Vow

I've been a bit more into the Valentines Day spirit this year. Chad and I typically celebrate this holiday in minimalist fashion; we do something special, but not over the top. This year I want to be cheesy. I want to buy an obnoxiously large card, send a love note with the hubs to work reminding him how we fell in love, and indulge in chocolates and romantic comedy. Okay, he may not be down for the romantic comedy, but I'm still excited about the card.

So for ideas, I did what all today's rational women do: I went to Pinterest. Unfortunately the site was having "hiccups". Apparently I am not alone on my quest. So, I resorted to Google search: "Valentines Day Ideas".

Easy enough. Up popped an innumerable amount of links. I clicked on one. Esquire. Okay, I'm not a male, but the male perspective on ideas might be fun. At least until I clicked on the "next" button to discover the Valentines ideas for "the mistress".

I am quite serious, as was the article. Esquire suggested you take your mistress to lunch-keeping the bill under $100, as to not alarm the wife once the credit card bill arrives-and ensure you buy her sexy lingerie. The article continued with similar lewd and appalling advice.

A "how-to-cheat-on-your-wife" piece for Valentines Day? Really? What is the world promoting as characteristics of a "man"?

In lieu of such preposterousness, I want to compose a list of fun, creative, and exciting ways to celebrate your love to the one you vowed to be faithful. Want to help promote the sanctity of marriage? Respond with a favorite Valentines Day memory, or what you plan to do for this coming Valentines Day. We live in this world, but are certainly not of it.

Did you hear that, Esquire?

twenty | eight

A little over a week ago I celebrated my twenty-eighth birthday. It really was a special day. I didn't want any big pomp and circumstance, just a quiet, fancy dinner complete with dessert. I was delighted to get just that; although I had some trouble making it all the way to our banana cream pie dessert. Dinner was too amazing! 

With some birthday money and left over Christmas gift cards (the perks of two close holidays, yes-a birthday is my own personal holiday), I completed my loft chair set and purchased some curtains for the downstairs "living room space". The two chairs are the "Erin Cute-as-a-Button" chairs from World Market. The neutral color tones down the turquoise-yes, turquoise-walls. I love the variety in button colors too. 

Our downstairs is one big open space: kitchen to dining area to living room area. We intentionally looked for this type of space when buying a home, so we very much enjoy it. However, it isn't without some difficulties too. Color schemes and decor need to be planned with all areas in mind; does "this" go with the kitchen? dining room? loft? I'm not perfect in executing this unified scheme, but I aim for some fluidity. All that was a prelude into the curtains I bought with the intention to hang in front of our sliding glass doors which lead to our backyard. Silly me, I didn't measure, and they were too short-grrr! But, I'm mailing them to my mother (aka sewing master) to use the fabric for valences in the "living room space". Whew-crisis averted! 

Here are the curtains (Yarrow, by World Market):

 Okay, twenty-eight, what's in store?

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all photos from World Market website*

The Waiting Game

I like to get places quickly. My husband can attest to this. In the car, as he drives, I often solicit a faster past in efforts to get there-wherever that is-sooner. Sometimes I try to fight the urge, but my suppressed desire for swiftness is hard to mask. 

It is safe to say that I sometimes tend to forget joy is not exclusively found in the destination, but also in the journey. So far, in this first week of 2013, the Lord is teaching me patience. Like my husband, I've asked God to get me there sooner. He knows my heart, yet some things are better left to God's timing. The Bible shows us this. It is this resolve that brings peace. 

That is not an easy pill to swallow. I am learning that when there is no where to look but the still scenery that surrounds you, I should look to Christ. 

So when my face deceives my struggle to fight the pleading words, "Move faster, Lord!" you have my permission to tell me to wait. 

Photo by Josh Haner / The New York Times