A Bucket List of Sorts

It took 2 full years of working full-time and going to school part-time, but this past December I completed my masters degree.  So exciting!  I have dedicated the "spring semester" to.... NOTHING.  I did not add any more meetings or events, no additional commitments were made (not even one that is only monthly) - you can even ask my husband, as this is sort of a big deal.  While I have given much of what would have been my free time to work over the past couple of months (reading applications), I also have been crafting a list of considerations.  Let me share some ideas on what could/should be next:

• Train for a marathon (side note: it is my goal to run one before I am 30)
• Read a book, or two....or maybe an entire 'best seller list'?
• Start some projects around the house
•  Landscaping, demolition / reinstallation, painting, decorating, etc.
• Take a photography class to be able to use the camera I bought after graduating from Fairfield University (almost 5 years ago!)
• More school?! (certificate in college counseling or perhaps an EdD?)
• Travel - there are friends I haven't seen in what feels like forever, and I would love to catch up! (Virginia, Colorado...and maybe even somewhere abroad)
• Learn Spanish

Well, that is all I have for now.  Anything sound especially fun?

Prayer

Today begins the season of Lent, and while I grew up in the tradition of "giving something up" and not eating meat on Fridays, it has come to mean something entirely different as I have developed a relationship with the Lord.

(My story is far too long to a post tonight but I will give you a short summary...I grew up in the Catholic faith but did not really come to understand faith and grace until High School through my involvement in YoungLife).

I have come to see Lent as a period of time dedicated to growing in my relationship with the Lord - really a time of FOCUS.  This year being married added a whole new element: namely if or how to incorporate my practices in Lent into our practices.  After sharing my thoughts and proposing a few ideas, C decided we should spend time every day in prayer together.

You see, this together piece is an important note.  Since completing my master's degree in December, I have been (attempting to) spend more time at home and with C.  While I will argue that I am not doing "too much", and really only have a couple of things going on - I will also be honest and admit that I generally love to be busy and involved.  The past two months have been a wonderful struggle of patience, and a time of reflection while considering and how I should be using time.  In this first year of marriage, I feel blessed to have this opportunity (and a husband who continually reminds me that I am in a season/semester of quiet time)!  (Only two more months to go....but then again, we will just have to see what that may, or may not, bring).

In praying together, we will not only be spending time together but also sharing our prayers with God and each other.  Just this week, I have been struck by friends' comments on the importance of praying out loud.  While I believe that God does hear our thoughts and prayers, even if not spoken - there may be something about voicing our acknowledgements of thanksgiving and petitions that is almost on a different level when said out loud.

So in this 2012 season of Lent, we are committed to a journey of communication with each other and with God as we pray together.

A LOVE kind of week

Valentines Day always makes me think of elementary school and sharing candy cards with classmates and friends....they truly are rather fond memories.

I wanted to share a few special moments from this past week...

Dinner with friends on Tuesday night

Sharing in the excitement of a kick-off soccer dinner for Curtis' team

Watching Biggest Looser together and taking a moment to relax

Raking leaves - so simple and yet so fun!

New adventures in the rain (I can only stay inside for so long!)

Eating my first ever smores cupcake (yum!)

(PS. smores and cupcakes are probably two of my favorite things, so together they are amazing)

And of course, all of the laughter and fun that comes along with these moments.

the TV

More often than not in the past 7 months, the TV in our house is on.  The majority of the time it is sports- watching Arsenal play is a must, but really any soccer, football, basketball or baseball game will do!  On Tuesday nights you can often find us watching Biggest Looser (a fun tradition of ours).  Any other time, it could be anything from ESPN (to learn more about sports) to A&E, the History Channel, or maybe even HGTV.  While sports are obviously a love of ours - there are really so many channels to choose from!  I honestly do not even know how many we have...or should I say HAD.

This week we made the decision - no more cable TV.  It is a bit scary, but definitely exciting!  I am looking forward to focusing on our relationship and making memories through new adventures (no more sitting on the couch).  I absolutely love adventures and for me, the weight of lost opportunities was taking a toll.  So good-bye cable, you may be missed....

but I am looking forward to what is to come!


PS. I think (read am hoping) this will mean more house projects, dinner parties with friends, hiking with the dogs and experiencing events in the city!

2012

The lack of posts over the past month clearly indicates I am new at this whole writing/blogging adventure.  Between working full time and being a newlywed, our story is clearly still evolving and that is the joy of life.

While there may have been a lack of blogging, that does not mean there are no stories to share....including the TV, a chandelier, and an 'Oreo dessert'....so stay tuned!