My little taste of Heaven..

I'm at home again for the third day in a row... count them - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,... three days of boredom, Theraflu, coughing, sneezing, headaches, and body aches.... I'm WAAAY over being at home with not much of anything to do. BUT, I have been labeled as someone who always has "projects" - and I have accepted that label and rock it well!! I have started sooo many things recently (more like two, maybe three things...)

So anywho, I'm bored and tweeting abt how I need entertainment when a wonderful idea fleeted across my mind.

Why not blog abt your hubs?! DUH!!!

This blog was a PROJECT I started to catalog my life a a new wife and the things I get into and to also just share thing going on in my world. A post or so ago, I spoke about how we as wives should lift our husbands up and praise them. So, NOW..... every once in a while (or whenever I get the urge), I'm going to rant & share about my little taste of heaven. (My husband.)

I will post a few pix, give a little detail or two, then go into WHY he is sent straight from heaven to me!!

This is us at one of my favorite restaurants Pesce!

This is us at work ((YES!! We work together and I LOVE it!!)) I like to give him kisses....

He likes to paintball. He likes to take pictures of himself... this is a picture he took of himself after he went paintballing!!

WONDERFULNESS STRAIGHT FROM HEAVEN:

Reason #1: I was snotting, sneezing, and coughing up a storm last night, my husband brought me Theraflu and continued patted my back as I mumbled "Thank you..I'm sorrry!" ((He also let me snuggle my sickly self against him... and even snuggled back!))

Reason #2: He is sooo forgiving... it's insanely not human how forgiving he is and how he never (and, I mean NEVER) throws anything in your face or brings it back up.

Reason #3: He loves me with the unconditional love of Christ. Seriously. Another very not human thing about him.

BONUS: He (probably) won't get upset that I just ordered the DUMBEST movie on OnDemand have only watched it for as long as it took me to blog this (maybe 7 mins) and am abt to order something else. ((SIDEBAR - I don't take this for granted.. I'm just glad it exists!! lol)

See? Sent straight from heaven to me!! My very own little "Jesus" walking right beside me daily!

Ephesians 5: 25-27 "Husbands love your wives in as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

I Peter 3: 7 "Husbands in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

.... these things he does with love and is such a great example for ME and for all of those around us..... He's wonderful..... He's my little taste of Heaven.

Peace. Love. Marriage.

(To great Christlike husbands. Smile.)

Sick Lessons

Sick Day #1:

Remote - for DVR & OnDemand watching
Laptop - to keep up with Twitter/Facebook
Phone - for texting
iTouch - for game playing, App perusing
Mug - for Theraflu sipping
Tissue - for keeping the nose clean
Nail Polish - for nail polishing
Red Pen - for paper grading

Being sick is the pits! I absolutely HATE feeling bad and unable to do much besides lay down and sneeze! But, I had a wonderful caretaker (read my husband) who went back and forth from work to home, from home to work to make sure I had everything I needed and to bring me food! He even came home with Sprinkle Cupcakes! ((High five!!!)) The last few days had been rough but I definitely have to give him props for being such a trooper through it all!

What lesson did I learn yesterday??
Lesson #2: Be bigger than your feelings.

EVERYTHING changes - your feelings, your circumstances, your mate, and even you. What won't change? Your relationship/marriage status..... Your mate SHOULDN'T be planning to go anywhere and you shouldn't be either... Allowing your feelings to dictate your responses leave the door open for disrepect, spoken words that should never be said, and wounds that are hard to heal.

I tried changing my response to disappointments and hurts and it was soooo freeing. I expressed my feelings calmly and respectfully, saying what I meant and I was received sooo much better. I didn't offend my husband, I didn't hurt him, and we were able to speak peaceably. MY day isn't ruined or horrible or full of malice and anger because I CHOSE not to allow it to be. His day isn't ruined didn't start off badly because of a ranting wife who isn't able to control herself.

My responses are my choice. My responses affect my home. My responses affect my husband. How selfish would it be to tear down my home and my husband bc I can't control myself and communicate in a way that is peaceful?

"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26-27

My marriage or behavior isn't about me but about glorifying God..... Do I think I did that, yes? So, I'm thankful and grateful for the lessons learned and the ppl in our life who help and guide us. They are appreciated in ways I cannot even express.

OH... and, I'm still home sick.. This is Day #2:

Nail Polish - because I didn't get around to painting yesterday

Journal - to plan my days/write lessons/etc

Bible - to read!

Planner - to plan my weeks!!!

***** Praying that I will be able to go back to work tomorrow!!!! I miss my kids!!****

Peace. Love. Marriage.

Wedded Bliss

***photos taken by Morgan Lynn of Morgan Lynn Photography.... blog.morganlynnphotography.com***

WOW!! It's been AGES since I've last blogged! .... I kinda miss it!

My goal for blogging was to speak on everything (well, a lot) of what I'd learned as being a newly married woman but I've been slacking!

I teach 2nd grade and since school has started I've been doing very little of EVERYthing except work, church related activities, and sleeping! ..... and, last but not least, tending to my husband! lol.

But...........

I'm back! And, glad to be able to get a few things that I've most recently learned out there in cyberspace for "the world" to see! lol.

***QUICK SHOUT OUT.... We'll be married 9mths TOMORROW!!!

WOOT - WOOT!!!!!***

Marriage Lesson #1:

Keep busy when tempted to fuss or act out in anger when your preferences aren't being met. (in whatever capacity they may be in). For example: You PREFER for your husband to take out the trash.... but, he hasn't and trash day was yesterday! My husband is s l o w (and very patient) and with me being the quicker paced (and less patient) spouse, it's hard for me to wait on him to do much of anything. The sad part is that unless one of us slows down (or speeds up) we will never walk in unison. So, in those moments when I'm waiting for him to "speed up" and I'm tempted to fuss and rush him - I choose to be productive and occupy my time. They are usually quick tasks that I can complete or get to a "stopping point" that help the time to by.

This tactic does a few things for me...

1. Refocus my mind on Ephesians 4: 22-24 and gives me an opportunity to pray about how I am to respond and treat my husband and pray to show grace in the moments when I'm not feeling so patient. The above verse speaks to submitting/coming up under/respecting my husband as if he was Christ. NOT that he is Christ, not that he acts like Him all the time... but AS IF. As if instead of me waiting on my husband, I am waiting on Christ....................... #POW. How would I wait for Christ? How would you?

2. By praying and refocusing on Christ, my entire mind and attitude changes. I'm no longer frustrated and causing contention in my own home by fussing but intentionally creating an atomosphere of peace. Proverbs 14:1 --> "Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands"..... Proverbs 21:9 --> "Better to live on the corner of a roof than share a house with a nagging wife." As a wife, we are the heart of our homes!! Our home's "feel" depends on US! When our husbands enjoying time at home and want their friends to come over, etc., it has a lot to do with how we treat them! Make sure you are building your home and every aspect of it instead of tearing it down.. yourself. Let's not forget that the ability to build a lasting home that can weather all that life brings, depends on how solid the foundation is. How horrible is it to ruin something you have desired for so long, love so much, and really want to see succeed? It makes no sense. It's illogical and that's exactly what is happening when we choose to nag, fuss, and cuss instead of choosing to speak in a respectful tone and at the right time. Timing and tone are EVERYTHING.

3. When I am active & doing something (without mumbling, fussing, or being disrespectful in the process), I am being PRODUCTIVE! I am getting things done... from grading a few papers to folding laundry to loading the dishwasher or even (and, it's a big one) ............ ASKING MY HUSBAND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO HELP HIM in anyway he needs me to. Afterall, I am his HELPmeet. :) Being productive helps everyone and it will allow you more time to spend resting with your husband (in peace) and just enjoying each other's company. Proverbs 31: 13 :".... she (the wife) works with willing hands".... Proverbs 31:27, 28 "She (the wife) watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. Her sons rise up and call her blessed and her husband also praises her."

The simple truth is this, the more (genuinely) respectful and uplifting we are to our husbands, the more loving they will be to us.

I believe as oblivious as our husbands can be at times, I know they notice when we are respectful and when we "talk them up" instead of constantly berating them. We can do so much to improve the state of our relationships, the question is this.... Are you willing to do what YOU can do, regardless of what your husband does, to improve your relationship and build up your home with the love of Christ?

There is a saying that I admittedly love very much... it says "Happy wife, happy life" but I choose to say "Better wife, better life".

LOVE. PEACE. MARRIAGE.

Blind Trust for a "Must See"

I've just recently labeled myself as a "Must See"...... Confused? Let me explain. I "Must See" where we are going, what we are doing, an agenda, a menu.... I "Must See" what it looks like before I commit - nail polish, a hair style, shoes, a swim suit, etc... very RARELY will I commit or purchase before I KNOW what I'm getting into. Those times I do commit blindly, I'm never confident and it takes me a while to delve into or use what I have agreed to. I've very habitual and I like to know what's going on when, where, why, and how. And, I need details and every single one of my questions answered - no matter where in the process we are. I WILL have a question and I'm not content or comfortable until I get an answer that makes ME feel content and comfortable.

While some of you may think that this logic and lifestyle is incredibly sensible and solid- I don't have a "Must See" kind of belief system. Which makes it very hard for me to sometimes believe. While I know the God I serve never leaves me nor forsakes me, has good things planned for me, and knows what I need when I need it and how I need it - my hangups, (or "Must Sees") that make life so organized and put together, make it very hard for me to allow God to do what He needs to in my life.

All of my "Must See" criteria are truthfully nothing more than control issues that allow me to handle and navigate life a little more "easily". If I know what's going on I can foresee problems or snags and avoid them at all costs. Ironically, as a child of God and now a wife - I'm in control of very little. As a child of God, I never was before but when you realize your place - a CHILD of God - you realize that there's very little you have a say in. If you have children, nieces, nephews, students you can all relate...... Children don't run you! Children don't tell you what to do! If you're from the "Old School" - children rarely have options besides "this or that"!! I only duty as a child is to obey and trust. The more you obey and blindly follow the more your faith increases... WHY? You're not leaning to your own understanding and stepping outside the will of God but allowing Him to lead you. Obediance grants you favor and blessings - it brings peace, joy, and happiness!

As a wife, again... in no position to control. As the Church in the Husband/Wife: Christ/Church relationship "mirror" - I'm still following and obeying with the goal of bringing God glory in ALL aspects of my marriage ministry. The good aspect of marriage that makes following easier is that I have a wonderful husband who follows Christ and truly aspiring to be like Christ in our marriage. Although, there are certain sectors of my marriage that I have "control" over - like our schedule! - I am still required to submit and follow my husband.

I'm currently learning to let go of my "Must See" mindset and truly learn to lean and depend soley on God for comfort, solace, peace, joy, & my heart's desires. It's a tough road but I KNOW that blind trust with my Father is the safest most comfortable way to live my life.

Continue to pray for me thru this time of growth as I will pray for you, as well, as we grow to blindly follow our GOD.

*** slides on the shades & clicks the seatbelt ***

HERE WE GO!

5 mths 12 days 4 hours of Bliss

I started this blog about 5 months ago with the goal of banging my thoughts away (both good and bad) about my marriage experience..... not going into too much detail either way but wanting to share the real deal of marriage. I think... wait, I KNOW a lot of brides go into marriage thinking it's going to be the most amazing experience of their life, everything will be sunshine and butterflies, and they will ride into the sunset to live happily ever after.

Not so.

Marriage is a roller coaster but we all know as scary as the falls can be, the ups are so incredibly amazing.... and if you hold out long enough it will be the greatest ride ever! You're holding on super tight to your "car partner" and dying with laughter at the amazing experience you've been on!! ... And, ready to do it all over again the second you're off! Dashing to stand in line hardly being able to wait your next ride! THAT is what marriage is like - very fun! Exhilarating and scary... fun and terrifying at the same time! The lows aren't always as fun but you know that they always lead to fantastic high's! The difference between roller coasters and marriage is that the highs can last much longer than the do on a 30 sec ride!
One major important skill is learning to stay in your lane and living an individual life as Christ would have you to.... and, when the two of you come together - you are both living an amazing life together as two people glorifying Christ.... learn to respect your husband - in your tone, body language, eye movements, facial expressions, and words. He will learn to love his wife as Christ loves the Church but through these learning lessons ( and they are lessons that take time) - you must be patient with your spouse, kind in teaching, and forgiving in their errors. Last but not least - make love often! You'll be so much more relaxed and smiley! Who doesn't want to be around a happy cheerful spouse?!

How has my marriage experience been? A roller coaster..... but I love it! It has been the most amazing experience and I have truly FELT the "unity" occuring within my marrige and it is a beautiful thing! I wouldn't trade it for the world. I see the growth that we have endured (yes, endured bc at some points it has been VERY painful!) but we come out better, happier, stronger, and even more unified.

THAT is the purpose. THAT is the goal. THAT is what marriage is about.
Everything else is icing on the cake.

I love marriage. I love married life. I love my husband.

Can't wait until tomorrow. ;)

OH NO! I WON'T GO!!!

I'm totally NOT in the mood to go to Galveston bc I'm sooo tired ((but more because I want to upload wedding pictures to Facebook!! hehe)) but just for my HUSBAND and the fact that he wants to hang out with his friends - I will SUBMIT ((oh no!! There's what word!!)) and go happily!!! :) What lots of people DON'T realize about that "horrid" word submission - is that it makes your life so much easier and takes so much pressure off of the wife! I love it! It's not always very fun to sacrifice what you for what your husband does but I promise you, it is always worth it in the end. The husband/wife marriage relationship is to mirror the relationship between Christ and His Church...... We, as wives, are to submit to our husbands as unto God.... It's God commanding you to submit - not your husband. And, keeping in mind our marriage relationship is to mirror Christ and the Church, our submitting to our husband equates to and is to be an example for the world, the Church (believers in Christ) submitting to Christ. Whenever do we go wrong when we submit to Christ? What I am not saying is that our husbands are on the same level as Christ and they won't ever make a mistake - they aren't and they will. What I am saying is that when you obey God and submit to your husband unto Christ (that means, when Christ asks/tells you to do something, we SHOULDN'T NOT do it, we shouldn't blatently rebel, nor have an attitude.) I do realize that we often delay, drag our feet, and make excuses about obeying God but does that ever end well? NO. Submit to your husband as if God is asking/telling you to do something.... you're obeying God, not your husband. And, you will never go wrong submitting to Him!!!

So, of to Galveston I go with a smile on my genuine smile on my face to enjoy time with my wonderful husband!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!!!!!!! ((Yes, I'm excited!! It's our first Valentine's Day as husband and wife!!!!))

Wedded Bliss!

5 days into my marriage and I must say, so far so good.

We're in the midst of lots of planning - what we want to do weekly, monthly, bi-annually, & anually! Planning vacations, weekend getaways, purchases (cameras, a car for Thomas, furniture, etc.) and such!!! It's fun!

One thing I am very adament about us planning and sticking to is solo & couple time with God. Praying, reading the Bible, fun concerts, volunteer work, etc. that will keep us focused and our lives centered around God. We both need some work in ALL of those areas and it's something I endeavor to keep at the forefront of our minds & at the top of our To Do List.

One of our Pastors said it best: You should focus/center around God like you center your living room furniture around the TV.

Sounds like good advice to me!!!!! Right? Keeps your mind off of the little things and on what's important! Keeps your mind on Him..... Keeps you "right"!! I love it!!! And, I'm working on it!!! I kinda feel like I'm in swivel chair and my TV is always tuned in but I just turn towards the TV to catch marathons and shows..... but not to the point where my chair is always positioned to focus.

Anywho................

I'm excited about the future!!

"Half the excitement of achieving goals is the planning and the journey!!"

T - 2 Days!

The big day is almost here!!! Two days to go!

How am I feeling? RELAXED. Everything is pretty much done! We just have to make a few CD's & put together a few pictures for a slideshow & we are READY!

Today, I am spending the day "beautifying" - getting my hair & nails done! A relaxing start to the morning! Then, I am picking up a few dresses from the my seamstress who is steamming my bridal parties dresses for me! Tonight, our entire bridal party is hanging out as we're hosting a Game Night for everyone! We thought it would be a great start to the weekend as well as give everyone an opportunity to be introduced & spend a little time before the wedding!

Thomas has been sooo fantastic with offering to get things done - I feel bad to dump all of my "extra" on him because I want him relaxed as well! But, it's nice to have him willing to support and be there for me!

I am starting to get very excited! I cannot believe this is actually happening and it's happening only a couple of days away!

On thing I am very anxious and excited about is seeing Thomas for the first time standing at the top of the aisle. We were going to have a photoshoot with our entire bridal party pre-wedding but opted out so we won't have a few minutes to ourselves beforehand. I'm curious as to how seeing each other for the first time will go. I hope, hope, hope he cries! Just a tear or two though. Nothing dramatic!!!! I'll try to keep in mind having a little tissue myself to catch any tears that threaten to fall & messing up my makeup!!!

The day is finally ((almost)) here..... :)

T- 5 Days & B-day!!!!

Okay!!

I'm excited because I'm FINALLY able to blog about what's been happening over the past few days! I am about to BURST - I have sooo much going on and have been trying to blog for days... I haven't been able to due to internet issues... BUT!!!! I can now!

SO.

The last few days have been up and down... some days extra awesome, others a bit stressful but nonetheless, they're winding down and we're getting closer to Wedding Day! We are soooo excited for the day and ready to get it over with all the same time!!

I've had horrible nightmares - mainly nightmares, no dreams!! - about the day....... I've fallen down alter stairs & broken my neck, I've forgotten my veil & garter, my jewelry & hair are ugly, Thomas hates my lipgloss (he DID NOT like the lipgloss from my makeup trial), etc, etc, etc the list goes on and on and on. Not to mention the possiblities of REAL errors & uh-oh's taking place! Like someone wasting cranberry juice on my dress (because of this I am implementing a no colored drink policy one I have on my dress & I don't want anyone to touch me.) LOL - seriously. Air kisses, please!!

*** Trying to remember everything I wrote in my blogs that never posted................

I am excited about seeing my friends!!! It's been a while with some of them and I miss them so much! We've planned a game night with our Party which I am really really excited about! Both sides are BURSTING with personality so I can't wait to see what happens when everyone gets together. We have seperate events planned with our Party and we're hoping everyone truly enjoys themselves and has a great time!!! ((It's soooo close!!!))

I was worried about my birthday being scheduled over with wedding To-Do's but so far it's been really nice!!! I'm am beyond thrilled about going to my favorite restaurant Taste Of Texas for an early dinner then going to Bible Study.... neither of us wanted to miss tonight!! Lol. And, he has more suprises for me too!!!! :D Color me HAPPY!!!!!

I am getting a bit overwhelmed with some things but I am constantly reminding myself that "It is OKAY!!!" and "It will be OKAY!!!" I was trying to make a list of every institution, piece of paper, etc that I needed to change my name on and just quit. It's too many things....... Can you imagine how much info there is with your name on it and trying to make a list of it all? STRESSFUL! So, I quit. My license does expire TODAY.......... ahem. So, on Tuesday, WE (yes, I am making him come) are going to get all of my info changed over - no matter how many lines we have to stand in & the amount of time we have to wait!!! AND, I have my signature down PAT so I'm excited to finally be able to use it........................ But when can I start? Immediately or when I get my license back? See??? HARD. LOL.

The wedding seems so far away..... even though it's so close. It's seems as if the weekend will NEVER get here..... even though tomorrow is hump day/hair day... then Thursday & Friday I'm off to compelete all sorts of last minute details, Friday my Dallas girls come in & game night... Saturday is hair appt, Spa Day, & Rehearsal.... Sunday - WEDDING DAY!!
Um... ok, so it's close! I'm sooo excited...... If you ask me how I'm doing while I'm completing WD tasks - you may not hear excitement - but I am. :)

Finally. The day I've been waiting for!

((If there are errrors... please over look them... my students lunch was over 2 mins ago!))

T - 7 Days!!

T minus 7 days and it's on!!!!

Today was the very LAST Sunday of my entire life that my last name will be Freeman.... a friend pointed that out to me as he calls me "Freeman" everytime I see him.

It's weird. It hasn't quite hit yet. We have a busy busy week ahead of us which is really serving as a distraction from the hugeness of what's happening at the end of the week. A lot of things are getting done, a few things are not - but at this point it's either done or it isn't. We were supposed to do a recording for the ceremony last night & then tonight. It wasn't done by no fault of ours but it just happened. I'm surprisingly NOT upset about it being cancelled/no -showed so I think that's a good sign!!

We do still have "normal" life/household chores/items to take care of in addition to wedding chores to get done within the week.... Not to mention my birthday is Tuesday but a trip to the grocery store had to be scheduled!! Yay - what a wonderful place to spend your birthday!

We were both stressed towards the end of last week but over the past couple of days things have been really smooth sailing! I don't think either of us have really "gotten" that we are getting married in a few days! We have so much to do, we can't really focus on what's happening. I have forgotten a few things which is a bit embarrasing but unintentional (inviting ppl to certain events, unable to compelte tasks that I was helping with) but everyone has been so gracious and I hope

We were able to see previews of our programs today and I really like them! Super cute!! Just adorable!!! So, that was a ton of fun!!! It is really adorable & I can't wait until everything comes together!

I'm excited to see all of my friends, spend time at the adorable little Spa that I just love, love, love!!! It's sooo calming & relaxing - just oodles of fun! I'm hoping everyone enjoys everything we have planned and I hope that others are as excited as we are.

I am very nervous about the actual Wedding Day........... Worried about nerves.

I've been warned to give up my cell, not allow red wine at the reception bc people will spill on you, and to get ready and dress alone, etc. etc. So that's a bit nerve racking within itself. I am definitely heeding the advice - if I can avoid drama I will do so by all means!!!

So, it's Sunday. January 10th.... as of this time next Sunday - I will be MARRIED!!!! My last name will officially be MAYES ((my initals - ARM. lol)).... Reception will be OVER & we will go back to a pseudo normal life!!! It will be a new life but at least we won't have anything else to plan for this intense for a really long time!!!

Ta Ta!