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!

My Amazing Valentine...

A year ago I spent Valentine's Day without my husband, and was an emotional mess! 

(He was away at basic training.)

This year was very different! 

It started off a little rocky since I was struggling with a migraine and feeling sick.

An hour long soak in the bathtub, listening to romantic music, Exedrin, and some prayer fixed that and I was ready to prepare for the evening! 

My husband and I have a tradition of staying in and making dinner so we don't have to deal with the crowds on Valentine's Day.  In my opinion it is so much more romantic.

So I prepared a lovely fondue meal for the two of us as well as decorated the house!

 Then my dear wonderful husband surprised me with the most beautiful orchids!

Apparently when he had the flower lady remake the arrangement in all green (my favorite color), She asked "Are you sure you don't want something more traditional like red roses?".  He said no, my wife will like these better...and he was sooo right!  I adore orchids.

 

He did not stop there with the gifts...

He also bought me this beautiful blue topaz and diamond necklace!

Oh, and my favorite VS perfume, Very Sexy.

 All in all it was a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Now off to do all the dishes!  :(

~ Elle

Wedded Bliss

I was at the most beautiful wedding this weekend... 

It was the wedding of my dear sweet sister-in-law Sarah, and her new husband, Jason. 

Not only was the bride stunning, the scenery breathtaking...but the love and commitment they share is beyond inspiring!

I've never met anyone quite like the two of them!

Sarah is filled with a joy that I don't see often in people. 

Jason loves Sarah in such a way that is uncommon nowadays. 

The two of them have such a deep respect and strong relationship with God that flows over into their relationship.  It is amazing to watch, and I can't wait to see what blessings God has in store for them!

I was so blessed to be a part of their special day, and would love to share a few photos of it...

Standing at the wedding location with the bride-to-be!

  I couldn't resist taking a photo with my husband under this romantic grapevine covered arbor!

  The joyful bride-to-be getting her wedding updo!

 I was thrilled to be able to help with her makeup even just a little!

 Beautiful Sarah Beth waiting to see her groom and read her private vows to him!

Sarah Beth anxiously awaited the moment she could walk to the vineyard to meet her groom...

 

 

 

 

 

 Their first dance was choreographed to "I won't give up on us" by Jason Mraz. It was the most beautiful first dance!

I hope you enjoyed looking through these photos. It really was a perfect setting for a beautiful couple! 

~Elle

Back to Reality

Last weekend was jumbled mix of emotions. Thursday evening I was high with excitement at the thought of seeing my husband after 2 1/2 months. He looked so good in his uniform...but then my opinion is biased!  While it was wonderful to spend the weekend with him, it was so hard to say goodbye.

I thought I would share some photos from my weekend with you!

 

(dress from Kohls)

On our way to a wonderfully unhealthy breakfast at Ihop! 

 It took me a bit to get used to his lack of hair!

We ate at a wonderful Hibachi grill for our last meal together before heading back to base.

I'm so proud of this guy for the sacrifice he is making for his country!

 Doesn't he look good in uniform?! :)

 He finally gave a real smile for me!

(dress from TJ Maxx, shoes from Ross)

 Our final photo before saying goodbye...that was the hardest goodbye. Much worst than when he first left for basic. I think when he first left back in January I didn't know what to expect so it wasn't as hard. This time I knew how difficult it was going to be so I couldn't even speak as he told me goodbye and that he loved me.

This whole experience has made me realize how much we take for granted our military and the guys that sacrifice their time, lives, and families for us and our country!  We should never take them for granted, and what they are doing for us!

So now I am back to the reality of a lonely house, and trying to keep busy so that I don't focus on how much I miss my husband! I think I am going to redo a closet this weekend! :) That should keep me plenty busy!

~ Elle

Valentine's Emotions

Ok, so I thought I would be a lot tougher on Valentine's Day!  I thought Valentine's Day?  No problem!  I thought, no big deal...right?
 WRONG!

 

My day started off bad to begin with. I had a miserable migraine all day.  I took the two girls I nanny to dance class, and all the moms were complaining about there husbands not getting them what they wanted, or not being romantic enough.  I didn't hear one comment that sounded loving and appreciative!

Everything was just making me emotional on top of the fact that I hadn't gotten a letter from Justin in a week.  I felt like we had lost all communication and I was feeling very down.  I prayed all morning that I would get a letter.  It was my only wish.

To get one love letter from him...

When I got home I went to check the mail I didn't see a letter right away and wanted to cry. Then I saw the letter tucked way in the middle, and I DID cry!  Tears of pure relief and overwhelming, unexplainable emotions!  

Then I continued to cry the whole way through the letter! It was a mixture of happy and sad tears.  It was dated 2/14/2012 to let me know he wrote it specifically for Valentine's Day.  It was the sweetest letter I've gotten from him so far.  It almost didn't sound like him.  Justin isn't a sappy kind of  guy, and while this letter was not super sappy, it was sincere, honest, and loving.  It was just what I needed at this moment in time. It addressed all my fears and concerns.  Reading Justin's thoughts made me realize he is going through just as much self reflection as I am.  I am not going to go into detail about everything he wrote in the letter, but he did thank me for always standing behind him, supporting him, and believing in him.  

I can't even explain how much I miss him right now. I feel like half of myself is missing.  This whole experience is an emotional roller coaster ride!  One moment I think I am doing great and the next I'm an emotional wreck! I'm never quite sure how I am going to handle each day!   Justin says I am strong, but I sure don't feel strong at the moment!

 

I hope my husband is feeling my love throughout all this.  I wish I could tell him in person. For those of you who can, take advantage of it!

 Take the time to tell the people you love how much they mean to you.  Don't take a single day for granted.  Don't hold back.  Don't let your pride or anger get in the way.  You never know when you stop getting chances to tell them!   You never know when "later" is "too late". 

I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!

~ Elle~