4 Years

Four years ago today I married the man of my dreams. We've been through a lot since then- job changes, 3 apartments, 1 house, a move from DC to TN, two baby losses, financial hardship. We've also seen a lot of good too- God's constant provision, Jeremy's job with the Redskins, my job at IHS, travel, the birth of our precious baby boy. When I stood at the altar on April 29, 2006, I'm glad I didn't know what the next 4 years would hold. I'm so thankful that God gave us a solid rock foundation for our marriage and allowed us to be consumed in our love for one another. It is what has held us together these past four years. For old times' sake, let's take a walk down memory lane..... and I'll give you a little history of our relationship....

Jeremy and I met at Liberty University in the Fall of 2000. (I was a freshman; he was a junior) We were introduced by mutual friends after a football game one night. A football game that Jeremy got kicked out of because he was throwing marshmallows at a cop. Yeah, he's come a long way since then! Or at least I like to think he has :) We were instantly attracted to one another... he was quiet and mysterious... and had a way about him that was so intriguing to me. We started officially dating a few weeks later.
This picture was taken in November 2000 at Jeremy's house in Maryland:


I would like to mention that when I met Jeremy he said that he would never drink coffee or have a cell phone. If you know Jeremy today, I hope you find this as humorous as I still do!! Ha ha.

I left Liberty between my freshman and sophomore year and enrolled at Belmont University back in Nashville. This started the long distance relationship that we had for the next 3 years. Jeremy finished school and then started a series of internships in the NFL that took him all over the country. This is us at a Houston Rockets game (when he lived in Houston):


In May 2004, I graduated from Belmont and by this point we were reallllly sick of the long-distance thing.... so we decided to move to DC on a hope and a prayer that things would work out in regards to jobs, school, etc. I was accepted to graduate school and immediately got a job as an in-home autism therapist. A few months after moving north, Jeremy was hired by the Washington Redskins. This chapter in our lives was absolutely wonderful. We were discovering each other in news ways and having a blast living in the "big city".
Here we are at my Belmont graduation:



And here's us after a big snow in DC. So fun!


For Christmas 2004, Jeremy surprised me with train tickets to NYC and tickets to see "The Lion King" on Broadway. New York City is probably our favorite place on Earth, so I was obviously ecstatic! We took our little trip in January 2005 and that weekend was, without a doubt, one of the best of my life. Our engagement night started with a candlelit dinner. When dessert was brought to our table, I heard "At Last" (by Etta James) start playing ... and I knew something was up. My dessert came with a letter written in calligraphy on parchment paper. By the time I finished reading it, I looked up and he was down on one knee. I am so glad I said YES! The entire restaurant erupted in applause and we were in tears. When we arrived at the theater, he surprised me yet again with seats in a private box! Our night concluded with a trip to Serendipity :) I was over-the-moon excited... and still smile thinking back on that night. Here we are right before dinner:


We were engaged for 15 months before getting married. That gave me ample time to plan the wedding of my dreams. Every detail was chosen with exact precision. I'm a girl who knows what I like and won't settle for anything less. April 29th was magical. I felt like a princess who had finally been granted her prince.

We honeymooned on Kiawah Island (outside of Charleston) and stayed at a hotel perfectly named, The Sanctuary.

I know I tend to be a little long-winded at times, but thanks for reading. God really has blessed us and I am so thankful for His goodness.

Jeremy, you are my life and every time I think I couldn't love you anymore.. God reveals to me a deeper love for you that I didn't know existed. We are a team and I'm in this for life. Thank you for loving me WAY more than I deserve. I love you..........to infinity and beyond :)

Ashley's Bridal Shower

Last Saturday we had a little Bridal Shower for my sister, Ashley, at Homestead Manor. I can't believe her wedding is less than 4 weeks away! Here are a few pics of the event:

Karen, Ashley, and Carla

Amy Joy, Ashley, and Me

Me and Amy

Karen and Ashley

Ashley and Mom

Invitation displayed on the gift table

*For the record, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone for a shower or event. Their service was terrible and they were VERY rude on several occasions. They also didn't follow through with nearly anything they promised. Such a shame since the house and property are beautiful.

Put me back on my feet...

*The blog, like most things in my life, is a work in progress... still working to get it just right.*

Psalm 86

{The Message version}

"Bend an ear, God; answer me. I'm one miserable wretch!

Keep me safe- haven't I lived a good life?

Help your servant- I'm depending on you!

You're my God; have mercy on me.

I count on you from morning to night.

Give your servant a happy life;

I put myself in your hands!

You're well-known as good and forgiving, bighearted to all who ask for help.

Pay attention, God, to my prayer;

bend down and listen to my cry for help.

Every time I'm in trouble I call on you, confident that you'll answer.

There's no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord,

and nothing to compare with your works...

God, you're the one, there's no one but you!

Train me, God, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path.

Put me together, one heart and mind; then undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;

I've never kept secret what you're up to.

You've always been great toward me- what love!...

But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love

and you never, never quit.

So look me in the eye and show kindness,

give your servant the strength to go on,

save your dear, dear child!

Make a show of how much you love me

so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed,

as you, God,

gently and powerfully put me back on my feet. "

I hope this scripture ministers to you, as it has to us.

Stay tuned for pics from my sister's Bridal Shower....

Please Excuse the Mess...

I'm trying to update things around here ...

It should be looking better shortly!

Week Recap

It has been a long week.

Here's a recap of some of the positive highlights:

-We made it back safely from Orlando. After discovering the outrageous prices of returning flights to Nashville, my mom and I decided to rent a car and drive back. With a one year old. Yep, we're crazy... but we survived!

-My sister {Amy Joy} and I went and got our dress alterations for the wedding. They are going to be gorgeous!

-Went with mom, sister {Ashley}, and her fiance {Taylor} to a tasting for the wedding reception food. It was delicious!! No one should be complaining about the food :) It made the wedding seem like more of a reality... it will be here before we know it.

-On Saturday night, my hubby and I went to a party for some of Nashville's biggest commercial real estate players. He worked on an event for them back in February, so this was like a little "post event party". We were the youngest people there by at least 20 years, but that's ok...I didn't mind...do you know why? Because Jeff Fisher was there. Yep, we hung out with the coach of the Tennessee Titans. That's how we roll :)

And here are some of the not-so-positive moments:

-Upon arriving back from FL, I realized that Carter and I still hadn't ordered our passports. NOT good. We ended up paying a ridiculous amount to have them expedited, but they will be here in time to leave for Cabo. And I guess that's all that matters.

- Carter had some sort of little virus that has caused him to be more cranky than usual. He seems to be better this morning, so hopefully he's on the mend.

-And last but not least, I feel like we {as a couple} are under some serious spiritual warfare. It is absolutely amazing what the Devil will try to use to break us down. Things that ordinarily would be harmless ... are somehow turned into weapons used against us. Without getting too personal on here, I'd just ask for your prayers.

I love this man. And don't plan on letting him go.

Hanging in There

I'm still here. Barely. It has been a long 10 days or so... beginning with the passing of my grandpa on Easter. After being in Orlando for about 6 days, I'm finally home and desperately trying to catch up on sleep, laundry, grocery shopping, wedding plans, etc.

I'll be back soon. Promise.

Victory

Photo by: Pearl Bucknall

Art.com

"Death has been swallowed up in VICTORY.

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

I Corinthians 15:54-55

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Easter weekend. Spring is in the air and all of creation seems to acknowledge the resurrection! While I enjoy all of the Easter festivities, I have to say that I am deeply bothered by of the commercialism that now surrounds this HOLY holiday. Everywhere you go it's eggs and bunnies, {which there is nothing wrong with in and of themselves} but where is the religious stuff? It seems like every year there is less and less that represents Christ during this season. And as a Believer, that troubles me. I encourage you to spend some time this weekend reading Scripture and discovering for yourself the wonderful meaning of this holiday. I'll be back later with some of the goodies I made for our Easter celebration lunch tomorrow!