tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46122003326323380572024-03-12T22:27:38.537-07:00Because of Him We are Abel Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-90091854597128806692015-02-28T11:31:00.001-08:002015-02-28T11:31:20.143-08:00I love him moreWednesday night we had a very scary episode with Levi. It was my mom's birthday, we were finishing off the birthday dinner with some birthday fruit salad and feeding the soft banana bits to Levi who was enjoying it immensely, until something went down the wrong way, or he had an allergic reaction to it.... we're still trying to decide what exactly went wrong. He threw up thick goop about every 5 min for a while- <i>slowing</i> the time between each episode got further apart. I mean <i>slllloooowlllly.... </i>I think it all started around 7:30 p.m. and he seemed to be mostly better by midnight. Folks- this may be the scariest thing that's ever happened to Leif and I. Watching our poor boy gasp for air and throw up for hours... (so glad that we were at my parent's house- both nurses) We both just wanted to bawl our eyes out. In between each episode, Levi would collapse in my arms- so weak. It just broke our hearts!<br />
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I spent the night at my parents (Snow storm on it's way and didn't want to be snowed in at our house if he got worse.) So, by midnight I felt like I could lay him down in the pack and play and lay on the couch right beside him and watch him sleep and listen to him breath. Scary. Night.<br />
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8 a.m. the next day I wake up (I'd fallen asleep?! How did that happen?) Levi scratching the side of the pack and play with his finger nails and squealing at the top of his lungs as my parent's Cat ambled by. He was doing GREAT and wanted to be let out so that he could army crawl around the house after the Cat. She likes to stay about 2 feet away- but enjoys the attention.<br />
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I think he snuggles just a <i>bit</i> more now, and I think I love him even more after going through this. Whew. Praise the Lord for a healthy boy who's little body did great handling whatever was upsetting it. And praise HIM for bringing Levi back to perfect health so quickly.<br />
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It's been three days- but all I want to do is hold him and kiss his so-soft cheeks, but he's much too busy for too much of that.... places to go, things to suck on, messes to make! :) I love it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-60686375075627316762014-11-07T14:01:00.000-08:002014-11-07T14:01:11.795-08:00I'd always wanted to be a mommy. Like <i>always.</i> On September 28th, 2013 we found out that that dream (that we thought would be just a <i>bit</i> further in our future) :) would soon be a reality. There were some huge insecurities... many powered by the enemy or raging hormones... I remember bawling my eyes out (<i>weeping, </i>with huge sobs that shook me and everything) on the floor because I didn't have some specific symptom in the What To Expect When You're Expecting book and I <i>must not be normal</i> and what if our baby's not ok?!! Because I don't really feel like I have to pee ALL the time just some of the time (well, that would come...) Or the next night ... same spot on the floor, <i>weeping</i> because we were out of cereal for dinner. (Yeah, life was hard...) :) I have the sweetest husband who blew the budget out the window in my first trimester trying to get me any food that tasted good. He thought pizza was a good idea one night, but little did he know that I'd had a dream about throwing up after eating pizza and just seeing the box made me sick. Poor guy.<br />
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ANYWHO.... This season right now. Baby boy 5 months old. Is. The. Sweetest. I'm just in love with my husband -seeing him in this role as a dad and seeing how Levi looks at him. Wow. Just <i>adores</i> his daddy. Can't keep concentrated in nursing when Daddy walks in the room... flipping over backwards down to try to see him upside down. <i>Every time. (</i>Heart melts)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing my siblings with him....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8utvQyQmYW5-6t8F9YM9kl6l9joEW-xahkYM33OatqCulo_ff-FRU4Tdv__T2xzKodCSnOo1AJk2LKaXBh8NgQ1sEDT30oxUZh669IE9-0OJdrhF_szC5H58DzPN9fXTiX7YyYMEhpU/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8utvQyQmYW5-6t8F9YM9kl6l9joEW-xahkYM33OatqCulo_ff-FRU4Tdv__T2xzKodCSnOo1AJk2LKaXBh8NgQ1sEDT30oxUZh669IE9-0OJdrhF_szC5H58DzPN9fXTiX7YyYMEhpU/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their smiles... ahh... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PnN3srUU1KlfQuo6rfD9Ju3qd8BydI2JtLPBNNKsz5YnvpXU558J_SeieqUNEnQM6Rnh40fXChiypKRyUen4dvR34mFpMbsf0scPEJNarw75WaIVntmkwogQXZ2WcDHacJ8gbA4QkkY/s1600/IMG_1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PnN3srUU1KlfQuo6rfD9Ju3qd8BydI2JtLPBNNKsz5YnvpXU558J_SeieqUNEnQM6Rnh40fXChiypKRyUen4dvR34mFpMbsf0scPEJNarw75WaIVntmkwogQXZ2WcDHacJ8gbA4QkkY/s1600/IMG_1027.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out in pumpkins.... um... cuz that's just what we do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW2dcMKE3n_K7f1ArkeysV-aNLdl0wRPkI_AlF5pGBq19VJZlSTOwz-e736g0DENSPcmZFzja68JpbPnzH6WYlQicn_1boULNRLQgG1KIfj9OeRrOGIp4QzrvvuyBzbp_366n3QfikjY/s1600/IMG_0899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW2dcMKE3n_K7f1ArkeysV-aNLdl0wRPkI_AlF5pGBq19VJZlSTOwz-e736g0DENSPcmZFzja68JpbPnzH6WYlQicn_1boULNRLQgG1KIfj9OeRrOGIp4QzrvvuyBzbp_366n3QfikjY/s1600/IMG_0899.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His smile... and that high pitched squeal. You can hear it, can't you? :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildYxtCAy8TSy-pcqaJ6neIxalDsHQKkhiMLrod2fGoupHnBEmggqd-sK6rqu8RubWilboIZzxJJbA9Kqa_DjVuTbQ-vPYL7xyAT7rkNY6CSKAJVchu4cLTmovBhJ_xhXNc4Huy_eUNpE/s1600/IMG_0998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildYxtCAy8TSy-pcqaJ6neIxalDsHQKkhiMLrod2fGoupHnBEmggqd-sK6rqu8RubWilboIZzxJJbA9Kqa_DjVuTbQ-vPYL7xyAT7rkNY6CSKAJVchu4cLTmovBhJ_xhXNc4Huy_eUNpE/s1600/IMG_0998.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those monkey toes :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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As Elf would say in ... um... Elf.. you know- the Christmas movie. <i>I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it. </i>:D I love being a mommy! And just a quick word to those hum-buggers and grinches out there who tell me that "You just wait- they're terrible at 13" or "Twos- they'll be a nightmare at two" and "Ahhh! I bet you NEVER sleep" <div>
You know what? Just stop. Go back to your Mt. Crumpet. Seriously. Who says those kind of things to a young mommy- who obviously adores her little man?! AND- it doesn't have to be that way. My husband and I were delightful at 13 and pray that we raise our children to be as well. AND- Levi sleeps great! I'm well rested and LOVING being a mom. There... that felt better. I've been wanting to say that for awhile. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-20535047676529386512014-07-08T18:38:00.000-07:002014-07-08T18:38:11.579-07:00A Birth Announcement...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We joyfully announce the birth of our son,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Levi Aiden Abel</span></div>
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June 6th, 2014 6:53 a.m. 8 pounds, 13 ounces</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levi at 1 month</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-61500612056774824012014-05-09T05:37:00.002-07:002014-05-09T05:37:53.117-07:00Today Is The Day<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHiG3zjLI2XxHCtHlD36HEX8b0-mBaiKrLAKIq1ikKNUTIsbJgV_DxD9k_yabK52wSeBGpfQ728ZzFyt9B49OsezT3aaFZ2kC4gXKJ1X5x5NW2gRUAaurl1SdG6Y73GTTwwIKcMvihu4/s1600/10177507_296741930488293_2307744597835527374_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHiG3zjLI2XxHCtHlD36HEX8b0-mBaiKrLAKIq1ikKNUTIsbJgV_DxD9k_yabK52wSeBGpfQ728ZzFyt9B49OsezT3aaFZ2kC4gXKJ1X5x5NW2gRUAaurl1SdG6Y73GTTwwIKcMvihu4/s1600/10177507_296741930488293_2307744597835527374_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Leif Abel</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Several weekends ago, a man from our church approached Leif and I after the service telling us "Today is the Day" - he wasn't sure exactly what it pertained to, but urged us to just bring it before The Lord and ask what exactly He wanted to show us in that word. </span></div>
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Off and on, that day, Leif and I brought it up together in prayer and weren't really hearing anything. Both of our first thoughts were about the baby.... but it was a little early for him to come <i>that day</i>- so that couldn't be it. Our second thoughts were both about his job... but weren't sure what about it exactly. That night I lay in bed and felt like a kid who didn't get what they wanted for Christmas. Kind of let down. I lay there really bummed and asked the Lord what the deal was? <i>I thought something was going to happen today- but nothing did. I don't get it. </i> </div>
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He responded, I could feel His smile...</div>
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<i>I did do something today. I planted the seed of expectancy in your hearts. You lived today like no other day. You both lived it with the expectancy that something big was about to go down. That's how I want you to live every day. I want you to wake up and expect me to move, expect me to use you, expect STUFF to HAPPEN! Because I do move everyday, but your eyes just aren't open to see it all the time. </i></div>
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I LOVE that! I want to do that every morning.... because I've found it drastically changes my day. When I live with eyes wide open.... with baited breath.... I see the ripples in the water, I see the hand of God in little and big ways. And I am amazed. </div>
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Today is the day</div>
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I will be used by you</div>
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That I will be poured out and you will pour in</div>
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Today is the day </div>
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that you will move mountains</div>
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that my petitions will be heard</div>
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and boulders will be moved</div>
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Today is the day</div>
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Your children will be healed and made whole</div>
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Use me today and everyday </div>
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to leave your handprint on their hearts</div>
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Today is the day</div>
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Relationships will be made whole</div>
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families restored</div>
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hurts healed- no offenses taken</div>
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Today is the day </div>
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that you walk upon this land</div>
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as I reach out, we partner in creation</div>
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we join hands</div>
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Today is the day </div>
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Let me walk in thoughtful expectancy</div>
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Looking out- help my eyes to see</div>
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Remind me that everyday- miracles are in your plan</div>
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I hope this changes how you see today, and tomorrow and every day. Be <i>excited! </i>HE is moving! </div>
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~Arielle</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-45842966906087563032014-05-02T07:42:00.001-07:002014-05-02T07:43:47.881-07:00measuring cups<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>"Give, and it will be given to
you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,
will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will
be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)
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This past Sunday, our pastor talked
about this verse and unfortunately, most of the time I walk out of
there saying, "Oooh, that was so good" and then by
Wednesday, I really couldn't tell you what the topic of last week's
sermon was. I love it though, when the Lord takes it and follows me
around with it throughout the week, as if to say, "I don't think
you really got this... let's review..." :) </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I look out the big picture window in our living room from the couch in the mornings, coffee in hand, mist lifting from the water... I see this planter that my parents gave me a couple of years ago (that I have yet to plant anything in....). That verse (Luke 6:38) keeps running through my mind. It speaks of generosity, but it also offers a challenge. Do you ever read a verse that maybe you've read too much? A lot of us have been raised in the church and just fade out when we get to a verse that we know and just breeze over it... <i>Oh, I've already read this one... "Give and it shall be...... hmmmm hmmm hmmm.... something.... measured to you." </i> Sounds like Charlie Brown's parents in the Peanuts. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But really read it with me. <i>Give and It shall be given to you.</i> As we mimic Him in His generosity- He aches to bless us in return. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(only a fraction of what HE does...)</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But then he goes on to specify what kind of giving he's talking about." </span><i style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over" </i><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I asked the Lord this week what that meant- I've definitely faded out in that part. I didn't get it. But He gave me a picture of this cup (picture above). You know in a recipe when it's calling for brown sugar and it says something about a packed cup of brown sugar? That's what this means. When you give- don't just give a cup. Make sure it's a good quality form of measurement, pack it down, then shake it down- so you can get more in and that it's running over! That blows my conception of generosity out of the water! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Next, He talks about the size of your "generosity measuring cup" - if you will. "</span></span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." </i>If I told you I was going to give you a scoop of something... your favorite food, gold coins..... whatever. What kind of scoop would you be hoping I'm going to use to measure it out? I know I'd like to be using that big blue cup in the picture as the scoop as opposed to a teaspoon!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, as I sit here looking at that cup- He reminds me how he wants me to give. That excites me. It doesn't even make me think of the whole "give 'till it hurts thing" I picked up somewhere, which just doesn't sound like a lot of fun. He wants me to use that big ol' mug to measure out my generosity. He wants me to pack it down, shake it down and fill it until it runs all over the table... and then give. THEN He says he's going to take the same size measuring cup (that big ol' mug) and use that as the "generosity measuring cup" that he's going to give back to you... packed down, shaken down and running all over the table.... Cool stuff, eh? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Have a blessed Friday! Thanks for letting me share a bit of what's been on my heart this week... other than thinking about having our baby join us in around a month now! WOHOO! Cool things the Lord is doing in preparing my heart for that time with Him in labour... He's wooing me and calling me away with Him to prepare me (Hosea 2:14,15)! Would love your prayers this month as we're getting ready for this exciting season! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Arielle</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-71289114408911445062013-11-18T07:25:00.001-08:002013-11-18T07:25:13.573-08:00News, News, News! <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhZHAytNORIUwL57RHLo6yvsc0V4WLnRv-0nvSN9MVRfph4yyXI6ltNNdt6nH0DdoUybw1jLrIYtE2f8v3FsseR1Z3Z3Gcsu_aPcL3vr9gAU7QW8WXdBP4aldOBOcFbpP2WVfFYRNXLU/s1600/1117131359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhZHAytNORIUwL57RHLo6yvsc0V4WLnRv-0nvSN9MVRfph4yyXI6ltNNdt6nH0DdoUybw1jLrIYtE2f8v3FsseR1Z3Z3Gcsu_aPcL3vr9gAU7QW8WXdBP4aldOBOcFbpP2WVfFYRNXLU/s200/1117131359.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wow! It has
been SO long since I've blogged. :) So much to share, now that I
finally have a little more energy to get on here... since I'm <b>12
weeks Pregnant</b>!!! :) We are so very excited and so happy and
blessed to be the parents to this little one! Spending lots of time
praying and researching names... there is so much in a name and Leif
and I really take the meaning of names so seriously, and so enjoy
that aspect of naming our baby! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am SO happy
about being almost through my first trimester!! (Seriously, you have
no idea...) It's been pretty rough with the sickness and nausea and
trying everything to try to feel better. I seriously have the most
amazing husband on the planet taking care of me. I haven't been able
to do hardly anything in the kitchen without being sick, and grocery
shopping is totally out- so he has really picked up my slack in those
areas... actually, every area. I really haven't felt well enough most
of the time to do anything. I guess it runs in the family- my mom had
it even worse with me! <i>Thanks, Mom for all you went through
with me.... I seriously had no idea what you meant when you told me
you were really nauseous having me....</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeid62TKNzIvmxN6lU2nodBF6ctD1501_vQLBs24p8aJ8rLWFKW8MkZ6GsNTTTU22j4Nh3bUy4xTV8hnA_tnCARV3SfmhenRWJNo2wJpUKbp2Hzim7lOLwevf4RxmMD7tAZeOWbZNjG0/s1600/url.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeid62TKNzIvmxN6lU2nodBF6ctD1501_vQLBs24p8aJ8rLWFKW8MkZ6GsNTTTU22j4Nh3bUy4xTV8hnA_tnCARV3SfmhenRWJNo2wJpUKbp2Hzim7lOLwevf4RxmMD7tAZeOWbZNjG0/s1600/url.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 weeks- size of baby!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday and
today I have felt really good and have had a bit more energy. I can't
wait to get started organizing stuff... I have so much in my closet
that needs to GO! At 6 weeks- I gave away most of my clothes that
already weren't working for my body... but I feel like I'm getting a
little bigger everyday and I have even more to put in boxes, that I
don't feel comfortable in now. I'm <i>loving</i> my
maternity pants already- so so comfy on my tummy! :) I really
am enjoying seeing my belly really be a cute pregnant belly instead
of just feeling fat- like I have for most of the first trimester. My
baby's the size of a plum- about 2 inches! :) </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Would really
appreciate prayers- as I try to keep good food, and my prenatal
vitamins down and for the nausea to totally go away soon! I would
love to start craving things- right now pretty much everything just
sounds really bad. Thanks so much!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1<sup>st</sup>
Prenatal Appointment is December 2<sup>nd</sup>! Can't wait to hear
the heartbeat! </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sincerely,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arielle</span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-88644171763244620892013-08-05T15:58:00.000-07:002013-08-05T15:58:07.183-07:00He Ain't No Liar! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_1IRgqYCm-SNEN6u_7wFiv4330hVYH4lF-QBQoaKrLduGmxSc9X8cAwc6GD0FPCwlvnyYj9ep_oQhHUGuwaER8z-5hW_mShvdHxZ06iVLz-avUMLqJlTleZ5-g30924LFNzfuEXsKB4/s1600/DSCN1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_1IRgqYCm-SNEN6u_7wFiv4330hVYH4lF-QBQoaKrLduGmxSc9X8cAwc6GD0FPCwlvnyYj9ep_oQhHUGuwaER8z-5hW_mShvdHxZ06iVLz-avUMLqJlTleZ5-g30924LFNzfuEXsKB4/s400/DSCN1018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Leif and I took a week off last week to have an adventure and take time away with the Lord and HE met us in an amazing way! So excited about the freedom and the crazy love for God that He's renewed in my heart! Another awesome part about that is that I feel like before this week, when Leif told me that he loved me, I felt like it was filling the "love cup" in my heart up from the bottom. It was really good, but he had to fill me up a lot more, I felt so so needy. I realized about half-way through the week, that when Leif told me that he loved me, it felt like my "love cup" was already full and his, "I love you" was just a whip-cream and cherry on-top of the already full "love cup" ... it was so awesome! I feel less needy and more full. Not depressed and SO excited about life! God is so good! </div>
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The Lord also brought to my attention how when I don't believe that He has made a <i>good </i> thing when He made me, and have self-esteem issues and don't love who He made me to be- I'm calling Him liar. When He made man in the beginning and said, "It is good!" I'm essentially saying... "Actually, no. You messed up here and here and here, and I don't like this and this and this... I'm not the cool kid." </div>
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YIKES! </div>
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I don't want to be calling GOD a liar! So, I repented for doing that for my whole life and He has given me this <i>gift</i> of realizing the amazing creation that He's made me to be! I AM the cool kid! I'm His cool kid! :) I'm beautiful and made in His image! </div>
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Yay! </div>
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Loving my Father and enjoying life,</div>
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Arielle</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-45170943713229281702013-06-06T08:33:00.001-07:002013-06-06T08:33:37.220-07:00Simplifying This week has just been amazing... On Monday I felt that the Lord was telling me to give the best of myself to my husband this week. Not in a "try harder for him to love me" way, but just in making conscious choices to not take offense at things, to be excited for him to have the opportunity to work instead of feeling sorry for myself that he's not home, etc.... There are so many more opportunities to chose peace than I ever thought. It's not like this week has been easier, it has offered plenty of moments of growth. But this week I just decided not to go with my first reaction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8XV-XgaoXAapaC1zcnGL9eemtEJQMRyVvH770HN8ZK0qqfpPiFrsD75Wx7XwHvFUgKPaXsoP22eMtqfpF6JLWE2orSmU1LJ6neqi9ulM-UsGFf8s-lZ9JwklcRQyVaH_EG3fOjRmxKI/s1600/c07cf858fa4fc390f3c971c04705fe72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8XV-XgaoXAapaC1zcnGL9eemtEJQMRyVvH770HN8ZK0qqfpPiFrsD75Wx7XwHvFUgKPaXsoP22eMtqfpF6JLWE2orSmU1LJ6neqi9ulM-UsGFf8s-lZ9JwklcRQyVaH_EG3fOjRmxKI/s320/c07cf858fa4fc390f3c971c04705fe72.jpg" width="213" /></a>What started out as a gift to my husband this week, has really come back to bless me. I have had the best week! I'm so much happier and I feel closer to Leif because I decide not focus on telling him about all the hard things that happened in my day, and we get to talk about other things! (I know! What a concept!) I'm so in love with him and I really like myself a lot better when I focus on the positive things. I also feel closer and more excited about my walk with the Lord- as I feel like I've needed the Lord's strength more.<br />
<br />
I've also been working on simplifying our home, my life, my purse, closet etc. :) Ah... I feel so much lighter! Asking myself as I go though the house, "does this help me make my life simpler and more peaceful?" Reduced clutter in our bedroom (I try to make that the focus in cleaning- as that is our little sanctuary) and all over the house brings stress levels down. It also is very restful for Leif to come home to. I know this is easy for me to say as we only have a living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom and kitchen.... :) but just start where you can and keep at it! I'm struggling with keeping up with my kitchen, but I keep working at it!<br />
<br />
Reducing the number of products that I buy for us in cleaning, cooking, cosmetics etc. (not just saying food- but other things)... and have found three wonderful all natural products that are just awesome for everything around the house! Apple Cider vinegar is amazing for... everything. <a href="http://www.wakingtimes.com/2013/02/18/25-uses-for-apple-cider-vinegar/">Here</a> is an article on the health benefits of it and <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/apple-cider-vinegar-miracle-for-home-and-body.html">here</a> is one on the uses of it. The big thing that I feel that it does is having 1-2 tbs of it in the a.m. dramatically helps me with energy for the day. It also helps fight infection, is great as a toner on my face at night (zits begone!) and can be used as a shampoo too... I haven't tried that yet, but would like to!<br />
<br />
Regular White Vinegar (cheapo at the grocery store!) is my go-to cleaner for everything. My mom taught me this and I used to really dislike the smell... it doesn't bother me as much now, but for a general house cleaner (it the bathrooms I use it straight up), I mix a couple drops of essential oils (I like sweet orange and lavender), water and 1/4 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Smells great!<br />
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The last one is my favorite at the moment... Coconut oil. Here's an article on <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/">101 uses</a> for it. I've been using it as a substitute for butter in recipes, frying, greasing cookie sheets, mascara remover, body moisturizer, massage oil (not greasy- like baby oil and all natural) ... it is so awesome! I got a large container of it at Walmart in the oil section for about $5.50 - make sure that it's 100% pure Coconut Oil.<br />
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Well... I'm off to drop a load of ... stuff... off at Goodwill (make sure you get a receipt and save it for the tax write off!) ... making my house more peaceful, one goodwill drop off at a time. :)<br />
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Hope you all have a great week and I will be praying that you all will, with me, ask the Lord for the strength each moment to chose His peace.<br />
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Love,<br />
Arielle<br />
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P.S. Some of <a href="http://zenhabits.net/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/">these</a> tips really helped me in simplifying- I don't agree with everything, but some of it was really thought provoking.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-89503096777196145242013-05-29T05:39:00.001-07:002013-05-29T05:40:22.330-07:00"So How Is Married Life?!" ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zvfrF06_4524Xt-gJoPqdMHc6jqJgkxeGV7GYyjI-CKnvcobUj25cZiEDMhAecva3r6Gq6wAW5JK7EFxPjJ0Mkx-r0uykqiBbyby_UNiXLLP4w5T7ZPpTNG6-lkZt58uYbEsDVRAlrk/s1600/JEN_2321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zvfrF06_4524Xt-gJoPqdMHc6jqJgkxeGV7GYyjI-CKnvcobUj25cZiEDMhAecva3r6Gq6wAW5JK7EFxPjJ0Mkx-r0uykqiBbyby_UNiXLLP4w5T7ZPpTNG6-lkZt58uYbEsDVRAlrk/s320/JEN_2321.jpg" width="320" /></a>It happens a lot, people asking how the newlywed life is going, and even though I married the most </div>
amazing man on the planet (no lie), I struggle with how to answer. I am trying to break out of the habit of saying that everything is fine and wonderful... that answer may glorify me, but maybe by sharing the truth of the ups and downs, that would glorify the Lord more.<br />
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Leif and I went to a Swing Dancing evening last weekend and a friend we hadn't seen in a while asked us if we dance all of the time. I said no, but we'd like to dance more... and another friend chimed in (tongue in cheek) that we <i>do</i> dance all the time, because we're newly weds, and I sing while I do house work and have little birds help me fold sheets.... (anyone seen the movie Enchanted?) :) Although said in a teasing way, since we all know that's not how it works, it just brought to mind some of my thoughts about marriage before I got married.<br />
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I knew everything there was to know about relationships and marriage before I turned 18. Because I <i>would</i> be 18 when I got married.... I'd read so many courtship stories, and had looked at the average age and it was usually about 18. Of course, I'd be married at 18. I owned every courtship book and had read some great marriage books as well and I pretty much had this thing down. I'd heard people say that my husband could not being my everything- but that God should be and I thought, "well, of course!" I also knew that we really wouldn't have all of those problems that some of the couples faced in those books. I was a Christian, I would marry a Christian... and I'm pretty much perfect (I was working so hard to do everything on the Proverbs 31 "list"), and I would marry someone who was pretty much perfect and we wouldn't have problems like that, we would have lovely children, raise them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and life would be a bed of roses. I know, I'm full of it, aren't I? :)</div>
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Well- marriage is <i>truly</i> wonderful, but as crazy as this sounds... I'm not as perfect and put together as I thought I was, and I didn't marry an entirely perfect man. I love how this quote sums this up: </div>
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"<i>A successful marriage isn't the union of two perfect people. It's that of two imperfect people who have learned the value of forgiveness and grace" - Darlene Schacht </i></blockquote>
So... How is married life? It is wonderful, but it is also (and I say this very seriously) the most packed season of growing that I have every experienced. To learn how to communicate <i>well, graciously, and lovingly </i>is a lot harder than it sounds. I'm learning to lovingly tell him when I'm struggling with something that he's done or made a decision to do, instead of bottling up emotions and words which that's not a real solution. It works for a very short amount of time- but it will always come spewing up and will cause much more damage in the long-run for you and your spouse. I'm learning how to remember how I felt after we came back from our honeymoon and I did laundry for the first time. I was so delighted to do it! I have decided that I would much rather have this man in my life and have to pick up all the things he leaves on the floor, than to not be married to him and have an immaculate apartment. :) <br />
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I do not have this perfected. I do not have birds helping me fold sheets, and I don't always sing when I do house work. I am not naturally a good communicator, but I am learning from the Lord and from the beautiful example that my husband, Leif, is to me.<br />
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That's how married life is right now. Learning, growing, and have a TON of fun with my best- friend!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
Arielle<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-35789368461600307042013-05-08T15:50:00.001-07:002013-05-08T15:52:29.955-07:00Dear Lord....<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP1pklrfdUNbGQ7AIfV5qDr-o_Y2xNLNoJPfT3bw4q-rA5wBYQ9NA1DZo3QrwFfxLB_vf6g3a7MD_gNNQpLUAZWcpE5TmTotAnvXszL0XEQwPFpNI3ylMRmgMhZIjOESX_Hx1N1tzYIU/s1600/prayer-on-my-knees4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP1pklrfdUNbGQ7AIfV5qDr-o_Y2xNLNoJPfT3bw4q-rA5wBYQ9NA1DZo3QrwFfxLB_vf6g3a7MD_gNNQpLUAZWcpE5TmTotAnvXszL0XEQwPFpNI3ylMRmgMhZIjOESX_Hx1N1tzYIU/s320/prayer-on-my-knees4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<i>Lord,</i></div>
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<i>Help me to learn how to not take offense,</i></div>
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<i>how to not let things bother me,</i></div>
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<i>and to see things in a longer time perspective, rather than this moment. </i></div>
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<i>Because... in the scheme of things, the stuff that bothers me right now- doesn't really matter. </i></div>
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<i>Help me to breath you in and breath the other things out. </i></div>
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<i>To have a short term memory when it comes to hurts, and to think about a person's character- </i></div>
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<i>that they don't mean to hurt me (most of the time), and to give them the benefit of the doubt. </i></div>
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<i>Help me to think of others before myself and to remember that it's not all about me.</i></div>
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<i>Help me to love my husband the way he loves me: selflessly, patiently and humbly. </i></div>
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<i>Help me to not be the leaky roof wife.... (Proverbs 27:15)</i></div>
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<i>I can't do this alone- and I call on you for your help.</i></div>
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<i>Amen. </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-16736343374716879772013-03-07T10:36:00.001-08:002013-03-07T10:36:51.523-08:00TRESemmé has me nailed....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1m7WKOTPuXF1v6GBUTHVeuqbqNIsJZPGQxEsrCdU_hoEGqtIRo7XT1uj2cMeMFkyiuokCMJ36Egpqy6XJ7m9h9TLbgCkwZZMjnjC-G720O5e_Kk4NFNrFDUtFGfOPmfGMBxrdforPgI/s1600/DSCN1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1m7WKOTPuXF1v6GBUTHVeuqbqNIsJZPGQxEsrCdU_hoEGqtIRo7XT1uj2cMeMFkyiuokCMJ36Egpqy6XJ7m9h9TLbgCkwZZMjnjC-G720O5e_Kk4NFNrFDUtFGfOPmfGMBxrdforPgI/s320/DSCN1118.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I pulled out my hairspray the other day and got a little jolt at what was boldly printed in all caps across the side of the aerosol can. "EXTRA FIRM CONTROL" I felt convicted. That's why the transition from being on my own, independent and single to being married has been a little bumpy at moments. I've always preferred EXTRA FIRM CONTROL over everything. I won't go into my history of my love affair with control- but it's there and for most of you who know me well - know how firmly this is rooted in me and how I've never really listened to you telling me this same thing for... my whole life. </div>
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So now... things are different. Surrender- not just to my husband, but mostly to the Lord- is something that I'm learning right now. To relinquish my hold on every nook and cranny of my life and letting the Lord have it.... which means that most of the time the Lord then passes it on to my husband. My dad always told me that would be a learning curve for me- and it is... but with the releasing of EXTRA FIRM CONTROL, comes a gaining of a peace and rest that cannot be there in the midst of the control. </div>
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It's a much bigger, longer lesson than this blog post- but it's a process. I'm under construction! </div>
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Enjoy this lovely day!</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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Arielle</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-72975446132826909372013-02-20T08:56:00.000-08:002013-02-20T14:52:50.841-08:00Go make your loved ones BREAD!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know about your families- but Leif loves bread. No, I mean he <i>loves</i> bread. Making artisan (crusty baguette type) bread has being on my bucket list / new year's resolution list for years- probably since Leif and I were friends and I found out what an amazing guy he was and really wanted to impress him with my mad baking skills (not that I ever even attempted- but it was a nice thought).... anywhoo. But I've been reading this book about French cooking and baguettes and chocolate (mostly chocolate... and making amazing truffles is on my bucket list now) .... and it's totally inspired me to <i>bake</i>! I can cook fairly well (my mother is to be given the credit for our amazing "home economics" courses), but I rarely bake and never bake bread since I moved out on my own. (Mom baked whole wheat bread - with a soft crust.... which we totally took for granted growing up and I now miss!) But as Leif and I move in on month three of being married, it's high time for me to bake this man some bread. So yesterday- I found a pin I'd put on my pinterest recipe board about 5 min bread and started into it at about 5 p.m. yesterday. Well. It's 5 min bread- once you've let it rise for 2 hours, and if you don't count the baking time... so at 8 p.m. I pulled this out of the oven... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGME8zPyhLYpqMtd65jPNLmhII-FvNjpR9YEQJMorXpp-BjE9zA3gy_WJG2BAeki6ThLAOKK4TkFVsTvZm-XjlsZKuzB_ffPyH2I9C1IbYyygzcxaGljH8qL_P4BhQYinnSCLAQBvo1Y/s1600/DSCN1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGME8zPyhLYpqMtd65jPNLmhII-FvNjpR9YEQJMorXpp-BjE9zA3gy_WJG2BAeki6ThLAOKK4TkFVsTvZm-XjlsZKuzB_ffPyH2I9C1IbYyygzcxaGljH8qL_P4BhQYinnSCLAQBvo1Y/s320/DSCN1116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went a little bizerk with my new creation and immediately sunk into buttery, fresh bread heaven.... oh. my. word.... I've been dreaming about fresh baked creations and this soared above my expectations and perched in the tree of my dreams and sang lovely songs to me. It truly was out of this world. And the best part- is that it was SO easy! Here's the <a href="http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/2010/02/09/back-to-basics-tips-and-techniques-to-create-a-great-loaf-in-5-minutes-a-day">link</a>. Go check it out! Another great thing about this recipe is that once you've made a big batch of it- you stick the dough in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and it really does take 5 min to prep after that initial 2 hour rise. Let me know how yours turns out! Oh- they say to let it cool or the crust will be too tough and the dough spungy... well, we just couldn't wait THAT long- so we didn't and it was divine and it was just as amazing this a.m. as I nibbled left-overs after I made Leif a sandwich out of it with our panni maker (George Forman Grill) </div>
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Enjoy! Go make your loved ones some BREAD!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Arielle</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-5272283988146707372013-02-11T07:30:00.001-08:002013-02-11T07:30:45.755-08:00The Wedding pt. 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwWPz_cVp4ukAamt9ih0taOBa6ZUyXH3pVzNZNUKehFDk6sDQUg0dnzI3LIcOgNB_3Y4amzLk9y9QXSqgkgViiBDjz0NVOUirccCiIZ9zYdaKEWhxh3YKN5anO8Ymz9GyAeoiJjFqz6I/s1600/JEN_2387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwWPz_cVp4ukAamt9ih0taOBa6ZUyXH3pVzNZNUKehFDk6sDQUg0dnzI3LIcOgNB_3Y4amzLk9y9QXSqgkgViiBDjz0NVOUirccCiIZ9zYdaKEWhxh3YKN5anO8Ymz9GyAeoiJjFqz6I/s640/JEN_2387.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kiss!! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPtOetJ_rLli5GsP43x8Ns4RnOwaIkyDG88h3fv7mpgPeFF-_t0_4Ckdds0jUXcL9C8SgfJKwv9wVMyq0-ylPRTkZdKFc9ITOnnEEbA8D-JzBFzj52n2ffr2ueGyToYlii6mbTPC0MrM/s1600/_MG_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPtOetJ_rLli5GsP43x8Ns4RnOwaIkyDG88h3fv7mpgPeFF-_t0_4Ckdds0jUXcL9C8SgfJKwv9wVMyq0-ylPRTkZdKFc9ITOnnEEbA8D-JzBFzj52n2ffr2ueGyToYlii6mbTPC0MrM/s320/_MG_4431.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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We walked out to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKC-lRhvdNY">The Piano Guys instrumental version of Better Together by the Turtles</a> - a song that a close friend told us is our theme song. ;) Very happy song... and brings back wonderful memories of walking back down the isle looking into my family and friend's faces smiling from ear to ear ... so happy... and we are better together. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ulDPBOVlLnb1zlrquJykPd0JNa5KIaA-v6dXyrL8EGA8gZ-qAMvctnM1yPSm5aYA_41yN7ef0WE7nUf9KmjtUEC4woQMQSZ5KGg-mvJ13RvqA4xiL3p5AZ5ODxa8CuAl5XF_nlqia_w/s1600/JEN_2393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ulDPBOVlLnb1zlrquJykPd0JNa5KIaA-v6dXyrL8EGA8gZ-qAMvctnM1yPSm5aYA_41yN7ef0WE7nUf9KmjtUEC4woQMQSZ5KGg-mvJ13RvqA4xiL3p5AZ5ODxa8CuAl5XF_nlqia_w/s320/JEN_2393.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A1-JfsKDb7w9HlrNbooAWiddKuohYYvQ_MRRxKvWrWV3tvSMBhAbX2guSn2Sxmq9mjh8W8njlIYy86Zrlb2qSc5ENqMkLNcaAyNklemnttU6Hre44AQ80g-xs5yo1cl0JboHvtgRMHM/s1600/JEN_2395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A1-JfsKDb7w9HlrNbooAWiddKuohYYvQ_MRRxKvWrWV3tvSMBhAbX2guSn2Sxmq9mjh8W8njlIYy86Zrlb2qSc5ENqMkLNcaAyNklemnttU6Hre44AQ80g-xs5yo1cl0JboHvtgRMHM/s320/JEN_2395.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCJd66BGuQOM9_sM_5vS4RJxuixI-TVi8n3AiScewi0XKVkVKi_jEGxx7X6xtSRFOYyhK2BzXXr9ToO2Vd6IecinhgJa31AGJlyuKlTwXoMWwc71yUPN7RCeDrVk1h7mUx6p4QoSo0bg/s1600/JEN_2544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCJd66BGuQOM9_sM_5vS4RJxuixI-TVi8n3AiScewi0XKVkVKi_jEGxx7X6xtSRFOYyhK2BzXXr9ToO2Vd6IecinhgJa31AGJlyuKlTwXoMWwc71yUPN7RCeDrVk1h7mUx6p4QoSo0bg/s640/JEN_2544.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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And.... we are living happily ever after! </div>
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The End</div>
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P.S. Pics of reception will be posted at some point... stay tuned! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-32982090437477495182013-02-11T07:21:00.001-08:002013-02-11T07:21:28.505-08:00The Wedding pt. 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Finally! The story about our wedding... continued! :) Seems appropriate as we get ready to celebrate our first Valentine's day as a married couple!<br />
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Here are a few photos of right before the wedding- after I arrived with my bridesmaids, parents and grandmother and adopted grandmother.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf7MaVrXeh-ktrv_R2YLvIEbmAKDYLFrt8G3-RDt6sRKvktJV61koywwueJD0ImfdgSl-_lOqxCJghkDCGP2DZOWz11boiZBWVabgbw-Ou_6ea9VGpcYD0u5kPDIaRE5MGdsLXFpLErg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf7MaVrXeh-ktrv_R2YLvIEbmAKDYLFrt8G3-RDt6sRKvktJV61koywwueJD0ImfdgSl-_lOqxCJghkDCGP2DZOWz11boiZBWVabgbw-Ou_6ea9VGpcYD0u5kPDIaRE5MGdsLXFpLErg/s320/2.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson, our ring-beror<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKd2bkwd7BlB0Ih3_t2t_0TpRozij0JbX-sSGhd2O5O50JO-wx34zhFLE10SyBdyC7opQg2K-SSZb3GsrRY3uB-TK4piH1wNqa2vN5LrMQiJ5qzKEUx5R9eOPO2xuOK-X61FeQ2aZRic/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKd2bkwd7BlB0Ih3_t2t_0TpRozij0JbX-sSGhd2O5O50JO-wx34zhFLE10SyBdyC7opQg2K-SSZb3GsrRY3uB-TK4piH1wNqa2vN5LrMQiJ5qzKEUx5R9eOPO2xuOK-X61FeQ2aZRic/s320/1.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Leif and his best-man and brother, Austin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb27OgrndgNgiYUqAzJKAbxz1_QJe6mezysdDh-UEMdkVs0lpwUxodW4QQGnlA12Mgiwm_Iiw-ZXVy6977T6QEt9xxJ1EaBHJBvqbaOyHDa6jkgUAE4askF7hy6vYI-SPknPKD-kpeBA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb27OgrndgNgiYUqAzJKAbxz1_QJe6mezysdDh-UEMdkVs0lpwUxodW4QQGnlA12Mgiwm_Iiw-ZXVy6977T6QEt9xxJ1EaBHJBvqbaOyHDa6jkgUAE4askF7hy6vYI-SPknPKD-kpeBA/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">A moment of prayer together before everything began... I didn't want him to see me! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogYdqKWxo_d4gvewBMIBHV99ebG45VDsMFnPkWXMEQNe7bePiUiF07xMkqDGK7V4XovMb1y89Wn9Wn6HTtFmKASZbb5lV4FO5YqBG73nLPMt5eOO7YdgczO8rYjoknoLx6j5riFH0acI/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogYdqKWxo_d4gvewBMIBHV99ebG45VDsMFnPkWXMEQNe7bePiUiF07xMkqDGK7V4XovMb1y89Wn9Wn6HTtFmKASZbb5lV4FO5YqBG73nLPMt5eOO7YdgczO8rYjoknoLx6j5riFH0acI/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bridesmaids ditched me for picture time- so my dad helped me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother-in-law and my lovely bridesmaids and maid of honour</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(left to right: my mother-in-law: Amber, Ring beror: Wilson, the flower girls, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">father-in-law: Bryan </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents: Patrick and Beverly L.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leif's Parents: Bryan and Amber A. </td></tr>
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And then it all started... Everyone lined up - I saw my former landlords wave through the little chapel window and heard the sounds of the wedding party's processional start. It was a recording of some of Leif's instrumental guitar music. I wanted to incorporate music from my favorite artist! Val- my wedding coordinator (and life-saver!!) handed us our bouquets that we had all made the day before (I bought the flowers bulk through Sam's Club) and Savannah P. started down the isle, followed by Anna G., Savannah S. and my sister and maid-of-honour, Emma. Wilson, the ring beror walked down after that and I stood behind my flower-girls wondering if they really were going to walk down the isle. The stood at the entrance hand-in-hand and peered around the corner at all of the people. I whispered that it was time for them to go... and Val encouraged them as well... and they started walking. :) YEAH! Then time really did stand still as Val closed the door for a moment, the music changed to an instrumental version Me and You by Kenny Chesney by Bryan Rason (click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MliwB6PaVdw">here</a> for the link).... and I was really glad that my dad was walking me down the isle. I held his arm tight and took a picture in my mind of that moment.<br />
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The doors opened and (whew, I'm listening to that song right now and it's making me cry... I am so blessed to be married to this man!) ... I saw my grandma, and everyone else who was there for just a moment- and then I saw Leif. I slowed my pace and wanted this moment to last forever...<br />
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It didn't go by too fast or too slow. I hung on each word and each moment, trying to memorize it all. This is the day I dreamed of... and it was more perfect and amazing than I imagined. Leif looked stunning, everything was perfect, sunny and most importantly I could feel the Lord there so radiantly. </div>
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We didn't want to do sand combining or a unity candle, so we decided to wash each-other's feet as a symbol of our caring and serving each-other selflessly as Jesus washed each of the disciple's feet in John 13:1-17.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our vows exchanged- we wrote our own</td></tr>
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Leifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433858864486480547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-47728040337846312492013-02-08T16:06:00.004-08:002013-02-08T16:06:35.686-08:00A Quote<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRQagfS9nQZQyzReAwUnm9zvr27JY6LNPZYlbLXF2jY1bGhPB3LfOBF9LrhBIrp8cDeo3OE2sw36K52K8nnofqQd3s6gzWfiTaaEtWJUVjlHJd_UJ8SZkz6rUh12OwE1_y1VLmzj2lh4/s1600/49047083414168960.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRQagfS9nQZQyzReAwUnm9zvr27JY6LNPZYlbLXF2jY1bGhPB3LfOBF9LrhBIrp8cDeo3OE2sw36K52K8nnofqQd3s6gzWfiTaaEtWJUVjlHJd_UJ8SZkz6rUh12OwE1_y1VLmzj2lh4/s640/49047083414168960.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.summersnowart.com/product_info.php?cPath=100&products_id=4910&osCsid=60e6963bf9c68f7a3d81b5a16ad31591">Source</a></td></tr>
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Leifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08433858864486480547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-47659991749746438082013-01-29T08:56:00.003-08:002013-01-29T14:57:29.322-08:00Marriage: It's way better than I'd thought<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fa8PegxkP-k8GdL8tBMfZMuuNOeIf4R4_g7u9EcYVhCN3iH9p8EYVC46Vm6lHe2zpGIGZVWiPrWOK-JUIkxGy-fbV15zy5SXrVgCYTnhFHiFzuNI7MUHQgWjJx48uIUO1bhRGcbeOt8/s1600/JEN_2240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fa8PegxkP-k8GdL8tBMfZMuuNOeIf4R4_g7u9EcYVhCN3iH9p8EYVC46Vm6lHe2zpGIGZVWiPrWOK-JUIkxGy-fbV15zy5SXrVgCYTnhFHiFzuNI7MUHQgWjJx48uIUO1bhRGcbeOt8/s320/JEN_2240.jpg" width="320" /></a>Don't let the title of this post make you think that I never wanted to get married, that I thought it was a drag, a ball and chain ... anything like that. My parents taught by example that they thought marriage was awesome! I remember numerous occasions where my dad would kiss my mom in front of us (A <i>real</i> kiss, not a "honey-the-kids-are-watching" kiss) and then grin at her, look at us and emphatically state that, "You guys are going to LOVE being married!" We were never grossed out. My brothers even would smile and say, "Yeah! I can't wait to be married!" I've planned my wedding since I was 7years old, I've known what style of ring I've wanted for over 10 years (I had this silly idea that the guy would just "know" the perfect ring that I wanted without me telling him. We never talked about rings.... and he bought me the ring that I've wanted and picked out when I was 10 years old.... crazy, eh?)<br />
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So, I knew I wanted to be married and I've known that it was going to be awesome for my whole life. But what I didn't know is that as the days go by of newly-married life, you feel more One, more connected, and as you battle through things you feel closer. I'm not just talking about intimacy (which someone should tell you all is far more awesome than you ever imagined) - but the daily stuff of beginning to know someone so well and have them know you.<br />
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A year ago today, my best-friend Leif, came over to my apartment porch for hot chocolate and cookies (It's true- the way to a man's heart is through his stomach) :) and asked me a question that started all of this. Before heading over to my house, the Lord told him to ask me:<br />
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<b>"Arielle, do you feel cherished by me?"</b></div>
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He struggled with that, because it wasn't a very "friend-ish" thing to say- but he knew that he wanted to pursue a relationship with me (again... long story). So he did. He came over and we chatted, and ate cookies (He still claims that they were the best cookies he'd ever had.... thank you Betty Crocker!) :) There was a bit of silence as we just listened to the porch swing rock, as he swung the swing- because my legs weren't long enough. I remember looking at the rope lighting and realizing how romantic it looked ... and hoped he wasn't offended by that- since we were just friends... for now... I thought, and tried not to think about how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this man....</div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"> "Arielle, do you feel cherished by me?"</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">My throat caught, and my heart stopped. This was really happening.... <i>Lord, is this the time? Can I tell him? </i>I felt completely at peace to speak, and knowing that once I opened my mouth- things wouldn't be the same after that. I couldn't believe that he'd used that word... I'd been studying it- and had just told a friend the day before that I had never felt more cherished by anyone than Leif. I opened my mouth and began to tell him all of the ways that I felt cherished.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Who knew that a year from that night... I'd be making chili for my sweetie and we'd be celebrating the cherished night in our own little home. God is so good.</span></div>
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I am so thankful to be married. It's harder than I ever thought, but so much more wonderful and unbelievable than I ever dreamed. To be completely honest, I burst into tears in Leif's arms a lot and just weep at how good the Lord is to bring us together.... that after such a long story, the different trials that went on that shaped and strengthened us.... to be here in each-other's arms is so incredibly lovely.<br />
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Don't believe the World's message that marriage is a ball and chain, that it's a drag, old fashioned, or restrictive. I feel more alive, encouraged, inspired, safe, motivated and productive as a married women. We are excited in this season of our marriage to be exploring <i>both</i> of our dreams and ideas for the future. My husband is not restrictive- I LOVE being home when he is home, but he facilitates and encourages my ideas, passions, and thoughts.<br />
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I LOVE being married! It is a wonderful season! For those of you not quite in that season yet and looking forward to it- something that the Lord really encouraged me to learn well in the past few years is this: "Love the ..." The dot dot dot ... is what comes between two things, the past and the future that you're waiting for. You are <i>always</i> in a ... time. I am now, so are you. I'm in-between being married and having children, a house of our own. In-between my husband leaving for work and coming home, in-between one birthday and the next. You're in-between the beginning of the school year and the end, between fall and spring. Enjoy your ...<br />
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Love,<br />
Arielle<br />
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P.S. Check out <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/01/26/man-top-5-reasons-to-grow-up-and-get-married/">this great article</a> about the benefits of marriage!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-64925647562050233792013-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:002013-01-18T10:00:11.286-08:00Before the wedding...I finally have a moment where the dishes are clean, floors are swept and washed, laundry done(ish) and my husband is gone golfing. :) ...So I can write all about our wedding day! I just can't believe it's taken me a month and a half to catch you up on one of the most amazing days of my life! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?start=187&um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&authuser=0&biw=1364&bih=647&tbm=isch&tbnid=ygWClYWogI1MtM:&imgrefurl=http://www.123rf.com/photo_7078821_heart-of-cloud--studio-shot-of-a-wedding-couple.html&docid=pLXQEy57VB0PwM&imgurl=http://us.cdn3.123rf.com/168nwm/bezmaski/bezmaski0804/bezmaski080400023/2913865-two-heart-shaped-clouds-in-the-clear-blue-sky.jpg&w=168&h=113&ei=kcjxUPCaD8S20QHJ_YHgCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=438&sig=105734129412230899925&page=7&tbnh=90&tbnw=129&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:200,i:22&tx=75&ty=49">Source</a></td></tr>
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I woke up on Saturday, November 24th 2012 slightly nervous about the weather- but very sure that God would have answered my (and many of your!...) prayers for lovely weather on my wedding day. I jumped out of bed, and held my breath as I tugged on the roll-up shade. There wasn't a cloud in the sky- it was chilly, but there was no rain... Even though there where ominous clouds when I fell asleep the night before. :) My joyful heart felt like it could explode as I ran to the guest room (Emma stayed with me for three nights before the wedding- helping me remember everything!!) I shrieked and jumped on Emma's bed. "<b>I'm getting married today!!!!" </b>:) I spun around the room and jumped up and down and tried not to cry. She smiled and rolled her eyes at me at the same time. We decided to go through the Bojangles drive through in our Pajamas - and get coffee at a local coffee shoppe. We giggled and had fun together- and I kept thanking the Lord for the time with her before the business of everything started that day. I really don't think that I've done so much in my life in one day.... :) The lady at the coffee shoppe told me to have a good day- and once outside I said to Emma, "Of COURSE I'm going to have a good day!! I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!" Emma rolled her eyes, but grinned big- and led me back to where she'd parked the car... because we both didn't think it was safe for me to be driving, since I couldn't remember a darn thing. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJtssMWboYrAW5SMmef0Cm_hBXcZp5aWv65iZBc8v3sNYF1TJ1xHSS15KOGXXyQJLVq7osdTpuqZKLJYBXk0xhrXyRoAVIFAJfvMLZnf2wor1kyOVM6X5IAvYB3d9qn3ub2SjZ5fUfCY/s1600/532510_500424063336442_301227237_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJtssMWboYrAW5SMmef0Cm_hBXcZp5aWv65iZBc8v3sNYF1TJ1xHSS15KOGXXyQJLVq7osdTpuqZKLJYBXk0xhrXyRoAVIFAJfvMLZnf2wor1kyOVM6X5IAvYB3d9qn3ub2SjZ5fUfCY/s200/532510_500424063336442_301227237_n.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Applying makeup</td></tr>
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Everyone started arriving at the house at about 9 (I think?) :) The bridesmaids, the girls that did our photography while we got ready, their sister who was so so awesome to offer to do everyone's hair, my mom, aunt and grandmother with brunch for everyone... When the Mrs. G showed up with Anna- one of my bridesmaids.... I ran out to see them and she shouted at the top of her lungs: "YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!!" :) Finally someone who was getting the excitement!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Maid of Honour and Sister: Emma</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little help from my mom and Emma</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a peek...</td></tr>
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We all got ready, ate, watched everyone get their hair done, did make up, and I realized that I still hadn't trimmed the veil that I made to the right length... so Emma did that for me after she put it on. :) My Dad showed up with Flynn (my brother), my grandmother and Mimi (my adopted Grandmother) and Dad came up and we prayed as a family (but without Liam and although this was the happiest day of my life, I tried so hard not to cry- because I SO wanted him to be here for this). We all went downstairs- and I prayed over the day with everyone - and tried not to cry.<br />
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Savannah S. drove all of the bridesmaids in my car, and Mom, Dad, the grandmas, Flynn and I rode in my parent's van. We drove out to the chapel - or almost there.... Because the chapel doesn't have any other rooms to get ready or hide or anything, we had to drive to a little gas station just up the road and wait for the call that they were ready for us. We ended up heading up there at 2:15ish (I think) ....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beautiful Day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chapel of Rest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The words on above in the chapel are:<br />Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest</td></tr>
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More to come in Part 2: The Wedding! Hope you all enjoy the pictures! Our photographer, Jennifer Abel (Leif's Aunt) was fabulous! </div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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Arielle </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-57551509920457492742012-12-28T09:56:00.002-08:002012-12-28T09:56:38.637-08:00Our First Christmas! It started at 8:30 with cinnamon rolls, sliced oranges and poured eggnog... actually it started at 7 a.m. with my sleepily telling him that it was Christmas and we should get up. Then he told me it was only 7 a.m. and we should go back to bed. So I fell back asleep (No one ever tells you that that is one of the top 5 awesome things about being married... snuggling and waking up together. <i>Awesome</i>!) Then we got up at about 8:30 and got breakfast ready- as I got dressed he brought all of the breakfast stuff into the living room- since he's stuffed my stocking last and he didn't want me seeing it. :)<br />
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Let me just say that I have no idea <i>in the world</i> where he hides things! We live in a little apartment and somehow he'd pulled out of thin air everything to stuff into my stocking and put on the mantel above my stocking! I was shocked! We prayed, ate a little breakfast and then I got him to open his stocking first. We love going slow and telling stories about where everything was found, our thoughts about it etc. I gave him a smattering of his favorite candies and the world's best licorice (<a href="http://www.naturalcandystore.com/product/tire-tread-licorice/tubis">Tubi's Tire Tread Licorice</a>) that I got through our natural foods coop. Snider's pretzels, mini apple and peach sparkling grape juice etc. He filled mine with little things that he grew up having in his stocking. A Princess Pez Dispenser with Pezs (I'd never had them), candles, Almond Joy M&Ms in a tube with a football on one end- because he's proud of the New England Patriot's fan that I've become. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSIRxkTI3X86mcoxKxlroqgGeSavPgmlU_-wdS-l7fe0NoYoLOtpTGjDj-RLkmwRCOw8ynJrhaMIVY79zBwi6UOl38Yz3_A4-r3JsGswiQv_MK8Id0kw3gPUUZdG6ZB5nylHsshqR32I/s1600/51j-EVUyDTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSIRxkTI3X86mcoxKxlroqgGeSavPgmlU_-wdS-l7fe0NoYoLOtpTGjDj-RLkmwRCOw8ynJrhaMIVY79zBwi6UOl38Yz3_A4-r3JsGswiQv_MK8Id0kw3gPUUZdG6ZB5nylHsshqR32I/s200/51j-EVUyDTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
He bought me a pink laptop case for my Mac Book Air! A New England Patriot's purse. :) the towels and bathmat, and glasses from our wedding registry!!! Then I gave him tickets to <a href="http://www.biltmore.com/">Biltmore Estate</a>!! (He's never been and always wanted to!) :) A toolbox (He'd been wondering for ages where his tools had been... I'd wrapped them inside!), Home Alone 2 (He'd bugged me for the last MONTH about wanting to find it at the Library, rental places etc and no one had it.... it was under the tree the whole time!) Then he got me to open a red envelope that had a beautiful card in it and then he pulled out a surprise gift....<br />
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Let me preface this gift by saying that the Friday before Christmas - we'd gone up to the mountains to sled.... it was too windy- so we didn't , but I'd been trying to catch this one little store during a time it was open and Friday we hit the right time and day and Bless Your Heart in Boone, NC was open. God lined up a book that I needed to read that day. A book that felt like it was written for me. You know the kind- where you have to look over your shoulder- wondering if someone's been watching your life and then wrote what you needed to hear in a book for your heart. The kind that gets you deep and makes you weep from the bottom of your heart from cover to cover and you don't even care that you're in the middle of a store. That's what <i>I Am Her</i> By M.H. Clark did to me on that snowy day in that little shoppe. Leif just held me as I wept and wept and turned page after page. When I was done- he just held me as I processed and as the Lord held my heart and healed me. After that I put the book down and turned and smelled the most amazing lotion on the face of the earth. Do you ever smell something that makes you want to cry- it just triggers something in your heart and memory that touches you so deep? It was called <i>Believe </i>By <i>Lollia</i>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5JQqYJdnbzohI9yn3Yj5carEru9QLRwdHEd5zwWJWg-uFGogHfOKbIL7oUHW9EgEH7mGaIw68GEWrmEH7PlG3BerU9D22wbdvuNiSMvflo2znotS_tL0w8XbXuQ8714lb-Jf33JwdE0/s1600/believe-shea-butter-handcreme-750x750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5JQqYJdnbzohI9yn3Yj5carEru9QLRwdHEd5zwWJWg-uFGogHfOKbIL7oUHW9EgEH7mGaIw68GEWrmEH7PlG3BerU9D22wbdvuNiSMvflo2znotS_tL0w8XbXuQ8714lb-Jf33JwdE0/s200/believe-shea-butter-handcreme-750x750.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
That day was so incredible in so many ways, but let me bring us back to Christmas Day... Leif pulled out a surprise gift- after I read his love letter. It was the book that I'd read that day up on the mountain. After I held him and the book and cried... about how much it touched me, him remembering.... Then he brought out one more (Again- where does he hide these things!?) .... and said that sometimes scents help us remember amazing moments in our lives. It was the lotion. <i>Believe</i>.<br />
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It was the best Christmas I've ever had. It wasn't the gifts. It was the fact that we were finally together - finally married (those of you that know the whole story understand this!) .... it was a perfect, quiet, memorable first Christmas.<br />
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One other thing that made it very very special and memorable is that my brother made it home and surprised us for Christmas! He's in the military- and we didn't think he'd be able to come home.... but he's known since July, and bought his plane ticket three weeks ago... :) Great Christmas Surprise!<br />
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Off to take him for Sushi.... what better way to welcome someone home!? :)<br />
Happy New Year to you all!<br />
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Love,<br />
ArielleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612200332632338057.post-23577061564703718542012-12-13T07:06:00.003-08:002012-12-13T07:06:56.762-08:00Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, the wedding is over (That deserves a full blog-post), we're home from the honeymoon (sort of - we like to still think we're on it... for the next 75 years... and I'll blog about the honeymoon later too) and I'm unpacking and trying to make it feel like my home too. We are in the most beautiful little apartment downtown within walking distance of the bank, post office, farmer's market (May-October), little health food store, and dollar theater. We also just found a pharmacy on a recent walk downtown.... that's been there since the 1960's. :)<br />
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We have been so blessed by everyone with gifts for our home! It has been so much fun arranging it all. Christmas is less than two weeks away, and our Christmas Tree looks lovely with all of the hand-painted decorations from A.C. Moore and the tree-skirt that was a hand-made gift from Leif's great-grandmother. More pictures soon- they're all on my computer and I left my charging cord on the honeymoon.... So I"m writing from my HUSBAND'S computer. I love saying that. :)<br />
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Married life is lovely. Not a walk in the park 100% of the time, but lovely. Every little trial that comes along has the ability to knit us closer together if we'll let it!<br />
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My Hubby's off at work, and I'm off to take advantage of him being gone and go Christmas shopping and wrapping before he comes home. :)<br />
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Have a Very Merry Christmas! More Soon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10647588290104363503noreply@blogger.com0