Finally something to write about

I have been putting off updating this thing because there really has not been anything to update you on. I have been busy with school and working at target and Andrew has been busy looking for Jobs.

i still don't have a lot to say but i do have one exciting thing, Andrew got a job!! Yay! Praise the Lord! he will be working for parklane mattresses. it is not commission and it is not minimum wage so we are excited:)

We Got our first Christmas tree. we had a lot of fun decorating it and i am having fun coming up with cheap ways to decorate the apartment.
Just a short post but now i must get back to studying.

Horrile Dog Owners

Well Andrew is, not me. Andrew loves playing with carla and letting her on the furniture to cuddle with him. Yet he blatantly refuses to pick up her poop while walking her. He conviently "forgets" that he is supposed to pick it up. So we have become "those people" who leave their dog's poop hidden under a leaf. So on behalf of my husband i apologize to all you who step in dog poop because of his negligence.
And yes he is reading this as i write it and i hope it shames him into becoming a more responsible dog owner:)

I have also discovered that if owning a dog is any indication of future parenting behaviors, then i am going to be an overprotective, worrying, neurotic mother. I freak out about every little thing. Whenever she is in the back of the truck i turn around and check on her every 30 seconds. Her stomach was making weird noises this morning so i texted Andrew every 30 min wondering if she had gone to the bathroom or eaten or if she is back to normal. Just ask kelly how many times i have asked her if i some how broke carla.

so here's hoping i learn to lighten up.

New Puppy

This past weekend Andrew and I went to Black butte with some friends, kind of to celebrate my birthday, but mostly just to have fun.
It was a great weekend. we went for bike rides went swimming and walked around sisters. While we were there Andrew and I picked up a new addition to our family:) Her name is Carla and she is 5 years old and she is a black lab. We adopted her from Kelly and Travis who decided that two dogs were just too much.
She is currently sitting next to me on the couch (yes i am being a horrible mother and letting her on the couch, but i was really cold and she is keeping me nice and toasty) and she is snoring away. I now live with two very loud snorers. Good thing I am a heavy sleeper.
When we got back from black butte our first stop was petsmart where we got her food and water dishes, a giant chicken flavored nylabone to chew on, a new bed (sans cedar chips so she doesn't get all red and rashy) and a new ID tag.
Then we brought her home and at this point she was a little overwhelmed with all the new scents, but after a thorough exploration she settled in very nicely. She loves her bed because it is right in the middle of where Andrew and I always are.
Last night she came in to check on me 3 different times. she would just walk in sniff my face and walk back out to her bed. Almost as if she was checking to make sure we didn't leave her.
this is a picture of her taking advantage of our love:

By popular demand

This is the bedroom. Thank you Tygh and Britney for the furniture:) I framed our vows and hung them over the bed.

This is Andrew's wall in the bedroom

This is the bathroom

The living room. Andrew built me the mantle and the bookshelf that you see

I hate the Kitchen. It is too white and has no counter space.

But at least my dishes are pretty:)

We are going to put some art work on that big white wall but we haven't gotten it framed yet, so in the mean time...white

This is the laundry room/pantry that is kind of part of the kitchen...tiny

First mariage post

I have been putting off starting this blog because i was not sure how well i would be able to keep it up. So i apologize if i don't update frequently.

We are settled in to our apartment. Everything is decorated and has a home. Our fireplace did not have a mantle so Andrew built me one:) isn't he great? I feel like we are done decorating because all the picture frames have pictures in them.
The down sides of living in an apartment: 1)Mr. Downstairs smokes like a chimney and even with all the doors and windows closed the smell still seeps in through the vents. the result is that in the morning or kitchen smells horrible. 2)I now know Mr. Upstairs peeing schedule...because I can hear him...

I am now 4 weeks into classes at canby bible college. I am loving it and learning a lot. My favorite class at the moment is early epistles simply because i am kind of obsessed with paul's writing at the moment.

I am also continuing to intern at Rolling Hills with the Jr. High. We just kicked off the youth group and am so excited to lead a small group. I have sixth grade girls and they are wonderful. I love them and it is going to be a really fun year. I am also working about 20 hours a week at target. so I have a pretty crazy life at the moment

Andrew is still looking for a career. He has applied to a wide range of different jobs. So we are just praying that God will being the right job that will give him the hours he needs without taking over his life and that it is a job he can really enjoy doing. As much as he hates not working it has been really nice for him to have time to do things like go on the antioch camping trip and lead a small group of jr high students.

12 Days...

BAHHHH so close!!

So sorry I have not been updated. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of things to write about so I have been putting it off. But no longer. I will just give highlights and a few pictures to keep this from becoming a book.

After the last post, I went on a bonding trip with my dad. We went fishing and golfing and hung out. He gave me some letters that he wrote on my birthdays (not all of my birthdays but a good amount). These were very cool to read, especially the earlier ones. They gave me a very unique perspective into what was going on before I could remember.

I also had a Lingerie shower that my mom, sister, and sister-in-law planned. It was so fun and I got a lot of great stuff. It was also beautiful weather which made it all the more better



I went on a week long leadership training retreat for jr. high students. It was amazing to see the maturity of some of these students and their drive to start prayer groups and bible studies at their schools

Andrew's Mom and Aunt and Nakalan planned a shower for me so that I could meet more people from the church that Andrew grew up at. It was another gorgeous day and was an awesome chance to put faces with names and talk with a lot of wonderful women.
I have been so blessed with all that people have done for me leading up to the wedding.





I went for a week of Jr. High camp and got to watch God transform students life. As with every other year, I also learn more about becoming an effective leader.

The day after I got back from camp Andrew and I had our Bachelor/Bachelorette party at Ski Bowl. We rode the Alpine slides and went bungee jumping. It was a blast!! i have never done any of that before and I had a lot of fun. Kelly took a video of us bungee jumping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbeSBkEIY2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW4dZxMRDw0





I have my final dress fitting tomorrow. The programs are done. The guest book is done. Everything is coming together perfectly. Andrew and I went and got our marriage license today.

54 Days....

Yikes! 54 days? Where has the time gone?

Mom and I took a little drive up to Bridal Vail Post Office to mail the wedding invitations. Neither of us had been there and were quite surprise at what a tiny rustic little building it was. The trip kind of turned into a fiasco. When we go there, it was after hours so no one was there. So we slipped the invitations into the slot with a small donation (because they are not funded by taxes) and left. Well the next day we get a call from the lady who worked there that the invitations are too heavy and require extra postage. So mom had to drive up there a second time to get additional postage. But they got mailed!! Yay! some people got them on Saturday and so everyone should have theirs soon. Then the fun part is receiving the RSVP cards in the mail everyday:)

Andrew also moved into our apartment this weekend. I think the best part is it has a wood burning fire place! I'll put up pictures later, right now it is still a work in progress. Downside is that it smells like cigarettes, especially in the cabinet under the sink. So we got a few air fresheners and hopefully that will help get rid of the stink. Space in the kitchen is really limited. My crock-pot did not fit in an single cabinet so it is on top of the stack able washer and dryer (which happens to be in the kitchen). The deck needs some cleaning and new paint but I have grand plans for it.

Well I am off to meet the cable guy and continue organizing and cleaning the apartment.

68 Days....

Things are starting to happen!

Andrew is currently at his first final. He graduates this Saturday. I am so proud of my little graduate!! We came up to Portland last Thursday so Andrew could have an interview with a sale and marketing company and we also looked at a condo in Lake Oswego. The condo, we decided, was too small to justify the monthly payments and outrageous HOA fees. As soon as we finished with the condo Andrew got a call that the company wanted him to come back for a second interview. The next interview will take place tomorrow and is an all day "job shadow" interview.

On Saturday we decided to drive to Portland to look at apartments. We stopped in Wilsonville to look at the Bridge Creek apartments. They are nicer than anything else we looked at and got a tour of the model unit. We both agreed that we like the location and the apartment and so we talked to the leasing agent about details. We move in on the 19th of June!!! We have a one bedroom one bathroom on the top floor. Andrew also filled out an application to be the maintenance manager at the complex (which would discount our rent if he took the job:)
YAYAY we have a place to live!! such a weight off our shoulders.

I also met with Ruth (summer inter with the Jr. High at Rolling Hills) to discuss and plan the part of the 412 initiative that we are in charge of. The 412 initiative is an intense discipleship training trip that we are taking a handful of students on at the beginning of the summer. These students are preparing to start bible studies at their various schools. I am getting really excited for this trip and everything I get to be apart of this summer, and into the school year.

87 Days...

My first Bridal shower was so much fun! The ladies from my parents community group through it for me. They are so creative, it was gorgeous. This was a kitchen themed shower and everyone was so generous with their gifts. I can't even wait until I have my own kitchen so I can use all these fun things that I got.
They also had everyone write out a favorite recipe and a recipe for a good marriage and then put it together in a book for me. I had a lot of fun going through and reading what people wrote, and I know I will treasure it forever.

I have a paper chain in my room counting down the days until the wedding. When it first started, it stretch across three walls in my room. Now it is just draped over one window and is looking incredibly short.

Hopefully Andrew and I will start looking at apartments and nail down at least a city we want to live in. Right now it is between Canby, Willsonvile, West Linn, or Oregon city.

100 Days...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is coming up so fast. People told me I would not want a long engagement, but honestly it has been flying by!

This weekend I have my first bridal shower. I am really looking forward to it. The ladies in my parents community group are hosting. They are so sweet and creative so I know it will be fun, and I feel really loved that they would do this for me.
It is a kitchen shower so everyone is supposed to get kitchen related gifts. I love cooking and baking so I am excited to get my kitchen stocked with all the fun little gadgets. They also had everyone fill out two recipe cards. One of the cards they were supposed to write a favorite recipe of theirs, and on the other one a recipe for a happy marriage.

Last weekend I got to spend some fun time with the family. Trav was graduating with his masters! There are so many things happening in this family!! It has already been a crazy year and it isn't even half over.

115 Days...

I haven't updated much because I have not been able to think of anything to write about. So I will just update you on my life as well as the wedding.
The invitations came in the mail last weekend so mom is working on making them look fancy and printing out the addresses. I offered to help her put them together and she told me know because then she wouldn't have anything to do while her student is in band. So she is doing them herself, as well as the programs, and the reception programs. Aren't mom's great:)
Andrew and I have also started making our budget. I love spread sheets:) and seeing everything laid out in an organized fashion.

I have been going home almost every weekend because I have been helping in the jr. high at rolling hills. Right now I am just helping where I can during service but then over the summer I will be going on a couple trips and helping get everything ready for the trips.

I sent in my application to Canby Bible College on Monday. It is a two year program and I will get my Associates of Biblical Ministries when I am done.

I am looking for house sitting and babysitting jobs this summer, so if you know anyone who needs someone I would love it if you passed along my name:) I have experience with children of all ages for babysitting, and I am good with animals and watering plants for house sitting.

and perhaps the most exciting news of all, I am going to be an aunt! (again) YAY Kelly and Trav got selected by a birthmom and they could have a little baby boy in their home in less than a month! I am so excited to drive to bend and hold my newest little nephew.

135 Days...

So Andrew and I are now registered at both Macy's and Target. You can look them up online. I was really confused about somethings we registered for not showing up online so I think I registered for 4 different cheese graters. Hopefully only one is on the list, but i kept adding things and then not being able to find them later. O well that's why they allow returns right:) Also by chance, the china I registered for kind of matches my sister's so we can always mix and match if for someone reason one of us needs more place settings.
While I was in sister's over break wondering through antique stores with Andrew (on his insistence) I found a set of 10 crystal goblets for 40$!!!!
Mom and I were able to finalize the guest list and are getting ready to order the invitations.
Here are some picture from spring break in Black Butte

149 Days...

We are entering the home stretch. It is weird for me to think that some people only have 5 month engagements. I would be freaking out right about now if we were just beginning this process.
I picked out the shoes for my bridesmaids and I decided that I would wear the same ones. These are from payless and were only $20. I signed up for their email club when I bought mine and got a discount so they ended up only being $16!
Next up Andrew and I will be entering the word of china patterns and thread count as we tackle registering. We plan to register at Macy's and Target, so if you have any advice on things we should register for please share. I know for certain I will be registering for a Kitchenaid Mixer...Those things are great:)
We also hope to finalize the tux style so that the groomsmen can get in and get measured.

173 Days...

Today Andrew and I were running errands around Corvallis. While at T.J. Max we saw a little boy who was on one of those child leash things being dragged around by his older sister. I then promptly turned to and Andrew and informed him that our children will never be put on a leash and dragged around like a puppy. Andrew then replies with another one of his "brilliant" parenting philosophies. "I will put our children on a leash, but instead of tying them to a parent i will tie them all together. That way instead of trying to find one kid that wanders off all you have to do is search for the large blob of kids!" He then gets that smile that says he is really proud of his own genius. I just shake my head and walk away.

188 Days...

This last weekend Andrew and I had another counseling session with my dad. He helped me to better articulate my thoughts from a previous post. I am right in saying that acceptance is not enough. Acceptance can lead to resentment and does not foster change and growth. If Andrew were to simply accept parts of my personality that he does not like, nothing changes except that eventually Andrew will begin to resent the fact that I continue to do whatever I want. While I am left completely unaware of his sacrifice.
We need to communicate to each other about the things that each of us needs and desires from the other in order to build a happy and successful relationship.
Then comes the MOST IMPORTANT part of the whole equation. Selfless, sacrificial love. If Andrew loves me selflessly while lovingly telling me what I need to work on then how can you do anything but change for the better. And if I am loving Andrew selflessly then I am going to want to do whatever it is in my power to make him as happy as possible.
God does not simply accept us how we are. If he did he would never have sent his son to die for us. There would have been no need. Instead he demonstrated the very essence of sacrificial love by giving up his son so we can be with him. How then could we do anything else but desire to be the kind of person he wants us to be. That is what selfless love does, it allows the people around you to become the kind of person worthy of such a love. Yet the ironic thing is, we were bestowed that love while we were still sinners. We did absolutely nothing to deserve it. And that is how it should be in our marriage. Even when it seems impossible to love the person you are with, we are called to continue to love them just as Christ continues to love us, without us having done anything to merit it.


Sorry if that doesn't make sense it was just flowing while I was typing, and I have found that just because it makes sense in my head doesn't mean anyone else can follow it:)

194 Days....

So I am trying to decide what song to have my beautiful and talented cousin Hayley sing while Andrew and I take communion. These are the front runners. tell me what you think:)

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Or this one... Which is probably one of my favorite songs but i am not sure it is really weddingy

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

202 Days...

Andrew and I are working our way through "Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts." I have been having a really hard time with the chapter we are currently reading on communication. Now I have never had a problem communicating, however, I know that the way I communicate is not always helpful. I have admitted the problem and God is working on it:)

This, however, is not my problem with the book. "warmth invites your partner to be who she is, relaxed, free, and at peace" The book talks about accepting your partner for their quirks. Sounds real great right? Wrong. but I will get to that in a second.

I then went on to the exercise that goes along with this chapter, which is a simple survey of various situations and how to respond.

Question 5: Cars bore you to death, but your husband could discuss it for hours. When the subject comes up, you:
A. Explain how bored you are and ask him to talk about something else.
B. Change the subject as soon as possible
C. Work on showing some interest.

Now those of you who know me know exactly which answer I choose (A). Apparently the best answer is C.

Now strictly speaking about my relationship with Andrew, nothing but my love for him could allow me to sit and listen to Diesel Trucks 101.
What bothered me is that the correct answer had nothing to do with communication. Clearly they want me to accept my husband for the car fanatic he is and listen to what interests him. But if he was accepting me for who I am then then my answer would be correct. We can not simply accept each other. If I accept that he is long winded about cars and I just need to sit and listen, then he is not accepting that i am bored by cars and would rather talk about something else. There needs to be balance. I can show some interest in cars because I love him but i also need to be honest and tell him that I get bored and maybe sometimes instead of telling me about suspension he can call Josh and talk to him. Nothing wrong with that right?

212 days....

Almost in the 100's!!

There is not much more wedding planning that we can do with me in Corvallis and mom in Portland. She is working on ordering invitations and choosing typefaces and the correct wording. I have been working on the most tedious job in wedding planning... compiling addresses. A job made more difficult when Andrew keeps thinking of people he wants to invite. Regardless, I almost have everyone's.

We are entering the season of Showers. Kelly's baby shower is coming up which i am looking forward too because I am so happy for Kelly and Travis. It is finally their turn. I ordered super cute baby shower invitations and have been thinking of fun recipes to serve.

And of course my little Seve got engaged last weekend:) and I already have her shower planned in my head.

well it is time for me to get back to my spread sheets of addresses. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Excel?