We have moved!

I'm tired of keeping track of two blogs. I've combined them back to one again. This one looks cooler. If you want to keep up, go to http://diannejago.com :)

Germany is Official.

Well, it's official. The news were were praying about came today and it looks like we are for sure going to Germany. I didn't post much about the possible change, but there was a job opportunity that would have allowed us to separate from the military, pursue my photography business full time, move us closer to E's family in Pennsylvania and let E play Army on the weekends. The thought of finally settling down and having a support system was unimaginable... We discovered this job about three weeks ago (which is awfully close to his leave for training date) so we knew the only way it would work out would be by a miracle. E had to fill out all sorts of paperwork and he even had to drive down to Vegas to take a job test, but after receiving the position, the very last approval was denied because "it is in the best interest of the Air Force" that we stay in. The technicalities of it all are rather confusing, so I won't get into that but after lots of up and down moments, we got to the point where we were both at peace, regardless of the outcome. Germany is the outcome, and I'm ok with that. We will not be receiving a re-enlistment bonus but the good news is we will only be there for two years. Four seemed so daunting but two is definitely doable. We've been here in California for 2 1/2 years and I feel that was a perfect amount of time for us. E leaves this weekend for his 18 weeks of training and I will be all over the place. It is going to be an interesting summer and I'm looking forward to the day we step foot in Germany and have all of this chaos behind us. But then again, I'm sure a whole new chaos will begin. I can't thank my friends and family enough for praying for us. We REALLY appreciate it.

Philadelphia Trip

Part of the reason I've been bad with blogging is because we spent a week in Pennsylvania. We decided last minute to vista Ethan's family since we know he wouldn't have much of a chance to visit them before our move to Germany. It was a great time just relaxing and allowing Kaiden to spend more time with his grandparents, and it just so happened that his cousin (who is a month younger than him) was in town visiting too. Here are a few pictures from our trip...I'm going to try to post regularly as best as I can, but if any of your are bloggers, I'm sure you know how difficult that can be.

Grandpa and Grandma with Kaiden and Avery Grace.

E's sister and I 

Love Park in Philadelphia

Chinatown

We took a trip to DC and got to meet our presidential candidate choice, Ron Paul!!!!

standing in front of the White House

Dependence.

I've been absent yet again. A lot has been happening these past few weeks in regards to change in our future. Germany may or may not be in the picture and at this point both E and I have realized that we are living totally dependent on God. I know this is our everyday calling (and perhaps we all grasp to some false sense of security) but this dependence has made itself more evident within recent weeks and it's kind of scary. I don't want to get into detail about it all just yet but there are so many different factors playing into what the Air Force calls our "unique situation" and it's difficult to say what will happen. All this to say, if anyone reads this, I ask you as a sister in Christ to take a moment and pray for us. I know His will will be done, so maybe it's more for my peace of mind than anything.

Saying Goodbye to California.

We have 5 weeks left here in California. Where did the time go? It feels like it was just yesterday we said goodbye to Washington state and began our journey down here. Everything was so new and mysterious. I was in awe at how much culture surrounded us. There are Filipinos everywhere haha! The wide variety of terrain shocked me. Vineyards everywhere...green hills covered with cows... to the left of us, giant-rock beaches and redwoods, and to the right of us Lake Tahoe and snow covered mountains. 90 degree summers. Cool, rainy winters. I really am going to miss this place.

This is the part that I hate about being a military wife. I hate saying goodbyes. I hate never truly being able to put down roots. I hate the fear of the unknown. And I hate that I can never really get close to anyone because they know I will just leave. Of course, I'm not the only one. You learn to push forward. You learn to make new friends. You get to see and experience so much more than the average person.

All this to say, I'm grateful for all the people that have been in our life these past 2 1/2 years. I've met some amazing people and am thankful for how each one helped make this place seem a little bit more like home. You know who you are...thank you.

Purposeful Posting.

I've been learning so much these past few weeks...I can't even begin to share it all. Something that God has impressed upon my heart is to study Scripture inside and out. For so many years, I have lazily accepted doctrine that has been taught to me in church, school and college. I'm finding that there are certain things that I no longer agree with (all being non-salvatory issues.) It's been an exciting journey of paging through the Word, being led by the Holy Spirit and using multiple references to support my findings. I'm hoping I can share more in the future but if you're wondering why I've slacked on the posting, I just wanted to let you know it's all with purpose. :)

How I Thrift Part 1

The title may sound lame but many people don't know how to thrift. I posted this picture on Instagram of 3 awesome items I found today...someone asked where I got them from and my answer was simply, our local thrift store. There is nothing glamorous about it. It's just a regular old (somewhat dirty) place where people drop off their old junk. My picture makes the items look glamorous but all three items were tucked away, hidden and overlooked by many... I want to teach you how to develop an eye for finding items, prove that patience really does pay off (and saves you money too!) and help you navigate through your local thrift store. Thrifting is not only trendy, but it's a form of recycling, teaches frugality and profits almost always go to a good cause!

Top: $3.50 \\ Leather purse: $5.00 \\ Antique crate: $10.00

THRIFTING IS ADDICTING \\
It is a treasure hunt and when you stumble upon that item that has been on your wish list for what seems like forever (and for next to nothing too!) you will find yourself immediately addicted. This is both good and bad. It is good because it is fun and can save you money BUT it is bad in that you can easily become consumed by accumulating material possessions and you may end up spending more money with little self control.

So, proceed with caution. :)

HAVE A LIST \\ 
Before I even step foot in the store I have a list (in my head) of items I am looking for. Some of the items on my list include:

• old wooden ores (it's been on there for a while...still have yet to find them)
• valuable old film cameras (an ongoing item)
• old wooden crates (an ongoing item)
• antique catalog card cabinets
• large vintage quilt
• vintage dresses (ongoing item)
• milk glass

Having a list of things helps me to keep from having brain overload when I walk into a store. There are thousands of items at my fingertips and when I have a hyper toddler, I don't have time to browse for hours. With my list, I am able to navigate through the different sections of the store, knowing where to spend more time than others.

PRACTICE SELF CONTROL \\  
Just because it's inexpensive doesn't mean you should buy it. Ask yourselves these questions...

• Do I love it? It's not enough to just like it. Once you start thrifting regularly, you will find TONS of amazing stuff that you like. That will end up costing you in the long run and before you know it you will be a pack rat. This happened to me when I first started and now I find myself giving away the very things I bought. Now? I only buy what I truly love. Love it or leave it, people!
• Is it worth the price listed? Dollars become a whole new currency when you start thrifting. You can stretch your dollar a long way. The more you thrift, the more you realize this and before you know it, you become stingier. I can't get myself to pay $7 for a vintage picture frame (that I know may sell for way more at an antique store) because I've paid as low as 50 cents for them before. I could get 14 (theoretically speaking) for the price of that one!
• How's the condition? Is it still usable? How will it hold up in the washing machine/dryer? Will the kids destroy it?
• Do I need it? The point of thrifting is to spend as little money as possible. Put it in your cart and think about it as you browse the store. If you don't "need" it don't buy it. Of course the definition of need can be bent a little bit...I didn't really need that sequined top lol.

As I'm typing all of this out, I've realized that there are so many other tips I want to share with you, so be sure to stay tuned for part II! Was this helpful? Comment below and let me know :)