Date Night!

I know you've heard me talk about date night before. It's a thing that Orion and I have been doing since we got married. It's the best part of the whole week, and has really been very rewarding for us to have that 1 night alone for us. Sometimes we go out to eat, other times we trade off weeks planning "date night", and sometimes it's low key right at home. But either way it's free of cell phones, t.v. and other ditractions. Just us, and so great!Last night was date night, at one of our favorite places. Rudy's Red Eye Grill in Rosemount. We discovered this little gem while out shopping for gifts for our wedding party. Loved it ever since, and everytime we go, we think of people we know who would love this place as well.

Orion got a massive burger, and I was happy to sit and watch him try and eat it. He managed! I got cherry coke, and tried something new! We laughed and talked, and had a great time. All things that you should have on date night. It's been an especially long, difficult week for us, so this was very much needed!

Inspiring

I want to unload here.
I want to get beautiful here.

I want to cook here.

I want to read here.

I want throw dinner parties here.

Just a Reminder!

I just wanted to remind all of you that it's coming..... Iowa College Football that is! Don't worry if you forgot, I am here to remind you that it starts in 08.30.08! If you know me, you know I love them, I bleed black & gold I am pretty sure! They play MN this year at MN, I will be sure to say a cheer for you while I'm at the game!

Real Simple: Life made easier

Don't you wish that was the slogan of your life? Maybe it already is! This is actually to slogan from Real Simple magazine. And how perfect is that?

I'm a real big believer in simple. I don't like drama in my life, I try to stay as far as it as possible, I don't mind that I lead a fairly normal and simple life, I am not extravagant (except for maybe when I dawn my pageant attire) but for the most part I love my simple life.

While I've realized that my life maybe simple, the problems or people in it may not be. There's drama around all of us from time to time. And sometimes you just want to run away rather than deal right away.

God didn't tell us life would be perfect, or that we would never worry, have stress, or want to pull our hair out sometimes. (or maybe someone Else's)

But he did tell us we could trust him, lean on him and that he would guide us through it. Through him we have an outlet, where there is strength and encouragement. I know that no matter what on my knees is where the road to "simple" begins and "I" end.

This is where I want to be. So when there's chaos in my life, or in the lives around me, when I world seems like it's crumbling around the people I love; prayer is where I find myself. And that my friends is as simple as it gets!

What is Healthy?

What does it take to be healthy? Does that mean work out all the time, eat the right things? What does it take to be an all around healthy person? By nature I am the one who takes care of others, I always have, and probably always will. But I think to myself, and evaluate my life at different points and I think, am I taking care of me?

Am I doing all I can do be healthy?

Am I taking enough time for me?

Am I seeking the will of God, or my own?

Am I making the steps to make it right?

Am I really going through, to get better or just going through it?

These are questions I ask my self often and frequent. Sometimes I don't always know the answer to all of them, but I know it's the direction I need to pray and see God after. We can't have all the answers, don't expect that of yourself, or anyone else. God does though. I've been "going through it" a little bit this past year. I am asking myself all the hard questions, seeking God for the direction, and to find a place of healing.

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you thought it would? What do you do when you aren't in the place you want to be? While, I don't have all the answers I do know how to pray. And sometimes when you don't have all the answers, and you don't understand. There is power in the word, and power in prayer. Does it take doing all that we can to be healthy, even if it means that we might now like the outcome, even if it means we might not like the process? I think so, I think God wants to bring us all into that place where we know him more, lean on him more, seek him for the answers, and the direction. It's not always fun, and sometimes we need to be practical and ask for help, talk to others even though it may not be fun.

But the best part of it all is feeling and knowing God's love and peace. That's better than any confusion, and that's a healthy place to be.

Weekend-O-Fun!

Today after work Hubby and I are heading to beautiful Janesville, Wisconsin! For what you might ask? To see my bestie! Her beautiful little girl Ellie Me' turned 1, and we're having a party! Can you think of any better way to spend your weekend? I'm so excited, I haven't seen them since May, so it's going to be a much needed break with some good girl time on the side.

Ellie is one of the most perfect children, let me just brag for a bit. She's adorable! Or coarse she would be, but she's one of the best babies. I can hardly believe that a year has gone by since she came into the world! Isn't God good, and so amazing!?! It's going to be so fun watching her grow up.

It's been pretty fun to walk through these stages of life with my friend. Now, we're older and really coming into our own. We've moved far beyond the days of college. Life is real now! I'm so happy that I get to share it with her. It's so awesome to see your best friend happy, and blessed with an amazing little family. Sara and her hubby Ben are some amazing people!

Ellie was born on her parents anniversary, so we have a lot to celebrate! It's going to be a fun day and a half, and then it's back home to finish off the rest of our weekend.

We Remember.

One year ago today, we remember the families and lives lost in the 35W Minneapolis Bridge Collapse. It's hard to believe that a year has come and gone since this tragic day. Can you remember where you were? What you were doing when you hear the news? I remember being at home, and a friend coming over and telling Orion and I to turn the channel to the news; that the bridge collapsed. Ironically enough, we were on our way to a church BBQ that night.

Immediately my mind went to all my friends who were still living downtown and taking that bridge daily. I thought of the co-workers who drive that bridge to come and go to work and home. I thought of all the hundreds of times I've driven down that same bridge, and thinking; how could it collapse? Is that supposed to happen, does that ever happen? No matter where you were or what you were doing:

Today we remember, pray and pay tribute to all the families who lost their loved one, to the 149 injured who are still dealing with that day, to the service men and women who risked their lives to save another. We Remember. At 6:05 pm today a caravan of cars will make its way to the Stone arch bridge just a few blocks from the rubble, raise a flag, bells will ring, and 13 names will be read. And a moment of silence will take place, as we remember.

Today at some point take a break, take some time to remember to pray for the families.