Too much TV?

Oh the Bachelorette...

So I admit that since I've been home this summer I've watched a little more TV than during the school year. One of the worthy shows of my time: The Bachelorette. You know it's funny, after watching every episode of this season I notice a lot of red flags between her interaction with all these different guys. I suppose being married contributes to my views on a "good relationship," but it's certainly a lot easier to look in on someone else's relationship and say, "woah, just wait a minute." (It is being televised-isn't that what they want us to do??). So what do you think...

"Do you have a girlfriend waiting for you back at home?"
"I never said I have a girlfriend to him"

Ok let's think here. Avoiding the question, NOT a good sign. And what do ya know, he did have a girlfriend. A word comes to mind...DUH!

"You're someone I could spend the rest of my life with"

Someone I COULD?! Someone I want to spend the rest of my life with...The only one I could spend the rest of my life with...I can't imagine my life without you...ANY of those would have clearly been a better alternative. Especially since there's another guy who's about to propose after you leave, come on now.

"I should've told her I loved her"

Yes, you always should. :)

Reality shows are hysterical.

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So another show I've been watching is (don't laugh) Bridezilla. Now this show is really something. I'll set the scene for you: imagine a person you've seen with a ridiculous amount of road rage, multiply it by 320 and change road rage to wedding plans. Yes, this show reveals the true beasts in white dresses and tiaras. These brides throw gifts across the room, yell at their moms for doing their highlights wrong, demand everything you could think of, and my favorite...one bride didn't even write her vows for her own wedding. She didn't forget, she just didn't want to promise anything. HOW CAN YOU MARRY SOMEONE LIKE THAT?!
Honestly, if Patrick said very nonchalantly, "I didn't write any vows" I think it's safe to say that I would have walked out on him. Not writting vows is like saying, "I don't care to promise you anything, our relationship will be whatever you make of it, and I'm the most important person in this relationship." No thanks, not for me.
Patrick was watching one episode with me and he almost fell off the couch when he heard one bride say, "Are you telling me I'm not worth $30,000." Aparently the bride was appalled at the idea that her fiance wouldn't buy her the ring she wanted, $30,000. I looked over at Patrick and said, "How much do you love me now?" to which he promptly responded, "I would never marry that." He was a little repulsed by the show.

Incredible that people can be so selfish, so demanding, so uncaring about others that they will do anything to get what they want. Is this really the world we live in? I believe it is.

Patrick is reading this apologetics book, and he read me this one part that really struck home. It said,
...people like to blame God for the hunger in the world, the evil people commit against each other, the poor living situations in third world countries. Just for a moment think about what the world would be like if we all followed one of God's greatest commandments-Love one another. If we were all loving one another, why wouldn't we provide food for those starving? People not "starving" consume most of the earth's food supply, and they are the minority. They have an excess that, if it were given to those who were hungry, would feed the rest of the earth.

So you see, if we only ate what was necessary and gave the rest away to those that can't afford it...get this...no one would go hungry. No one. Let that sink in for a while.

So what are you doing to love your neighbor? Or are you going to be lumped in with the selfish ones? A hard question to ask yourself, but I think it's worth asking.

Spontaneous is my middle name

My friend Meryl and I decided on a whim that we needed to go out and do something. It just happens that the "something" was painting pottery (Meryl's recommendation). It was a blast! I had never been to As You Wish before so Meryl gave me the lowdown, then the fun began! I'm not really sure how my mug is going to look. I'll let you know when I get it back tomorrow. Tomorrow Meryl and I are having another fun day together. Can't wait!





Here's to being spontaneous!

Now is perfect

I am just really enjoying my life. God has blessed us with a beautiful house, and recently, means to begin decorating that house. I'm enjoying this time off from work after a tough first year. But mostly I just feel really good with where I'm at in everything. I wouldn't have it any other way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complacent or at a standstill. But I am definitely loving where I am right now. Patrick and I are continuing to grow together in love. I must say I love this relationship called marriage. Not just because I like the idea, but because I'm getting to know the person I love most everyday in a different way. It's really quite remarkable. And boy do we have fun! We go out on dates, go tubing, camping, to the movies, road trips, all kinds of stuff! Having fun in marriage is important I think. It's not worth it to let these precious moments go by without enjoying them! Who knows when you'll get thrown a curve ball.

Why all the sentimental feelings? Well...I just finished that wedding scrapbook (the past) and last night I heard of another friend getting pregnant (hopefully my future someday)...and I think, right now in this moment-this is the perfect time and perfect place for me. It's perfect. Tessa actually reminded me of this the other day. I had a status posted on Facebook that said, "I have a knot in my stomach when I think about having to go back to work soon. Is that normal?" Tessa, being a veteran teacher and a friend said, "This year will be better. God has you there for a reason! You are needed in that place." And that comment made me think how right she is. I am here for a reason. I am in this place for a reason. And as I reread that statement, it actually made me smile because I know that God knows best. Thank you Lord for knowing me better than I know myself, and for blessing me with so much. Amen.
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On a different note, I needed to post these pictures of the dogs. Every time I walk into the kitchen they're sitting patiently for me, waiting for any food that might drop. One night I was washing some cherries and had a brilliant idea...







maybe I'll have my dogs dress up as Rudolph for Halloween this year :o)

One down, two more to go!

Patrick and I have now been married 1.5 years, and I've come to a milestone already! I finished my parents' scrapbook of our wedding pictures! I know, I know, it took me a while. But I say better late than....by the time we have kids.

My summer vacation is slowly slipping away from me, and I know I won't be able to finish Patrick's parents' scrapbook this summer. Afterall, it took me 1.5 years to do one! And who knows when I'll even start my own. I do know one thing: I must finish them both before kiddies come along. I'm reading all my friends' blogs and Facebook profiles of those who are new parents, and there seems to be one theme: no sleep. So I, being as smart as I am, have put two and two together. No sleep+ new baby= scrapbook finish date severly delayed. So I better get to it.

Here's how I break it down:

2 more scrapbooks left @ about 1.5 years each = 3 years or so

in 3 years I'll be 27...perfect!

Here's to more scrapbooking!

(Yes I was kidding about all of that planning and kid stuff).

We just came back from vacation and it was a blast! Here's the lowdown.

Wednesday began the wedding extravaganza. Becca and Ryan's wedding that is. Meryl and I traveled down to Tucson to help set up for the reception, do little errands and anything Becca needed. When we first got there Becca didn't have much for us to do so I forcefully, err...convincingly persuaded Meryl to go get her haircut. She was pretty reluctant to do it, but when all was said and done, her hair looked great. (I think she secretly loves it :o) Then Thursday was the bachelorette party, but really was more like bachelorette DAY. Here are some of the silly things we did:

La Paloma-where we had the party!

Scavenger Hunt-spelling BRIDE & Bathroom picture



Here's a video from the Bachelorette party (the rest are on facebook). We ordered a Whopper and Margarita from McDonalds.



Beautiful bride and groom at the rehearsal & Right before walking down the aisle.



Erin and I-bridesmaids & Totally candid picture. Adorable.




Love this girl! & More bridesmaids



Having fun at the reception & Me and my husband :o)


Toby-good high school/ college buddy & This would have been a good picture, TOBY!


The morning AFTER Becca's wedding, Patrick and I woke up early and made our way via car to California for wedding number 2: Colby and Ashley Wakeman's. We got to Fullerton, took a 30 minute break, then got dressed for the wedding. I think my favorite part was Moose (their dog) was the ring bearer. He had a little tux and top hat. He was adorable. Ashley was gorgeous, and it was a great party.

Wakeman Wedding:

Andrew and Jestina Ready for wedding #2


Ashley and Colby-they're married!


After both of those weddings I promised Patrick we could have a "do nothing day." So Monday we did nothing. Tuesday we went to Knott's Berry Farm (because I had never been), we had a blast at Knott's. Toward the end of the day we bought some delicious caramel apples and sat down in the Knott's Saloon to eat. We stayed for the little saloon show, but it wasn't so great. We still had a blast riding roller coasters that outdo Disneyland's rides any day.



But the vacation doesn't end there! Wednesday morning the Joneses woke up nice and early to begin our family camping trip to Morro Bay. All of Patrick's family went camping together and it was a lot of fun. It was actually my first time camping in a tent and I enjoyed it-but told Patrick that 4 days is probably my limit for tent sleeping (just for future reference). I really got to know Patrick's family even more, which is always a good thing. There's something about a campfire and minimal technology that brings people together in an "old fashioned" kind of way. Here are some pictures from camping.





All in all I would say our vacation was wonderful. Now my next task is decorating my home. New pictures to come soon!