We have talked about how we all have desires for our relationship when we get married. To buy a house. To get good jobs. To have babies. To go on vacations. But sometime after we get married these desires shift to expectations. It may be right after you say "I Do" or it could be weeks, months, years later but it happens.
We talked about how God commanded us to love our spouse and put their hopes, dreams, and desires ahead of our own. So what about OUR desires? Who should we give those to if not to our spouse? 1 Peter 5:6-7 says: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
God wants to know about our desires, needs, dreams, hopes, and wishes. He cares for you. And me. Even the littlest thing that may seem so insignificate matters to Him. God designed us that way. Our spouses were not meant to take on that load. It is unhealthy to put that type of pressure on a spouse.
I cannot imagine if I put the pressure on Garth to fulfill my every hope, wish, desire, and dream. Our marriage would just not be good. I do not look to Garth for happiness. I look to God. He is listening and waiting on me to talk to Him. To learn more about Him. And I try to live my life where I am constantly in communication with Him. I cannot expect Garth to fulfill me and give me strength. That is God's job and Garth knows that and feels the same way. Garth does not look to me for ultimate fulfillment and happiness. It is unrealistic and we would just constantly be letting each other down if we looked to each other for what only God can provide.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
You know the saying "You make plans and God laughs?" My dad used to say that all the time. And it is so true. Garth's big 30th birthday was last week and I put all this pressure on myself to make it PERFECT.
First, I was going to plan a surprise party, but Garth had a hunch I was going to do that and begged me not to. So then Garth suggested that he wanted to get away so we took the time off work and started planning a vacation. The deals were not that great unless we went out of the country so we decided to hold off on the vacation and get our passports and plan something big later in the year.
We decided we would work on the basement. Garth wanted a lazy boy recliner so we started researching them. They are expensive! For an extra $300 you can have a whole new furniture set and free TV from ArtVan. So we nixed that idea and thought we would just have a staycation and work on the basement for his 30th.
Garth was happy with the staycation plan, but I was not. It wasn't big and grand and celebatory enough for a 30th birthday. I wanted it to be SUPER special. So I started researching vacations again. Our favorite hotels and b&bs were booked, leaving a few expensive, less ideal options so we nixed the idea.
I was not satisfied with the staycation, but I knew we would enjoy being home together for three full days without work. We would work on the basement man cave, go out to eat, explore cities we haven't been before and make the best of it.
I was even starting to look forward to our plans of a staycation. But then it happened. What you cannot plan for. The inevitable after planning and stressing over something. Garth got sick. On his 30th birthday. I thought it was a case of the man cold, but I took care of him. I did make him go out to a Japenese steakhouse with me and we had an amazing meal and great entertainment! He wanted to get home afterwards though and lay down. So after our delicious meal we rented movies and chilled out at home.
The next day I got sick. It was not a silly little cold, it was the gosh darn flu. And I'm still fighting it five days later. So we didn't do anything we had planned on doing. We were in our pajamas for the entire week and weekend. We did not leave. We did not cook. We did not go out of the house at all. Garth was feeling better by Friday and he took care of me while I slept. Jeez, I haven't been that sick in a long time and it stunk big time.
But I am thankful we didn't plan a vacation, that would have been a big waste of money! And though it wasn't what I had planned, it was a good lesson to me. Life doesn't always go as planned and that is just the kind of thing that makes life intereting. I know we will never forget Garth's 30th because we both had the flu and what a funny story that is!
And why stress so much on one darn day? I have this whole year to make Garth's 30th year special!
First, I was going to plan a surprise party, but Garth had a hunch I was going to do that and begged me not to. So then Garth suggested that he wanted to get away so we took the time off work and started planning a vacation. The deals were not that great unless we went out of the country so we decided to hold off on the vacation and get our passports and plan something big later in the year.
We decided we would work on the basement. Garth wanted a lazy boy recliner so we started researching them. They are expensive! For an extra $300 you can have a whole new furniture set and free TV from ArtVan. So we nixed that idea and thought we would just have a staycation and work on the basement for his 30th.
Garth was happy with the staycation plan, but I was not. It wasn't big and grand and celebatory enough for a 30th birthday. I wanted it to be SUPER special. So I started researching vacations again. Our favorite hotels and b&bs were booked, leaving a few expensive, less ideal options so we nixed the idea.
I was not satisfied with the staycation, but I knew we would enjoy being home together for three full days without work. We would work on the basement man cave, go out to eat, explore cities we haven't been before and make the best of it.
I was even starting to look forward to our plans of a staycation. But then it happened. What you cannot plan for. The inevitable after planning and stressing over something. Garth got sick. On his 30th birthday. I thought it was a case of the man cold, but I took care of him. I did make him go out to a Japenese steakhouse with me and we had an amazing meal and great entertainment! He wanted to get home afterwards though and lay down. So after our delicious meal we rented movies and chilled out at home.
The next day I got sick. It was not a silly little cold, it was the gosh darn flu. And I'm still fighting it five days later. So we didn't do anything we had planned on doing. We were in our pajamas for the entire week and weekend. We did not leave. We did not cook. We did not go out of the house at all. Garth was feeling better by Friday and he took care of me while I slept. Jeez, I haven't been that sick in a long time and it stunk big time.
But I am thankful we didn't plan a vacation, that would have been a big waste of money! And though it wasn't what I had planned, it was a good lesson to me. Life doesn't always go as planned and that is just the kind of thing that makes life intereting. I know we will never forget Garth's 30th because we both had the flu and what a funny story that is!
And why stress so much on one darn day? I have this whole year to make Garth's 30th year special!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Menu Monday
Last week was a bust when it came to trying new recipes. My turkey tetrazzini was too soupy and my lasagna was too rich. I was so annoyed because I spent a lot of money and a lot of time only to throw away food which I hate to do! So this week I'm sticking to oldies but goodies.
Monday - Beef Enchiladas
Tuesday - Tuna Melts (whole wheat bread, tuna in water, no mayo, with onion, celery and string cheese and in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted).
Wednesday - Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili
Thursday - Grilled Tomato and Goat Cheese Pizza
Friday - Beefy Corn and Black Bean Chili
These are my tried and true recipes. I know they are good, healthy, and delicious. What are you tried and true favorite recipes?
Monday - Beef Enchiladas
Tuesday - Tuna Melts (whole wheat bread, tuna in water, no mayo, with onion, celery and string cheese and in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted).
Wednesday - Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili
Thursday - Grilled Tomato and Goat Cheese Pizza
Friday - Beefy Corn and Black Bean Chili
These are my tried and true recipes. I know they are good, healthy, and delicious. What are you tried and true favorite recipes?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
30!
Garth is 30 years old today. In honor of that fact, here are 30 reasons I love him so stinkin' much.
1. The way he can finish my sentences.
2. He makes me laugh all. The. Time.
3. He loves God with his life.
4. The way he prays.
5. His accent. Swoooooooooooon.
6. Those curly locks of hair.
7. The way he can recite When Harry Met Sally. I thought I was the only one!
8. The amazing foods he makes.
9. The way he tucks me into bed every night.
10. That laugh of his. So innocent and genuine.
11. The way he can hold me and I immediately feel safe.
12. His love for the Savior.
13. His devotion and unconditional love for me.
14. He thinks I'm pretty with no make-up on.
15. He does not mind when I sing, even though it's horrible.
16. He never grows tired of House Hunters.
17. He pushes me to be spontaneous and adventerous.
18. He makes me want to be a better person.
19. His passion for adoption.
20. The way he plays guitar and sings the songs he wrote. He is so talented.
21. His gentle spirit and generous heart.
22. The courage he has to pursue his dreams.
23. He stands up for me no matter what. He has my back.
24. The way he listens to me.
25. He looks at me like I'm the only girl in the room.
26. He enjoys reading and learning about marriage as much as I do.
27. His obsession with card games.
28. He never takes himself too seriously.
29. He can relate anything to a Friends episode.
30. His love for travel and a good story.
Happy Birthday to my favorite person, I love you to the moon and back!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Birthday weekend
This past weekend was very relaxing.
Watched Ides of March.
Saturday we celebrated our first year in our house with thai food and champagne.
We went for a three mile run/walk.
Shoveled after a mini snow storm.
Drank coffee and read through Exodus.
Church with my family.
Lunch at Bahama Breeze.
Delicious cake at my parent's to celebrate Garth's birthday.
My mom NAILED the Manchester United Cake!!
Garth ADORED it.
Skyped with my brother, Brad, who is in NYC. 
Miss that kid so stinkin' much.
Read The Pact by Jodi Picoult.
Sushi by the fireplace was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.
One Year Anniversary of Home Ownership!
On Saturday Garth and I celebrated one year of home ownership. We closed on our house on a Friday last year and picked up champagne and thai food. We sat by the fireplace in the empty house and ate our food with our plastic cups filled with champagne. It was the most amazing feeling walking into a house that you owned. It was just incredible.
Here we are after closing in our brand new house:
We celebrated Saturday by ordering thai from the same place and grabbing a bottle of champagne to celebrate one crazy fun year of home ownership.
Here we are after closing in our brand new house:
We celebrated Saturday by ordering thai from the same place and grabbing a bottle of champagne to celebrate one crazy fun year of home ownership.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Menu Monday
This week I have some yummy, less healthy choices. But it is a special week because it's Garth's Birthday Week! So he gets all his favorite meals this week. Though the menu may have some slightly more indulgent meals, we plan to still watch our portions and exercise everyday.
Here is what we have on the menu this week:
Monday: Creamy White Chicken and Artichoke Lasagna
Tuesday: Chicken Enchilada Soup
Wednesday: Garth turns the big 3-0! Out to dinner.
Thursday: French Onion Soup
Friday: Avocado Grilled Cheese
I was asked where I get my menu ideas. My favorite sites for recipes are: Allrecipes, Cooking Light, and Pinterest. What's on your menu this week?
Here is what we have on the menu this week:
Monday: Creamy White Chicken and Artichoke Lasagna
Tuesday: Chicken Enchilada Soup
Wednesday: Garth turns the big 3-0! Out to dinner.
Thursday: French Onion Soup
Friday: Avocado Grilled Cheese
I was asked where I get my menu ideas. My favorite sites for recipes are: Allrecipes, Cooking Light, and Pinterest. What's on your menu this week?
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