3 years!

My wonderful amazing husband got me another band for our 3 year anniversary. 3 years- 3 rings. Wow, I am a lucky girl. It is the same as my wedding band, and I have been wanting it ever since I discovered it- I LOVE IT!!

This past year of marriage has proved to be one of the most challenging years for both of us. Despite all we have been through we have grown closer together and come out with a deeper understanding of marriage. I am so grateful for God's provision in my life and couldn't ask for a better match for me.

P.S. I will eventually post about the other promised things.....

Down in the Dells

Over two weeks ago now, we made a trip to the Wisconsin Dells. When we left it was raining, and when we came home it was raining. For a week. All of you who live in Chicago remember that week- many of you dealt with floods, power outages, and days and days of endless clouds and water. So on a happy note- at least we didn't have any storm damage to come home to.

On a sad note- the Dells are not the place to go when monsoons hit the midwest. That is unless you are a sucker for tourist traps and gift shops straight from the Oriental Trading Post. We were looking forward to a week spent hiking, golfing (Jon not me), laying out by the pool, paddling boating, riding the Wisconsin Army Ducks, BBQing.... you get the picture. None of this can be done in the rain. Now I am a fan of a cozy day inside- just not 5 of them when I was anticipating outdoor adventure. I found myself becoming extremely bratty and sick of being pent up inside. My husband being Mr. Positive was quite content to sit by the fire and read (Yes I said read... he actually did!). This stirred on some interesting discussions on our ideas of vacations and get aways. Even on Vacation- I prefer to be Ms. Active. Even if "active" may mean the activity of sipping a Pina Colada by the Pool. Jon is content to just be away and zone out from normal routine. Thankfully, I think we were able to learn from each other and compromise.

Days were spent in our little cabin:
really not a bad place to be stuck, and nights were spent eating out or going to Ho-Chunk Casino (a long time legend within my group of friends). We didn't win any money, but it was entertaining. On our last day we were able to go for a lovely hike. Complete with a snake scampering right over my feet. All in all, to the Dells I say- It was nice knowin ya, we shared some good times, but I don't think we'll be seein each other again.

Summary?

Well the past two weeks have been incredibly unpredictable and full. I don't even know where to start. I just wanted to post some sort of life on our blog.

Here is a table of contents of postings to come, in chronological order

1) Wisconsin Dells
2) My grandma Wilma/ New Jersey
5) 3 year Anniversary

a must see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZHiuJZ7CQ

LOVE the beach

( I am not sure why I am standing so funny.....)

Tagged

Melissa tagged me. I don't know if there are eight people left in my blog circle of friends that haven't been tagged yet! If you have been tagged and not yet responded, I may tag you again:)

Tagging means you have to post 8 random facts/habits about yourself, and then "tag" 8 other people.

1. Fact- I do not have pierced ears. Explanation if you wish to read: I wasn't aloud to get them pierced till I was 13. When I was 13 I was deathly afraid of getting it done (needles). As I got older I began to realize it was one less meaningless token of beauty to worry about, so I have opted not to pierce them. I have been tempted at times, and I once had my upper cartilage pierced twice. No I am not in a gang... I just thought it was cool. One has closed up, the other may still be there.

2. Habit- Generally speaking, I eat the same Bagel with fat free cream cheese every morning. I rotate between flavors, but I am addicted to Natural Ovens.

3. Fact- When I was in second grade I got lost after a local play. I walked from Naperville to Glen Ellen. I finally decided to ask for help when it got dark.

4. Fact- I wear a size 8-9 shoe, but I am only 5'3''.

5. Habit- I tend to leave longer than necessary voice mails.

6. Fact- Numerous strangers have told me I look like Jennifer Aniston (I'll take it!)

7. Habit- Thai food, once a week is a must.

8. Fact- I've never had a cavity. Accept for ONE time I went to a new dentist and he tried to scam me and said I had 5 that needed to be filled right away. That was the end of that dentist.

I Tag (and re-tag), I need more blogger friends!!

Eric O.
Greta
Chrissy
Steve Luce (your name is on the blog! You have to post too)
Audrey
Ali O , Annie J and Annie H- to make a blog because I know you read them all the time anyway.

just because

I have nothing too exciting to post about today. It has been a calm week for us, which has been nice. Probably because we are finally being forced to be calm. Jon has strep. Yuck, poor guy. I have had some sort of little bug for quite some time now..but just as I am starting to get over it, Jon has strep. So without my partner for fun and games, I must also rest. We have been going like mad this summer. Now some of you may say, what else is new? You always go like mad. But let me tell you, I actually feel like I have my life back!

I have always survived best living a full life with lots of activity and people. However, sometimes I get lazy and allow myself to forget this. For a long time I was in a "tweener" stage. Caught in between odd jobs, classes, no car, living "far" from people. The spring brought on a welcomed change of having a more set schedule and the ability to make plans. Another welcome change ,which I have mentioned in past blogs, we both began doing things we truly loved and actually don't mind putting in extra hours. These changes= busy times, no weekends free, and being tired. A good tired though. A kind of- mmm hmm, I have been doing a lot lately. Wow, I have seen a lot of people lately, Hmm been invested in a lot lately.... better make sure I am not spreading myself too thin as I have in the past. During these times it is easy to forget to spend quality time with God, with your spouse, or for me- not allowing myself to mentally relax. I must admit one con of having such a full summer is that we have barely made it to church. I don't like that! But the great thing is, I have seen God in so many other ways, and I know this summer has been revitalizing and inspiring for us each in different ways. Today as I had a quiet day I was reminded of the importance of prayer and solitude with God. Without that, none of this other stuff matters and it just uses up the wrong kind of energy!

I also will take the time to add here how much I love blogging and bloggingish things for the sheer fact it helps people keep up with each other! My dear friend from out west left me a message last night saying she has been following my life online (hi!). Now in some ways, this is sad- it allows us to not personally communicate. In better ways, we aren't great at calling each other frequently anyhow- so at least we can keep up on each others lives. I love that.

Anyway, so here is a post not posting about something we did this past weekend. Instead it is about just being and taking some time to breathe.