He's a Jokester...

My husband totally gets my laffy-taffy-joke-sense of humor. The fact that he gets it doesn't mean he doesn't make fun of me for it, but at least he gets it, right?!

So I went to my classroom today for the first time to try to get some stuff done. I texted Paul these pictures...

And his response...
"It looks classy. ;)"

I was seriously laughing, all alone in my little classy classroom.

Don't judge me. Don't you dare judge me! :)

DIY {fail} + l.o.v.e.

After seeing this lovely wreath I've been wanting to make one similar for weeks.  I love having something hanging on the front door. It just seems more homey and welcoming.  And especially after all the Christmas decorations come down, the outside of our home just seems bare.  So I thought I would make a Valentine wreath.  [While I'm not big on the cheesiness and over-blown roses and chocolate kind of Valentines day, I do like the reminder to take a little extra effort to make sure those we love know it.  And as I have thought about the upcoming day, I John 4:19 keeps coming to my mind.]  I made a run to Hobby Lobby to pick up the supplies I would need and spent about an hour and a half Wednesday morning working on my wreath.  When I was finished with it, it just seemed like it was lacking something. But I couldn't figure out what else to do.  But while it was kind of plain, I didn't think it looked "that bad."  

Fast forward to when Paul gets home from work. What do you think, babe? as I hold up my wreath.  You think it looks good? he replies tentatively with the slightest of winces.   

{Enter here part one of my post title.}

I laughed and admitted it was a bit lacking. So our door remains bare, and I will spare you pics of my well-envisioned but ill-fated Valentine's wreath. 

Instead, I'll leave you with...

1) a link to some {maybe cheesy but still cute} 

free Valentine printables.

2) the reason for all this fuss over Valentine's Day.

image via Red Letter Words

This Valentine's day, I pray you know how {immensely and unconditionally} loved you are. And I hope you will find a sacrificial way to show that same kind of love--His love-- to someone else.  That's what I'm aiming for... 

1 year!

We celebrated our first anniversary this past Sunday, August 8th. And as cliche as it is, my, how time flies...counting the time we dated, we've been together nearly 6 years! A lot has changed since 11th grade (for me) / 12th grade (for him) Spanish class--but a lot has remained the same--he is still making me laugh with his shy but goofy self. I'm so thankful the Lord brought us together--we balance each other perfectly. 

We celebrated with dinner at P.F. Chang's. (Paul's first time there, and only my second.) YUM. Our waitress was the sweetest--$4 off our ticket and a free dessert [i.e. the best cheesecake ever.]

  

perfection on a plate.

After dinner, we went to the Paradiso and saw "Inception" for *free*--thanks to some 4 or 5 year old movie passes (a gift from Paul's mom) that I recently found while cleaning out a drawer from college...yay for no expiration date!!

And on Tuesday, I realized we had not eaten the top layer of our wedding cake! I seriously almost started crying. How could we forget that?? So I got it out of the freezer and we re-enacted the cake cutting a couple days late...

 

Paul was skeptical after it being in the freezer for a year, but it still tasted delicious :)

The first year had its moments, as I'm sure every year will, but I wouldn't trade our life for anything. I love that we are a work in progress, that there is no definitive destination or arrival time set to achieve "the perfect marriage."  

[P.S. Thanks for enduring a post that is a bit sappy for the average reader :)]

different by design

"get past differing and get on with making a difference in one another's life. God made us different--not to hinder but to help." 
-- From my reading today in Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst.

ouch! I needed this admonishment this morning, but what an amazing way to think about our roles as husbands and wives--to make a [positive] difference in each other's lives.

If you are a wife, you need to read this book.  [It is only about an inch thick, so no excuses!] It is truly changing me and how I interact with Paul.  There are tons of marriage books out there, but, to me, this one is incredible.  It is concise, but it is FULL of God's truth, encouragement, and ideas for practical application.  God is teaching me so much about how to be fulfilled and how to be a blessing to my husband.  I mess up continually, but there is freedom and joy in knowing this: I don't have to [and can't!] do it on my own...the Lord's grace is sufficient...and his Holy Spirit is ever present to help me be what He has called me to be.