Thoughts on Thursdays...

Be an i n d i v i d u a l.

It's easy for individuality to get lost in marriage. Grow together as a couple but don't lose yourself as an individual. As we began planning our wedding, people would comment on the difficulites of marriage & the level of maturity and knowledge needed to succeed. We got looks all across the spectrum from horror to sympathy to naivety when people found out we were only 21. We would just grin at each other, smile politely & nod.

Now here we are, almost 3 years later. We survived the 4 years apart, both graduated with Bachelor's degree (one of us almost has our Master's!!), got married, bought a brand new home on our own & moved across town. We've been through a LOT of major change & big experiences in those 3 years, let alone the years of dating that led up to the proposal. Our relationship has prospered immensely. The only reason (besides God's good grace) that we have made it through so much is because we've kept sight of ourselves and grew as individuals as we grew together as a couple. And we embraced each other's independence & change. I sometimes (inappropriatly) scowl when I hear couples that say they could never live without each each. I am fully confident that Jay & I could survive alone, but neither of us want or need to do so. We hang out alone & we do things together. We have our own interests & yet we share some. I like things that he can't stand, & vice versa but we embrace that. We disagree on many topics & have our own opinions. How boring would we be if we were always "one person" with one voice and the same thought? Don't get me wrong, I think there are many things that you need to do together to function as a couple, and being a team is very important to a healthy extent. So much that we read about love is about being selfless, and I think that has validity. But I think you need to love & respect yourself first before you can fully love, take care of & grow with another.

{young} love can flourish if you embrace the individuality & change in your partner.

Check out Amber's blog, she participates in Thoughts on Thursdays with me =)

goodbye summer!

hello glorious fall.

This weekend was busy to say the least. I was running around shooting weddings, sessions, editing & hanging out with family. Jay was working at the fair. I was also able to see all my girlfriends in town & catch up quickly. It was awesome. After one of my long days at a wedding on Sunday, I came home to this:

Previously, it was a corner of weeds, dirt & random rocks. I have been wanting to plant there but just have not found the time to get it done (I think I was also a little scared, not being completely comfortable as a gardener either!) My mom & sister were garden fairies allll day. They worked hard to dig up, soil, mulch & plant these beautiful perennials that make it easy for people like me because they grow back every year. I pulled up to the driveway in the pitch dark but you better believe I still noticed my beautiful new welcome garden!! They also weeded, replanted & mulched our vegetable garden which needed it badly & it looks sooo great!! Thanks Mom & Al you are the BEST! What a great surprise to come home to. Oh-and notice the tomato on our front porch? cute little story behind that. When I got home on Monday night after our Labor day bbq, two of the cutest little boys ran over to our driveway and told me (one with crocodile tears in his little brown eyes) that the "mater" on the porch was for me because they picked a "mater" from the garden & "smushed" it. Are you kidding me?? so cute. Their mother was behind them telling them that it was wrong & that they needed to replace the tomato they smashed. I could barely contain my grin. So that's the story on our little tomato. I was wondering why it was sitting there on the porch! After I said thank you they scampered away. I hope I will see them again soon. I like nice neighbors.

Tonight is DATE night! I say that with enthusiasm because we are pretty excited, we barely saw each other over the weekend. Jay is taking me to Prescott (WI) tonight to walk around & have dinner on the St. Croix. He's been wanting to take me for awhile now & we finally have a free night. It will be great to see the beautiful scenary, have great food & catch up. The rest of the week will be cleaning the house, some school work for Jay (almost to his second degree & Master's!!) and then getting ready for the big kickoff Vikings game on Sunday!! We are making Chili for that...sooo good!!

Simple Woman's Daybook.

September 7th, 2009 from the Simple Woman's Daybook.
Outside my window...
a layer of mist over a corn field.
I am thinking...
i'm glad i'm not at work.
I am thankful for...
my mom & sister loving me so much! & the surprise they left us (pics later)
From the kitchen...
eating at mama's today.
I am wearing...
jay's t shirt
I am creating...
editing pictures...does that count?
I am going...
to do nothing but have fun today.
I am reading...
still dragonfly in amber...it's like 800 pages!
I am hoping...
whitney had a good night.
I am learning...
more about the complex creature my husband is every day..he's got lots of layers =)
I am hearing...
crickets chirping, literally. I love living on a field.
Around the house...
nothing today, i will be gone most of the day.
One of my favorite things...
waking jay up with nemo (with nemo kisses) & hanging out in the morning together.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
hanging out with mama & al today while jay works his last day at the fair! i think lunch & a movie are in the plans. maybe some shopping? Happy Labor Day!

Late night thoughts

I don't what I'm still doing up because I have a wedding in the morning, but I'm restless tonight. It's hard to really relax & wind down without Jay here. We are both anxious for his fair working days to be over! He's been working so hard & this last week has been so tiring for us. Last night we were lucky enough to be taken to the Vikings game with my Dad & we had such a great time. I don't think I stopped laughing all night!! My Dad says that watching the two of us is either 1) a comedy show or 2) an old married couple. My vote is two ;) hah. We were so exhausted when we got home last night that we literally layed on the bedroom floor, cuddled with our puppy & talked. It was one of those moments where we knew we should get up & get in bed but we were too tired to move...so we just stayed & talked. Even though we were up way too late, I wouldn't have traded it for any amount of sleep. I didn't realize how long the week had been for us & how nice the "us" time was. We've been watching Jenni's dog as well so our house is extra full & bustling :) Now I can barely keep my eyes open & I am waiting for him to get home so we can get some much needed sleep!

Thoughts on Thursdays...

Celebrate the small stuff.

This is from my personal (if somewhat small) library of knowledge on marriage =) We make a point to make a big deal about the small accomplishments, experiences & opportunities we are given. Your life is not made up of big accomplishments, in fact they only happen every once in awhile & you are worth celebrating so much more than those few big times. Your life is made up of a series of small moments connected by the big ones-so celebrate them! Make a point to get excited about your spouse & what's going on in their life. Our marriage has electricity & excitement that is sparked by this & I think we take things for granted less often. You will also feel more appreciated.


Ignite electricity in your marriage.

Girl put your records on.

Pour the wine.
Get the fixings ready.
Sit down.
Relax.
Take in the smell of delicious fajitas.
Watch the guys grill.
Smile.
Be in the moment.
Hear your Mama humming in the kitchen.
Get up.
Set the place settings.
Hear your sister singing sweetly off-key.
Fill the plates with fajita-goodness.
Say a blessing.
Eat.
Laugh.
Look around the table at all the blessings surrounding you.
Feel the squeeze from your hubby's hand.
Feel completely fulfilled & satisfied with your life.
Let all of the good in life sink in.

It was just one of those days. <3

Another little (big) beauty

Guess what's on it's way to my doorstep? this beauty. Super excited about it!! Just in time for my fall weddings. I can't wait to get it & play around with it. I'm so lucky I have the work & ability to upgrade my equipment.

Next up...