Cuddle Love

My dog is a hopeless romantic when it comes to cuddling. (he gets it from me) We'll see how this all works out come August. There will probably be more cuddle-loving going on than ever before; I just hope B man is okay with sharing us, cuz he's gonna have to!

Easier Said Than Done

That's my motto lately, especially with my faith. Shortly after Ben and I discovered our family addition, we began questioning the possibility of moving. Now don't get me wrong: I love our home! So much in fact that I completely dismissed the idea of moving. The more I prayed about it however, the more I was reminded of God's call for us to open up our home. We've really felt convicted to not only invite others over for fun times and good food, but to stay. Anyone remember Lukka from last summer? There have been other instances of international students who have needed a place to stay for a few days or a few months and through Global Connections, there will be plenty more opportunities. So with that prodding and a combination of other things, our house is now on the market.

Now what I've been telling myself and others all along is, Well, if God wants us to move, this house will sell! No doubt about it. That's where it's easier said than done. Now that we are actually doing this thing, I have been slowly taking it all back. Doubt and worry have been seeping in, and those things are not coming from a faith-filled, trusting heart. So there's a little update on what is going on in the Martin household. I must say that Ben and I have made a really good team when it comes to cleaning and touch-ups around the house though. And it's been fun to house hunt together with our future family in mind, since Ben already owned this house before I was even a twinkle in his eye...

Half way there!

20 weeks along and feeling great! Also feeling lots of movement!

I heart DR

So I really want one of those I heart NY style tees, but not to profess my love for the Big Apple; Dave Ramsey is the one I/we love. Ben and I took Dave's Financial Peace University class about 3 years ago and it has changed our lives- no exaggeration. With Dave's debt snowball plan we eagerly began focusing on paying off our smallest loan first. Once Ben's car was paid off, then the money that was normally set aside for his car was added onto my car payment. After my car was taken car of, both car payments were added on to Ben's school loans and finally, my scary, nearly $20,000 school loan. It's been quite a process pouring every extra dollar or unforeseen monetary gift toward our debts, but last Sunday, March 1st we eliminated the rest of my loan and we're free! Of course there's still the mortgage, but tackling that won't come for another few steps in Dave's plan. And despite our love and respect for Dave Ramsey, we are ultimately praising God who is our provider and the giver of every good and perfect gift. We want to honor Him with our life and with what He give us. Please join us in praising Him for allowing us to reach this milestone and even before our sweet babe arrives!

Getting Cultured

This past Saturday I went on a shopping trip to some international markets around Toledo. The trip was put on by Global Connections, a non-profit org. comprised of various churches and ministries that aims to serve international students at BGSU. There were 8 international students, plus Marisa, her 2 year-old son Liam, myself and David (our faithful van driver). We went to an Asian store, a Mediterranian store (with an amazing eatery- yay hummus) and an Indian store. The students were so excited to purchase food from some of the delis in the stores for us Americans to try. I was nervous tasting some of it for the first time thinking: Please don't let me gag... , but I would have never experienced those kinds of food otherwise. It was all very good and reminded me of just how uncultured I am when it comes to food- and many other things as well.

Then later that evening, my dear friend Nisha (from India) whom I met at a Global Connections event in the fall, came over to Amy's house and cooked for 5 of us! We were all taking notes on just how to make her amazing lentil soup served over rice with nan on the side. She went easy on us and didn't add too much spice and my was it good! She even made Chai tea from scratch later on. I must say that it was sure nice to step out of my American bubble a bit. I need to do that more often. There's a whole world out there and it's literally right in front of my face.

Ohio Poem

Got this in an email. Thought it was blog worthy. Ohioians- Enjoy.

It's winter in Ohio
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Ohio
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Ohio
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!

Diaper Dilemma

You know, we were really going to give cloth diapers a shot at some point, but these sound so much better! I'm torn...