Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Just Around The Corner...
Chris arrived Monday evening and life and wedding projects are rolling right along this week. My maid-of-honor arrives tomorrow night, and by Thursday afternoon I feel like the work stops and the fun begins.
I will run my last *planned* errands on Thursday morning and then many of my out-of-town friends arrive Thursday afternoon. The day I become my husband's wife is just around the corner!!!!
I will run my last *planned* errands on Thursday morning and then many of my out-of-town friends arrive Thursday afternoon. The day I become my husband's wife is just around the corner!!!!
Let the celebration begin!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Wedding Countdown: ONE WEEK!
ONE WEEK LEFT TO OUR ENGAGEMENT!
As of this morning, Chris and I have been engaged for exactly six months, and we have one week left before our wedding day.
Six Months Down
One Week To Go
Have a beautiful and blessed Father's Day weekend.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Invaluable Marriage Advice
I had an amazing bridal shower this week, where all of the woman attending have been married 25 or more years (most of them between 40-55 years!). In the 13 woman who attended, 564 years of marriage was represented. (A few woman were unable to attend, but still sent advice... including the women unable to attend, there is 754 years of marriage!!!)
I had hoped to post pictures, but the internet isn't cooperating with me at the moment.
The women who attended this shower are truly extraordinary and such examples of MARRIAGE... when I think about their lives (even the brief window that I have witnessed their lives), I am utterly humbled by the Godly example they have shown of successful marriages.
The hostess asked each woman to share a recipe with me, and on the back of the recipe card, share advice for a long and happy marriage. I love that their advice is on their recipe card because many of my more stressful moments happen in the kitchen and I will appreciate the loving advice in those moments.
I had hoped to post pictures, but the internet isn't cooperating with me at the moment.
The women who attended this shower are truly extraordinary and such examples of MARRIAGE... when I think about their lives (even the brief window that I have witnessed their lives), I am utterly humbled by the Godly example they have shown of successful marriages.
The hostess asked each woman to share a recipe with me, and on the back of the recipe card, share advice for a long and happy marriage. I love that their advice is on their recipe card because many of my more stressful moments happen in the kitchen and I will appreciate the loving advice in those moments.
Enjoy marriage advice from amazing, veteran wives:
- In marriage, it's important to have... individual time.
- Enjoy!
- Patience. Patience. Patience. Forgive and forget - remember, they are not perfect! I wish you great happiness always.
- Always have a sense of humor. Be each other's best friend.
- Remember your husband is #1 in your life. He will be there for you long after your children leave. He is your mate!
- Follow in your mother's footsteps on how to be a loving and caring wife and your husband will be very blessed.
- No advice - Just take one day at a time. Just ski hard and fast!
- Let him think he's right when you know you are and compromise, compromise, compromise!
- Just remember that no day will be totally 50/50.
- 1 cup love, 1/2 cup respect, 1/2 cup laughter - mix with kindness and enjoy!
- Patience, Patience and Understanding
- Keep the romance alive, always. Hold hands, tell your sweetheart that you love him every day. Put a love note in his lunch, have regular dates -- start and end every day with a kiss. Your spouse should be your best friend. Share your joys and fears with him, don't let anxiety simmer below the surface -- communicate, but don't accuse. Be supportive, but not critical. Treat your relationship as though it was something precious and fragile... because it is!
- My advice for a successful marriage is two-fold. Be willing to compromise. When merging two into one each must be willing to sacrifice for the other in order for the new life to grow. Marriage is a new life for you both and something that requires work -- not always your way but perhaps a better way. Once you were a single individual, now you are a unit - a couple - a family where love covers a multitude of errors. Remember to love. Second part of my advice is never ask of your spouse anything that you are not willing to do yourself for them. Respect, love and honor each other and you will have a very happy marriage.
- Marriage is like the maiden voyage of a ship upon the seas. Calm days, rough days, water spouts, submarine attacks may all come your way, but don't abandon ship.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wedding Slideshow
Things are a little crazy here at home. Most days I feel like the Tasmanian Devil whirling around... but lots of tasks are getting done, and my parents and I are having very productive days.
I spent some time this evening scanning some old photos (mostly from college) into my computer so they could be apart of our wedding slide show.
A few pictures from college
St. Marcos Square, Venice with Sorority Sisters
In Norway
My college roommate and me. She is singing in my wedding.
I love this picture because it was the night before my Senior Harp Recital... everyone in the front row with me in this picture is in my wedding party (bridesmaid, me, maid-of-honor, usher), and the three in the back were all invited to the wedding. Two are able to attend. What a great picture of special people in my life.
I spent some time this evening scanning some old photos (mostly from college) into my computer so they could be apart of our wedding slide show.
Enjoy:
A few pictures from college
St. Marcos Square, Venice with Sorority Sisters
In Norway
My college roommate and me. She is singing in my wedding.
I love this picture because it was the night before my Senior Harp Recital... everyone in the front row with me in this picture is in my wedding party (bridesmaid, me, maid-of-honor, usher), and the three in the back were all invited to the wedding. Two are able to attend. What a great picture of special people in my life.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Wedding Presents... To Each Other
Chris and I recently exchanged wedding presents on a romantic dinner date at Fricano's in downtown Muskegon. When the owner of the place saw that we had wrapped gifts to exchange, he guessed that we were celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary. Chris said "You're a year off." Owner said, "Oh, two year anniversary!" And we said... "Nope, Zero Anniversary. We're getting married in two weeks!" :-D
Chris gave me a sweet picture frame that says "You are my forever, loved you then... love you still, always have... always will." He put a picture in the frame of one of our first dates with a stack of pictures under the first one from our entire courtship to display in the frame as time goes on. He also gave me an Owners Guide to Labrador Retrievers... because, later this summer, he is getting me a Black Lab Puppy! I was VERY SURPRISED and we are SOOO excited!
I gave him a really nice hunting knife that is two knives in one. It's kind of hard to explain, but he really liked it. Also, I gave him a sponsored child through Compassion International. He is a 3-year-old little boy named Juma who lives in Tanzania and I told Chris, he will be the first child the Lord uses our marriage to positively affect. Hopefully, he will be the first of many.
Chris gave me a sweet picture frame that says "You are my forever, loved you then... love you still, always have... always will." He put a picture in the frame of one of our first dates with a stack of pictures under the first one from our entire courtship to display in the frame as time goes on. He also gave me an Owners Guide to Labrador Retrievers... because, later this summer, he is getting me a Black Lab Puppy! I was VERY SURPRISED and we are SOOO excited!
I gave him a really nice hunting knife that is two knives in one. It's kind of hard to explain, but he really liked it. Also, I gave him a sponsored child through Compassion International. He is a 3-year-old little boy named Juma who lives in Tanzania and I told Chris, he will be the first child the Lord uses our marriage to positively affect. Hopefully, he will be the first of many.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Exploring The Vows of Marriage: As Long As We Both Shall Live
Taken from "A Match Made in Heaven: A Collection of Inspirational Love Stories" By: Susan Wales & Ann Platz
AS LONG AS WE BOTH SHALL LIVE
Love between two children of God outlives the union, outlives failing bodies, outlives the earth itself. Love, in whatever celestial form it takes in heaven, lives on after the earthly shell has passed into dust.
For the one who believes, death changes "Good-Bye" into other, more hopeful words.
I will see you soon, My Love. I cannot bring you back to me, but I can come to you.
And I will.
For the one who believes, death changes "Good-Bye" into other, more hopeful words.
I will see you soon, My Love. I cannot bring you back to me, but I can come to you.
And I will.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Syllabus
As Chris and my wedding day quickly approaches, I find myself trying to catch my breath and wondering "Where is the syllabus?"
In a period of one ceremony, I will go from never having been married, never having been a wife, never having been linked to a partner by law and under God to suddenly being the opposite of all of those things: I will be married, a wife, linked to a partner by law and under God. With such a sudden and drastic change, I keep looking for a syllabus.
Throughout my life's accomplishments, there was a learning process involved. When I earned various educational degrees (high school, bachelors, and two masters), I wasn't handed the diploma and THEN taught the skill. I enrolled in school, attended class after class after class to learn the required skills, and finally, after much hard work and learning, I walked across a stage and received a diploma to demonstrate I had learned and mastered everything required for such an honor.
In marriage, I will get the marriage certificate BEFORE I even begin learning the lessons of marriage, and it is kind of throwing me for a loop.
In education, courses provide students with syllabi, so the students will know what lessons are coming up in what sort of time frame. Where is the syllabus for marriage?
I love Chris more than anything, and I am thrilled about becoming his wife, but I want to see a syllabus. I know I have SOOOO much to learn in becoming a wife who best serves him, supports him, loves him and I want to see a timeline of my wife lessons.
I want to be able to look ahead and predict a stressful week, so I can have extra frozen casseroles in the freezer for those more difficult weeks (just like I would do in academia).
I have to keep reminding myself, life doesn't have a syllabus, and neither does marriage. Thankfully, God gives us everything we need in His Word to us.
No marriage syllabus but see The Bible for all Instructions and Marriage Lessons. Praise God, I am not walking this new journey alone but with Jesus.
In a period of one ceremony, I will go from never having been married, never having been a wife, never having been linked to a partner by law and under God to suddenly being the opposite of all of those things: I will be married, a wife, linked to a partner by law and under God. With such a sudden and drastic change, I keep looking for a syllabus.
Throughout my life's accomplishments, there was a learning process involved. When I earned various educational degrees (high school, bachelors, and two masters), I wasn't handed the diploma and THEN taught the skill. I enrolled in school, attended class after class after class to learn the required skills, and finally, after much hard work and learning, I walked across a stage and received a diploma to demonstrate I had learned and mastered everything required for such an honor.
In marriage, I will get the marriage certificate BEFORE I even begin learning the lessons of marriage, and it is kind of throwing me for a loop.
In education, courses provide students with syllabi, so the students will know what lessons are coming up in what sort of time frame. Where is the syllabus for marriage?
I love Chris more than anything, and I am thrilled about becoming his wife, but I want to see a syllabus. I know I have SOOOO much to learn in becoming a wife who best serves him, supports him, loves him and I want to see a timeline of my wife lessons.
I want to be able to look ahead and predict a stressful week, so I can have extra frozen casseroles in the freezer for those more difficult weeks (just like I would do in academia).
I have to keep reminding myself, life doesn't have a syllabus, and neither does marriage. Thankfully, God gives us everything we need in His Word to us.
No marriage syllabus but see The Bible for all Instructions and Marriage Lessons. Praise God, I am not walking this new journey alone but with Jesus.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Vail TEVA Mud Run 2011
Saturday, Chris and Maggie and I spent a BEAUTIFUL day in Vail at the TEVA Mountain Games -- as both spectators and athletes...
We watched dog jumping contests (can you see the black lab in the picture?)
We tried out camping hammocks... they were pretty comfortable
Ready for the 5K (although I think it was a little shorter) MUD RUN
We competed in the Super Galactic All-Star Division!
You know the mud is intense when even the roommate taking pictures (and not running) gets covered in mud...
In this picture, Chris is the one standing in the white tee-shirt, and I am in the mud, trying to drag him down with me (you can just see my head)
Maggie takes a roll!
And here we are - FINISHED!
Still Galactic All-Stars!
My new favorite roommate picture...
I thought it was really funny that Jon and Chelsea were in white and khaki... it was so tempting to just give them each a HUGE hug (but we didn't... we like them too much!)
And washing off in a fountain after all the mud fun...
Cool free shirts
We watched CRAZY kayaking tricks
He's in the middle of a flip or something in this picture
The checkered part is the bottom on the kayak, and the guy is totally in control of the boat doing this on purpose... CRAZY!
How was your weekend? We are now off to Michigan...
Friday, June 3, 2011
Daily Check In
As life has become busier and busier (I'm not complaining at ALL because this season is WONDERFUL -- but there's no denying that I am very busy right now...) I have enjoyed blogging more and more.
At a time when I rarely have time to sit still... and even then, my mind never seems to sit still, it has been VERY comforting to check in every day with my Mountain Millers blog and contribute something to the cyberspace void...
Today is my last day of the school year -- where did it go?
Today, I am COMPLETELY moved in to storage, and my car is mostly packed and ready to leave for Michigan. My bedroom and bathroom are ALMOST completely cleaned and ready for my landlords to come inspect.
Chris and I are heading to Michigan very early Sunday morning, which means, my organization and tenacity in the this packing process has paid off (PRAISE GOD) and we have a day to play before we head out.
The TEVA Mountain Games are happening in Vail this weekend, and we will be in Vail all day on Saturday enjoying the competition and novelty. We are even participating in the 5K MUD RUN on Saturday with several friends. I am VERY excited for a last day full of fun times and memories before we head to Michigan and on to Wedding Countdown Headquarters!
As one chapter of my life is coming to a close, and I prepare for a brief intermission in Michigan before a new chapter begins (well, I'd probably argue that Marriage is going to be a whole new book in itself) I am finding myself very reflective and incredibly grateful for the five years of single life I have have post-college. God's timing really is perfect.
Have a wonderful weekend, and stay tuned for pictures from the Mud Run... oh man, what have I gotten myself into?
At a time when I rarely have time to sit still... and even then, my mind never seems to sit still, it has been VERY comforting to check in every day with my Mountain Millers blog and contribute something to the cyberspace void...
Today is my last day of the school year -- where did it go?
Today, I am COMPLETELY moved in to storage, and my car is mostly packed and ready to leave for Michigan. My bedroom and bathroom are ALMOST completely cleaned and ready for my landlords to come inspect.
Chris and I are heading to Michigan very early Sunday morning, which means, my organization and tenacity in the this packing process has paid off (PRAISE GOD) and we have a day to play before we head out.
The TEVA Mountain Games are happening in Vail this weekend, and we will be in Vail all day on Saturday enjoying the competition and novelty. We are even participating in the 5K MUD RUN on Saturday with several friends. I am VERY excited for a last day full of fun times and memories before we head to Michigan and on to Wedding Countdown Headquarters!
As one chapter of my life is coming to a close, and I prepare for a brief intermission in Michigan before a new chapter begins (well, I'd probably argue that Marriage is going to be a whole new book in itself) I am finding myself very reflective and incredibly grateful for the five years of single life I have have post-college. God's timing really is perfect.
Have a wonderful weekend, and stay tuned for pictures from the Mud Run... oh man, what have I gotten myself into?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Spring, Colorado Pictures
Chris and I were very fortunate to have engagement pictures taken by the people who will do our wedding photography, when we were back in Michigan in December. As a result, we have some BEAUTIFUL engagement pictures... in snow and ice and Michigan.
I wanted to also have some pictures of us in the Spring in Colorado. Colorado is where we met, where we live, and where we're likely to stay... and Spring is such a beautiful season to take pictures. So, over the past few days, Chris and I have been exploring grassy meadows, climbing trees, crossing creeks (there is a story here that involves Chris taking an unexpected bath), and meeting with a friend of mine who is an AMAZING artist and blossoming photographer for some Colorado Spring pictures.
Here are some of my favorites:
She even got a few of Lexie
I wanted to also have some pictures of us in the Spring in Colorado. Colorado is where we met, where we live, and where we're likely to stay... and Spring is such a beautiful season to take pictures. So, over the past few days, Chris and I have been exploring grassy meadows, climbing trees, crossing creeks (there is a story here that involves Chris taking an unexpected bath), and meeting with a friend of mine who is an AMAZING artist and blossoming photographer for some Colorado Spring pictures.
Here are some of my favorites:
She even got a few of Lexie
All photos by Rachael Harvey
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