A getaway weekend

Nick and I were so blessed to be able to get away this past weekend. In our 3 years of marriage we have only gone away for more than one night 2 times– our honeymoon and this weekend! We needed some alone time away from people and social media. We went up north to Biwabik (an hour north of Duluth) to stay at the Giant’s Lodge. We did a teeny, tiny bit of sight-seeing but for the most part we lounged in our room hanging out, talking, eating junk food and watching the NCIS Veteran’s Day marathon! haha. We also played pool one evening in which I barely lost. In my defense, it’s hard being short and very pregnant while playing pool. You try bending over that table!

I was also reminded while reading Song of Solomon this weekend (what other book of the Bible do you read when you’re on a romantic getaway??) why my children won’t be singing a certain verse in the song “His Banner over me is Love.” Banqueting table = Wine fest and sex. Yeah, not talking about Jesus. Context, people! (Song of Songs 2:4)

I felt well rested after our getaway and more refreshed in my relationship with Nick. It was very over due. I love that guy. Next time we do this, it’ll be with baby in tow! :) I can’t wait!

32 weeks!

We stopped in Duluth on the way home. First time being there for both of us!

Nick’s birthday :: the greatest bday of the year

Today is my husband’s birthday. He expects so much on this day. It’s all he talks about for weeks before it occurs.

*breakfast in bed
*numerous gifts
*cake and ice cream
*parties every.single.year
*cards from every family member and friend 

Oh wait…ha. I must have gotten Nick mixed up with some other guy I don’t know. Nick DOES NOT LIKE BIRTHDAYS. It’s a travesty. Especially since I LOVE them. I want to get him gifts and treat him super special. So, usually without his “blessing,” I do just that. :)

I love Nicolas so much. I’m so glad that 28 years ago on September 2, 1983, God saw fit for Nick to be born. I hope that today is a fun one for you, my dear. I KNOW you are going to love it. Thanks for participating in your birthday this year, even if it’s just to humor me! :) I might even watch Nacho Libre with you just to show you how much I care!

I love you, Nicolas John! You’re so handsome <3 Happy 28th birthday!

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR MY HUBBY IN THE COMMENTS :)

On this our anniversary

Three years ago, innocently I stood
scared,
nervous,
anxious,
and unbelievably happy.
The man of my dreams was only
an aisle away.
Every footstep represented
a vow
to you, my love.
Honor,
Love,
Respect,
Cherish.
In good times and in bad times.
We’ve had our fair share of each since that day.
I thought we’d never make it through our first year.
Newlywed love,
lined with sinful pride.
Our second year brought
new hope,
and a determination to succeed.
This, our third year, has been
sweet as honey.
Tinged with
sadness,
frustration,
joy,
and trust.
This year, God has seen fit to allow our first child
to grow in my womb;
a symbol of our love and devotion.
Tears fill my eyes
as I am reminded of how
faithful He has been.
I reflect on the ways He has always
provided,
protected,
tested,
and strengthened us
in our marriage.
Only He knew how sweet our
bond of love could be.
And oh, how sweet it is.
My prayer until death do us part
is this:
That we would grow as husband and wife,
Individually
and together.
That our faith in Jesus Christ would mature and flourish
in the seasons of life to come.
That trials would make us stronger,
and victories would cause
our eyes to rise above
and our voices to utter
simple,
yet thankful prayers
to the One who holds us together.
My love for you, Nicolas,
grows ever more,
for you
are my heart’s desire.

I pray we have many more sundowns together. I love you, best friend. Happy anniversary.

8.8.08

2/26 Getaway

Usually when Valentine’s Day rolls around, I cringe, pick out a card for Nick and hope our day goes well (e.g., no fighting). We didn’t want to feel that way anymore. We decided instead of celebrating V-day, we would celebrate the anniversary of when we started dating, February 26. Now that was something I could get excited about.

amsterdam 4.19.07

This year was our 4 yr dating anniversary. Nick found us a nice hotel downtown for a fantastic price off of Priceline. We left right after work and just enjoyed the evening. We walked all through the skyways til we found a place we wanted to eat: Hard Rock Cafe. I do love that place! Then we went back to the hotel and watched Air Force One. I had never seen it before. Nick got me a cappuccino and I didn’t like it. sad. Fortunately, it wasn’t room service. Nick had gone down to the lobby and they gave it to him for free!

We went to Hell’s Kitchen for breakfast. So good. For real. It was tasty and inexpensive! In the afternoon we went to the Riverview Cinema to see Tangled! Which was also so good. Overall, our 24-hour date was relaxing and refreshing. I’m so glad we did it. I foresee this happening more often in the future!

hotel minneapolis 2.25.11

I love that man…

It’s my birthday :)

Today was my 23rd birthday. I knew it would be great but I didn’t realize how much so!

1. My husband wrote the most amazing blog post about me. He makes me feel all warm inside.

2. My small group girls (Allison, Katie, Sarah, and Carrie) surprised me with breakfast at iHop!

3. Nick gave me 3 different presents. All wonderful

4. Orison and Morrow Piper called me to sing Happy Birthday. My heart melted.

5. I got some AMAZING deals at Yankee candle. Now my house will smell like my mom’s :)

6. I watched “The Ring” with Nick. I didn’t get scared. :(

7. Nick and I went to Red Lobster! oh yum…

8. Andrew, Stefan, and Tristan made me this “so awesome I can’t even take it” video singing happy birthday to me.

9. Some of our small group friends came over to eat birthday cake (made by Katie Burns!), chocolate covered pretzels, and watch Mulan!

10. Marley was terribly cute ALL day long. Not a surprise. haha

I am so blessed, you guys. All of the birthday wishes, love and prayers from you just absolutely made my day. Thanks for making me feel special today. It felt really good.

The OTHER side of my husband

It has been the most insane month. Ever. Probably not ever. I like to use absolute statements all the time.  (see? I can’t stop) It’s not the type of busy to write about either. Just busy. Ugh. The worst kind.

So, I told Nick I wasn’t sure what to blog about today or if I would even have time. He told me to blog about him. I’m positive this isn’t what he meant when he said that, but I’m not normal and this is what I thought of first.  I made these at 2am the other night when sleep so allusive it was depressing. I’m sure my iPhone is a curse, because as I was making these pictures, I was laughing so hard I had to bury my face in my pillow to keep from waking Nick. It didn’t help me feel sleepy one bit!

sigh

I give you…my husband. Sort of.

that is a really big forehead you got there, honey.

These last two are my favorite. They make me go over the edge. To the dark side.

Ok, really, they just make my sides hurt from laughing.

Why, Nick, you look so good with an afro!

This is priceless! The glasses, the hair, the… dark circles under the eyes? Hmm…either way, love, you look faaabulous.

Thanks for letting us laugh at your expense, Nick. I do love you!  So does everyone else. Don’t we guys?

2 Videos explaining what ERM was like at all times

This song keeps me going a lot of the time. It’s so pure.

Yes, I married that mexican man. Wow.

The Downside of Marriage is Myself

I never thought I would do so badly at being a wife.

Love. Intimacy. Communicate. Date. Children.

Wrong. It’s so much more complicated and I only have me to blame. Me. Myself. I don’t know how to speak, act, obey, respect, love, cherish, adore. Where is Jesus in my marriage? I pushed Him out. I told Him I could do it on my own. I let Him know He wasn’t necessary. That I was so good at being the best wife.

That’s why I am failing. And it won’t get better until I step aside and let Him lovingly guide me. Let Him guard my tongue. 

I NEED TO LET GO! Give it to Jesus. Love my husband. Respect my beloved. Isn’t that what I said I would do, that day I said “I do”? I’ve been backing out on my vows. My VOWS.

I love my husband. I do. I need to love Jesus more so I can do the things I vowed to do on 8.8.08. Without Him, its impossible.

Thumbs Up for One Year!

Desiring God

Nick got a job at DG!! Hear his side…