Yesterday was our 5th Anniversary! What a milestone! I was looking back at my blog to see what we did last year for our anniversary, and everything I wrote last year is still how I feel about my husband, but like, 10 times greater!! For our anniversary, we went to dinner at Yosemite Ranch (yummmmm) then we came home and I "surprised" Sean with Rockband!! So we played a couple of games of that, then got into bed with a movie. (Friday the 13th-- I know, not very romantic. We kinda have a weird history with horror movies and romantic moments. The night we got engaged, we saw "Cabin Fever." If you haven't seen it, well.... don't. It was awful! LOL.) So it was a wonderful anniversary. I cannot wait to see what the next year holds for us. It will most definitely be an exciting one!!
Just for old times' sake.... here's a re-post from our anniversary last year. :-)
PS- I did get a ring this year! And it fit and doesn't need sizing... its a gorgeous diamond anniversary band! I love it!!!
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June 27, 2008
Yesterday was me & Sean's (not sure about the grammar there...) 4th anniversary! Wow! It was a great, low-key day. We had lunch together (Sushi at Riverpark), then after work, we went for (what else?) some Italian food, followed by a stop at Rocky Mtn. Chocolate Factory for some chocolate covered strawberries (even though they only had one white chocolate strawberry left. I let Sean have it.), and headed home to slumber party in our living room with Disc 3 of the first part of the Final Season of our current TV series we're watching. It was nice for it to be just us... considering that the first year we were married, Sean was at CIY. On our second anniversary, we were at CIY together (our awesome kids did sing to us in the cafe), and on our third anniversary we had Junior High VBS week. This year, he was supposed to be in Mexico, but that trip got cancelled. So, like I said... it was nice to have him all to myself. :-)For our anniversary Sean really surprised me and got me a gorgeous ring with sapphires all the way around the band. Only bad thing was, it was too big, and the jeweler can't resize it because of all the stones. Bummer. :-( But, he got me a great Willow Tree statue instead. :-) I got him an Ohio State grill cover.
When I got home from work today, Sean had done a TON of yard work... pulled the pesky 4-foot high weeds growing in our side yard, trimmed our hedges along the walkway, pulled more weeds in the front, and even cut down some branches on a huge tree in the back. What a guy. I needed some time to myself to night, and even though he'd been loooking forward to us doing something together, he realized I needed the time to myself, and went out with a friend instead.I think back on 
the mere 4 years we've been married and wonder to myself, "What were we thinking then?!" We had no clue what we were getting ourselves into. In just the 4 years we've been married, we've lived in 5 different homes (or apartments), 3 different cities, and actually bought two houses. We've traveled thousands of miles together (both across this country and across the Atlantic Ocean), overcame some major hurdles in our relationship, and we've learned to love each other even through the tough times. We've had some great adventures, and I can't wait to see where the next 4... or 40 years will take us.
the mere 4 years we've been married and wonder to myself, "What were we thinking then?!" We had no clue what we were getting ourselves into. In just the 4 years we've been married, we've lived in 5 different homes (or apartments), 3 different cities, and actually bought two houses. We've traveled thousands of miles together (both across this country and across the Atlantic Ocean), overcame some major hurdles in our relationship, and we've learned to love each other even through the tough times. We've had some great adventures, and I can't wait to see where the next 4... or 40 years will take us.We've weathered hard times in our families, and been there together for other fam
ilies who were hurting. We've encouraged each other and continue to push each other and cheer one another on. He is my biggest fan, and I'm his. He is my best friend. And its only been 4 years. I don't know that I would have said 4 years ago that he was truly my best friend. We found ourselves in situations where we had no one else but each other. And that forced us to turn to the other for support, accountability, and fun. We've learned a lot. But I know we still have so much more to learn. And I can't wait!
ilies who were hurting. We've encouraged each other and continue to push each other and cheer one another on. He is my biggest fan, and I'm his. He is my best friend. And its only been 4 years. I don't know that I would have said 4 years ago that he was truly my best friend. We found ourselves in situations where we had no one else but each other. And that forced us to turn to the other for support, accountability, and fun. We've learned a lot. But I know we still have so much more to learn. And I can't wait!4 Years ago we were so young... and we still are young. But we've come a long way. Moving from the middle of America to one coast, then all the way to another coast will do that to a young couple! I am so grateful for my husband... for the selfless love he shows, no matter what my attitude is (and believe me, I know I'm not always pleasant!). He continues to surprise me in the little things, and encourages me in the things that really matter. He is my husband, my best friend, my biggest fan... he is so many things. But most of all, he is a living image of God's grace and love. I see in my husband the same kind of selfless love that Christ has for us- His church:
Unconditional. Constant. Never-changing. Endless. Intense. Gentle. And full of Grace.
Sean and I are doing a sort of fast this week. We are calling it a "non-essential spending fast." Basically, we're not going to buy anything that is a "non-essential" item. It sounds like a great idea, but as of Day One, we are already learning its not as easy as it sounds. Example: I cooked/baked all morning (special cookies for hubby) and then touched up our painting around the house, then we cleaned a bit and I did some laundry while Sean did the kitchen. Whew, it was a lot... and right before we started cleaning, Sean said "Hey, want me to go get us a Starbucks? Oh wait... I guess I can't, huh?" Nothing sounded better in the midst of our productive but not exactly relaxing day than a Venti Iced Green Tea with 3 pumps peppermint and 2 pumps classic. MMmmmmm. At only $1.80 each, that drink would hardly break the bank. HOWEVER, it is most definitely a "non-essential."
Day one has also brought the question of "What is a non-essential item?" Or better yet, what is an "essential" item? Food? Yes. Clothing? No. I won't have to go naked if I don't buy some clothes in this next week. Deodorant? Yes. (If I run out.) New eyeshadow? Probably not. ( I definitley have plenty of that!) So, as you can see, its kind of tricky.
We've been working on some projects in our back yard, and we had to think about whether or not buying potting soil is an essential or not. (We decided it is, other wise the money and efforts we've put into it this past week would be wasted.) But, I am looking forward to the challenge this week... but I also realize it means no Friday Chick-Fil-A breakfast, something I look forward to every week! (Its the little things, I know!) So I'll keep you posted on how it goes! :-)
But you can't take the youth ministry out of him!!
Check out this funny video that Sean and our Jr Hi Pastor, Jimmy did... its a promo for their summer swim parties. Hillarious!
I had such a great time in Tulsa this past week. Here's just some highlights from my week... dinner at Joe's with my BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD!!!!!!, Nana & Pa, Youth Group friend Meagan, and fun times with my Metro Girls! It was such a great week, my heart is full.
The very first album I ever remember listening to (and yes, I mean album, as in old school records) was Michael Jackson's Bad album. The very first music video I ever saw was Thriller on MTV, and I was more than a little freaked out. (Coincidentally, my mom told me that MTV stood for "Monster Television" and because of that video, I totally believed her and was scared of it!) My first superstar "crush" was also definitely Michael Jackson. My mom and I were walking in a store when I was about 8 years old. There was a Michael Jackson T-Shirt, and I went over to it and said: "(Sigh) I just love that Mackson Jackson."
Love him or hate him, the King of Pop has left a forever impression on the entire world. There's scarcely a soul in the developed world who has not seen or heard of MJ and has some kind of memory associated with his music, his dancing, his art. I am so very sad that he has died today. There are certain moments in history that have happened in my life that I will always remember... the death of princess Di, the OKC bombing, the beginning of the Iraq War, the capture/trial/execution of Saddam Hussein, 9/11, and the death of Michael Jackson. No doubt there will be more moments in history such as this, and each one deserves its proper reflection.
If you take just 5 minutes to watch MJ as an entertainer, a dancer, an artist and musician, you cannot help but be in awe of his talent. Regardless of how you feel about him personally, you can't deny his brilliance on the stage. His songs are on the soundtrack our lives, and his styles, moves and sounds will be with us forever.
I've already seen titles on Facebook such as "The King of Pop Meets the King of Kings" and "You can't take it with you-- just ask Michael Jackson." Really people? I mean, really? Maybe I need new facebook friends, but that kind of bothers me. (Not enough to lose sleep, but again.... really?)
MJ was a tortured soul on this earth. I don't know if he knew Jesus, but I sure hope he did. People are so quick to judge, so hurried to make assumptions, and we forget that everyone we talk about on TV, in movies, in magazines are real people too. They have lives that are impacted by the opinions of others. I really think that we need to re-examine the way that we, as consumers, as humans, as Christians, buy into the media hype. One other example? Jon & Kate. Need I say more? **OK, sorry, getting off my soap box... that probaby didn't make much sense ayways!**
I could watch his videos for hours, just watching his feet. Uh. May. Zing!
Its difficult to let go of a dream and realize that nothing in life is really under much of my own control. It is difficult to have to switch my visions of the future, how I thought my life would play out, all in one day.
BUT...
It is exciting to let go of my own, small picture dreams and realize that God has a BIG PICTURE reality in store. Its exciting to switch my sights from what I want, to solely setting my sights on what God wants for us.
SO...
Stay tuned. I don't know what God is doing, but he's doing something, that's for sure! :-) And in the mean time, you can pray for us as we make some big life decisions. (No, we're not pulling a Jon & Kate... we're happily married and madly in love still-- nothing like that! In fact.... 5 year anniversary this Friday!!!!!!!!)
This weekend's message at church was about asking God, or making requests of him in our prayers. It was interesting how the pastor pointed out examples after examples of how prayers are simply asking God to do something or move in some way. While I wouldn't characterize prayer as simply "asking", I do believe that asking things of God is encouraged time after time in Scripture. If I had to summarize prayer into one phrase, it would be "Communion with God." (Thanks, hubby for putting it into words.) And asking God to intervene in our lives is definitely a big part of that. In fact, as pastor pointed out this weekend, even the Lord's Prayer is made entirely of requests.
Here are a couple of verses we looked at:
James 4:2b- "You do not have, because you do not ask God."
Matthew 7:7- "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
I love the verse from James.... you don't have because you don't ask. Pretty plain and simple. Gotta love James. :-) But the message this weekend really got me thinking, what am I asking God for? And why don't I ask for more? God wants us to have an expectant heart, a faith-filled heart that knows He will answer our prayers.
I think that too often I feel guilty asking for things. But why? Why do I feel guilty asking my heavenly Father for things, when he has clearly commanded me to do so? I think, as in everything, it all boils down to motive. You see, its great to say that we need to be asking God for more, but if you're just asking out of your own selfish ambitions, of course you are going to be disappointed that your requests seemingly are not met. That's why I think the verse in James goes so well hand-in-hand with the verse in Matthew... ask... seek... knock. When we are actively seeking to know God more, searching out His plan for our lives, and longing to be in His will, the things we ask for will of course be in accordance with Him. But, when we just start making a "shopping list" of requests without seeking what it is God really wants for our lives, that's when we get into trouble.
I also think that the more I seek God, the more I will learn to ask of Him. So what am I asking for? And what are my motives? Are my desires for a family out of my own selfish ambition? Or is there more to it? Are my desires to live close to my family selfish? I have a lot to think about, but isn't it exciting to know that the God of the Universe wants us to ask HIM? And we know that His promises will not return void... in fact there's another promise that fits in with all of this too....
Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
First, we must seek and delight ourselves in the Lord. Then his desires will become our desires and we will see the fruit of that labor.
Even though this home is different than my usual taste of wide, wrap-around porches, vinyl siding and plantation shutters (yes I love the Souther style!), I think I could definitely live HERE. I love the colors in the rooms (though not crazy about the blue and yellow bathrooms) but that built in office is TO DIE FOR! Oh, and not to mention the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay! Take a few minutes and treat yourself to a tour of this gorgeous house!
First off, let me apologize for being such a horrible blogger as of late. I've fallen in love with my google reader, and therefore make no effort to come to my blogger homepage. Ever. But I plan on trying to change that this summer. :-) Not like summers mean anything in the adult world, because its the same 'ol, same 'ol. But you get the idea.
Secondly, let me apologize for the profound ugliness of this blog. I just haven't had time to make it look better! I realize its not easy on the eyes, kind of annoying and well, just ugly. I"ll work on it!
We've been painting the inside of our house... the main living area and entryway. We ahve 15 foot ceilings and guess who got to do all the up-high, extension ladder painting? Your's truly. It got easier as the days went on, but I still have a few really high up places I need to go back and touch up that I am NOT looking forward to! But I think it will look really nice when its all done.
That's all for now... I'm getting my hair cut tonight! Yay! I Can't decide how short I want to go though.... every time I cut it really short, I hate it for a while, so I'm thinking not too short. Its actually pretty long right now and I like it that way. We'll see how it turns out!
No, I'm not sleeping on the job... just trying to get those pesky corners....
This is how I painted the top of the entryway! You don't even want to know how dusty it was up on those ledges. 
More up high painting!
I thought I'd share with the rest of the world one of my all-time favorite blogs. Kate over at Centsational Girl does some absolutely amazing things with paint! I never cease to be amazed by her thrift store transformations.... here a sneak peek....
This latest conversion of brassy to classy is absolutely stunning.... go to her blog to see more! Warning: You may get sucked in for HOURS. (Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything)
