Sorry we haven't updated recently ... its thanksgiving week, and we work in retail ;)

Hello friends, family, and faithful followers!!  Sorry we have not updated in awhile, but we do not currently have internet access at home.  I am currently sitting in Borders at the mall, but more about that later - let's back up a bit!
CHURCH
-On Sunday, we officially joined FBC Pasadena :)
-We are getting involved in the Sunday school class and are enjoying making friends and finding fitting ministry opportunities!
JOBS
-I finally started my job!!  Not everything got worked out perfectly, but at least I am working!  It's pretty different since this store is HUGE!!  I am figuring out the differences and think everything is going alright :)
-Gary has been hard at work - at Brookstone he has been very busy since it's primarily a gift store and they are gearing up for the holiday season.  He's doing an excellent job at Godiva ...
-My first day was Sunday, and it took us 4 hours to close the store (which I've heard is not unusual here) - so I worked over 9hrs, on my first day back ... I had the energy, but my feet and back weren't used to it anymore.  Luckily, when I walked out there was my beautiful husband who had just finished his first shift at Godiva and was waiting for me with two full bags of chocolate!!! WOOHOO!  I'm going to like him working there for sure! :)
-BLACK FRIDAY!!  First of all, Gary was crazy at went to Walmart at midnight to get some things he'd been wanting - crazy kid (he had to be at work at 5am).  Anyway, this brings me back to why I am at Borders at the mall - I got off easy today and am only working a few hours this afternoon ... Gary however is working 16hrs today and tomorrow both between his two jobs :/ (it's okay, it means God is providing!) .... he planned to ride his bike at 4:30 this morning (went out and checked the tires, etc. yesterday so it would be ready to go) so I wouldn't have to get up and drive him in, but when he went out his bike seat had been stolen.  We had heard about a major bike theft problem, and bought the type of lock suggested and hooked it up well, but evidently, they'll hake just the parts - and there's really no way to stop that other than keeping it in the house (yuck!).  So he had to hurry and drive in (figuring it would take longer with traffic than biking).  Then he had to get me in between his two jobs, so I am taking advantage of the free wifi and trying to stay away from the craziness!  Anyway, just pray Gary has the strength to get through these few days and we can figure out the bike situation (since we sold my car before we moved, and really need that second mode of transportation).
THANKSGIVING
We had Jeremy over for Thanksgiving yesterday - he made the turkey (since he was concerned about my proposition to just make turkey cutlets since I don't do bones!) and I made everything else - garlic mashed potatoes, greek salad, stuffing, rolls (since I found my grandma's raspberry jam and Gary found his favorite peanut butter spread from back home), green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and the highlight of the meal - REAL legit cranberry sauce!!! - the boys loved it!!  We had a lovely time, played some games, and just relaxed a bit ....
FOOTBALL
-I am in 2nd place in our fantasy football league!!!!! whattt whattt?!  I made the playofffssss!!!
-Our big rivalry games are tomorrow - OSU v. M*ch*g*n and ND v. USC ... unfortunately, Gary will miss watching his live since he will be at work, but I will be able to watch my buckeyes kill the team from "that state up north" for like the millionth time in a row!

Well, I think that about wraps it up my friends.  We'd love to hear how you spent your Thanksgiving and Black Friday as well :) 

Job news . . .

I just got on facebook, and four of the first ten status updates on my news feed were about people enjoying their day off.  I thought that was odd, and unfair - why didnt I get a day off? Oh wait, I havent worked in almost 4 months. I guess its okay (mom!) lol - and well, it has been sort of frustrating.  Although I've still been unpacking like crazy and am so thankful for the time to get all of this work done around the house, I get bored just chilling at home all day long - I want to work!  I'm not even sure anymore what went so wrong with my transfer, I just know I've been here a month and haven't started working yet :/  Hopefully soon - keep praying!!!
Some good job news - Gary has been a rock star at Brookstone!  He's been out on the sales floor a couple of times and has been beating everyone in sales goals, even selling some big ticket items that lead him toward a bonus (woot woot!!) and he's just the stock guy!  A couple of other stores he had applied to recently called him back, the first of which was Godiva (my favorite place in the worldd!!).  Although he no longer had such open availability, they were still interested in hiring him for a few hours a week during the holidays - woohoo!!!  Two jobs, and some people are struggling to get any (although, it seems as though if they would take a mall job, they could get one pretty quickly..).  Praise the Lord!!!  He should be starting in the next two weeks, and will hopefully bring me home some goodies!!! :)

Goodbye Great Lakes, Hello Pacific!!

Well, not too much to report - Gary's been doing well with his new job  - getting lots of hours!  I was having a few issues with my transfer, but I think they are getting all worked out finally, so I should start this week :)
I've been spending most of my time working on those boxes!  We've finally got some of our furniture set up and most of the boxes out of here, but there's still a long way to go.
We've started seeing signs concerning the rose parade everywhere - luckily, we're only about 2 blocks away from colorado blvd (where it takes place) ... and we just found out my cousin is marching in the parade this year - how exciting we'll get to see her!!
The most exciting thing we've done lately is finally go to the beach!! Unfortunately, Gary was working on the really warm days this week, and the coast is about 10 degrees cooler than Pasadena, so it was pretty chilly!  (It was warm here this week, in the 90's, we had to use the AC for the first time!)  Neither OSU or ND played yesterday, so it was a nice day with nothing better to do (well, except for all of this unpacking, of course!).  Anyway, we went to Santa Monica and walked along the pier and rested on the beach during the moments of sun.  Eventually, I had to leave - it was just too cold!!  But it was great to go anyway!! :)  Better than that snow stuff they're having back in Ohio/Indiana ;)  The drive was fun too - we passed through USC and saw Walt Disney Studios (i thought about jumping the fence to find Joe Jonas for Jill, but she informed he's in Brazil ;) haha) and the Hollywood hill.
Today, Jeremy was finally able to go to church with us (well, with me, since Gary had a meeting at work), and afterward, the three of us attended the "NFL" - new friends lunch at FBCP where we were able to learn some more about the church and meet new people!!
Well, I think that's about all for now friends!!  Hope God is blessing you in immeasurable ways :)