Days Like Today

Some days, like today, I just feel so INSPIRED! So MOTIVATED! I start thinking about all of life's possibilities, and all of the things I could try and do and become. I decide that I want to do more blogging, traveling, reading, cooking, coupon-ing, photographing, etc. and I get IMMENSELY excited about buying and then decorating a house, and being a mom, and raising a (large) family, and all of that fun stuff.

What is the catalyst for this upbeat attitude and optimism? Spring? The middle of the week? A good night's sleep? I've GOT to figure out how capture this motivation that comes around on days like today. Because it feels good to feel good about the future and to feel like I have the energy to take on the world.

The reality is this: there aren't enough hours in the day to do all that I'd like to do! (And that's probably a good topic for another post. Hmm, maybe I will accomplish more blogging, at least!) Tonight I'll do laundry, clean up after dinner (...which happens to be BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. The pork has been in the slow-cooker all day and I think it's going to turn out even better than I expected. Yum.), fold laundry (goodness, it feels like I do a LOT of laundry...all the time), and collapse on the couch once I realize what a long day it's been. That's the way it seems to go!

The "every day" chores and routine are blessings and I try to recognize them as the gifts that they are. But, for some unknown reason, today I just feel very motivated to increasingly live life fully. And what a blessing that is, too....

Living For Him

In an effort to do some "spring cleaning" today, I came across a bulletin from one of the churches Bobby and I visited last fall. The topic of the sermon that Sunday had been "Living for Him", and one of the questions that the speaker posed to the congregation was "what does living for God mean?" I jotted down my immediate response to that question.

Living for God means...

• Obedience.
• Potential sacrifice.
• Having a willing attitude.
• Accepting that His purpose/plan may be different than my own.

My desire is to continually ask myself that question...and to more deliberately practice living out my response.

The Green Grass Grows All Around

I am embarrassed to admit that it's been over a month since I've posted. (Which isn't for lack of having blog-worthy thoughts or material, I must say.) I've simply discovered that after sitting at the computer all day at work, doing the same thing once I get home isn't too appealing. (Which doesn't explain my ability to play on facebook at great lengths. Go figure.) In any case, I'm back. For the time being, anyway.

It's been a rainy day in St. Louis, and across much of the state, from what I hear. I was looking out the window (during what was a very, very brief "time-out" from a very, very busy workday), watching it rain. As I watched the drops fall, I couldn't help but notice the grass, practically turning greener before my eyes. I immediately thought, "Wow. God totally planned it this way. It HAS to rain for the grass to grow." It's obvious, of course, but the profoundness came when I realized that God's plan for the grass is probably far more similar to His plans for me than I usually care to recognize. How many of my dilemmas/circumstances/frustrations are serving as the rain that HAS to come for the grass to turn green? What part does this dilemma/circumstance/frustration play into the bigger life story of God's design?

It's easy to see the purpose for the rain when we see the rainbow at the end. But, when you're in the middle of the storm, it's far more difficult. And, I actually had a great day! (Like I said, easy to see a storm as a good thing when it's blown past!) No specific trials or tribulations to speak of. I'm happy. Joyful, really. Because (not only can I not think of any specific storms-or even rain showers-in my life) I know that God used me today for His glory. I hope that I can express that same joy the next time a storm comes along.

On another note, may I just say, I am so very ready to visit Springfield. It's been since late-January, and thankfully, we got to spend a delightful weekend with my parents and Rachel at the end of February...but it's already been a month past that, and I miss all of them and what will probably always be "home". Not to mention my desperate need for time with special friends. Yes, Morgan and Becca...I'm talking to you. One more week. It's going to be great!

Love Like Crazy

I've been a married woman for half of a year. (Seriously? How did that happen?!)

This "newlywed-phase" continues to be such fun. I can only hope that the next six months are as full of excitement and memory-making as the last six have been. I have a feeling that they will be.

I recently discovered a new song on Pandora, and I can't get enough. I like to think that it describes quite nicely the kind of attitude that Bobby and I try to have toward each other and our young marriage. In any case, it always makes me think of him, it reminds me to give him my best, and it paints a great picture of what I imagine our lives will look like as the years go by. You can't beat that. (Listen to it here.)

Thanks for six great months, Bobby. I love you like crazy.

Looking Back...and Moving Forward

That’s it. I’m just going to say it.

I’m not sure that I’m ready for 2009 to be over.

This has been one stellar year.

For 8 months, I was engaged, planned a wedding, and spent special wedding-related moments with friends and my family, and with my fiancé. I graduated from Mizzou, and thus closed a wonderful four-year chapter of my life. I moved out of my first apartment, and found a new one in St. Louis where Bobby and I are starting a new chapter together.

And then there was a wedding! (Oh, that wedding….)

And a honeymoon!

And a move, and a new city, and a new job!

For 4 months, I’ve been a wife! And Bobby and I have settled comfortably into the last part of 2009.

Does it get much better?

It’s not that I don’t want the New Year to arrive; I just don’t want to say goodbye to what has been a beautiful, exciting, life-changing year. But, life just keeps happening, doesn’t it? 2010 is coming. And, I’m prepared for that. There really are so many other beautiful things that are to come, in the coming year…in the coming decade!

A few things I am already looking forward to in the coming year:

· Celebrating our 1^st married Valentine’s Day, and our sixth anniversary of “togetherness”

· Celebrating our 24^th birthdays

· Trips to Springfield

· Summer in St. Louis

· Visits from loved ones to our home

· Becoming involved at our new church

· Hearing about friends’ wedding planning

· A trip to Minnesota

· Kelsey’s wedding

· A vacation to somewhere

· Celebrating our first anniversary!

Tonight Bobby and I are going to make a list together of our favorite moments and memories from 2009 (his idea!), and I’m curious to see what makes Bobby’s list. There is much to look back on and smile about. And, if this little activity tonight becomes a tradition, I know that our list from 2010 will be a lengthy one, too. And that’s because we love life! We make our years together great, full of “little moments” and joy and laughter. If there are no major life milestones for us in 2010 as there were in 2009, that’s okay. I’m excited to grow in our “everyday love”, and settle into 2010 as husband and wife, continually exploring what that means…in our new city, our new home, our new church, and our new life.

I will always look back on 2009 with a smile, and thankfulness for the time of celebration that it was. But, here comes 2010! I’m ready. It’s a gift! And, it’s going to be great. My resolution? To recognize daily the little moments that will make it that way.

Together.

It’s happened again! Another engagement! Another bride-to-be!

My dear cousin, Kelsey, accepted (or, as I understand it, more specifically said “Yes! Yes yes yes! Yes!”) to Jared Bethune’s proposal on December 21^st, under a street light and a starry winter sky. It sounded perfectly romantic, and I’m sure that it was just that.

Kelsey and I have always shared a fun connection, despite the distance that separates us and the lengthy time between our face-to-face visits. Our personalities (and the stories of our romances) are quite similar, and those similarities are part of what makes me so excited for all that she will experience in the months ahead.

Kelsey has waited a very long time for this point in their relationship. And, I can absolutely relate. Like Jared and Kelsey, Bobby and I dated for several years before getting married, including all throughout college, and when I graduated in May, the wedding was mere months later. Planning and organizing is in our blood, and like Kelsey, I was beyond thrilled for (and actually, motivated and energized by) all of the planning, organizing and busy-ness that comes with being engaged.

It’s amusing to hear about her engagement and celebrations to come and think “Hey! That was me this time one year ago!” Her 2010 will be my 2009! Life is such fun.

As Kelsey described her new engagement ring in a blog of her own, she said “He picked out the most PERFECT ring & isn't just me, or my style. It's us.” I love that description. “It’s us.” The ring is certainly more than a gift to the bride; it is symbolic of the pair. It can be a beautiful illustration of the love of the couple. And, Kelsey has wisely chosen to recognize it as such. Good for her. My prayer is that that wisdom will continue as they plan their wedding day, and their marriage, as well.

I like to think that Bobby and I enjoyed a perfect wedding day built together, and that it was truly a reflection of our love story, with God as the Author. I believe that we’re doing that as we build our marriage, too. How beautiful (and fun!) it is to plan for not only a day, but also a lifetime, TOGETHER.

Kelsey (far-left) and a few of the cousins at my wedding in August.

(Notice how she coordinated her outfit for the occasion? Yep, she's good.)

I absolutely admire the woman that Kelsey has become, and the cousin (and the avid planner!) in me cannot wait to hear all about the stories, stresses, and surprises that come their way as they move toward their “big day”. If anyone can design a beautiful wedding, Kelsey (and Jared) can. I have yet to meet Jared, but I have a feeling that the two of them, together, can create a beautiful marriage, too.

Congratulations to the future

Mr. and Mrs. Bethune!

Happy planning!

A "Big" Moment!

Yesterday morning, I got a call from one of my best friends.

She had big news; she’s ENGAGED!

Ashley is a dear friend, and the closest friend that I have ever had to be in this position. I cannot express how thrilled I am for her and for her fiancé (!!!), Matt. Her phone call brought tears to my eyes, both out of excitement for her, and because of the memories that her experience brought back of my own engagement. This is such a special time of celebration for her. I clearly remember the indescribable joy and anticipation that I felt at this time one year ago. I could not be happier that she gets to experience that.

I have not been this excited in a long time. Certainly not since my own wedding! And, to be truthful, I think it’s been a far longer time that I’ve felt such sincere and overwhelming excitement for someone else.

Bobby and I have had our “big” moments for a while. We got engaged. We got married. We moved to a new city. We got new jobs. We are settling into our “new” life together. It’s easy to imagine what our next “big” moments might be. We’ll buy a house. We’ll have a baby…okay, make that plural…babies.

But, it’s not time for those things yet. Which has made me, a “keep going”, “move on to the next thing” type-girl, a little uncertain about this in-between phase of our lives.

Ashley’s engagement news brought such joy to my day, and while I was dancing around the apartment yesterday morning in excitement (really, I did), I realized that this is an example of the next “big” moment…and it’s not mine. And, that’s more than okay!

It became clear somewhere in the middle of listening to “My Girl” and “Just the Way You Look Tonight”, that this in-between time for Bobby and I will be time spent celebrating some “big” moments for our best friends. It’s their turn! And, you can bet that we will be happily celebrating with each of them as they enjoy all of the fun and joy that comes with their engagements, their weddings, their jobs, and their marriages…just as they have in celebrating ours.

Congratulations, to the future Mr. and Mrs. Tramm!

May the months ahead be full of much joy and much celebration of these big moments of yours!

Ashley and I at my wedding. What a beautiful bride SHE will be!

"No-Shave November"

Bobby is (as many men these days seem to be) participating in “No-Shave November”, an unofficial month-long “celebration”, undoubtedly created by a significant other-less male.

This is not the first time Bobby has recognized this seemingly national event. I’ve come to expect it, although for some reason, I must have imagined that marriage would change his desire to participate.

I thought wrong, and I really should have known better.

Bobby is fourteen days into growing what has the potential to be another awe-inspiring beard/mustache combo. I’ve seen what that facial hair can do when left unattended. One can’t help but be impressed! I don’t blame him for wanting to show it off…or, for finding an excuse to avoid the bothersome task of shaving.

As Bobby pointed out the other day (in an effort to convince me that his hair growth was desirable), “a lot of great men have had beards at this point in their lives! My dad…your dad…me!” He’s got me there. (And, I’ll admit. It was kind of a handsome, rugged look…a couple weeks ago. Now, it’s just itchy.)

Recognizing “No-Shave November” in the Phillips household may be here to stay. I’ve only one option that may help to lessen its appeal. My strategy?

Participation.

One of Bobby's most impressive hair growth efforts, from earlier this year.

(That man...gotta love him!)

Icing

Two Fridays ago, I got my first “big girl” check. My first 40 hours a week (x 2), “I could actually do something significant with this amount of money” (“I could do something significant with the amount of money going to taxes….”), working-woman check. It felt good.

As I was driving home from work that night, I got teary-eyed, thinking about what a check like that could mean for so many families. Bobby and I already have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and a cozy bed to crawl into every night. We have transportation to work, and if we get sick, there is money in the bank to make sure that we’re taken care of. We both have jobs now, and we aren’t dependent on my paycheck. The reality is, that it’s just icing on the cake! Things could be a lot different; they are for a lot of people. We are blessed.

Of course, the money will come in handy for us, too. It already has! Last weekend we bought nightstands, lamps, and curtains for the bedroom, and it all looks great. Our apartment is slowly feeling more and more like home. Someday, we’ll be able to buy a house, and create another home of our own, because of saving checks like this one.

Still, I hope that I can always recognize all of the “icing” that we enjoy, appreciating the material extras in my life for the blessings that they truly are.

Two Months

Bobby and I have now been married for two months, plus a few days. I’ve been thinking a lot about the past several weeks we’ve had, getting to know each other in a completely different way than we have before.

We share meals together. We share a home together. We’re sharing life together.

Below are some of the many observations I’ve had, reflecting on our first weeks of marriage.

· Not having to say “goodbye” at the end of the day is a wonderful thing.

· Bobby’s side of the closet smells absolutely fantastic.

· I need more room for ironing dress shirts.

· I can cut Bobby’s hair! It saves money, and he looks so handsome.

· Having only one television means lots of compromise. Lots.

· We said “goodnight” on the phone the same way every night for 5+ years before we were married. We still say “goodnight” in person the same way. It’s cute.

· Surprising Bobby with a meal that he doesn’t think he’ll like…and then does… is really fun.

· Cooking and cleaning for us brings me a lot of joy. And, I know I’m going to love being a mom someday.

· Boys and girls do things differently. It’s as simple (and as complicated) as that.

· Morning breath is no fun for anyone.

· We can’t have dessert every night, or we’ll both look a lot different this time next year.

· Being married to a lifelong athlete is a great way to be held accountable to working out. And, we have been!

· Bobby keeps me laughing. And that is a blessing for which I am going to be thankful for many years.

· Sharing a bed is a skill that takes time to master.

· Keeping track of our finances and budget in Quicken is surprisingly enjoyable.

· Seeing Bobby walk through the door after work is my favorite part of the day.

It’s new! It’s fun! It’s challenging! And, I love it.