To break the long absence from our blog (and what better way could I), it is time for my annual summary of the match up between Texas Tech and Texas A&M in college football. As you may recall, this "personal" rivalry between Anne and I never meant anything to me until I started dating Anne in 2003. She went to TTU and me to A&M - so one Saturday a year since 2003, when we started dating, the game is closely watched and tallied for future reference. Not that we need any further competition in our marriage, though this one is a little safer than the card games at home.
Here are the results since Anne and I started dating.......
2003 - TTU (first game ever with Anne - A&M killed in Lubbock)
2004 - A&M (overtime victory at Kyle Field)
2005 - TTU (A&M killed again in Lubbock)
2006 - TTU (they stole the game on the rode in College Station)
2007 - TTU (A&M killed again in Lubbock - do you see the trend)
2008 - TTU (4 yrs in a row....oh man!)
2009 - A&M (CG is the good luck charm - Gig'em!!)
2010 - A&M (in Hong Kong, Aggies win while I sleep)
2011 - A&M (BK in HKG, Anne in TX with the Aggie good luck charm CG)
We are unsure what the future holds for this game moving forward, especially with A&M ruining it with a move to the SEC. Chances are it will be years until it played again but when it is played you can count us in for watching it and for this scoreboard to be updated. For now TTU holds the one game lead, but CG and myself are happy with her perfect record at 3-0. She truly is Daddy's Little Girl!!!
Love to both my wife and daughter as they spend time with family in the US! A maroon dress from Momma K seems to be in order this year.
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
October 9, 2011
September 6, 2010
What happens when you see blessings instead of problems in your marriage
We all do it don't we? Find ourselves dwelling on the negatives in our life instead of the many ways God has blessed us.
To be sure, we experience troubles in this life - some seasons have more troubles than others. But God also blesses us richly even in the midst of less-than-ideal situations.
I found myself dwelling on problems recently, especially in regards to my marriage. Brendan stayed home with Charlotte one Sunday afternoon and made an appointment for me to have a manicure and pedicure. I get home and all I think about is how he didn't pick up the apartment like I do. Brendan works hard and is in the midst of a season of a heavy work load. I've not been thinking about how he does this to enable me to stay home with Charlotte and provide for our family - no, I think about the long hours he's working, how I never see him anymore, how he doesn't spend much time with Charlotte, and how this isn't the way I imagined family life to be.
While some of these negatives that I see may be true - the apartment may really not be picked up and he may be working long hours - but when I dwell solely on the negative, Satan has all kinds of room to feed me lies about Brendan. I DO see Brendan and he DOES spend time with Charlotte.
I even told Brendan recently that I felt like we were in a low point in our marriage! I said what?!!! Yeah, I've been steeping in the problems (and imagined problems) of my marriage for way too long!
In steps God....
Our current home is in Madrid, we're only in Hong Kong for a few weeks, and a couple months ago I didn't even think or foresee that we'd be in Hong Kong at all. Oh, but God did. He knew. And He pieced together many different things that lead to me being able to attend a seminar at a church in Hong Kong this past week.
The speaker was writer, Gary Thomas, and he was speaking many times over the weekend about his books - Sacred Influence, Sacred Parenting, and Sacred Marriage. I was able to attend the Sacred Influence seminar and pick up the book, and both have been changing my heart and attitude toward Brendan and our marriage.
The Spirit really convicted me about one area in particular and that was being thankful for my husband's strengths and focusing on those rather than on the (seemingly) numerous things I'd like to change about him. As I've started doing this, God has completely changed my perspective of the "negative" aspects of my marriage.
God knew exactly what our marriage needed in this season, and instead of being at a low point, I feel more intimacy in my marriage than there has ever been! I also feel that over the past 6+ months since I've started keeping a gratitude journal God has really been teaching me a lot about the role of gratitude in my life...how that changes my relationship with Him and others. It wasn't really any surprise to me then that thankfulness was what I was most convicted about that was lacking in my role as a wife.
I'm continuing my count to one thousand gifts (and beyond!)...this week I just want to share with you how God blesses me through my husband....
427. he works hard to provide for our family
428. he has a strong work ethic - wants to do well at whatever work he does
429. he organizes all of the travel and immigration requirements for our family - I never have to worry about the details of our travel or moving, he has taken care of it all!
430. his heart belongs to the Lord - he has a personal relationship with Jesus
431. he thinks of me & how he can encourage me or serve me as I care for our family
432. he organized a mani/pedi for me with a friend in HKG and took care of Charlotte for an afternoon/evening
433. he called to see if I would like a hamburger and fries for dinner instead of cooking - um, yes!
434. he remembered I don't like onions on my burger :)
435. he remembers my likes and dislikes
436. he rarely worries about things of this world - things that often cause me concern, he entrusts to God
437. he is stable - our circumstances may change, I may be affected by emotions, but Brendan stays calm & focused
438. he loves Charlotte and desires to spend time with her whenever he is able
439. he held a very squirmy Charlotte on our tram-ride home from church
440. he works hard so that I am able to stay home with Charlotte and care for our home & family
441. he loves to open our "home" to others - to welcome them, love them, grow with them, encourage them - he wants people to know God and grow in relationship with Him
442. he shares his hobbies and interests with me
Is there an area of your life that could use a good dose of thankfulness? Give it a try. I believe you'll find your perspective changed if you do.
July 23, 2010
Where did 4 years go?
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| At London Gatwick Airport on our way to our honeymoon in Turkey - July 2006 |
*Warning - there are NO pictures of Charlotte in this blog post. If that really upsets you, just check out our Flickr photos...her life in pictures is well-documented there.
Where did 4 years go?
It seems like just yesterday that Brendan and I were getting married in Evergreen, Colorado, but so much has changed in our lives in 4 years! There are the obvious things like now having a baby and living in a foreign country, but there are some not-so-obvious things as well. While we were watching our wedding video the other night, we couldn't help but laugh at ourselves...not the wedding itself or the vows we made...but we laughed at what we thought love was then.
Last summer shortly after our anniversary, I wrote this blog post which pretty much sums up how our idea of love has changed over the past few years. Every year I think I will be more amazed at how God is changing us.
For the first time since moving to Spain, Brendan and I went out on a real date - just the two of us! A friend from our church in Madrid came over on Sunday night while Charlotte was asleep - she goes to bed early, ya'll, and Spaniards eat dinner late so that works out well for babysitters! As I often do, I gave Brendan the dubious responsibility of finding a restaurant. He came up with a bunch of ideas, but he kept running them past me so I shared my honest option. Something like, "Hmmm, looks good...I mean I don't know what any of the food is, but I'm sure it will be great, sweetie!"
So, we finally decided on simplicity - a restaurant that offers very few items, all of which are edible, and we had heard it praised by numerous people. Not a fancy date restaurant but a new place to try and we were sure we'd leave full. This place...
Casa Mingo
Pollo asado was the main dish - a wonderful roasted chicken. Our tortilla espanola and cider were also very good, but the shrink-wrapped salad was a little puzzling. :)
The real fun began after dinner when Brendan took me on an uphill climb to get to a park that had nice views of Madrid. Umm, yeah, it was hot and my feet weren't happy since I had decided to wear "date" shoes not "hiking" shoes. But Brendan really did redeem himself by spotting a heladeria, an ice cream shop, and we got some really great ice cream!
We hope to have a date night every month since we now know people we trust to leave with Charlotte. It was really nice to get out of the house alone with my husband. I did feel "naked" without a stroller - I don't even have a purse here, and I'm not going to carry her diaper bag when she's not with us! Going out also reminded me how fast she has grown. When she was first born, I thought I'd never get out of the house again much less go on a date with Brendan! Ok, I knew those things would happen eventually but it seemed like it would be forever....I kinda miss that tiny little baby who would let me hold her in my arms. :) I guess that could be a whole different blog post - Where did 9 months go?
Happy Anniversary to my incredible husband, Brendan!
June 19, 2010
Happy First Father's Day, Brendan!
{Brendan with Charlotte soon after she was born}
Eight months ago my incredible husband, Brendan, became a daddy when our daughter, Charlotte Grace, was born. In typical Brendan fashion, he was not a bit worried about becoming a parent whereas I was full of questions and "what ifs". During my pregnancy his calm kept me stable. I was reminded then that God provided me with a wonderful complement to myself.
In the first days after Charlotte was born when I felt like I was grasping at straws to remain sane amidst the exhaustion and uncertainity of caring for my first child, Brendan jumped in to do new father things like he had been created for it his whole like - and I absolutely believe that he was! In those days, I saw that God had given Brendan natural instinct and ability to be a father.
My unselfish husband changed diapers (even those first poopy ones!), brought Charlotte to me to nurse (I had a C-section and it was a hard recovery), prayed and encouraged me while I learned how to nurse Charlotte and figure out her new little cries, posted wonderful accounts on our blog about Charlotte's first days, and just showed me how much his heart belonged to the Lord.
I don't think that I could thank God enough for grabbing ahold of my husband's heart and changing his life. Brendan's desire to be a godly father and husband is evident in everything he does. He provides love for us through the time we spend together as a family. He joyfully goes about the work God has given him to provide financially for our family - to put a roof over our heads, food on the table, and far, far more. He challenges me to not let our faith in Christ stay within the walls of our home but to extend to others.
Oh, and how I look forward to the adorable, can't-say-no father he is going to be to our little girl! How I look forward to seeing him develop love and discipline and so many other new attributes as our girl (and family) grows!
Wouldn't you do anything for a girl who falls asleep in your arms like this?!
I'm so excited to be sharing this life with him, sharing in the joys and struggles of raising our daughter, each having our own relationship with Jesus but also having one relationship together as husband and wife. God has richly blessed me and Charlotte!
Happy First Father's Day, Brendan!!
We love you!
May 10, 2010
One Thousand Gifts - Post #7
Last night before going to bed, I spent some time with my gratitude journal recapping the past week. Since my parents were visiting it was hard to keep up with the journal, but was worth it to reflect back on what we enjoyed together and all the ways God blessed me during their stay here. I was overflowing with gratitude! Really, I felt like the blessings just kept coming to mind.
That was interesting because earlier in the day after we had taken my parents to the airport, I was in a sad mood. I was mainly sad because my parents had left, and I missed them. But part of that was because I felt like I was left here in Madrid...alone. I'm not of course. Not only do I have my husband and daughter but we're making new friends...God is providing community. But I think now that I have a child, I am more prone to missing my family. I wish Charlotte could spend more time with her grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. I wish I could be near them while I'm raising a child so that they could enjoy watching her grow with Brendan and I. For the first time in a long time, I miss my home (the place where I grew up). But I know that God has brought Brendan, Charlotte, and myself here to Madrid...this is where He wants us NOW. Maybe not forever, but maybe so. I don't know about the future, but I know that we are in the midst of God's will for us. And it is not easy or comfortable or convenient. So, yesterday, before the joyful blessings easily flowed out, I tearfully thanked God for anything and everything I could think of...even if I repeated myself. And there was joy in that tearful thanks too.
This week's blessings....
132. having a "sleepover" in Charlotte's bedroom while my parents are in town...sleeping on a trundle bed makes me feel like a kid!
133. grandparents helping with Little One when our landlady popped by and I tried to communicate with her in Spanish
134. cooking and catching up on life with my stepmom
135. Super Mario Bros....also makes me feel like a kid!
136. 4 adults being silly while playing video games
137. listening to my dad read books to my daughter
138. Charlotte's little head peeking up over the crib bumper & spying her parents in her room with her this morning
139. my first Mother's Day...as a mother
140. the love God has given me for Charlotte
141. forgiveness from my husband
142. riding the Metro now being as familiar as driving a car
143. friendly Spanish people who love to talk to babies
144. Charlotte's attempts to entertain people...with smiles, giggles, and coos
145. exploring an old city
146. awe-inspiring cathedrals
147. new foods and old favorites
148. free drink refills at TWO restaurants this week
149. Charlotte snuggling in my lap on the train back from Toledo...laying her head on my chest and closing her eyes to sleep
150. foam puzzle mats to create a softer playspace for baby girl
151. a beautiful new teapot from my husband and daughter for Mother's Day
152. another Sunday afternoon in Retiro...this time with my parents and a great new picnic blanket!
153. laughing about locking myself, my parents, and my daughter out of our flat
154. Charlotte's "magic closet" - what her Papa calls the elevator at our apartment
155. my mother and all the mother-figures in my life
156. musicians playing music on street corners, in the Metro, at open-air cafes, and at strategic tourist locations :)
157. Charlotte's cute new sound - "ta-ta"
158. Lisa (my stepmom) having a great camera and loving to take pictures
159. no blisters after a week of much walking
160. 60 degree weather in May
161. Brendan and I reminiscing about our first trip to Spain 7 years ago - when we first met
162. Lisa cooking dinner for us in our own home...yummy chicken spaghetti!!
163. overcoming my fear of heights to climb a church's towers to see amazing views of Toledo
164. Brendan and Lisa encouraging me to keep climbing the stairs to the top
165. narrow, cobblestone streets
166. my parents were able to visit us in our new home/city
167. Brendan and Dad discussing Mario Bros. strategy :)
168. my Dad's quiet demeanor and encouragement of me as a wife & mom
169. talking to my Mommie Mop (grandmother) on Skype on Mother's Day
170. how God is transforming my heart, soul, and spirit with intentional thanks
April 21, 2010
Six Months into the Mommy Experience - Post #1
Charlotte turned 6 months old on April 20th. Crazy how that time has flown by! I've learned a TON during these months...about being a mother, a wife, a friend, and about myself as a daughter of the King.
- Try to enjoy every single moment, even the ugly ones - this is true anytime in our lives but it seems that having a child has made it more real for me...it's like I can SEE the passing of time as my daughter grows older & bigger. When Charlotte was a newborn I was so absorbed in learning to feed her, physical & emotional exhaustion, and being a new mom that I really missed out on enjoying her being so little. I kept wanting her to be older...to be able to nurse easier; to keep a pacifier in her mouth for longer OR put it back in herself; to not need me so much. Now that she is older, I already miss those days of her being so small...and I want her to need me. Keeping a gratitude list has helped me tremendously in maintaining a joyful perspective. I don't want to continue to look back and wish that I had enjoyed Charlotte more....I want to enjoy her NOW, in the good and bad moments. Right now Charlotte has some days where teeth coming in really bother her. At first I'm frustrated because I want her to play on her own so I can do things around the apartment, but I've realized that I'm actually being given an opportunity to sit and cuddle with my daughter. I'm being given an excuse to REST!! And snuggle my sweet baby girl! So I'm learning to find blessings even in, or maybe especially in, the ugly.
- Just about the time you get the hang of one thing, something new pops up - so at this point, I feel like I've mastered some things that I once found challenging....nursing, diaper changing, soothing a fussy baby, bathing a tiny baby, sleeping and not hearing every little noise that Charlotte makes. :) But babies don't stay small forever, nor do they stay babies forever. Nursing may be easy and enjoyable for us now, but she can't drink milk forever (umm, yes, this has spiritual implications too). We have to introduce her to solid foods and eating from "adult" utensils. So now Brendan and I are learning how to feed a baby solid foods, to bath a squirmy, wiggly baby, and change clothes and diapers on a baby who wants to roll over all the time. Our baby is growing and so are we.
- My husband needs a break and time to relax from his job - this may seem obvious and, no, I didn't just learn this, but I learned it in the context of having a child at home. Recently, I realized that just about every evening and weekend since Charlotte was born I had wanted a break from my mothering duties and had looked to Brendan to give me that break. Never once had I thought that its really not that hard for me to keep doing what I'm doing so that he can relax from his job. I know this goes both ways, but God used this time in my life to reveal some sin in the form of selfishness that I needed to seek forgiveness for and turn away from. And, wives, have you ever found that the more you serve your husband the more he wants to serve you? I am not advocating that we should give so that we can get, but in my experience I've found that being blessed by being served makes me want to serve in return. And in my marriage I've found this to be true in both Brendan and myself.
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