Anonymous Blessing

Jason and I were really stressed, I mean really stressed, about the groomsmen situation for Friday night. In fact, it might have caused a bit of frustration and conflict. You see, my mom had graciously paid for one hotel room at the Hawthorne for the guys on the Friday night before our wedding. This was super convenient because it's within 5 miles of the wedding cite, and all the guys could stay together (fun!). But there would be a total of 9 guys needing to sleep that night, and the hotel wouldn't allow that many in one room. So we could get a second one, but we had no clue how we would pay for it! If we canceled both rooms then the guys couldn't all stay togther (they'd stay and get ready at their own houses), which was never how I pictured it going! Plus, I wanted my getting ready photos. We kept going back and forth...get just the one room and make a few guys stay somewhere else -- but that's rude!!...get the two rooms -- but who will pay??!!...get no rooms -- but where will they stay?? Will there be getting ready pictures??

Most of these conversations took place at 11pm at night (tip: don't have stressful conversations at 11pm at night) or threw text while we were both at work (tip: don't have text conversations about something super stressful). As you can guess, this had become a heavy burden on our shoulders. All of the sudden I got a new text:

"There is an extra room reserved and paid for at the hawthorne for groomsmen as a wedding gift for the bride and groom..."

It was from a number I didn't have in my phone, and I, nor anyone else, still don't know who it was. But I thank God for anonymous blessings, and since the person was so humble as to send an anonymous gift, I'm going to brag about them on my blog.

Dear Anonymous Giver,
THANK YOU! As you can tell, you relieved a HUGE burden on our shoulders. We were already feeling silly for being so frustrated over something so small, but your text brought so much peace to the situation and our hearts. Thank you so much.

Cake Smear

Over Memorial Day weekend Jason and I traveled to California with his parents and brother for their Grandma's memorial. I had such a wonderful time there and am so blessed to be marrying into his family! They are so loving and incredible people! I only met his grandma once, but after being at his memorial I myself was even impacted by the legacy of love she left behind. She was an incredible woman. After her memorial service, they held a surprise bridal shower for Jason and I! I again felt so blessed! They even had a cake for us, so we got to practice cutting the cake and feeding each other. I smeared his face sooooo bad. ;) (Sorry the photos are in reverse order!)

Special Girl

I am marrying the most wonderful man in the world!

On Monday, after being in Oregon all weekend, I wasn't expecting to see Jason until our 4pm pre-marital counseling session. But surpise, surprise! Here I am at work, and in walks my very handsome fiance, and yes, he makes my heart flip. He is carrying these flowers (below) and has brought me lunch! He is such a sweetheart!

Then the very next day, I'm busy in the back at work, and in walks Jason - with flowers!! He brought me the very very pretty bouquet (below) and he brought a different bouquet, "To all the ladies at Missoula Vet Clinic!" Wow. He is a gentlemen and a sweetheart. He sure knows how to make me feel special! By the way, peonies have become my new favorite flower! And they were in my bouquet!! Love love love them.

Not only did Jason give me flowers yesterday, but after work he came to my house and cooked dinner (with a bit of my mom's help) for my whole family!! He made delicous tostadas and homemade salsa! He sure looks good in the kitchen =)

I love him so much!

Old Friends & Good Friends

This weekend my family drove to Salem, Oregon, to attend my cousin Ben's wedding! It was so much fun to see my old friend, Salem, and my good friends, Courtney, Amy & Jen. It was also a pleasure to attend my cousin's wedding!

While with my old friend & good friends I...

...ate at the Old Spaghetti Warehouse! I highly recommend this restaurant. Their meals range from $8-$12, and this includes a good sized entree, salad, bread, and dessert!!! It was so yummy!

...walked to Dutch Bros with Heidi and Nathan to re-live the taste of an iced kicker!

...ran with Amy (for a bit) and my dad through Bush Park AND Minto Brown Park!

...soaked up the sights of my old favorite spots.

...enjoyed my cousin's sweet and simple wedding!

And then we spent an extra 2 hours on the way home, taking the "scenic byway"!

But it was worth it!

Half Empty or Half Full?

I'd like to look at this situation as half-empty, especially since my tank is empty. Well it was last night anyway. In fact, if I'd have written this post last night like I planned, it definitely would have been hard to be half-full. But now, after a night of rest and recovery and encouragement from my friends, I can be half full. So here it is:

The good news -


I ran the farthest I've ever run! 3 hours and 5 minutes! A rough estimate of 20 miles!

The bad news -

It was stinkin hard. Stinking hard. My body aches so bad today. It makes me question whether or not I can run 6 more miles. My dad is also faster than me. Ya. Faster. That's hard to swallow... :)

So anyway. I was pretty discouraged about the run...and being totally exhausted mentally and physically, I was empty and wanted to look at the situation in a pessimistic way. But I think I'll be optimistic, because you know what? I'm still alive. And I'll only have to run it once.

Thank you God, for giving me legs to run!

My Favorite

This is my (current) all-time favorite song! Jason could totally sing this song to me...cause I see myself in the girl being sung to! I love this song. It's such a good reminder to me - that no matter what, he loves me like crazy! For some reason that can be the last thing I think of when things get tough...

Crazy Girl

Eli Young Band

Baby why you wanna cry?
You really oughta know that I
Just have to walk away sometimes
We’re gonna do what lovers do
We’re gonna have a fight or two
But I ain’t ever changin’ my mind

Crazy girl, don’t you know that I love you?
And I wouldn’t dream of goin’ nowhere
Silly woman, come here, let me hold you
Have I told you lately?
I love you like crazy, girl

Wouldn’t miss a single day
I’d probably just fade away
Without you, I’d lose my mind
Before you ever came along
I was livin’ life all wrong
Smartest thing I ever did was make you all mine

Crazy girl, don’t you know that I love you?
And I wouldn’t dream of goin’ nowhere
Silly woman, come here, let me hold you
Have I told you lately?
I love you like crazy, girl

Crazy girl

Crazy girl, don’t you know that I love you?
And I wouldn’t dream of goin’ nowhere
Silly woman, come here, let me hold you
Have I told you lately,
I love you like

Crazy, girl, don’t you know that I love you?
And I wouldn’t dream of goin’ nowhere
Silly woman, come here, let me hold you
Have I told you lately?
I love you like crazy, girl

Like crazy
Crazy girl
Like crazy
Crazy girl
Like crazy

PS: I really don't like the music video though...it almost ruined the song!

Romans 12:10

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.