One Year

Steve and I celebrated our one year anniversary on Tuesday. I cannot believe it's been a whole year, and at the same time, I cannot believe that its' only been one year. I can absolutely say that it has been the best year of my life. Steve has brought so much laughter and love and joy and encouragement and leadership into my life.
We have walked through tough seasons together and learned how to love each other well through them. He is my best friend and there is no one else I would rather spend my time with.
I always prayed for a man that would make me laugh, that would make me feel beautiful, that would allow me to completely be myself and that is exactly what he gave me.
As I think back on this year and all the memories we have made I cannot stop smiling or feeling so incredibly blessed.I can't wait to see our relationship grow in the years to come. I know there are so many adventures to be had and there is no one I would rather have by my side.

I love you, Steve.

Here is our year in pictures:

   1. Our very first picture together(before we were dating, before I had any idea we would date) 2. Our day trip to Chattanooga, this is the day I knew I wanted to be with this boy. 3. Our first collaboration as a couple. We filled Spencers room with balloons for his birthday. 4. Thanksgiving, where Steve met my parents for the first time, two weeks after we had started dating (sorry Steve).

1. The first time I saw the words "I love you" from him. 2. My birthday present: an alarm playing a happy birthday song written and preformed by Steve. 3. What a lot of our time together looks like. Just being together while he plays his guitars (or his mistress as I call it). 4. Wall art in Austin, it made me think of him.

1. Our first road trip together. Going up to Michigan to see his parents and play at a youth retreat. 2. So much snow in Michigan. 3. Date night at home. Dressing up, cooking, dancing in the living room. 4. Leaving my parents house.

1. A blanket fort we built in my room and then watched Father Of The Bride. 2. Coffee dates, so many coffee dates. 3. Our favorite night on our trip to Florida. Dinner, the most gorgeous sunset and a walk along the beach in the moonlight. 4. The previously mentioned most gorgeous sunset.

1. Steve getting to play at the CMA fest. I was such a PROUD girlfriend. 2. Steve with his mistress again, and Jacob :) 3. Sounds game. 4. Another road trip to Michigan!!

1. At Lake Michigan. This defines our relationship. Lots of laughter. 2. Lake Michigan love. 3. Date night at an awesome brewery in town. 4. McNamera's Irish Pub with Steve's parents.

Currently:

Watching: Parenthood and Alias. I was a little late on the Parenthood train but I'm on it now and I LOVE it. I am so invested in each of the different families. I've cried once so far but I have a feeling more tears will be shed on behalf of the Bravermans. Alias is one the opposite end from Parenthood. It's a show from the 90s staring Jennifer Garnier. She is a double agent for the CIA and she is totally badass. It's such an intense show and it has made me suspicious of everyone and that they could be a secret agent..

Eating: Lately I have not been eating very well. I gave in to the "it's getting cold and I'm gonna eat fattening food to keep me warm" thing. I've eaten so much bread and pasta. But I have also eaten a lot of healthy soups so that balances it out right?? But honestly I really want to get back into the swing of healthy eating. I've definitely noticed a difference in how I feel and it has no been for the better. I've also been thinking about getting a juicer. Has anyone tried one? What are your thoughts?

Reading: I just finished reading The Night Circus. It was pretty good. It wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. I don't feel like things were explained very well and I felt confused and a little unsatisfied at the end. I just picked up a new book from the library called The Thirteenth Tale. It's too early to know what I think about it just yet though.

Listening to: A lot of Norah Jones' first album (it's my favorite of hers), also a lot of mellow music that just seems to fit with the Fall. Erick Baker, Gregory Alan Isakov, Eric Clapton, Sleeping At Last, and James Vincent McMorrow as just a few.

Thinking about: Christian community. How it looks now, how I believe it should look, how to make that a reality.

Looking forward to: Going to Colorado for Thanksgiving. Seeing my parents and brother and sister in law and three precious nieces and Aunt Heidi and cousins who I haven't seen in FAR too long. I can't wait for all the good food, laughter and baby snuggles that I plan on getting that weekend.

Making me happy: My cup of apple cider, music that makes me happy and the anticipation of getting off work and rushing home to spend time with Steve on this special day.

Thanks

I've been slacking on my thankfulness posts. Here are five more things I'm thankful for:

1. My space heater at my desk. I would be miserable without it.

2. One year with Steve (a whole other sappy post on that coming soon)

3. My community group.

4.God's provision with the most unlikely of circumstances

5. That next week is Thanksgiving and I get to see family I haven't seen in years. So excited!!

let me know what your thankful for this week!!! 

Thanks in November

Since this is the month of Thanks I have decided to do a weekly(?) thankfullness post. Maybe more often if I feel like it :) There is so much to be thankful for in our lives and thinking about them and writing them down can totally turn your day around. It changes your perspective and makes you realize all the little things that you are worrying about are nothing compared to the blessings we have. SO here we go, my first 5 things:

1. A warm and cozy house to come home to every day. (We get couches on Saturday yay!)
2. My mom for always sending me just the right words when I need them most.
3. My dad for encouraging and supporting me through this crazy time in life.
4. Apple cider
5. The feel and warmth of Steve's arms.

In The Desert

When we feel like we are living in the "desert", when prayers feel like they are going unanswered and the wandering seems like it's gone on forever, when faith and doubt feel like they are in a constant battle with each other and we wonder how much longer the Lord is going to leave us in this season, we can either choose bitterness or joy. We can choose fear or hope and trust. One is much easier than the other. One requires a constant checking of our thoughts and heart. One breathes life, the other despair.

“Walking in joy, by the resources of the Holy Spirit who abides in me, is simply believing in Him, turning our eyes to Him, leaning on Him. Simple faith. But I must be vigilant to remain in the place of joy. I must stop the troublesome thoughts and feelings the moment they begin to invade my heart and turn immediately to Him, choosing to believe in his presence and goodness.”

 “We can make a commitment to take every situation, every feeling, every fear to God as it happens. We simply have to practice walking each step with him and allow his presence to bring us the joy that comes from resting in the arms of our capable dance partner through each measure of life’s song.”