work update...

so I finally quit... two weeks ago actually. This week is my last week at Sullivan's and I'm really excited about it. I am still working for Greg in WV, but that will be over at the end of February. Today I'm at home waiting on work and I really enjoyed being able to lay back down for a little while after Nathan left, then getting up and checking email and playing on the internet. I don't know what has changed, but for some reason I like being at home again. I hoping to get a few things around the house done. I really need to wash clothes and straighten up a bit. Nathan was such a sweetie while I was sick and tried to keep things organized, but I know there is still plenty for me to do.

A friend of mine wrote a post about how she is staying in a hotel for the next two days while her husband is on a business trip. She sounded like she was loving her time alone, being lazy, drinking tea, and reading magazines. Sounds great doesn't it? I was quite inspired and plan to make the best of my time at home today!

I guess I better get to those chores...

a touch of spring...

my favorite flower!

As I look out the window the ground is white and even though the sun is shining, I know its incredibly cold out there. A few weeks ago we got a rare warm patch that lasted for about two days and it left us craving spring. Its only January 23rd and I feel like this year is taking forever. I can't wait for spring.





I was so surprised this morning when I got an email from my Mom, and it sure did brighten my day. Right now I'm a bit under the weather, and colds always remind me its winter. But when I opened Mom's email and saw the beautiful Spring flowers, I couldn't help but smile.

The first thing I did was forward the email to Sally Ann. It wasn't what the email said, but the pictures. I thought she could use a touch of Spring during her first crazy winter in PA. I think she liked the flowers.

Its hard to imagine that in 4 short months (that seems so far away right now) flowers like these will be popping up everywhere. I can't wait. Spring is such a lovely time of year, and such a relief from the cold winter. I can't wait... did I mention that? I REALLY can't wait, I'm already tired of the cold and snow. Spring is probably my second favorite time of year, Fall being my first. I love the sunshine and the smell of the flowers and fresh cut grass. And who can deny God's existance when he decorates this world with such beautiful colors. Not to mention its the time of year when we celebrate Christ's death & resurrection; his triumph over death.

Even though we have a few more months to go, I hope this little touch of Spring brightens your day as it has mine.

ice skating...

sounds fun doesn't it? Yeah, not so much... at least for me.

Last Friday night our small group got together for dinner and then a trip to the skating rink. As an idea it sounded great, but I knew in the back of my mind that it wasn't going to go well for me. I had been skating when I was younger and that trip wasn't fun. I stayed at the wall and fell many many times. At least this time I didn't fall.

When we first got to the rink we were swarmed by "little people" ages 3 to 15. I may have counted 3 other adults over the age of 20. The rink itself was pretty cool; they had the lights off with strobe like lights flashing, and tons of extra loud music. It reminded me a lot of a roller rink.

Lucky for me, I had Nathan there to help me around a few times. He had been skating years before and skating came back easily to him. For me, it was just like when I was little. I didn't want to let go of the edge. Finally I did let go a few times while Nathan pulled me around, which I must say was pretty fun. Although, anytime someone under 4' tall passed me going 100 miles per hour I thought I'd fall over. By about 9 PM we were tired and ready to head home. We actually ended up going over to the Mertens' and playing games with everyone until about 11.

Here are some pictures from our ice skating trip.

Nathan having fun...


Sally Ann (in the black and white jacket)

David... yes its a back shot, I kept trying to take it as

he passed and the camera just wouldn't go.

the Volochs... the experts of the night

the Mertens after we had finished

finally done...

notice the skates, these were hocky skates. Sally Ann and I found that they were much more comfortable than the figure skates, not to mention they had a wider blade. Also notice how my ghetto skates have two different colored laces, classic!

a baby...

we just wanted to take a minute and send out a huge CONGRATULATIONS to two of our best friends, Brett and Amanda Jo Huffman. They are expecting their first child late Summer 2008! We couldn't be more excited for you two. Yay babies!

a little confused...

wow, its been over a week since we last had a post. Things have been very busy in the Berry Ann household. Both of us have been pulled in different directions for work, then fitting in time at the gym, church on Wednesday (if we go), small group on Thursday, church on Sundays, and before we know it the weekend is here... but where did it go? So yeah, we've been busy.

Now that I have a few minutes to sit down and post something, my mind is still stuck on work. Right now I'm sitting at home working for my boss in WV. I like being at home; I like that when I'm at home working I can stay in my pjs all day if I want. What I don't like, is when I have to go into work here in PA. And here lies my struggle. I want to quit my job here in Pittsburgh. Sounds easy enough right? The problem being, after Feb. my job in WV will be ending and so I will be left unemployed again. I have been looking for other jobs in the area, but I haven't found anything yet. Its very discouraging.

My job here in Pittsburgh is with a restaurant designer. As interesting as that sounds, I've found I don't really enjoy it. Its not as glamorous as it sounds. My major problem with the job is the environment. I work with two guys in their 40s, who I find to be crass. Their language is startling, no matter how many times I hear it a day... I probably hear the "f" word about 20 -30 times a day. I've done my best to ignore it, but when they start in with "GD" I just fall apart. And I could definitely go on about the physical environment, but honestly, it almost sounds fake and is like a scene out of a movie. (If you want to know about it, just ask, I'll tell you)

When things first came to a head, I reached out to some of the wise Christian women in my life, who's opinions I respect. Most all of them said they thought it would be best to pull myself from the situation... especially since I am being affected. I find myself becoming more easily angered, and I've definitely let a few words slip.... that is NOT something that I do. I hate foul language, and since I haven't be around it for such a long time, its been rough.

I've been praying a lot about what to do. I've prayed that God would lead me to a new job, or give me a way out. I think God may have answered my prayer, just not in a way that I expected. Last week while talking to my WV boss, he gave me the option to work for him full time through Feb. and he would comp. my hours. I don't have that many hours, so its not a huge deal.... but there is a fear in me. What happens after February? Once again I'm out of a job, and around here, design jobs are hard to come by. For most people who know me well, they know I hate school... but I've even considered going back to school for something like nursing. I know there are those fast track courses out there, maybe there is one up here. I just feel so confused, and I feel like I keep getting mixed signals...which I know aren't from God (1 Cor. 14:33). One example of this is that last Thursday, our small group read a section of our book about endurance. It talked about how we are to push through when we are ready to give up, and it specifically site job examples. At the same time, most everyone in the group, I think, understands my dilemma and supports me quitting.

Man, I'm bad at making decisions.....

I'm stuck. I really want to quit, but fear is overtaking me at the moment. I've said it many times, but I know that even if I make the wrong decision, God can work it out. I'm sure he has done it many times in my life already. I think I need to take a risk and remember one of my favorite verses:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about

itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

If you read this and something strikes you, please feel free to share it with me...with us. Nathan is being so supportive, and he knows this is a bad situation, but he also remembers what it was like when I didn't have a job and wanted one... I think I was annoying.

Enough rambling for one day...

new (but used) toy...

We've been having a lot of fun at our house watching the "kids" play in their new, but used, toy. The cube was passed down from our cousin Amanda. Her cat Emma got a new play gym for Christmas (looks just the same but is two levels, and has a kitty hammock on the side). Anyway, since Emma didn't need this one, Amanda thought Ashley and Ace might like it. We both assumed that it would be in shreds in a matter of days, but lo and behold, they LOVE it!
I really wish we would have taken a video of them playing in it to show you, its hilarious.

Ashley hanging out in the cube... I apparently disturbed her nap.



Ace lounging

two peas in a pod

ringing in the new year...

an ice sculpture... supposed to be the beginnings of a birthday cake

that was downtown. (250th birthday for the burgh)

Yesterday we rang in the new year in a few ways. First of all, Nathan decided that he wanted to start the new year off with a new hair style. He wanted something easier, something that wouldn't take much time in the morning when he was getting ready for work. So we buzzed it all off, and we both had a ton of fun doing it. Enjoy the pictures!

before we started

the first cut.

one side finished

we were having a little fun

he liked the mohawk

the finished product!

Nathan's new style, we bought a few caps for him to wear if his head gets cold at work. He wore this one all night long.

After finishing Nathan's hair we headed downtown with the Mertens for First Night. First night is a family oriented celebration in the city. There are apparently 50 other cities in the US that celebrate First Night on New Years. It turned out to be very cold windy night. We walked around for a bit, had caricatures done (didn't look anything like us), got some hot apple cider at the culinary academy, watched the strangest parade, then headed home to warm up, play some games, and watch the ball drop. The time flew by and before we knew it, it was 12. We toasted to the new year, and shortly after said goodnight and headed to bed.

All in all, we had a good time but definitely can't believe how quickly this past year went. As we looked back at 2007, we are so thankful for the new friends and church we have found here in Pittsburgh. 2007 wasn't an easy year, but we're thankful to God for all the lessons we learned. Hopefully 2008 will be a bit easier and will bring plenty of blessing from our heavenly Father.

downtown at First Night with the Mertens

Happy New Year!
we hope it was good for you too