A Day of Gratitude - Part 2 & 3

So while I am resolving to be grateful day to day, I must also be honest.

I get so frustrated when Christians act like everything is perfect and heaven forbid we let anyone know things just aren't great in our lives!

Saturday (the 2nd) wasn't a great day for me. I didn't feel I could post what I was grateful for without feeling like a hypocrite. 

I was really fighting internally with knowing I SHOULD be grateful, but NOT feeling grateful!

I have to admit it was a struggle and I did a lot of praying. 

So today I would like to share TWO things with you to catch up with my "bad attitude" day!

Day 2 - My Husband

Justin and I got married at 21/23. People said we were to young. We needed more time to get to know each other.  I am so thankful we didn't listen to those people. 

We have had ups and downs like any marriage.

But what amazes me most is that God knew exactly what I needed and exactly what Justin needed.

I was not Justin's "type" and he was not my "type"...thank goodness our ideas of what we wanted did not work out!!  Justin is my opposite. He is carefree where I need structure and plans. He is silly when I am serious. He is filter-free where I over think everything I say! He doesn't worry what others say or think. He doesn't stress about the little things. He is spontaneous, and keeps me on my feet!
 I never know what life has in store with him around!! God uses him to throw ruts into my perfectly planned ideas. To keep me relying on God. I firmly believe God uses Justin to help me to learn to stop relying on my own plans and trust solely on God for my future.

Justin was only 21 when we got married, but he was a great husband. 

He was great at showing he loved me in his actions and the things he would do for me. 

He isn't one to be vocal about his feelings...and I am plenty ok with that. 

But he always had a way of DOING things for me that said it all.

I thank God for knowing what I needed, and not giving me what I THOUGHT I needed!

Day 3 - Stability

This might seem an odd thing to be thankful for. 

Let me explain what I mean by this. 

Many people early in their lives/marriage don't feel they have stability...in their jobs, marriage, finances, family, life, etc.

God has allowed both Justin and I to have stable jobs despite our lack of completed degrees (due to us getting married in college). He has allowed Justin success in his field. He has allowed us to have a nice home, beautiful things, good food, financially sound, supportive family, strong friends, etc. 

Many people don't have this. 

I don't want to take all these blessing for granted. I know it isn't just our abilities that have allowed this stability, but rather God has blessed us. 

I don't know that we deserve these blessings, but I am thankful God has showered us in them none the less!

So these are the things I am feeling grateful for today!

Pure Joy

Joy

a) An Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness.  b) The expression or manifestation of such feeling.  c) To take great pleasure; rejoice.  d)  To fill with ecstatic happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction.   

That is what I felt when I got the call yesterday from Justin...pure joy! 

I almost missed it (it was during the 5 min I left my phone in the other room), but thankfully he called my brother-in-law's phone who was next to me!  I had all these things I wanted to ask him but as soon as I heard his voice my brain went blank.  I was just so happy to hear his voice!  To know he was ok and sounded positive.  We only had 10 minutes to talk.  It seemed like we had just said hello when he said he had to go, and that he loved me, then silence.  I cried after hanging up.  

The tears were a mix of joy, sadness, love, heartbreak...I just felt so overwhelmed with emotions. 

The neatest thing in all of this is that the phone call came on our engagement/dating anniversary.  February 18th is when we started dating 8 years ago, and 6 years ago it is when he proposed to me!  So to have him call on that exact day after not hearing his voice for over a month....was wonderful to say the least!

Not long after the phone call a letter came in the mail so that really helped to keep my spirits up!  It was such a sweet letter, and made me want to write him back immediately!  I also watched our wedding video, and wrote another 3 pages regarding my thoughts and realizations after watching our wedding again.  He has always been such a wonderful loving husband to me, and I have taken him for granted way to often! I never want to take another kiss, hug, touch, or act of kindness for granted again!  We wast so much time being selfish, prideful, or being just plain stupid!

Justin was only 21 when we got married, but he has never failed to be a loving husband!

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 I have so much to rejoice for, but do I show joy through my attitude and life?  I want my joy to shine out and be contagious!

Here are a few simple pleasures that bring me joy in my life!

Going Barefoot

  

Sunshine on my skin

Summertime

Gardening

The Ocean

My husband...

 ...who always keeps me laughing even when I don't want to!

 How can I not laugh at such craziness?

 (forgive my dogs alien eyes...bad camara)

 I never know what he might do next! 

Think about the little things that give you joy, and the big reasons you have to rejoice!  I promise you there are many if you look for them!

5 Years Wed!

Five years ago, today, I married my dear wonderful and crazy husband, Justin Meyers! It definitely doesn't feel like 5 years!  I still feel like a newly wed even after 5 years. I think that has to do with the fact that we don't have any children yet.  We have ups and downs, and the downs have only made us stronger.
I thought I would share a few of our wedding pictures as reminders of that fabulous day! I loved decorating/planning my wedding, and afterwards considered going into wedding planning since I loved it so much! I had a lovely outdoor wedding in Missouri. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

 Seeing each other for the first time before picture time!

 I know it is against tradition, but I was so happy we got pictures done first, and it was so romantic and peaceful walking around the grounds with just us and the photographer trailing behind us!

 Loved how the pickup in the back of the bridesmaid's dresses matched mine.

 My sisters...also my two Maids of Honor

 

 My colors were green and tropical red/orange

 

Walked down to "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge.

 Handed out roses to moms & grandmothers while "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera was sang by two fabulously talented friends.

 I loved the pickups in my dress!

 Exchanging rings...

 Petals were dropped from the balcony as we were introduced as Mr. & Mrs. Justin Meyers!

 

Haha...and there we go! (Justin was excited about the Hummer)

Tonight Justin is taking me to The Macaroni Grill, where he first proposed to me!