Thankful

Thanksgiving has never been one of my favorite holidays. Somehow instead of being asked to cook, I always end up being responsible for the "garnish" tray.  (I'm on to you DuBrocs!) I am also not a huge fan of football, (shocker, I know) which is what you inevitably end up watching ALL DAY while you nap and let your food digest.

Nevertheless, I love spending time with my family.  Thanksgiving is also a wonderful time to look back and reflect on the many undeserved blessings we've received over the past year.  This year especially, I feel like I have so much to be thankful for.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have made a small list...

1. Casey: My groom. :) When I was wrapping up school and trying to make sense of who I was, and what I was supposed to do with my life; God brought me this guy right when I needed him most.  He is my biggest cheerleader, best friend, and soul mate.  He also makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I love you with all my heart Casey boy!
2. Family: I am very blessed to be a part of two wonderful families.  Casey and I are both very fortunate to have families that build us up when we've done a great job, cry and pray with us during the hard times, and know how to cut loose and have fun!  Don't get me wrong - we're not perfect.  Sometimes we tease, get sick of each other, maybe don't see eye to eye; but we're always there when it counts.
3. Friends: This has been a year of making friends!  Casey and I have become very close to some of our friends from church this year.  I am so truly thankful for these people! They have taught me so much about what it means to be a kind, considerate, and loving friend.  They've also taught me how to take that first step and reach out to others.  This is something as an introvert that's very hard for me!  Still working on this one, and trying very hard to be a better/more selfless friend.
4. Sufferings:  They always say to thank God for your sufferings, if not more than your blessings. Casey and I have experienced some growing pains over the past year, but through it all; God has taken this brokenness and turned it around for the greater good.  We have been tremendously blessed BECAUSE of these sufferings and connected with others in ways we never thought possible.  It's been amazing to see this beautiful story start to unfold.  I'm so excited to see what's in store for us next!  It's also made us grow by leaps and bounds in our faith.

Anyway, this has been quite the long-winded post!  Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving full of peace, love, and gratitude.  Hope you eat lots and lots of turkey too! 

-TW

Image courtesy of www.frenchpressmornings.com.  This site is awesome by the way!  She provides free, weekly inspirational prints that you can print and frame, save as your screensaver, etc.  I use them for wallpapers on my iphone, so I can meditate on an encouraging verse throughout the week.  

Small Talk

There is nothing I hate more than SMALL TALK.  My anxiety levels are at their highest when I first meet someone and I am forced to politely banter back and forth. I do that really awful nervous laugh and can't quit wiggling. Sometimes, I panic and get overly friendly and hug people. Yes, hug.  This happened recently.  I had to confirm with Casey as we walked away.  It was as if I had a very friendly blackout. I also analyze everything I say.  Was that dumb?  Did they get my joke?  Did that come off as rude/mean/snobby/stupid/uneducated?  The list goes on and on!

Anyway, my favorite kind of conversation is deep, meaningful, and always had with friends and family (especially with Casey).  This kind of conversation is hard to come by.  It can't be planned, it can't be forced, but when it happens - it's AWESOME.  We discuss EVERYTHING - from what the meaning of life is, to what our purpose is as a couple, to our spiritual gifts.  No topic is off limits.

We talk about our hopes, dreams, and desires; and don't give beauty queen answers - have a fulfilling job, buy the perfect starter home, start a family, world peace for all mankind and no pollution for the planet and all that stuff.  You can really dig DEEP.  We talk about our fears and disappointments.  What worries keep us up at night.  What shortcomings and faults we want to change. In the end, you feel as if your soul is cleansed.

So what about you?  Have you had a deep discussion lately?  What have you discovered?  What are your dreams/disappointments/fears/spiritual gifts/purposes/impossible moments that you are going to make possible?

I'd love to know!

- TW

True Love Thursday

"You don't need scores of suitors.  You need only one...if he's the right one."

 Louisa May Alcott
Little Women

Change is Hard

Ok folks, I'm going to try this thing again.  One. Last. Time.  Recently, it has seemed like life is moving faster than I can handle.  With showers, birthdays, and work, work work; there isn't much free time left to blog.

Anyway, on the first of October, Casey and I moved into a new apartment downtown.  While we LOVE our new apartment.  We have learned a lot of life lessons.  Rough beat you up kind of lessons, but we have mainly learned that change is hard.

After living at the same place for almost four years (a small triplex in the suburbs), Casey and I uprooted our small family of two and two pups and trucked it downtown.  While we have enjoyed our new home, we have learned several things.

1.  Grass is scarce and precious.  Yes, grass is hard to find; however the dogs have adjusted quite easily and can now take care of business on both gravel and concrete.
2.  Old buildings sometimes mean old parking garages.  This was the most painful lesson to learn (literally).  My car rolled down the ramp and hit a concrete wall resulting in a head contusion and whiplash.  Ouchie.
3.  You have to get on a highway to get to a grocery store, so be PREPARED. If you forget something, you will have to go to the only grocery store within walking distance to pay $6 for fancy schmancy organic butter.
4.  Living downtown means we're that much farther from our family and friends.  I know it only adds about 15 minutes, but sometimes it feels like we might as well be in Alaska.

However, we have also learned that...

1. Arts and culture are readily available at your fingertips.  Like the ballet? The symphony?  Care to take a walk through a museum?  You got it!  Would you like to Tango in Klyde Warren Park.  You got it!  I LOVE that about our neighborhood.
2. We live in a building with tenants in our peer group.  This may sound dumb, but I have the "grass is always greener" syndrome when it comes to my age.  I'm always trying to grow up too fast, and then once I get there I wish I was right back where I started.  In a word - it's EXHAUSTING.  Not to mention it puts way too much pressure on yourself and your spouse.
3. Living farther away from your family means that you have to rely more on your spouse. The ole "leave and cleave"! This is a really hard concept to grasp when you're first married, especially if you deeply respect your parents and their opinions.  However, this has been a good thing because it has forced me and Casey to become a more cohesive family unit - a better team, and make decisions for us by us.
4. Sometimes the best way to learn and evolve is to grow where you're planted.  Through it all, we have learned that home is where the FAMILY is.  As long as you have a few pieces of furniture, a couple of nails, and some artwork to make things feel more welcoming; you can make home anywhere.

Anyway, that's my two cents for today.  Enjoy the sneak peek below, and hope you stop by the concrete jungle soon!

-TW