Day #11, #12 & #13

I'm obviously terrible at keeping up with this everyday thing so I'm cutting myself some slack and capping this off on I love us Day {Thanks Hallmark}.

FEB 11 - ENJOY SOME GUY FRIEND/GIRL FRIEND TIME

Jody is my best friend but there are just times when I need to hang out with my girl friends. I think supportive friends are key to a happy, healthy marriage.

FEB 12 - COOK YOUR WIFE DINNER

Ok maybe this won't make your marriage great but it sure will make your wife happy :)

FEB 13 - THINK OF YOUR SPOUSE BEFORE YOURSELF

I definitely have to work on this one

Where have you been all my life?

This is going to be a short & sweet post because today is insane.
I LOVE MY NEW MATERNITY JEANS!
I may never wear regular pants again.

FEB 10 - SAY I LOVE YOU
.....to your spouse....not your elastic jeans

I will not freak out

With all the baby excitement over the past 8 weeks, I've had little time to think about the other big life change coming our way. That was until these showed up on our door step Monday afternoon.

I came home from work to find Jody in his gym clothes sporting his new Army boots. A week prior, he'd found a great deal on these boots and we decided, even if it was a bit early, that it was too good to pass up. It wasn't until I saw those boots that I realized "oh my.....we are really doing this."

Funny story about the Army....it scares me. I was shocked--let me reiterate--shocked when Jody told me he wanted to go back into the service, but I was willing to consider it. Jody originally stuck with applying only to the Air Force--a choice I was comfortable with since it was familiar. I'm not sure how he worked the Army into the picture, but I do remember him telling me he was "just going to apply and see what happens."

Now lets talk about prayers. For the past year I've been praying for Jody and his future job. My exact prayer was for God to make it VERY obvious where he wanted Jody by opening the door wide open. Sometimes I think I should be careful what I pray for because God answered my prayer by opening the one door I wanted shut. The Army, God? Seriously? Are you positive? Do you need some time to reconsider?

My reaction to God's direction is very familiar--I had the same response when Jody was accepted to the University of Oregon. What's different this time is that I have complete peace in our decision. I know that God has great plans for us and instead of fighting the plan, I'm embracing it. This doesn't mean that I still don't have my worries, but I know we are in good hands. So Army it is!

FEB 8 &9 - MORE TRUST LESS WORRY

See Above

With Love,

Day #7

FEB 7 - COMMUNICATION IS KEY

{Sheesh.....I'm turning into a regular Dr. Phil}

Last week I found ANOTHER amazing blog to add to my google reader - Today's Letters. Emily & Tim Loerke are an amazing couple that love the Lord, but have been very open about conflicts early in their marriage. Since I've dedicated this month to making marriage the best it can be, I was ecstatic to find their list of Tuesday Questions. I think communication is foundational to any healthy relationship and these simple questions really get to the core what we truly need in a marriage......to feel loved, pursued, encouraged & cared for.

Day #6 & A Heavy Heart

FEB 6 - WORSHIP WITH YOUR SPOUSE

There are few things that make me feel as close to my husband as going to church on Sunday morning. Knowing that we start our week worshiping together, with focus on what is truly important in our lives, has become an essential part of our marriage.

A HEAVY HEART

This is my dear friend Austin and his wife Beth. Austin and I were both in the same program in college and he was a huge encouragement when I was terrified about taking a job in Colorado after graduation. Austin was also a huge comfort when my father passed away, listening for hours as I struggled to deal with the loss.

In his early 20's, Austin was in a severe car accident that almost took his life and left him without a spleen. Yesterday I found out that he had come down with a flu-like virus, that his body couldn't fight, and he passed away.

I'm honestly in a state of shock and my heart is truly broken.........for the loss of my friend, for Austin's beautiful wife and for the pain his family is going through.

I so often don't understand why God makes the choices he does, but I just have to continue to believe in his plan.

Day #5

FEB 5 - UNPLUG

Jody and I took the dogs on a 3-mile walk this afternoon.......no cell phones, TV, computers or Xbox. We didn't really talk about much, but it was nice to have him all to myself.

Day #4 & Brothers

I spoke to my youngest sibling last night; he was busting my chops about all the "lovey crap" I was posting on my blog. Guess what?.....it's only going to get worse.

I love, adore and cherish my brothers. There is nothing better than a text, e-mail or call from them to check in and include me in their lives. Life moves fast and sometimes it's hard to be so far away, but I hope they both know that I love them very much. They are the cat's pajamas and they know it.

How about that Jay? Super mushy just for you ♥

So now onto #4

FEB 4 - MAKE SACRIFICES

Yesterday was a sad day in our house......Jody sold the motorcycle. I actually think I was more emotional than Jody. I just felt so bad that he was selling something that I know he really enjoyed and loved riding. Jody didn't have to sell the motorcycle but he made that sacrifice for our expanding family. Marriage is all about sacrifice, today I want to make a decision to graciously make sacrifices in my marriage and acknowledge when sacrifices are made.

Day #3

Feb 3 - TAKE MY HONEY ON A DATE

I love to be taken on dates, but why should it always be the responsibility of the mister. I'm sure husbands enjoy being pursued as much as us women do. So today I challenge myself to ask my husband on more dates.....

So wadaya say honey? Are ya free on Friday night? I've got a hot date planned.....wink wink. Ok honestly it will probably be burgers and a movie.....if you're lucky we may even have some ice cream.

* I think we might want to get in as many dates as we can before the 3rd wheel shows up*

Day #2

Feb 2 - PRAY FOR MY MARRIAGE

Today I want to commit to praying daily for my marriage. I often find myself praying for my marriage when I am angry or hurt but not so much when things are peachy. I want to make my relationship a prayer priority and start the day with my marriage as priority #1.

February

While the rest of the country is freezing their little hineys off, the northwest is enjoying sunny skies and a beautiful start to this month of love. I think all this sunshine is throwing me off, or maybe it's my protuding gut, but my brain has been working overtime this afternoon. Try and stay with me people......the post has no permanent direction.

Since this month has long been dedicated to hearts, flowers and boxed chocolate, I've decided to go with it and totally embrace all things Valentine's. With that said, I've also decided to dedicate this month to my favorite Valentine - hubby extrodinare - my main squeezer - the mister. I think, and hopefully he agrees, that we have a really good marriage but I want more (don't most women)....I want a great marriage. So, everyday this month I am going to commit to doing 1 thing per day to make my marriage greatER then it already is. So here we go......

Feb 1 - EVALUATE MYSELF

Ladies - As much as we would love to say that we are the perfect ones in the relationship....we aren't {ugg that's hard to admit}. Today I commit to spending less time finger pointing and more to time evaluating what I can do to make our marriage greatER.

Onto another topic. The time has finally come to start thinking about maternity clothes. You know why?.....my pants told me so. I'm definitely not ready to make the switch but there are several items that have already been moved to the pre-pregnancy portion of my closet. To prepare for the moment when my pants just won't give another inch, I ordered my first pair of maternity jeans that should arrive any day now. I'm also considering asking my boss if yoga pants fall under the "professional work attire" category.

Even though maternity clothes are right around the corner, I've vowed to not let it make me frumpy. THIS lady is my preggers mentor. So precious!

Unfortunately, there is not a chance in H-E-double hockey sticks that I will have the 'basketball' belly. I'm convinced this child's theory is go big or go home. I've already gained 6lbs and I'm not even in my 2nd trimester!


Last thing and I am done for the day. I really hope you guys like hearing about the following topics....

• pregnancy
• law school graduation/the bar
• the Army
• being on an itty bitty budget

because that is what is going to consume all of 2011. If you don't come back I will understand.....but then you won't get to hear about how I have to take off my panty hose to eat lunch because they make me feel like a sausage.

With Love,