Previous Posts

Although it was just recently that AJ and I made the announcement about his new job and our move to Council Bluffs, the whole story started back in April - which is really hard to imagine! I can't believe it's been almost three months already and that the time has come for us to move.

Anyway, since we weren't making a lot of news public, there were quite a few posts I wrote that I didn't publish at the time they were written. Now it is safe to have those out in the open. I invite you to go back and read through them. You'll get a better idea of all the events that have taken place between AJ accepting the job and now. I've listed the list of blogs below along with the original date it was written. If you click on the title of each post, it will take you there. So, enjoy!

An Epiphany at Walgreens 

    4/24/10

Shepherd Me O God 

   4/27/10

Overwhelming yet...

    5/4/10

Waiting 

    5/7/10

Another Week

    5/21/10

Psalm 55:22

    5/24/10

Blessings of a Christian Family

    6/8/10

Roller-coaster of Life

    6/23/10

The Final Countdown

    7/8/10

Ch-ch-ch-changing... 
    7/21/10

Roller-coaster of Life

June 23, 2010

Well, it seems about time for another one of these... a lot has happened and at the same time, nothing has happened.

AJ and I went to Council Bluffs/Omaha a couple of weekends ago. We had a really good trip too. On Saturday we looked at about six different apartment complexes and really fell in love with one - the one that was of course, most expensive. Ah, such is life. We're currently filling out an application and we'll see what happens! Some of the benefits of this apartment complex is it's location - it's right next to Interstate 80 and the shopping center, which has a Hy-Vee and Walgreens. We like convenience!

That night, we drove over to Omaha for The Taste of Omaha and enjoyed some good food and music at a park next to the river! It was a lot of fun, but it was also really hot! We probably would have stayed longer if it wasn't so hot, but we were just ready to go back to our air-conditioned hotel room. On Sunday we went to the Omaha Zoo. We spent the entire afternoon there and didn't even see half the zoo! It was a lot of fun! We definitely have plans to go back there again! (and again, and again!)

On Monday, I had my interview. I think that it went as well as it could have gone. I found out I was one of three people being interviewed. I did find it ironic - almost - that one of the questions was what I thought my dream job was. And I had to answer honestly - back in college, Wartburg was big on 'finding your calling' and as I was ready to graduate I hadn't figured out my calling! I did tell them that although I still don't know what my dream job might be, i definitely want to be helping people - which was really what this job was about. Another guy from the interview was also honest with me. He told me he had concerns about me being able to handle parts of this job because of my lack of experience in the 'business world'. I think that really defeated me, the more I thought about it. No one likes hearing something like that - even if it is true. And I think I missed my opportunity to prove him wrong. I needed to tell him why he was wrong. But I don't think I did that as much as I should have. Before I left, I was told they wanted to make an offer by the end of the week as they wanted to have someone start by at least July 12th.

On Friday, I still hadn't heard from them. I really tried not to think about it too much or to get too disappointed. At about 4:45, I called the office to ask about the position. I wanted to make sure they knew I was still interested. I was told they were still in the deciding process and hope to have an answer soon.

It's now Wednesday and still nothing. I'm taking it as a no - they probably offered it to someone else and were waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully I'll at least get a call (or even an email!) at some point to let me know they went in a different direction. We'll see.

I'm trying not to be too disappointed. Obviously this wasn't what I'm suppose to be doing. God has different plans - something better hopefully! :) So I'm back to applying to more jobs and keeping my fingers crossed!

Recently, I had a friend that had some very big news and during one of our conversations we discussed how we've definitely grown up and life is moving very quickly for us - her and her news and AJ and I and our big move and starting a new adventure. She mentioned that life is moving so fast we better hold on! I told her it was like we're on this Adult Roller-coaster - or a Roller-coaster of Life! And then she asked me, "Are we going up or down right now?" And I had to answer, "Let's say we're on the curve and we can't yet see whether we're going to be going up or down." Of course we both hope we'll be heading up but life is full of ups and downs. It's an interesting concept - life as a roller-coaster. Never really sitting still, always moving up or down, coming across twists and turns. And hopefully we all enjoy the ride while we're on it!

Right now, I feel like AJ and I are on a stand-still. Maybe the calm before a storm? haha There's so much up in the air right now and it really makes me anxious. We have to fill out an apartment application and give them a move-in date. We have to give our current apartment a 30 days notice before moving out. AJ has his student loan bills that start next month. And while he has his job lined up, it's hard to look at our finances and try to get a budget set when we don't know what my potential income might be. And that is really frustrating. And I still don't know when I should tell my current job I'm leaving. If only I could just take some time off from working to get settled 'out West' and then look for a job once fall comes. But we definitely don't have the money for that! I can't help but wonder how some families survive on one income?! But that's just not meant for AJ and I! Oh well.. haha

Well, it's pretty late and I have an early morning (again) tomorrow. So it's off to bed for me. I pray that God will give us some answers and some clarity on what might be coming up for us. But until then, we wait... and enjoy the ride.

The Final Countdown

July 8th, 2010

Well... it's started... the final countdown. Or at least, one of the final countdowns. :)

Last week we got news from the apartment complex we liked in Council Bluffs that two of the three available apartments had been rented out and they had just shown the third one that morning. We quickly finished our application and faxed it over. We told them the deposit check would be in the mail the next day. We were very nervous that the apartment would be rented out before we were approved or if they needed to wait to get our check. Luckily, they said our application looked good and although they normally don't, they would hold the apartment knowing our check was in the mail! So that was great news! One thing to check off our list: find an apartment to rent.

Then one week ago, on July 1st we decided we better give our 30-day notice to our current apartment. This was a tough decision for us.

I had finally heard back about the interview (in a standard e-mail of course) that they had filled the position. And although it was nice to finally get that closure, I find myself still without a job out West. AJ was persistent about being moved by August 1st so he would have plenty of time in his classroom before school starts. So, we decided that AJ would move out to Council Bluffs and I would stay behind and keep working at Kruger. I needed to stay until I had a job or at least until AJ would have a paycheck coming in - which wouldn't be until towards the end of September. Now we debated about whether we keep our apartment in Waterloo or I look for a friend to crash with. I really did not want to be paying two rents. Luckily, one of my co-workers just bought a house and was willing to let me crash with her for a while! This was such a huge blessing! We were able to give our 30 days notice without having to worry about finding somewhere to stay once AJ moves.

And so now it begins. Our stand-still is officially over. We've started to pack things up already. Although we don't really have the room to have boxes everywhere, but it's also nice to get some of the packing out of the way. We're moving the last week in July - not quite sure on exactly when yet... We received our move-out directions from our current apartment and boy is that cleaning list long! :) We canceled our cable/internet and energy effective the end of this month. And I remember how much I hate moving. haha

I really hope that this new apartment works out and that we'll be there for more than at least a year! So pray for that! :)

Things will get interesting at the end of the month. Hopefully I'll be able to take the time off to help AJ and our families move. And apparently, they're not too excited to help us move. Something about the last time our dads and AJ's grandparents came down to help... nothing was packed... haha Although in my offense, we were only moving like 5 minutes down the road and I only needed them to move the big furniture! I was going to take care of everything else! But bless their hearts, they got everything moved for us in the one day!

Well anyone that is going to help us move this time, I PROMISE we'll have everything packed and ready to go! :) Please come help us! My dad has an 18' trailer he's bringing so that will be very helpful! My mom and brother will miss out on the fun because they'll be in Guatemala on a mission trip. Oh well, their loss. :) And I think AJ's dad is going to be helping out for sure but I don't know about his mom yet. Hopefully we'll have plenty of help! I've never moved this far away before. The only other time that was somewhat similar was going to college and I'm pretty sure we have A LOT more stuff now!

Well, that's about it for now. For the next couple of weeks we'll be busy packing and trying to find space for all our boxes. Maybe we can build a fort with them like Ross and Joey did on Friends! :) I like that idea already....

Ch-ch-ch-changing....

July 21st, 2010

Changes, they are a-comin'. Okay, so I'm not even sure if that's a real word or not, but changes are definitely starting to happen.

Last Friday was a big day for me at work. It was the day I decided I need to tell my boss about AJ's job and our upcoming move - I needed to get the vacation time off! So, catching my boss right before he left for a half day of vacation, I asked if he had a couple of minutes to talk. I told him I wanted to catch him up on the events in mine and AJ's life. I explained that AJ had been offered a teaching position and after really thinking and praying about it, he had decided to accept the offer. I told him it was in Oakland, IA and that we were moving to Council Bluffs the last week of this month.

I then explained that I don't want to leave my current job here at Kruger and that I'm excited about the upcoming possibilities and new opportunities. I told him I had already made arrangement to move in with a co-worker and that AJ would be going on to Council Bluffs without me. I told him that I wasn't sure how it was all going to work out or what the next steps were, but I made sure he knew that I am committed to this job and willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.

The first thing he said was, well I'm glad you're not leaving. Which was a relief to hear! And then he said to tell AJ congratulations. He also acknowledged that what we're doing would be hard, but he's willing to help whenever he can.

I'm grateful that the news is now out in the open. It's much easier at work now. However, I hope that it was the right time to tell him. I just pray and trust that everything will work out the way it's suppose to. And I know that AJ and I both are going to need a lot of strength and patience from God for the next couple of months.

Being separated is going to be very difficult for us. And we need to remember to fully communicate our feelings to each other so that although we might be frustrated with the current situation, we don't get frustrated with each other. I think that is our biggest fear!

And now, it's already the 21st of the month. We have about 75% of all our belongings packed up and three nights to finish the rest. On Sunday, family will be coming down to help pack up the trailer and then we'll head over to Council Bluffs. On Monday morning, we'll get our apartment key and start the long process of moving everything out of the trailer and up to our third floor apartment. At this point, I would like to mention how grateful we are for our family members who are willing to help us with this move. :) Thank you.

I also took off Tuesday and Wednesday of next week to help unpack and get things settled. But then it's back here to Waterloo for work. It will be interesting to see how the next couple of weeks, then months go. But whatever happens, it will be an adventure. And God will be there with us.

Another week

May 21st, 2010

More time has past and we continue to wait and see what God has planned for us in this exciting time in our lives. I think as the time comes closer to moving, more and more hits me - a little at a time. This past Wednesday was our last rehearsal of bells and choir at Zion. This Sunday will be our last service performance. It hit me then that soon we'd be saying our good-bye's to some amazing people.

After rehearsals, we had a little party - as is tradition. :) The choirs presented Austin and I with a gift - musical coasters and a music frame with the following quote inside: "As long as we live, there is never enough singing." - Martin Luther

And on the back - a plaque: "Thank You Austin & Liz from the Bell and Chancel Choirs"

I was so touched. AJ got up to say a few words and to thank the choir for all they've done the past two years and I secretly prayed that he wouldn't make me say anything because I knew I would start to cry.

I didn't realize before - or didn't take the time to really think about it - how much the Bell and Chancel choirs mean to Austin and I. Outside of work, the choirs and other people at the church were the people we saw the most of living here in the Cedar Valley. We had become a family with them. These people genuinely cared about us. And we cared about them. The community at Zion had become an important and almost vital part of our lives here. And soon we would be leaving them. I didn't realize how hard that would hit me.

Now I'm realizing that more good-bye's are still to come. And some of those people don't even know that the good-bye's are coming. AJ and I have made some great friends here. And they are going to be missed greatly. And when I think about all the people we're leaving, I think about the fact that we're moving to a place where we know no one. And it frightens me some. Everyone else says we'll be fine and that AJ and I will have no problem making friends. I believe that. Still doesn't change the fact that to begin with, we'll know nobody to begin with.

But as always, I go back to the knowledge that this is where we're suppose to be going. This is what we're suppose to be doing. This is the path God has chosen for us. And that excites me.

On another note. I finally got a call about a phone interview this morning - and the interview happened this afternoon! :) I'm not going to give details yet but I will say I was invited to head west for a second interview! So it looks like Austin and I will be making another trip and hopefully get a chance to look at some more apartments and continue to get a feel for the area.

We trust that God is going to take care of us. That He will make all the pieces fit into place when needed. Even if we have to remind ourselves that everyday. :)

Psalm 55:22

May 24th, 2010

"Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall."

Psalm 55:22

This was the life promise verse on the Life 101.9 radio station this morning and it could not have come at a more perfect time. It was exactly what I needed to hear from God. It was exactly what I had prayed for last night. Now, if only I can keep reminding myself that!

With the upcoming interview, the potential starting date (if the interview goes well!), an already planned trip to Colorado, having to figure out when to give my 2 weeks and finding a place to live - I get a little freaked out. Can it all be done? Will it all work out? Is it all too much of a time crunch? There's nothing final yet but I find myself saying, "Breathe, Liz, breathe." So, last night as I lay awake thinking about all this, I started to pray to God. I asked Him to cal my fears. To grant me patience. To allow me to put my complete trust in Him. That our plans follow His paths.

And then on my way to work, thinking about it all again, I heard the Life Promise verse. "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall." (Psalm 55:22) God heard my prayers last night and He was making sure I remembered that as well. I'm considering writing that verse on a large sheet of paper - or multiple pieces of paper and putting them up where I can always see one - in the car, on the bathroom mirror, the fridge, at my office, on my laptop.... Then maybe I'll remember it! :)

I've also been thinking about lately my first blog post I wrote here. (http://tinyurl.com/2fpggl9)

I discussed my calling in the post - wondering what I'm suppose to be doing in life. I love my current job and I've really learned a lot and I feel like I've grown from it as well. But I also know it's not really what I'm supposed to be doing forever. I know that I need to continue to grow and challenge myself.

One of the deciding factors in encouraging AJ to accept the position at Riverside was I knew that this could be the perfect opportunity to expand my horizons and see if something else 'calls' to me. As I looked and applied online for jobs, I questioned again what I was put on this earth to do. What was it God wants me to be doing everyday? What is it that I should be doing to service Him? Am I going to find that opportunity through a new job? Especially now with the upcoming interview, could this be one of those opportunities? I guess time will tell what God has planned. :)

Blessings of a Christian Family

June 8th, 2010

Austin and I have been extremely spoiled for the past two years. And I don't think either of us realized the full extend of it until this past Sunday. Our church family at Zion Lutheran in Waterloo has blessed us so incredibly! They welcomed us into their church, their community, their lives and their hearts with such open arms. They became a vital part of our lives here in the Cedar Valley.

And this past Sunday, they showed us even more how much we're loved by them. Austin and I sang a duet in church this past Sunday. We sang "The Twenty-third Psalm". I picked this song for us because the Sunday after we made the decision to move to Western Iowa, the Psalm of the Day was this exact Psalm. I felt in my heart that it was God reassuring us that we had made the right decision and that He was going to be there next to us the entire way.

After we got done singing, Pastor Gary stopped us from walking back to our seats and reminded the congregation that Austin had accepted a teaching position in Oakland and that we would be leaving Zion. He thanked us for our time, our talents and our presence in Zion music and the community itself. Then he presented Austin with a new baton, in its own beautiful case with the engraving "Austin Zaruba, with love, Zion Lutheran". Austin was shocked - I would maybe even say speechless but he recovered quickly from that enough and asked to say a few words. To which Pastor Gary responded, "sure" and started timing on his watch. :) And AJ even kept it fairly short. He thanked the congregation for all they've done for us and how openly they welcomed us into their lives. We have been forever touched by the people at Zion.

After the service, they had a reception for us! One of the ladies in the bell choir baked all this AMAZING cake! They even had punch, mixed nuts and mints! It was a full-blown reception! :) They had balloons which they made sure were Riverside's school colors as well! And throughout the entire time, everyone kept coming up to the both of us thanking us for being apart of the church and wishing us the best of luck and God's blessing in our next adventure in life. Some people even gave us cards and gifts. It was unbelievable and so sweet.

Even though we were only there a relatively short time and didn't even get to know everyone that well, each one of those people made an impact on our lives and made a difference to us - especially by their prayers. We will be forever grateful for all they've done. And it will be extremely sad to leave. But I hope that they all know how much they mean to us. Because they do. And we wish them all the best and God's greatest blessings.



Below are some pictures of us with the Zion choirs for our last Sunday performance.

Waiting

May 7th, 2010

This week has been very stressful for me. Not in that "so much going on I can't stand it" kind of way, but in that "nothing's happening and it's making me anxious" kind of way.

I keep exploring options for places for us to live and jobs I can apply for. And I'll get really excited about some things. Like the perfect apartment in a small town. Or a great position at a great company. I get excited because I feel like things might just be falling into place! But of course, they don't. The other housing expenses are too high for only one income. Or I never hear back about the possibility of an interview from the job. I get my hopes up and then get disappointed. And it stresses me out.

I have to keep in mind that this has all just happened within the past 2-3 weeks! AJ doesn't start school until the end of August. We probably won't even move until the end of July! We have time. Time to find a place to live. Time to find a great job. Okay, time to find any job. I have to be patient. I have to learn how to wait.

I remember now what this waiting feels like. I experienced it right after graduation, trying to find a job back here in the Cedar Valley close to AJ and then trying to find a place to live. I had forgotten, but it's coming back to me very quickly. For the past few months, it had been me telling AJ to calm down - that a teaching job would come along that will be perfect for him. I kept reminding him to be patient. To trust God and to trust His timing. I also remember AJ telling me that I had forgotten what it was like to have to wait. And I hate to say it, but he was right. I had forgotten. But oh how I remember now. It seems like our roles have switched. Now it'll be AJ reminding me to calm down, to be patient, to trust God.

So God, this is me - surrendering to You. Letting go of my worry and anxiety - or at least to the best of my ability. I will trust Your timing. Your plan. I will wait for You.

Overwhelming yet....

May 4th, 2010

This weekend, AJ and I decided to make a rather impromptu trip to Council Bluffs and Oakland. We discovered the Riverside High School spring music concert was on Monday night and AJ wanted to get a feel for the program. So, we took off work on Monday and Sunday after we had lunch with Amanda and Mitch, we headed west.

We were able to stop in Des Moines and see a college friend we hadn't seen in a really long time and it was great catching up! Then we continued west to Council Bluffs. On our way we were able to drive through Oakland and Carson and AJ showed me where the High School and Middle Schools were.

Once we got to Council Bluffs, we stayed at the Springhill Suites right next to the Mid American Center. We spent most of the night watching Glee on our laptop since we had just bought the first volume to season one. :)

The next day, after we took our time waking up, we went and looked at an apartment complex in Council Bluffs. It was a nice place and it seemed like it was in a good location, but we're not sure yet if it's the place we want to live. Then we explored the downtown area of CB which was sadly vacant and not very exciting.

At this point, AJ and I were both starting to feel fairly overwhelmed. We had continue to look through an apartment rental magazine and nothing was looking like it was in a good location or at a price we could afford. Plus, we were disappointed by the downtown area. I personally started to wonder if I was going to enjoy moving west. Were we making the right decision? It became really discouraging.

After eating a late lunch, we headed back east to Carson to get a tour of the Middle School since AJ hadn't seen inside yet. Once we got there, we were introduced to some of the staff and they were extremely friendly and welcoming. It was great to see AJ interact with his future co-workers. We spent some more time talking with the staff and the principle getting some helpful tips about places to live and possible job opportunities.

Later, AJ and I attended the school board meeting where AJ's contract was made official with a unanimous vote from the board. :) After the meeting, we attended the High School music concert. AJ got a good feel for the talent and skill of the choir and is excited to start picking out some music for this fall.

After that, we headed back home. It was a good trip - even if we were overwhelmed at times. It was great to get a sense for the school district's community. You can tell they are a close nit community and very supported of their school. Everyone was so nice to us as well. It was after we visited the school and drove around the town of Oakland that I really started to remember why we're moving out west. AJ made a great decision in accepting this position and has a great opportunity ahead of him. Luckily we still have a lot of time to make all the other decisions but we were reassured of things this weekend. All in all, it was a great time.

Shepherd me O God

April 27, 2010

I think the service at church on Sunday was prepared just for us. It was just what we needed (I needed) to hear after making a certain life-changing decision. :) The choir sang the Psalm for the service. It was actually a hymn (Hymn #780 from the new red hymnal for you Lutherans out there). The chorus went like this:

Shepherd me O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

The stanzas in between the chorus were parts from Psalm 23 - which was the Psalm printed up in the bulletin insert.

But the chorus from the hymn was exactly what we asked God to do for us this past week as we made our decision. Shepherding us beyond our wants and beyond our fears. It could have been very easy for me to say I wanted to stay at my job and not leave the Cedar Valley - the place where we've lived for the past six years (if you include college). It was what I knew. What I was comfortable with. Those were my wants. My fears. But I needed God to help me see beyond that. And that's what He did.

And that's what we need Him to continue to do - as I search for a new job. As we look for a place to live. As we take this step in our lives. Together. With God. We need to move beyond our comfort. This is the place where God leads us. Or in our case, leading us to Council Bluffs, IA. :)

Trust and guidance. This is what we ask God to give us. To put our trust in Him and let Him guide us.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The LORD makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

You restore my soul, O LORD, and guide me along right pathways for your name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil and my cup is running over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

An Epiphany at Walgreens

April 24th, 2010

So this past week as been quite the week for AJ and I. AJ got a phone call on Monday night. He was offered a teaching position! We were both ecstatic! His first job offer! And for a great position! 6-12 general music and choirs! There was just one problem, the offer was from the Riverside School district, in Oakland, IA - four hours southwest of Waterloo. We didn't know what we were going to do. And we had until Friday morning to decide.

The first thing we did (after making some phone calls to our parents...) was to pray. We asked God to give us guidance to make the right decision. We asked him to speak to our hearts. We asked for an answer. Then we sat and talked about all the different possibilities. About all of our options. The pros and cons. There was a lot of talking this past week. A lot of wondering.

AJ did have another interview on Wednesday of this past week at a school district only an hour away from us now. But it wasn't the ideal position and it was only part-time. Although he felt confident about his interview and the prospect of the job. We talked before we went to bells that night and we had pretty much decided AJ was going to turn down the Oakland job. Although neither of us was probably comfortable with that thought necessarily, we didn't know what else to do. It was just too far to make something work half way and he didn't want me giving up my job at Kruger. And honestly, I wasn't ready to give that up yet either. Again, I asked that God make it clear to us what we needed to do.

We went to bells rehearsal and then I left before choir. I ran to Walgreens to pick some things up and called my mom on the way. While I walked up and down the aisles, I told my mom that AJ is probably going to turn down the job. She told me that she hoped it wasn't something that he regretted later in life. We talked some more and then we said good-bye.

After that, I thought about leaving my job again. On Tuesday, when I had thought about it at work, I got very anxious at the thought. But standing in the Walgreens, I was surprising calm. I was suddenly okay with the idea of having to leave my job and follow AJ to Oakland. I knew then that this was his opportunity to do something great. To really build a program from the ground up. I knew that God was calming my heart and letting me know this was the right choice for us. I couldn't help but smile! I knew this was God making things clear for us. Letting us know that this was the right choice. That we were going to be okay and He would provide all we need. It was a great feeling!

I went home and waited for AJ to get home from choir. When he did, I asked him to sit down so we could talk. I told him I think he needs to take the job in Oakland. At first he didn't understand. I explained to him that I was okay leaving my job. I've got some great experience there but it was time to move on so that he could do this. I didn't know when another opportunity like this would come up and I wanted to make sure he got this chance. We talked some more and after AJ made sure I wouldn't change my mind, he decided to accept the teaching position!

So, AJ has officially signed the contract and has his first teaching job lined up for this fall, working for the Riverside school district. We are very excited about this new opportunity in our life and we believe it is the right move for us right now. The nice thing about Oakland is that its only 40 minutes from Council Bluffs so there are plenty of job opportunities for me in Council Bluffs and Omaha. We don't really have any details figured out yet but the nice part is we have the time to work it all out.

It was a big week for us. A big decision - our first big decision in the six months (today!) that we've been married. This week helped me remember what our marriage is about. It reminded me about what I committed myself to - who I committed myself to when we got married. Marriage is about sacrifice. It's about supporting each other. I lived that this week for the first time. I even told AJ on Wednesday night - there was a reason we had the Bible verse from Ruth in our wedding. "I will go where you go. Live where you live." (see Ruth 1:16 for the full verse) It was a great experience to be able to live that. It reminded me that we're growing up and maturing. We're living this adventure together.

It was a refreshing week. An exciting week. An anxious yet thrilling week. A lot of things will be changing. New adventures will be taking place. We will continue to grow and learn and love together. And we invite you to be a part of that with us.

Changing Focus: Z to Zaruba's :)

I've decided to move the focus of this blog. Since many of our family and friends are at least a couple of hours away from us, if not more, I thought Austin and I would use this blog to keep everyone informed about our exciting lives! Although, sometimes I'm sure there won't be much excitement, but we'll keep you in the know about it all. :)

So I'll be changing the profile for the blog to match all that but I wanted to re-post what I had originally in the profile. Mostly because it's all true and I just really like what it says. Plus, even as I change the direction of the blog, a lot of it will still apply to us Zarubas. ;)

I use the letter Z as my name for a number of reasons. I've always loved the letter Z. I'm not sure why I was drawn to it... perhaps it was the zigzag shape. And my fascination with fonts and how the letter Z always seems to look the coolest. Or the fact that not many words start with the letter Z. And the ones that do are a little bit strange. Like me. Or maybe it's because I had a Z in my name and now my last name starts with Z. And after a class project I discovered the word "Zany" which seemed to describe me - in a weird sense - and became a favorite word of mine. Maybe it's because some of my best thoughts and ideas have come when I'm on the brink of sleep. (Zzzzz) But whatever the reason - I love the letter Z.