A Ma Vie De Coer Entier

It seems to me that this year has seen a boom of engagements and weddings among the people that I know. And really, who can blame them, 2010 is a great year to get married :) Not that I'm biased or anything. And of course, I wish them all the best-- though most are acquaintances, it is impossible not to be happy for people as they begin the next and best chapter in their lives.

In the last couple months I have had some time to talk to friends about relationships and love and it really gets me thinking about how beautiful it is to have found the person God intended for me. I feel truly blessed and can only wish the same happiness for all of my friends.

I recently spoke with Chris and Stephen about how we have these amazing single friends looking to find a quality person. And not to say that I did everything right in my dating history, but we talked a lot about how the most crucial part of dating is to present yourself in a way that shows the core of who you are. Instead of focusing on the external things that make you attractive or "exciting," to find a person you could spend the rest of your life with you have to focus on what are the non-negotiables of who you are and what you believe and showcase those. And if there is one true blessing of having a long distance relationship, it's that Stephen and I were able to talk about all of the truly important things VERY early on in our relationship. And that's how I knew within months that I could spend the rest of my life with Stephen. We talked about our faith, our families and what we wanted from the future. We talked about how we both want kids and how we want to raise them in a Godly home with love... and discipline. We talked about the roles we see in a relationship and how Stephen and I are both very traditional in that regard. He is the leader of our home and that's exactly how we both want it (and how God intended it). He wants to be the provider and I want to be a wife and mother first and foremost. We talked for hours on the phone every night--- he heard me at my best and at my worst. We had a family situation within the first month we were dating and I called him in tears and he took care of me in just the way I needed from 1200 miles away. I knew from that moment I could count on him to always take care of me, come what may.

Another time, another conversation: a group of friends was discussing what it means to love someone. Most said that when you can truly put the other person before yourself and strive to do so, you love the other person. And that is such a beautiful and crucial part of relationships. I try really hard to keep in mind what is important to my husband and how I can make him happy. Being mindful and thoughtful of this really helps me to put him first. And he does the same for me. I know he does things I want to do that he isn't crazy about (watching Glee with me, for instance) and I really appreciate that selflessness.

There are a lot of things that we both enjoy and that helps too. But being willing to try things the other is interested in or supporting each other in what we choose to pursue strengthens our relationship. I just love Stephen's writing. He is very talented and very witty. And I try at every occasion to encourage him because he really enjoys it. From Fantasy Football posts as our league commissioner to his Tebow editorial on Facebook, I just LOVE when he writes. And I feel like he is always encouraging me with my photography. I'm not trained in any way, never took a class or anything, but I just really enjoy it. And he encourages me, doesn't get annoyed when I stop every 5 seconds to take a picture of something and on day 18 of my Photo A Day project when I was already in bed and hadn't taken a photo, he helped me to think of one to take and made sure that I didn't miss a day of my commitment.

We are blessed to be surrounded by married couples-- family and friends-- who we can look up to as examples of a Godly relationship. We're still new to this whole thing, but we have people around us to give us inspiration to keep Christ at the center, love each other unconditionally, respect each other, always work on communication, and strive to serve each other in the ways God intended. And I hope that for those friends we have navigating the dating scene that we can be that for them some day.

I am blessed and I am grateful.



For those wondering, the title is French for "My Whole Heart for My Whole Life." :)

First Snow of the Year

Today at approximately 2:30-3:00pm it started snowing. At first I thought it was only rain, but then the snowflakes got much bigger and much fluffier. And just like our kids, ages 2-6, I was staring out the window like it was the first time I'd ever seen snow. Which isn't true, but this is the first time it has snowed somewhere I live and drive and work. (It did snow in Oklahoma but I was a kid and didn't have any real responsibility) I was expecting snow on Thursday, but when I got up today it was sunny and 50 degrees at 7:30am. Then the storm started to roll in and then BAM...Snow. Apparently that's just what Colorado is like.

Here are some pictures of the snow:

The front of our house

The deck

On the deck, looking right

On the deck, looking left

The Stephen and Amanda snowpeople I made :)



My handsome and awesome husband went out just now and bought my some hot chocolate and a snow brush for my car. I used my lunch bag to get the snow off the windows and mirrors today but he always takes such good care of me :) I also bought flannel sheets yesterday so I'm very excited to put them on the bed!

So as I sit here sipping my hot chocolate, I am trying to think of what has gone on that I wanted to post about. The snow kind of distracted me...

We'll be in California for Thanksgiving and Texas around Christmas-- we're both very excited to see both sides of the family. Chris Ady will be here this weekend and he and Stephen will be going to the Broncos v. Chiefs game on Sunday. It will be great to have a visitor and for them to have some special guy time :)

I've started a Photo A Day project on my Facebook. So far I haven't missed a day since October 21. It's been fun to document something from each day and I'm sure when it's over I'll enjoy looking back on a year of my life and the things that I found important or interesting each day. I'm trying to avoid having the same picture over and over (such as a ton of sunsets or cloud pictures) and so far so good.

I'm really enjoying my job. I really like my coworkers and the kids/families at the school. It definitely has a family feel and even though I'm the youngest working there (by only about a year or two) I feel like I fit in pretty well. We've always got a lot going on and it keeps me busy, which makes my work days go by quickly. Some of these kids... they're just so cute... I may or may not be attached... :)

I'm feeling pretty comfortable with knowing where I'm going out here now. I do know the major roads (locally) and how to get to the places I need to go. I'm feeling confident in going on random drives and adventures now that I have a basic knowledge and can guide myself back to the familiar fairly well. I've discovered some really pretty areas and some nice shopping :) Here are some photos from my last adventure down to Colorado Springs and the North Cheyenne Cañon State Park:

Headed toward the park from the Broadmoor area

Exiting the park

Helen Hunt Falls

As I was driving into the park



It's definitely a place I plan to go again. There's an area called Seven Falls (which was closed for renovation unfortunately) which boasts the most beautiful canyon in Colorado. I also saw the biggest deer that I've ever seen in person. He easily had 7 points on each side of his antlers. And he walked right in front of my car. I was driving slowly so it was no big deal but I was too dumbfounded to get to my camera in time :(

Married life is still ridiculously awesome and I love every minute we get to spend together. He gives me more reasons to love him every day... like hot chocolate and snow brushes :)

Dinner is just about ready so I must go but hope to update more soon!