Halleluuuuuuuujah!

Guess what!
This morning Sheldon had a scan to see if the chemo has been working. It has! Tada! The tumors shrank significantly and he's on course to finishing his treatment and being done with this thing. In the course of finding the cancer, fighting the cancer, and beating the cancer, God took Josh to a deeper level with Him, made the bond between Sheldon and Josh even stronger, introduced Sheldon to TLOHL, and paved a path for me to pray every night with my bf. God does a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y a-m-a-z-i-n-g things!

A Love/Hate Relationship with Her.

Housewarming coming up...need finishing touches.

In some sense I feel like I've sold out.

However you can see it didn't stop me.

The Sacrifices of Independence

I miss this sign. 

I miss being inside.

I miss my "XH SKVL"

Yesterday Aimee shared the love. She had two coupons for a drink of your choice and she gave one to me! For the first time since we moved out, I walked into the Bucks and ordered an Venti Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte. No Guilt. No Money. Pure Joy. 

Who knew saving money would be so hard?

The Hunt Continues

While looking for a table Aimee and my mom stumbled across an incredible deal on a sectional at Big Lots. Even though it's not a color we'd prefer, we couldn't pass it up. Here's a look at the living room.

pre-couch

post couch

A Little Table Goes A Long Way

We've been scouring the Westside looking for a decent table that will fit our small space in the kitchen as well as fit our limited budget.  This weekend we finally found one that is the perfect size for breakfast for two. Hello morning coffee and devos!

Our first guests to use the table. Sorry Cory - we're still on the hunt for affordable chairs. :)

Another Item Bites The Dust

Connect to the world? Check.

Home Sweet Home

Our humble abode above the resident garages turned storage units.

I've come to realize that my list of living necessities is a lot shorter than I thought it was. Since Aimee and I weren't really planning on moving out so quickly we really weren't prepared. Our living room is practically empty. I can count on one hand what is actually in there: 1. rug, 2. pillows, 3. desk, 4. lamp, 5. mirror. I'm even stealing wifi from a neighbor as we speak so I can update you on our new home progress (don't worry cable man is coming tomorrow).

In a sense, it's actually quite liberating living with nothing. I had gotten used to the comforts of home - couches, cable, internet, food in the fridge, dining room table, chairs, silverware, etc. And even though we are slowly building our home (as the money comes) and people (the Snyders) are generously filling out fridge, it's been fun to use plastic boxes as makeshift dinner tables, the floor as our chairs, and the living room as a yoga studio (just kidding).

When I look back I'll think fondly on this time. Here's Aimee, proud owner of our first grocery receipt which is now displayed on our fridge for all to see.

Our living room/blogging station/youth sleepover space.

There's a scene in SATC2 where Carrie goes shopping again for clothes after taking a hiatus to shop for housewares to fill her new penthouse. I feel like I too will one day be able to walk into Chanel (or Nordstrom Rack) and announce, "I'm back!" But until I get a fat raise, rent goes down, or my school loans magically disappear that ain't looking like it's happening anytime soon. But even though it hurts a bit to not be able to look at that J.Crew catalog each season, I still feel like this place and this new season of life that comes with it was totally worth it. 

Summer Lov'in + Photo Booths

Josh and I are on wedding 3 of 4 for the summer. I know the Photo Booths are super trendy but honestly they are so much fun! Happy summer lov'in.

It's Official

We've moved out.

To make a long story short, Aimee and I found a great little apartment on the Westside. 2 bed, 1 1/4 bath in a 4-plex. Yes! Last Tuesday I saw a place on my way home. Within the hour I had seen the sign I had called the guy, viewed the apartment, and set up an appointment for A to see the place. Within 24 hours we  had decided to move out, told the parentals, had an intervention, divided up the furniture, and assembled a moving team.

The process wasn't as easy and exciting as I thought it was going to be. Apparently you need money and more than just bedroom furniture to exist on your own. To add to that, moving out has been an emotional roller coaster. I have been waiting for this day since I moved home three years ago. On the other hand, Aimee has loved being in the safety of our home. She's always been like that. When she was in elementary school she cried when my parents sold their beat up Chevy. She still has the seat belt buckle she kept from that car.

She gets it from our dad. Our first night in the new place dad's good-bye hug seemed a bit tighter and I swear he was more emotional when we left their house for the last trip of the day. Although he was the one who encouraged us to move out, I know his heart was a bit sad that his two daughters had left the nest. It's that fine line between being the protective father and allowing his girls to grow up.

Aimee and I have the same perspective on the purpose of our home. We want it to be used for Jesus. We want it to be a safe place for people to come and be ministered to. Before we went to bed our first night we prayed that God would anoint our house and the two of us to use this place and stage in life to glorify His name.