Summer Readings

Since life has slowed down (dramatically), I have thoroughly enjoyed starting to read for FUN again! It is so wonderful to be a bookworm again and not just a textbook worm. I am working my way to becoming a regular at the Enid Public Library. I am trying to broaden my lists of authors I read from per friend's suggestions, but sometimes I can't help but go back to author(s) I love so much and whose stories never disappoint. Here is what I have read so far this summer:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (sometimes a difficult read, but overall wonderfully written and a great suspense novel. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!)

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (hilarious and sarcastic. I certainly appreciated it much more now that I'm older and not a senior in high school.)

The Pact by Jodi Picoult (I love Jodi Picoult. Her characters are so real and I always have a hard time putting her books down. This one was no exception. Heart-wrenching and amazing all the same.)

Now, here are the ones I'm waiting to start!

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (suggested by my wonderful friend, Shane. It's waiting for me on my dresser as we speak!)

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty (suggested by another wonderful friend, Natasha. I've never heard of this book or the author...trying to branch out!)

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (I'm next on the waiting list at the library so hopefully I can start it in a few weeks.)

So, what do you like to read? Any suggestions for me?

Welcome to Our Home!

I have been wanting to put pictures up of our new home for awhile now, but it has just been recently that I felt our home was "picture worthy". There are still a few things here and there that are missing, but it could possibly be January until we get everything the way we want it...and then of course that's the time we'll be packing up to move somewhere else! (Florida, anyone?)

Anyway, our house SCREAMS newlyweds, but I love it! It's the perfect size for us and a perfect starter home. So, without further ado, welcome!

 Here's a picture of our living room. I got what I could in. The TV is to the left of the chair with the OSU blanket on it. And you can see Sir Swimsalot's habitat on top of the bookshelf :)

Our kitchen! Lots of counterspace! I love our kitchen and have actually been spending a lot of time in here! Shocker!!

Our teeny tiny bathroom. I could figure out how to get it to rotate. Oh well!!

The guest bedroom/office/mancave/bragging room. Justin spends most evenings in here studying while I'm in the living room...not studying.

And the master bedroom! There's another big dresser to the left, but I couldn't fit it in the picture.

Well, that's it! I told you it was small! A quick update from our side of the state: The job search is bleak over here in Enid. Justin is getting busier and busier with primaries and I have been reading a lot to keep busy. Not that I mind reading..hello library card! I've applied at places, but haven't even been called back for an interview! There is nothing really available in my field, so I've been applying outside of my field and still nothing. Prayers are very much appreciated that I find something . I hope something works out soon! I need a job for the sake of a little independence and to keep my sanity! I just don't think I'm meant to be a trophy wife...

A Big Dose of Adulthood=HEADACHE!

As I was talking to my dad yesterday, I was telling him that I didn't understand why I couldn't just sit still and not feel the need to always be DOING SOMETHING. The conversation went a little like this:

Me: "We just moved in our house a week and a day ago. I'm upset I don't have a job yet and I'm starting to feel worthless. What is wrong with me? It's been a WEEK!"

Dad: "Julia, you've gone from going 100 MPH for 2 years in a row to all of a sudden going 10 MPH. Relax."

Sure. I'll relax. I've got plenty of time. I spent the rest of the afternoon running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get put into the TRI-Care system (military health insurance). Paperwork, paperwork. "What's your sponsor's SSN?" What's your sponsor's unit?" Uhhh, I have no clue!! Ah! 

"Now, since you still have health insurance through another provider, I'm going to need you to fill out this sheet and then call an cancel your current insurance plan." Holy cannolli! When did I have to start doing all of this? My parents have always taken care of insurance and well..everything! Hello, Adulthood! 

Thankfully, the people at the Vance Clinic are SO NICE!! Made me feel better about being so flustered. So, after I had done all the paperwork I could possibly do that day, I make my way home. Justin arrives home soon after I do (Yay!). I couldn't wait to hear how his briefs went and what new information he had for me. 

Justin: "Well, they talked to us about the importance of spending time with your family even though we're going to be so busy studying during primaries. They suggest setting aside Sunday from 8 AM to dinner to spend with your family. The rest of the week will be spent studying and in classes."

Awesome.

So much for being okay with relaxing. I need to find something to do or I'm gonna go nuts!! Off to the Family and Readiness Center today I go. Once again, the people there are SO NICE! Brochures and business cards galore! I left there feeling so much better and excited because I actually have something to right now on the calendar that's for ME to do. First step is a Spouse's Workshop next Friday which means I need to get on perfecting that resume'! Not only will this workshop allow me to start making connections for a possible job, but I will get the opportunity to connect with other spouses as well. I'll make sure to update as things progress.

Finally, tomorrow is going to be such a treat for me. Justin and I will have our first houseguests! Our friends Natasha, Lindsey, and Ezra are coming to check out our new house and go to dinner for our other friend Jade's birthday. Oh, a taste of home will be arriving soon and I couldn't be happier!

I have missed these people so much! Here's to a great start to 4th of July weekend! Have a safe one you guys!

First Post!

Well, I've decided to jump on the blogger bandwagon. I always love reading my friends' blogs. They can be so inspiring, heartwarming, funny, etc. and I wanted to be a part of it! I also figured it would be a great way to document the crazy life Justin and I have ahead of us! For those of you who don't know, Justin and I got married on June 11! And what a wonderful 2 weeks of marital bliss we have had so far!

 

Definitely the best day of our lives! I absolutely love this picture. Tulsa Artworks did an amazing job! I always knew I had the best friends and family EVER, but I was completely blown away and felt so blessed at all of the support I had that week. I want to give a special thanks to my wonderful bridesmaids, y'all are AWESOME! I seriously don't know what I would've done without them.

So, the wedding was amazing. The honeymoon was awesome (you can find pictures on my Facebook page!), and now we are trying to get settled in Enid. According to Justin, we have been "couch monkeys". That's okay with me though. This week Justin starts primaries, which means he will be on base for about 12 hours a day. Blah. So, I'm thoroughly enjoying this time we have to spend together. We've been cooking (gasp!), unpacking, and watching movies! It's so wonderful to have our own place and since we spent the last 8 months being long-distance, it's so nice to just be able to HANG OUT! Ahhh I love it! Well, that's all for now!! I hope I did this right....