State of the Union...

Well, it's official!  Fort Worth is now the new home of the Dugan family.  We settled into our 2 bedroom apartment about a week and a half ago.  I have to say that it has been the longest week and a half of my life!

Matt started school last Thursday and is really enjoying classes so far.  He also started working at the seminary as a Plumbing Assistant last week.  I guess those five years of working at Ferguson are paying off. :)  He works every afternoon from 1-5 pm and enjoys working at a job that he doesn't have to "take home" with him. 

I am still on the job hunt.  It has been a discouraging time, but I have been praying for God to bring me to just the right job.  Matt and I know without a doubt that God wants us here and has opened doors to make it happen.  So, we also know that He wouldn't bring us here to fail and flounder.  I had a job interview a while back, but ended up not getting the job.  However, yesterday I had an interview at a local church to serve as the financial secretary.  And then this morning I interviewed for a job on campus at the seminary.  Both of these jobs are just part-time, but with the possiblity of turning into more.  I am definitely hoping for the "more."  I would love to find a full-time, great paying job, but trying to be patient through the process.

It is definitely a time (already) where we are being stretched.  Especially financially.  We have had no cash-flow this month, so we are being super tight with our money.  Of course, this is never a bad way to be.  We just are not used to not getting to spend a penny.  We drove around this past Saturday and I was so excited seeing all of the fun restaurants and stores that I love.  Such a big change from little ol' Temple.  But then I realized that we don't have any money to go to any of those places, so it's kind of a mute point. :) 

We have made some friends in our apartment complex already, which is nice.  I have been so worried about making new friends, but I think there are going to be many chances to meet new families.  The people who live right below us are very nice and we have gotten together with them a couple of times.  It's great because we can put Parker down at 7, lock the front door, and then go down to their apartment and play games or talk (with the monitor sitting right next to us, of course).  Also, the girl right below us has offered to watch Parker once I get a job.  Talk about convenient and such an answered prayer!  Matt and I both had looked at childcare places, but didn't find a place that felt just "right."  And childcare is so expensive!  So this girl will be cheaper, too.  How great!

We visited a local church this past Sunday and went to their young married class.  We enjoyed the church, but it kind of made us miss our church that much more.  We miss our friends and church family so much and are realizing that it's just going to take time to build the connections and relationships that we had in Temple.  We will continue to visit around but hope to find a church home quickly!  We are ready to commit and connect.

Matt and I are enjoying life without TV.  I can't believe I just said that.  But, it's true.  Life is a little more simple here.  Last night, we were feeding Parker dinner and putting the finishing touches on ours.  I had turned iTunes on our computer and we were enjoying the music.  Unfortunately, as I was pulling a pan out of the oven I set it on top of a stovetop that was set on high.  Oops!  To get the burnt smell out of our apartment we opened up the windows and the door.  The cool breeze felt great and David Crowder was blaring, so we just danced and sang.  Yes, all three of us.  We got Parker out of his highchair too.  Such a simple, silly moment, but one we got to enjoy because of no other distractions.  No work to bring home, no TV in the background, no running off to one activity or another.  It's just us, and I kind of like it like that.