My Life as a Coastie Wife

Blissful Blogger

2011-08-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

My beautiful little sister recently decided to tag my blog for the Blissful Blogger award. What a sweet sissy I have to give me an award when I'm not even good about posting regularly ;-).

The rules of this award are to share 7 facts about yourself and then tag 7 other bloggers. However, since I'm kind of a -- what's the word-- lame blogger, I don't have 7 people to tag, so I will simply tag the fabulous blogs that I am familiar with.

7 Facts about Bailey:

1. I am absolutely, head-over-heals in love with my husband, Ryan. We have been married for a little over two years, and I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He is the perfect combination of fun and serious. He is tall (very, very tall) and handsome. He is sweet but he also knows when to tell me how it is. He's pretty much the greatest :-).

In Seattle at Pike Place Market

2. I am a big family girl. Sometimes I still feel like a little kid because of how much I love and miss my parents. I still talk to my mom every day, and I sit on my dad's lap when I'm in Colorado visiting.

I'm also super blessed to have an incredible relationship with my younger sister, Jordan. She is my best friend and always will be, no matter the distance between us.

Jord and me, Summer 2011

The whole family, January 2011

3. I have discovered that I am a Colorado person through and through. I used to think that I was a warm-weather, beach-loving girl, but now that I live in Florida, I have discovered all of the things that I took for granted about Colorado. You did good on the ocean, God, but I think the mountains win!

4. I'm a major foodie. Like my sister, I savor one meal while simultaneously planning my next one. And since I have somewhat low blood sugar, I get very shaky and grumpy when I don't have enough food in my body. So I pretty much always have snacks :-).

5. I love, love, love coffee! The bummer part: My body responds very badly to caffeine. Oh well. Tall decaf nonfat lattes all the way!

6. I am in the process of creating my own company. I studied Professional and Technical Writing at the University of South Florida, and I would like to launch my own freelance writing business. If all goes well with the paperwork, I'll announce the name of my company soon!

7. I haven't really shared this one with anybody but Ryan lately, so you're a lucky group ;-). While I am thrilled about the fact that a couple of my friends are starting to have babies, and I can't wait for my sisters-in-law to have little ones, I am fairly terrified about having my own kids still. I'm hoping that this changes in the next couple of years, because I know that I want kids eventually. I just still get massive butterflies any time I think about bringing a child into this crazy world. Can anyone relate?

That's just a few fun facts about me. I could share plenty more with all of the amazing blessings that God has put in my life, but that'll do for now. So here are the wonderful blogs that I'm tagging to receive this award:

Through Clouded Glass

Living life and loving it

Life Together

Smiling Adventures

Have a great rest of the week!

Getting Motivated

2011-08-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

Before I say anything else in this post, I just have to brag a little bit about my amazing husband. Last Friday was his birthday, and the poor guy didn't get to celebrate the way he deserved. He had to work late, so a special birthday dinner wasn't an option. Then most of the weekend was spent doing projects around our house. But he never acted disappointed about any of it. I love that about him. He is so easy-going and selfless. If things don't go the way he originally hoped, he makes the best of the situation and helps me to do the same. How did I get so lucky?!

Now for the "getting motivated" part of my post. With the extremely hot, extremely muggy weather that's been plaguing Florida, I have felt so lethargic and lazy. To make things worse, I have been craving nothing but pure junk food. Not wanting to work out and dreaming of fatty foods don't create the best combination for trying to stay healthy and fit.

While part of me wants to make excuses and say that I'll get back into a healthier routine once the climate cools, I know that I need to just get motivated NOW.

Part of my desire to stay healthy is coming from a pretty big goal that I have for the semi-near future. As some of you may know, my sister and my mom ran the Sarasota First Watch Half Marathon last spring. Well... my sister has recruited me to join her in the race for this year. I've never run more than 6 or maybe 7 miles before, so it will definitely be a challenge. But as long as I get motivated, I'll be ready to face it.

My sister and mom after the race. They did awesome!

It will be a while before I officially start training for the race, but in the meantime, I'll post some of my other goals. Having them in writing might make me stick to them more :-).

1. Exercise 5 days out of each week

2. Drink more water!

3. Practice better self-control with junk food, but allow myself a treat every once in a while

4. Vary my workouts to avoid boredom

5. Eat healthy snacks throughout the day to avoid binging on chips when I get home :-)

6. Keep a good perspective - treat my body as a temple and a gift from God, not as an obsession

If anyone has tips on getting motivated and staying healthy, please share! I'll be back soon with my own progress report :-).

Food and Wine

2011-07-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Since Ryan has been out of town, I decided that I should make a couple of recipes that wouldn't necessarily fit his taste buds. So tonight, I made a recipe out of the June edition of Cooking Light: Bombay Shrimp Curry with Coconut Rice. It was DELICIOUS! For those of you who like Indian or spicy food, I would highly recommend this recipe. It is easy and fairly quick to make, yet it makes you feel like you've whipped up something special. Here is how to make this spectacular curry dish. (Sidenote: I cut the recipe in half, and it produced the perfect amount for one person to have dinner plus some left over)

5 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups prechopped onion

1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder

1 tablespoon mustard seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1 1/3 cups hot water

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 cup light coconut milk

1 cup uncooked instant rice (I used brown rice)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (I didn't have cilantro, so I garnished it with chopped green onions, and it tasted great)

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil; swirl to coat. Sprinkle shrimp with 1/8 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Add shrimp to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan.

2. Reduce heat to medium; add remaining 3 teaspoons oil; swirl to coat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, curry powder, and next 3 ingredients (through red pepper); cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add hot water and peas and carrots; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 4 minutes. Return shrimp to pan; cook 1 minute.

3. While curry cooks, bring milt to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon slat and rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

4. Place about 1/3 cup rice on each of 4 plates; top each serving with about 1 cup shrimp mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 3/4 teaspoon cilantro (or green onions).

Yield: 4 servings

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe. I'd be curious to know if other people like it as much as I did.

Now to the "wine" portion of my post. You may have noticed in my previous post that I included a link to a website for my dad's wine. Over the past year or so, my dad has worked to start a wine business with his close friend. Because their business is located in Loveland, CO, they have appropriately decided to call it Sweetheart City Wines. Though they are in the process of making their own wines, it will not be ready for some time. In the meantime they have selected a number of choice red wines from California's wine country, and they are also searching for white wines to feature next year. I've tried each of their current wines, and I love every one of them, though the Syrah is definitely my favorite.

Part of the reason I'm sharing this is obviously to help promote my dad's new business. But I'm also sharing it simply because I am proud of what my daddy is doing. He has always wanted to have his own business, and now he is making that dream a reality. He has been a constant support system to me throughout my life, so now I want to support him in what he's doing. I am so happy that he is getting to pursue something that he enjoys, and I wish him all the success he deserves.

So one more little marketing plug :-)... The next time you're looking for some delicious red wine, check out Sweetheart City Wines. They have great selections for the special occasions in your life, and I'm not just saying that because it's my dad's wine. You'll just have to take my word for it :-).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Catching Up

2011-07-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

After a busy month, I'm back from my blogging break and ready to share all that we've been up to. First and foremost, our trip to Colorado.

As usual, we enjoyed every minute in our beautiful home state with our amazing families. Though we were there for a whole two weeks, this trip went by faster than any of our visits to date. It may have been due to all of the wedding festivities during our first week in town.

My sister-in-law, Jenna, married the love of of her life, Brady, in a gorgeous ceremony on June 26. The wedding was beautiful, and it was amazing to be a part of it! I wish Jenna and Brady the absolute best in their life together, and I pray that God will bless their marriage immensely!

Other happenings in Colorado included....

Spending lots of time with the people we love the most.

My sweet sisters-in-law

My awesome father-in-law

Best family I could ask for!

Ry with his mom... I love her!

Enjoying the great outdoors.

Hiking in Estes Park

My sister, Jordan, and her boyfriend (also named Ryan)

And, of course, eating delicious food!

Homemade pizza with my Dad's wine

Some sweet treats

We were NOT ready to come back from such a wonderful trip. I definitely shed lots of tears our first few days back in Florida. I'm already counting the days 'til I can see my family again! I know I say this all the time, but I am so thankful to God that he has blessed me with such incredible loved ones. My own family members and my in-laws are the most loving, tender-hearted, and fun people I know. God is certainly good!

Shortly after we got back from Colorado, Ryan and I celebrated our two-year anniversary. Thanks to my generous aunt and uncle, we enjoyed a delicious anniversary dinner at Texas Cattle Company. Needless to say, my meat-and-potatoes husband was in heaven :-). But the highlight of my dinner was the Oreo cheesecake for dessert. Yum!

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for my husband. He is so good to me, and life would not be the same without him. He always makes me feel loved and beautiful with his sweet kisses, warm hugs, and encouraging words. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a charming, handsome, and genuinely kind man!

Speaking of my wonderful husband, I have been without him for the past week due to a Coast Guard deployment. Having him gone makes me even more aware of how much I love being with him. Even watching TV isn't the same when he's not here. Thankfully, he doesn't get deployed very often, and I have less than a week until I see his cute face again!

So that's pretty much what's been going on with us. I hope all of you have been enjoying the summer! I can't wait to catch up on some of your blogs too!

On Fathers' Day

2011-06-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

On Fathers' Day, I would like to share just how much I adore my daddy!

Since I was a little girl, I have constantly heard "You like just like your dad!" But as I grow older, I find myself hoping that my inner qualities resemble my father as well. I respect my daddy in so many ways, and I want to pick up on his many admirable traits.

My dad is sweet and kind-hearted, and he cares deeply for his family. He has always worked hard to provide for his girls and tells us he loves us on a consistent basis. He showers us with affection and I still savor his warm hugs whenever I see him.

My dad is a man of faith, and he has made his relationship with Jesus a central part of his life. He has made a lasting impact in the lives of young men by leading a Bible study, and he wants the best for his church and spiritual community.

My dad is wise and always offers good advice, whether it's giving insight into the thought process of my husband (who I sometimes think is a younger version of my dad :-)) or giving me guidance on how to handle things at work.

My dad is fun and isn't afraid to show his goofy side. He has one of the most contagious laughs I've ever heard. Once he starts laughing hard about something, I can't help but laugh with him until tears stream down my face. I love his silly sense of humor and the way he always found ways to entertain my mom, my sister, and me.

I love my daddy more than any of this can express. Thank you, God, for blessing me with such an amazing father! Happy Fathers' Day, Daddy!

Looking forward to...

2011-06-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Now that summer has arrived, there are so many things that I am looking forward to! I feel like I'm counting down the days to many fun events in the near future. It makes it a little bit hard to keep plugging away at work and everyday life when I'm so antsy for all of our upcoming plans :-).

First, I get to see these cute faces in just five days!

I can't wait to spend some time with my adorable cousins, Travis and Hayley when they come to Florida this Friday. Their parents are taking them to Disney World for summer vacation, so Ryan and I are making the drive to Orlando to spend a day with them at Cocoa Beach before their Disney adventure begins.

Next, we are leaving on June 21st for beautiful Colorado! During our two weeks there, we will get to celebrate in wedding festivities for Ryan's sister, Jenna, and her soon-to-be husband, Brady. I'm so honored to be a part of the wedding, and I can't wait to spend time with my wonderful in-laws during the pre-wedding fun. I am also quite excited it to wear my pretty, bright bridesmaid dress!!!

On top of Jenna and Brady's wedding, I am thrilled to have time with my own family as well! It will be so amazing to be home with my parents and sister. I love seeing all of their faces when I wake up in the morning, and I can't wait to do some fun things together. I'm hoping that we'll get a hike or lake day in while we're there to enjoy Colorado's great outdoors too :-).

I know that it will be hard to say goodbye to everyone as we return from Colorado- as it always is- but at least I have more to look forward to when we get back. In July, I'm helping to plan a baby shower for my friend, Nicole. Not only will it be fun to find cute baby decorations and gifts for the party; it will also be a way of showering her with support and love before she has her precious baby boy in August!

Though this may be a particularly abundant season of my life with many fun events in the upcoming future, I am blessed to know that God is good all the time. Because of Him, every day can be something to look forward to!

My Mama

2011-05-10T17:38:00.001-07:00

This post is a bit late, but in honor of Mothers' Day, I wanted to take a minute to tell everyone what an amazing mother I have.

Throughout my life...

My Mama has nurtured, comforted, and encouraged me. She is the person I can run to when I'm hurt or sad, who listens attentively or holds me when I cry.

My Mama has laughed with me until both of our ribs ached. She has made funny faces, danced silly dances, and made cheesy jokes with my sister and me. With her, we can be as goofy as we want and she loves us just the same.

My Mama has amazed me with her wisdom and immense amount of faith. She continues to live her life to the glory of God and has raised her children to do the same.

My Mama has held me close while also allowing me to fly. I will always be her little girl, but she rejoices in the new stages of my life and encourages me to be the best I can be.

My Mama has been everything to me, and I thank God for her presence in my life. Happy (late) Mothers' Day, Mama! Love you so much! xoxo

Wedding Talk

2011-04-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Can I just take a minute to share with all of you how much I loved Kate Middleton's wedding dress! She always looks really classy, so I knew that it would be beautiful, but oh my goodness! I fell in love, and I want to wear that dress right this minute!

I didn't see the dress until today, because I went to an English tea party at a friend's house, where we dressed up, ate scones, drank tea out of pretty china cups, and of course...watched the wedding ceremony.

I think I loved the dress so much because it was a flawless combination of classic and modern bridal styles. But since I'm an old soul, I definitely appreciated the traditional silhouette most. As I watched her walk down the isle, I kept having visions of Maria in the Sound of Music and Grace Kelly. Kate's dress definitely reflected both of these very classic designs. I think the gorgeous lace sleeves and full, but sleek skirt made her look like true royalty.

I realize that this post is centered on a somewhat surface, perhaps frivolous, topic. But every once in a while, I like to embrace some of the fun things about being a girl. And that includes admiring incredible wedding dresses and dreaming of being a princess myself. After all, EVERY girl is a princess, right! :-)

My Savior Lives!

2011-04-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to each and every one of you! I hope you had a blessed day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! During worship at church this morning, it struck my heart afresh how glorious is the gift that Jesus bestowed upon those who trust in Him. The words of one song in particular touched my spirit, making me want to cry at the cost of my salvation, but also rejoice at my God's victory over death and the mercy He shows to me.

"You came near, from the everlasting to the world we live…The Father's only Son. You lived, You died, You rose again on high. You opened the way for the world to live again. Hallelujah for all You've done!"

I always love this song, but it has a special meaning on Easter, as we recognize what Jesus did for us and why we should live to bring Him glory. He conquered the grave and made a public spectacle of sin. He deserves every ounce of our praise!

Following that brief little "sermon" (haha!), I want to share some photos from our Easter celebration. Unfortunately, I didn't have my act together enough to get pictures with much food in them. But you'll get to see the blank canvas of our buffet tables. Ryan and I had a blast with many of our church friends, who joined us after the service for a resurrection Sunday brunch. We had ham, creamy potatoes, deviled eggs, muffins, and more scrumptious foods. It was wonderful hosting such a fun get-together, especially with our house back in order. As you’ll see in the pictures, Ryan finished installing our wood floors and baseboard this weekend. He's so great :-)!

I hope you enjoy these few pictures. Happy Easter again! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Table #1 with yummy deviled eggs

Table #2 with plates ready to go

Close-up of the pretty flowers

I had to get another close-up of the flowers. I loved the spring colors!

An "after" shot of our ham :-)

Our sitting room, looking lovely with finished wood floors. Thank God for handy husbands!

¡Deliciosa!

2011-04-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

Here's something that many of you may not know about me. I looooooove food, but I am not a huge fan of cooking. That presents a problem now that I no longer live with my parents, as I have to make my own meals, in addition to meals for my husband. It also doesn't help that Ryan is a much more picky eater than I am. I often get frustrated and discouraged when I'm planning a weekly dinner menu for us. I feel like I get stuck in a rut with the meals that I make, and I find myself longing for variety.

That's why I was thrilled to hear that some friends of ours were hosting a "Food-from-around-the-World" party. This would give me the chance to make something different and strengthen my culinary skills! I struggled for a long time over what to make. I wanted it to be somewhat appetizing for my picky hubby, but I also didn't want something boring. I thought about Mexican food, since good Mexican food is almost impossible to come by in Florida. I considered making a Swedish cookie that is traditional for my family at Christmas. But then I finally decided on a main dish that stemmed from my fond memories of my family's visit to Spain: paella.

Initially, I wanted to make the paella with chicken, sausage and shrimp, but wanting to appeal to the largest number of taste buds, I chose to exclude the seafood. If you do like shrimp, I would highly suggest using it if you decide to attempt this very yummy, but very easy Spanish dish.

Because I push things to the very last minute, I was lucky to find a quick recipe for paella on allrecipes.com that I altered just slightly (love that website!). And to my pleasant surprise, it turned out quite "deliciosa" and fairly traditional from what I remembered of paella in lovely España.

So if you face the same struggles that I do with your weekly dinner assortment, add some Spanish flair to your dinnertime with this paella recipe.

Ingredients:
4 oz. chorizo
2 chicken breasts (cubed)
1/2 chopped onion
1 cup peas
1/2 stalk celery with leaves
1 clove garlic
1 cup rice
1 can diced tomatoes (juice reserved)
1 or 2 dried bay leaves
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup white wine

Fry chorizo in a skillet and remove. Fry the cubed chicken in the same skillet and remove. Saute garlic, onion, and other vegetables until tender. Then stir in the rice, tomatoes, chopped bay leaves, salt, oregano, and turmeric. Cook and stir for about 1 minute, then add the tomato juice, chicken broth, and white wine. Add the chicken, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the chorizo, and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Then....enjoy! (Serves 4-5 people)

New Floors!

2011-04-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

The old, very ugly tile

This past weekend, Ryan and I decided to finally part ways with our old, white, cracked, ugly ceramic tile and install new hardwood flooring! Though we still have to finish the transitional areas and put in new baseboard, I am already so pleased with the results of Ryan's hard work (Yes, it was all him... I did nothing!).

Old kitchen

I have loved decorating our house and making it our own. But this is probably my favorite thing that we have done so far. It makes the entire house feel so much warmer, and it's not even finished yet.

New kitchen! It looks lighter in this pic because of the flash.

I can't wait to get the rest of the flooring in and get my house back in order, but I'm so thankful that we were able to say "bye bye" to the old tile! So even if it means that I have to deal with a little more chaos within the next week, I'll take it for the end result of shiny wood floors!

I love it!

Back to Blogging

2011-04-02T12:21:00.001-07:00

After almost three months away from the blogging scene, I have decided to make a very belated New Years resolution and commit to writing on my blog more regularly. I think I pressure myself into writing something extraordinarily entertaining or inspirational EVERY time I complete a new post. So instead of trying to think of something incredible to write, I avoid blogging altogether. But I have to remember my main reason for even creating a blog... to keep my friends, family and loved ones in tune with what is happening in my life and to share little insights and experiences along the way. So with that in mind, I am launching back into blogging.

Since it has been a while since I've visited my own blog, I have a wide variety of updates. Don't worry, I'm not going to share everything at once. Baby steps :-).

The first thing I'm going to start with is my recent graduation from college. That's right, I have been an official college graduate since December 10, 2010! I can't believe it's taken me this long to write about it. At first, it didn't even really hit me that I finally had my degree. I decided not to walk in the graduation ceremony since my family couldn't be here and because I didn't have any close friends graduating with me. But Ryan let me know how proud he was of me by giving me a new scarf and a new camera case. He made sure that I couldn't tear into the presents too quickly by wrapping them entirely with tape. He's so ornery but so cute too :-). My family also treated me to a nice dinner when I visited them in Colorado after Christmas. It felt fabulous to celebrate my long-awaited accomplishment with the people I love!

It feels amazing to be done with school and to be part of the real working world. I am currently working for a company in Tampa, helping to write and edit proposals. It's a temporary position, but it has been fantastic experience. I've also been fortunate enough to gain writing experience by doing projects for my dad's company in Colorado. I'm hoping that these projects will help to build my resume so I can eventually work from home, doing freelance writing for a variety of companies. To keep fresh on my creative writing skills, I have also been contributing articles to a local magazine called Positive Impact. Visit their website if you're interested. It's really an awesome publication: www.positiveimpactmagazine.com. In the midst of everything, I'm trying to trust God above all and see where he wants to lead me in my career.

Speaking of God, I have to take the last bit of this post to give Him all the credit for the immense amount of blessings in my life. When I moved to Florida, I was afraid that I would fall behind in school and have trouble finding jobs after graduation. Instead, He led me to a school where I got a degree that will probably be more helpful to me than the one I had originally chosen. And He has handed me one opportunity after another to follow my passion for writing. Why do I ever question His faithfulness and goodness? He reminds me over and over again to take my favorite Bible verse to heart: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

I hope you all are experiencing His love and blessings in your lives. I am glad to be back in blog world so I can keep up with all of you as well!

Thoughts on Christmas

2010-12-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

"Somehow, in the weakness of a baby born in a lowly stable, the power of the Almighty had come to earth. It was a mystery that would occupy my mind on many nights as I nursed God's Son and kissed His tiny face." ~Mary (from Charles R. Swindoll's A Bethlehem Christmas)

My favorite part of the Christmas story has always been the way God chose an "ordinary" yet faithful young woman as the vessel for His physical entrance into the world. I cannot imagine what Mary must have felt when Gabriel showed up and told her she would give birth to a son. And not just any son...the Son of God. As a Jew, she must have understood Gabriel's prophetic words: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:32-33). She knew that the baby she bore was the promised Messiah, but she couldn't have known how all of the prophesy was to be fulfilled. All she knew was that she wanted to obey the Lord's will for her: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).

What would it have been like to be the earthly mother of the almighty God? She certainly experienced normal motherly instincts, desiring to nurture and protect her son out of her deep love for him. Yet she was probably reminded constantly of her son's divinity as well. Her child, the baby boy she delivered in the humble environment of a stable, was also her Savior. The thought blows my mind! Tears come to my eyes as I think about the creativity and wonder of my God!

At Christmas time and all of the time, I want to be open and willing when God seeks me to perform His will. Just like Mary, I want to be a part of His awesome and perfect plan. "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished" (Luke 1:45).

Merry Christmas!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2010-11-26T13:25:00.000-08:00

After a fabulous Thanksgiving with plenty of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and pie, I am now sitting contently in my house and admiring some of my newly set up Christmas decorations. I don't know if I have ever been as excited for the start of the Christmas season as I am this year. Maybe it has something to do with being in our own house, or maybe it's because of my Christmas-obsessed friend who decorated her home weeks ago. Either way, I could not be happier that December 25th is rapidly approaching. Even being in Florida, with weather in the 70s and 80s, I am in full Christmas spirit. Today, I woke up early for the first time in my life to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. I can't remember the last time I got my Christmas shopping done this early. What's happening to me?! :-)

Though I won't be going "home" for Christmas this year, I am thrilled to spend the holidays with my wonderful in-laws in Washington. And I will still get to see my much-missed family in January! I certainly have a lot to look forward to! While this blog post may seem like I've skipped the Thanksgiving mindset and gone straight to Christmas cheer, I am deeply aware of how much I have to be thankful for. I praise God for the blessings that He continues to pour over my life! I can't wait to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year, remembering all of the things my Savior has done for me!

"Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

2010-10-26T19:29:00.001-07:00

She had been searching and seeking the waters of serenity, of purification. She leaned over the edge of an aged fountain, peering into the aqua liquid that rested silent and still. Her reflection was clouded; it was not the clear reflection for which she yearned. She desperately splashed the water onto her face, hoping, pleading for a new image to appear once the ripples subdued. But the reflection remained; she was the same. This fountain was dead; it didn't flow with the refreshing and cleansing water that she needed.

She crumpled to the grass in despair, not knowing where else to look for the water that would nourish, fulfill, and transform her. She had traveled far and wide, seen everything from the fountain of youth to this forgotten monument which now stood before her, and still, she was unsatisfied. None of these waters flowed with the energy that she so desperately needed or the absolution that she so desperately desired. She looked at her hands; they were filthy from the dirt and grime of her journey. Her throat was parched and her lips were dry. She was thirsty, not having discovered the fountain she had set out to find.

How did she get here? How did she get so lost? She had started strong, with assurance, with determination, with Someone to help her along the way. But as distractions emerged and doubts surfaced, she had left her Guide behind. She had abandoned him on a dusty roadside, deciding to fend for herself.

Her loneliness consumed her.

At the base of the ancient fountain, she let her head fall to the ground, and she gave way to the overwhelming exhaustion. Sleep came fast, and the tears dried in salty streaks on her face. She dreamed of her thirst and the many miles she had traveled to quench it, only to fail in the end. She dreamed of her unwashed hands, of her murky reflection, of her unmet longing for purity. The darkness behind her eyes deepened as her regret rooted itself, destroying any chance for a new beginning. But then...

A rain drop.

The crisp, clean water fell on her lips. She heard a familiar voice through the hum of the steady rain. "Wake up. I'll give you a new beginning." Her eyes opened to see the face of the Guide she had long since abandoned. He reached down to help her to her feet. For the first time, she noticed the scars in his hands. Something told her these wounds were her doing. But his smile put her mind at rest. She surrendered herself to his warm embrace and to the revitalizing rain that poured around them. She was washed by the water. Her Guide's gentle words echoed through her ears: "I'm here with you, and I've never left you. I'll show you to the fountain of living water...if you would only follow me."

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

2010-10-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a few weeks since my parents came to visit, and I'm already looking forward to the next time we get to see one another. I feel incredibly blessed to have the parents that I do. I admire them in so many ways, and they never fail to give me the support, love, and encouragement that I need. I thank God that he put two such amazing people in my life, who helped make me the person I am today.

During the short time that both of my parents were here, we were able to squeeze in a handful of fun activities. We went out to dinner, walked around downtown St. Pete, and went to the beach. My parents were also kind enough to help me with some landscaping on a very hot day. I wouldn't have pretty flowers in my front yard had it not been for their hard work.

Sadly, my daddy had to leave after the long weekend to get back to work. But Mama got to stay the rest of that week, and we had a blast spending time together. We had great girl time, touching up the decor in the family room and shopping in Sarasota. It was wonderful to have her there to keep me company while Ryan worked in the evenings.

The end of the visit for both of my parents arrived too soon... as usual. But I am thankful that we shared such a fun and memorable time together. Every time I say goodbye to my parents after a visit, it feels bittersweet. I always hate saying goodbye, but I'm also always reminded of how blessed I am to have them in my life at all. Indeed..."How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

Another year

2010-10-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

In about two hours, I will officially be 23 years old. I still haven't gotten used to saying that I'm 22, so when people ask how old I am now, most likely the response will be, "Um...let me think...Oh! I'm 23." On the eve of another year in my life, I decided to share some of my favorite things about my 22nd year and some of the things I want for the 23rd.

The best of 22:

Being newly married to the man of my dreams.

Moving into a house that I love.

Making new friends who have become very dear to my heart.

Remembering and staying in touch with the old friends that still mean so much to me.

Growing in my faith and my personal relationship with my Savior.

Getting my puppy who steals more of my heart every day :-).

Gaining opportunities to write for wonderful people.

Learning how to make a few more meals.

Staying close to my wonderful family, even though we're far apart.

Bonding with my new family members.

Hopes for 23:

Grow even closer to my husband.

Increase my love for God each day and be a constant display of His love.

Get a job, preferably one that I like :-).

Develop deeper relationships with new friends and stay in touch with the old ones.

Bond more and more with my own family and my amazing in-laws.

Learn more about photography (with my new camera from my hubby!).

Serve others.

Experience more of Florida.

Be content and thankful in all circumstances.

I'm sure there is so much more I could include for this past year and for the next one. But these are the things that float to the surface of my mind. Thank you , God, for giving me another year!

Tears of Real Joy

2010-09-19T14:59:00.001-07:00

Tears ran down her face as she soaked in the words on the page. She had been reading her daily Bible study, and today's message hit her harder than anything had in a long time. For months, she had been striving to draw closer to God, sometimes feeling his presence and peace and other times wondering if He was even real. But these words set a flame in her soul and captivated her heart, making it impossible for her to deny the very real and personal King of Kings.

Her tears were not only the release of anxieties, frustrations, and doubts; they were also an outpouring of true joy that she had not experienced in some time. She had felt happiness and gratitude for all of God's blessings. She had understood the richness of her relationships and of so many other aspects of her life. But for weeks, or maybe months, she had not experienced the real, overwhelming, undeniable joy and peace that come from trusting in the Lord's love and goodness. And now, she felt the shedding of her petty worries and fears as the joy of God's presence filled her. The tears fell, cleansing her heart of all the needless doubts and making room for the truth within these words.

"...God is not only the answer to a thousand needs, He is the answer to a thousand wants. He is the fulfillment of our chief desire in all of life. For whether or not we've every recognized it, what we desire is unfailing love. Oh, God, awake our souls to see--You are what we want, not just what we need. Yes, our life's protection, but also our heart's affection. Yes, our soul's salvation, but also our heart's exhilaration. Unfailing love. A love that will not let me go!"

She read the sentences over and over again, sensing the weight of their message yet also feeling the lifting of a burden long carried. She didn't understand why such words were touching her now, when she had really known this all along. She had known... but she had not absorbed the reality of God's unfailing love. She had not been going through her days with the idea that He was her soul's exhilaration! And in this moment, she cried for joy knowing that He had never let her go and He would never let her go!

Yes, these were tears of real joy.

A Very Special Day

2010-08-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

Engagement, May 2008

Tomorrow is a very special day. It's special because 23 years ago, on August 19, the man to whom I am now married arrived in this world. I always love celebrating people's birthdays because they are such wonderful reminders of God's incredible gift of life! Not to mention they give me the opportunity to rejoice over the presence of loved ones in my own life.

I truly feel blessed beyond words to have Ryan as my husband. Even though I am sure I take him for granted throughout our days, weeks, and months together, I realize how much he adds to my life. Eleven years ago, when I first met him at youth group, I would have never imagined that I would someday be happily married to Ryan Foster. But now that I am, I could not be more grateful to God for carving this path for our life together.

August 2008

I love so many things about my husband. I love his adorable smile, his amazing green eyes (which I really hope get passed down to at least one of our children!), the way my hand fits in his and the way I have to stand on my tip-toes to kiss him. I love his adventurous side, his role-with-the-punches attitude, and his ability to calm me down. I love his understated sense of humor, his willingness to serve, and his desire to be a good and godly man. I love the way he looks at me and how he tells me every day that I am beautiful. I love his dedication, hard work, devotion, and encouragement. Basically, I found all that I wanted from a husband in him, the boy I dated for an hour during middle school, ate lunch with as a high school freshman, and fell in love with once my college years began. It's crazy the turn both of our lives took, but thank God things happened the way they did!

July 2010

Happy birthday to the best husband I could wish or pray for! I love you more than all the stars in the sky and fish in the sea, and I couldn't be more thankful that you love me :-).

Back Again

2010-08-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

After more than a month, I'm finally deciding to update my very neglected blog. We've had a lot going on over the past month: a trip to Colorado, our one-year anniversary, a visit from one of my best friends, and more.

To start, our two weeks in Colorado during July were incredible! Not only were we able to spend time with family, but we also shared a perfect weekend in the mountains to celebrate our anniversary. One of our friend's family owns a cabin in Red Feather, and they were generous enough to let us use it for a weekend while we were in Colorado. Ryan arranged the whole weekend getaway, and I was completely surprised and thrilled. We had so much fun relaxing with each other, going on hikes, canoeing, and roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I enjoyed every minute with my husband of one whole year!

The view while driving in Red Feather

Enjoying a fun hike together

During the rest of our visit in Colorado, we enjoyed seeing family members and friends. Almost every day that we were there, we were able to see another much-missed loved one. We also had fun seeing my sister's boyfriend (also named Ryan... funny, I know) and going to one of his baseball games in Wyoming. Because his parents were also visiting at the time, it was a full house at the Burks's residence, but we loved the energy and the constant fun of it all. Toward the end of our trip, the whole gang made it up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a breathtaking summer hike. I was certainly reminded of why I want to move back to Colorado someday!

Daddy and his girls in Rocky Mountain National Park

The ladies of the family

Ryan and me with Jordan and her Ryan

When we got back to Florida, Carol, one of my best friends from high school, came to visit us for a week. She arrived the day after we got home, so there wasn't much time for unpacking or settling back in. But it was so good to see her and to have some one-on-one girl time. The weather cooperated enough for us to have several sunny days on the beach, and we also got some shopping squeezed in while she was here. During Carol's visit, I decided that she must be my good luck charm. We went bowling with some friends one evening, and I bowled over 100 for the first time in my life (135)... I even beat my husband! Ssshhh... don't tell him I told you :-).

Carol and me at St. Pete Pier

After Carol left, it was back to reality, which was not easy I must admit. But I'm extraordinarily grateful for our amazing vacation time and our chance to catch up with the people we love and miss so much every day. I'm already counting the days till I get to see my wonderful family again :-). Until then, I'm looking forward to sharing the rest of the summer with my loving and adorable husband. Even though I miss Colorado and my family, he makes Florida my 'home sweet home.'

Doubts

2010-07-02T12:05:00.001-07:00

I was doing some research today for one of my internships, and I came across something that blew my mind. In the middle of reading about a very talented and accomplished writer named Donald Murray, I realized that EVERYONE doubts themselves at one point or another. And sometimes people that seem incredibly brilliant or beautiful or gifted from the outside really feel insignificant or incapable on the inside.

Just to give you an idea of who Donald Murray was, I'll list some of his accomplishments.

He won a Pulitzer Prize at age 29
He received an honorary doctorate from the University of New Hampshire, where he also established the school's journalism program
He wrote for the Boston Globe for 20 years
He published more than 10 books about the writing process, as well as fiction and poetry

Clearly, the man had talent. He knew how to write, and he was good at teaching others to write. But in his last column for the Boston Globe before his death, Murray wrote these words: "Every time I sit down to write I don't know if I can do it. The flow of writing is always a surprise and a challenge. Click the computer on and I am 17 again, wanting to write and not knowing if I can."

When I read this in my research, I could hardly believe that someone so gifted could have the same doubts that run through my mind. I constantly lack confidence when I go to pick up a pen or type up a story.

My sister-in-law, Jenna, was visiting recently, and she and I talked about a similar subject. We talked about how we often compare ourselves to others. We sometimes assume that certain people have huge levels of confidence in their appearance or in their abilities. But the truth is, almost every person has doubts. We all feel insecure at times, and we all have to summon the courage to be ourselves and to follow our dreams.

I think one of the only ways I can find to conquer the inevitable doubts and insecurities is to recognize that only one opinion really matters: God's.

Donald Murray may have experienced the same doubts and feelings of insignificance that I often face, or he may just have been a very humble human being. Either way, I think there's a good lesson.

Daddy's Little Girl

2010-06-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

On this Father's Day, I want to take a minute to share some of the reasons why I love my my daddy so much. (Yes, I will always call him "Daddy" and I will always be Daddy's little girl). God has blessed me exponentially by giving me such a wonderful man to call my daddy. I love him more than words can really explain, but I'll still give it a try.

I love my daddy because...

My hand always fit perfectly inside of his.

He always gave me goodnight kisses.

He was never too busy or tired to play tickle monster.

He took me hiking, camping, backpacking, and fishing.

He abandoned some of his "manly" duties to braid my hair.

He played diving games with my sister and me until we were pruney.

He always encouraged me to set high standards and go for my dreams.

He chose to stay committed to his family.

He exemplifies faith and devotion to God.

He's not afraid to be goofy.

He taught me how to throw, catch, and bat.

He danced with me to Sleeping Beauty.... "I know you. I walked with you once upon a dream."

He treated me like a princess but also taught me the value of hard work.

He loved me no matter what, and he still does.

Thank you, Daddy, for being everything I could ever want in a father. I love you!

Words

2010-06-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

I was reading back through little journal entries and random stories I have written over the past couple of years, and I found this. It reminded me why I try to keep writing, even if it's brief updates on my blog or scattered prayers in a notebook. It reminded me of the power of words.

I love words. I love the way language can move, inspire, captivate, and express. The way a certain word can convey an idea that is entirely unique based on its context and connotations. Words are the windows to how we see the world. The words we hear escape the lips of our loved ones can shape the way we love, the way we learn, the way we live. It may sound cheesy or idealistic, but words have paved paths in all directions of my life. My love of words began early on. For as long as I can remember, I have been writing. Writing my prayers, writing my thoughts, writing my experiences or lack of experiences, and now writing a combination of everything, including the daydreams that consume my days and nights. My mother says that I inherited my love of words from my grandfather. When he passed away several years ago, she found numerous pieces of scratch paper scattered around his apartment. These bits of paper contained everything: inspirational quotes, my grandfather’s own insights, unusual words and their definitions, and questions. These questions contained extensive subject matter: life, death, joy, sorrow, peace, friendship, love, hate. My grandfather loved words. He was moved, inspired, and captivated by language. He expressed his wishes, his fears, and his passions through words. Near the end of his life, he began to forget his words. Looking back, it’s as though his fading words marked the onset of his fading life. Yet he kept the important words until the end: "Hello," "Goodbye," "I love you." I still keep an envelope with my grandfather’s handwriting. It reminds me that I inherited my grandfather’s love of words. And I am glad.

More and more each day...

2010-06-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

I can't always understand why God has so richly blessed my life. He has guided my paths from the very beginning, and He has sometimes diverted my own inferior plans to complete His all-knowing ones. I never imagined that I would be married to a childhood friend and living in St. Petersburg, FL. I have fretted about failing to graduate "in time," but I have seen that His time is what counts.

I recently started a writing project for Roy Peter Clark of the Poynter Institute (the company that owns the St. Petersburg Times). This opportunity fell in my lap by the shear grace of God, and He is allowing me to build my writing, researching, and editing skills through it. My connection with Mr. Clark has since led to another internship opportunity, this time doing research for an author regarding her second book. I can almost hear God gently whispering to me, "I told you so." Why do I worry when He is constantly telling me and showing me that He has a plan? When Ryan was first stationed in St. Petersburg, I worried that the universities wouldn't be good enough and that I would never get established in writing or editing. Now I see that God brought me to a place filled with opportunity.

Not only has God poured out his blessings on my writing and editing aspirations, He has also given us a home to call our own. I love our new house more all the time. Again, I feel like God is trying to prove his overwhelming love and provision for us. He is on His throne, He is in control, and I have nothing to fear.

More and more each day, I am seeing and experiencing how His plans will always transcend my own. Thank heaven for that!

The End...And The Beginning!

2010-05-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am officially done with my first semester at USF! I literally just emailed my final paper to the professor. It feels fabulous to be done with the hectic school schedule... at least for a little while. So it is the end of one thing, and the beginning of many others!

Vacation. My sister is coming to visit in two days, and I can hardly wait to enjoy the sunny weather with her! It will be so wonderful to relax together and enjoy one another's company. She will be here for a week, and then I have a few more days of real vacations until...

More School. I know, I just finished school. I shouldn't have to go back right away! Luckily, I am only taking two summer classes that last until mid-June. And taking summer school will lighten the work load for my last semester in the fall. But at least I have something else to look forward too...

A house! We will close on our newly purchased home by May 24th. I am getting thrilled about decorating our adorable bungalow, and Ryan is anxious to have a big garage... of course. We feel so blessed that God has given us the opportunity to buy a house. It will be a fantastic experience and will make Florida feel a bit more like home. And guess who our first house guest will be...

Jenna! My sweet sister-in-law will be the first to stay with us at our new home. I am so excited to see her! I know that we'll have a blast soaking up the sun and talking about her wedding plans! And guess what? The list doesn't end there.

Colorado. Ryan and I are going to spend twelve magnificent days there in July. We will feel beyond-words delighted to see family and the beautiful mountains again! Ryan also has something special planned to celebrate our one-year anniversary while we are there. He won't give me any hints, so I have a couple months of anticipation ahead of me.

I don't know how much more beautiful my life could get! Thank you, Lord, for endings and new beginnings

A Quiet Sunday Night

2010-03-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

Ryan has been gone just a few days on his first deployment, and I am already feeling so lonesome without him here. It's strange how quiet the apartment gets when he's gone. Even though I've spent much of my time doing homework, I still wish he was here sitting on the couch next to me... just for the company. At least his trip only lasts two weeks, and my mommy is coming to visit in just a couple of days!

Because Ryan is away and because I woke up with an extremely sore throat this morning, I have barely ventured from the house today--except to take the dog out--and as I write, I am still wearing my PJs from last night. Yes, I am a complete slug. I decided to watch Julie and Julia to fill some of the quiet and to get away from the boredom of homework. And of course, the movie made me hungry. So I searched my pantries and found all of the ingredients for peanut butter cookies. Now, I have a plateful of cookies sitting on the kitchen counter...tempting me in all of their deliciousness. Why I chose to bake when my husband is gone is beyond me. At least they satisfied my sweet tooth.

Moving on to more important subjects... (I know, what could be more important than cookies!?) Ryan and I have found two houses in St. Petersburg that we really like. We submitted an offer for one, but because it's a shortsale, it may not go through in time. We continue to pray that God will lead us where he wants us to go.

The house-search and the beautiful weather are making it very hard for me to stay motivated in school. Indeed, I have major spring fever, and I can't pull myself away from HGTV. But I am at least thankful that I now have an end in sight. I will graduate from USF by December 2010...only 15 credit hours to go!

Now that I have provided this brief little update on life, I just have to share how blessed I feel to lead such a life. It may seem silly, but having Ryan gone over the last several days has reminded me how much I love him and enjoy being with him. Watching Julie and Julia tonight, I was touched by the loving line: "You are the butter to my bread and the breath of my life." At first it sounds funny, but then you understand what it means. The one you love tops everything off. They add that little extra flavor or spark. And they always give you the encouragement you need. I'm so incredibly grateful to have a husband who does all of this and more for me! I can't wait for him to come home!

Weekend in Chicago

2010-02-23T16:41:00.001-08:00

First of all, I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted something on my blog! Life has been very busy with school, new friends, house-searching, volunteer work, and a weekend in Chicago. Yes, I have much to update you all on from the last month or so.

School is going well, and I am especially enjoying my Shakespeare and Adolescent Literature courses. Many hours of reading and writing, but it's okay... as long as I graduate by Fall 2010 :-). Ryan and I have been having so much fun getting more involved with our life-group at church, a group of young married couples like us. When we first started spending more time with these people outside of church, Ryan and I joked that we were going to be poor and fat (because of how much we all go out to eat), but at least we would have friends! Our schedules have also become busier with our search for a house. Originally, we were planning on looking for a house to rent, but the real estate market in the St. Petersburg area is much better for buyers, so we are now officially hunting for our first home. We'll see what God has in mind for us! Last thing on my update list before I move on to my Chicago trip is my new position volunteering at a local adult literacy center. I will be a tutor for adults who never had the chance to learn how to read well, use grammar properly, etc. I am so thrilled that God has given me this chance to bless others with the abilities he has given me!

Now for the funnest part of this post: my wonderful weekend in Chicago. On Friday, the 19th of February, I left for Chicago to celebrate my sister, Jordan's birthday with her. My parents were also able to come, and the four of us stayed in a lovely hotel downtown, just a block or two away from Michigan Avenue. It was such an incredible trip! I spent Friday eating a delicious breakfast at a Swedish restaurant, touring Jordan's college campus, settling into our luxurious hotel room, and enjoying a dinner of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza with the family. Saturday--Jordan's actual birthday-- we spent time shopping on State Street and Michigan Avenue and eating more divine foods at the Grand Luxe Cafe and Harry Caray. Sunday went way too fast, but we were able to have a day of family fun again, walking around the city and buying Jordan a few birthday presents. Seeing my family again was an unbelievable blessing, and it reminded me, as always, of how much I love and miss them. I can't wait for the next family reunion! Happy 19th birthday, my sweet little sister!

Back to School

2010-01-19T16:58:00.000-08:00

I am now half-way through my second week of school at University of South Florida, and things are going well. The first week was pretty stressful, as I spent the first couple of days trying to get all of the classes I needed. But thankfully, I was able to register for everything required for me to graduate by the fall. I can't wait! I must admit, as I hear many of my friends talk about their upcoming graduation in May, I feel a little sad and discouraged that I still have two semesters (and possible some summer classes) before I finish my degree. But then I remember the reason I decided to transfer, and it's worth it. I get to see the cute face of my loving husband every day!

My course load is pretty full, and I am definitely going to be reading a lot this semester, but I am looking forward to getting back into my Major and building my writing skills. I am blessed to have a respected university close to my home, and I really like how much smaller the campus is compared to that of Colorado State University. I know that God has brought me here for a purpose, and I trust that He will continue to bless me as I follow where He wants me to go.

Our First Christmas

2010-01-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

This year marked the first Christmas (and New Year) that Ryan and I shared as a married couple. We were so blessed with an incredible and full holiday season. Ryan was able to get leave from work to travel with me and our little dog to Colorado.

Even though we knew we would be gone over Christmas, Ryan and I still decided to buy and decorate a real tree for our first home together. We loved picking out the perfect tree for the apartment, stringing the lights around it, and carefully placing ornaments and paper snowflakes over the branches. We also opened our presents to one another and filled our stockings before we left for Colorado. I felt so content sharing Christmas traditions with my wonderful husband for the first time.

While we were in Colorado, not only were we able to spend time with my family as we stayed in my parent's house, but we were also able to see his family members over the course of our visit. My parents-in-law and one sister-in-law traveled to Colorado this year as well and stayed with Ryan's sweet grandma, who happens to live within 10 minutes of my childhood home. It was such fun seeing everyone over Christmas. Being with family always makes the holidays special to me, and this year, I was lucky enough to spend Christmas with both of my families! My younger sister's boyfriend (ironically, also named Ryan) accompanied her to Colorado for a few days as well. I really enjoyed getting to meet the boy that my sister is so crazy about and of course having quality time with her too. We all had fun celebrating the joyous time together.

Ryan and I returned to Florida just in time to celebrate the coming of 2010 together. My adorable cousin, Colleen, invited us to a private party at a restaurant near Tampa. It was great to have special plans for New Year's Eve and to spend the evening with two people I love. We got to dress up and welcome the new year in style :-).

I hope you all had an equally magnificent Christmas season! Enjoy the pictures of our holiday fun!

Decorating our tree!

My cute, tall husband putting up the star

With my lovely mama at "home"

I love my daddy :-)

Enjoying beautiful Colorado. We loved having a white Christmas!

Rusty and me with Jenna, my sweet sister-in-law

Yay for sisters and their Ryans :-)

With Colleen at the New Years party

Having a blast!

Oh Holy Night

2009-12-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

With Christmas drawing nearer, I cannot help but get the same feeling of anticipation and joy that I felt as a child, anxious to awake to stockings on the mantle and presents under the tree. Now, however, I feel most excited for other aspects of the lovely Christmas season. I can't wait to see the faces of my sweet family members, to sip hot cocoa or yummy lattes with the snow outside, to watch Christmas movies, bake cookies, and of course to celebrate God's wonderful gift of His son.

For the last several years, the Christmas Eve service at my "home" church has been one of the things I have come to love most about the holiday. I love gathering with my family and friends to remember why Christmas is so truly important. I love hearing the miraculous Christmas story over and over again. I love singing "Silent Night" by candlelight in a full sanctuary. But one of the most blessed parts of the Christmas Eve service to me is hearing the gorgeous melody and words of "Oh Holy Night." Someone sings this song at my church almost every Christmas, and it always brings tears to my eyes. I love the passion behind this song and how it reminds me that nothing is more divine than the night that Jesus came into this world. When I hear the lyrics echoing in my ears--"Fall on your knees. Oh hear the angel voices. Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!-- I get chills thinking of the unfathomable gift I have in Jesus.

As the days to Christmas become less and as I enjoy the merriment and charm of this joyful season, I think about my favorite Christmas carol, "Oh Holy Night," and I am so thankful that I have the most wonderful reason to celebrate at this time of year. "Christ is the Lord! Oh praise His name forever. His power and glory evermore proclaim! His power and glory evermore proclaim!"

Thankful for Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

This Thursday was the first Thanksgiving that Ryan and I were able to celebrate together, and coincidentally it was also our first real holiday as husband and wife! Although we didn't host a large gathering or dinner, we had fun making pies, jell-o salad, and flaky rolls together. We were blessed enough to receive a dinner invitation from another Coast Guard couple. It was nice to have a traditional turkey-stuffing-mashed potato dinner with two other people who are also far away from their families. We enjoyed a delicious meal at their home and had fun talking and playing games. God is so good to give us a day to remember just how blessed we are.

God is also particularly good for giving me a husband who not only tolerates my perfectionism, but also is there to help calm me down when I lose perspective. Even though I didn't have the huge responsibility of making an entire meal for guests, I was still nervous to make pies for this occasion. I have made Thanksgiving pies in the past, but my mom has always been there in the kitchen, giving me tips about how to pinch the edges of the crust so they look pretty in the plate or how to tell exactly when each pie is done. When I experienced problems with the first pie, I started to freak out of course and started crying about how terrible I was at baking... blah, blah blah. My very patient and loving husband simply gave me a tight hug, told me everything would work out, and went to the grocery store to get more ingredients to replace the ones I had messed up before. With his help, I calmed down, enjoyed the pie-making process, and we were able to make two very delicious and nice-looking desserts.

I hope all of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving and that you were able to reflect on all that God has done in each of your lives. He truly is so good. How often I forget it with all of the superficial distractions around me. That is why I am very thankful for Thanksgiving... a day to remind me of how much He deserves my praise.

Some pictures from Colorado!

2009-11-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are some pictures from my visit to Colorado over Halloween. Though it was snowing heavily the day that I arrived, most of the snow had melted within the next two days and the sun was shining enough for me to take a scenic walk with my sweet mom and dad. Enjoy the view of the lovely mountains, even though it's not quite as pretty in pictures as it was in person.

Look at those mountains! I miss them!

Snow!!!

With Violet, my parents' little doggie :-)

Adorable parents

Happy to be "home"

With my cute daddy

Beautiful mama

I could not have enjoyed my trip more! It was just what I needed seeing my two wonderful parents and breathing the fresh Colorado air. Now Ryan and I just can't wait to go back together for Christmas!

"Pray Hard and Plan Big"

2009-11-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

The pastor's sermon at church today was one of the most convicting and inspiring messages I have heard in a while. It's funny how I can often glance at the title of a message and think, "This probably won't really apply to me." I should know by now that God usually teaches me the most when I least expect to learn.

This morning, our pastor spoke about the passage from 2 Kings 4:1-7. These verses tell the story of a widow whose sons were to be taken as slaves in order to pay her family debt. In her desperation and fear, the woman cried out the God and went to Elisha to receive advice for her situation. After telling the prophet that she had nothing in her home but a bit of oil, Elisha told the widow, "Go around and ask all of your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few."

When the woman and her sons had gathered jars from the surrounding homes, God miraculously blessed them by allowing the small amount of oil to overflow, filling every one of the jars until there were none left to fill. At this very moment, the oil stopped flowing.

I loved hearing this story this morning because it revealed to me how I too need to pray hard and plan big in my own life. As the pastor said, I need to take my problems and desires to God, recognize the resources that he has given to me (even if it seems like my little bit of "oil" won't be enough), and then trust that God will provide blessings. So many times, I don't shoot for the dreams that God has placed in my heart, or I don't stretch myself into the areas that he calls me toward because I worry about failing. But I have to ask myself, what would I do for God if I knew I couldn't fail? Because failure isn't trying and coming short of my own expectations. Failure is when I never try to meet God's expectations and plans for my life.

Hearing the story of the widow also showed me that God's blessing to her directly correlated to the number of jars she gathered. He would have allowed the oil to fill even more jars if she and her sons had retrieved more to begin with. I need to learn from the message of this story and Elisha's advice to the woman: "Don't ask for just a few." I want to make big plans with the absolute faith and trust that God will provide for me and bless me while I am in his perfect will.

Colorado Weekend Recap

2009-11-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

I got back Monday night (well, really Tuesday morning at 12:30 am) from Colorado, and it was so hard to come back to reality... especially since I had to work at 7:00 Tuesday morning. But I felt so happy to be able to fall asleep next to my adorable husband again. He even welcomed me with a beautiful bouquet of fall-colored flowers. He's amazing!

My visit with my parents was incredible. I had such a great time catching up with them, spending time next to the fireplace with the snow falling outside, passing out candy to cute trick-or-treaters, going on a walk with the beautiful countryside views once the snow melted, and making pumpkin pie. I loved getting to hug both my mom and my dad every day and be reminded of how much they mean to me.

The trip definitely made me more aware of just how much I miss Colorado and of course my family. Ryan and I are so excited for our visit together at Christmas time! When I first had to return to Florida, I felt so sad and discouraged about leaving my family and the home I loved for most of my life. Of course, I was ready to see Ryan again, but a huge part of me just wanted to fly him out to Colorado instead of going back to Florida myself. Thankfully, God really comforted me during my first couple of days back in the routine of work and chores and other responsibilities. As I completed my Bible study for the week, He reminded me that He has placed me here for a reason. Ryan and I may not love Florida or see it as our true home, but we are so blessed in our marriage and our life together, and we know that God has a plan for us wherever he chooses to take us. Being away from Colorado and our families isn't the easiest thing sometimes, but we can have faith and assurance in the fact that we are in His perfectly capable and loving hands.

Hope everyone has been doing well. I will post pictures from my trip soon!

Colorado, Here I Come!

2009-10-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, while my mom and sister were visiting us in Florida, I got a phone call from my lonesome daddy, who was unable to get the time off work to join the rest of the family on the mini vacation. He said that he didn't know if he could wait until Christmas to see me and before I knew it, he was telling me that he wanted to fly me out to Colorado for a weekend! I could hardly believe it! Would I really get to see him before December? As it happened, Ryan was assigned a duty session over Halloween, so my dad decided to buy me a plane ticket home for that weekend. Therefore, I will be on my way to lovely but cold Colorado in three days! I can't wait to see my daddy and also my mommy again. It will be wonderful to be in my childhood home for the first time in a while. My parents keep warning me about the freezing weather I have to look forward to, but I am actually looking forward to breaking out a couple of my sweaters, sipping some hot cocoa, and enjoying chili and cornbread with my wonderful family. It's a shame that Ryan can't come along this time, but he's looking forward to the freedom of eating all the junk food he wants and having some guy time.

Another thing I'm excitedly anticipating for this coming weekend is being able to celebrate Halloween in my old house and neighborhood. It's always so fun to open the door and here the "Trick or Treats" of cute little ghosts, goblins, princesses, and power rangers. I will be thrilled to enjoy the evening at home by the fireplace, maybe watching a scary movie with my parents and passing out candy to the little kids of the neighborhood. Just thinking about it brings back fun memories of trick-or-treating with my little sister throughout the years of our childhood-- and well, our teenage years too. You're never to old to trick-or treat :-).

I will also get to spend some time with my grandpa when I'm in Colorado. It will be so nice to feel his tight hugs and talk with him about life. He's the sweetest man, and I can't wait to see him!

Now, all I have to do is make it through the next three days of work, and then it's off to home sweet Colorado! I'm only sad that I have to leave my sweet husband and cute puppy behind!

The Weekend Is Over, But Not the Excitement

2009-10-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

It is now Monday, and the excitement of my amazing weekend with my mommy and sister has officially come to an end. I am so thankful for the time that I was able to spend with them. It gave me such joy to wake up to their faces every morning, as I looked forward to the fun day would share. Here's a little overview of my marvelous days with my family.

My mom arrived on Wednesday night, and we all went to dinner at a yummy sea food restaurant right by the water. It was the perfect night to sit out on the pretty waterside patio and eat fresh and flavorful fish (well, steak in Ryan's case :-)). We had a wonderful time getting to hug each other and catch up on the last few months apart.

My sister didn't get into town until late Thursday night, so my mom and I spent the day shopping. We found adorable fall decorations for the apartment, and I even got to use some of the Pottery Barn gift card from our wedding. My mom has such a good eye for home decor, and she thinks about where everything will fit in a space, so it was such a huge help to have her with me.

After picking my sister Jordan up from the airport, we proceeded to chatter the entire way home and late into the night. It was a blast to have girl talk over a bowl of buttery popcorn and to see each other's facial expressions for the first time in a while. We awoke the next day to get ready for another day of shopping. This time, we focused on clothes. I didn't find everything that I expected to find at Forever 21, but I was still able to use my gift cards to buy several adorable shirts and a couple of fun necklaces. My sister and I had fun advising each other about our outfits when we emerged from the dressing rooms and weighed our fashion options. At the end of the day, we were all very pleased with our new apparel :-).

Incredibly, it was a bit too cold to lay out at the beach, but we still drove along Indian Shores and Clearwater beach to show my mom and sister the beautiful ocean scenery. We also stopped to walk around the Clearwater beach area, and later we ate some good ol' fashioned barbecue ribs at Cody's Roadhouse. Our final night together ended with a scary movie at the Imax theater and some Starbucks coffee in downtown St. Pete.

I was so sad to see my mom and sister step past the ticket counters at the airport on Sunday. It was a blessing to see them again, but it also reminded me of why I miss them so much. The memories from their visit make me miss them even more now that they're gone again.

But the weekend unfolded with two more surprises to make me keep smiling. First, my dad broke the news that he wanted to buy me a plane ticket to Colorado for the weekend of Halloween! He just couldn't stand the fact that he was stuck at home while my mom and sister got to see me. Next, we got a new puppy! It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment occurrence. I had been whining about wanting a dog for some time, and Ryan suddenly decided that we should get one. So we went puppy shopping on Sunday after my family left. And we found an adorable miniature Australian Shepherd. He is chocolate brown with rust colored specks around his face, white paws and a white nose. Ryan named him Rusty because of the rusty hue to the fir around his face and legs.

My life, as always, is so full of blessings. Let's just hope that Rusty continues to get more comfortable with his new home and that we can potty train him QUICKLY :-).

I Couldn't Be Happier That It's Tuesday!

2009-10-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday, and I'm so excited! Usually, I'm not too thrilled about Tuesdays. They aren't as bad as Mondays, but their not as good as Wednesdays, which signal the halfway mark of the workweek. And of course they can't measure up to Thursdays, the day before blessed Fridays. But this week, I couldn't be happier that it is Tuesday. This is because my mommy will be coming to visit me tomorrow for the next four days. Then on Thursday, my lovely little sister will get here too! I wrote about their upcoming visit a while back, and the days leading up to their arrival have not come soon enough.

Besides getting to see their beautiful faces, hugging them until I run out of energy, and getting to talk with them face-t0-face, I am thrilled about having the next several days off of work. And of course I'm ready to get my shop on with my two very stylish family members. Since my birthday, I've had two Forever 21 gift cards burning holes in my pockets. I can't wait for my fashion advisors to come shopping with me! Unable to contain my excitement for a shopping trip with the girls, I've already been peeking at adorable finds on the Forever 21 website. I love this store, because everything is adorable but reasonably priced! Here are some of the things I've found so far.

I LOVE this belt! It would look really cute with a simple blouse or a sweater.

I think this skirt is really pretty and classic looking. It would be good for dressing up to go to church, my Bible study, or a date night.

I love this sweater because it's simple and cozy looking, but it wouldn't be too warm for the Florida climate. Yay!

This shirt would look so cute with a casual pair of jeans or a skirt. I love how feminine it is. I'm definitely a flowers and ruffles kind of girl :-).

It's going to be so great having my precious mommy and sissy here with me! I'll fill you in on all the fun we have together :-).

Birthday Blessings and Banana Pancakes

2009-10-08T13:01:00.001-07:00

Lucky for me and lucky for all of you who had to read my last depressing post, I got more than 3 hours of sleep last night. Thank the Lord! So now that I am not so sleep-deprived and moody, I will share the wonderful events of my weekend with Ryan and of my fun birthday.

Since we've moved to Florida, the weather has either been insanely hot and humid, or insanely rainy and, yep you guessed it.... humid. So we haven't had many opportunities or desires to spend time at the many beaches in this area. That's why we were so happy last weekend when the weather was in the 80's and the humidity level was bearable. We decided to put our gigantic beach towels and new umbrella to use by spending Saturday at Fort Desoto Beach. It was so nice to lay in the sun (well, I laid in the sun while Ryan laid under the umbrella :-)) and to read a good book with the waves rushing in the background. We played frisbee and just enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing day together. We also did some sightseeing at the old military fort there. I even got a tan!

Inside one of the eerie and echoey rooms at Fort Desoto

He's plotting something inside of the "Plotting Room" :-)

On Sunday, we celebrated my birthday since we were both working on Monday (my real birthday). After going to our young married group at church, which we continue to LOVE, I was eager to get home and try my new recipe for banana pancakes with blueberry syrup. As soon as the batter hit the skillet, the delicious aroma told me that these pancakes were going to be exceptional. They were so fluffy, and the recipe called for the perfect amount of banana. Then, when mixed with the blueberry syrup, the already tasty banana pancakes became taste explosions! Ryan and I were both in heaven. Because this recipe was so remarkable, I have decided to share it with all of you. Make sure to check it out at the end of this post.

Later that night, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and of course dessert! I absolutely love that restaurant. Their menu is like a book, and yet everything I've ever tried is mouthwatering. I had a new dish, baked chicken on top of basil pasta with creamy parmesan sauce. Can you say YUMMY! Then we of course had to order cheesecake. We took our pieces of peanut butter cup and dulce de leche cheesecake with us to a beautiful spot overlooking the water. What an incredible day! I was such a spoiled birthday girl.

On my actual birthday, Ryan still treated me like a princess. He's too good to me. After we both were off of work, he wouldn't let me do a single chore or help cook any of our dinner. As my special request, he made me an artichoke with melted butter (weird request, you may be thinking, but it sounded so good to me!). Then he surprised me with the main course by making chicken parmesan. I loved having two days in a row of heavenly food! Even more, I loved spending my birthday with my extraordinary husband. I am so blessed!

Banana Pancakes (makes 8 servings):

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

4 large eggs

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted and cooled

cooking spray or vegetable oil to coat pan

1/4 cup mashed ripe bananas

1. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Make a well in the center of the mixture.

2. Blend buttermilk, eggs and butter in separate bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir by hand until batter is evenly moistened. It is ready to use or may be stored covered and refrigerated for up to 12 hours.

3. Just before making pancakes, fold bananas into batter.

4. Cook on first side until small bubbles appear on the upper surface and edges are set (about 2 minutes). Cook second side another 2-3 minutes.

Blueberry Maple Syrup (makes 2 cups):

4 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 cup maple syrup (I just used Log Cabin syrup and it was still delicious)

1. Combine blueberries and lemon zest in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of juice has been released and mixture develops a saucelike consistency, about 10 minutes.

2. (Optional: Don't strain if you want the blueberries to remain in your topping.) Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean saucepan, making sure to press all of the juice out of the blueberry mixture. Return juice to simmer and add the mapel syrup. Simmer over low heat until syrup is slightly reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes.

4. Syrup is ready to serve, or it can be cooled and stored in a container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Reheat over low heat or in microwave.

Must Have Sleep!

2009-10-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

I just got home from work, and I have a million chores I should be doing, but instead I am going to take a few minutes to write and vent some of my many emotions stirring inside my head. It seems strange to be writing a post like this, because I usually try to write about positive and fun topics. But today, I just can't be that upbeat.

I can't complain too much, because my 22nd birthday (which was yesterday) was fantastic all due to the incredibly sweet gestures of my loving husband. I adore him more every day for being the man he is and for treating me so well. However, I can complain a little because I have had two sleepless nights in a row, and as a person who NEEDS her sleep, I'm suffering a little bit. The last two nights, I have woken up at 3:00 in the morning or earliers, only to lie awake in bed until my alarm goes off at 6:00. It's such a frustrating feeling to be physically tired, yet be unable to sleep because of my rambling thoughts. These past couple nights, I have been entirely incapable of turning off my mind and drifting back to sleep. I pray, I think of Bible verses, I try to focus on anything soothing... but it all fails. All I want is a good night of sleep!

My sleeplessness (as you can probably tell) only intensifies my emotional side, so I feel like the tiniest things upset me. I start feeling more homesick for Colorado, I get teary-eyed at any little mistake I make, and the list goes on.

Sorry to dish out my grumpy, sleep-deprived mood on all of you readers, but thanks for allowing me to vent a little bit. Sometime this week, I will have much more joyful accounts of my weekend and birthday with my wonderful husband. For now, I am just praying for at least a good 7 hours of sleep tonight!

Something to Think About

2009-09-29T19:00:00.001-07:00

I recently started a weekly Bible study over the book of John. The study is a very detailed look at a specific book of the Bible over the course of a year. My mom was my primary motivation for joining this Bible study, as she was part of one in Colorado for nine years. Her experience with Bible Study Fellowship International (which is the official name of the study) blessed her with a tremendous amount of spiritual growth and allowed her to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus.

After my first two weeks in BSF, I can understand why my mom loved this study so much and how she experienced such growth. This week, the study focused on the first chapter of John. I've read this portion of the Bible I don't know how many times. But my daily studies from BSF helped direct my focus to details that I had never fully contemplated.

One thing I love about this study is that it draws connections between verses in John and lines from other parts of the Bible. This week, one question directed me to identify what information was in Colossians 1:16 that was not in John 1:3. These verses are very similar, but Colossians 1:16 talks about how all of creation was not only made through Jesus Christ, but also for Him. Focusing on this part of the verse really made me think about my true purpose in life. I was created for God... to enjoy Him, glorify Him, and connect with Him in a deep relationship.

Another part of the study this week got me thinking more about my life's aim and purpose. John 1:6-9 gives a glimpse of John the Baptist and discusses his work in life. These verses state that John the Baptist came as "a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe." His primary purpose for living was to proclaim Christ's coming and to reveal his saving grace to everyone he encountered. I am sad to say that this is not typically my main goal in my day-to-day life. I need to be more bold in my faith so that I also can be a witness of Jesus' love. Definitely something to think about...

18 Days and Counting!

2009-09-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's official. In 18 days I will be picking my mommy up from the airport and bringing her to stay in our Florida apartment for the first time. And in 19 days, my little sister will be coming to visit me too! I cannot express how thrilled I am at the thought of seeing my family again. I only wish that my daddy could come too. Let's hope that he feels so left out that he caves in a buys a plane ticket to Florida!

There are so many things that I am looking forward too about having my mom and sister here. I can't wait to show them our little apartment, decorated with a variety of my grammie's old furniture. I can't wait to wake up in the morning to their pretty faces, knowing that I don't have to go to work, but instead that I get to spend the whole day with them. I can't wait to go shopping with the girls, get dressed up for a movie night or a dinner out, or cuddle up on the couch with popcorn and a chick flick. As you can tell, I just can't wait for them to get here in general!

I'm also going to use their visit as an excuse to make an array of delicious foods. I'm already planning on making lasagne, and of course I have to make decadent desserts for my special guests :-). I saw a recipe for tiramisu in a magazine, and I may finally have a reason to make it since there will be more than one coffee lover in our home. I am also planning on making some homemade ice cream for them too, so they can get a taste of what Ryan and I have developed an addiction for.

I feel so blessed that I will be seeing two people that I love the most in less than a month! As you could probably guess, I'm definitely counting down the days to their arrival!

My First Blogging Award!

2009-09-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Tatiana at "Living life and loving it," I have received my very first blogging award! She was sweet enough to name me a "Kreativ Blogger." If you have not seen her blog, please check it out. Tatiana has such wonderful personality and wit in her writing, and she is a great witness of her faith in Jesus. The rules are below:

1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated.

Here are 7 things about me:

1. I would love to go on a mission trip with my husband.

2. If I could choose to have a specific talent, I would sing like Whitney Houston.

3. I want to publish my "Unexpected Love Story" piece as a series for teenage girls (maybe in a Christian magazine like Brio).

4. As a little girl, my favorite outfit consisted of my pink tutu, pink tights, and pink high heels.

5. My favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

6. I am such a typical girl because I am constantly thinking of good names for my future children (even though I probably won't have children for some time:-)).

7. I've read Great Expectations 4 times and enjoyed it every time (you can tell I'm an English nerd).

Now for the nominations for other "Kreativ Bloggers." Unfortunately, I haven't explored other blogs enough to nominate 7, but here are a few blogs that I love. Coincidentally, they are all girls that I love too!

Jenna

Stephanie

Courtney

Our Weekend...Not According to Plan

2009-09-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

For the second weekend in a row, Ryan and I made plans to go to Seaworld. Last Saturday, we didn't get an early enough start to go all the way to Orlando. But this time, we made sure to pack food the night before, set our alarm for the next morning, and print off driving directions... our plan was set and nothing could get in our way! It turns out, we were wrong. After driving the hour and a half to Orlando, we paid for parking, approached the ticket counter, and presented our military identifications with smiling and excited faces. Active duty members and their dependents are allowed free entrance into parks like Seaworld, Busch Gardens, and other places. What we didn't know is that they are only allowed one free entrance per year, and Ryan had already gone with his friends in February. Making matters worse, I couldn't get a free ticket either, even though I hadn't yet used my one-time free entrance. As the woman at the ticket counter explained all of this to us, Ryan and I looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering what to do. We finally decided we would buy the tickets, as we had driven so far to get there. Our stomachs dropped when we heard the dreaded words of the ticket woman, "That will be $143 dollars." My hand flew to my mouth, and Ryan timidly handed her his credit card. After we received our tickets and had entered through the front gates, we talked and decided to turn right back and get a refund. While we had both been excited for a day of fun with the whales and dolphins, we weren't willing to spend our entire month's entertainment funds in one day. So we were in Orlando and at a complete loss of what to do. I must admit, I shed a few silly tears at the frustrating disappointment. Like a little kid, I had been looking forward to our Seaworld outing the whole week leading up to it, and now all of our plans were falling apart. We finally decided to go to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, remembering that there was a Hard Rock casino and hotel on the way back home. But of course, this plan didn't work either. Incredibly, the Hard Rock casino and hotel does not have a Hard Rock Cafe, only a large number of senior citizens staring at slot machines.

After all of our failed plans, we decided to give up and go home. Thankfully, our day was not a complete waste. We were able to enjoy some time at the pool, on one of the first days of bearable humidity level and temperature. Later we went to a fun area of Tampa called Channelside. In search of a good restaurant, we wandered down the street of shops, observing all of the entertaining things to do there. After eating outside at a casual southern restaurant, listening to the live music in the square, we were excited to finally know of a place to go on the weekends. There was the Imax theater, unconventional bowling alley with live music and food, and talented street artists. I guess we have date night opportunities for the next few weeks!

To top off our weekend, we attended a young married group at church this morning. Every person there was so welcoming and friendly. Ryan and I felt at ease immediately and became excited to not only study God's Word, but also to make new friends. We are so thankful that God has directed us to a church where we can grow in Him and form relationships with people who share our beliefs. Even though our weekend may not have gone exactly according to plan, we're happy with how it all turned out in the end!

A Fun Questionnaire

2009-09-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I was given this list of questions to complete by Tatiana. If you haven't seen her blog, take a minute to check it out... It's too cute! Hope you're all having a good week! The rules and questions are below:

1. Respond and rework: Answer the questions on your blog,

Replace one question that you dislike with a question

of your own invention, and add one more question of your own.

2. Tag other un-tagged people.

What is your current obsession?

I don't know if I would call it an obsession because I don't necessarily enjoy having to deal with it, but getting prepared to go back to school in the Spring is definitely a major focus right now. I've been thinking about it (and of course stressing) quite a bit lately. Transfering schools is not very much fun! Another obsession that my husband and I have recently developed is our love of homemade ice cream from our new ice cream maker. Delicious!!!!

Who was the last person you hugged?

My husband. He gives the best hugs ever :-).

What's your favorite dinner?

Hmmm... That's difficult because I just love food in general. It's probably a three-way tie between breakfast for dinner (pancakes, waffles, french toast), chicken pesto pasta, and steak with artichokes. Ugh, I'm getting hungry just thinking about all this amazing food!

What is the most encouraging thing God has shown you about His character lately?

He works wonders through His Word and in His answers to prayer. I just started a Bible study today called Bible Study Fellowship. The speaker shared an incredible story of spiritual transformation. She knew a woman who was raised in a very anti-Christian world religion. As this woman continued through life, she struggled to find the true purpose of life in her childhood beliefs. God tugged at her heart to open a dusty Bible she had stored in the back of her closet. Absent-mindedly, she flipped to the Gospel of John and read the entire book in one sitting. After reading God's inspiring word and the good news of Jesus, she cried out to the Lord and proclaimed her belief in the truth of His Word. How awesome is that!

What are you listening to right now?

I'm sitting in silence right now. It's nice to enjoy some peace and quiet after a day at work, with the constant noise of cash registers, blenders, and food timers going off.

What is your favorite weather?

I like when the weather is in the 80's with LOW HUMIDITY. The humidity part is very important to me after living in Florida heat for the past two months. I also love Autumn in Colorado, when the weather gets just cool enough to wear a sweater, but the sun still shines and the leaves are crisp and brightly colored.

What is your least favorite season?

Right now in Florida. Haha! I don't like walking outside and feeling like I'm in a sauna!

What's in your purse?

Chapstick (always), wallet, pen, snacks, old receipts that I never get around to throwing away, cell phone.

Say something to the person who tagged you:

Tatiana is such a sweet, spunky, and beautiful girl with great style and taste. She has a special talent for drawing you into every one of her stories, and she clearly tries to live her life in Christ-centered faith.

What is your favorite dessert or cool treat?

(Besides our homemade ice cream) Ben & Jerry's "Imagine Whirled Peace" ice cream and dulce de leche cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory

What did you want to become as a child?

A singer/actress, a teacher, a photographer, a marine biologist (due to Free Willy, haha), and a writer.

What do you want to be now?

I still would like to be a writer of some sort, and eventually get work in editing or publishing. As a person, I want to be someone who exudes love for my Savior, my husband, my family, my friends, and everyone else I meet. I want to be a clear reflection of 1 Corinthians 13:4.

What do you miss?

I miss my mom, dad, and sister terribly! I've always been so close to my family, and it's hard being far away from them. I miss my two grandmas who both passed away last year. I miss the beautiful Colorado mountains and wonderfully fresh air. I miss our family's little crazy dog, who is also back in Colorado. But one thing I don't miss is being away from the man I love. It's so awesome getting to see his face every day!

Which is you favorite country/state, and why?

Even though I adored Spain when I traveled there with my family, I still feel so blessed to live in the U.S. And while there are many lovely things about Florida, I still love Colorado. The ocean is gorgeous, but the towering Rocky Mountains always stopped me in my tracks and made me feel awed at God's incredible creation.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

I would go to Chicago and wander the city with my little sissy. (I was going to say Colorado, but I haven't been to Chicago before, and I miss my sister like crazy!)

What are your most challenging goals right now?

Staying motivated and faithful as I prepare for school in the Spring and trusting God to resolve my hectic work schedule so that I can be a loving and attentive wife.

What is your 5 year plan?

Finishing school and starting a career in writing/editing/publishing. Drawing closer to my God and to my husband. Building new friendships in Florida and wherever the Coast Guard sends us next. Possibly thinking about adding to our family down the road (a while down the road :-)).

What is your favorite sport to watch?

I don't love watching sports, but because my huband definitely does, I am starting to like watching football and basketball more than I used to. And when there is a good tournament, like the recent US Open, I really like watching tennis.

What show would you want to be a cast member on (reality included)?

I guess I would be on House, just because I love that show and I can't think of anything else. Actually, I've recently become a big fan of "Reba," which is pretty cheesy but hilarious at the same time, so it might be fun to be a cast member on that!

What is your most prized possession?

I'm going to copy Tatiana and say my husband. I am so blessed to have him in my life, along with my incredible set of loving family members.

Name one favorite childhood memory.

Playing with my little sister, Jordan, in our make-shift fort/playhouse under the stairs of our Grammie's house. We always looked forward to visiting her and using our imaginations to create a wonderful world of our own!

Try it out if you have the time!

Jenna at "Jenna's Journeys"

Stephanie at "Life Together"

Courtney at "Starting Out"

"My Unexpected Love Story" continued

2009-09-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time to post more of my work-in-progress story since it's been a while since I shared the introduction. This portion of the story gives a little more insight into female protagonist. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions.

Kassidy

It’s funny the way life works; not at all according to the plans that we make for ourselves. I knew exactly what I wanted out of life, or at least I thought I did. I’ve always had high hopes for achievement in every phase of my life. During kindergarten, I had to make sure that every apple on my tree was colored to perfection before I went to enjoy recess with the other kids. During elementary school, I would not settle for anything less than spectacular when it came to book reports or class projects. During middle school, I simply had to be the valedictorian of my class. During high school, my goal was to achieve straight A’s throughout the entire four years. I accomplished every one of my endeavors to my great satisfaction. So I moved onto the next plans for my bright future.

I would earn a degree at a prestigious university, then proceed to earn my Master’s degree at an even more prestigious university, then live the rest of my life out in success and happiness. Perhaps I’d find Mr. Right out there somewhere, and we would have two adorable children. But if that didn’t happen, oh well, because I would always have my career. Besides, I had more-or-less relinquished my vision of prince charming years ago. I used to have an entire list of traits that were essential to my ideal guy. As time went by, however, my list dwindled as I began to wonder whether I would simply have to settle for Mr. Almost Right. I understood that nobody can be perfect and that love is not always like a fairytale or “happily ever after.” But I also believed, whether I truly realized it or not, that there had to be something more than good enough.

The Simple Things

2009-09-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I got home from a very long day at work, walked through the door to our apartment, and saw the smiling face of my husband. Immediately, I felt satisfied. My contentment was only enhanced when he welcomed me with a sweet hug and kiss and then asked "Are you ready for some pancakes?" I don't know why, but pancakes are one of the best kinds of comfort food. And after working all day, I was definitely willing to welcome such comfort. Ryan and I made pancakes and bacon together in our little kitchen, happy to be in each other's company. Our breakfast-for-dinner meal was a complete success. The fluffy pancakes topped with warm, sweet, sticky syrup melted away the day's busyness, and I was able to slip into an aura of ease in the company of my wonderful husband. After I had finished eating, I sat sipping my deliciously foamy Irish sweet cream latte and let out a long sigh of contentment, realizing that the simple things in life really are the best. I absolutely could not be happier with my life while I am enjoying some good old fashioned comfort food and quality time with the man I love. These little moments help me to remember on a daily basis how blessed I am. God has given me so much, and I do not show Him often enough how thankful and awed I feel for every one of His gifts. How funny that pancakes inspired such gratitude in me! But there it is. Thank you Jesus for the simple things and everything in between.

My Favorite Poem

2009-09-07T12:48:00.001-07:00

For some unexplained reason, I was thinking about my favorite poem today. I went to the bookshelf and retrieved my volume of poetry by Billy Collins, opened to the page where my place is kept permanently by the folded corner, and started reading the lovely poem. I don't know why I am so enamored by these words. Like many poems, this one doesn't even make total sense. I guess I just love how the words flow in a way that an image is created for you. Because I'm such a romantic, I also love the theme behind the poem. It talks about a deep desire to be ever-near to the one you love, because being with that person is the only timeless thing. When other experiences and objects fade away, the love people feel toward one other goes on. The first few lines are the most beautiful poetic lines I've ever read. I hope you like it!

Dancing Toward Bethlehem

If there is only enough time in the final

minutes of the twentieth century for one last dance

I would like to be dancing it slowly with you,

say, in the ballrooom of a seaside hotel.

My palm would press into the small of your back

as the past hundred years collapsed into a pile

of mirrors or buttons or frivolous shoes,

just as the floor of the nineteenth century gave way

and disappeared in a red cloud of brick dust.

There will be no time to order another drink

or worry about what was never said,

not with the orchestra sliding into the sea

and all our attention devoted to humming

whatever it was they were playing.

How Did I Get So Lucky?

2009-09-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

I really don't know how I managed to marry such an incredible man! Even on days when I am feeling overwhelmed, grumpy, or stressed, Ryan treats me like a princess and finds special ways to show me how much he loves me. Last night, I came home from work to find a beautiful bouquet of colorful daisies on our kitchen table, along with an adorable note from my husband. Throughout our entire relationship, he has always been so thoughtful, and he continues to romance me in our marriage. He has never needed a special occasion to send me flowers.

Tonight, Ryan gained even more brownie points with me :-). Once again, I came home from work to be greeted by a special surprise. The house was tidied up, and several other chores that I hadn't completed earlier in the day were done. My husband's generosity, selflessness, and thoughfulness are qualities that make me feel ever-more blessed to have him in my life. I cannot thank him enough for the joy and love he gives to me. God led me toward one extraordinary man for me to share my life with! How did I get so lucky?

Grammie

2009-09-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it's because of her furniture filling up my apartment, the photos hanging on my walls, or just her unforgettable nature, but I have not been able to stop thinking about my Grammie lately. She's been gone for almost a year. So hard to believe. And sometimes I still feel like her fight with cancer was just a bad

dream-- that I can just call her up, hear her voice, and it will all be okay. I wish that was the case. I wish that she could have been here to see my wedding, to hear about how much I love the bedspread she bought for us, to listen to me telling her about everyday life. I wish that I could look forward to her sweet voice singing me happy birthday over the phone.

Even though her absence fills me with sadness and a longing to see her again, Grammie's legacy also gives me an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude that she was part of my life. She was a woman of great faith, kindness, generosity, and spunk. I would like to share some of the things that I loved and continue to cherish about my precious Grammie.

The way she had a song for every situation

The way she called me Sugar Plum

The way I had to bend down to hug her tiny body

Her sense of fashion

Her collections of roosters, sunflowers, and angels

Her dramatic side

Her crazy stories about her life

Her faith in Jesus

Her adorable and contagious laughter

How she made fish and chips

How she introduced me to The Sound of Music

How she always gave people the benefit of the doubt

How she never sat down to eat until everyone else had food on their plates

How she loved her family with all of her heart...

And how people could not help but love her.

Our Wedding

2009-08-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Ryan and I recently received the final copies of our wedding photos, and looking through them made me want to revisit my memories of that day.

The gorgeous photos by Laura Loomis reminded me of how incredible our wedding day was. I am so thankful that we were able to enjoy such a stunning and sacred event with our closest family and friends. God blessed every moment of that day, and we were happy that our wedding could be a testimony of how good He is.

I absolutely loved every detail of our wedding. When I started planning the ceremony and reception, I knew that I wanted it to be outdoors to reveal the beauty of Colorado, the place where we had grown up together. The Tapestry House was the perfect location, with the ornate Victorian style of the house and the beautiful garden-like atmosphere of the grounds. The twinkle lights throughout the trees, on the gazebo, and overhead in the reception pavilion gave a romantic feel and made our wedding even more charming.

The colors I chose (champagne-gold, ivory, and some green in the flowers) helped to achieve the overall look that I wanted: simple, timeless, and elegant. The shimmery champagne-gold bridesmaids' dresses contributed to an antique style that flowed well with the Victorian look of the setting. Cream and green hydrangea bouquets with crystals scattered throughout also went with the romantic yet clean theme.

My strapless dress (which I REALLY want to wear again) made me feel like a princess without being too frilly or flowery. Once again going with the Victorian element, it laced like a corset up the back and fit closely down around the hips, with the perfect amount of crystal beading and a sweat-heart neckline. I loved the elegant flow of the organza skirt and the crystal detail on the train as well. The ivory color looked beautiful next the the golden bridesmaids' dresses and full flowers. I also adored my hair, thanks to Cheryl Bueler at Changes Salon in Loveland. It was also fairly simple, full on top with soft curls that peaked out perfectly over my fingertip veil.

Talking about all of the details of our wedding makes me want to go back and relive the whole day! I will forever remember the way that God blessed our wedding, clearing the rain to let the sun shine down on our ceremony, using the words of Carl Sutter to join us together as husband and wife, and allowing us to celebrate our love with all of the people we care for most. We could not have asked for more!

I Am Whole

2009-08-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

I've been going through Jennifer Kennedy Dean's "He Restores My Soul." This morning, the lesson was about choosing the way of the cross and leading a "crucifixion life." As followers of Christ, we can choose to react from His perspective even in difficult situations. As we respond to God's power and love, our old habits of pride and selfishness are crucified, and a new soul is resurrected within us. I love how God used Christ as a model for this. He resurrects my soul just as Christ was resurrected after doing the Father's will.

All of this is so much easier said than done, but sometimes I wonder how much more peaceful my life would be if I simply surrendered my own pride and worries to someone who has the power to heal and solve all things. My guess is that my peace would pass understanding :-).

I Am Whole

Let this my crucifixion be,

as I lift my gaze toward the cross.

That Christ is my sufficiency;

I count all else as deepest loss.

Broken as Jesus on the tree,

and like the Savior's risen soul,

I sense the power of Him in me.

my life is renewed, I am whole.

A New Job for My New Life

2009-08-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

After being in Florida for about two weeks, I decided that it was time to look around for a part-time job. Until I start school, I need something to keep me busy and productive while Ryan is at work, especially as he is working evenings. So I picked up applications for several places: Starbucks, Panera, and a local smoothie cafe. If not for my husband, Mr. smoothie fanatic, I probably wouldn't have even thought to apply at the third place. I had never really noticed it before, and I hadn't heard of the name. But after Ryan told me how thrilled he would be if his wife worked at a delicious smoothie store, I thought I'd give it a try. Low and behold, I got the job!

My stylin' uniform

I am now past my first few days of training, and I am having a lot of fun. The people I work with are very friendly and willing to help, and the smoothie samples I get to taste throughout the day are definite pluses as well! It's interesting how even a part-time job can make you feel better about yourself. I feel like this is another step toward getting settled into my new environment and living a productive life. It's nice to have a job where you can show people generosity and kindness every day, simply by offering a warm smile and a yummy smoothie :-). It may sound silly and trite, but it's true. I guess a little job can go a long way.

My Unexpected Love Story

2009-08-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

This is part of a creative non-fiction story that I've compiled over time. I'm sure you can guess where I gathered my inspiration for this story :-). Hope you enjoy!

There was once a girl who wandered the imaginary woods of her neighborhood, climbing the trees and envisioning her prince charming off in the distance of her future. He would be tall and handsome, with green eyes and a soothing voice. He would take her in his arms and awaken her with his kiss. He would be her Prince Phillip and she his Sleeping Beauty. Like many little girls, this is the dream she had in mind, though she often doubted the likelihood of its fulfillment. The girl grew older and soon began to forfeit her childhood hopes of prince charming. In her heart, she believed that God had someone special in store for her, but the world sometimes made this faith frail.

There was once a boy who found adventure in everything he saw. Fireflies were fading sparks from the fiery breath of a dragon; a tree branch became his sword, while his bicycle served as his chariot. When he went crawdad fishing, he was heroically slaying the monstrous beasts of the earth. And fourth-of-July fireworks were bombs sent to conquer the evil rulers of the land. He was what any girl would want in a prince charming. He was brave and strong; he was heroic and honorable; he was tall and handsome, with green eyes and a soothing voice. The boy grew older and soon began to forfeit his childhood fantasies and heroic ideals. In his heart, he believed that God had something special in store for him, but the world sometimes made this faith frail.

The year was 1998 when they met, in an encounter that could scarcely be deemed groundbreaking or magical. After all, the girl and the boy were young, not yet teenagers. Members of the opposite sex were not exactly desirable. The years would go by, and the girl and the boy would become friends, spending time together at church and school. They would even become boyfriend and girlfriend, but only for a short hour during middle school, when boy-girl relationships consist of little more than momentary and uncertain flirtation. More years would go by; the girl and boy would begin high school; they would find new friends, join new clubs, become the girlfriend or boyfriend to someone else, and drift apart.

How little they knew about what the future held…

Blessed

2009-08-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that with all of the blessings in my life, I could ever find a reason to be discontent. But it happens, I am ashamed to admit. This world consistently sends us messages of materialism, self-indulgence, and of course the idea that other people have things better than we do. Unfortunately, I often pay more attention to these messages than to the true Message. I forget that my life is "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4: 14). It is a speck of dust in the grand scheme of eternity. And not only that, but this incredibly small life that I possess on this earth is abudant with blessings.

The last couple of days, my attitude has not been where it should be. Yes, I miss my family, and yes, I am facing many changes in my life. But it is time to stop making excuses and start looking at things God's way, instead of my own. I decided that the best way to do this is to make a list of the clear blessings God has bestowed on me. When you focus on what you have, it's a little harder to complain :-).

I have...

The most loving and handsome husband

a beautiful and sweet little sister

two unbelievable parents

the most perfect in-laws

a beautiful home

a warm bed

plenty of good food

great health

a new job (at the first place to which I applied...God is good!)

the opportunity to attend college

supportive and compassionate friends

the promise of my salvation.

And that's just the beginning of how God has blessed my life! If you're feeling down today, make a list of your own.

Domestic Attempts

2009-08-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm a married woman, I have been putting forth my best efforts toward domestic success :-). I've always liked interior decorating (HGTV is definitely a personal favorite), but the whole cooking/baking thing... not my area of expertise.

I've really enjoyed putting our apartment together! We are very blessed to have such nice new and hand-me-down furniture to make this space more like home. Much of the furniture belonged to my late grandma and to my parents, so I feel like I have pieces of my family with me. I almost cried when we finished arranging the living room. I almost felt like I was back in my grandma's house.

Now for my endeavors in the kitchen... not always as successful. I think Ryan is as good a cook as I am at this point. But a few meals have turned out pretty well. About a week ago, I made cheese blintzes with fruit topping. Ryan and I both like having breakfast food for dinner, so I decided to try a new recipe from a breakfast cookbook we received as a wedding gift. The process was a little bit longer than I expected. The crepe batter alone has to sit in the refrigerator for an hour before using. Then there's the cheese filling to mix and the syrupy fruit topping to make. And to top it all off, you have to cook the crepes, build the blintzes, and everything still has to bake for fifteen minutes before you finally get to eat. After all the work, the blintzes were good, but I have a few alterations I would make to the recipe... if I get the energy to do it again :-). At least they looked pretty!

And It Begins

2009-08-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

I have now been officially married for one month and two days. It doesn't seem quite real. Early in my life, I would never have guessed that God would have led me this direction. Not once did I dream that I would budge from Colorado, home not only to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, but also to my family for the past twenty-one years of my life. When you fall in love with a member of the Coast Guard, however, living on the coast is a bit of a requirement.

Now I am in St. Petersburg, Florida, in a cute little apartment that I share with my wonderful husband (it's still a bit strange to use that word). I know a grand total of six people in this area, one of them being the man I live with, and four of them being extended family members. Let the adventure begin!

Even though you're slightly prepared for the load of changes the military will throw your way, I'm beginning to understand that the surprises will always keep coming. When we arrived in Florida, Ryan (my husband) learned that he would no longer be working daytime hours as he expected, but he would instead be working from the early afternoon into the late hours of the night. Right away, our sleep schedule, dinner schedule, and any other kind of schedule turned upside down. It's not the ideal situation we had in mind for our first months of marriage, but we're gradually figuring it out. Thus, my first lesson as a Coastie wife: don't make any rock solid plans unless you can handle them changing :-). I suspect that this is one of the first in a long line of works God will do in me as I follow this life with Ryan. I've never been one for change, but I think the point is to rely on His plans rather than my own.

Before I start to sound too high and mighty or deeply in touch with God's will for my life, I have to admit that I've had a few meltdowns since leaving Colorado. It's not easy to face so many changes, but I'm immensely thankful that I can look at my new husband and remember why I chose this life as a Coastie wife.