downtown

I enjoyed a walk downtown Friday night with my husband and son. Lynn was spending the night at a friend's house which left us as a family of three for the evening. Zane and I met Mr. H after work (he works downtown), where we loaded Zane in the stroller and headed towards the upbeat, lively downtown city blocks. My hubs, so kindly taking over "stroller pushing" duty, left me hands-free to use my camera. We enjoyed a live quartet (playing for the opening night of the "Oklahoma" production being put on by a local college), grabbed a quick bite to eat at a sandwich shop, and peeked in storefronts and restaurants, checking out menus for future date nights. The streets were busy! Honestly, it was great to see life in the city, although it was a bit out of my natural "comfort zone."
I snapped a few shots during our walk, but was most intrigued with the architecture of a large, old Methodist church, that dates back to the Great Depression era, which we strolled past closer to sunset. Here are two photos that I've processed from last night.

A late submission, however linking this up with:

biking

My hubby is a biker. Nope, not a motorcyclist, but a bicyclist. He mountain bikes, road bikes and bikes with the kiddos. Due to some monetary blessing in past years (called a tax refund) and the selling of an older bike this weekend (the Cannondale above), my hubby now has a bike to fill each of those slots (yes, I know, it is time for me to get some new lenses for my camera to keep up!) He was out cleaning his old mountain bike getting it ready for its new owner, so I took some shots to capture the moment but also a few of bike parts just for fun.

I love that he bikes. I am not really into riding myself, but I love that this hobby of his gets him outside, active (aka muscular & tan, mmhmm), and allows him the ability to clear his mind (without just zoning out in front of the tv or computer). So for that, I'll be a biker-wife ;)

following

Have you heard the song from Chris Tomlin titled, I Will Follow? Every time I hear the song I get chills and my heart feels full. I realize that the song writer is talking about following God - All your ways are good; All your ways are sure; I will trust in You alone. I want that to be my heart's cry. I want to submit right now to His ultimate authority over my life. However, when the song comes to the chorus - Where you go, I'll go; Where you stay, I'll stay; When you move, I'll move; I will follow you - I first think of the Ruth, from the Bible. She committed to staying with her mother in law, Naomi, even after her husband's death. She was willing to move to Naomi's homeland even though it was foreign from hers. Then my thoughts turn to our possible life transition - from civilian to military. This decision requires bravery and commitment from my husband, but also from me (& the kids). However, I respect his love and leadership for our family. I am not opposed to the idea of becoming a military family. I see how God has given him (well both of us really) preferences, gifts, and abilities that are well-suited for that lifestyle (or at least my perception of it). I trust my husband and know that he will lead us, not necessarily into the path of least resistance, but to the path which God has allowed us to walk down. So, with my heart full of love, I say to my God and my husband, "I will follow you."

how mysteriously fun!

How exciting... earlier today hubby told me to take 12 slips of paper and write down 12 different things that would be romantic to me. I just finished and am giddy over the idea of doing any one of these twelve things together. After writing them down, I was to fold them up and stick them in a mason jar. That's all I know. And, since he reads this blog, I will refrain from commenting on anything that I wrote down, but know that I am totally enthusiastic about the new surprise "game." Can't wait to see what's next...

marriage

Out of the mouths of babes... well, actually out of the mouth of an 18 year old character in a widely popular teen literary series, the Twilight series...
The main character, Bella, in speaking of marriage, says "How did people do this - swallow all their fears and trust someone else so implicitly with every imperfection and fear they had - with less than the absolute commitment Edward (her "intended" aka the vampire) had given me?"
Rather than delve into a review of the series (I'll just direct you here to this site), I want to move into the thoughts on marriage...

On My Charming Kids, MckMama says, "I believe that marriage is the permanent union of two imperfect people, sinners who will time and again let each other down and fail to meet each others needs and desires completely. Don't get me wrong! Marriage can be filled with moments of joy and unbelievable love and a feeling of warm commitment as two people journey together in life, side by side. But many are the times when marriage doesn't feel good. When choosing to love the one you're with takes a lot of determination because you simply don't feel in love any more, or because your spouse is acting unlovingly towards you."

From It's Wonderful Life, RN & OSHP expands on the idea and says, "God's idea of marriage is so different than what the world has turned it into! When we marry someone we make a covenant with God and our spouse that we are choosing that person for LIFE.... Can we just soak a magnificent truth in awhile? The truth that we have a God who is so in love with us that He gave us a relationship (marriage) on earth to show just how faithful He is. Marriage is hard! Can I get an AMEN?! Guess what must be harder? Creating people in your own image and having them leave you for someone or something else. Having them completely rebel against you. Not only do they rebel, but they do horrible things to each other and all that you have created."

Wow, good words ladies. With this attitude, I'm er, well, not really being the best wife at the moment. Blessedly, my husband's sticking through it :)
No, but seriously. Now into our eighth year, it seems like we struggled through all the normal first year squabbles, moved into hard times brought on by stressful work situations, bringing us to this year's loss of our son. An amazing praise is that our struggles have brought us closer together. We've learned how to communicate about thoughts and feelings that we've never previously experienced together before. I know that we've got plenty of struggles ahead and while it may not be easy each step of the way, I do find it amazing... the gift of marriage given to us by our Father... the gift of experiencing life side by side to my hubby. My husband's my closest friend and I thank God each day for him.

Shout out about love & marriage on your blog and share your link back in the comments.

almost newlyweds

Just helped my sister in law move her stuff into her fiancee's house last night. They get married in one week and it just brings back all those pre-wedding emotions & events from my wedding seven years ago. I wouldn't rewind time even if I could! All those first-year issues. I remember hubby and I actually argued over the toothpaste tube. Yes, how cliche, huh? We were both choosing that moment to be so stubborn and actually argue whether the tube should be rolled up (it was half empty) or kept straight. I would squeeze it straight and he wanted it rolled up as it was used. How amusing now, although it wasn't at the time. We actually had two tubes of toothpaste at one point, just so we could do our own thing! Anyone have any ridiculous arguments your first year of marriage?

Happy 100!

In honor of my 100th post and since I'm so excited to be back with my husband after being apart for two weeks, I'm posting a list of "100 ways to say I love you." Feel free to use one on your own honey this week!

1. I adore you.
2. I am infatuated with you.
3. I appreciate you.
4. I can't live without you.
5. I can't stop thinking about you when we're apart.
6. I cherish you.
7. I dream of you.
8. I live for our love.
9. I love being around you.
10. I need you by my side.
11. I can't live without you.
12. I need you.
13. I respect you.
14. I value you.
15.I want a lifetime with you.
16. I want you.
17. I worship you.
18. I yearn for you.
19. I'm a better person because of you.
20. I'm blessed to have you in my life.
21. I'm devoted to you.
22. I'm fond of you.
23. I'm lost without you.
24. I'm nothing without you.
25. I'm passionate about you.
26. I'm thankful for you.
27. I'm yours.
28. Me and you. Always.
29. My love is unconditional.
30. Our love is invaluable.
31. Take me* I'm yours.
32. The thought of you brings a smile to my face.
33. Together* forever.
34. We were meant to be together.
35. You are a blessing in disguise.
36. You are an angel from God.
37. You are like a candle burning bright.
38. You are my crush.
39. You are my dear.
40. You are my everything.
41. You are my one and only.
42. You are my reason for living.
43. You are my strength.
44. You are my sunshine.
45. You are my treasure.
46. You are my world.
47. You are precious.
48. You are the light of my life.
49. You are the reason I'm alive.
50. You bring happiness to rainy days.
51. You bring joy to my life.
52. You cast a spell on me that can't be broken.
53. You complete me.
54. You drive me wild.
55. You fill me with desire.
56. You fill my heart.
57. You give me wings to fly.
58. You had me from hello.
59. You hold the key to my heart.
60. You inspire me.
61. You intoxicate me.
62. You lift me up to touch the sky.
63. You light my flame.
64. You light up my life.
65. You make me hot.
66. You make my heart skip a beat.
67. You make my world a better place.
68. You mean the world to me.
69. You motivate me.
70. You rock my world.
71. You seduce me.
72. You set my heart on fire.
73. You simply amaze me.
74. You stole my heart.
75. You sweeten my sour days.
76. You turn my world upside down.
77. You turn the darkness into life.
78. You're a dream come true.
79. You're a gem.
80. You're a twinkle in my eye.
81. You're absolutely wonderful.
82. You're all I want.
83. You're as beautiful as a sunset.
84. You're beautiful.
85. You're charming.
86. You're enchanting.
87. You're heavenly.
88. You're my angel.
89. You're my perfect match.
90. You're one in a million.
91. You're priceless.
92. You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
93. You're the best.
94. You're the diamond in the rough.
95. You're the one for me.
96. You're the light of my eye.
97. You're my happiness
98. You're all I need.
99. You're the miracle of my life.
100. You're the one I've always wished for