Anniversary Weekend: 1 Year, We Did It!!

I always wondered what kind of man I would marry one day. What type of guy does God have in store for me?, I would ask myself. I should not have wasted time worrying, for God's thoughts and ways are so much higher than our own.

I did not expect to be 20 years old before I would ever meet him, but that was the timing that God had ordained. 

There is such beauty in the mystery of a faith marriage, not to mention all the blessings that come with it, but it is not always easy. Faith is definitely the key word.

Monday marked a year of marriage for us. A year of really getting to know each other. A year of working to blend two completely different lives together. A year of wonderful memories made. A year of growth.

I have heard from some married couples that the first year of married life has potential to be the hardest of all. I guess I don't know, since I have nothing to compare it too. We have had the expected rough patches that come along with any marriage, but God has proven himself so faithful. I can honestly admit that the hard times have bonded us closer as man and wife.

Last weekend, we went on a two day getaway to Potawatami State Park in honor of our anniversary. The weather was beautiful and the lack of people must have meant that we hit it right before busy season.

The Potawatami Inn is nestled on the shores of Lake James. No, we did not stare at the water the whole time, although it was beautiful to look across the lake. We went bike riding and explored the trails, played some of our favorite games that we had brought along, went shopping for as long as my husband could stand (about 45 minutes), supported the local restaurants pretty faithfully, and just enjoyed each other's company.

To top it all off, Nate even brought me home to Bluffton on Sunday. Not much more I could have asked for. 

We got together at my sister's house, for Mother's day, on Sunday night.

The kids (and grown-ups too, of course) helped in breaking in the new trampoline.

What a cute group of little people. They are growing faster than I can keep up with.

I finally have a little extra room in my freezer now. We enjoyed our year-old wedding cake and some sparkling cider for dessert on Monday. The cake was surprisingly delicious, even after a year, moist too.

That is about all I have to inform you of. Just sitting here waiting for my hubby to get home from work so we can go on our Friday date night. I am so blessed to have him as my husband. 

I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars

Love you Babe!

Recent Happenings & Projects

April has been a busy month for Nate and I. A little more than two weeks ago we said goodbye to Nate's grandpa, Eli. What an amazing example of faith Grandpa was to his 14 children and spouses, 70 grandchildren and their families, and to numerous others.

I am so thankful for the time that I had to know Eli. Grandpa was a frequent patient at the doctor's office in which I work. I never knew that the day I wheeled Grandpa over to the emergency room that it would only be about a month later that he would receive his eternal home in heaven.

The morning that Grandpa passed away, I could see the look of sadness on my doctor's face, as he walked into the office that day. My doctor explained to me that from the time that he first med Eli, he could tell that there was something different and special about him. Grandpa shined his light wherever he went. I doubt he knew what kind of an impact he made on his family physician, but maybe he realizes it now. An impact that this doctor wants to pass on to his daughters. I thought that was pretty special.

Not only has April included a funeral, but also a cousin's wedding and the birth of a nephew. Those are about the three most major events in the life of an individual, minus a personal relationship and commitment to the Lord.

I am really looking forward to meeting my new nephew, Coy Matthew Fiechter. Congratulations to Lance, Sara, Maeley, and Tessa! They are now a family of five. Have you ever been lonely for somebody that you have never met? That is how I feel about Coy. The other day as I picked out a gift for him, I pictured the boy that he is going to grow up to be one day. Will he be as pesky to his sisters as his father was towards me, but then realize how boring life would be without older siblings. As I asked about him, during my conversation with mom today, I got lonely for him again. What a sweet bundle.

credits: photo from Sara's fb page

Coy was born the same day as Grandpa's funeral. It reminded me of how Job says "the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." No matter what the circumstances may be, we are called to praise the Lord's name. Easier to say than do, if you ask me.

Now, to my most recent projects. I got the motivation to finally tackle another bedroom with my painting supplies. After a month of looking at these navy paint samples splotched on this wall, I decided it was time. The decision between the three samples became evident the moment I brushed them on that wall. 

Doing a bold, dark color scared me a little bit. It isn't in my personality, especially since I like to play the color scheme safe and stick with pastels and neutrals. Oh, but the talk around google is that "navy" is a very popular color right now. The things I do, trying to be with the "in" crowd.

I admit that the room looks better. I wouldn't say that I am "in love" with it, but maybe with a few throw pillows on the bed, the room will continue to grow on me.

Next project on the list: pain the trim white. The brown trim just isn't working, not up against those navy walls at least.

I managed to wipe the dust off of the sewing machine yesterday. An expert sewer, I am not, but I can handle curtain valances. It was actually sort of refreshing to spend some time sewing. I enjoyed it.

I am thinking that I might add something to the bottom of the valances yet. Hmmm

Hope you enjoyed the update. Nate asked me, on Tuesday, how long it had been since I last updated my blog. "It's been a while," I replied. Glad I have him to keep me on track.

Happy Thursday Everybody!

Living the "Norm"- House Before/After Pictures

"So what is new with you?" she asked, on our 15 minute drive to school. This was the question that my high- school aged neighbor girl asked as I drove her to school the other morning. 

Umm....well.....let me think. "You know, not a lot of new things are going on in my life lately," I responded. I really tried to think of something exciting to share with her, but nothing came to mind.

I began asking myself, do I really lead that boring of a life? Not boring, but maybe somewhat uneventful right now. I like uneventful, and sometimes I can get too comfortable in that type of life. Unfortunately God does not call us to lead a comfortable life, and I have to keep that in mind.

I am living in the everyday "norm" as I like to call it, and I  do not mind the "norm" whatsoever. The "norm" is what I longed for a year ago, when I was less than a month away until my wedding. I honestly wondered, at that point, if I would ever feel as comfortable in Ohio as I had in Indiana.

Nate told me, when we were first engaged, that we were going to work at creating a new normal (or "norm"). It took some time, but I am officially there and have been for a while. Buying a nice, cozy house has also played a factor in creating even more of a "norm" for me. I guess that is what I will write about...yep...more about our house.

A few people have been asking how our house is coming along. Things are going a little slower than I had hoped, as far as painting and decorating. After painting room #6, all of which were various sizes, I decided that I needed to take about a month off and rejuvenate. Now that I have not painted for a couple weeks, I am wondering if I will ever get back to it. The uncurtained windows and paint-swatched walls will just have to wait, because this girl has lost all motivation for painting.

I really enjoy before and after pictures and thought I would share a few with you. Although we did not do anything major, you will hopefully see a notable change.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Living Room #1 Before

Living Room #1 After

Main Living Room Before

Main Living Room After

If you have followed my couch experience, I would like to inform you that it has officially arrived. It is actually quite large for two people. Nate and I look a little bit shrimpy sitting on it, just the two of us.

When Ken's Furniture delivered the couch, they even rewarded me with a beautiful rose to thank us for our business. I have been nothing but impressed with them. 

Main Bathroom Before

Main Bathroom After

I do want to document who our first over-night company was in our new house. You never know when a person might need to remember such things. Might be best if I chart it.

It has been three weeks ago already, but they officially made the house company-proof. Thank you Seth, Blaine, Brooke, and Tianne for coming out to see us. They came to see Shelby too, of course. We were also glad to have Doug join us on Sunday.

Now that we have a giant couch, we won't make you sit on folding chairs any more.

Thank you for clicking over to my blog. It has been exciting for us to see our home come together, and to see the pieces of the puzzle fit together. I am excited to put the finishing pieces in place.

Blessings to you all!

A Short Poem About Two Friends

First off, if your name is Brooke Rachelle Fiechter, you can calmly push the X at the upper right-hand corner of your screen. This is meant to be a surprise for your scrapbook. I am hoping that her engaged life and the busyness that comes with planning a wedding will distract her from my blog for a while. Then again her curiosity can get the best of her at times. I may not be able to stop her, but at least I have tried. 

As I worked on her scrapbook page today, I tried reaching for that poetic side of my brain. I am no great song nor poem writer like Henry Beer, although he is my double great great uncle. Unfortunately not a whole lot of his poetic inspiration trickled down to me. 

Here goes my valiant effort at coming up with a poem about Brooke and I.

There once were two girls who were mutually fond.

Raised in good families, with parents so kind.

Pranks, fun, and seriousness were all part of their bond,

And then God revealed what was really in mind.

“Goodbye Indiana, we have met our fate.

God has chosen our husbands, and we will follow His will.”

So off they went to the Buckeye State,

Not knowing, but trusting that all would be chill.

A book I could write on the memories we share,

But the basics have been covered and now it is time,

For my Cookie to be placed into Doug’s loving care.

Enjoy being married, and with God at your side, 

I think you will find marriage a blessing sublime.

Looking forward to June 21st!

We Are All Moved In!!

On Friday, February 27th we became official homeowners. It has been more exciting that I ever imagined it to be. We feel like God's timing was so perfect in providing us a home that seems to fit our every need.

Minutes after the closing, we were already cleaning the place up and making plans on which rooms would be for what. 

My mom came out the following Monday and helped me paint our main living room. 

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Some more willing painters came to my rescue on Friday, and helped me tackle the fireplace room. It turned out even better than I envisioned it.

BEFORE

AFTER

Thanks to Audrey and Kinsey for the great help!

Thanks also to Amanda Gasser for providing a delicious lunch for us girls.

That was about all the painting that we had time to do, before moving in this past Saturday. Nobody told me how big of a job moving really is. Out of my three moves in the last year, this last one was definitely the most involved. Who knew a person could accumulate five times as much stuff once they were married? I guess I should not be too surprised, Nate and I are definitely surrounded by some of the most generous and loving people.

In all the busyness and chaos that went on Saturday, I did not get many pictures, but we had a good crew. With six guys moving the furniture, and the rest of us moving the smaller stuff, it took us about three hours. 

My parents with the first load

Afterwards, we headed to Dairy Queen for lunch. My brother-in-law, Aaron, and niece and nephew, Corinne and Tyler, were also a huge help. Along with Lena, who you may notice is trying to work her way out of the picture. Not this time Lena!

Shelby also got to join us after a morning of work. Have I mentioned that I love having Shelby out here in Paulding county? It is amazing to see how she is thriving so well in an environment away from home.

Nate and I are so humbled and grateful for all the loving support and help that we have received during this whole process. Although there are a lot of little things to be done to the house yet, we already feel at home and we are excited to establish our roots here.

Give us a couple weeks, but then you are all welcome to come visit=)