You are my strength when I am weak

Have you ever had like 20 blog topics on your mind at once?  Just me?  Ok.  This post may be a big hodge podge of topics strung together.  I kinda don't even know where to begin so I am just going to let my heart do the typing.  For some reason writing out my feelings has always been easier and made me feel better so here it goes.  I like being an introvert sometimes.  It's the only child in me.

Last week for me can be summed up in one single verse:{ "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.} 2 Corinthians 12:9

 I literally was praying walking into work, on my lunch breaks, and  in between patients just to get through the work day. Everything was piling up on me.  Work, people, home, life. When life knocks you to your knees, pray.  That's exactly what I did.  Looking back, God was working within me.  I have never been an "overly-spiritual" person.  I have grown up in church all my life and while I loved God and became a Christian at age 14, I have never been on fire like this.  I guess I never was placed in the correct places or among the right people to realize all my stress & worries in my life do not have to be faced alone.  I have been trying for 28 years to do that.  And now that I have boasted my weaknesses to several people this week and now to the blogger world, I have seen God's power first hand.  If it took last week's misery to make me see this, then I am ever so thankful. 

I know everyone has their own issues, but it sure can be covered up well.  Some people share it and others don't.  I will just say what everyone else is thinking: Life is Tough.  Working sucks.  The general public is hard to please and sometimes smell bad.  Keeping the laundry up and house clean is exhausting.  The economy sucks.  Politics suck.  Bills are never ending and depressing.  Keeping up with all this while trying to maintain yourself & your household is not as easy as it used to be.  And I want to add to my family one day soon?  THAT SCARES ME TO DEATH.  It is not as if we are trying to add to our family right now, but it's in the near future.  All too near.  Some people plan it, some don't but they all make it somehow. Well, hello, I am April and I like to be overly prepared for everything.  I want to have 100% of our non mortgage, truck and school loans/bills PAID off by 2014, home projects, laptops, etc.  I have been busting my rear with Origami Owl in order to try to do that.  I have so many financial fears.  Adding short term disability takes money out of my paycheck.  If I change to our better insurance plan, that takes even more money out of my paycheck.  Where do people get their money trees around here??  Everyone makes starting a family look so simple.  So free.  Trust me, if babies were free I would have 50 of them.  Every time I check my bank account I think about these things and wonder if my goals will happen when I want them too.  Then I think just as the Lord had His timing with getting married, He will take care of this too.  I just have to be patient.  Easier said than done especially for this girl! 

As I have prayed, confided in friends, and studied this week I was setting my mind to just trust in Him.  If it's His will to let everything work out by 2014 to ease my fears, then He will.  If it takes longer, then I will just accept that.  Most people get frustrated over the getting pregnant part.  I am so not even there yet.  I am at the step before.... the "are we really ready for this part?"  Ready financially, mentally, physically, spiritually??  That's where this morning's church sermon comes in.

The title: "Our House: We grow when you grow."  I listened.  I followed along.  I sang.  I prayed.  I took the Lord's supper.  We sang "you are my strength when I am weak, you are the treasure that I seek, you are my all in all.  Seeking you as a precious jewel (big smile- my Nana), Lord to give up I'd be a fool, you are my all in all.  Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name."   That song alone made me feel so much comfort and eased my past weeks worries.  It always feels great to worship with our church family and friends.  I then walked out with Caleb and was digging for my keys.  There was a member attendance/prayer request card in my purse.  I pulled it out and saw this:

My beautiful, wise, encouraging blessing of a friend, Heidi had put that in there.  I had already asked her for a couple books that she brought to me at church today because I had mentioned to her about my week, etc.  She took that sermon and applied it to my situation.  Something I didn't even really think of during the sermon as our preacher was applying this to the church body growth and growing your Christianity.

"Your house grows when you grow."  Wow.  I needed that.  My house will get ready to grow as soon as I do.  And boy do I need to.  I know the past 2-3 years I have grown somewhat, as my husband and marriage have brought me closer to God.  Not everyone is lucky enough to marry the man they met at Bible camp in the 6th grade.  Caleb has been the only guy I have ever dated that was Church of Christ, like me.  I thank God everyday for him, his love & his Christian devotion and faithfulness.  God knew I needed a man like Caleb so I could get closer to Him.  Then God started working in my social life.  Everyone grows up and goes through stages of life at different times.  They move, they get busy with work, family, etc and this is what is supposed to happen.  It took me a really long time to realize and accept that, but I finally have.  If I hadn't stopped chasing those that didn't chase me back, I would not have had room for all the new friends I have now.  The ones that have not only helped me through this new "grown up" stage in my life, but have helped me grow spiritually.  Or the ones make me laugh uncontrollably as my Zumba partner (Olivia Pippin) because physical growth (or shrinkage) is important too. :-)

Now that I have grown in those ways, I need to grow stronger spiritually.  I need to place more faith in God and His timing.  I need to grow my amount of patience.  I need to grow in my spending habits, as to not spend as much.  I need to grow in the time I spend studying my bible and in prayer.  I need to grow in my time staying off social media as much. I need to grow in the way I handle stress. I have been made aware of this big time this week in so many ways.  I need God.  I need my husband.  I need my family.  I need my encouraging friends.  I no longer need to compare myself to everyone else's timeline or finances.

 "We don't grow our house by counting noses or money but by growing ourselves." 

I am going to stop counting others and what they are doing (the noses) and stop counting our money and just start counting my blessings and spending more time with the One who can truly balance my budget for me. God.  Our awesome God. The one who will give me all the essentials I need to make it through this crazy life (love, patience, faith, trust, family, friends, dancing to de-stress, sunshine, health, food, etc) and I need not worry about the rest.  I know He will lift this weight on my heart.  He has given me the tools in which to do so which have unveiled themselves today and last week.  Let His will be done.  Amen.

Thanks for reading.  I feel so much better.  Love to all! I hope some of this can apply to you in some ways as well. 

Not just a dog: Manning is One!

My sweet handsome smart fun loving puppy dog, Manning is turning one today.  Even though I have not had him a year yet, the fact that it's nearly been a year already is just surreal.  He grew up so fast.  Some parts I don't miss (accidents in the floor, biting incessantly, chewing everything) but I do miss being able to pick him up without getting a hernia.  I miss the mornings when he would steal my socks no matter where I was sitting.  He would sometimes steal them as soon a I opened the sock drawer. As annoying as it was at the time, it was one of those "you're gonna miss this" moments.


I know what you are thinking, "April, you need to have a baby and you will just forget about all this dog business."  Maybe MOST humans are like that.  Most humans have a dog as a dog.  As a pet.  As a "when I have time to deal with you and love you" type thing.  Not me.  Nope.  He is not just a "dog."

To many of you, he would just be a dog.  You would feed him, pet him, walk him and cage him up and not think twice about him or his feelings.  I, on the other hand, can see and feel his emotions.  I love his personality.  Although he can't talk back to me, he is one of the most true friends I have on this earth and I absolutely love spending time with him. 



As an only child, I grew up with German Shepherds my whole life.  Taylor, Trooper, Tanner, Tuffy, Thrasher, Willie, Tracker, and Titan.  (Mom likes "T" names.  Willie was adopted.  I am going with Southern icons).  They were my playmates.  My friends.  I would talk to them and imagine with them just like my people friends.  My first spoken word was actually "dog."  I told my dogs everything.  They kept all  my secrets.  They met all my boyfriends and let me know if they approved or not.  They let me cry on their shoulders.  I mourned greatly when they passed away and can tell you how each of them died.  They were always members of our family.  To me, a family is not complete without a German Shepherd Dog, because that is all I have ever known.

I waited 9 years to be able to get a shepherd of my very own over here in Chattanooga.  I was so busy with college and grad school, I knew I did not have the time or money I needed to give a dog the proper life they deserve.  So I waited which was so hard to do. I could not wait to move into a house with a bigger & safer backyard.  Once we did, I immediately starting prepping for a kennel, which was not cheap nor easy labor.  I dug and dug and dug for concrete.  I helped as much as I could, because I knew this was getting me one step closer to having a puppy. Finally, in April 2012, I got my wish.  My dream.  My little white house with a picket fence aka "perfect life" with my dog and husband.  Thanks again mom for getting him for me (she is the reason I am obsessed with them).

Manning has become my best friend and a huge part of our family.  Even Caleb likes him.  Really he does. Their relationship gives me a small glimpse of what a wonderful father he will be one day. They are adorable together. Manning provides 2 large listening ears and kind eyes.  He is my alarm system and protector when Caleb is not home.  He is my walking partner. He is an amazing ball player.  He keeps me company.  He is in my life to serve a dog's purpose: providing their "human" unconditional love.  I didn't have to earn or buy his love, as he freely gives it to me.  He waits for me to come home every day at lunch and after work and his excitement is always there.  He is never mad at me for going away, just happy that I return.

I heard an interesting comparison a few years back: "Dog" is God spelled backwards.  If you really think about their qualities (listening, forgiveness, companionship, loyalty, protection, patience & unconditional, unending love), it begins to make sense.  I strive to be more like this everyday.  Weird, I want to be like my dog? Yep.  I really believe God put dogs on this earth for us not only to love & enjoy, but to remind us of how to live.

Manning is way more to me than just the dog that I post on social media almost everyday.  He is my friend, my child that I have raised since he was 5 weeks old & a constant reminder of how I should be more loving and selfless daily.  He also reminds me to just live in the moment & have fun.

Yes maybe by the time he is five I will be up to my eyeballs in diapers and "mommyland" but Manning will always be my first "baby."  He will always have a place in our home and a huge chunk of my heart.  His birthday will always be celebrated.  His picture will always be taken (I visualize some CUTE future pictures with newborns).  He will always be spoiled and loved. He will always be my best friend that is always there for me.  I plan on making everyday of his life the best that I can because he does that for me.

Happy 1st Birthday Manning (Manno, Manny, Manuel)  

Thank you for bringing such joy and smiles to our home everyday! 

 Here is the recipe for his jumbo puppy cupcakes: (These are for mini muffins.  There is nothing mini about Manning, so I bought a jumbo muffin pan.  The cook time is the same ~15 minutes. This makes 4 jumbo cupcakes.  Manning & Dolly loved them.  Please don't substitute for the whole wheat flour.  (Regular flour is not good for their tummies.)  Thanks to Eva for the recipe :-)

Been a while

Wow.  Busy busy busy.  Let's recap quickly:

1. Bucs went 9-1 in regular season.  Won the first round of playoffs tonight.  Playing ONEIDA next week.  Unbelievable.  What high stakes on so many levels.  Going to be so strange driving up there next week after all those times I drove to go see Caleb during our LDR.  Ah memories.

2. I have started selling Origami Owl.  I am obsessed with it and it's so much fun.  It literally sells itself.  I am learning so much, meeting many people and seeing people be so generous and sentimental giving others lockets as gifts.  God is good.  I can't wait to pay off some bills and I know He will help me get through it!  9 parties booked so far for November.  Plus my full time job as a PT, wife, Manning's mom and a maid! Whew!

3.  Finally went to the allergist.  I am allergic to something every season.  Just peachy! I have an inhaler for pre workouts and I can now breathe and not cough my lungs up when dancing and walking Manning.  It's like I am a new person!

4.  Halloween was so fun in the subdivision! Never had that many "spooks" (haha) in my life! Manning hated it though!  I had to start rationing candy and may have found some Easter candy... (it never goes bad right?)

5.  I make awesome turkey pasta fagoli soup.  Just sayin' (new favorite)

6.  Our latest cardio dance routine is to "Gangham style" which I initially thought said "condom style" (hey, just listen).  Anyway, it's so much fun! I love having fun while exercising doing something I LOVE! 

7.  One of my favorite things about every week are Friday mornings.  I wake up extra early to help Caleb get all his game stuff ready, kiss him luck, tell him I love him with a "Go Bucs!" Next, I  have to curl my hair for good luck.   I then treat myself to Starbucks (white peppermint mocha frap non fat no whip today) and go to work.  I always seek out the sports section immediately to see the football picks and read up on the game.  All my patients ask me about the game and comment on my blue outfit.  It may not be like game days in high school with pep rallies but it's better than nothing.  I love game days!! #lovebeingacoacheswife

8.  My life is great.  It's really busy but SO fulfilling.  God has placed us where we need to be with who we need to be with and around.  He knows I need encouragement, support, love and examples. I love my family, church family, work family, husband, dog, house & close friends.  I can tell God is working within me and my life more and more everyday.  Hard part is letting Him lead but it's getting easier.  I have been struggling with that lately.  Trusting Him is the best decision I have ever made.  Letting things fall into place and seeing where they land.  Just as the gorgeous leaves are falling from the trees.

That's all.  I have so much more I want to say but I will wait.  I know these next 2 months are going to be crazy with Origami owl and the holidays.  SO much to look forward to.   If you are invested in my life and what's going on, I thank you for your time, love and support.  It means so much.

It's football time, again!

Well, it's official.  I am now a football widow again.  2 a days have begun.  That means Caleb leaves early, is home during the day when I am at work and is already gone when I get home from work til bedtime.  Scrimmage this Friday, Jamboree next Friday then regular season starts.  Boyd has 7 home games this year.  The furthest we have to go is South Pittsburg.  The only off week we get is the weekend of my sweet SIL's wedding, so we will spend our night off at a rehearsal dinner.  That could not have worked out better though.  Sarah was such a huge help at my wedding, so I am ready to decorate, coordinate, organize and boss whomever around that I need to! Less than 2 months to go til she is Mrs. Sarah Hogan!

 Ok, back to football.  I do enjoy going to his games.  The latest high school football "Bible" is out which previews each team in TN.  There was a special section where coach's wives commented on what it's like during football season.  Well, I know Caleb is not a head coach right now, but it's still demanding of his time.  It's very demanding.  The only day that is not related to football is Saturdays, which gets overtaken by chores, family/friends time and then college football is a MUST.  So, no day is without football.  It's a good thing I LOVE football.  The thing I hate is him getting home late and eating dinner alone.  At least this year I will have Manning to keep me company.   I try to always tell myself the reason he is not home is perfectly acceptable.  Some women are faced with their husbands being out at bars, etc. I know exactly where he is.   When he is not home, he is mentoring and leading young boys in the greatest and most important/influential time of their lives.  He is such a good strong Christian example.  Caleb is very patient (way more than myself).  He is passionate, he cares for everyone.  He is not only showing them how to win games, play defense and score, he is teaching them how to be leaders, future husbands and strengthen their walks with God.  I see how much he loves the sport itself and how he enjoys coaching these kids.  This fire shows on Friday nights when I see him chest bumping one of his linemen, or shaking their helmet via face mask.  He loves what he does, and therefore I love it too.  The main goal of marriage in my opinion is to make the other one happy and their dreams/goals come true.  I will sit on bleachers for the rest of my life to make that happen.  In the hot sun, the rain, the snow, the wind, the nail biters, the bad calls, the cheers, the tears, the excitement.  All the way to the first weekend in December.  I will eat by myself, I will wake up early, wake up in the middle of the night when he gets in from games after reviewing films, rush through Sunday lunch so he can get to staff meetings, DVR high school side line wrap ups, listen to coach football talk conversations for hours, wash 3 outfits a day, change colors as needed, attend banquets, arrive early, stay late, layer up for cold weather, support Hot Hands business, and eat/live/breathe football forever.  It's fun watching him out there and getting to know the players and their families.  I love the Friday night lights atmosphere.  As a former cheerleader, I find myself dancing with the band, yelling out cheers, analyzing the cheerleaders' motions/stunts, and screaming at the players, refs and occasionally Caleb. I don't even have a child out there yet.  Can you imagine?  :)

I made this canvas for this coming season.  I am going to do a football themed mantle for the interim between summer-fall.

There is no "fall" season.  It's all football.  From the end of July to December.

 I made this for our front door.  It's one of our engagement pictures, with a little additional from Picasa.

I am excited about this upcoming season since it's our 2nd year at Boyd. I know a lot more people now so it's more fun.  My mom and Caleb's parents occasionally join me at games so I don't have to go alone to every game.  I have lots of bright royal blue clothes and accessories to don to support the mighty Bucs all the way to state!  If you need me on any Friday night between now and December, I will be at the Boyd Buchanan games with my blue on cheering on the team and my adorable Coach Collier.

A "Good Provider"

A good provider.  What is it?  The first idea  that may come to many of your minds may be of a monetary thought. This day in age (wow, I sound so old) that does not surprise me.  It's all around me. "So and so "got a new car, new house, new boat, new motorcycle, new Michael Kohr's watch, new man cave, new kitchen,.... the list goes on and on.  That's great.  Good luck fitting that in your suitcase to the afterlife. I hope I am not coming across hostile, but I had a break through today.  I have struggled lately wondering how people seem to keep just spending money.  Where is the money tree?!?! I have ventured to guess most of Americans are in tremendous debt, therefore they have a lot of really cool "stuff."  Yes, we have stuff, but I have slacked off a lot.  We are trying to save money to pay off our student loans and for projects around the house. I am more conscientious of my spending than I ever have been.  I do not buy anything that I can't pay off the very next month or without a 6-18 month no interest financing plan.  The thought of earning interest just makes me sick.  Regardless of what's in my wallet, I have enough.  God has taken good care of me my whole life and given me the things and people I really need.  I have plenty of providers in my life and more than I will ever need "provided."

First and foremost, the Lord in Heaven above is the ultimate provider to all. 

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

The Lord is the sole provider of everything I have.  Food, this world, water, life, salvation, health, emotions, my mind, etc.  Including the other providers I have in my life:

My husband.  I just love him dearly.  I am so thankful to the Lord for him and our marriage.

He provides me with:

Friendship

Laughter

Safety

Conversation

Excellent choices in cereal :)

Sanity

A Home (not a house)

Unconditional Love (that I sometimes am not worthy of)

Support

Christian Leadership

and his heart

As his wife, I have far more than I could ever have on my own.  I have a constant body guard :) , a yard man, a pool boy, a comedian, a larger house, two vehicles (in case one doesn't start), a dog, a movie buff, eye candy and the list goes on and on.  I have always been a very independent person. I could easily make a life on my own, but I would have to do without all those things I just named.  I realized something today---hitting me like a ton of bricks (thank you Lord).  Everyone was out on their boats, at the beach, doing whatever and we were working our butts off at our "new to us" house with my parents.  I realized there is no place I would rather be than at our home that we have made together with our sweet boy Manning.  No beach, no watch, no purse, no city, no vacation could be better than the dream he has made come true for me this past year.  I am living the "Happily Ever After" I always wished and prayed for.  A home with my husband and German Shepherd. No amount of money could ever buy what we have.  Thank you Caleb for being a wonderful husband and provider for me.  Becoming your wife was the best thing that has ever happened to me.  You are the most handsome, smart, kind, sweet, funny, genuine, passionate, persistent, patient man I know and I do not need anything but you and the love you give me every second of every day.

"But if any man does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. " 1 Timothy 5:8

My parents.  I can't forget them.  Since I was born, I have had more than enough.  Clothes, food, toys, pools, pets, trips, etc.  Let's face it-- as an "only" child, I was very blessed.  As much as I always wanted a brother and sister, I was able to have things some children didn't, including the undivided attention and support of my parents.  Even though I am all grown up now, they still provide for me.  My mom is my best friend, an ear to listen, and my cheerleader.  At her house we are never without freshly made sweet tea, freshly washed sheets, and yummy Sunday morning breakfasts.  We still enjoy our random shopping trips and movies and I like to treat her every now and then.  I will never ever be able to pay her back for all the clothes I wanted in high school. My dad has always been my mechanic, Mr. Fix it, handy-man and a total hoot.  The things he is able to do for me has saved us so much money with our house instead of having to hire out work.  He had been my landlord for 7 years and gave me the best college housing situation I could have ever wanted.  He has never been a majorly sensitive or affectionate person, but he shows his love through doing things for me.  If that is the case- he loves me more than words or affection could ever come close to expressing. Thank you, Mom & Dad, for everything and who I am today.

 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 2 Corinthians 12:14

This is my soapbox for today.  I hope everyone can appreciate what a true provider really is without looking at your bank account, closet, or garage. 

Happy Independence Day! 

1st Anniversary Trip

Our trip was so great!  We started our anniversary with breakfast at our favorite country cooking place- Cracker Barrel.  We then stopped in Calhoun to shop at the outlets.  Loft was good to me.  The real adventure was maneuvering around Atlanta traffic/roads.  Caleb is so calm when he drives.  Me, completely crazy.  He did great navigating me and then driving when it was his turn.  We enjoyed our dinner at Fogo de Chao.  Caleb was impressed and of course loved the meats.  They brought us a papaya cream dessert for free for our anniversary which was so nice of them!  Great service and hospitality! They did NOT want you to leave hungry! 

The next day we slept in, then went to the World of Coke Museum.  It was pretty interesting.  I got to hug the polar bear and we tried Coke products from around the world.  Our next stop was Ikea, which was exhausting.  I wish I could have just went to the last part first instead of walking through all the rooms.  But I got some new curtains and a rug that I really wanted for the living room!

Below are the pictures of our gifts we exchanged.  "Paper" in honor of the first anniversary and hand made! So special :)  I made the deck of cards with 52 reasons I love Caleb and he made a hand painted canvas.  He loves biscuits and gravy, fruit loops with marshmallows,  Ocean Water with vanilla from Sonic, and my special skillet fried chicken.  I apparently like to plan and steal the covers too. He has called me squirm from early on in our relationship because I changed positions so much on the couch, car etc because of my back issues.  It still fits today because I don't sit still much!

Also, our yummy 366 day (to be exact with leap year!) was enjoyed.  Just a small bite or two. 

Lastly, I found on Pinterest another great idea.  An anniversary journal.  A place to record what you did, etc for each anniversary and what was going on at the time.  Things that had happened the previous year and goals for the next year. This will be so cool to look at 25, 50 years down the road. I am so glad we did this.  It put so much in perspective and reminded us of what marriage is really about, not just everyday life. We have 14 goals for next year.  Some examples include things for our home like hardwood and tile downstairs, painting, paying off a couple things, staying healthy, dating each other again, spend more time studying the Bible together and to let the little things go more easily.  Caleb was actually very helpful with these goals. I just adore my husband.  This year was amazing and I know the next year ahead holds more happiness, fun and learning experiences combined with a whole lotta love.  :)

Uno! We made it!

June 18th, 2011.  

That was like yesterday to me.  I thought that day would NEVER come and now it's been a whole year?!  A little less than 6 months of planning for the best day of my life (rain and all).  I dreamed of that day since I was a little girl.  Where it would be, what my dress would be like, my colors, who would be waiting on me at the end of the isle. I never knew the answers to ANY of those questions until I met the man would be standing at the end the isle waiting for me- Caleb.  We hadn't been dating more than 2 months when I just "knew."  We spoke of it and he mentioned he would love to get married on his parents farm and then the rest of my ideas just sparked from the clouds.  That day FAR surpassed any of my wildest dreams even on a small budget.  Who needed fancy dishes and sparkling champagne?   Not me.  I just needed 300 of our closest family and friends, a gorgeous view and sunset and my best friend.  It was perfect.  It's still perfect.  I can look at the pictures and still feel just as giddy as I did that day.  I can stare at my husband and remember all those nights when I missed him in Oneida and could not wait for the day we would say good night face to face forever.  Our song for our "exit" was Eddie Money's "Take me Home tonight." (We LOVE 80's music).  I am so glad he takes me to OUR home every night.

This year has been the best and most challenging of my life thus far.  Even more than those 3 years in PT school.  Not challenging because of Caleb, just a challenge to me as an individual.  I have never done well with change.  Living with my husband was definitely a change, as well as taking on major responsibilities to keep our collaboration of bills paid (I despise debt/interest), the laundry caught up, the house in order (I am slightly OCD), my job, spending time with Caleb,working out, football games, groceries, cooking dinner, house projects, decorating, our new puppy, our families, our friends, etc.  It was unreal how fast days flew by and I felt so behind.  I have always be on top of everything all the time and have had to teach myself yet again that I don't have to get it all done in one single day.  Or alone.  That's where I am so thankful for my sweet amazing husband.  He may not do it exactly the moment I would, but he is a big help around the house and maintaining/finding my sanity and bringing me back down to earth.

 The Lord knew what He was doing when he put us together.  We balance each other out.  We compliment each other.  He is my best friend and seriously the funniest person ever.  Even when I get mad, he can make me laugh and completely forget what I was mad about.  I love our "just us" moments that no one else can understand.  Every day, I love him more (if that's possible).  I think back to all those days when I was single/dating, just praying and asking the Lord to send me someone special when the time was right.  Little did I know he was under (above) my nose the entire time.  Caleb and I started dating and it was just "right."  There were no games, no questioning what we both wanted or where the other stood.  We had both experienced enough from dating to know what we wanted/needed in a relationship and it was just so easy.  God has His timing and reasoning. I believe that with all my heart. 

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.  Song of Solomon 8:6

Now, to even see if I can remember and so I can remember on the down the road, I want to recap the "highlights" of our first year. 

After the wedding was of course our honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico.  It was perfectly amazing and I wish we could live there. We hope to go back for our 3rd or 4th anniversary (BC= before children) :-)

We came back to enjoy life as newlyweds and open our presents! I was very busy with EMR at work, so my stay-at-home summer hubby was really good at cooking, shopping and doing laundry which was so helpful.  Football started soon after and it was really fun.  It makes me feel like a cheerleader again.  Friday night lights are just a part of our relationship and I love it.  Wish they could have went to State.  Next year!

I made this for our front door out of one of our engagement pics.  Its very fitting.  We are in a football frenzy 7 days a week.  Practice Mon-Thurs, Games on Fridays, College all day Saturday and Caleb has staff meetings for film study every Sunday afternoon.  It's a good thing I love football. And him :)

Halloween was thrown in there.  Annual Collier "Kids" costume party.  His prison number was our wedding date :)

Then came my birthday and Christmas and Caleb's birthday.  We went to a cabin in Blue Ridge for my birthday weekend.  It was so relaxing!

The most exciting and grown up thing we did during our first year was get in major debt= buy our first home!
We quickly outgrew the Thrasher Pike house I lived in since my Sophomore year and thought, "Hey, rates are low, let's look for fun."  We soon found a home we loved with the ideal backyard and privacy we were seeking close enough to town.  I looked at it on a Wednesday, but Caleb was busy with football.  We were scheduled for a 2nd showing and potential offer if Caleb loved it on Saturday, but it went under contract on Friday night.  We were so sad! We continued to look around, but nothing measured up to the house we fell in love with.  Several weeks passed and I noticed it was "active" again among my searches.  The contract was shaky financially for the current off and back up offers were being accepted! We looked at the next day and put our bid in.  WE GOT IT!  We were so excited.  After a lot of hassle and invasive processes I could have never imagined, we closed on December 29th.  We began moving in and spent our first night in our new home on NYE.  We were so tired, we missed the new year, but was happy to wake up in "our home."

Many many projects followed and the list continues to grow.  The main goal- having a puppy came true in April and little Manning is just growing up so fast.  He loves his backyard and new kennel.  We so enjoy being parents to this adorable little German Shepherd.  Caleb is SO good with him and it is like a preview of what kind of dad he will be one day.  They love to chill on the couch and watch "Swamp People" together. We have learned, however, we need to wait several more years before having children.  Unless they can sleep in the kennel too :)

This spring also brought another baby into our lives.... our niece, Evelyn Rhea Webster.  She is the most gorgeous baby I have ever seen.  I am not biased, it's just a simple fact.  Thanks Hannah, for bringing her into our lives.  I love being her aunt and can't wait to spoil her like crazy.

For our first anniversary, I wanted to do something really special, even if our budget was not as large as I wished it could have been for it. After much debate and research, we decided to spend the day of our anniversary, evening, and next day in Atlanta. Caleb has been wanting to go eat at a Brazilian steakhouse ever since he returned from his mission trip in Brazil, so I figured why not.  It's kinda pricey, but it's a special occasion.  It has an amazing salad/cheese/veggie bar for me and all you can eat meats served from Gauchos for him. Best of both worlds! We will never have another 1st anniversary and it's just the mark of many happy years to come. We are going to Fogo de Chao in Buckhead, doing some outlet shopping, first IKEA trip, and maybe some touristy things.  Just whatever we get in the mood for I guess. Expect a blog about our trip!

The pictures below were taken by my sweet mother in law at the farm where we were married.  I want to take an anniversary picture every year with a picture from the year before so each year will be in every picture.  I also made a button canvas with a "1" for special # occasions.  (like 5,10, 15, etc).  I will get someone to take our picture on our actual anniversary at the restaurant I hope.  I am kinda excited about eating our 365 day old cake, since I only had one tiny bite the day of the wedding. I heard it was spectacular.

I thank God every day for all the blessings we have.I don't know what I did to deserve my life and someone so perfect for me in which to share it with.  We have our moments, but I am so lucky to have Caleb to walk beside me on this earth and get through it together.  The best is yet to come.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Thanks for reading and loving us!