The Meaning of Marriage.

My husband and I were graciously invited to join a book club by J's best friend's parents along with four other newly(ish)weds.  Timothy Keller's book, The Meaning of Marriage, would guide our discussions from week to week.  Having never been a part of a book club, I was both excited and nervous all at the same time.  The hosts welcomed us with a delicious dinner each week and invited us to open ourselves up in a way that neither J or I had done publicly before.  I must say, I am so glad we went.

I must preface this by saying my marriage is good, very good, but all marriages need work.  I feel so lucky to have a husband who challenges me and our relationship to reach the full potential.  With that challenge comes happiness, growth, as well as discomfort and pain.  We've only been married a little over two years (have been together over 5 years), but I already am certain that we will only grow stronger throughout the years to come.

Using the Bible as his guide, the author and his wife take a look at different perspectives and aspects of marriage throughout the book's 8 chapters:

1. The Secret of Marriage

2. The Power of Marriage

3. The Essence of Marriage

4. The Mission of Marriage

5. Loving the Stranger

6. Embracing the Other

7. Singleness and Marriage

8. Sex and Marriage

Although I did not agree 100% with everything in this book, I am defintely a better wife having even thought about each chapter.  I am most definitely still learning, but I am excited about that process.  Throughout the next couple of weeks my goal is to write a little blurb on my take on each chapter- what I liked, what I want to remember, what stood out to me.

My advice-- get reading already! :)

-m

Some good advice.

My good friend, Cori (her birthday is TODAY!), sent this list along to our group of girlfriends.  It is just too good not to share.  

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old (or young), of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

My Valentine.

2 years.

Two years ago we walked down the aisle in a rustic old barn warmed by the glow of Christmas lights and recited our vows.

If only then I knew that the happiness of that day was just the beginning.

  

I am forever grateful for the love I share with my husband.  To many years of living life to the fullest next to your side, I love you Justin!

A list: 26 things for a happy life.

You all know my love of lists.  After my post yesterday, I saw this post on bellaMUMMA.  A great reminder for weeks like this one.  I might have to print this off and post it somewhere I can read it more often.

1. Always dress well 

 2. Never reveal all 

 3. Find a local coffee house to frequent 

 4. Bring fresh flowers into your home 

 5. Choose to learn and grow every day 

 6. Slow down 

 7. Eat & drink less, savour more 

 8. Write thank you notes

 9. Create a sanctuary that instills tranquility 

 10. Enjoy the morning 

 11. Drink water 

 12. Have a handful of go-to recipes that are sure to impress 

 13. Maintain your mystery 

 14. Reduce the clutter {clothes, decor, unhealthy relationships} 

15. Choose quality {clothing staples, food – fresh, not processed} 

 16. Befriend people of all ages

 17. Trust your instincts 

 18. Drink good wine 

 19. Have mandatory “me” time regularly 

 20. Be the kindness and quiet strength you want to see in the world 

 21. Enjoy meals around the table more often 

 22. Chase your dreams, but never chase a man 

 23. First walk around in someone else’s shoes before jumping to conclusions 

24. Always do your best 

 25. When you get grumpy, take a nap 

26. Revel in the knowledge that life is yours to create – get busy! 

(originally posted on The Simply Luxurious Life)

Birthday Photo Dump.

My 26th Birthday has come and gone.  Here are some photos of the sweetness.
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Good morning. 

Student love. 

Friend love.

Puppy love.

How adorable is the present from my Hubby?!

Husband love.

Dinner with my family. Too bad I was so stuffed I could barely eat this! Don't worry, I managed.

And then I ate one of these homemade yummies.  Thanks, mom!

Bowling with the in-laws.

Lookin' FRESH in my skirt and bowling kicks.  Jealous much? 

New scarf from my sister-in-laws! 

Date night with J.  Wearing my new dress!

That dude played "I like Big Butts" on his piano and sang along.  It made my night. 

Belly love.

-----

 Thanks, guys.  It was fab.

-m

Happy Birthday, Nate!

Today my baby brother turns 23 years old.  He's grown up to be quite the handsome, intelligent, and kind fella.  Love you!

-m

Gratitude.

 "Thank you".  Sometimes it's just those two simple words that can make or break your day.  After this week, I got to thinking about how important it is to let people know that you appreciate them.  Not it a big, overt, over-the-top, I bought you flowers, and a fancy car kind of way, just, "hey, thanks".

Thanks for opening the door for me.

Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for taking out the trash.

Thanks for showing up on time.

Thanks for doing your homework on time (it's possible!).

Thanks...

You get the picture.

I think this has something to do with our need for acknowledgement.  To know that someone noticed you care.  Not surprisingly, I recently took the Love Language Quiz, which revealed my language is "Words of Affirmation".   (I love these kinds of psychology-type tests!).  This means this is how I like to receive love, but not necessarily how I give love.  Why is it so hard to remember to positively affirm one another sometimes?  

Not only does it feel good when someone is thankful for you, but it feels so so good to let other people know you are thankful for them.  Like a weight off your back.  

I need to work on that, too.

Now, I know I'm a big sappy mess in this post, but I just felt like spilling the beans today... er, my thoughts.  On that note, thank you to all my friends and family.  I am truly blessed.

12.17.11- Celebrating One Year.

On Friday morning, J let me know that, well... maybe he did have a little something up his sleeve.  He told me to be ready to leave on Saturday morning at 11:30, to dress nice, and to bring a change of clothes.  I love a good surprise :) 

First stop, the Kansas City Ballet's "Nutcracker".  Growing up dancing, I adore this holiday show.  J, on the other hand, had never seen it. (BTW, he thought they would talk....)  It was such a beautiful performance- definitely put me in the holiday spirit!

 The ballet was at the new Kauffman Center, which was a perfect auditorium for this show.  Loved it!

 We came back to our hotel downtown surrounded by the holiday lights.  Did I mention, I'm spoiled?

Not the most flattering picutre of our chef, but the food was to. die. for.  YUM!

 After dinner we drove around to look at the lights.  I love this time of year, and I love spending it with my family.  Thanks for the best year a wife could dream of-- love you, J!

-m

Snow Globes.

So you have probably seen this craft floating around on Pinterest, and I decided to give it a try.  I thought it might be neat to start a snow-globe anniversary tradition.  I can just imagine looking back at 15, 20, even 50 years of snow globes, each with a little something from that year of our marriage.  We'll see how that goes :)

I looked high and low for a house ornament.  You would have thought that would have been easy to find.  I wasn't even being picky- a ginderbread house would have worked! I found pizzas, pigs, tutus, ... and no house.  So I improvised.  That's a wooden #1 I painted red (for 1st annivesary), the 3 trees I found in the Hob Lob craft section, and for some height, I added the silver ornament.  The silver key replaced the house-- biggest event of our first year, our first house!

Dumped a bunch of glitter in the jar.  Sparkles!

The clock is the modern first anniversary gift.  I just used hot glue to put it all together.  Let's hope it stays together-- for like ever.

 

I read on one blog (sorry, don't remmeber where!) that you could use baby oil to help the glitter "float" like snow.  This is what happened with the baby oil-- not snow--more like Gak.  (Remember Gak??!)

I opted for just water and glitter.  I tied a tag to the jar with a little recap of our year.  Happy Anniversary!

Enjoy!
-m

One year.

One year ago today, I married the love of my life.  Best year yet!

-m

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the most amazing husband!  I love you more than you even know.  I can't wait for a lifetime of birthday parties with you--even if you will always be one year younger than me :)  You are my fav.