Candace Ott
It's 1:10AM as I'm writing this... it's hard falling asleep after having a great day. :-)

My hubby sold his '66 Mustang today. It was his first car that he bought when he was 17. It was a little bitter-sweet watching it go... but like all things in life, nothing lasts forever. We were both happy with the buyer though. He owns a body shop, loves cars, and has been looking for a '66 Mustang to own! His plans are to fix her up and give her a new paint job so that she's as good as new. We couldn't have been happier to know the car was going to be in good hands.

I spent the rest of the day with my parents, while Matt helped our friend Joe move. I don't get to spend a lot of time with my folks, and today was absolutely wonderful! My mom and I got lunch at this great little place called "Veggie Tea House". It's a vegetarian restaurant. We're not vegetarian of course, but the food there is amazing, and so healthy! I honestly think that if I ate that kind of food every day, I'd never have to worry about gaining weight, and could eat as much as I want! :-P

After lunch, we browsed through Micheal's, Barnes & Noble, and finally Bevmo. Once we were back at my parent's house, I shared an evening of dinner and cocktails with my mom and dad. I love these kinds of evenings. We all sit on the back patio, turn on the stereo, and visit. It's so relaxing!

We ended the evening watching Avatar, and then came time for me to head home to my hubby. :-) I'm not sure where the time has gone since I got home, but Matt's sound asleep in bed while I'm still up in the living room writing. I figured that writing might help put me to sleep... I may just have to go lay down, shut my eyes and see what happens though because I'm still pretty awake. :-)

Anyway... had a great day today! All I can really say to end this post is that I am truly blessed! I grew up with the most wonderful and loving family, and have an amazing husband! What more could a girl want?
Candace Ott
I love my job.  The people are wonderful, the work is enjoyable, location is pretty good, and of course the paycheck is nice.

As much as I am thankful to have a job... I often have housewife withdrawals. I don't always have time to keep the apartment spotless, and cook all of our meals. On some nights, my husband and I order food in, because neither of us have the energy to cook.  Other times we have snack nights. It makes me feel like a lazy wife, even when I know that's not the case!

Society has messed up the image of a wife so much. As women, society expects us to do multiple things in a marriage: 1.) take care of the house and home (includes cooking meals), 2.) be attractive and dote on your husband, 3.) care for and raise the kids, and the newest addition to this list... 4.) be a successful career woman! How in the world can you do ALL of those? Women are good multitaskers... but I don't think we can be excellent on every level.  Some things will eventually suffer... whether it's not enough time to stay fit, not enough time to cook, the house may get messy, the kids may not get the time they need, and even the husband may not get the time he desires with his wife.

I am amazed and in awe of the women who can work 8 hours, come home to fix dinner, keep the house clean, the kids happy... and STILL please their husband. Or wait... maybe that's Wonder Woman. :-)  Either way, it is overwhelming to think of how many responsibilities are placed on a wife today.
Candace Ott
Do you ever have those moments when you notice an unusual coincidence?  Suddenly a few days later, you stumble upon yet another incident that relates? It all seems random at first... until it keeps popping up and you are scrambling back saying "whoa!!" in realization.

Recently I have been trying my best to read my Bible consistently, and focus on my prayer life.  The Bible I read from has small marriage counseling studies throughout the book - from Genesis all the way through Revelation. At first, I noticed that every time I read and made it to one of the marriage studies - it went over a topic that I had recently pondered about, or was having my own issues with.  I didn't think much of this... until I started delving further into reading...

I finished reading through 1 Samuel, and was half way done with 2 Samuel, when I began reading a book called "When God Doesn't Make Sense".  Towards the end of the book, it touched base on the concept of prayer, and answered a long-term question I've always had, regarding repetition in prayer.  I pondered this a little over a day and a half while visiting friends in Monterey with my husband.  That Sunday we went to church with our friends, where their pastor not only focused his sermon on prayer... but also used a story in 1 Samuel as a prime example! I was blown away at how everything in that sermon connected and jumped out to me! It was as if God was prepped me to hear that sermon.

That same trip, I came across two books while browsing the bookstore with my friend.  One was a Christian book called "For Women Only - understanding the inner lives of men", and the other was "The Power of a Praying Wife".  I read the first book in a couple days.  I not only learned a great deal about the obstacles my husband (and all men) face... but again, the book drew examples from 1 and 2 Samuel!

Today I've only just started the second book - about a praying wife.  It was interesting that this book stood out to me and happened to be about prayer - since I noticed that prayer has been a regular theme recently.  After reading only one chapter, a story from 2 Samuel popped up!!  Even more astonishing is how the chapter ended. It quoted a specific verse from the bible... a verse that I read on Facebook this morning and had sent to my husband! "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9.  The author was relating it to our prayer life - how we should not give up, because in due time, our prayers will be answered.

It is amazing how as soon as you open up your heart fully to receive the Lord, He makes himself present in everything! I know there's a powerful lesson I'm learning from 1 and 2 Samuel... about being a good wife, and strengthening my prayer-life.