the first time we hung out.

Today I was looking at some old pictures of Scotty and I. Our one year anniversary is on Sunday!! Oh my goodness, can you believe that!?!? Life just flies by when you are with your bestest friend EVA! I came across a picture from my junior year of college, his sophomore year of college. I was rooming with two of my amazing friends, Leann and Cindi. Supposedly, Scott started crushing on me his freshman year. I mean, what can I say? Joke. Well Cindi had hung out with a few people while Scott was around and mentioned one night while we were trying to fall asleep in our bunk beds, "you know who I think is really cute and that you would go well with?"
Oh great, here it goes again, another suggested guy for me to date. "Who?" I asked, completely uninterested.
"Scott Schneider."
"Hmmm...he's cute. Yeah, maybe."
Well, he somewhat began pursuing me, so one night I asked him to come to a Death Medicine concert (a friend's band) in St. Louis. I wasn't sure if he would come since he was a tad shy and probably felt uncomfortable going to a concert wtih 3 crazy "punk rock" girls he didn't really know. Well, he said yes. Adda boy Scotty! That was the first time we "hung out." I thought he was a lot of fun and we were super silly and weird with each other from day one. And now it's almost been one year of marriage!! Thank you Cindi and Leann, thank you Kate, Cristi and Jordan, thank you bunk bed talks, thank you Death Medicine concert, thank you Scott for crushing on me and pursuing me, thank you everyone else who affirmed us, thank you Jesus for THE perfect husband! There was one major thing that bugged me...call me shallow, but I hated his haircut. I thought it looked like a mushroom top...at least that was the first think that came to my mind. So our first official date, the summer going into my senior year, I told him he would look so good with a buzz! I'm a terrible person. He knows now I manipulated him, but he didn't divorce me. Whew. Man, he's one good looking man! How lucky I am.

Our first picture together proves how awkward we were...well, we still are. His hair wasn't as "mushroomy" in this pic. I have a Tinkerbell shirt on, crimped hair, a huge poof, and look ridiculous. He just looks young and cute. 3 1/2 years ago. Wuv him.

newphew E's first haircut.

E and Chrissy came in town last month, one more time before their baby girl, Lydia Grace, is born in September. One of the highlights of that weekend was when I got to spend some time with them at mom's shop, Salon Basia, giving E his very first haircut. He did awesome, especially after mom gave him a brush to distract him with!

He looks so handsome with his new haircut! Man, I miss that boy.

patience and trust.

Yesterday Scott had another interview in Centralia for the school where he really wants to be a teacher. We haven't heard anything back from his last interview yet. I have been kind of, ok, a huge nervous wreck. I try to fool myself and say that I'm not nervous and that "God knows best", but deep down I haven't been truly believing that like I know I need to. What if Scott doesn't get a teaching job again this year? I kept thinking that last night and it did me no good. I prayed last night and this morning that the Lord would help me to completely trust Him and truly believe that He already has a plan. I know all of the answers, but it's a lot harder when I'm put to the test. Thankfully my husband is a man of God and told me about five times last night, "Jane, if I don't get a job, it's alright! I don't want it if God closes both doors. For some reason he may still want me to work at R.P. Lumber and I am thankful I have a job right now." Wow. I should be the one saying those encouraging words to HIM, considering he's the one that has to interview! Wife fail. I so badly want Scott to get a job because I know how bad he wants it and I know how amazing of a teacher he will be. He will be such a light to whatever school the Lord places him in.

I woke up this morning having more of a peace than I had last night. I feel awful for not trusting our CREATOR. He DOES know what's best! I have an issue because I need to think on the things that are true as Philippians 4:8 tells me to. He hasn't even been denied anything yet. Chill out Jane!!! God has blessed us so much already and I need to be thankful for what we have. I need not to be greedy. We will be just fine! I know that, I just need to put it into practice.

I praise God for his grace on my unbelief and his faithfulness in our lives.

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:34

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Amie's baby shower for Blakey D.

My sis-in-law, Amie, and my oldest brother, Justin, are having their first baby in July. I'll be having another sweet nephew! They are naming him Blake Douglas Hayward...Douglas is my dad's name and Justin's middle name. So presh. Last Sunday, mom and I road tripped to Chicago for her baby shower. We left at 5:30am, went to the shower, and drove back! Though it was a long and tiring day, I'd do it again in a heartbeat for Amie and Blakey D. Amie is so sweet and cute. I feel so blessed to have her as a sis-in-law. Can't wait for another baby in the family!