Hi There!

Hi new (and old!) friends! I'm so glad you stopped by my little blog. I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner today to meet some new peeps.

My name is Jennifer and I've been blogging for just about six months now. I started the blog as a creative outlet to write about my newish marriage, crafts, learning to be like Christ, recipes, my addiction to Pinterest, and other random thoughts.

My husband and I have been married just over two years, and every day is an adventure.

No kids yet but we do have two sweet dogs and one of these days we'll get around to having children!

Making real, genuine friends is tough--I'm looking forward to meeting some new ones!

Happy Anniversary {to us!}

Two years ago today, I walked down the aisle and said "I do" to my sweet husband.

We hadn't even known each other two years, but I have never been so sure I was doing the right thing as I was the day I married him. Our marriage has had it's ups and downs, but there is no one I would rather have walked this road with over the past two years.

Our wedding day was a blur of activity and fun. I don't remember being nervous at all until we realized my flowers hadn't shown up yet (they finally did--several hours late. I still stick my tongue out every time I drive by that florist!) 

We've been through car accidents, emergency surgeries, starting a business, changing jobs, near evictions and a million other every day crisis. Looking back, I would've said our first year was great, and we were happy. And we were--but when I compare that to how much better our second year has been, it pales in comparison.

This past year we have learned how to communicate better, fight fairer, laugh harder, and love deeper. We have learned to seek God's best in our relationship.

 

I am so grateful to be married to a man who loves his family, wants to learn, desires to be more like Christ, is always willing to help others, and has a servant heart. I couldn't ask for a better husband.

This was our first dance song, and it still is a perfect song for us:

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Joshy! I love you more every day.

On Conflict

Let me really honest here: I do not like conflict. Not at all. I would rather just pretend everything is okay than deal with any issues in any of my relationships.

What usually happens when Josh and I disagree is that I just give in and let it go, because that is easier to me than dealing with a disagreement. And if that doesn't solve the problem, then I get upset and cry and go to bed.

Yeah. Not the healthiest strategy.

Fortunately for Josh and I, we have been growing through Chip Ingram's "Experiencing God's Dream for Your Marriage" with another couple from our church. We are almost through the study and have learned some really great things about what marriage is designed to look like, intimacy, and communication. But I'll admit, when I found out last night's topic was "Conflict Resolution: How to Fight Fair", I got a little squirmy.  I don't even like to talk about conflict. Ugh.

I am so glad we did, though. We discussed some ground rules for fighting fair and why we each react to conflict differently.

What stood out for me more than anything else is that conflict is normal. I guess this might be a "duh" moment for a lot of people, but it really resonated with me. Conflict is normal, it is healthy, and it is a necessary part of marriage.

Chip gave the example of Paul and Barnabas in the Bible. We don't know all the juicy details, but basically, these two amazing missionaries parted ways because they couldn't agree on what to do with John Mark. Two of the Godliest guys in history had conflict. In the end, their conflict actually allowed them to spread the Gospel to more places individually than if they had gone together.

This isn't the first time I've heard "conflict is healthy" but it was the first time I really was able to see the truth in that statement. I'm hoping that this revelation will help lessen my dislike for conflict, and help me learn to deal with it constructively.

What about ya'll? Do you do conflict well, or does it scare the heck out of you too? I'm planning another post on Ground Rule for Fighting Fair, so I'd love suggestions!

Hooray for Friday!

ONE: My friend Lindsey and I are going to see the Hunger Games tomorrow morning. We were going Sunday but we had to reschedule it to sooner because we can't wait! I have heard the movie is amazing, and I'm so excited to see it. Though I am pretty sure it is just going to make me more indecisive between Peeta & Gale. (I haven't read Mockingjay yet).

Source: Uploaded by user via Lydia on Pinterest

TWO: It looks like we will be spending a week in Maine this summer! My aunt's family owns a house on Old Orchard Beach, and my mom's side of the family has been spending a week there every summer for the past 15 years. We haven't gone since 2009 but I think we going to be able to swing it this year, and I'm already counting down the days!

THREE: I got the book in the mail today! I am so excited to read it. Josh thinks it's funny how excited I am but I think he's secretly very excited too.


FOUR: We are still doing our weekly marriage study at our friends' house. We are watching the video series God's Dream for Your Marriage. It has been such a blessing for us to have friends whose marriage we can learn from, and to have them be willing to mentor us. It remains one of my favorite nights of the week and I can honestly say it has been really beneficial to our marriage!

FIVE: Josh got off work a little early this evening, so we went to dinner. Now I have brownies in the oven and we are getting ready to watch Contagion. Great way to kick off the weekend!

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy your weekend!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

The amazing Kristen at We Are That Family hosted a giveaway the other day, and she offered something I really wanted:

The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex by Sheila Wray Gregoire

Yes, please. This is the first blog giveaway I have ever won (I only enter the ones I really want to win) and I am SO excited! I can't wait to get my hands on this book--Kristen's review made it sound amazing. I'm thinking my husband will probably appreciate it too!

Here is me looking appropriately excited about winning: (and wearing glasses since I had a little run-in with pink eye this weekend)

Leapday Confessions

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• I really dislike the beginning of a new month because of all of the bills that are due! The first two weeks are always tight money wise, trying to make sure that everything gets paid. I much prefer the end of the month when we have a little breathing room.
• One of my absolute favorite things in the world is watching Josh with our niece Emma. Or just hearing him talk about her. I love how much he loves her, and it makes me so excited for the day we have our own! He is going to be such a good dad. 
• Our dogs have fleas and it seems like nothing we do is working to get rid of them. BOO. I am ordering Advantix II today and saying a prayer that it works.
• We lost our TV remote over two weeks ago. I've looked in all the normal places, and some not normal ones. No luck. So what this means is I haven't watched TV in over two weeks, because I am too lazy to change the channel. This may be a good thing, if I didn't make up for it by spending extra hours on Pinterest!
• Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the week because we go to church and have dinner there. No cooking? Hallelujah! A delicious meal that always includes vegetables and salad? Even better. 

Now I am off to clean and figure out what I am going to send my dad for his upcoming birthday. Happy Wednesday to you all!

Weekend Fun

I had a wonderful time this weekend in Lakeland hanging out with the girls.

First I got to ride down there with this adorable boy:

I don't particuarly like long car trips but having a cute companion makes it so much better! And his mom Lindsey provided good company, too.

We spent a lot of our weekend just hanging out and playing with adorable babies. These two are so stinking cute!

Saturday morning, my friend Sam and I took the boys for a walk around one of the many local lakes while Lindsey ran her butt off. It was a beautiful morning and really nice to get out and get some fresh air! I think Emmett & Myles really enjoyed themselves, too.

That afternoon, we headed to a local favorite: Mister Fish. It's one of those places that I would be a little scared to eat at unless I knew someone who had tried it first--and I'm so glad I did! The fried shrimp and sweet potato tots were to die for. We took our food down to another local lake for a picnic.

It was so refreshing to spend time with these ladies. They are some of my favorite people in the world and I love getting to spend time with them!

One of my favorite parts about "growing up" is watching my dear friends become mothers and love their children. It's so much fun for me to watch these moms and their boys.

 They are both such good moms and I am storing up so much knowledge from them for when I have my own little one! In the meantime, though, I just know that I am Myles' and Emmett's favorite aunt.

While I was hanging out the girls (and their little boys!) this is what my dear husband was doing:

Babysitting our sweet niece Emma!

Please excuse the poor image quality--I think he was a tad bit overwhelmed! This was Josh's first one-on-one time with Emma, and he loved every minute of it. That isn't the best picture of her--she is actually gorgeous!

That, my friends, was my much needed weekend of relaxation and fun! Now we're already almost halfway through another week, and I am ready for another vacation!

Valentine's Day: Mutual Weirdness

When I was young and single, I always thought I'd want a big show for Valentine's Day--flowers and hearts and chocolate (oh my!) Now that I'm old and married, I appreciate simplicity. My gift from Josh consisted of potted Mums (beautiful--and his to take care of, since I do not have a green thumb!), a funny yet sweet card, and two bags of my favorite chocolate. I was completely satisfied.

I am such a fan of this quote, because I think it sums us up perfectly:

That's just so us. Some of our weirdness, both individual and mutual:

• I eat Skittles and M&M's by color (all the reds, all the oranges, all the greens...)
• Josh likes mustard instead of mayonnaise in his tuna salad.
• We both stick out tongues out just a little bit when we are concentrating on something.
• He is most ticklish on his lips (I think it's so much fun to touch them and drive him crazy!)
• One of my favorite foods is a liverwurst sandwich on rye with bread & butter pickles.
• I hate pedicures--mostly because it tickles so much!
• Neither one of us are huge TV watchers, but we do both enjoy shows like "Antiques Roadshow" and documentaries. 

I don't think you can ask for much more in life than to find someone who loves you despite (or, really, because of) your idiosyncrasies. I love knowing that I can truly be myself--liverwurst breath and all--around Josh.

Our Love Story

I came across this link up today and decided it would be fun to share our love story for those of you who don't know it already.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

About three and a half years. That seems like nothing, but it feels like forever.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

We actually met online. Match.com, to be exact. I had just moved to a new city and worked in a preschool, and didn't have a lot of opportunities to meet guys. So I decided to give a shot for one month. Josh was the first guy I met in person and from our first date, we've been inseparable.

3. If married, how long have you been married?

We got married on April 24, 2010; we are quickly approaching our two year anniversary!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? 

We got married at the Riverfront Hyatt in downtown Jacksonville. I don't think it was a "big" wedding, but we both have large families, so there were lots of people there! It was a beautiful day.

 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? 

He calls me Babe, and Carebear. I call him Joshy or Bagel (because Muffin is too girly) and sometimes when we're being silly, we call each other Pookie-Snookums-Honeybunches.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

I love how he is always willing to help anybody with whatever they need. I love that he loves his family--especially his Mama and his sister and his Granny--more than anything. And I love that he knows how to make me laugh, and makes me laugh every day.

7. Tell us how he proposed? 

 It was my birthday. We went to dinner and then for a walk on the beach, which is something we really love to do. I had asked for sterling silver earrings for my birthday, so I thought that's what the little box was--until I opened it and saw a diamond ring!

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals? 

Neither, really. He'll buy me flowers because he knows I like them. And maybe some wine or chocolate.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Both! It depends on my mood. As I said, we love dinner and walks on the beach--but I am also quite content with Redbox and a night on the couch.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere? 

I'd really love to take him to Thailand. I spent a summer there a few years ago, and I really want to show Josh all the things I love about it.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. 

We honestly haven't talked about it, but since it falls on a weekday and he works late, we'll probably just have a quiet dinner at home. We may go out to celebrate this weekend or next (I can always use an excuse to eat at Buca di Bepo!)

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Chocolate--I love Lindt chocolate truffles and there are only a few times a year I can get away with paying for them!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. 

Always put the other person first, not just ahead of yourself, but ahead of everything else in your life. And don't talk bad about your husband to anyone else. If you need advice or support, that's one thing, but complaining about him to anyone is not going to do anything positive for your relationship.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Our First Dance--Feels like Home by Linda Ronstadt

 Happy early Valentine's Day!

Midweek Confessions: Better Late Than Never!

 Happy Midweek!

 

• I am really stressing out over a situation at work that may leave me without a job. I am trying to trust that God has a plan and has control...but it's oh so hard. I am so frustrated! I have been listening to this song (and reading the psalm it's based on) and it has been helping.

• I made banana pudding for the Super Bowl. Confession: I don't like bananas. I just like the "pudding" part (which is why I make Paula Deen's Chessman Cookie version--no banana flavored pudding!)
• Nothing annoys me more than when I am somewhere with nothing to do and can't catch up on my Words with Friends games because I don't have a good signal. Ugh! I feel like I'm wasting precious time not playing!
• I have two shameless plugs!
• One: One of my favorite blogs, Marriage Confessions, has been nominated for two Bloggie Awards. Go check out their blog and vote for them!
• Two: If you live in the Northeast Florida area, please check out my husband's website and keep him in mind if you ever need a home inspector! He is fantastic (and I'm not all that biased.)
• I am posting this Thursday because I started it last night and then Josh and I got into a fight passionate discussion about my job and how I'm handling the stress. We both handle stress so differently and sometimes have a hard time seeing the other person's point of view.

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

TGIF!

This week was a good week! Here's my top five...

1. My iPhone, which took a toilet bowl swim on Monday, came back to life with no issues! Hallelujah! Now I can get back to playing Scramble with Friends and Temple Run!

2. I came home from the grocery store on Sunday to find this:

They totally love him more than me, and I think it's adorable. 

 3. Tuesday night we started a study called "Experiencing God's Dream for Your Marriage" with another couple from our church. I am really excited about this! 

4. This weekend I am making Jalapeno Popper Rolls and Banana Pudding (both from Pinterest) for our life group's super bowl party. YUM!

5. This quote, which I have posted near my work computer, has been such a good reminder to me this week!

Happy Weekend, Everyone!!

What It Means

When I first started this blog, it was shortly after Josh and I were married. I knew that being married was going to be a whole new adventure, and I wanted to start a blog to chronicle the moments. I've always loved writing, and had often contemplated blogging, and being a newlywed seemed like a great time to start. I originally named my blog "Life as Josh's Wife" and wrote one post (you can still read it, way back here).

I had great intentions and not so much committment. Life took over and my one and only post stayed there with no visitors.

One day I was driving and heard Andrew Peterson's song Dancing In The Mine Fields on the radio, and I loved it. I love folk music, and I love Andrew Peterson, and this song is a perfect example of why. As I listened to it in the car, I was touched by what a perfect analogy for marriage it is.

Not just marriage, but faith, and friendships, and everything else.

If I've learned one thing in my twenty-something years, it's that life isn't easy at all. There are so many mines around. So many ways that we can be caught off guard and all our plans and best intentions can be blown up.

The other thing I've learned is that we're never alone; even at the hardest, darkest times, God is with us. And that's what I want to learn to embrace. I want to dance through life--embracing the good parts, without fear or anxiety over the mines.

So when I was inspired to start blogging again, I knew that's where I wanted my focus to be--finding the joy among the mines of everyday life.

Gator Toes & Kangaroo Bites

My brother is in town this weekend for a business conference. He generously hauled up our "new" couch that we inherited from my aunt & uncle (Thanks, guys!) Last night we went to dinner and since he had a friend with him, the obvious choice was Clark's Fish Camp. If you're a Jacksonville native, you've probably visited this rustic restaurant on the creek. If you're not from around here or you just haven't been--you're missing out!

Highlights of Clark's:

• They host the largest private taxidermy collection in America, which is displayed throughout the dining areas. I'm talking lions, tigers, giraffes, and a multitude of other animals--some of which I couldn't even identify. (I'm pretty we spotted at least one honey badger though!)
• Their menu boasts everything from Southern basics like fried shrimp and grits to exotic selections including llama, python and kangaroo.
• A recently added large aquarium features a 5 foot alligator named Lilly.
• Beautiful location on Julington Creek--when the weather is nice you can sit outside and enjoy the view.

Clark's is always my choice when I have friends visiting from out of town, and it never fails to please.

Last night we started with BBQ Chargrilled Gator Toes:

You can see I was a little skeptical, but they actually were pretty good. Just like chicken. Even better when dipped in the accompanying Toe Jam sauce!

Next we sampled fried Kangaroo. I don't know how I feel about eating kangaroo, but it was delicious! I'm usually not a huge fan of "gamey" meat. I'll eat venison but it's not my favorite. The kangaroo was impressively good though! Next time, we plan to try the llama, python and antelope.

For dinner we stuck to more commonplace choices. I had delicious coconut shrimp, while Josh, of course, chose the largest steak on the menu:

Yes, folks, he finished it all. And ate his black eyed peas and macaroni and cheese, too. My husband is impressive.

If you're looking for good food and a good time, I highly recommend Clark's Fish Camp. It's always an adventure!

Love & Respect

A few years ago, when Josh & I had first started dating, my mom gave me the book Love and Respect as a Christmas present. We had been together not quite six months, but we both knew by then it was going someplace serious. And I think my mom knew too, which is why she gave me a book for married couples.
 As I do with most books, I started to read it almost immediately. And as I do with most nonfiction books, I got distracted a few chapters in and it got forgotten on the bookshelf.

The book's main theme is pretty self explanatory- that wives desperately need to know their husbands love them, and husbands desperately need to know that their wives respect them.

Well, duh.

When I first read the book, as I said, Josh and I were just dating. Many of the points addressed in the book didn't necessarily apply to us, because we were still in the "honeymoon" phase.

Look how cute we were!

Fast forward a few years later, and we are quickly approaching our second wedding anniverary. While I will say our second year has been significantly easier than the first, we still have our moments where we want to strangle each other. And at the end of many of our fights battles disagreements, I am left feeling like we're going in circles.

Not long ago I picked up the book again to see what advice it would offer. This time around, I am proud to say I made it all the way through the entire book, and loved it.

One of the things that struck me the most was how often I, as a wife, fail to show my husband that I respect him. I'm really good at showing him I love him, because that's what comes naturally to me. But so often, especially when I am frustrated, I don't act like I respect him. I make sarcastic comments and roll my eyes and let the little things bug me. Then, because he feels disrespected, he is not particularly loving towards me, and the cycle continues. This handy infographic explains it better than I ever could:

I'm not doing a great job of explaining this, but trust me, when I read the book, a light bulb went off in my head. I've been trying to be more aware of how I speak to Josh, and to make it obvious how much I do respect him.

If you're married, or in a serious relationship, I can't recommend this book enough!

Now, your turn... what books have positively affected your relationships? Please share!

{Insert Crazy Laughter}

I had a really funny dream last night. Hysterical-laughing-out-loud funny.

You want to hear my dream, right?

You want me to tell you all the hilarious details?

...Me too. Except I have no idea what I dreamed about!

Me: (sitting straight up in bed): HAhaHAhAHaHAHAhahaHAHaHA!
Josh: (awoken from deep slumber): What? What are you laughing about?
Me: (still sleeping) HAHahAhAHAhAHAHAHA!
Josh: (getting annoyed) WHAT are you laughing at?
Me: (slightly awake now): What? *promptly fall back asleep*

I have no memory of said laughter. When I woke up, I was sitting up in bed, and Josh was yelling at me. I have no idea what I thought was so funny. I wish I did, though, because it was apparently really funny.

This isn't the first time I've woken Josh up with my middle of the night antics.
He loves to tell the story of when he woke up to find me standing across the room next to his dresser.
I still have no idea what I was doing there.
Several other times I've woken him up with my ramblings, only to have no idea what I said or what I was talking about.

So, there you go. Proof that I am crazy!

I'm linking up to E, Myself & I's Midweek Confessions...it was such fun last week so I'm doing it again!