? What are the exciting things, the happy things, the dreams that are coming true for you?

    If we were on a coffee date, I would try to be as real as I could with you. I would share my heart with you and what Jesus is currently doing in there (oh boy is it messy lately). I would tell you that I am in a season of waiting – waiting for big things, life changing things. I would tell you that I am equally excited as I am nervous. Some days just nervous, others just excited.

    If we were on a coffee date, I would hope to be at one that is small and more like a mom and pop one than at a Starbucks (though I do love me some Starbucks too). I just love the cozy atmosphere of the smaller ones. I love the noisy chatter of others sharing their hearts with each other. I love the sound of the keys typing away or the pages turning in a book. And of course I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

    If we were on a coffee date, I would share with you that I just found out today that my bank is in fact merging with another bank and that almost everyone in my building would be losing their jobs by the end of the year. I would tell you that as of right now all I can feel is peace. I know that this can only be from Jesus because I am not a fan of the unknown as I have mentioned before. I would tell you that today I realize that my job is not where I was meant to be long term anyway. I would share how a serious weight was lifted off my shoulders when I found out that I wouldn’t be in that field forever.

    If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I am learning, learning to trust Jesus one step at a time. Learning that He will lead me where only I could get to with His help. I would tell you that I am so excited to find out where that might be because I know it will be way more amazing than I could ever imagine.

    Let’s pretend we really are on a coffee date, share with me what is really on your heart today? I have loved the bloggers that I have discover through this month long linkup. I do wish I had joined in more but am glad that I got involved at all. Thanks so much to everyone who I have interacted with, let’s keep in touch 🙂

  • Faith,  Marriage

    A New Normal (Part 2)

    So I just wanted to drop in today and remind you guys how GOOD God really is. If you’re following along with my story at all you’ll have read my post back in July about how God really answered my prayers in an amazing way. Check that post out here if you missed it 🙂 Just to summarize in case you don’t feel like going back and reading, I wrote about how Tommy’s dad let him know that he would be able to get him a job at the quarry that he works at early next year, which ultimately meant for us that we would be able to start our lives together which was really exciting.

    I wanted to write this post today to tell you guys that today is Tommy’s first day at the quarry! I’m literally so excited for him and didn’t even realize how much bigger of a blessing this is than I had originally thought. I went back and read the post again and I had forgotten that Tommy’s dad had told him that he didn’t think he would be working with him until early next year.

    Tommy’s still working at the same job he was during the day, but is working on a special job at nights with his dad. The start of the special project is such a blessing to us because it made it possible for Tommy’s dad to get him the job there and it gives us the opportunity to save more money. I’m so insanely thankful for Tommy and his desire to work both these jobs so that we will be able to start our lives together. We’re both so so excited about the thought of it.

    Lately I have been feeling the presence of God so much and just know that this is exactly where He wants us to be. I’m so excited for my future and for where He is leading me. On a normal day, before Tommy started work with his dad we would hang out and have dinner together – if neither of us had plans with friends and now I’m not too sure when we’re going to have the time to hang out. It’s obviously going to be much less than were used to and I’m a little sad about this but know that it is more than worth the sacrifice.

    I’m going to use this time so really strengthen my relationship with Jesus and work on being the person He needs me to be. I also wanna strengthen my relationships with my friends as well. I want to spend more time blogging and start writing consistently. And I also want to start working out again. I also joined an online bible study – we’re going through the book of Ephesians and I’m really excited about that and starting tomorrow I’m attending my first ever small group! I’m equally excited and nervous about this. I’m a very shy person and have been putting off joining a small group because the idea of making friends is a little a lot scary to me if I’m being honest, but I feel like I’m in the place where I want to push myself outside of my comfort zone into greater things. I’m excited for this group because it is held at the house of the leader of the group that I serve on at church as well and I loved meeting this woman and the best part is that the group is going through a book that I already wanted to read on my own! That’s how I knew that this was the right group for me, and because they meet every other week so it’s a little less commitment and a little less scary than every week haha.

    But yeah, so that is where I’m at in my personal life – I would appreciate prayers for both Tommy’s job and the small group if anyone would mind praying 🙂

    What’s going on in YOUR life? I would really love to know and would love to pray for you as well. Leave a comment or email me – [email protected] ! I would really love to hear from you and be friends. 🙂