We have a house!

On Friday, December 29, 2017, Jonathan and I walked into a bank (bigger than this small town Iowa girl had ever been in) and signed the papers for a house. Our house. Our very own house.

Now let me make something very clear. This is exciting! I am enjoying this "stage" of life. But it also is scary. Frightening. And sometimes overwhelming. To walk out of the office, through those big front doors, climb in the car and look at the one that you know you will spend the rest of your life with. In addition to the sheer giddy excitement that rushes through your body, I feel our brother Andrew summed it up very well.
"You start to see just what it will take. How every penny you earn will go to living. Freedom flys out the window and adulthood slaps you in the face."
 We went to see the house.
I love it! I can't wait to make it home. We quickly made it ours. With a Christmas gift.

It is a nice house. A 3 bed room, 1.5 bath setting on a corner lot in the town of Montpelier, Ohio. Away from any major highways. It was nicely kept up by an older couple and so only needs a few minor changes. Really, it's mostly cosmetic. That's the part I love anyhow.
Stick around to see the changes to our new home!

The Tractor Story (Part 1)

I was reminded by Facebook that 3 years ago I found a old John Deere B sitting in our barn.

Covered in a thick layer of dust from 25+ years of sitting it did not run.

I tried to get it ton run. Around and around the yard we pulled it trying in vain to get it to turn over. Nothing.
That's when the idea struck. Let's fix it up! I love tractors! How hard could it be?
*insert nervous laugh from future self... If I ever say those words, RUN!
We gave it a high powered bath.

Isn't she a beauty? :D
Then we drug it into the shop, tore it down till all that was left was the frame and tires. The engine was froze up. Time got in the way. And there it sat propped up on blocks, snuggled under its plastic tarp, surrounded by... things ...

If patience is gained by practice, that tractor is a saint.
Fast forward 3 years. With the promptings of a certain young man I stated work on the tractor once more. The parts are now in the shop. I have no clue what I am doing. But Jonathan and Grandpa do. All I know is we need it running but the wedding. How cool it would be to ride away on a tractor!

We are Engaged!!!

Have I ever told you our story? Being this is the the first post there is a good chance you haven't heard it yet. Every couple has a story, and I personally love them all! Maybe I am a little biased but I love ours the best! <3
It all started at the Dunkard Brethren Bible School 2016. Jonathan noticed me first. I didn't have a clue who he was. I don't remember a true conversation in the entire week, but I know he did tease me. That and every time he would walk into the room a small section of a song would run through my head. It drove me crazy! I told a friend about it when I came home.
"Ooo! Amanda!"
"Nooo... No!"

Time past and Bible School 2017 came around. Things began to happen. But I was oblivious. Jonathan teased me again. I was sitting on the top of the risers at volleyball Wednesday night, leaning over to talk to my friend.
"If I'm not careful I'll fall" I said felling a bit unstable. Jonathan looked up from where he sat just down from us.
"I wish you would"
Now I wish I would have said "Why? So you can catch me?" But good comeback seem to be in short supply in the instant demand category.
I shrugged it off.
 Supper friday night comes around. Jonathan sat across the table from me.
It is quickly discovered by one of my friends he enjoys working on antique tractors.
"Amanda. Don't you have a tractor?"
Why yes I do! It's a John Deere B. Was my great Grandpa's. I am restoring it. And if someone will listen I will talk about it!
My friend quietly fades from the conversation as Jonathan and I speak the rest of supper on antique tractors, garage sale finds, and chickens.
Again I thought nothing of it.
Sunday after church I am stopped by an older man. "I hear you have a tractor"
Now please understand, I am related to a good number of this Congregation. But I do not know him. My mind races. "Who are you? How do you know I have a tractor? I only told Jonathan... Jonathan! It must be a relation of his. Why was he talking about my tractor?"
I keep these thoughts to myself however and enter a conversation about my tractor. Jonathan comes over. I show pictures. We talk model years, and work that need done. During that day we must have had 6 different conversations. I didn't notice. Not till later.
Soon after I returned home, we began texting. Then April 24, 2017 he ask to make it official. I very happy to agree. The next 5 months flew by.
September 15, 2017. We go for a tractor ride. At the end of the drive Jonathan had posted homemade Berma Shave signs.
I love these old signs. Look them up if you don't know what they are. ;)

How could I not say yes? ;) After asking if I would like to go for a walk he gave me this watch.

I love it! That is when he ask the question. :D
We soon set the date for June 2, 2018.

Let the wedding planning began!