Happy Anniversary tooooo us!! 

Today is the second anniversary of our marriage. :) 

We keep saying to each other, "can you believe it's already been two years??" but at the same time, so much has happened. We've been through good and bad, but thankfully I can say it's been by far good. 

They say that the first year is the hardest and I think that we'd agree. It wasn't overwhelmingly difficult and I think we made it as gracefully as possible. The first year for us was all about figuring out who each other was on a deeper level. What each other really thinks and believes, traditions from how they grew up and negative and positive things from their upbringings. For us, the first year was all about shaking off things that were familiar to us and maybe even what we preferred in order to pursue what was better for us. 

It's scary giving up what you've always known as normal or the way you've always thought. But the idea of creating something new with someone else is so beautiful that you're willing to fight through the fear. 

Because we were able to establish a firm and united foundation in our marriage during our first year, our second year was spent growing and building on that foundation. It's fun to look back and see how much we've grown even in just this short amount of time. I've learned so much more how to love and respect Jason. I recognize that there are so many things that are just not worth fighting over (and that's a big one in the marriage of two very stubborn people! ;) ). Jason has loved me more and deeper then ever before. And we have grown. Our marriage is truly blessed!

To celebrate my sweet husband surprised me with  a surprise overnight getaway, a brand new dress and a delicious dinner! It was perfect and he thought of everything, even down to a snack size bag of flamin' hots for me to munch on because we had a late dinner reservation. My man knows me! :) Tonight we had dinner at home together, got some ice cream and watched the video of our wedding. It still makes me cry and crack up...it was the best day!! 

I want to end with a quote my mom wrote in our anniversary card. I feel like it sums up our view on marriage and just how much of a blessing it is:

"The ultimate thing to see in the Bible about Marriage is that it exists for God's glory. Most foundationally, it is the doing of God, most ultimately, marriage is the display of God. It is designed by God to display His glory like no other event or institution does." 

~John Piper

Memories

Some of you may have noticed that I've taken a bit of a break from writing. Summer started to get busy and my blog slipped down my priority list. And then my grandpa passed away and I just didn't know how to talk about it. I thought about updating on here but how could I have a major event happen in my life and not even mention it? 

So I took some time away. But now I think that I'm ready. Or, getting ready and I think talking about things on here will help.   

My grandpa, Harvey Clark, passed away in May due to complications from Muscular Sclerosis. He dealt with MS for over thirty years and was wheelchair bound by the time I was born. Although he may have been physically handicapped, what he dealt with on a daily basis did not affect his spirit and what he knew was his purpose in life. He was a Baptist preacher for years but it was the way he lived each day that to me, sent the strongest message.

He had every reason to complain, but he didn't.
He had every reason to doubt, but he didn't.
He had every reason to be bitter and angry, but he wasn't.

He was the most joyful and genuinely thankful person I knew. He took advantage of every situation to represent the Christ that he knew so personally. Grandpa was always pulling out his Bible to do a study; always pausing to spend just a few more minutes in prayer. He shared his faith with everyone he came in contact with.

I remember when I was little grabbing a stack of my story books, my picture Bible and notebook to sit at the dining room table with Grandpa as he did devotions. As I got older, I put away the picture books and would bring studies I was really doing or share with him what I had learned at school. One time in specific he asked me about Spiritual Gifts. He told me what he knew and what he didn't understand and then he wanted to hear what I thought. I remember thinking "this is crazy! He's been a preacher for longer then I've been alive, and he wants to know what I think??" 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." Grandpa made that verse come alive to me when he showed me that my thoughts and opinions mattered greatly to him.

I could go on and on about the things that I've learned from his life or since his passing, so I think I'll just write about the ones that stand out to me the most. I think the biggest lesson I learned is that we cannot judge God's decisions and plans for our lives by our own measuring stick. I can't even count how many times I've heard someone say (concerning my Grandpa or someone else), "if they just had enough faith then maybe they would be healed" OR "if you just prayed a little more or fasted a little more, then maybe he'd be healed." I completely believe in the power of prayer and the importance of having faith but I believe it's more important to trust God and His path for your life. I could have prayed for hours and hours (and believe me, I did) for my Grandpa and he could never be healed or I could have tossed up a quick prayer in passing and he may have been able to walk again. I don't get to decide what God's will for is my life or my loved one's lives. And I don't get to decide if a prayer is answered or not.

We can now say that it was not God's plan for my Grandpa's life to be physically healed. He would always be confined to a wheelchair. But to face such a deteriating and debilitating disease with such joy and purpose....you can't tell me that my Grandpa wasn't healed in his own way! I don't get to pick the ending to the story, but I can trust that it is a good one and that God has had our best interest in mind.

The other thing that stands out to me is just the love that you can have for someone. I've watched my Grandma literally lay down her life for her husband as he physically got worse and worse. I think that when you say your wedding vows and you promise you'll be with someone "for richer and poorer and in sickness and in health" it's easy because odds are you and your partner are in good health with no imposing threat. But what happens when the unexpected arises and your vows are put to the test? My example has been that you don't walk away. And your love doesn't change. I'm not saying it's easy; I can't imagine what my Grandma has been through, but I do know that it's possible.


My grandpa leaves behind a family that loves Jesus. He leaves many lives that were changed for the good because he was in them. I feel so proud to call Harvey Clark my Grandpa and hope to live my life in the same way he lived his.

Dinner at the Whittingtons.

I know that a lot of women plan meals for weeks or even months in advance. Well, I'm not one of those women but I do plan for one week at a time (you gotta start somewhere, right?). I like to divide our meals up as either big or small meals. I'm not serving more or less foods different nights, I divide them up by how much time they take to make. Maybe it would make more sense to call them long or short meals but I feel weird calling it them short meals...ANYWAYS.....I call them big or small and that's that. :) I try to do at least 2-3 bigger meals and then smaller ones on the night we have something right after work and just need something to grab and go. 


This is my plan for this week:


Monday: I don't work on Mondays so I've affectionately named them my wife days, since all  have to do are tasks that revolve around me taking care of my husband and home. Since I'm home all day I definitely do a big meal. Jason's been reminding me for about a month about "that one time I made stuffed shells" and so I'm giving in and making them again. Since these are already high in fat and calories, I served them with organic greens and spinach lightly tossed in red wine vinegar to bring something healthy to the meal. 


Tuesday: We don't have plans this Tuesday so I'll have time to do a bigger meal. I'm planning on making chicken picatta which I'm really  good at ordering in a restaurant but have never actually made! I'm really excited to try it. I'll be serving this with a salad again and some fresh fruit.


Wednesday: I cook dinner on Wednesdays for the family I nanny for and I usually bring some of it home with me for Jason and I to eat. We also have dog training right after work so it's a quick night anyways. 


Thursday: We have a young adult thing at Church that night but I'm still going to try and whip something up before we go. These Carne Asadas  look insane and I cannot wait to try this recipe out! 


Friday: I work late some Fridays so these are the nights we tend to grab fast food or put in a pizza. Not always the healthiest, but it's ok to do every once in a while! :)


How bout you, readers? What are some of the recipes you've made lately or are planning on making? 

I haven't posted a recipe in awhile and I thought it was about time!

For the record, I really really like muffins. Problem is they aren't generally very good for you. Jason and I are both fans of my baking so when I make something for us I want it to be at least somewhat nutritious. 

Enter: deliciousness. I found this recipe last week and tried it out and it was SO yummy and semi-healthy!

Health Nut Blueberry Muffins (from www.allrecipes.com)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup oat bran
• 1/4 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan, or line with paper muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, oat bran, quick-cooking oats, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries and walnuts. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix just until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top.
3. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 196 | Total Fat: 5.8g | Cholesterol: 18mg

The only things that I changed was I took out the nuts, used wheat bran instead of oat (Because it's what I had on hand) and "made" my own buttermilk by putting 1 T. of lemon juice in my one cup measurer and filling the rest with skim milk. There's a good chance my changes even made it healthier and I honestly wouldn't even go back to the original recipe...it was that good! I can't wait to try these again and maybe make them with raspberries or cherries! Enjoy. 

Dear mom,


Today is your day and I want you to feel celebrated and honored! You have played one of the biggest roles in shaping my life and I can honestly say that many of the good things in my life are the fruit of what you taught me. 

One of the first things I remember you teaching me is to memorize Scripture. The first verse I think I ever memorized was "When I am afraid I will trust in Thee" and you taught it to me so that I could say it when I was afraid during the night. I still remember the passages you taught me and they come to my mind in different situations. The fruit of memorizing Scripture is still being born in my life!

 You taught us how to love each other. Even when we were busy stealing each other's clothes, tattling and hitting, you taught us to love. This love has bonded us together so that even though we are in different cities, my brother and sisters are my very dearest friends and I can't imagine my life without them. 

You taught us the importance of having fun! You showed us how there can be joy in the small things and that there's always time to stop and have a good laugh. Cleaning the dishes was always way more fun when we cranked up the music and danced while we did! There was never a dull moment growing up. :)

You've prayed for us more times then we'll ever know. You support us in all of our decisions. You are always there when we need you and you're even figuring out how to switch between two phone calls when two of us need you at the same time! We can tell you anything and we know that you will always be there for us. You are our best friend! 

You've shown us how to love a man. And not just say I love you but to run his business. And to wake up every morning and pack his lunch. And make him red meat when everyone else is having chicken. And buying him the right ketchup. And how to adore your man. So when it comes down to loving my man, I know how to do it right because I had an incredible example. 

We love you mom...Happy Mothers day!