It's Finally Feelin Life Fall!

Well it's my turn now after my husband decided to post a little something! Isn't he so cute?! Haha! I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is only 2 1/2 weeks away and Christmas just a month and a half away! Time goes by faster and faster every year it seems like. When I was a kid I remember a year seemed like eternity and now I don't know where a year goes. 


I am really bad at this whole bloggin thing, but I do have to say that Andrew and I have been gone ALOT really since like September. We will not really slow down until after Christmas! Haha it's ok though there is plenty of time later to sit at home and do nothing (haha I guess like right now).


Well, as of last week I am back to being a Pre-K teacher until the end of January and then who knows what. It is definitely a more challenging class then when I was in there before and I am by myself this time, but I am enjoying it so far! I am really excited about this week because we are talking about "The Gift of Giving." I am trying to teach them how rewarding it is to give and not just always receive. For their homework I have assigned them and well their parents to pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child or at least bring an item I can put in a shoebox. If you don't know what this is it is something an organization called Samaritans Purse started where they send millions of shoeboxes filled with items to children all over the world who probably have never been given a gift before or don't even own a toothbrush etc. Last year I think they sent out 8 million shoeboxes! The ultimate goal of the shoeboxes is to show Christ's love in a tangible way. My students are so excited to pack these shoeboxes. They were so shocked to hear that there are children who don't get presents. If you have never done one I encourage you to the deadline is in like 2 weeks. You can just google Operation Christmas Child and it will tell you everything you need to know!


Last weekend I got to go visit my sweet friend Kaitlin! I have missed her so much and have been wanting to see her awesome house on Lake Norman. My other sweet friends Alli and Molly were there too! I had so much fun getting to hangout with them. I got to go to Hobby Lobby and IKEA for the first time! I was completely overwhelmed by both of them! Andrew got to go with my dad, brother Chad, and his friend Corey to the NC State vs. Clemson game...I was happy but he wasn't so happy with the outcome. 


Haha here goes our busy life. This weekend I will be going with over 100 high school girls to Emerald Isle for something our church does called Daughters of the King. It is a weekend for these girls to be refreshed and challenged in their walks with their King! I am really excited and can't wait to see all the Lord has in store and just get to be a high school girl for the weekend hahah jk! Andrew will be going to MAN Camp! It's basically the same thing but just for guys. They are staying locally though and their dads come with them! We are both really enjoying working with the high schoolers at our church and look forward to see how the Lord will use us in their lives!


Then the next weekend is Andrew's younger brother Ben's last football game :( He is the kicker for Coastal Carolina in South Carolina. I am sure it will be an emotional day. 


Then it's Thanksgiving and family! Brooke, Cooper, Mercy, Shepard and baby Smith are all coming for the week and my wonderful Mother and Father-in-law will be in Wake Forest with maybe even more family! 


Then it's Andrew's Birthday and I really wanna go to Boone on a little getaway to cut down our first Christmas tree from my little old man friend! 


Haha ok Im exhausted now from just writing all that we have and we aren't even into Dec. yet! Haha gotta love it though!


I am so excited to decorate for Christmas. I have already been listening to Christmas music for a few weeks (thanks Daddy)! 


Ok, so I'm really going to stop talking after this, but just wanted to share my new favorite thing...Andrew and I have a wood burning fire place (which I don't really understand since we live in an apartment but I'm not complaining) and I love sitting with my amazing husband all snuggled up by the fire and watching tv or just talking! 


Happy Fall!

i'm hi-jacking the blog! mmuaahhahaha

Twigs Lawn Care, LLC is approaching the winter months and for us exterior people, that means "down time"! Lots of down time. I don't like down time. If i'm not going all day everyday, I go a little crazy. The past few weeks have been great for the company as I have completed some good projects. Projects including trimming shrubs and mulching landscape beds. These types of projects are the bread winners. Just one mulch job can produce more income than a weeks worth of mowing. You can imagine, I go hard after the mulching!

 I have been blessed to find extra work outside of Twigs Lawn Care. A few days a week, I help a guy from Charlotte install custom counter tops here in the Raleigh area. Nelse Hofert, owner of Carolina Custom Countertops has been gracious enough to allow me to be his helper when he has work in Raleigh. He has a shop in Charlotte, NC where he custom molds granite composite countertops. The finished product is tailored specific to the layout of kitchen and bathroom dimensions. It's amazing how new technology in countertops has evolved.

It's a fun new thing for me. I've spent most of my "work" life on the OUTside of peoples property enhancing landscapes. Now, I find myself on the INside enhancing the beauty of a kitchen or even bathrooms. The extra work and pay is greatly appreciated and it also keeps me busy! BUTTTT i'm not cut out for interior work. It seems the work space is confined to small areas. Some areas require me to bend and stretch in awkward positions. For example, when I'm ripping out the existing sink fixtures, I'm always crammed awkwardly in the cabinets below. Also, I'm a little messy when I work outside. It's real easy to clean up a mess outside when landscaping. On the inside, I have to be smart about working and not to make a huge mess. Don't want caulking all over the walls and floors! If i'm careless with scrap materials, I could knock a hole in a wall.  Not to mention the granite composite material has to be handle with extreme care before it is installed. Otherwise, it can warp and even snap into pieces. None of these things have happened to me, just wanted to note that. These are things I think about while standing in a complete stranger's kitchen. You see, interior work requires a degree of cleanliness and a steady hand. That's why I stay outside!

I do appreciate the work and enjoy the new challenge of installing custom countertops. The supplemental income is a huge blessing! Along with the countertop gig, I hope to find myself working a Christmas tree lot in Raleigh this winter. I love working with Christmas trees! Helping families find that perfect tree is such a joy.  

Despite the slowing down of the landscape industry for the season, I will continue to find whatever work is available. This keeps a steady flow of income for Sarah and I.

Stay tuned for another blog "hi-jacking" from me!

- Twigs