Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish: The Modest Budget: More Thrift Sweaters + Why I Decided to Take College Slower

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

The Modest Budget: More Thrift Sweaters + Why I Decided to Take College Slower

Welcome to Tuesday, lovely readers!
Sweater: Thrift Store // Shirt: Gap // Skirt: Target (old) // Boots: Thrift Store
Holidays, finals week, present-buying/wrapping/anticipating... December always goes by so fast!
So I find myself grabbing one of my thrift store sweaters (ya'll know how much I like my thrift store sweaters!) and a basic tee, enabling me to switch up the "bottom half" of my outfit and create variety.

This December has looked a lot different than last December (a.k.a., our first holiday season as a married couple!) but different in a lot of good ways.
For one, I've cut back on my school load, and I've only taken one class at a time this semester.
Wanna hear why? ๐Ÿ˜‰

Sweater: Thrift Store // Shirt: Gap // Skirt: Target (old) // Boots: Thrift Store
Choosing to switch my major to psychology was one of the best school decisions I had made.
But I realized this summer that I had put so much pressure on myself to graduate that I was too stressed to just focus on the joys of being a new wife!

wanted to learn how to cook. I wanted to learn what it takes to keep a house clean... Why wasn't I giving myself the space to do those things?
Well, now I am.

So, since August, I have only been taking one class at a time, but still really excited about what I'm learning. Psychology is fascinating! I just finished a class in Abnormal Psych, and it's the coolest thing I've studied so far in college.

Many people that I have talked to about it lately have had a tendency to disagree with me, urging me to finish school before we have kids. But I'm not in school to have a career, I'm in school because 1) I love learning and 2) God gave me the opportunity to be in school and it felt stupid to pass it up.

It's kind of hard to hear people tell me all the time that I'm making the wrong decision, or give me one of those "Oh, that's nice" reactions, but ultimately I know I'm doing the right thing.
Yes, I love studying, and yes, I want to graduate...

But I don't know 100% whether or not the Lord is calling me to a future in psychology.
do know 100%, though, that the Lord is calling me to be the best wife to Jon I can possibly be, and to always be trying to love and serve him better.

In addition to all of this, I feel very strongly that I am called to lay down my school (completely, if that's what it comes down to) and my life plans if that's what it takes for Jon to walk out his. Biblically, the man is the head of the household like Christ is the head of the Church (1 Corinthians 11:3), which means that I have the role of following Jon like the Church follows Christ, not the other way around.

(But don't forget Jon is called to take on Jesus's role to the Church - laying down his life and dying for her!)
With that in mind, I knew that when I chose to marry Jon it might mean making some sacrifices like that. But if cutting back on some of my school is what it takes to be the wife God is calling me to be, I would say that's a fairly easy decision to make.
Sweater: Thrift Store // Shirt: Gap // Skirt: Target (old) // Boots: Thrift Store
Before I get emails saying that I should be standing up for myself, Jon is also making difficult sacrifices for our family, too. He bears on his shoulder almost all of the financial responsibility, and he has more (natural) pressure than I do when it comes to his career.

Marriage is 100-100, not 50-50, and I know that I can trust Jon to always be trying to give me 100%, which is motivation to always be trying to give him 100% (even if sometimes the balance seems a little unfair).
So there's a peak into my life. I'm trying to remember more often that it is important to let people in on my life, and that I don't need to have things all figured out before I can share my story๐Ÿ˜Š

How are you handling December and all her craziness?
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Linking up with some awesome parties here!


15 comments :

  1. It's definitely hard to follow God's call when everyone around you is questioning and doubting. I'm inspired by your courage to put God and your husband first in your family! Great to meet you :)

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  2. As I read your post so many thoughts went through my mind. Long story short, I was married at 19 and made similar decisions... and I have NO regrets. I am still, 31 years later, very happily married to my college sweetheart and it just keeps getting better! Life has definitely NOT worked out the way I expected it to, but peace comes in following God's call. Just wanted to encourage you that I think you are doing the right thing. Blessings!

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  3. You do not need to listen to anyone regarding you and your marriage. You do what God calls you to do whatever it may be. If you feel God is calling you to run for president than you do it, if you believe he is calling you to slow down on school and do what you are doing now YOU DO IT. No one can judge you but the man above you my dear. SO YOU DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND.

    Life is just Rosie
    Instagram

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  4. "Marriage is 100-100, not 50-50" YES. So true and something so many people miss.

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  5. Aw, Casey! I love thrift store clothing too. More times than I can count I asked the Lord to provide something and found it unexpectedly at the thrift store. He delights in delighting us- sometimes even with unnecessary silly things : ) Your sweater and look is so cute!! Also, it's so hard to hear so many voices (even ones you value!) differing from the voice of truth you know you are hearing. 2 Timothy 1:12, girl: you know whom you have believed. You can be convinced that He will guard what you have entrusted to Him- your desires to serve Him as a wife and maybe through a degree. So grateful for your brave example of following the Lord according to His Word and prayerfully in your life.

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  6. Soooo cute! Love the outfit, & your hair! Thanks for sharing on #TurnItUpTuesday

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  7. Sometimes you need to take a step back to focus on what is important to you. Love your cozy sweater!

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  8. I used to be such a people pleaser, and I still am to some extent. But every year I seem to get a little more stubborn in my choices, and I have learned that my life choices affect me and hubs, but that I don't need to think about how everyone else will think about them. Every major choice we make in life will have people approving and disapproving, but when I remember that it is our life (and not the person who doesn't approve) and we will be the ones paying for the decision in the long run I feel better about it. Like my Mom told me at one point: "If you decide to do this thing, will the person who is pressuring you to do it be there after work to rub your feet?" That really put it into perspective for me. Listen to other people's counsel,but in the end choose what is best for you and your husband!

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  9. I headed back to school when I hit 40 to get my undergraduate and then graduate degree in Christian Counseling. It was the best thing I ever did, but it was a balancing act, with being married and having two girls in high school.

    It's amazing how a family can give and take, show grace, adjust schedules and expectations, and free someone they love so they can fly ... and commute long hours back and forth.

    May you find that to be true, may God open and close doors as you continue to move ahead.

    I've really enjoyed meeting you today, Casey ... oh and cute boots, too!

    ;-}

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  10. Focus on what God tells you to do, because He will never lead you wrong!

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  12. Dont let anyone pressure you about school. I got an associates and 2 bachelors in 5 years and took 10 years off. Now I am 35 and doing my masters program which is 4.5 years in under 2. But I dont have a significant other, nor kiddos. So right now, with alot of prayer, everything is falling into place for me. :-)

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  13. Great finds! That sweater looks so cozy!

    Annessa
    www.seekingsunshine.com

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  14. Oh, girl! Don't let anyone tell you what to do about school and your marriage. When God is the center, He will lead you both - just be willing to obey. There is nothing wrong with learning, I believe in bettering oneself. Whether you get a degree and use it or not, your psych background will be put to use once you start a family. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.

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  15. I completely agree with your decision! You are such a beautiful woman of God and if you know you are doing the right thing, that is all you need! Lovely outfit as well! I love the colors!

    Thank you so much for linking up at Grace + Lace!

    Sarah
    Bows & Clothes

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