Lazy Days

Today is such a lazy day!  It's raining and actually pretty cold.  It's a perfect day to snuggle on the couch and watch a sappy movie.  Who knows?  I might just watch the Notebook. (My #1 favorite movie.  I know typical.)

I will have to clean my house first though.  I mean for not working, my house should be looking a lot better than what it is now.  I should be ashamed.

I have been incredibly tired lately.  It's almost like I can't catch up on my sleep even though it's not like I am going to bed late or anything.  I was talking to my sister and I told her that and she asked if I was pregnant.  I think that is going to be all of my family's first question until I am.  Not that we are even trying but I do have a feeling it's going to happen soon.  I don't know why and I could be wrong but...it's just a feeling.  

Speaking of that, funny story;  there is a family that is very close to my family.  Their names are the Tim and Jodi Hines.  Tim is an evangelist and they live in south Florida but when they vacation, they visit here.  They go to our church that sunday morning and their family and all of mine get lunch together after church.  Well, since at least one of my sisters gets pregnant each year, Jodi turns to my mom and asked if anyone was pregnant.  

Backing up, one of my sisters just found out she was pregnant right before they came in town.

So, my mom just gave her the look like "yes".   I didn't hear their conversation and as soon as my mom gave her the look she pointed at me and shouted, "I knew it!"  Well I was a bit confused because I didn't know what she was talking about.  She went on to say that she knew when she first saw me that morning.   My mom was trying to tell her "no!  It's not her".  But Jodi just kept saying that she knew it over and over.  Well, finally she heard my mom and then they told me the story.  It was so funny!  I think we woke the dead with all of our laughing, plus Jodi's shouting when she thought I was pregnant.   Of course, I raised my hands and said "I will receive it!"  while Kyle is shaking his head.  

Well, I wasn't last month so it wasn't a prophecy or anything. :)   I know it will all happen on God's timing.

Well, I need to go clean my house.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Old Late Promises

So, when I got back from the cruise I promised some pictures and it's been almost two months.  But better late than never right? .....

Missing Person Alert

OK, so the title is a little exaggerated but I can not believe I have not posted on here in almost a month! I am not even sure how many readers I have but still!  Well, there is a lot to update you all on.

• The job interview.  It went well and I was pretty sure that I got the job.  But it's been a month and I haven't even heard from the place.  I was so bummed for the longest time but I went and applied at other places and again, either don't hear back or they tell me that they are not hiring at this time.  I applied at American Eagle Outfitters and they are hiring either this week or next for the holidays.  I am pretty sure that I will have that job.  I swear I go there like everyday to see if they have gone through all the applications.  I guess I am nagging but the manager was pretty pleased that I was so consistent.  It's crazy because I was so stuck on my monday-friday, 8-5 jobs that I couldn't even imagine working retail but since I don't really have weekends since I am not working at all, I don't mind so much.  But I guess we will know what happens when they finally start hiring.   It has been pretty tough though.  We get stressed with how are we going to be able to pay some bills but God has been there and provided for us every time.  There is no way that I could/ would deny Him.  He has proven Himself real to me way too many times.  Plus, I know that we are not the only ones struggling.  We actually have it made to some people out there who have been laid off their jobs.  They have lost their house, maybe even their families.  It's  a tough time but I try to just focus on the positive and not on the negative.  Thanks for all of those who have been praying for us.  I have no words to even describe how much that means to me.  And again, a special thanks to Emily. :)
  
• Family.  Well, one of my sisters just announced a week ago that they are expecting another baby!  I am so happy for them!  This is their fifth!  Ha, I guess my family just likes having big families.  And I love watching them all have big families. :)  I don't think I could have that many but I love having a million nephew and nieces.   It's awesome!  The other 8 are doing good too.  It looks like my younger brother will be getting married next year.  Him and his girlfriend aren't engaged yet but it looks like that will happen very soon.  I am so  happy for him.  Amanda, his girlfriend, is just a wonderful girl and she just loves him for who he is and I couldn't be happier.  The other day I was thinking about it and I teared up, (I am for sure the emotional one in the family).  It's just so great.    
  

Ok, it's getting late and I have a busy day tomorrow.  I hope everyone is doing great!  And I promise to not disappear for so long!  :)

Job Interview

I have a praise report!
While I was working at the title company, a friend of mine was working at an insurance company and they were seeking a receptionist. So, she would call me and ask if I wanted to work there. I would say no because I had that job and I just didn't want to leave and have "job jumping" on my work history. Well, this week I have been stressing about a job and worrying that I wouldn't find one on time. I have been looking on the paper and there really is nothing! Then yesterday I remembered about my friend's job seeking a receptionist. So, I emailed her and I didn't hear anything until this morning. She said that they were hiring and told me she would talk to her boss and call me later. Well, I just got her call. She said that they weren't hiring until this week! And she told her boss about me and he wants to interview me tomorrow!! Praise the Lord!
I know, you are thinking, "Um Sarah, it's not like you have the job". I know that but I just have that much faith that everything will work out. :)
I was really struggling and I was starting to have my doubt and my stress level was really starting to rise. But I keep praying that God continue to reveal to me and place in my heart true faith. He tells us that He never leaves nor forsakes. And I know that He is the one who is in charge. He knew that I was going to be laid off my job and He knows where I am going to next. It's not always easy to have this knowing or faith but praise Jesus, He has always revealed himself real to me and has always provided for me.
For those who have been praying for Kyle and I with the job searches, I want to tell you Thank you!!! I am a total believer in the power in prayer and I can't express enough my appreciation for your prayers. I want to say thank you to Emily who was praying and posting on her own blog my prayer requests. I am so happy to have been able to talk with you. :)
And for those who are dealing with worry because of the economy or just life in general, I want you to know that Jesus hears your crys and He is always there. I encourage you to read Matthew chapter 10. He talks all about how He does and will forever prepare for us as His children.

"Kisses for a Cure"

Dear Friends,

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Almost everyone has been affected by Cancer, directly or indirectly. I am proud to be a part of a company that makes a difference in the lives of many women every day. The Mary Kay Charitable Foundation supports both domestic violence and cancer research. Last year Mary Kay Inc. donated millions of dollars to fund research.

This month, my Mary Kay unit in our Florida Panhandle area is doing some work of our own. We call it Kisses For A Cure. I am asking many of my close family members, friends and customers to donate a lipstick to a woman undergoing cancer treatment. October 1, 2008 the lipstick will be delivered to local cancer treatment facilities for women to enjoy. Each lipstick will have a tag that reads, "Here is a Kiss for the Cure, but until we have one, enjoy being the beautiful woman you are! This Kiss was donated by (Your Name and City)."

Not only will your lipstick be donated, but a collective collection from our beauty consultants' profit will be donated to the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation to support more research. Here is how you can help:

You may purchase any way you choose. I can be contacted by email at sarah-hock@marykay.com, or at my personal website www.marykay.com/sarah-hock. There, you can choose and purchase any lipstick you want. If you choose the Apple Berry lipstick, 100% of Mary Kay's profit will automatically be donated to the charitable fund. All orders must be received by September 20, 2008 at 11:59pm.

If we work together, we can change and save so many precious lives! Thank you for your love and support. This campaign for a cure is donated to our dear sister beauty consultant and friend, Denise Berry, who lost her battle to cancer last month.

Sincerely,
Sarah Hock

Updates

It's about time I update here! Sorry, I have been gone for so long. Things have been so busy here that I don't even know what day it is sometimes. So here are a few updates:
- I still have no job yet BUT I am now selling Mary Kay! I am an official Mary Kay consultant and I have to say that I am very excited! I made my first order yesterday and I sold over $200 worth of stuff just from two people! And already I have a handful of people who said that they will host a party. It's all been lots of fun so far and I know that if I continue to work hard and keep this up and will continue to be fun and I could just work part time or better yet, only do this! And just so you know, just because we might not live near each other, I can still be your consultant. I will very soon have my own website and I will make sure to post it here. But you can just go to marykay.com and click the find a consultant and on the right side there will be a spot where you can type the consultant's name and you just type "sarah hock" and I will pop up with my contact info! OR you can email me at sarah-hock@marykay.com. :)
- Two weeks ago we were on a cruise! And let me tell you, that was SO much fun!! We went with a group and there was 8 of us all together and we were "the crowd". Seriously, when we all went somewhere that is what people called us. Kyle can already be the life of the party but you add four other guys like him and you have a loud crowd. But everyone loved it. It was a 5 day cruise and we went to Cozumel, Mexico and Florida Key West. We were suppose to go to Bahamas but it didn't work out...hurricanes! I will post pictures and tell more stories about that later.
- Kyle got an email from one of the positions he applyed for at Cox Cable here in town and they asked him to fill out another form and so he did and sent it off. So we at least heard something. :) We are trying to be optimistic with it all and hope and pray that he will get a job there!
- I had to take Precious to the vet because her skin has been so bad and it looked like she was losing hair! Well they ran some tests and it turns out that she is alergic to fleas!! Crazy! And the bad part is that we have yet to find good flea medicine for her. I talked with the vet and they gave me all sorts of meds for her and certain shampoos and recomended some other flea meds and sprays. I feel like she is already an old dog with all of these pills and all she has to take! But hopefully it will clear her skin.

Well, that is all for now. Again, sorry I haven't posted in so long and I will post pictures and stories about our cruise here soon!
~Sarah

I was walking the other day to get the mail and I came across this leaf. I was so excited! Even if this was the only leaf that was colored red and that it's only August and in Florida that means I have until the end of October or early November to actually get Florida's version of Autumn, it was so refreshing to see a colored leaf. It honestly made my day.
And I will get deep for a minute. It was almost like a sign that times are really changing. There are so many changes that are happening and are going to continue happening in Kyle's and my life. I might not know what they all are or what will happen, but I am so happy to know that God is in full control and He is going to guide and direct us. And quite honestly, that is all that need to know. That is saying alot! Since I am such a big planner and like to be organized. God is taking me out of that comfort zone and showing me what it really means to trust in Him. He has never let me down. Nor will He ever.

Times...they are a changen'

Things have been quite busy here. I have attempted a few times to post but I either didn't have time or I just didn't feel like sitting down and typing it all. But here I am now.
I still have not found a new job. But I will admit, I haven't really been looking too much either. I have a week and a half left here and then the next week we are going on a cruise. So, haven't really been thinking too much about it. I just hope that I will be able to actually enjoy my vacation even though I know that when we get home, I will have no job. I have already noticed where the stress tries to come in but I am really fighting and praying against it. I just know that God is doing something and there is a reason why He allowed me to get laid off of work. I am just having to trust on Him. I have started selling Mary Kay though. I did this a long time ago and I stopped for many years. I will have a website up and everything here in the next 2 weeks. This should help bring some money in and I am praying that it will go so good that I will be able to only have to work part time or not work at all. So, if you want to buy some Mary Kay, I will let you know when my website is up and you can order from there. Even if you live in another state, I will be able to deliver it to you through mail.
Kyle still hasn't heard anything back from the company that he applied at. They just emailed him and asked for a resume yesterday and so now we are just waiting for them to schedule for an interview and then we will have to wait to hear if he got it or not. We have to be patient and it's a pretty good challenge for us both. But we are hanging in there. Thank you for those who have been praying too. It means so much to us both!

Take a bow

I got some news today was pretty tough but at the same time, I had total peace. My boss had to lay me off today. I have two weeks left. Business has been so bad here and I think he kept me for as long as he could. I know it was nothing personal and I could tell that it very tough for him. But I am staying pretty positive about it all. And I am blessed with such an amazing boss. I have actually been thinking about looking for a new job since I am having to drive a good 30 minutes to work. With gas and all, it was getting tough. I am pretty sad though. The thought of having to look for a new job and have to be the "new girl" again makes me a little nervous. OK, very nervous! But, I know that God is in total control. With Kyle trying to get this job at Cox cable and all, I know that God is doing something and I will just have to trust in Him. I am not going to lie, I did cry after I left his office. I have never been fired from a job or laid off. So, it was a weird feeling. But again, I know it was nothing personal. Alot of me felt more sorry for him than myself with how business has been.
So, please pray that God will open my eyes on what I need to do and where to go as far as another job goes. That His will be done and He have favor on us. Pray that we don't get discouraged or fall into the lies that "the enemy" has already have all planned for us. That we will recognize the lies and put it all in it's place. And please continue praying about the job for Kyle. You never know, maybe God will allow it to where I can just be a stay at home wife. :)

Catching Up

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I feel like I have been so busy. I have been catching up on some much needed cleaning and catching back up with friends that I haven't talked to in a while. It's been so nice to see them all again and hearing what all new has been going on with them.
First, I have to share that Kyle is looking for a new job. Yay!! He is applying at our cable/phone company here in our town. Cox Cable is the name. It's a huge growing business and there is so much there that Kyle could do and would really enjoy. A wonderful guy in our church works there and he talked to Kyle about it and it sounds so great! There are awesome benefits and his pay would be amazing. Plus, when he graduates next spring, he will get a huge bonus! What a great way to celebrate. Our friend said that there is an opening on the "media side" and it would be perfect since that is what Kyle is going to school for. He applies this week and so, if you think about it, please be praying that God will have favor and allow Kyle to get this job.
This past weekend was very nice. I felt like I was always doing something but I, surprisingly, never felt overwhelmed. I just was able to get a lot done. Saturday morning, my sister and I went yard saling. It was such a pretty day and it wasn't as hot as it has been. And I actually found something! First a little history with my bargain shopping. You know, there are just some people who are so good at bargain shopping and they find all the great deals. I am NOT one of them. I have the worst luck. I am the girl who will see a jacket that I really like. It's pretty pricey so I will wait until it goes on sale. I go back after a while and discover that there is only 2 more left of my size and it's still not on sale. So, I just go ahead and get it. I happen to go back to the store the next day and wouldn't you know, the jacket is 50% off of the original price. And not just that but my size is still there! So, I don't ever find anything when I go yard saling. But I did Saturday! I have been wanting/ needing a cabinet shelf to hang on the wall in my master bathroom. And the cheapest I saw was $40. I told myself I would wait until after all my trips in October I would get it. Well, I found one for just $2!! It's in great condition and it's white, the color I wanted to match my bathroom. And its actually better than the $40 one since it also has a towel rack. I was very happy. :) I also was able to catch up on laundry and clean my carpet. Kyle painted the spots in our hallway that needed it since I don't know....6 months! I was very happy with how my house looked after doing just those two things. Amazing how that works. I also went and visited my good friend who just had her baby about a week ago. Saturday was her birthday. She is doing so good and looks good too! And of course baby Ava is adorable. Ethen, the big brother, was so happy to see me! :) He thought I was there to play with him so when I sat to talk to Ali, he walked up to me and said, "Sarah. It's time to go play in my room. Come on!" It was so cute. And he is such a good big brother. :)

Wednesday, I am having my Mary Kay get together. A friend of mine sells Mary Kay and I love their products. I was so happy to hear she was a mary kay consultant since I knew that she wouldn't bother me about becoming a consultant myself. *Been there done that. I was horrible!* I am very excited though. We will have lots of fun I am sure.

And the last one, I promise! :) I came across another blog and she had this great idea! Every Wednesday she posts up prayer requests for us all to come together and pray for. You can email her your prayer requests and she will post it up with the others. She just started last week. She calls it "Push Wednesday". Here is the blog for you to see and read for yourself how it all works; http://emilynickole.blogspot.com/2008/08/push-wednesdays.html
I just think it's an amazing idea and so she gave me permission to post on here to spread the word. I am a total believer of the power of praying. God has proven Himself real to me through praying. He has answered so many and there is still some that I am waiting for but I know without a doubt they will be answered. He hears every prayer out there. So, please read it and again, if you have any to be added, email her and she will be more than happy to post up. :)
OK, that is all for now. Sorry kind of long. And I will keep you posted on the job with Kyle.
~Sarah

Home Sweet Home

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding; in all your way acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

I have read, memorized and studied that verse for as long as I can remember. But when I read that the other day, I felt like I actually understood it in a way that I never have before.
The other day we found out, the couple who wanted to sell their house and Kyle and I were looking into buying/renting are wanting to be out of there by October! I was really bummed because I just saw that there was no way that we could fix up what was needed in our house and find a renter by then. But then I decided to have total faith in God. That if this was His will, He can make a way when there seems to be no way. And I told God that if this house is not for us to move into, to take the desire out of my heart. The desire didn't leave for a couple of days. I believe He did that so I could stretch my faith and have a new understanding. Then the desires went away and I was OK with being in our house. It's funny how He will open doors to only close them again. I don't take it as Him being mean or teasing. Instead, for us to learn from it. This might seem weird but using a house made my relationship with God a whole lot stronger. He just showed me many things through the house situation. That I just need to have faith in Him and believe that He has a plan for me in every situation. Even as little as what house to live in. What a God I serve who cares even about that.
So, as of now, we will continue living in our townhouse and fix it up. We plan on ripping out the carpet and put in hardwood flooring. And updating some of the lighting, repainting some rooms and fix up the ceiling up stairs. We plan to finish it all next year. Then we will decide if we want to sell or rent. And I have already handed it all to God and asked that He just guide us through it. And I know that He will.
And I will be more thankful for my little townhouse. It was a blessing after all. That a young married couple who never lived outside their parents home before is able to buy their first home. I am so thankful for that because it was only by God that we were able to even do that.

Niece slumber party

On Friday, I had 4 of my older nieces come over and stay the night, a long with my sister to come help me. Kyle, of course, went and stayed the night with a friend so we could have girl time. :) Because I have so many nephew and nieces, it gets pretty hard to afford a birthday present for them all. Especially since they all seem to have their birthday so close together. Therefore, I came up with a slumber party idea for the older ones. I have to admit that I was a little nervous having them all over to stay the night since I have never done that before. But we had alot of fun and they all did so good. We had a fashion show with their dress up clothes and then a talent show to which they all sang a song. VERY cute since they can all act so shy. E, one of my neices that is 4, she and her sisters bed time can be as early as 7:30. Remind you they came over at about 6:45 pm. By 8, she already told me that she was ready for her "nap". Funny enough though, she was one of the last to fall asleep. I have to say how funny it was at ages 4 and 6, when I had turned the lights out to go to sleep, they were already giggling and making "snore" noices. I, of course, couldn't help but laugh with them. More so that I just thought it was so funny at a young age they already knew how to behave at a typical "slumber party". It made me feel good that all through that night one of my other neices kept walking up to me to tell me she was having "so much fun!". I can only hope to continue to be that "fun aunt". :)

Another wonderful thing happened this weekend. One of my bestest friends had her first baby today! It was a girl. They knew they were having a girl. No surprising themselves with the gender. I haven't met her yet. My poor friend went in at around 9pm last night after her water had broke. At about 5:30 this morning, I texted her husband to see where she was at and she was only 2 cm!! Then at 12:30pm, they said that they are going to have to give her a c-section. I was so nervous for her but when I called her sister, she told me that Ali, my friend, was in total peace and was not nervous at all. I was so happy to hear that because I was pretty sure that she was going to be crying. :) But she is very strong and I am pretty sure she just felt ready to have the baby in the world already. Then at 1:50 that afternoon she arrived! All 6 lbs and 12 oz of her. I will go visit tomorrow since I am sure she was so very tired. And I can't wait!
This weekend turned out to be a wonderful weekend.

Slacker

Oh dear, I need to be better at this! I really slacked off. I would think about it but then I would think, "I am not even sure if anyone reads this" or I would start something else and completely forget about it. Today I had the thought that nobody probably reads this but then I remembered why I started this in the beginning. It's not a huge important reason but I had one.
So, alot has actually happened since I last posted. For starters, I threw a theme party. I haven't done that in SO long! I love theme parties and I LOVE throwing them. It was a friend of our's birthday and he is always doing the impersonation of "Macho Man". So, I brought up to Kyle that we should have a "wrestle mania" party for him. Everyone has to dress up like a wrestler. It was alot of fun and everyone was so creative! Kyle was "Hollywood Hogan". He looked so much like him!

It was alot of fun!


So, we got word that this couple we know is wanting to sell their 3 bedroom, 2 bath house. They are willing to sell it for $150,000. From where we are, that is really good! He, (the husband), is remodeling the bathrooms and kitchen. We have been really wanting to move out of our townhouse and into our own house. Don't get me wrong, we have been very blessed. We were able to buy it and it's perfect for a first home. But I think we are just ready now for something bigger and most importantly, have our own yard! Nothing is set in stone or anything but we are just going to pray about it and ask God to guide us to the right direction.
Also, Kyle graduates very soon. He is taking 3 classes this next semester and then 2 next semester. And then he is done! I think I am more excited than he is honestly.
We have been praying that God will open a door for him to get a new job. The music store was nice and it was really nice for his school schedule but I think he is ready to be done with it. He can't grow in it and with his schooling, now he can do what he really wants to do.
God has been really good to us though. With our own personal lives and with our church. I just feel some changes that are going to happen. And it's the good changes. I am very excited. I am so thankful for His grace. About a year ago, Kyle and I were trying to find another church to go to because we felt that we were suppose to. *It's a long story so I will have to share that for another time*
I am just so thankful that God stepped in and had us stay where were are. The times that we are not sure what He is doing, I am so thankful that He always does.

Haircut

Yesterday, Precious had an appointment to get groomed. It's that time of the year where we cut all her hair off. Because she is half yorkie and half chihuahua, we like to say that in the winter she looks like a yorkie, (even though, she really just looks like a long hair chihuahua), and in the summer she looks like a short hair chihuahua. Because we live in Florida, it's just way too hot and fleas seem to multiply over night by thousands. So, we like for her hair to be really short.
Kyle had to drop her off and of course she freaked out. Precious is a one of a kind, let me tell you. She actually stresses. Seriously! The vet said so. So, when he dropped her off, she stressed out. Then he goes to pick her up and he said that they hardly cut any hair at all. He asked them if they would cut as much off as they could. And they asked him; "You want her to look like a chihuahua?" I had to laugh at that one.
So, here is the beautiful Precious with her wonderful haircut...


She is not the most photogenic dog. I am envious of the people who have their dogs sit pretty and the dog almost smiles at the camera. I have to take a million to get one luckey one of her at least looking at the camera. But that is ok. That is what makes her Precious. :) And that is why we love her!

1st Chapter in so little words

I am very new to this blog thing. I really have no idea how this works so please bear with me. I promise I will try not to bore you though.
I guess I will start off with: Hello. My name is Sarah Hock. I am married to an amazing man, Kyle Hock. We got married in December 11, 2004. These last 3.5 years have been the most amazing years of my life so far. We have known each other and been best friends since we were 5 years old. Typical story; he loved me since he was 5 and I didn't feel the same until I was about 16. :) We dated since then and, like I said, got married in December of 2004. I couldn't be happier. Though we have no children....yet! We do have a dog.Her name is Precious.

She is half yorkie and half chihuahua. Even though we paid for a full breed yorkshire, we found out later that she is not. We bought her from a lady that actually held a "dog farm" and she charged us $700 and gave us a "certified whatever" and everything. When she got older we noticed that she looked alot like a chihuahua and so we got it checked and tada! She is. We tried to call the lady and everything but we haven't. But we love Precious no matter what so we don't care. But our lesson was learned too. :)
I have a HUGE family. There is 9 children in all.

FAQ's:
-We all have the same parents. There is no brady bunch like story where they each had their own and you put us together and there is 9. My mom had us all!
-No we are not catholic, amish, muslims, (we have been asked it all). We are Christians and my dad is a pastor actually. But we don't disagree with birth control. It was a choice my parents made together that they will have however many children God wants them to. God knew that they could handle 9 and so here we all are. They are amazing parents and I am so blessed to have them.
-There are 2 boys and 7 girls. In order: Jonathan, Rachel, Kristen, Rebecca, me, Joanna, Jared, Erin and Abby. Dont' ask me everyone's age but it's pretty much 2 years apart except for me and Rebecca, we are 4. And Erin and Abby are a little over a year due to my mom having premature birth with her. She is a miracle baby and we are so happy she is here as well as my mom!
-No, there are no twins.
I think that about covers the FAQs. But I loved growing up with a big family! You were never bored and always had someone to play with. :) And of course there are tons of grandchildren! 15 in all actually! I know!! We just like making babies I guess. :)

This is before a few that weren't born yet. But aren't they just adorable?

Ok that about does it for now. I promised you I would try not to bore you so I will stop while I am ahead.
There is a little glimpse of me for now. Thank you for reading and I hope to talk to some of you soon.
~Sarah