One of my greatest sins, I believe, is comparing my life to the lives of my friends, my co-workers... anybody, really. I even compare myself with random people I went to high school with but don't really remember all that well. (I think that's one big downfall of Facebook in my life- that it allows me to compare myself to people I don't really even know!)
I found out yesterday that one of Zeke's dear friends and his wife are expecting a baby. I could tell right away that my heart isn't in the right place. My stomach felt a little like I had a rock in it, and I wasn't happy. Zeke was happy for them- smiled as soon as he heard the news. I, on the other hand, felt yucky and sad.
I don't know why, really. Babies are wonderful gifts, blessings to a family and to a marriage. Someday, I'd like to have children with Zeke. But I know that a baby, while miraculous and life-changing, would not be in the best interest of our family right now. I know that it would be difficult to raise a baby in our small home, I know that my college debt should be paid off before we consider having a child. I know that I need some source of income and we need a lot more in savings. But somewhere in my heart, all the things that I know... they don't matter. They don't matter- because I'm not being a logical being. I'm comparing my life to the lives of others, and they "have" something that I don't. It makes me jealous, and I know that I have no good reason to be jealous.
Why am I all jealous?
Well, when I make those comparisons, I'm not being grateful. I get some kind of tunnel vision that keeps me from seeing all the blessings in my life as it is now, and instead I look only at what I don't have. And that- that is sin.
I have so much to be thankful for! I have a beautiful home that fits Zeke's and my lifestyle perfectly. Not only is our home beautiful, but we're not paying rent or utilities because our home is part of camp- which also means that Zeke doesn't commute to work, and also means that he often gets the change to drop in at home and say hello during the day. And we live on the lake, for heaven's sake! I have a great "camp family" around me, many of whom live on site as well. Most of all, I have a loving, generous, adventurous, fun, godly man who calls me his wife, and together we have a strong and healthy marriage. Truly, I have been so blessed that to be lusting after more is selfish.
I told my Hunky Husband about all this on our porch before lunch, and he agreed that he'd noticed this particular struggle of mine before. It was good to talk about it, and even better to eat lunch together at our picnic table in the sunshine on this beautiful day, watching campers play games in the field. I felt such contentment. I'm working on that, being content in what we have, in where we are in life right now, and in knowing that by following the Lord and doing His will, we can be assured that our lives will follow His perfect plan for us. Someday, we may have all the desires of our hearts, all of our dreams may come true. But for now, this is enough.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Things I Love about my Husband
My husband has the ability to make every day a special and unique adventure. My husband also finds the most interesting things for cheap or for free.
Zeke found, or bought, I can't remember really... but in some way, he acquired a food dehydrator. Yep. It's been sitting in our kitchen for the past two weeks looking lonely, and before that, it lived in Zeke's storage room. Very unloved.
Anyway, Zeke's mom gave us a ton of mangoes. Very generous, but we couldn't possibly eat all those mangoes before they went bad. That's when Zeke pulled out the dehydrator.
If you've never seen one (and I don't blame you for that... they're kind of a novelty, I think), this is what they look like....
We put the mango chunks on the dividers, set that puppy to "Fresh Fruit" and let it dehydrate.
This is the end result...
Looks appetizing, huh? Zeke bravely tried one and pronounced that they taste like raisins. I'm not sure if I'd call it a successful attempt, but I'm pretty sure that Zeke will eat them nonetheless.
One downside of this particular adventure? It's kind of tough to get all the sticky mango off the dehydrator!
Zeke found, or bought, I can't remember really... but in some way, he acquired a food dehydrator. Yep. It's been sitting in our kitchen for the past two weeks looking lonely, and before that, it lived in Zeke's storage room. Very unloved.
Anyway, Zeke's mom gave us a ton of mangoes. Very generous, but we couldn't possibly eat all those mangoes before they went bad. That's when Zeke pulled out the dehydrator.
If you've never seen one (and I don't blame you for that... they're kind of a novelty, I think), this is what they look like....
We put the mango chunks on the dividers, set that puppy to "Fresh Fruit" and let it dehydrate.
This is the end result...
Looks appetizing, huh? Zeke bravely tried one and pronounced that they taste like raisins. I'm not sure if I'd call it a successful attempt, but I'm pretty sure that Zeke will eat them nonetheless.
One downside of this particular adventure? It's kind of tough to get all the sticky mango off the dehydrator!
Dinner Tonight!
My sister and her boyfriend came to visit for a few days!
And, because it's Wednesday, there's no scheduled meal at camp, and my sister and her boyfriend do, in fact, need to eat.
So here's what we're having!
Inspiration: Left-over pork tenderloin, lots of spaghetti noodles, a craving for something savory.
And, because it's Wednesday, there's no scheduled meal at camp, and my sister and her boyfriend do, in fact, need to eat.
So here's what we're having!
Inspiration: Left-over pork tenderloin, lots of spaghetti noodles, a craving for something savory.
Pork Stir Fry! Little Wife
About a pound of left over cooked pork, broken into chunks (or cook it as you stir fry, that's good too)
A little green onion
1 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 cup sugar snap peas (in pod)
1 cup carrots, cut into small pieces
Spaghetti noodles (enough for 4 servings)
Sauce:
1 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup vinegar
3 Tbs. ground ginger
1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
4 Tbs. brown sugar
I prepped everything first, because we were planning on going boating before supper and I didn't want everyone hungry and waiting and grumpy. I would suggest making the sauce before you start the rest, because it's just a hassle to mix it up while you're cooking.
Start some water boiling for your spaghetti noodles and cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the box.
In a large skillet, heat the oil and green onion, and then add the veggies. Stir fry for about three minutes, then add the cooked pork. When the veggies are about done, add half of the sauce mixture into the skillet.
After you drain the spaghetti noodles, return them to the pot and add the remaining half of the sauce mixture to the spaghetti and stir, heat on low for a few minutes.
Serve!
On the Side: Okay, I admit it, the side dish is one part of meal planning that I kind of suck at. Especially when the meal is kind of a "one pot" deal- meat and veggies and carbs all together. But I overcame my side-dish challenge, and actually made a side for this meal...
Asian-Inspired Cucumber Salad A Little Wife
1 cucumber, cut into thin slices
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup mirin (??? Totally didn't use that)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 cup sliced onion (the original recipe calls for a red onion,
I used some green onion)
1 tsp hoisin sauce (I added this one for kicks)
Mix together everything but the cucumber in a small bowl. Then pour over the cucumber slices and mix. Put in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Consensus: I thickened up the sauce a little by adding some flour to the veggie/pork skillet after I added the sauce.
The sauce gave the noodles and pork a nice "zing." The cucumbers were good, too!
Consensus: I thickened up the sauce a little by adding some flour to the veggie/pork skillet after I added the sauce.
The sauce gave the noodles and pork a nice "zing." The cucumbers were good, too!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Peanut Butter Balls!
The adventure continues! I'm still trying to find yummy and creative ways to use up what we've got around without buying a ton more stuff. This week's project? Use up the two huge containers of quick oats (both of which were open), and some of the unlimited peanut butter we have around here!
I found this super easy, four-ingredient, no-bake recipe for "Peanut Butter Balls."
Mix all of your ingredients together in a bowl.
Roll the mixture into balls with your hands, and place the balls on a baking pan (or whatever you've got, really. Something flat).
After you've finished rolling, put the pan into the fridge for at least 20 minutes to let them set.
As an added touch, I had a couple of chocolate bars in my pantry, so I melted those with a little vegetable oil... and dipped the peanut butter balls in the chocolate.
All done!
Zeke's Hunky Husband consensus: So. GOOD. The only thing I'd change is that I'd make them a little smaller, so they're bite sized.
We ate all of them within a week.
I found this super easy, four-ingredient, no-bake recipe for "Peanut Butter Balls."
Peanut Butter Balls Little Wife
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
3/4 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup quick oats, uncooked
Add a topping if you'd like...
We used melted chocolate, but you could be creative with it!
(Jelly dip? Oohh. Peanut Butter and Jelly Balls!)
 |
| And you only need four ingredients! |
Mix all of your ingredients together in a bowl.
Roll the mixture into balls with your hands, and place the balls on a baking pan (or whatever you've got, really. Something flat).
After you've finished rolling, put the pan into the fridge for at least 20 minutes to let them set.
 |
| This is two batches, actually. |
As an added touch, I had a couple of chocolate bars in my pantry, so I melted those with a little vegetable oil... and dipped the peanut butter balls in the chocolate.
All done!
Zeke's Hunky Husband consensus: So. GOOD. The only thing I'd change is that I'd make them a little smaller, so they're bite sized.
We ate all of them within a week.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy Fourth of July! (and Can Lantern Tutorial)
And what a beautiful day it is here! It's about 95 degrees Fahrenheit here at the lake, and the water is the place to be! Hunky Husband usually takes two sets of campers on tube rides every day, but there are just too many boats on the water today to be doing any tubing! Instead, he's installing air conditioners into cabins. Sooo much more fun than driving a boat around...
I've been busy, too! I wanted to do something sort of patriotic for the holiday, but I really don't have too much to work with just yet, and I didn't want to spend money. I remembered an idea for making little lanterns out of tin cans that seemed pretty easy, cute, and most of all, cheap!
Okay, here's how it works....
You're gonna need a couple cans. I used three. And I pulled 5 of them out of the recycling bin here at camp. You're also going to need at least one nail and a hammer, as well as a freezer.
First things first, you're going to want to wash out the can really well if it still has any food remnants. At my home, if I didn't, I'd probably wake up to three raccoons, a turkey, and a family of deer asking for seconds.
Then, use warm water to loosen the label, and peel the label off.
Fill the can with water...
...and stick it in your freezer. (Little Wife Note: This is a very important step! Make sure that the ice is completely solid before you go on. It's much, much more difficult and blister-inducing if you skip this part!)
Pull the can out of your freezer (the next day, I'd say) and take it outside!
Because I know my own (lack of) artistic ability, I pre-drew the stars on pieces of paper. Otherwise, I would have made catfish lanterns. I'm trying to make stars, here. I put a nail right through the paper and into the can to begin.
Then I put nails into all of the "important" corners, to give me a guide. (Notice, the ice is already beginning to make a big puddle on the table. It's hot out here, guys!)
At this point, I took the paper guide off, and freehanded the edges of the star. I found that it was pretty difficult to put nails into the raised part of the ridges, so I tried to just put holes on the lower parts.
After I finished my star and put a little candle inside, the can looked like this!
It was all right, but not exactly what I was going for. I consulted with HH. He suggested putting another row of holes into the can.
And I like it much better.
I made three cans like this, and I'll use them tonight on our porch while we watch the fireworks!
I had a couple left over cans- Zeke took care of those... he picked some flowers for me!
I've been busy, too! I wanted to do something sort of patriotic for the holiday, but I really don't have too much to work with just yet, and I didn't want to spend money. I remembered an idea for making little lanterns out of tin cans that seemed pretty easy, cute, and most of all, cheap!
Okay, here's how it works....
You're gonna need a couple cans. I used three. And I pulled 5 of them out of the recycling bin here at camp. You're also going to need at least one nail and a hammer, as well as a freezer.
First things first, you're going to want to wash out the can really well if it still has any food remnants. At my home, if I didn't, I'd probably wake up to three raccoons, a turkey, and a family of deer asking for seconds.
Then, use warm water to loosen the label, and peel the label off.
Fill the can with water...
...and stick it in your freezer. (Little Wife Note: This is a very important step! Make sure that the ice is completely solid before you go on. It's much, much more difficult and blister-inducing if you skip this part!)
Pull the can out of your freezer (the next day, I'd say) and take it outside!
Because I know my own (lack of) artistic ability, I pre-drew the stars on pieces of paper. Otherwise, I would have made catfish lanterns. I'm trying to make stars, here. I put a nail right through the paper and into the can to begin.
Then I put nails into all of the "important" corners, to give me a guide. (Notice, the ice is already beginning to make a big puddle on the table. It's hot out here, guys!)
At this point, I took the paper guide off, and freehanded the edges of the star. I found that it was pretty difficult to put nails into the raised part of the ridges, so I tried to just put holes on the lower parts.
After I finished my star and put a little candle inside, the can looked like this!
It was all right, but not exactly what I was going for. I consulted with HH. He suggested putting another row of holes into the can.
And I like it much better.
I made three cans like this, and I'll use them tonight on our porch while we watch the fireworks!
I had a couple left over cans- Zeke took care of those... he picked some flowers for me!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Reception Story (Or, Don't Hand Over the Microphone)
Read the wedding story here!
So, Zeke and I got on the motorcycle and started to drive around the block and back to the church for pictures, but I told him to keep on going. I was just so happy. Riding behind the man of my dreams (in a pretty dress), celebrating the joy that we felt to be husband and wife! A lot of people in town honked at us or waved, and that just made the experience even more fun!
Finally, though, we had to come back from our mini-ride and get some pictures done, and sign our marriage license, too (whoops! Almost forgot that part!)
Pictures went well, but I was a little worried about getting to the reception on time. I shouldn't have worried too much, though- we got there with a little time to spare.
Our MC's were Zeke's uncles (they call themselves the out-laws), and boy did we pick a great group of guys! They were perfect- funny, telling jokes and ridiculous stories, and they really kept the energy going. So much fun! We had a buffet style meal of hamburgers and grilled chicken, a condiment bar, cheesy potatoes, salad, and green beans. It was so perfect- so us. Nothing too fancy, just good, friendly, filling food. The tables were all labeled with names of places we've been, with a picture of us in that place. Everyone really enjoyed that, and the stories that went along with the places.
I was still kind of nervous, and between those lingering butterflies in my stomach and my mom tapping her glass to make Zeke and I kiss every three seconds, I didn't eat very much, but what I did was good. We had speeches by one of my sisters and Zeke's best man/brother, and they were very sweet.
When everybody had been served, we played the "Shoe Game." If you haven't heard of it, this game entails the bride and groom taking off their shoes, and switching shoes so that each person has one of their own shoes and one of their spouse's. Then, the MC's asked questions like, "Who's the better driver?" and we raise the shoe of who we think that is. It was so funny! Everyone laughed so hard, myself included- especially when Zeke raised my shoe and I raised his for "Who is in charge of the checkbook?"
Then, as we were waiting for the cake to be brought out, the MC's asked the guests if they wanted to give any advice to Zeke and myself. Several of our family members said a few words. Everything was going very smoothly until my mother did the one thing I asked her not to do. She gave my grandfather the mic.
Okay. I love my grandfather dearly. He's been a role model of mine for years- the way he loves my grandma and his children, his active spirit, his sense of humor and how he clings to his faith. Grandpa, in his old age, has become quite the performer. When I was about ten years old, Grandpa's performer side began shining at every family gathering. And by "shine," I mean, like a 3000 watt spotlight.
So Grandpa gets the mic. He said a few words, and then started singing "Daddy's Little Girl." It was so sweet. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. After he finished the song, I blew him a kiss, and thought to myself, Well hey, he really didn't go overboard! That was so perfect. And then he started singing a hymn. Okay, I could handle that, too. He's a faithful, godly man, and recognizing the One who brought my Hunky Husband and I together was more than appropriate.
After the hymn, Grandpa looked over at one of the MC's and asked if he could have another minute. The MC said no, because we had to do the cake cutting to stay somewhat on schedule, but my Grandpa kept the mic. And led us all in a sing-along of "God Bless America," complete with a prelude.
I can't help smiling about it now. It would be my grandpa who turned our wedding reception into a patriotic sing-along. If the first song was sweet and memorable, the second was religious and a little long, then the third was total unrelated overkill. But that's my grandpa for you.
After the patriotism was over, Zeke and I cut the cake, which Zeke's mom made and his sister decorated. The cake topper was made by a coworker of Zeke's who does woodcarving. It was simple, delicious, and us. And Hunky Husband didn't even smash it into my face (I did warn him before hand.)
The guests were invited to the dessert table. We asked several relatives to help by making bars and cookies and things for the sweets table, and everybody loved that. The selection was great!
We had a short dance, then- Zeke and I had our first dance to one of our favorite songs, "Will You Go With Me" by Josh Turner. During the dance, he said, "You know, we really didn't practice dancing to this at all..." which is pretty much what I was thinking, too. It's quite possible that we looked pretty silly out there, but we didn't care at all. I danced with my dad next, and I kept myself from crying then, too.
We didn't have very much time to dance, what with the impromptu sing-along and all. That was good though, because what with it being like, 2:30 in the afternoon and with absolutely no "liquid encouragement," there wasn't much dancing going on. I danced a lot with my niece and nephews, as well as some of my and Zeke's friends' children. I did get my two good friends from college to dance a little, as well. We also had a "Dollar Dance," which none of my out-of-town relatives were familiar with. It must be an Iowa thing, I guess!
My feet were really hurting by the time we said goodbye to the guests! I had really high shoes for the wedding, because I wanted to even out our heights a little at least. With that Hunky Husband being 6'5" and me at a flat 5'0", it was quite possible that his head would be cut off in lots of pictures if we didn't fake it a little!
Zeke got me onto the motorcycle again, and we took the wedding party to go take a few more outdoor pictures, which were pretty hilarious. At one point, Zeke put me up on his shoulder, and the groomsmen tried to do the same with the bridesmaids for a cute photo-op. Unfortunately, we had the two biggest guys with the two smallest girls, and the smaller guys with the bigger girls! It was a little disastrous. Two of my sisters ended up on the ground... but no major injuries!
After pictures, it was time to leave for our "honeyweekend!" We couldn't take a very long trip, or a trip that took us very far away. Summer is Zeke's busy time at work, and he had to be back on the Tuesday after the wedding. We went about an hour south (in Zeke's truck, not on the motorcycle!), and stayed in a fancy room at a hotel.
I kept my dress on for the trip down there (because, come on, I was only gonna get to wear that dress once!), and we stopped off at a grocery store to get snack-y foods. I wore the dress in, of course, and got lots of looks from little kids, as well as some congratulations from fellow shoppers. Looking back, we must have looked pretty silly, but we didn't care. I was just so happy I could burst!
When we got to the hotel, I did burst.
Into tears.
Yep! I finally cried. Not because I was sad at all, but because I had no idea. I had no idea that God loved me so much that he would bring someone as wonderful as Zeke into my life. I am so incredibly blessed. Blessed with a man who loves me deeply, cares for me, provided a wonderful home and a bright future for me. Blessed with a man who loves Jesus, who loves his family, and who makes me so proud. And I'm a part of him now. We're one. I feel like I don't deserve it- not one bit.
I'm still a little overwhelmed by the joy that comes from being loved so deeply, by both Zeke and by God, and I'm just so happy. I'm learning what it means to be a wife, what Zeke's expectations are of me, and what mine are of him, and I'm sure that we'll have arguments and rough patches. With God at the center of our new family, and remembering how blessed we are, I'm sure that our lives together will be long and happy ones!
So, Zeke and I got on the motorcycle and started to drive around the block and back to the church for pictures, but I told him to keep on going. I was just so happy. Riding behind the man of my dreams (in a pretty dress), celebrating the joy that we felt to be husband and wife! A lot of people in town honked at us or waved, and that just made the experience even more fun!
Finally, though, we had to come back from our mini-ride and get some pictures done, and sign our marriage license, too (whoops! Almost forgot that part!)
Pictures went well, but I was a little worried about getting to the reception on time. I shouldn't have worried too much, though- we got there with a little time to spare.
Our MC's were Zeke's uncles (they call themselves the out-laws), and boy did we pick a great group of guys! They were perfect- funny, telling jokes and ridiculous stories, and they really kept the energy going. So much fun! We had a buffet style meal of hamburgers and grilled chicken, a condiment bar, cheesy potatoes, salad, and green beans. It was so perfect- so us. Nothing too fancy, just good, friendly, filling food. The tables were all labeled with names of places we've been, with a picture of us in that place. Everyone really enjoyed that, and the stories that went along with the places.
I was still kind of nervous, and between those lingering butterflies in my stomach and my mom tapping her glass to make Zeke and I kiss every three seconds, I didn't eat very much, but what I did was good. We had speeches by one of my sisters and Zeke's best man/brother, and they were very sweet.
When everybody had been served, we played the "Shoe Game." If you haven't heard of it, this game entails the bride and groom taking off their shoes, and switching shoes so that each person has one of their own shoes and one of their spouse's. Then, the MC's asked questions like, "Who's the better driver?" and we raise the shoe of who we think that is. It was so funny! Everyone laughed so hard, myself included- especially when Zeke raised my shoe and I raised his for "Who is in charge of the checkbook?"
Then, as we were waiting for the cake to be brought out, the MC's asked the guests if they wanted to give any advice to Zeke and myself. Several of our family members said a few words. Everything was going very smoothly until my mother did the one thing I asked her not to do. She gave my grandfather the mic.
Okay. I love my grandfather dearly. He's been a role model of mine for years- the way he loves my grandma and his children, his active spirit, his sense of humor and how he clings to his faith. Grandpa, in his old age, has become quite the performer. When I was about ten years old, Grandpa's performer side began shining at every family gathering. And by "shine," I mean, like a 3000 watt spotlight.
So Grandpa gets the mic. He said a few words, and then started singing "Daddy's Little Girl." It was so sweet. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. After he finished the song, I blew him a kiss, and thought to myself, Well hey, he really didn't go overboard! That was so perfect. And then he started singing a hymn. Okay, I could handle that, too. He's a faithful, godly man, and recognizing the One who brought my Hunky Husband and I together was more than appropriate.
After the hymn, Grandpa looked over at one of the MC's and asked if he could have another minute. The MC said no, because we had to do the cake cutting to stay somewhat on schedule, but my Grandpa kept the mic. And led us all in a sing-along of "God Bless America," complete with a prelude.
I can't help smiling about it now. It would be my grandpa who turned our wedding reception into a patriotic sing-along. If the first song was sweet and memorable, the second was religious and a little long, then the third was total unrelated overkill. But that's my grandpa for you.
After the patriotism was over, Zeke and I cut the cake, which Zeke's mom made and his sister decorated. The cake topper was made by a coworker of Zeke's who does woodcarving. It was simple, delicious, and us. And Hunky Husband didn't even smash it into my face (I did warn him before hand.)
 |
| After the cutting- the topper is on the table there. |
We had a short dance, then- Zeke and I had our first dance to one of our favorite songs, "Will You Go With Me" by Josh Turner. During the dance, he said, "You know, we really didn't practice dancing to this at all..." which is pretty much what I was thinking, too. It's quite possible that we looked pretty silly out there, but we didn't care at all. I danced with my dad next, and I kept myself from crying then, too.
We didn't have very much time to dance, what with the impromptu sing-along and all. That was good though, because what with it being like, 2:30 in the afternoon and with absolutely no "liquid encouragement," there wasn't much dancing going on. I danced a lot with my niece and nephews, as well as some of my and Zeke's friends' children. I did get my two good friends from college to dance a little, as well. We also had a "Dollar Dance," which none of my out-of-town relatives were familiar with. It must be an Iowa thing, I guess!
My feet were really hurting by the time we said goodbye to the guests! I had really high shoes for the wedding, because I wanted to even out our heights a little at least. With that Hunky Husband being 6'5" and me at a flat 5'0", it was quite possible that his head would be cut off in lots of pictures if we didn't fake it a little!
Zeke got me onto the motorcycle again, and we took the wedding party to go take a few more outdoor pictures, which were pretty hilarious. At one point, Zeke put me up on his shoulder, and the groomsmen tried to do the same with the bridesmaids for a cute photo-op. Unfortunately, we had the two biggest guys with the two smallest girls, and the smaller guys with the bigger girls! It was a little disastrous. Two of my sisters ended up on the ground... but no major injuries!
After pictures, it was time to leave for our "honeyweekend!" We couldn't take a very long trip, or a trip that took us very far away. Summer is Zeke's busy time at work, and he had to be back on the Tuesday after the wedding. We went about an hour south (in Zeke's truck, not on the motorcycle!), and stayed in a fancy room at a hotel.
I kept my dress on for the trip down there (because, come on, I was only gonna get to wear that dress once!), and we stopped off at a grocery store to get snack-y foods. I wore the dress in, of course, and got lots of looks from little kids, as well as some congratulations from fellow shoppers. Looking back, we must have looked pretty silly, but we didn't care. I was just so happy I could burst!
When we got to the hotel, I did burst.
Into tears.
Yep! I finally cried. Not because I was sad at all, but because I had no idea. I had no idea that God loved me so much that he would bring someone as wonderful as Zeke into my life. I am so incredibly blessed. Blessed with a man who loves me deeply, cares for me, provided a wonderful home and a bright future for me. Blessed with a man who loves Jesus, who loves his family, and who makes me so proud. And I'm a part of him now. We're one. I feel like I don't deserve it- not one bit.
I'm still a little overwhelmed by the joy that comes from being loved so deeply, by both Zeke and by God, and I'm just so happy. I'm learning what it means to be a wife, what Zeke's expectations are of me, and what mine are of him, and I'm sure that we'll have arguments and rough patches. With God at the center of our new family, and remembering how blessed we are, I'm sure that our lives together will be long and happy ones!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Wedding Story (Or... How Hunky Husband Became a Husband, and How Little Wife Became a Wife)
I've spent the morning struggling to get out of bed (I'm tiiiired, and it's so coooold outside the covers...), washing dishes, doing laundry, starting a Fourth of July project, and taking screens out of my windows, vacuuming the cobwebs out of the window sills, and washing the screens and windows down. And while I was doing all this, I realized that I haven't blogged at all really about the wedding! And it was more than a week ago! So now that my screens out on the porch and the laundry are all drying, I think I'll do a little remembering.
The rehearsal dinner was a hit- so big of a hit, in fact, that we had about twenty more people than we were expecting! Some of the guests ended up sitting in other places in the restaurant instead of the room we had reserved. It all worked out very well, though. There was lots of catching up with friends and relatives, lots and lots of food, and even a cake for my grandparents, who were celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary that day.
A couple of my good friends came into town for the wedding- one from Chicago and another from Minnesota. I hadn't seen either of them in more than a year! After the rehearsal dinner, I went over to the rented apartment suite they shared with Zeke and Zeke's cousin/groomsman. All the ushers (Zeke's close friends) came over, too, and we all had a great time catching up and laughing. It started to get really late, like, past eleven late, and with needing to get up so early the next morning, I had Zeke take me home.
We pulled into the driveway and I started getting really nervous. I told Hunky Husband, he smiled at me and gave me a hug, and I felt a little better. We talked about the wedding, what we were excited for (seeing one another, finally being married) and what we weren't very excited for (trying to find time to say hello to everyone, all the crazy personalities of our families smushing together in one place), hugged some more, and then said our goodbyes for the night. As I got out of the car, HH said, "Marry you tomorrow!"
I had planned on waking up at 5:45 the morning of our wedding. Instead, after going to bed at 12:30 the night before (I couldn't sleep to save my life), I woke up at about 4:15. I tried to convince my body to relax and my mind to slow down, but it didn't work so well. I finally got out of bed at 5:15, and took a shower. I was nervous. Very, very nervous. I felt like I was nearing panic mode. I ate a good breakfast, but it didn't do much to calm my nerves. I pretty much ran around the house like a crazy person, writing notes on things, putting things in bags, double-checking on stuff... until the hairdresser arrived.
She did a great job with my hair and makeup, and she didn't even drop the curling iron once, even though it was 6:45 in the morning, and I wouldn't have blamed her if she had. My sisters/bridesmaids were all up and moving, showered, doing their hair, so I didn't have to worry about them, which was wonderful.
And then, all of a sudden, it was 8:30 and time to go to the church. Boy, my nerves really took off then. I had to use the bathroom like, twelve times between when the hairdresser finished and when we left. Full disclosure- I had to poop. A lot. The nervous poops.
Everyone made it to the church just fine, and went into the nursery where we were getting dressed. My flower girls arrived, too, and they were a little nervous as well. There were tears that morning. I tried to be reassuring, even though I really felt like I had to go to the bathroom again.
I got my dress on, with the help of all three of my sisters, and waited. I had been worried about everyone being on time when I planned out the timeline of the day, and allotted plenty of time between arriving at church and the actual ceremony. Way too much time, if you ask me. All I could do was sit there and imagine the pretty colors of the butterflies ricocheting around my abdomen, and think about how much work it would be to go poop now that my dress was on.
Finally, after like, forty-three hours (actually about 45 minutes), Zeke's aunt came to the nursery and told my sisters that it was time to go. So then I was all alone in the little room, freaking out. Butterflies going nuts in the stomach. And then after another forty-three hours (about seven minutes), Zeke's aunt came back and got me. And I stood up. I'm not sure how, because I could swear that the butterflies slamming into my insides were now visible to people standing three miles away, despite the huge poofy dress, but I stood up.
And then we snuck into the fellowship hall. From my little hiding spot sort of behind a wall, I could see just about everyone in the sanctuary, and got to watch my Hunky future-Husband seat my grandparents. He looked so handsome in his tux, so confident, which was kind of the opposite of how I was feeling. Just seeing him, though, made me feel a little better. My dad met up with me, then, and we talked a little. I have no idea what we talked about.
Suddenly, it was my turn to walk. I gave a quick smile to the nervous-looking flower girls before they waltzed down the aisle. They looked so cute. At least, I think they looked cute. I don't really remember. I was too busy trying to keep those butterflies from doing a whole "Alien" thing and erupting from my corseted, beaded, bedazzled torso.
Everyone talks about what an emotional moment it is to lock eyes with your groom, who is all verklempt seeing you for the first time in your pretty dress... and so that's exactly why I avoided making eye contact with Zeke. I knew I'd cry and I wouldn't make it down the aisle without sobbing majorly and very, very unattractively.
In hindsight, I totally should have looked at HH. He later told me that he was getting all choked up seeing me walk towards him, and boy, I would have loved to have seen that. I was just so nervous, though- I couldn't do it.
Somehow, I ended up standing next to my Hunky Husband, and my dad was hugging me and shaking Zeke's hand. Zeke helped me up the stairs to the altar (with me whispering, "Slowly! I'm gonna trip!"), and we were standing in front of the pastor, listening to his words to us about love (although I don't remember much of what he said, again, too nervous) and then saying our vows. The look in Zeke's eyes as he promised to love and cherish, honor and serve me for the rest of our lives... I'll never forget that look. I got a little teary during my vows, but I held it together. And then the pastor told Zeke that he could kiss me.
Man, that kiss. I think if I could live in that kiss, I would. It was like he'd been waiting to kiss me for his entire life (to be clear, he hadn't- we'd kissed the night before, too).
Then at exactly 10:33 a.m., the pastor pronounced us husband and wife. We walked together, to applause and smiles from our loved ones, down the aisle and toward married life together (again, "Slowly! I'm gonna trip!")
We had a quick receiving line and hugged and smiled as our family and friends congratulated us, and then headed out to our "get away" vehicle- the motorcycle. I was a little worried about this part. If the dress touched the tail pipes, the dress could get pretty scorched. Or I could just go up in flames, which would be a sight to see. It would probably be on YouTube. Don't look it up, though- it didn't happen. (Although it apparently has to lots of other brides. Look it up- "Bride goes up in flames." There are several videos.)
Zeke picked me up completely, and swung me over the back of the motorcycle so I could get on, and then my sisters tucked in my dress so it wouldn't touch the pipes in transit. Then Zeke got on, and away we went!
I gotta head to the beach now (I know, tough life for me, right?) so stay tuned for the Reception Story!
The rehearsal dinner was a hit- so big of a hit, in fact, that we had about twenty more people than we were expecting! Some of the guests ended up sitting in other places in the restaurant instead of the room we had reserved. It all worked out very well, though. There was lots of catching up with friends and relatives, lots and lots of food, and even a cake for my grandparents, who were celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary that day.
A couple of my good friends came into town for the wedding- one from Chicago and another from Minnesota. I hadn't seen either of them in more than a year! After the rehearsal dinner, I went over to the rented apartment suite they shared with Zeke and Zeke's cousin/groomsman. All the ushers (Zeke's close friends) came over, too, and we all had a great time catching up and laughing. It started to get really late, like, past eleven late, and with needing to get up so early the next morning, I had Zeke take me home.
We pulled into the driveway and I started getting really nervous. I told Hunky Husband, he smiled at me and gave me a hug, and I felt a little better. We talked about the wedding, what we were excited for (seeing one another, finally being married) and what we weren't very excited for (trying to find time to say hello to everyone, all the crazy personalities of our families smushing together in one place), hugged some more, and then said our goodbyes for the night. As I got out of the car, HH said, "Marry you tomorrow!"
I had planned on waking up at 5:45 the morning of our wedding. Instead, after going to bed at 12:30 the night before (I couldn't sleep to save my life), I woke up at about 4:15. I tried to convince my body to relax and my mind to slow down, but it didn't work so well. I finally got out of bed at 5:15, and took a shower. I was nervous. Very, very nervous. I felt like I was nearing panic mode. I ate a good breakfast, but it didn't do much to calm my nerves. I pretty much ran around the house like a crazy person, writing notes on things, putting things in bags, double-checking on stuff... until the hairdresser arrived.
She did a great job with my hair and makeup, and she didn't even drop the curling iron once, even though it was 6:45 in the morning, and I wouldn't have blamed her if she had. My sisters/bridesmaids were all up and moving, showered, doing their hair, so I didn't have to worry about them, which was wonderful.
And then, all of a sudden, it was 8:30 and time to go to the church. Boy, my nerves really took off then. I had to use the bathroom like, twelve times between when the hairdresser finished and when we left. Full disclosure- I had to poop. A lot. The nervous poops.
Everyone made it to the church just fine, and went into the nursery where we were getting dressed. My flower girls arrived, too, and they were a little nervous as well. There were tears that morning. I tried to be reassuring, even though I really felt like I had to go to the bathroom again.
I got my dress on, with the help of all three of my sisters, and waited. I had been worried about everyone being on time when I planned out the timeline of the day, and allotted plenty of time between arriving at church and the actual ceremony. Way too much time, if you ask me. All I could do was sit there and imagine the pretty colors of the butterflies ricocheting around my abdomen, and think about how much work it would be to go poop now that my dress was on.
Finally, after like, forty-three hours (actually about 45 minutes), Zeke's aunt came to the nursery and told my sisters that it was time to go. So then I was all alone in the little room, freaking out. Butterflies going nuts in the stomach. And then after another forty-three hours (about seven minutes), Zeke's aunt came back and got me. And I stood up. I'm not sure how, because I could swear that the butterflies slamming into my insides were now visible to people standing three miles away, despite the huge poofy dress, but I stood up.
And then we snuck into the fellowship hall. From my little hiding spot sort of behind a wall, I could see just about everyone in the sanctuary, and got to watch my Hunky future-Husband seat my grandparents. He looked so handsome in his tux, so confident, which was kind of the opposite of how I was feeling. Just seeing him, though, made me feel a little better. My dad met up with me, then, and we talked a little. I have no idea what we talked about.
Suddenly, it was my turn to walk. I gave a quick smile to the nervous-looking flower girls before they waltzed down the aisle. They looked so cute. At least, I think they looked cute. I don't really remember. I was too busy trying to keep those butterflies from doing a whole "Alien" thing and erupting from my corseted, beaded, bedazzled torso.
Everyone talks about what an emotional moment it is to lock eyes with your groom, who is all verklempt seeing you for the first time in your pretty dress... and so that's exactly why I avoided making eye contact with Zeke. I knew I'd cry and I wouldn't make it down the aisle without sobbing majorly and very, very unattractively.
In hindsight, I totally should have looked at HH. He later told me that he was getting all choked up seeing me walk towards him, and boy, I would have loved to have seen that. I was just so nervous, though- I couldn't do it.
Somehow, I ended up standing next to my Hunky Husband, and my dad was hugging me and shaking Zeke's hand. Zeke helped me up the stairs to the altar (with me whispering, "Slowly! I'm gonna trip!"), and we were standing in front of the pastor, listening to his words to us about love (although I don't remember much of what he said, again, too nervous) and then saying our vows. The look in Zeke's eyes as he promised to love and cherish, honor and serve me for the rest of our lives... I'll never forget that look. I got a little teary during my vows, but I held it together. And then the pastor told Zeke that he could kiss me.
Man, that kiss. I think if I could live in that kiss, I would. It was like he'd been waiting to kiss me for his entire life (to be clear, he hadn't- we'd kissed the night before, too).
Then at exactly 10:33 a.m., the pastor pronounced us husband and wife. We walked together, to applause and smiles from our loved ones, down the aisle and toward married life together (again, "Slowly! I'm gonna trip!")
We had a quick receiving line and hugged and smiled as our family and friends congratulated us, and then headed out to our "get away" vehicle- the motorcycle. I was a little worried about this part. If the dress touched the tail pipes, the dress could get pretty scorched. Or I could just go up in flames, which would be a sight to see. It would probably be on YouTube. Don't look it up, though- it didn't happen. (Although it apparently has to lots of other brides. Look it up- "Bride goes up in flames." There are several videos.)
Zeke picked me up completely, and swung me over the back of the motorcycle so I could get on, and then my sisters tucked in my dress so it wouldn't touch the pipes in transit. Then Zeke got on, and away we went!
 |
| There we are! Bride and Groom, riding away on our motorcycle! |
I gotta head to the beach now (I know, tough life for me, right?) so stay tuned for the Reception Story!
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