Three years ago today I was preparing to marry my best friend, better half and the love of my life! We were talking about it last night, and in some ways it seems like it has been so much longer than that (not in a bad way)! We have been through quite a bit in the last three years, and there is no way I would have made it without him!
Ben is my biggest fan, supporter and steadfast man! God blessed me so much when he gave Ben to me. We all know I can tend to be the type A, driven person, and Ben is so good for me in that way, he helps balance me out. He is a quiet leader and a man of God. I am honored to have him as my husband and the father of my children. I only hope I continue to grow to be the kind of wife that supports and loves him daily.
We have grown a lot in the past three years. For most people, their biggest adjustments are over finances, combining households, in-laws, etc, but those things haven't been as big of adjustments as some of the other things that have come our way. I am thankful that God sees the bigger picture and that He only has His BEST in mind for us, and because of this, we can get through whatever comes our way! I know we can accomplish more together than we ever could apart, and that is the beauty of marriage!
As I reflect on the past three years, these are some of the things we have experienced as a married couple: (warning, could be in random order!)
Being students of each other-learning about each other's love languages
Purchasing a home in Boise
Honeymoon trip to Mexico
My stressful (but wonderful) job in Boise
Ben surviving lay-offs at his job in Boise
Re-doing our master bedroom in Boise
Developing deep and meaningful friendships with other couples and singles that will last our lifetime
Re-landscaping our entire yard in Boise (by hand...no farm equipment there!)
Finding a home church in Boise
Deciding to quite my job in Boise
Spending as much time with family as possible
Ben deciding to take a new job at WSU
Packing up our house into a UHAUL one year after we moved in
Un-packing our house into my parent's garage for 3 months
Spending the summers on the Palouse driving harvest truck
Finding renters for our home in Boise
Several trips to Montana to visit family and celebrate our marriage
Me learning to drive a motorcycle
Motorcycle trips
Selling our motorcycle
Celebrating our one year anniversary in San Diego!
Spending our second anniversary together serving on a missions trip to Guatemala
A trip to Mexico for Christmas with the Morgan family
Learning and developing new hobbies together: water-skiing (Ben), playing games, fishing, cooking
Staring another business-Pampered Chef
Finding out we were going to be parents for the first time!
Loosing our first child
Getting our first dog and cat
Loosing our first dog and cat
Remodeling an over 100 year old home together (with the help of others!!)
Landscaping our yard in Pullman (with the help of family and TRACTORS this time!)
Getting involved in our church in Colfax
Developing and deepen new and existing relationships with friends in the Palouse
Various trips to Seattle, Oregon, Boise
Celebrating with several friends while they tie the knot!
Ben starting a new job at WSU
Ben surviving lay offs and a job transition at WSU
Purchasing new vehicles together-and selling vehicles together
Missing our friends in the Boise area very much
Becoming pregnant again-it's a girl!
Surgery during pregnancy
Bed rest and modified bed rest for...well, 9 weeks now...6-7 more to go!
Learning how to communicate and share with one another at a deep level
Dreaming about the future
Through all of these events and more, we have grown because of our commitment to each other and to God. It hasn't always been easy, and some of the "whys" we will never know, but we strive to grow through each circumstance He brings our way. We pray our marriage honors God and each other as we go through this journey called life. I can only imagine what lies in store for us for the next 53 years!
I love you hubby! Thank you for choosing ME!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Decaf Skinny Vanilla Latte
So today I had a follow up appointment for the cyst removal on my eyebrow. Things looks pretty good. There might still be some in there, but he wants me to wait for awhile and see what it does. Ugh.
BUT...I drove myself to my appointment! I don't know if I was "approved" to do that, but I did. Do you know how much freedom I felt?! I haven't driven in 8 weeks and while I am learning to be content being "down," there was something about being able to get in my own car and drive myself to town. Sometimes I feel trapped by my own home. I can imagine this is how moms that stay home probably feel at times, so maybe it is a nice preparation for that.
Anyway, I decided since I was in town I would limit myself to two other "errands." I went to the bank, and went to Safeway. Wow-who knew one could miss the grocery store. I picked myself up some new magazines and treated myself to a Starbucks decaf skinny vanilla latte (sorry Daily Grind, I was already at Safeway). Oh yum!
Not quite as good as the "real" thing, but what a treat! My glucose test results were high, so I am now watching what I eat more closely, and pretty much cutting out sweets in my diet. Ugh again--especially since I have really been craving sweets for the past few weeks. I suppose it doesn't hurt though. Yet another sacrifice. It will all be worth it, I know!
Many things to be thankful for:
A trip to town
Blooming flowers
The sun shining
Being almost 29 weeks pregnant! Yay little cupcake-keep growing!
New magazines
My husband's love that continues to help me through the tough days
My family
A good report from our doctor last week
Crafts to keep me busy
My mother-in-law coming to visit/help
Friends/family coming to visit to help pass the time
The Internet
Netflix
The love of my Savior and the peace that continues to surround me
Well, I have reached the bottom of my coffee, so I suppose it's back to water!
BUT...I drove myself to my appointment! I don't know if I was "approved" to do that, but I did. Do you know how much freedom I felt?! I haven't driven in 8 weeks and while I am learning to be content being "down," there was something about being able to get in my own car and drive myself to town. Sometimes I feel trapped by my own home. I can imagine this is how moms that stay home probably feel at times, so maybe it is a nice preparation for that.
Anyway, I decided since I was in town I would limit myself to two other "errands." I went to the bank, and went to Safeway. Wow-who knew one could miss the grocery store. I picked myself up some new magazines and treated myself to a Starbucks decaf skinny vanilla latte (sorry Daily Grind, I was already at Safeway). Oh yum!
Not quite as good as the "real" thing, but what a treat! My glucose test results were high, so I am now watching what I eat more closely, and pretty much cutting out sweets in my diet. Ugh again--especially since I have really been craving sweets for the past few weeks. I suppose it doesn't hurt though. Yet another sacrifice. It will all be worth it, I know!
Many things to be thankful for:
A trip to town
Blooming flowers
The sun shining
Being almost 29 weeks pregnant! Yay little cupcake-keep growing!
New magazines
My husband's love that continues to help me through the tough days
My family
A good report from our doctor last week
Crafts to keep me busy
My mother-in-law coming to visit/help
Friends/family coming to visit to help pass the time
The Internet
Netflix
The love of my Savior and the peace that continues to surround me
Well, I have reached the bottom of my coffee, so I suppose it's back to water!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Choosing Joy
Happiness is based on happenings, joy is a choice. I learned this once at a camp I went to in Jr. High. This is a thought that has been on my mind this week.
It's easy to be "happy" when all the happenings of our lives are going as planned, and there aren't too many major bumps in the road. Needless to say, it would be easy for me to not be "happy" this week. Maybe it's because I'm pregnant, but isn't it interesting how easy it is to get upset or be moody? It's like the littlest thing can set me off and put me in a bad mood all day, if I let it.
Instead, I should choose joy. For joy can be present in my life, when all the happenings seem to be not going "as planned."
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." Galatians 5:22-23
When something doesn't go the way I planned-do I feel sorry for myself, or do I choose to make the most out of the situation I've been given?
When I can't just run to town to buy groceries-do I get in a bad mood because it doesn't seem fair, or do I choose to be thankful for my husband, mom, and others who are willing to help us out?
When I develop a cyst on my eyebrow that has to be removed amongst everything else going on-do I just "add it to the list" of things I "have to deal with," or do I choose to be thankful, once again, for doctors that can help us out?
When we can't go on trips that we planned to take together before the baby arrived-do I let the selfishness creep in to allow myself to have a pity party, or do I choose to find joy in the sacrificial love of being a mom?
When I think about the past 6 weeks, and the next 13ish to come-do I let myself get completely overwhelmed with all that I can't/won't be able to do, or do I praise God for the 6 weeks he has given baby Cupcake to grow and mature in my womb, and thank him for each day that I have the privilege of carrying this beautiful child?
I am human, so naturally, I must admit, I don't always choose joy. But I am praying that the fruits of the Spirit would be more evident in my life every single day. I pray that we would be willing to be obedient-no matter what it is that He calls us to.
I am so thankful that He doesn't give up on us, even when we make the same mistake over and over again. I can imagine it's kind of like the love you have for your kids. You see them make decisions/mistakes, and yet you love them through it, and encourage them to choose to learn something from the mistakes they made.
What a beautiful, sacrificial love that continues to choose joy.
Joy-such a small but challenging word!
It's easy to be "happy" when all the happenings of our lives are going as planned, and there aren't too many major bumps in the road. Needless to say, it would be easy for me to not be "happy" this week. Maybe it's because I'm pregnant, but isn't it interesting how easy it is to get upset or be moody? It's like the littlest thing can set me off and put me in a bad mood all day, if I let it.
Instead, I should choose joy. For joy can be present in my life, when all the happenings seem to be not going "as planned."
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." Galatians 5:22-23
When something doesn't go the way I planned-do I feel sorry for myself, or do I choose to make the most out of the situation I've been given?
When I can't just run to town to buy groceries-do I get in a bad mood because it doesn't seem fair, or do I choose to be thankful for my husband, mom, and others who are willing to help us out?
When I develop a cyst on my eyebrow that has to be removed amongst everything else going on-do I just "add it to the list" of things I "have to deal with," or do I choose to be thankful, once again, for doctors that can help us out?
When we can't go on trips that we planned to take together before the baby arrived-do I let the selfishness creep in to allow myself to have a pity party, or do I choose to find joy in the sacrificial love of being a mom?
When I think about the past 6 weeks, and the next 13ish to come-do I let myself get completely overwhelmed with all that I can't/won't be able to do, or do I praise God for the 6 weeks he has given baby Cupcake to grow and mature in my womb, and thank him for each day that I have the privilege of carrying this beautiful child?
I am human, so naturally, I must admit, I don't always choose joy. But I am praying that the fruits of the Spirit would be more evident in my life every single day. I pray that we would be willing to be obedient-no matter what it is that He calls us to.
I am so thankful that He doesn't give up on us, even when we make the same mistake over and over again. I can imagine it's kind of like the love you have for your kids. You see them make decisions/mistakes, and yet you love them through it, and encourage them to choose to learn something from the mistakes they made.
What a beautiful, sacrificial love that continues to choose joy.
Joy-such a small but challenging word!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Lilly & Tiger
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Well, we have new life at our house! Two new kitties who are all about exploring their new territory!! Tiger is the one that looks like a Tiger, and Lilly is the black one.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Groucho
I never thought I would see the day when I cared so much about a cat. Who would have thought? Cat's are stupid and only good for mousing. (OK, give me a minute all you cat lovers out there.) Surly we can all agree that they aren't loyal, you can't train them, and they scratch things.
Well, we had an exception to my above statements. Groucho was given to us at the age of 12-13ish. That's OLD for a cat!! He became a part of our family instantly because he was different. We were sure he must have been part dog. I trained him (mostly) to lay in his bed in the kitchen, and not to leave that spot. And he followed us around whenever we were outside. He would even "greet" us as we drove in our driveway. He was also like a dog in the fact that he loved attention. He LOVED being petted, and held! He would have been a lap cat, had I let him. Oh, and he loved music. He loved being inside when I was teaching lessons.
We were blessed to have him eat our mice for 2 years, but we are pretty sure he has passed on. He has been missing for about a week now. We've noticed he hadn't quite been himself lately-that maybe he was showing some signs of age.
We haven't found him anywhere, so I'm just hoping he found a cozy corner to curl up in and pass on. Timing is interesting. We lost our dog only about 10 months ago, after only having her for 3. I hope this isn't a reflection on our "nurturing" abilities! I know, pets are just pets. But still...
So thanks Grouch0-thanks for putting my faith back into "cat" world. Thank you for loving us through these past 2 years. Sometimes I think I told you things because you were a set of ears that would always just listen. Thanks for putting up with our dog when we had her. Thanks for trusting us to meet your needs.
Hope you are having fun in pet heaven! We will miss you, and like our beautiful dog Docker, you will always have a place in our hearts!
Well, we had an exception to my above statements. Groucho was given to us at the age of 12-13ish. That's OLD for a cat!! He became a part of our family instantly because he was different. We were sure he must have been part dog. I trained him (mostly) to lay in his bed in the kitchen, and not to leave that spot. And he followed us around whenever we were outside. He would even "greet" us as we drove in our driveway. He was also like a dog in the fact that he loved attention. He LOVED being petted, and held! He would have been a lap cat, had I let him. Oh, and he loved music. He loved being inside when I was teaching lessons.
We were blessed to have him eat our mice for 2 years, but we are pretty sure he has passed on. He has been missing for about a week now. We've noticed he hadn't quite been himself lately-that maybe he was showing some signs of age.
We haven't found him anywhere, so I'm just hoping he found a cozy corner to curl up in and pass on. Timing is interesting. We lost our dog only about 10 months ago, after only having her for 3. I hope this isn't a reflection on our "nurturing" abilities! I know, pets are just pets. But still...
So thanks Grouch0-thanks for putting my faith back into "cat" world. Thank you for loving us through these past 2 years. Sometimes I think I told you things because you were a set of ears that would always just listen. Thanks for putting up with our dog when we had her. Thanks for trusting us to meet your needs.
Hope you are having fun in pet heaven! We will miss you, and like our beautiful dog Docker, you will always have a place in our hearts!
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