I thought I loved you then...

So far, our blog hasn't consisted of many, if any, gushy writings. But when Brendan and I set out to start keeping this blog, we did so with the intention of sharing what God is doing in our lives.

Well, this past week Brendan has been on a business trip to Hong Kong. And despite our Skype-ing abilities, we haven't been able to talk much. The 12 hour time difference has been very awkward...my morning is his evening and vice versa. That sounds simple enough except when you factor in that Brendan is out to dinner in his evenings and I've been out of the house for most of mine, so there haven't been many times when we've been able to connect.

In addition to not getting the opportunity to talk much, I think the closer we get to my due date (we're in the 3rd trimester now!) the more I am cherishing the alone time I get with my husband...its becoming more real. So, I miss him more this week than I have on any of his recent travels.

That's not the end of my gushing though...actually, it brings me to the point. In the past few days Brendan and I have been apart, God has given me a new perspective on how much our love has changed in the 6 years since we met. I can't say I gained this perspective in my alone times with God. In truth, it started while listening to a country song! I don't listen to much country anymore but happened to in the past few days. Some of you may already know where I'm headed based on the title of this post..."I Thought I Loved You Then" by Brad Paisley. Yep, I can be a sucker for sappy country songs.

What I began to be so amazed by was how much God has changed and molded Brendan and I's love for each other! I really have to laugh at what we thought was "love" when we first said those words to each other 6 years ago. I was running from my relationship with the Lord...trying to control my life my own way. Brendan believed in God, but hadn't placed his faith in Him. We were both very far from the Lord when we met, but God was pursuing us!!

What I thought was love for Brendan 6 years ago, and even 3 years ago when we married, is nothing compared to the love I know now that the rock and cornerstone of our marriage is Jesus Christ. It is so much more than some feeling of happiness that I can't explain, or wanting to always be around him (because there are days when I don't!), or just thinking that he's my best friend who I want to spend the rest of my life with. No, the love I know for him now is a desire to love him unconditionally because that's the way God loves me. It's not easy, but its a whole lot less selfish than the love I used to have for Brendan. Our love, I've learned, isn't really about us at all...its about God and about others coming to know Him because of this unselfish love they witness in mine and Brendan's marriage.

I thought I loved him then....but I really had no idea what true love was. I can't wait to see how our love continues to grow, especially with the addition of a new family member to share that love with!

Babymoon

Last month, Brendan and I took a long weekend break to the Virginia mountains - what many have coined a 'babymoon'. We didn't do a whole lot, but it was nice to relax and spend time just the two of us. We did do some antique shopping and found a great dresser for Booger. We also watched a whole season of 24 in 2 days! There are some pictures below of our short drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views were amazing, and Brendan found out that I have a fear of heights...not sure how he never picked up on that in the 6 years that we've known each other. But he finally realized it this time when I freaked out sitting on a overlook ledge.

[25 weeks]

Do You Skype?

Anne does!!

With her computer back up and running and me being overseas for the next two weeks...we set her up with a skype account so that we can easily stay in touch! Her username is anne.kinne so add her to your contact list! It is personally great for me to see her every night before I go to bed while in London.

Here is her skype MUG SHOT! :)

UK - Hot or Cold? (not talking about the weather)

Hello from the UK!

I (Brendan) just arrived this morning in the UK after a 4hr airline delay...but I am safe! I am here for the next 2 wks on business and get to spend this next weekend touring some fun sites in London that I have not seen before. Any suggestions? Wimbledon is starting up, so I may venture out there...although 6 years ago I had center court tickets to the quarterfinals and missed the chance to go - spent the day/night talking with some girl on my study abroad trip. We know the rest of that story....

Please pray for Anne and Booger over this time that I am out (arriving back in Raleigh on July 3rd). We are so thankful for our wonderful friends in Raleigh and I know that they will be looking after her as well. We finally got her computer back up and running, so she has access to email more regularly and should even get the time to put through more regular updates.

As for the title of this post...would you know how to wash your hands in the below sink? Great British ingenuity! (I personally try to move quickly between the two faucets.)

House Work Continues....1 year & counting

Well our house has not collapsed yet...so I guess that my home improvement projects are going alright. I am sure that in the future some home inspector will indicate the numerous codes that I broke with all of the updates, but until then (or the house falling) I will continue to move ahead with all planned projects.

So where are we today....currently in the garage. Here is a rundown of completed and yet to be completed tasks for the garage:

Completed = (1) popcorn removal, (2) removed old shelving/organization units, (3) primed ceiling and walls, (4) painted ceiling (off white) and half of the walls (blue), (5) installed florescent lighting and (6) installed 75% of over garage door shelving unit

Incomplete (in no particular order) = (1) paint remaining walls (blue), (2) install remaining shelving over garage doors, (3) apply epoxy floor covering, (4) re-org current storage bins, (5) build and install custom work bench, (6) build and install more shelving at back of garage, (7) install new closet door and (8) park car in garage (final goal)

Here are some pictures to support the work that is being done!


Day One...the clear out




Popcorn Eradication (yes...even in the garage)

Custom Built "Above Door" Shelving
(special thanks to Vern (design consultant), Jarrad (project manager and Riley (installer "free labor")