Nine Years of Lovin'

I saw my Love across a crowded room...

and I knew I was going to marry him.

I had a mutual friend of ours

"run" into him and introduce us.

I was just his friend

for a good 

TWO MONTHS

before he caught on that some girl liked him.

And when he finally did

get up the nerve to make a move...

I laughed at him

and changed the subject.

(hehehe)

That night we made decisions.

We held hands

(Aaagh! And it was glorious!!).

We were in love.

We took a week 

and didn't talk to each other;

we talked to the Writer of our days,

and sought His wisdom and guidance;

then we saw each other again

and we both knew that our short stories alone

 were meant to conjoin and become
one of the greatest tales of love ever told
(okay, maybe it was just ME thinking this...
I'm a bit of a Romantic.)

And then he told me he loved me.

Five months later,

he asked me to marry him;

and I laughed again,

but I didn't change the subject

and obviously,

I eventually got a "YES" out.

Four months later,

we made a covenant

to love one another.

We've loved each other through lost jobs;

through college;

through more lost jobs;

we've loved each other through lives ending;

we've loved each other through lives beginning.
We've loved each other as though there was no one better on earth;

We've loved each other when we've hated each other.

We've loved each other through both physical and mental pain;

we've loved each other when there

wasn't anything else we could do

except just that.

He is my biggest source of laughter;

he is my best friend.

He makes me better.

And I love him.

"What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined for life-
to strengthen each other in all labor,
to rest on each other in all sorrow,
to minister to each other in all pain,
to be one with each other in silent,
unspeakable memories."
George Eliot

And we're still going...

First, pardon my design frenzy.

I think I may have a winner with this set-up...

but we'll see.

December has been 

SO FULL

of energy around here.

Before the month even hit,

this little lady arrived:

She's wonderful in every way possible.

And she's getting used to life on the outside.

Her and I have already had some great conversations;

and I can only hope that she continues

to come and talk to Aunt Nicole whenever possible!

And these two got hitched:

So, I now have a new sister out of the deal!

And the day itself was so lovely and perfect.

Of course, I love LOVE and weddings

so spending a day celebrating LOVE through a wedding

is obviously a perfect day for me.

There's also been a birthday;

four Christmas festivities celebrated, one to go;

and a lovey-dovey anniversary is happening this week.

All this, plus getting to see 

out-of-town family and friends

has made this month fly by.

It is truly the most wonderful time

of the year for us.

I love every minute of it.

What are your plans for the New Year??

I'm getting routines and schedules worked out;

menus made;

goals set...

I'm getting there, at least.

Have a beautiful day!

Wishing you...

many blessings throughout this hope-filled season

and many more to come in the new year.

Joy To The World... indeed!

So, what do you think happens 

when two people

who both like to blog,

who both LOVE diy crafting,

and who both laugh a lot

get together?

Well, quite honestly... 

nothing really THAT productive.

Okay, okay, that's not completely true.

Let me first give some background here:

Over the Summer,

Lori, from head above water, and I

met each other...

in a dark movie theater.

We weren't there to meet each other.

We were there to hang out 

with our mutual friends.

However, as the evening went on,

we found ourselves 

laughing, no,

BUSTING a gut

at all the same parts;

weeping over all the same scenes;

and then afterwards figuring out

that neither one of us are too keen on 

getting/giving physical affection

to anyone and everyone!

As you can read for yourself,

we were meant to be.

Here's the sad part...

we don't live in the same town.

So, we knew going into this that

our meetings would be few and far between.

But, we went for it!

Fortunately, 

her parents live in my town

so she visits every so often.

At the beginning of December,

we decided to have our first 

craft day.

My husband and her sister both

questioned what exactly was going on.

Please... just don't try to understand.

Lori's mom watched her boys for her;
I put each of my little Loves down for a rest;
and we began!

Each of us had a project.
I had pinned something that I was very eager to do.
However, I REALLY should have done
some prep work.
All I wanted to do was stencil the words,
"Joy to the world"
on a map.
Rather than buying stencils,
I decided to do it myself and make a stencil...
because that's what I do.
Um... in the THREE hours that we spent together,
I managed to get TWO letters cut out.
Of course, there were a lot of factors:
kids getting up;
looking through fonts;
kids getting up;
more fonts;
other kids getting up;
oh yes, and laughing... a lot.
So, two weeks later,
here's what I FINALLY accomplished:

And I love it.

Lori was working on a great project and 

actually accomplished something while 

being in my home.

She had come across some of her grandfather's ties, 

bought some cute buttons,

no-sew glue,

and made bracelets for her and each of her sisters.

Isn't that SUCH a great idea??

I love it.

So, now each of them have a little something

to remind them of their grandpa.

Prepare yourselves.
Who knows what Lori and I will do next?!?!

And I'm back in the fight!

I've been down.

Man! I've been down.

For the last few weeks,

the enemy has been winning...

but no more.

Today...

today I started new.

Today,

I let the control slip through my fingers

and gave it back to

The One

who fights for me

and with me.

I let go of the need to be right.

I let go of the need to prove wrongs.

I'm back with a zeal 

that begs to be challenged,

so take note all you joy-stealing bandits.

I am coming for you.

You will be overwhelmed with

grace;

you will be consumed with

kindness;

your world is about to be permeated* with

LOVE.

Just thought I'd give you a fair warning.

*Thanks to my high school English teacher who gave me 

"Permeate" as a vocabulary word.  

I have never forgotten it

and strive to use it every opportunity I get.

I realize you may not read this blog,

but I know your daughter does.

Handmade and a Little Bit of Charm.

Man, December 1st first hit and we were off!

Our month has already been so full of wonderfulness,

and it's only the fifth day!

One of the blog's I follow

decided to host a handmade gift swap this year.

I, of course, was in on this pretty much

as soon as I was finished reading the post.

We were sent an email with five others

names and addresses

from around the US

(and actually I think it may have 

been open internationally if you didn't mind

paying the shipping!)

and instructed that it just had to be handmade.

So... here are some of the gifts I made:

And I've already received two gifts so far

that are awesome!

In fact, one of the crafty ladies has an

awesome site that you should check out:

{mrs-alanas-miscellany.com}

only after you've finished reading what I've written,

of course.

Let's see...

oh, yes, photos.

That last weekend of photo sessions was a

great opportunity for quick thinking and 

using my charm.

Both days were COLD and WINDY.

Great for snuggling up under a cozy blanket

watching movies and drinking hot cocoa...

not ideal for asking people to sit and pose

until I get the best shot.

Thankfully, an eclectic little local shop

and a newly renovated hotel here in town

obliged my requests of them

and allowed us in.

This week brings a birthday for 

the-one-I-love-most-in-the-whole-entire-universe,

my Love, my husband.

Nothing too crazy planned,

just mushy little things letting him know 

how thankful I am

for his life...

which, of course, he'll love.

And next week brings

A WEDDING!!!

Oh... I love weddings.

Enjoy these magical days!