Tag: anniversary

Speaking of anniversaries

My Google Calendar reminded me of something today.

3 years ago today I officially started my blogging adventure.
Stranger in a Strange Land 1.0.

Although back then, it was hosted elsewhere and looked a good deal different (I’m not sure what happened to the old header).

You may notice there are posts older than April 30, 2005 – have no fear – those were added after I started my blog so I could have some record of the columns I wrote for the Belton Journal and Harker Heights Evening Star. You might also find an old Xanga account out there that I tried briefly and I even tried building my own “blog” from scratch but that was taken down ages ago – after I found out all about CMS.

It’s been a great ride so far. The feedback has been great – well most of it :-).

Through writing my blog and reading others I’ve met some great friends like Thomas. I’ve connected with old friends like Chad. I’ve gotten a better insight into the lives of some very close friends. And I’ve even gained a better insight and understanding of my wife.

And hopefully you’ve each learned something more about me as well. Hopefully you’ve been able to see more of what makes me me. While my posts may not always be personal in nature – they are personal to me. They are things that make me think, influence me and challenge me.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the ride so far and hope you continue reading. Thanks!

things you learn

Laurie shared a list of the things she’s learned over the last year on over on her blog and challenged me to do the same. So, never one to back down to (most) challenges here we go…

  • Men and women’s clothes are different (or soft water does a crazy number on clothes). While I can do my laundry for years upon years by throwing it all in the same load of wash on cold water and never have an issue, if you add a red shirt of your wives into the mix, your wives shirt will take over and dye all the other clothes with its red dye. The same applies for red towels you may have received as a wedding gift.
  • The house is always dirtier or messier than you realize.
  • You always have more money than you think you do.
  • If you make the mistake of keeping score for any period of time – you’ll quickly realize you’re loosing the contest.
  • There are different unwritten dress codes for weddings – all depending on what time of day the wedding is held and where it is held. Flip flops are very very very rarely OK to wear to weddings and baseball caps are out of the question.
  • Women don’t always need things fixed like men think they do. Your wife may come home and complain about 20 things at work. Your mind may instantly go into repair mode and without much trouble at all you’ve found a logical solution to the problem and go into a 12-step program to fix everything in the next 5 minutes. She doesn’t care. She just (most of the time) wants you to listen. If she wanted to know how to fix it, she would have said, “I need you to fix this for me.” This will only be said when there’s a jar that cannot be opened, a computer that’s not working correctly, there’s a problem with the entertainment system, the car is making a funny sound, or when you’ve really messed something up.
  • Communication is KEY. When your wife says, “I don’t want you to have to do that” she means “Under no circumstances should you do that” not “I’d prefer you chose to do that differently.”
  • “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Sometimes when you get a great idea of washing a paint sprayer in the sink, so that you can clean each piece thoroughly and avoid getting soap and oil stain on the fairly new grass, one bad squirt of that spayer can make your idea look like the worst idea to come around these here parts.
  • All You Need is Love. Some might argue there’s more to marriage and life – but when you really get down to it – when two people truly love each other – that’s all you really need. Love can overcome any error, any mistake and any challenge. And it’s great to know that when you misunderstand what your wife said or your best laid plan goes awry – you still have a wife who loves you for reasons you’ll never understand and your love for her is the same.

Of course most of these things are said in jest. I can’t think of living my life when anyone other than Laurie. She thrills my heart each and every day.

recapping (Or how we celebrated our one-year anniversary)

Well today I’m working from home. WooT! Technology (specifically VPN) is awesome.
I plan to get started on work at 8 a.m. just like a normal day, so before then I get a little extra time to work on the discussion for tonight’s community group as well as play some catch up on a few blogs, including mine. I should probably put some coffee on too.

So I guess it’s official now, Laurie and I are no longer “newlyweds” or “rookies.” We’ve enjoyed one whole year together. 365 days. Awesome. We were wondering when the newlywed title gets dropped and we were assured Saturday night that once you pass your one-year marker you’re officially no longer considered newlyweds. Good stuff to know.
Continue reading recapping (Or how we celebrated our one-year anniversary)

Anniversary questionaire

Found this somewhere else and sent a copy of the questions to Laurie for her to answer and post on her blog. Thought I’d see how our answers compare. Here are my answers:

1. How long have you been married? 1 year exactly

2. How many people came to your wedding reception? Probably most of the people that came to the wedding. 250-300

3. What kind of cake did you serve? A red velvet cake with white frosting.

4. Where was your wedding? Lake Ridge Bible Church, where Laurie grew up and both of our parents go to church.

5. What did you serve for your meal? We had sort of a finger-food buffet with fruit, veggies and Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets

6. How many people were in your bridal party? 6 grooms-men, 6 brides-maids, 1 ring bearer, 2 flower girls, 2 pastors and 3 or 4 in the house party

7. Are you still friends with them all? Yes.

8. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? I didn’t see her if she did.

9. Most special moment of your wedding day? The unity sand as well as the kiss and walking out to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” the e-harmony theme song

10. Any funny moments? Our nephew sneezed and shot a load of snot into his hand. Standing in front everyone he had a hand full of snot and no where to put it. He started to wipe it on the brand new carpet in the sanctuary until his dad grabbed his hand and stuck it all in his pocket.

11. Any big disasters? See above :-). No not big disasters that I can recall.

12. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Hot Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado

13. How long were you gone? Six days. Sunday through Friday.

14. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? Take more time to enjoy our reception.

15. What side of the bed do you sleep on? The left.

16. What size is your bed? King

17. Greatest strength as a couple? We both love having fun and hate conflict.

18. Greatest challenge as a couple? We both hate conflict.

19. Who literally pays the bills? Both

20. What is your song? I would say, “I Have and I Always Will” by David Barnes

21. What did you dance your first dance to? Don’t recall – it was a swing song at a friends wedding I believe

22. Describe your wedding dress: I wore a tuxedo

23. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding? Her bouquet was made of yellow tulips

24. Are your wedding bands engraved? Yes, they each have 4-28-07 and SMILY on the inside.

To my bride

“Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained” – C.S. Lewis

One year ago today I made a pledge and vow before (at that time) Laurie Janine Turner, before God and “all these witness” that I would love, cherish and adore Laurie as my partner and my friend.

I’ve learned a lot in the past 365 days. Most of what I learned was from the shared life experiences over the past year.

I think first and foremost I’ve learned that marriage is not a 50/50 partnership. It’s as Brian puts it, a 100/100 relationship. And even when you might feel like its more 100/50 or 100/0 Scripture still tells us to give that full 100% – and more – I only wish I could give more.

I think we typically want to approach marriage (and any other relationship) as “what can I get out of this?” but Scripture calls us to “lay down your life for one another.” Not only when you’re getting your way. Not only when things are happy-go-lucky. But day in and day out when the muck really hits the fan.

And I must add, that while we shouldn’t go seeking our own benefits in a marriage, I’m lucky enough to say that I enjoy every day I’m married to Laurie. And makes it so much easier to love her with her grace, mercy and gentle spirit. Her love outshines mine each and every day.

She understands me in many ways that no one else can. She accepts my flaws and mistakes with true love and grace. She brings me joy and laughter. Smiles and gladness. She makes me earnestly want to be a better man and husband. She encourages me and lifts me up and always has my best in mind.

And even with all this new knowledge and understanding I’ve learned over the last year (and what I’m certain is much much more to learn and understand) I can say this again today with even more boldness and clarity and understanding than I did on April 28, 2007 ::

“Laurie Janine Blundell, you are my wife. I love you as Christ loved the church. I respect, comfort and love you. And in the presence of God and before our family and friends, I have choosen you Laurie to be my wife and I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams, and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don’t. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.”

walking

43 million

Today is the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
The case was argued Dec. 13, 1971, re-argued Oct. 11, 1972 and finally decided Jan. 22, 1973.
The “right” to abortion has expanded in the decades since Roe. Many states now pay for abortions with taxpayer dollars. Thirteen states, plus DC, allow abortion at any point, right up to the day of birth. Ten states, plus DC, don’t even require that abortions be done by a doctor.
Since 1973, an estimated 43 million abortions have taken place, creating a $400-million-per-year industry.
In the time it took you to read this post, two more infants were torn from the wombs of their mothers and tossed into the trash.