We choose joy

What a week. Things were hard when it started, and then they got tougher. To my praying friends, please feel free in join me in praying for these things:

1. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants." Psalm 116:15

We lost a great man to cancer this week - a favorite relative of Mr. Right, whom he worked for and admired and respected. He was a patriarch of their family, and while we will miss him desperately, we are also rejoicing that he's reunited in heaven with his maker.

We'll be roadtripping to Oklahoma soon to celebrate this great man's life, and will probably eat our weight in fried chicken and pies.

2. Remember how our house got broken into a few weeks ago? Our homeowner's insurance may not cover the cost to fix our air conditioner. It's one of those red tape technicalities that took us completely by surprise. Please join us in praying that as we fight this decision, the insurance company will reconsider, thus saving us thousands of dollars in repairs of a costly piece of equipment.

But in the midst of a stressful week, we still enjoyed some great moments - I got to read books to my niece, enjoy special time in the car with my man on our West Texas roadtrip, go wedding dress shopping with a special friend, and grab dinner three nights in a row with some amazing women. It was still a good week.

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Make it behave

How awesome is this shirt?

Them's fighting words...

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

-2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Take captive every thought and MAKE IT OBEDIENT to Christ. Make it behave...

(insert fist pump here)

I choose you

I must admit that there is one area of my life right now that I feel is defeating me. It makes me feel like an utter failure. It doesn't matter what my "thing" is, we all have one from time to time. For me, it's a battle that I seem to be fighting almost daily.

My husband calls it "bean plating," because it's like staring at a plate of beans and trying to analyze it, dissecting everything on the plate and wondering about how it's cooked, why each bean is shaped the way it is, are they correctly positioned... and yet, it's just a plate of beans. There's no need to overanalyze. It's just beans.

My plate of beans is causing me worry, fear, and stress. My plate of beans makes me doubt my abilities as a wife, it makes me wonder if I'm normal.

My plate of beans is winning.

Last night, as I confessed to my husband that my plate of beans--salted with insecurity and fear-- is making me doubt my abilities as a wife, my kind, sweet, patient, Christian man did the greatest thing he could possibly do.

He told me, "I still choose you." He chooses me. Even though he's caught more glimpses of my deepest insecurities than he probably ever thought was possible... the flaws that I've worked so hard to hide from the rest of the world for decades... he still chooses me.

I know I'm not the only woman who craves to be chosen. Whether you're watching Hard Time in a Women's Prison or The Bachelorette, we see so many examples of women who will go to great lengths to be chosen. To be accepted. To be loved.

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

"The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt."

Deuteronomy 7:6-8

Even in the midst of my battle of the beans, my husband chooses me to be his treasured possession, in spite of my biggest insecurities. That love shows me, in a way I can touch and feel, a tiny glimpse of the kind of love my God has for me.

I am so thankful for a husband who points me right back to the cross in the most unexpected of ways.

Delightful

(Photo courtesy of this site)

I want to be delightful.

"The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

-Psalm 147:11

"For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory."

-Psalm 149:4

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

"Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever."

Psalm 111:2-3

"This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom, or the strong boast of their strength, or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.'"

Jeremiah 9:23-24

My lifelong pursuit of curly hair

I am blessed with fine, stick-straight hair. Thirty seconds with a hair straightener and my hair will be straight for days, no matter the humidity.

But curls? They last for about... three minutes. Four if I'm in the glorious mountains of Colorado with their 0% humidity.

Nevertheless, I continue to try, pursuing every DIY curl option... it's a lot like people who are always wrapping their arms around the latest fad diet. I own every kind of curling iron known to man (3 sizes). I've tried curling with a straightener (2 sizes). I tried sleeping in pin curls. I've bought $18 hairspray. And a hair diffuser. I've found minimal success with the triple barrel hair curling iron, which takes 45 minutes and leaves me with singe marks on my neck and a head that may or may not remind you of Taylor Swift on a very humid deserted island.

Then I discovered this hair tutorial on Pinterest, which uses a technique where you wrap your hair around an elastic headband and sleep on it all night. I tried it last night, and I like it! Poor Mr. Right had to put up with me looking like a milk maid with my hair wrapped around the headband, but it's better than going to bed with gunky cold cream on my face (something he expressed worry about before we got married).

Here's the results:

It only took five minutes, and it didn't hurt my head while I slept. I didn't spray my hair first, which I think will make it hold longer, but the curls stuck around for most of the day, and it took until after lunch for my hair to become a wavy frizzy mess. I think that has more to do with the fact that it's 105 degrees in Fort Worth today and uber humid. I'm determined to try it again tomorrow.

Do you ever wonder, after trying something new with your "look," if other people around you are secretly judging how awful you look? Maybe it's just me. It happened when I cut my bangs... I felt like people could tell that the bangs weren't the real me... that I was a hair imposter, pretending I could pull off the look. Then, just as I start to completely overthink my fashion choices (Mr. Right calls it "bean plating"), I decide that I can choose to pull off funky/whacky/imposter-hair and people will just assume I'm an artist. I totally give off that funky artist vibe, right? (I see you rolling those eyes!)

And now you know the inner workings of this crazy curly head of mine. Scary, I know.

Yoyo's and chocolate explosions

Here's what I've been up to lately...

I've turned these:

...into these for an event. I'll admit I was quite pleased with my very novice flower-arranging skills. I figured when in doubt, stuff in more flowers! It's like the other age old rule... more cow bell.

I'll also let you in on a little hint. I accidentally dropped that gorgeous turquoise vase on my tile kitchen floor, which caused a nice long crack on one side. It was only a few hours before the event and I couldn't bear to use a regular glass vase as a back-up, so I did the poor girl's solution... I found a glass vase in my cabinet that fit inside the turquoise vase, filled that one with water, and then made the flowers full enough so that you couldn't see the smaller vase on the inside. It worked perfectly, and nothing leaked. (In case you're wondering, the vases came from the garden section of Hobby Lobby and the flowers came from Market Street.)

In addition to novice flower arranging, I'll admit that I've eaten one or two of these lately:

I know... don't judge me. This one is called chocolate explosion. Isn't that the greatest name ever for a chocolate bit of heaven? Don't worry, I spent an hour at the gym last night sweating off this little piece of perfection so that I don't have an explosion when my pants rip from being too tight. This is one of the perks (or detriments, depending on your outlook) of being an event planner... sometimes you have to do tastings... for cake. Trust me when I tell you that this cake is AMAZING.

In my spare time, I've started a new yoyo quilt. I haven't quite finished my last quilt, but after so many months of hand-quilting the same project, I got burned out. Don't worry, I'll pick it back up, everything is still handy in a basket next to my birthday chaise lounge (a gift last year from Mr. Right). But in the meantime, I've been hankering to learn how to make a yoyo quilt, and after watching a few YouTube videos (you can learn anything on YouTube) and buying a yoyo maker (which I highly recommend, otherwise I don't know how it would be possible to make them all the same size), I've started on my first quilt. Here's what I got after the first night:
It's not much - only two colors out of the 10 or so I bought, and that's not the pattern I'm going to use, but it gives you an idea of just how cute they are. Let me tell you, those little yoyo's are so soft and cuddly and make me want to smile as I work on them. It's my new favorite thing (I think I even like them better than the chocolate explosion). And even better, the options for quilt patterns is limitless, because there's no cutting/stitching/measuring/sewing like a regular quilt... all I have to do is stitch these little circles together in whatever design I want to make. Since I prefer my quilts to have an Anthropologie feel to them, mine probably will just be patternless... all mixed up and funky.

This is my color inspiration - mostly grays with little pops of soft yellows and a few whites and blacks to give it more depth.

And in case you don't know much about yoyo quilts (don't feel bad, I didn't either before I started) here are some of my favorite yoyo inspirations:

This teeny-tiny yoyo quilt (this is about the size of my yoyo's... they're so delicate looking):

Or this beautiful thing:

Or this one, which includes an oh-so-wonderful tutorial:

To my very favorite blog friends... what's your latest project or inspiration? You know I love new ideas!

Pray pray pray!

Today is a two-fer post...

Last night we got the best possible birthday present for Mr. Right - someone put a contract on our house! Please, please, please say a prayer that this sale goes through - if all goes well, we could close at the end of August. But we're not official yet, so please pray that God orchestrates the details, that this sale will bless the buyer, and that God will be glorified even through the mundane selling of our little house.

We've already prayed about it and decided with our heads not to worry about it (because what good does that worry do anyway?). Please pray that our hearts will agree with our heads.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." -Philippians 4:6

I froze

Last night we had our second "how to drive a standard" driving lesson. And I did so unbelievably awesome...

Until I stalled out at the gas station down the street, and the car died. While a man watched in disgust. And I froze. I just couldn't do it. I had to do the walk of shame around the car to the passenger seat while Mr. Right got us back on the road.

#drivinglessonfail

Halfiversary

For our halfiversary (cheesy, but we love any excuse to celebrate something) Mr. Right told me about six weeks ago that he was taking me on a surprise date. He does this from time to time and I absolutely love it.

For six weeks, he teased me relentlessly, trying to get me to guess what the date was. So mean, right?

Since Mr. Right is about as good at keeping secrets as I am, he spilled the beans the day before our big date. He called me at work (thankfully my coworkers had already left for the weekend) and told me that his big surprise was that he was taking me on a shopping spree. To Northpark Mall. To buy work clothes.

And I burst into tears.

You see, we've been super good at following our Dave Ramsey budget, which means we're being quite conservative on spending anything that's not absolutely necessary. We've made it a priority to pay down as much debt as we possibly can before we start having kids (think car, part of our mortage, etc.). Add to that the fact that we still have two houses... and two mortgages... two electric bills... you get the idea. We're being frugal.

Oh, and I should mention that almost none of my clothes fit. What little clothing money I had set aside has gone to buy staple items that fit... like a pair of shorts. A couple of shirts from Target. Some tops from a resale shop.

But it's worth it because Mr. Right and I have talked a lot about our financial goals - I don't mind sacrificing because it's for a fantastic cause. We're not hurting. We're doing it together. And we're still having an absolute blast. We're just being extra careful. And we agreed that when we sell the house, we'd both go clothing shopping to replenish some of the things we haven't been able to buy lately. You know, like pants that actually zip.

So that's why I cried. I haven't set foot in a mall since we got married, and I thought it'd be several more months. I was willing to wait. And then Mr. Right called me to say that he had sold his old laptop and with the money he made, he was taking me on a shopping spree.

Did I mention I cried?

What a sweet, sacrificial husband I married. I am so very thankful for him and his heart. We had an absolute blast on our shopping spree with all the fancy North Dallas people (talk about interesting people-watching for this suburban girl). We snagged all sorts of great items on sale (like two shirts from the GAP, originally $60 each, that I got marked down to $8 each... yea!). I have pants that fit. Tops that make me feel like a movie star. And a husband who makes me feel like an absolute princess.

I hit the jackpot.

After we finished shopping, we went to Twisted Root for one of the best burgers I've ever tasted. And, we got to cross off "try a new restaurant" from our summer bucket list.

I am so thankful for my man, and crazy in love with him. He works hard to find new ways to pursue me, whether it's baking my favorite muffins, leaving me love notes in my lunch, or taking me out for a night on the town.

And he's not the only one with surprises up his sleeve. I've got a little something planned for his birthday this weekend that he's going to go nuts over. You better believe I've been teasing him with hints all week. He's going to flip. I promise I'll take a picture.

Found it!

I found my lunch/pedicure/Starbucks/random-I-want-to-buy-this-envelope - it had slipped between the pages of a work notebook that I brought home with me one evening. Several days later I went to a meeting, flipped the page and my envelope slipped right out.

This is me breathing a sigh of relief.

And this is me making a mental note to clean out my gigantic mom-purse.

I know Mr. Right would have graciously let me take additional money out, but I felt like such an air head for losing a wad of cash in the midst of our two-mortgages reality. Which reminds me, I'd love it if you'd say a prayer that house #2 sells quickly. It's been on the market for about a month now, and I'd love to see it go! Please join me in praying that God will be glorified even in the mundane selling of our beloved little house.

Woah nelly, we've got some catching up to do!

My head is filled with so many things, that the only way I could organize this post was with numbers. I figured a mind-map wouldn't fit on the screen.

1. Yesterday was International Kissing Day. I wish I had known! Luckily, since we're googley-eyed newlyweds, we "accidentally" celebrated anyway. I think every day should be International Kissing Day.

2. Last week we were both sick with head colds, so we spent most evenings cuddled in bed, watching The Adjustment Bureau, Unknown, and two nights of Schindler's List (plus a documentary in the DVD extras). Schindler's List may be one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen, but Mr. Right and I had nightmares for two nights and I felt incredibly stressed for a few days (I'm a total softie when it comes to blood, guts, and sad movies). But, movies like that and Hotel Rwanda should be required viewing for everybody... a good reminder that people, no matter their color, gender, nationality, political affiliation or socioeconomic status, are still just like me and should be treated with compassion. And a reminder that power in the wrong hands can be devastating.

3. I got to quilt for an entire day on Saturday. It was absolutely glorious. I have huge urges to create things, and being able to work uninterrupted for hours at a time on a project is a huge release for me. I think I'm going to make it into a baby quilt (not for me... no announcements here) instead of doing a twin-size as previously planned. (ps- the colors on this "cutesy" iPhone picture are a bit washed out)

I've already got a hankering to begin the next one, which I think may be a yo-yo quilt.

4. We had a wonderfully normal 4th of July holiday. After a year of extremes (extreme health issues, extreme home makeover), I've felt like Mr. Right and I seem to have hit our married couple stride and are enjoying "normal" newlywed life. Friday night he cooked me a fabulous steak dinner and we watched a movie, Saturday night (after my quilting marathon) we had a couple from church over and got to hear about the two years they spent living in Vanuatu. What an adventure.

(photo borrowed from sweet Courtney @ church)

Sunday we had two church parties, and during the latter one Mr. Right and I schooled everybody in speed scrabble. Monday we helped friends unpack their new home and then spent the afternoon/evening laying out by the pool at my parents' house and enjoying a big family dinner.

We topped off the weekend by riding bikes out to the lake by our house, lying on a picnic blanket and watching fireworks. It was a moment I wish I could bottle and relive over and over... both because of the fireworks and because of the cute boy lying next to me holding my hand.

Sigh. What a wonderful weekend.

5. Mr. Right and I are total planners. So much, in fact, that I can tell you what we're doing every weekend between now and Labor Day. It's just the way we roll. Which is why nights like last night are so special - instead of being responsible adults and doing responsible adult things, we decided at the very last minute to drop everything and go out to sushi and a movie (Transformers)... on a school night. Poor Mr. Right still had to stay up past midnight to finish his homework, but it was worth it (of course, easy for me to say, I was back home and asleep by 10:30). I sure do love that boy, in case you haven't noticed.

6. Project 115: I had a relapse. I'm going to admit it. I haven't gained anything back, but I haven't worked out in more than two weeks - first because we house sat far away from our gym, then because I got sick with a headcold... and after being so good about watching what I eat, I had a total relapse over the 4th weekend and ate my weight in desserts and barbecue. But this morning I was back at spin class, and I am determined to be back on the wagon. I still have 12 pounds to lose... and I'm all in. I promise. For real. I have a closet full of clothes that are just begging me to fit back into.

7. One more thing... we've been doing the Dave Ramsey envelope system for months now, and we absolutely love it. So easy, so guilt-free when I want to spend my money, and I don't waste time adding up all my debit card $5 purchases to figure out where I spent my money each month. It really works for us. But this week, I lost my envelope! I have one more week until the new budget cycle and I can't find my lunch/pedicure/Starbucks/random-I-want-to-buy-this envelope ANYWHERE! Could be a long week of PBJ sandwiches for me, huh? If you find an envelope that says "Bethe's Blow Money" please return it ASAP.

Summer bucket list

I guess all married couples have running "things" - not really an inside joke, but that thing you say to each other where you both nod in agreement and probably nobody else would understand (reason #726 why I love marriage). For us, we like to say that we need to "add that to the list" which means it's a date idea, recipe we want to try, or otherwise fantastic idea that us planners can't wait to try.

Once we try it, if it's really fantastic (and only the most amazingly awesome things make the cut), we say we want to put it on the "repeat list." Things that have made our repeat list include dates at Cowboy Chow, cooking homemade chopped barbecue sandwiches on open-faced cheese buns (I know your stomach just growled), and a homemade frozen strawberry lemonade drink that I adore even more since I was forced to give up carbonated drinks six months ago. Only the most special items make the repeat list.

After a date night discussion about what we wanted to do this summer, and inspired by our imaginary ever-growing list and Pinterest, we came up with an official summer bucket list which is currently posted on our refrigerator.

I made a pretty one like this, but it's too hard to read, so I'll retype it below:

1. Swim (check, check, check)

2. Watch fireworks (this weekend)

3. Picnic

4. Bike Ride

5. Watch a sunset

6. Go to the lake (check)

7. Leisurely dinner on a restaurant patio

8. Cousin visit

9. Go to Will's mall (there's a backstory to this that I'll share someday)

10. Ride the train to Dallas

11. Eat dinner on our porch

12. Discover a new restaurant

13. Cook a brisket

14. Watch Harry Potter (the new one)

15. Lose 15 pounds (aka - Project 115)

16. Eat at Cowboy Chow (like I said, one of our few repeaters)

17. Cheer on the Rangers (check)

18. Compete in a triathlon (Will... check)

19. Date night on Trinity Trail

20. Spontaneous ice cream date (twice checked)

21. Use our crock pot

22. Eat Argentine food (Will spent a summer in Argentina)

23. Eat Columbian food (we fell in love with their food last summer when were were there for a week)

24. Eat Indian food (check)

What's on your summer bucket list? Maybe we missed something...