Friday, June 25, 2010
Proud Mama moment!
I must share a wonderful moment I had yesterday with my sweet Scotty. We have school time everyday, and lately we've been working on writing his name. He has been having a hard time with the letter S, but once we get past that he does pretty well. At the end of our school time yesterday I wrote his name on a paper and asked him to write his name below it. HE DID IT!!!! All by himself, I was so proud of him! We took a pic and sent it to Daddy since he was at work. We know have it dated and posted on the fridge. You should see Scotty's face whenever he walks past it, he is so proud of himself. He even wrote it again today! We celebrated his accomplishment and today watched a movie together while the two little ones were napping. I can't believe how fast he's growing up! *tear* :)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
First Day!
Today is a big day in the Duff household! Ted starts his new job today at Sprint. Let me tell you, we are both so thrilled that this day is finally here. Let me tell you why...
For the whole 7 years that I've known Ted he has always worked in construction. We have been very spoiled by his 7am-3:30pm hrs, rain days, and weekends off. When he joined the Carpenter's Union 5 years ago it was a different economy and work was booming! We had AWESOME benefits and had a very decent salary which along with much prayer allowed me to stay home full time and leave my job as a dental assistant. About 2 years ago work starting becoming very slow, and we experienced lay offs from time to time. They never lasted long, and we just looked at it as a mini vacation. As the economy has gone way down it has effected construction jobs...when there is no money to build, then no building will be done. Ted was on several jobs that started and now are still in the middle on the project because the money ran out. Last summer it hit us hard...he was laid off for 3 months in a row! That was a very long 3 months for us. Luckily, the Lord continued to provide side work and we were able to withstand it. When we went to do our taxes we were shocked to find out the he only worked a total of 6 months in 2009. WOW! We looked at each other in disbelief and then automatically started thanking the Lord that He took care of us during that time. Mind you that we were able to move, buy a house, and even have some wants purchased. It's all because of the Lord! Not to mention Ted's wisdom with our finances. I'm so thankful the Lord gave me a husband who is SO disciplined and a saver when it comes to money.
The Lord put several things on Ted's heart during this time. The first thing was to realize that the Lord would not give us more than we could handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). He also reminded us to put our trust in him and not in men (Proverbs 3:5-6). The last thing was a career change. With having 3 kids now we wanted something more stable. It was getting to the point where we didn't know from day to day if he'd have a job tomorrow. We also knew that me staying home full time was a must and we trusted in the Lord to make that happen. Me going back to work was never a thought that crossed our mind during this time because we know our kids are SO important! Yet again Ted got laid off at the end of March. This time was a little more intense because we received a letter saying we lost our insurance due to him not having enough hours. What a blow that was. That was the first time I broke down and cried. Yet again, the Lord provided a way for us to continue having our insurance month to month. We have to pay for it, but we have it! Praise the Lord. During this time, Ted called tons of contractors. We also put in his resume at lots of other places as well. An opportunity arose with Sprint...it was the ONLY door that kept opening time and time again. We were walking by faith and seeing where it would take us. It took us 2 months before he started...and a long process. There were times that the door closed and then out of the blue would open again. See, they have this online testing to even get an interview...well, Ted was 3 questions off from qualifying. Then after several weeks, they called him back for an interview based on his personality and determination. That led to a second interview, which led to the offering of the job. Anyone who meets my husband falls in love with him. He has the best personality I've ever seen! Anyway, we accepted the job on faith because we will be taking about a 60% hit on our salary. Most of this job will depend on commission as he will be a salesman. The Lord gave us confirmation that this is where we need to be, so again we are walking by faith.
Last night I spent several hours getting every thing ready for his first day. I know he's nervous and excited all at once. We were talking last night about this wild journey we've been on and how cool it has turned out. I can tell you that our faith has been stretched...a bunch! I'm thankful for all the prayers we've received and all the encouragement. It really did help carry us through some hard days. The Lord has been so good to us and have had an abundance of blessings! All I can tell you is put your trust in Him and you will be just fine. I can't even begin to tell you the amount of people who said we wouldn't find a job due to the economy, but we never let that have rule over us. We continued saying, "The Lord is in control! We choose to trust the Lord!"
Needless to say, I can't wait for Ted to come home and tell me all about his first day of work!!! I will be anxiously awaiting his arrival!
P.S. if anyone needs a Sprint phone or renewal come find Ted!!! :)
For the whole 7 years that I've known Ted he has always worked in construction. We have been very spoiled by his 7am-3:30pm hrs, rain days, and weekends off. When he joined the Carpenter's Union 5 years ago it was a different economy and work was booming! We had AWESOME benefits and had a very decent salary which along with much prayer allowed me to stay home full time and leave my job as a dental assistant. About 2 years ago work starting becoming very slow, and we experienced lay offs from time to time. They never lasted long, and we just looked at it as a mini vacation. As the economy has gone way down it has effected construction jobs...when there is no money to build, then no building will be done. Ted was on several jobs that started and now are still in the middle on the project because the money ran out. Last summer it hit us hard...he was laid off for 3 months in a row! That was a very long 3 months for us. Luckily, the Lord continued to provide side work and we were able to withstand it. When we went to do our taxes we were shocked to find out the he only worked a total of 6 months in 2009. WOW! We looked at each other in disbelief and then automatically started thanking the Lord that He took care of us during that time. Mind you that we were able to move, buy a house, and even have some wants purchased. It's all because of the Lord! Not to mention Ted's wisdom with our finances. I'm so thankful the Lord gave me a husband who is SO disciplined and a saver when it comes to money.
The Lord put several things on Ted's heart during this time. The first thing was to realize that the Lord would not give us more than we could handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). He also reminded us to put our trust in him and not in men (Proverbs 3:5-6). The last thing was a career change. With having 3 kids now we wanted something more stable. It was getting to the point where we didn't know from day to day if he'd have a job tomorrow. We also knew that me staying home full time was a must and we trusted in the Lord to make that happen. Me going back to work was never a thought that crossed our mind during this time because we know our kids are SO important! Yet again Ted got laid off at the end of March. This time was a little more intense because we received a letter saying we lost our insurance due to him not having enough hours. What a blow that was. That was the first time I broke down and cried. Yet again, the Lord provided a way for us to continue having our insurance month to month. We have to pay for it, but we have it! Praise the Lord. During this time, Ted called tons of contractors. We also put in his resume at lots of other places as well. An opportunity arose with Sprint...it was the ONLY door that kept opening time and time again. We were walking by faith and seeing where it would take us. It took us 2 months before he started...and a long process. There were times that the door closed and then out of the blue would open again. See, they have this online testing to even get an interview...well, Ted was 3 questions off from qualifying. Then after several weeks, they called him back for an interview based on his personality and determination. That led to a second interview, which led to the offering of the job. Anyone who meets my husband falls in love with him. He has the best personality I've ever seen! Anyway, we accepted the job on faith because we will be taking about a 60% hit on our salary. Most of this job will depend on commission as he will be a salesman. The Lord gave us confirmation that this is where we need to be, so again we are walking by faith.
Last night I spent several hours getting every thing ready for his first day. I know he's nervous and excited all at once. We were talking last night about this wild journey we've been on and how cool it has turned out. I can tell you that our faith has been stretched...a bunch! I'm thankful for all the prayers we've received and all the encouragement. It really did help carry us through some hard days. The Lord has been so good to us and have had an abundance of blessings! All I can tell you is put your trust in Him and you will be just fine. I can't even begin to tell you the amount of people who said we wouldn't find a job due to the economy, but we never let that have rule over us. We continued saying, "The Lord is in control! We choose to trust the Lord!"
Needless to say, I can't wait for Ted to come home and tell me all about his first day of work!!! I will be anxiously awaiting his arrival!
P.S. if anyone needs a Sprint phone or renewal come find Ted!!! :)
Friday, June 11, 2010
I LOVE being an Aunt!!!
Happy Friday to everyone!!! Well, as most of you know my sister is in town for a few weeks with my sweet niece, Bella. Last time I saw Bella she was only 4 weeks old, and I was 8 months pregnant!
I was so spoiled to have my sister here for a full 2.5 months and was able to spend a lot of time with her. Being pregnant together is something that I will never forget. We were always taking belly pictures and talking about the aches and pains we were both having. The night Bella was born, I didn't sleep hardly at all. Andy was spending the night with us and I was waiting by the phone all night long. I kept thinking, "I hope that mom doesn't forget to call me!" I wanted to be at the hospital with her so bad, but with me having all the kids and being pregnant, my job was to "abide by the stuff." I still remember getting the call that Miss Bella was finally here! My sister was able to do it without any pain meds (GO SARA!) I was so proud of my sister! Then after I got off the phone, I couldn't sleep! All I could think about is when is it going to be morning so that I can go meet my sweet Bella?Morning finally came, and I took Andy to the hospital first thing so that we could see her. I will never forget the moment that I held her for the first time, because it finally clicked that I was truly an Aunt (or Tia to her). My sweet husband would let me go see her at least every other day if not every day. Even if I only had 2 minutes with her I would hold her and rock her. Saying goodbye to her was so hard because I knew she would be so different when she came back. I still desire for her to know me well and of course for me to be her FAVORITE aunt! :) Good thing Edgar doesn't have sisters, because I'm the only Aunt! I love it!
I saw Bella last weekend for the first time in months! I was hovering over everyone holding her, because I couldn't wait to get my hands on her. I was also very excited for Sara to meet Bobby as it would be the first time. Bella came right to me and I could've stayed all night with her. Ted and I kept teasing each other on who she liked better. I must admit that he got her to laugh way more than I could. I have seen her almost everyday since and I'm enjoying every minute. My kids are having the best time with Tia and Bella, so I thought I'd share some photos from our last few days...
Olivia giving sweet kisses!
I love watching them play together!
P.S. It's my Mama's Birthday today!!!! Can't wait to celebrate all together later!
I was so spoiled to have my sister here for a full 2.5 months and was able to spend a lot of time with her. Being pregnant together is something that I will never forget. We were always taking belly pictures and talking about the aches and pains we were both having. The night Bella was born, I didn't sleep hardly at all. Andy was spending the night with us and I was waiting by the phone all night long. I kept thinking, "I hope that mom doesn't forget to call me!" I wanted to be at the hospital with her so bad, but with me having all the kids and being pregnant, my job was to "abide by the stuff." I still remember getting the call that Miss Bella was finally here! My sister was able to do it without any pain meds (GO SARA!) I was so proud of my sister! Then after I got off the phone, I couldn't sleep! All I could think about is when is it going to be morning so that I can go meet my sweet Bella?Morning finally came, and I took Andy to the hospital first thing so that we could see her. I will never forget the moment that I held her for the first time, because it finally clicked that I was truly an Aunt (or Tia to her). My sweet husband would let me go see her at least every other day if not every day. Even if I only had 2 minutes with her I would hold her and rock her. Saying goodbye to her was so hard because I knew she would be so different when she came back. I still desire for her to know me well and of course for me to be her FAVORITE aunt! :) Good thing Edgar doesn't have sisters, because I'm the only Aunt! I love it!
I saw Bella last weekend for the first time in months! I was hovering over everyone holding her, because I couldn't wait to get my hands on her. I was also very excited for Sara to meet Bobby as it would be the first time. Bella came right to me and I could've stayed all night with her. Ted and I kept teasing each other on who she liked better. I must admit that he got her to laugh way more than I could. I have seen her almost everyday since and I'm enjoying every minute. My kids are having the best time with Tia and Bella, so I thought I'd share some photos from our last few days...
Olivia giving sweet kisses!
Holding my sweet girl for the first time in months!
The 2 babies! Only 10 weeks apart, Bella is older!
I love watching them play together!
P.S. It's my Mama's Birthday today!!!! Can't wait to celebrate all together later!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Our Story...
I LOVE reading people's blogs, so after talking with Ted we decided..why not have our own?!?! I guess the best place to start out this blog is to share our story. I love telling it over and over, it never gets old to me...so I'll share it with you today.
Ted and I met 1 month after I turned 19 in Jan. 2003. We were both attending Penn Valley Community College. I must admit that I was all signed up to attend SBU, but didn't have a peace about it so I backed out. Praise the Lord that I listened to Him!!! After my 1st semester at Penn Valley I finally had met a friend that I loved hanging out with. We had History together and were really bummed that we didn't have a class together the next semester. After comparing schedules, I decided to see if I could switch the time of my speech class so that Erin and I could be together. I was told that the class was full and I was stuck in my original time slot of Tu/Thur. So, I come in the first Tues and sit in the second to front row (odd for me). I'm sitting quietly watching my class mates come in when Ted walked through the door. I took a second look and had butterflies as he took the seat in front of me. I kept thinking, "wow! He's really cute, and very put together!" Then I watched as he talked to everyone in the class (somethings never change!) I was determined to get to know him! Then a week later we were paired up by the teacher for an in-class assignment. That's when I learned about him and his faith. We were surprised to find out that we shared the same faith and had a lot in common. I don't think we got much done that day, and I would've been content talking to him all day long. Then the next week he asked me to come to church with him, and I turned him down due to me having already made plans. He was shocked that I said no, and I was so scared that he'd never ask me out again. Low and behold one week later he asked, and this time I accepted very quickly! :) Right around this time the wall incident happened...
We would always walk out to the parking garage after class and chat for a minute or two before going our separate ways. This day, Ted decided to hop on a wall while we talked. This wall also had a 5 ft drop to the parking garage below, and he had a backpack on full of books. I see him hop on the wall and glance back only to see his legs up in the air and him going backwards. I was in shock! Not to mention scared to go around the corner for fear of seeing what injuries he suffered. He got up VERY quickly and was white as a ghost with torn pants and blood running down his leg. He was out of it! I walked him to his car and offered to call for help, but he would have nothing of it. That was the day we exchanged numbers and we talked on the phone for the first time that very night. Apparently, he would replay the voicemail I left him over and over to his friends and family. I also learned that after that first day we met, he told his best friend about seeing me and that he wanted to marry me. :)
After that, we were inseparable! We did everything together and we were quickly falling in love! 6 months after meeting he proposed to me on July 15, 2003 in the Rose Garden (the same spot his parents were wed)! We set a wedding date for July 17, 2004. Over our year engagement I can't tell you the amount of conversations that we had of people telling us we were too young and would never make it. I was told that I still had time to back out, but Ted and I didn't listen (Praise the Lord!) we knew we couldn't live a day without each other. I really did come complete the day I married him, and he has made me a better woman. I love him even more 6 years later!
Here's one of our engagement pics...
The famous kiss!
So it was on July 17, 2004 that I became Mrs. Theodore Duff! It still gives me goosebumps to say that because I feel so privileged to be called his Helpmeet and his wife! Biblical men are hard to come by these days, and I'm so thankful that the Lord had our paths cross back in 2003.
Ted and I met 1 month after I turned 19 in Jan. 2003. We were both attending Penn Valley Community College. I must admit that I was all signed up to attend SBU, but didn't have a peace about it so I backed out. Praise the Lord that I listened to Him!!! After my 1st semester at Penn Valley I finally had met a friend that I loved hanging out with. We had History together and were really bummed that we didn't have a class together the next semester. After comparing schedules, I decided to see if I could switch the time of my speech class so that Erin and I could be together. I was told that the class was full and I was stuck in my original time slot of Tu/Thur. So, I come in the first Tues and sit in the second to front row (odd for me). I'm sitting quietly watching my class mates come in when Ted walked through the door. I took a second look and had butterflies as he took the seat in front of me. I kept thinking, "wow! He's really cute, and very put together!" Then I watched as he talked to everyone in the class (somethings never change!) I was determined to get to know him! Then a week later we were paired up by the teacher for an in-class assignment. That's when I learned about him and his faith. We were surprised to find out that we shared the same faith and had a lot in common. I don't think we got much done that day, and I would've been content talking to him all day long. Then the next week he asked me to come to church with him, and I turned him down due to me having already made plans. He was shocked that I said no, and I was so scared that he'd never ask me out again. Low and behold one week later he asked, and this time I accepted very quickly! :) Right around this time the wall incident happened...
We would always walk out to the parking garage after class and chat for a minute or two before going our separate ways. This day, Ted decided to hop on a wall while we talked. This wall also had a 5 ft drop to the parking garage below, and he had a backpack on full of books. I see him hop on the wall and glance back only to see his legs up in the air and him going backwards. I was in shock! Not to mention scared to go around the corner for fear of seeing what injuries he suffered. He got up VERY quickly and was white as a ghost with torn pants and blood running down his leg. He was out of it! I walked him to his car and offered to call for help, but he would have nothing of it. That was the day we exchanged numbers and we talked on the phone for the first time that very night. Apparently, he would replay the voicemail I left him over and over to his friends and family. I also learned that after that first day we met, he told his best friend about seeing me and that he wanted to marry me. :)
After that, we were inseparable! We did everything together and we were quickly falling in love! 6 months after meeting he proposed to me on July 15, 2003 in the Rose Garden (the same spot his parents were wed)! We set a wedding date for July 17, 2004. Over our year engagement I can't tell you the amount of conversations that we had of people telling us we were too young and would never make it. I was told that I still had time to back out, but Ted and I didn't listen (Praise the Lord!) we knew we couldn't live a day without each other. I really did come complete the day I married him, and he has made me a better woman. I love him even more 6 years later!
Here's one of our engagement pics...
The famous kiss!
Dancing at our reception together!
So it was on July 17, 2004 that I became Mrs. Theodore Duff! It still gives me goosebumps to say that because I feel so privileged to be called his Helpmeet and his wife! Biblical men are hard to come by these days, and I'm so thankful that the Lord had our paths cross back in 2003.
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