So, last Friday was not my favorite. First of all work was really stressing me out. The first week of every month is the busiest time for me because we have to close our books for the previous month. What I don't get is why WHY the company schedules trainings/meetings/presentations for this time. And even better, more than one during the week. I know they can't schedule it around all the different groups, but I would think a lot of groups would be busy at this time. In addition to company wide meetings, I also had a day and a half of meetings for a new project I was put on. I'm really excited I was put on the project cause I'll learn a lot, but all these meetings pushed me way back. Also, things that usually take me 30 minutes were not working and had me and four other people looking at it. We didn't even get it resolved until Tuesday morning. All of this added up = stressed out Kim.
On top of the work stuff, our *hopeful* house finally had electricity which meant we could finally get an inspection. Because we want to close on the house asap, we wanted to schedule an inspection before Husbandy would be back home (which was Wednesday the following week....our option period ended Thursday). Obviously that wouldn't work which meant I was going to have to be at the inspection by myself. I did NOT want this cause Husbandy knows probably 100% more than what I do about anything and everything the inspector would be talking about. How was I ever going to remember all that stuff in order to relay it to Husbandy so we could make decisions?! No idea. We are also getting a new roof on the house and the roofer wanted to meet us on Sunday to pick a color (never knew there were so many different shades of shingles). Great, another big decision with no Husbandy. :-/
With work and the house on my mind I was a little upset. Sooo I called Husbandy on my way home and vented. I also went home and had a beer. :) Unfortunately, I still had to figure out who the best person would be to take with me to my inspection on Sunday.
That night when I was just about to fall asleep I decided to call Husbandy to tell him goodnight and to have a fun weekend of studying. He didn't answer, so I started to pray that they Lord would help me get through the weekend. As I was finishing up, Husbandy called! He asked me what I was doing so I told him I was about to go asleep. He then asked if my mom was asleep. Hmm, that a weird question. Then he said he was just getting home from the business school and was getting ready for bed, so he needed to call me back. We hung up and I began conjuring up this grand scheme in my head that Husbandy had driven from CS to surprise me. I started to get really excited...but the dog hadn't barked...which she would have if Husbandy had entered the house...so I started to forget about it. Two minutes later I hear Katey let out one bark and I perk up. But just one bark? She usually goes crazy. Then Husbandy calls me back and is like so you're going to bed? ...Yes... Alright, well, is there room in the bed for me??? *door busting open* He did it! He drove all the way to Dallas to surprise me!! And surprise me he did. :)
I later found out when he told me he had to get ready for bed, he was calling my mom to let Katey outside so she wouldn't bark. Sneaky sneaky.
At the shingle picking and inspection on Sunday, I was soooo happy he was there. Thank you Lord for encouraging him to come! I know he's sick of that drive, but it made me one happy wife. :)
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Well April Came and Went...
So, it has been a while. Ok, a month. A lot has happened this month though!
Where to start, where to start. In my last post I mentioned Husbandy had an interview. He ended up liking the company's atmosphere and people a lot; to top it off, he thought the interview went well. This was confirmed when he got a call from one of the guys he interviewed with saying "Congrats, you are going to be working under me, all we need to do is a background check." Yea, woohoo, yippie! Not. The next week he received a call saying they were no longer creating the position they had interviewed him for. * Screeching halt* Huuh?? Needless to say, that was a bummer. The day he heard this news was later topped off by a call from the College Station Fire Department telling me Husband's apartment was on fire. Awesome. Don't worry, it ended up not being too too bad, really just a burned door and water damage. (Husbandy may correct me on that).
God's plan is always better than our own, however. The top dude at the company that turned Husbandy down did really like him and ended up giving him a contact at another commercial valuation firm. Without wasting time, Husbandy was on the phone and had an interview for the following Friday! The interview went really well and Husbandy was offered a position!! He took some time looking over the offer, and accepted it. I'm so proud of him, he's worked so hard for this, and now get to do exactly what he wants. He'll be starting on June 4. What makes it even more perfect is his office is 3.2 miles away from our *hopeful* house!
Oh, yeah, we put an offer on a house. :) During Husbandy's spring break we met with a Realtor and started our search. It has definitely had its ups and downs. The fifth house we looked at, on the second day of looking, was absolutely gorgeous. It was incredibly updated with a to die for kitchen and master bath. I mean, wow. We knew the house was going to go quick, so that night we had my family come and take a look. They didn't seems to have any real major concerns, so the next morning we decided we wanted to put in an offer! I really couldn't believe we found a house that quick. Before going to speak with our Realtor, Husbandy went to drive around the house/neighborhood one more time. I soon got a call that he just wasn't feeling it. He couldn't see us raising our family there. We talked it over, and decided that even though it was super nice, it wasn't for us. Wamp, wamp. Soo we kept looking, not a big deal, I didn't expect it to be that quick anyways. We then found a house in an awesome location. Loooooved the neighborhood. But, of course the house was a foreclosure, and needed some work. We put in offer knowing it was kinda low and that there were three others, and ended up not getting it. Finally, on house 40, we found one that fit almost everything we wanted! Great neighborhood, updated, move in ready, lots of room to grow, parks nearby, right in the middle of all my family...you get the idea. After going back and looking at it a second time and bringing family to take a look, we put in an offer! One counter offer later, we're under contract!!!
Being under contract is really when all the madness starts. I'm kinda sick of all the paper work and decision making. :)We had our inspection today and there are things that definitely need to be fixed before we say we'll take it, but we're still hopeful. Every time I go to the house I love it more, but I can't become too emotionally attached knowing that it's not ours yet, and that things could still fall through. If you don't mind saying some prayers that things go well, Husbandy and I would appreciate it.
House hunting has been a challenge with Husbandy not living in Dallas, but he's done so wonderful handling it all. In between that and school work, we celebrated our three year anniversary. I cannot believe it's already been three years. It sure hasn't felt like it. Thankfully it fell during Husbandy's dead week and we were able to have a wonderful dinner together at Houston's. We came home fat and happy. :P People have asked me what we got each other and to that I respond....a house? A trip to New Zealand? Take your pick.
That's right, on May 22 we will be on our way to God Zone...apparently that's its nickname. We got a really good deal from LivingSocial that we couldn't pass up. More on that trip later......
There were lots of other fun fun things that happened during April 2012, like two of my close friend at work telling me they are pregnant, and our annul Wagner/Fry day-o-fun in Ennis. We first go and take pictures in the bluebonnets and then go to the drive-in! It's been a tradition for three years now. I honestly can't wait until we throw little Wagners and Vrly Fries to the mix. Maybe the movie going will suffer, but the pictures will probably be cuter (no offense).
Did I mention Husbandy has THREE DAYS and ONE FINAL left!?!?! I am so excited. It will probably be a very long three days, but I cannot wait until Wednesday night.
Congrats if you made it this far....I think I'm done. God Bless!
Where to start, where to start. In my last post I mentioned Husbandy had an interview. He ended up liking the company's atmosphere and people a lot; to top it off, he thought the interview went well. This was confirmed when he got a call from one of the guys he interviewed with saying "Congrats, you are going to be working under me, all we need to do is a background check." Yea, woohoo, yippie! Not. The next week he received a call saying they were no longer creating the position they had interviewed him for. * Screeching halt* Huuh?? Needless to say, that was a bummer. The day he heard this news was later topped off by a call from the College Station Fire Department telling me Husband's apartment was on fire. Awesome. Don't worry, it ended up not being too too bad, really just a burned door and water damage. (Husbandy may correct me on that).
God's plan is always better than our own, however. The top dude at the company that turned Husbandy down did really like him and ended up giving him a contact at another commercial valuation firm. Without wasting time, Husbandy was on the phone and had an interview for the following Friday! The interview went really well and Husbandy was offered a position!! He took some time looking over the offer, and accepted it. I'm so proud of him, he's worked so hard for this, and now get to do exactly what he wants. He'll be starting on June 4. What makes it even more perfect is his office is 3.2 miles away from our *hopeful* house!
Oh, yeah, we put an offer on a house. :) During Husbandy's spring break we met with a Realtor and started our search. It has definitely had its ups and downs. The fifth house we looked at, on the second day of looking, was absolutely gorgeous. It was incredibly updated with a to die for kitchen and master bath. I mean, wow. We knew the house was going to go quick, so that night we had my family come and take a look. They didn't seems to have any real major concerns, so the next morning we decided we wanted to put in an offer! I really couldn't believe we found a house that quick. Before going to speak with our Realtor, Husbandy went to drive around the house/neighborhood one more time. I soon got a call that he just wasn't feeling it. He couldn't see us raising our family there. We talked it over, and decided that even though it was super nice, it wasn't for us. Wamp, wamp. Soo we kept looking, not a big deal, I didn't expect it to be that quick anyways. We then found a house in an awesome location. Loooooved the neighborhood. But, of course the house was a foreclosure, and needed some work. We put in offer knowing it was kinda low and that there were three others, and ended up not getting it. Finally, on house 40, we found one that fit almost everything we wanted! Great neighborhood, updated, move in ready, lots of room to grow, parks nearby, right in the middle of all my family...you get the idea. After going back and looking at it a second time and bringing family to take a look, we put in an offer! One counter offer later, we're under contract!!!
Being under contract is really when all the madness starts. I'm kinda sick of all the paper work and decision making. :)We had our inspection today and there are things that definitely need to be fixed before we say we'll take it, but we're still hopeful. Every time I go to the house I love it more, but I can't become too emotionally attached knowing that it's not ours yet, and that things could still fall through. If you don't mind saying some prayers that things go well, Husbandy and I would appreciate it.
House hunting has been a challenge with Husbandy not living in Dallas, but he's done so wonderful handling it all. In between that and school work, we celebrated our three year anniversary. I cannot believe it's already been three years. It sure hasn't felt like it. Thankfully it fell during Husbandy's dead week and we were able to have a wonderful dinner together at Houston's. We came home fat and happy. :P People have asked me what we got each other and to that I respond....a house? A trip to New Zealand? Take your pick.
That's right, on May 22 we will be on our way to God Zone...apparently that's its nickname. We got a really good deal from LivingSocial that we couldn't pass up. More on that trip later......
There were lots of other fun fun things that happened during April 2012, like two of my close friend at work telling me they are pregnant, and our annul Wagner/Fry day-o-fun in Ennis. We first go and take pictures in the bluebonnets and then go to the drive-in! It's been a tradition for three years now. I honestly can't wait until we throw little Wagners and Vrly Fries to the mix. Maybe the movie going will suffer, but the pictures will probably be cuter (no offense).
Did I mention Husbandy has THREE DAYS and ONE FINAL left!?!?! I am so excited. It will probably be a very long three days, but I cannot wait until Wednesday night.
Congrats if you made it this far....I think I'm done. God Bless!
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| Niece's first Easter! I love her. |
Saturday, March 31, 2012
You're Welcome, RaceTrac
This week has been incredibly busy, especially for Husbandy. We're hoping that in the coming weeks we'll see all the time and gas money pay off!
Here's a timeline of the past 9 days:
Thursday - Husbandy drives home, as normal, to spend the weekend in Dallas. We have a wonderful Thursday night dinner.
Friday - A typical Friday where I go to work. After work we meet up with our Realtor (whom I am now calling our best friend cause we hang out so much) and see four houses.
Saturday - I go to a photography class in the morning then we, again, meet with the Realtor and see another 4 houses. We decide we really like a house in Richardson that we saw a week ago and put in an offer. We know we're coming in a little low, but can't justify a bigger offer with the work that needs to be done on the house, so we tell ourselves nothing is going to come of it.
Sunday - Typical Sunday...Mass...engagement party...babysit Kate....drive around potential neighborhoods to see what they're like.
Monday - Ok, so this is where things pick up. Husbandy wakes up early to "pull" a ring day ticket (gets group 1...whoop!) and heads of to College Station for class and a group meeting. After his last class, which ends around 6:25, he drives back to Dallas.
Tuesday - Husbandy gets up early to be in Arlington by 9:00am to listen to a speaker, General Terry Dake, former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was asked to come back to meet with the speaker as a former Goolsby graduate. That night we decide to squeeze in seeing a few houses since he's home.
Wednesday - Husbandy gets up early for a drive back to College Station. The rest of the day is decently normal, however, we do hear that the bank did not go with our offer for the house in Richardson. Sad.
Thursday - Our original plan was for me to drive to CS on Thursday night, and then on Friday we were going to go to the Blue Bell Factory in Brenham and be back in time to get his ring. Well, on Monday Husbandy received a phone call from a firm in Dallas for an interview on Friday. Soooo, lucky for him, he got to drive back to Dallas Thursday night! He was thrilled. We were very thankful for the interview, it just seemed to be bad timing.
Friday - I had obviously already taken off, so in the morning we got up and drove downtown for the interview. It was kinda pointless for Husbandy to go all the way downtown and then drive back to the house to get me when he was done, so I went and filled my time during his interview with filling the car with gas and Starbucks. After he was done we drove to College Station and immediately went to The Association of Former Student Building to get the ring!!! It was very exciting and many pictures were taken. I must say, Husbandy looks mighty fine with his new bling. I'm just so proud of him. :)
Originally (by originally I mean after the interview was thrown in the mix) we were thinking we were going to have to drive separately to CS, so Husbandy would have a car, and I would have one to drive back to Dallas in on Sunday. Thankfully, we found out my brother was going to a bachelor party in Houston(ish), so we made the plan to meet him on his way back. Husbandy still had to drive me an hour so it wouldn't be inconvenient for the group of guys my brother was driving with, but I guess it's better than nothing.
Whew! What a week. Fill in the cracks with studying and you can see why Husbandy is ready for May 12th. Please keep him in your prayers as he finishes up his Master's Degree!
Monday, March 12, 2012
I Exalt Thee
It seems that music moves me more than I realize. The choir my mom is in has recently been struggling due to lots of changes that have taken places. Last week though, they seemed to be much more together. Particularly on one song that really moved me. I grew up hearing it every so often, but something was different this time.
I looked briefly for a good video of it on YouTube, but couldn't find one I loved. Plus, we kinda combine two songs. So, here are the words instead.
Lord, You are more precious than silver;
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.
I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord!
Ok, so I like this guys version of We (I) Exalt Thee @1:30 - 2:25.
I looked briefly for a good video of it on YouTube, but couldn't find one I loved. Plus, we kinda combine two songs. So, here are the words instead.
Lord, You are more precious than silver;
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.
I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord!
Ok, so I like this guys version of We (I) Exalt Thee @1:30 - 2:25.
Monday, February 27, 2012
To Be Continued
40 days of random 1-5 sentence thoughts. Not really sure how the formatting was messed up, but for some reason the space between thoughts gradually gets larger....
Friday February 24:
There is nothing like driving into College Station when you haven’t seen it for months.
O’Bannon’s brings me back to my senior year when a group of us would meet there every Wednesday. I think knowing of the greatness ahead got me through Wednesday night Becker classes.
Sunday February 26:
Going to Mass with 1,000s of other people your age and actually hearing participation is wonderful. If St Mary’s was an hour away from my house, I’d make the drive every week.
Come to the Water really got to me today. I love Matt Maher's version!
If I don't even hit the speed limit while passing a car on a two lane road, they are going tooo slooooow.
You know what's also really annoying? When you're driving down 45, cruise control on, and you keep passing the same car cause they can't pick a speed. Seriously, must you fluctuate THAT much?
Coming home early was definitely worth seeing Brooklyn. :D
Monday February 27:
What’s with today today?
What’s with today today?
Tuesday February 28:
Today I'm learning about the beauty of CC'ing someone on an email. It's actually quite helpful. :)
Thursday March 1:
Happy birthday, Kelly! Love my work girls. :D
THIIGTSJD!!!
Saturday March 3:
Happy Birthday, Lauren! Here's to the next 10 years of our friendship. :D
Mmmmmm pistachio almond ice cream!
Sunday March 4:
I love watching The Amazing Race with Husbandy. :)
Monday March 5:
Happy Birthday to be best Husbandy ever! I can't wait for May and all the changes that will come with it. I looooove you!!
Wednesday March 7:
Hopefully now that I've finished The Hunger Games, my dreams will stop being so weird.....
Saturday March 10:
Oh, good, now we're known as the flakes. :(
Monday March 12:
Husbandy is here for the entire weeeeeeek!
We did it!! We took the plunge! Eeeeeek! :D
Tuesday March 13:
I took half a day off today (the only day I get while Husbandy's home) and we were so productive! We got pre-approved for a loan, mailed my passport off to get my name changed, and met with our Realtor for the first time! Can't believe this is finally happening.
Wednesday March 14:
The house hunt has officially officially begun! We looked at four houses today, but none of them wow'ed us. Still excited to be house hunting though.
Thursday March 15:
Husbandy and I found the most gorgeous house today and it's in our price range!!!! We had my whole family come over to look at it. Now Husbandy and I have a big decisions to make. It's only our 5th house to look at, but it could be the one.
Friday March 16:
Decided not to go with the house we found yesterday. Husbandy drove around the neighborhood this morning and decided it's not where he wants to raise a family. I'm going to dream about the kitchen and bathroom, but I'm at peace with this decision.
The house hunt continues.
Saturday March 17:
HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!!
Husbandy and I ran our first 5k (Dash Down Greenville) together this morning. By together I mean we were running in the same race; I technically ran the race with my awesome friend Kit. I thought I was going to struggle, but we jut talked the whole time and I actually had fun. Thanks, Kit!
Loved having a cookout with friends, can't wait till we can host one of those.
Sunday March 18:
Happy with the race results, I didn't finish last! I wasn't even last within my age group. Mission accomplished. Husbandy did really well, I'm proud of him.
Husbandy's last day in Dallas. :(
Wednesday March 22:
It took me 50 minutes to get to work today....I live 10 miles away. That is ridiculous!
Monday March 26:
Husbandy got his Aggie ring ticket! Yea!!
Wednesday March 28:
Well this day has really gone down the tubes within the last hour.....
Friday March 30:
It's Husbandy's Aggie Rings Day!!! He's been waiting for this for so long and I'm so excited I get to be the one to present it to him! He's worked hard for this. :)
Thanks to Chad for coming to see Husbandy get his ring!
Saturday March 31:
Date night with my husband to the place we ate the night he asked me to be his wife. :) I love him.
The Stars are not making this night go well....
Tuesday April 3:
I'm not sure if it's because I'm not on fb right now, or if it's because I really haven't cared this season, but I just found out at work that the championship college basketball game was last night. Woops!
Got some sweet tickets to the Stars game from a girl at work! I'll have to post pictures. :)
Saturday April 7:
Annual bluebonnet/drive-in movie day with the Fry's!!! So excited that we are actually going early enough to see bluebonnets this year. :D
EASTER IS TOMORROW!!
Today I'm learning about the beauty of CC'ing someone on an email. It's actually quite helpful. :)
Thursday March 1:
Happy birthday, Kelly! Love my work girls. :D
THIIGTSJD!!!
Saturday March 3:
Happy Birthday, Lauren! Here's to the next 10 years of our friendship. :D
Mmmmmm pistachio almond ice cream!
Sunday March 4:
I love watching The Amazing Race with Husbandy. :)
Monday March 5:
Happy Birthday to be best Husbandy ever! I can't wait for May and all the changes that will come with it. I looooove you!!
Wednesday March 7:
Hopefully now that I've finished The Hunger Games, my dreams will stop being so weird.....
Saturday March 10:
Oh, good, now we're known as the flakes. :(
Monday March 12:
Husbandy is here for the entire weeeeeeek!
We did it!! We took the plunge! Eeeeeek! :D
Tuesday March 13:
I took half a day off today (the only day I get while Husbandy's home) and we were so productive! We got pre-approved for a loan, mailed my passport off to get my name changed, and met with our Realtor for the first time! Can't believe this is finally happening.
Wednesday March 14:
The house hunt has officially officially begun! We looked at four houses today, but none of them wow'ed us. Still excited to be house hunting though.
Thursday March 15:
Husbandy and I found the most gorgeous house today and it's in our price range!!!! We had my whole family come over to look at it. Now Husbandy and I have a big decisions to make. It's only our 5th house to look at, but it could be the one.
Friday March 16:
Decided not to go with the house we found yesterday. Husbandy drove around the neighborhood this morning and decided it's not where he wants to raise a family. I'm going to dream about the kitchen and bathroom, but I'm at peace with this decision.
The house hunt continues.
Saturday March 17:
HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!!
Husbandy and I ran our first 5k (Dash Down Greenville) together this morning. By together I mean we were running in the same race; I technically ran the race with my awesome friend Kit. I thought I was going to struggle, but we jut talked the whole time and I actually had fun. Thanks, Kit!
Loved having a cookout with friends, can't wait till we can host one of those.
Sunday March 18:
Happy with the race results, I didn't finish last! I wasn't even last within my age group. Mission accomplished. Husbandy did really well, I'm proud of him.
Husbandy's last day in Dallas. :(
Wednesday March 22:
It took me 50 minutes to get to work today....I live 10 miles away. That is ridiculous!
Monday March 26:
Husbandy got his Aggie ring ticket! Yea!!
Wednesday March 28:
Well this day has really gone down the tubes within the last hour.....
Friday March 30:
It's Husbandy's Aggie Rings Day!!! He's been waiting for this for so long and I'm so excited I get to be the one to present it to him! He's worked hard for this. :)
Thanks to Chad for coming to see Husbandy get his ring!
Saturday March 31:
Date night with my husband to the place we ate the night he asked me to be his wife. :) I love him.
The Stars are not making this night go well....
Tuesday April 3:
I'm not sure if it's because I'm not on fb right now, or if it's because I really haven't cared this season, but I just found out at work that the championship college basketball game was last night. Woops!
Got some sweet tickets to the Stars game from a girl at work! I'll have to post pictures. :)
Saturday April 7:
Annual bluebonnet/drive-in movie day with the Fry's!!! So excited that we are actually going early enough to see bluebonnets this year. :D
EASTER IS TOMORROW!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Reliving Our Wedding
You probably already knew this….but I have an awesome sister. Over the last few years I have really seen her faith blossom and it’s been such an encouragement. Not only to me, but to Husbandy and I. It’s good to be able to talk about our faith and struggles with people as close to us as Rebecca and Jason are.
Rebecca wrote the below post one her 1 month wedding anniversary. It’s so wonderful, I had to share it over here. I pray that all my friends are able to relive their wedding day like she describes. I love you sister!!
How Could It Be That My God Would Welcome Me Into This Mystery
I thought the 1 monthiversary would be a good time for some of my reflections about marriage. For the short version please see the definitions of wonderful, joyful, and right in the dictionary. I can't believe how fast this month has gone by. Like I told Jason in my note to him this morning, it merely takes me closing my eyes (or scrolling through our wedding pictures for the 100,000th time) to bring back the rush of emotions I had when I saw Jason waiting for me at the end of aisle and the unbelievable joy I felt as we danced our first dance. And it's not just because our wedding day was that awesome, it's because what it has led to. What we have become in a month. We're a family now and I am so blessed to be able to call him my husband :-)
I know that marriage will not always be this rosy. The multiple marriage prep classes we did reminded us of this. It is hard and takes real work to get through some of the toughest times. I do plan to write more about these sometime in the future. I know I say that a lot, but so much has happened the past few months it's hard getting caught up with everything. I'll just say I think the Church does it right. We are well prepared to love and support one another as we go forth in our marriage.
Okay now my reflections: Remember when I said I think the Church got it right? This extends so far beyond the prep classes. This extends to the history of the Church, to the sacrament of marriage, to the institution of the Eucharist, to our relationship with Christ. I remember reading a Christopher West book once and he related a story about his father-in-law receiving Communion the first time after his wedding. He broke into tears and expressed that "for the first time in my life I understood the meaning of Christ's words, 'This is my body given for you.'" This always struck me as interesting. What was this change that was made in him so quickly? How did the Mass suddenly come more to life for him through marriage?
Well, I can say I believe I experienced something very similar to this the Sunday after our wedding. I became so overcome with emotions during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Here I was kneeling before the body of Christ with my husband with whom I was now one. This Sacramental mystery we had been welcomed into is an image of our union with God in the Eucharist. Beyond this I was realizing that every time we come to Mass we get to relive an integral part of our wedding day. Not just see pictures, watch a video or passively reminisce, but relive, actively participate. How perfect that the Mass is often referred to as the marriage supper of the Lamb. Christ constantly renews his Vows with us by offering Himself to us in the Eucharist. So too do Jason and I offer ourselves to one another in marriage, living out our vows. Even still when I go to Mass I feel I am participating in a new way. I'm reliving our wedding day, being an active part of the wedding supper of the Lamb, and anticipating the day we enter into full communion with Christ. It's pretty awesome. I have read about this through Theology of the Body and believed in the mystery and sacrament of marriage, but to actually experience being a part of it is new and exciting. It's not better or more perfect than it was before (you can't improve on what is already perfect) but for me it is more complete. I love going to Mass with my husband :) I hope in the future as we face troubling times we can look to the Mass as something which can always bring us together and remind us of our wedding day.
On top of all of this, it has brought even more meaning to the words of our second reading from Ephesians 5
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.
In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.
If we are able to live out these words I am confident in our marriage. If we always remember that marriage is a reflection of Christ's love for the Church and strive to imitate and share this love we cannot go wrong.
I know that marriage will not always be this rosy. The multiple marriage prep classes we did reminded us of this. It is hard and takes real work to get through some of the toughest times. I do plan to write more about these sometime in the future. I know I say that a lot, but so much has happened the past few months it's hard getting caught up with everything. I'll just say I think the Church does it right. We are well prepared to love and support one another as we go forth in our marriage.
Okay now my reflections: Remember when I said I think the Church got it right? This extends so far beyond the prep classes. This extends to the history of the Church, to the sacrament of marriage, to the institution of the Eucharist, to our relationship with Christ. I remember reading a Christopher West book once and he related a story about his father-in-law receiving Communion the first time after his wedding. He broke into tears and expressed that "for the first time in my life I understood the meaning of Christ's words, 'This is my body given for you.'" This always struck me as interesting. What was this change that was made in him so quickly? How did the Mass suddenly come more to life for him through marriage?
Well, I can say I believe I experienced something very similar to this the Sunday after our wedding. I became so overcome with emotions during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Here I was kneeling before the body of Christ with my husband with whom I was now one. This Sacramental mystery we had been welcomed into is an image of our union with God in the Eucharist. Beyond this I was realizing that every time we come to Mass we get to relive an integral part of our wedding day. Not just see pictures, watch a video or passively reminisce, but relive, actively participate. How perfect that the Mass is often referred to as the marriage supper of the Lamb. Christ constantly renews his Vows with us by offering Himself to us in the Eucharist. So too do Jason and I offer ourselves to one another in marriage, living out our vows. Even still when I go to Mass I feel I am participating in a new way. I'm reliving our wedding day, being an active part of the wedding supper of the Lamb, and anticipating the day we enter into full communion with Christ. It's pretty awesome. I have read about this through Theology of the Body and believed in the mystery and sacrament of marriage, but to actually experience being a part of it is new and exciting. It's not better or more perfect than it was before (you can't improve on what is already perfect) but for me it is more complete. I love going to Mass with my husband :) I hope in the future as we face troubling times we can look to the Mass as something which can always bring us together and remind us of our wedding day.
On top of all of this, it has brought even more meaning to the words of our second reading from Ephesians 5
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.
In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.
If we are able to live out these words I am confident in our marriage. If we always remember that marriage is a reflection of Christ's love for the Church and strive to imitate and share this love we cannot go wrong.
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| Photography by Susan Gilbert |
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| Photography by Chandler Arden |
Monday, February 13, 2012
It's a First!
I was recently approached by someone who was dying to write a post for my blog. I'm pretty sure this means I'm a big timer in the blogger world! So without further ado, here is a post written by none other than....Husbandy (with some comments by yours truly)!
There’s a time in every Aggie’s life that is absolutely
invigorating. It’s a time when you feel more proud and honored to represent a
school that stands for so much more than just an education. I understand
I could be talking about many different events. However, the moment I’m talking
about this time is one that's filled with so much excitement and joy. It makes a statement about who
you are and what you represent. It is when you order and receive your Aggie
ring.
Sidebar: Whoop!
Growing up in an extremely meek home in a small Florida
town, I was unaware of the tradition, family, faith, loyalty, and servantship
that Texas A&M University held. I was a follower and well down the road to
destruction when God had other plans. Thinking to myself, “I’d be lucky to get
an associate’s degree,” He put something, or rather someone, extraordinary in
my life. Someone He knew would catch my attention; motivating me to go above
and beyond dreams I thought I’d never reach. This is a person who didn’t look
at where I had been or criticize my past; a person that knew I was in need of
God’s help, love, and grace. This amazing woman, I can humbly, and proudly, say
is my wife.
Sidebar: *blush*
Seeing A&M for the first time as an outsider was a bit
strange, I agree. But once you become an Aggie, that all changes, and it’s so
hard to describe. So I’ll leave that to someone else.
Sidebar: I feel like there’s saying about that…..
I moved to Aggieland in August of 2003. Wifey was an
incoming freshman and completely sold on being an Aggie.
Sidebar: I bled maroon since I was born!
It took attending a few events before I was fully able to
comprehend what Aggies were all about. The interaction and togetherness the
campus exhibited was just remarkable. I previously attended a community college
for one year and had no motivation to go back to school. But, I suddenly had a
change of heart. This was a small flame that grew into a Bonfire (Whoop!) over
the years. I began working as a leasing agent in College Station, after
attaining my real estate license. I was making good money and attending Blinn
part time in hopes of transferring into Mays Business School. Unfortunately,
that didn’t work out as planned. Wifey graduated, we moved to Dallas, and got
married a year later.
Sidebar: Have no fear; we traveled back to College Station
to tie the knot. It was only appropriate.
I transferred to UT
(or TU) Arlington and met a group of lifelong friends, both students and
faculty, through the Goolsby Leadership Academy in the business school. As I
applied for graduation and began to prepare for acquiring a job, I spoke with a
friend of mine who had graduated from the Master of Real Estate (MRE) program
at Texas A&M. We had worked together at Century 21 in College Station, and were very similar in
personalities, likes and dislikes. He thought the MRE would be a perfect for me
and that I would really enjoy it. I visited with the MRE faculty, and just
loved the idea. They said there was a good chance that I would be accepted, so
of course I applied. (Side Note: Being accepted to TAMU is another exhilarating
moment for an Aggie) The day I received THE email, I was on campus at UTA in an
organization’s office. Click, wait, click, click, wait longer….cccooOOMMEE ON! ........ “You have been accepted!!!” I jumped and yelled for about a solid 2 minutes,
then called wifey and friends.
Now, here I am in my last semester. I recently acquired the
amount of hours that allowed me to order the…AGGIE RING! WHOOP! The day I
became eligible I went straight down to the Association of Former Students and
ordered it! On March 30th I will proudly wear the symbol of family,
tradition, loyalty, servantship, and faith!
Sidebar: CANNOT wait to be there for that. J
Then, on the weekend of May 12th I will walk the stage
in Reed Arena and accept my Masters of Real Estate from the Mays Business
School faculty! This is an accomplishment not attainable without God, wifey,
family and friends. Over the past 9 and ½ years that I’ve lived in Texas, I’ve
learned that God has our plans laid out; we shouldn’t fight them, but accept them. He knows you and your motivations, and he will lead you down the right
path. He will provide when He knows you’re in need. Trust Him.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
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