Happy 2 Year Anniversary to the Love of My Life

Today marks two years of being this handsome grooms bride.

I must say, marriage is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be,

but also much more rewarding. 

These past two years Steven and I have grown a lot.

And goodness, do we still have a lot of growing to do!

But I'm so excited I get to ride out this journey with him by my side.

The truth is, shortly after meeting Steven, I knew I was going to marry him.

And I am so thankful that I did. He is the love of my life.

 I hope I never forget or take for granted just how lucky I am to be loved by him in return.

Happy 2 years, Steven! I look forward to celebrating many, many more.

A Memory Jar

"I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind...at these times...I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure." 

- Albus Dumbledore

I too have a Pensieve. A memory jar, if you will. It is filled with moments, big and small, that tell a story. Items that would be insignificant to anyone else, but that hold great meaning to me. From movie tickets to concert wrist bands, from brochures from our honeymoon to ticket stubs from the plane ride I took from D.C. to Washington that signify the start of my new life....I kept them all and look through them often.

It's important to keep tokens and stash them away. Our minds are amazing and wonderful tools, yet they tend to forget. As time goes on, the details fade. We need those visual cues to help us recreate the moment, to relive the excitement and laughter, to see again the color, life, and joy. 

With Steven, I've experienced some of the best moments of my life and I desperately want to hold on to each and everyone of them, so I store them away in my Pensieve (ahh, Harry Potter references always feel so good) to help me remember. I can't even tell you how many times I've reached my hand in there when I'm feeling sad or discouraged and pulled out happy memories that never cease to make me smile and restore my good humor. I'm so glad those moments I've spent with him will always be safe.

Tell me, do you have a Pensieve where your favorite memories are stored?

..................................

Speaking of special moments with people you love, today I want to introduce you to one of my lovely sponsors, Tiff, who has a very special moment in the making! She's the blogger behind My Smile Saga,    where you can find posts chronicling her intense jaw surgery and recovery process as well as her upcoming wedding! (Which is fast approaching in May!) On her blog you'll also find helpful meal plans for the week along with yummy, healthy recipes. So head on over there to meet this cute, bubbly girl next door and hopefully make a new friend! :)

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Unedited Memories

Shortly after Christmas I received a thumb drive in the mail from my uncle along with a mason jar full of lake water. Water from Lake Ontario where Steven and I got married last July. 

The thumb drive was full of raw, unedited photos from my wedding that another guest had taken. Photos of the small things mostly. The things that are so easily forgotten in the midst of the wedding hustle and bustle. But moments I don't want to forget.

Like how amazing my photographer was to kick off her shoes and walk in the lake with me and Steven to capture some stunning shots!

And how the ice cream truck began rolling down the street a few minutes before I walked down the aisle. I heard the music but wasn't able to see all the kids (and some adults) rush to it, and I think it's simply hilarious!

And my bestie maid of honor! I cannot recall a word she said during her speech, but this captured moment (and the look on my face) reminds me just how hard I was trying to keep myself together. I am so glad she was a part of my day! Just as she has been a part of all my most important days since 1st grade.

And as the festivities were winding down and Steven and I were saying our goodbyes, I remember hugging my aunt and holding back tears just because I love her so much and was overcome with so much joy! (And look at that mop of hair on my head!!! I forgot how disheveled it was by the end of the day! Note to any readers who want a lakeside wedding: you're hairdo with not stay intact. It has no chance against the wind.)

My wedding was the best day of my life. Things didn't go perfectly and, to be honest, much of that day is a blur to me, but looking back on these moments brings back a lot of memories, and I am so thankful for each one that was captured!

My Tazmanian Devil Wake Up Call

Last weekend a cleaning frenzy struck me. Basically when this happens, I become all consumed with the thought of a clean home and turn into the Tazmanian Devil. Scrubbing over there, sweeping over here, disinfecting this and that and everything in between. It's insanity. And once it strikes, the compulsion doesn't subside until every surface in my home smells like roses. 

Seriously people, I have a problem. Like a real I-should-probably-see-a-therapist problem. 

When this mood strikes, I become really frustrated with everyone around me. I usually shoo the animals outside, because one is chasing my broom while the other is getting his poopy paws on my counter, and I order Steven to be productive --go clean up the garage, burn that brush pile, take out the trash. Basically, I'm a raging lunatic. 

Last weekend, in the midst of one of these moods, I called for Steven to help me put a serving platter high in a cabinet I could not reach. He didn't respond. I called again. And again. No response. Finally, I storm into our bedroom and I see this...

My exhausted husband trying to catch some much needed zzzz's on a Saturday afternoon. And you know what? I was pissed. How can he sleep when there is so much to be done? I work all week, too! I'm tired, too! 

And then I saw the bigger picture and my heart softened.

Steven wasn't being lazy. He is so good about helping me around the home when I ask. Pitching in when I need a hand. Taking out the trash. Placing that serving platter on the highest cabinet shelf.

Steven was retreating (as were our pets!). 

The mood had struck. I had gone crazy. They retreated to a safe place to pass the time until the frenzy subsided. Our bedroom. Were we all pass the night in unconscious bliss, knowing the other is right there beside us. 

In this moment it just hit me. I waste so many of my waking hours being busy with things that simply don't matter. Spending time scrubbing floors that will be covered in animal hair tomorrow instead of spending time with living, breathing beings that bring me so much joy. 

How stupid is that?

It's okay if I don't live in a Pinterest perfect home. It's okay to leave those dirty dishes in the sink and go on a date with my husband. It's okay to live life. Isn't that what it's there for?

No, I am not trying to promote a slovenly lifestyle. I just know that I need more balance. The clock is always ticking reminding me that another moment has passed and I want to spend that moment with the one I love, not shouting out their name. 

I want to be a place of retreat, not the one they are retreating from.

iMoments // Weekend Update

Life's little moments captured on my iPhone.

Best friends pondering life together.

Huck doing what he does best...chewing sticks.

...and he says he doesn't like cats...

Basking in a rare sunny moment.

Nap time.

Kisses.

(Apparently, I'm obsessed with my animals.) This weekend, Steven and I kept things pretty ordinary. We did yard work and washed the dishes, made dinner together and had friends over for the super bowl, filed our taxes and watched Back to the Future. Married people things. 

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in how fun and exciting life is supposed to be. But really, some of the best moments I've ever had in life are the most ordinary. You don't always need to go out and seek an adventure. Sometimes, the best adventures can be found in the comfort of your own home. I'd rather spend a quiet evening with the one I love than a lifetime of seeking the next big thrill. 

So my weekend was pretty ordinary, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Taking a Stroll

As lame as this is going to sound, the highlight of my weekend was going for a walk with Steven and Huckleberry. Not because we explored someplace we had never been before or because the scenery was breathtaking, but because sometimes despite the frigid, dreary Washington winter months it simply feels so good to be outside. 

With all the rain and cold temperatures, the longest I've been outside is to my car and back! But thankfully, my husband forced talked me into going on a little walk with him and the pup Sunday afternoon. 

And I'm glad he did. The fresh air, the smell of moss and cold, the simple pleasure of uninterrupted conversation with my husband --it's those moments that help make my world go round.

"The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking, or in the scenery, but in the talking. The walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by, and to keep the blood and the brain stirred up and active; the scenery and the woodsy smells are good to bear in upon a man an unconscious and unobtrusive charm and solace to eye and soul and sense; but the supreme pleasure comes from the talk." -Mark Twain

Hope your weekend was amazing as well!

Break & File

bone that is.

It may be a little quiet around here these next couple days. I will be taking some time off from my regular job (blogging, duh) to nurse this stud back to health.

See, in most photos my husband doesn't smile his big, open-mouthed smile like the one in the picture above. These days all photos are taken with closed lips.  

Wedding last February

That's because shortly after I relocated to Washington to be with Steven, he was told he needed corrective jaw surgery, which required a year of braces before the procedure could be performed.

So for our wedding, Steven was blinged out with these carats.

It didn't bother me. Pretty much from the moment I laid eyes on Steven I decided he was the best looking man on the planet. My opinion hasn't changed one iota, braces or not. 

Steven basically has what's called an open bite, meaning the bone in his lower and upper jaws grew at different rates. When he bites down, the extra bone in the back of his upper jaw prevents his front teeth from closing. That extra bone needs to be removed. 

He has been rocking his braces for a little over a year. His teeth are now properly aligned and all that's left to do is break his jaw, cut out some bone, reposition his jaw to give him a proper bite, and then hold his newly positioned jaw together with plates and screws. 

No biggie...

Actually, I'm freaking out! I'm pretty sure breaking and removing bone doesn't feel good, and on top of that, a lot of his nerve endings in that area will be exposed. It's a scary feeling for me, and although he is the bravest man I know, no one likes the idea of being under anesthetics, so I know he's nervous (even if he won't admit it). 

So blogger friends, I'd love it if you kept Steven in your thoughts and prayers these next few days. 

I'm excited to see my handsome man smile his big, contagious smile when this is all over.

The Hubby Is Home! And Huckleberry Has Feet...

puppy paws. the only picture I took this weekend.

Friday night Steven came back from his business trip in Florida, so my weekend pretty much consisted of spending some much needed quality time with him. Not gonna lie, it's a grand thing to have a husband. He scratches my back when I ask him to, let's me put my cold feet on him at night (that's true love, folks), and can reach that casserole dish on the very top shelf. I really cannot think of anything more convenient than being married.

And to top it off, he's pretty great company. I missed that man. 

The S.W. Basics giveaway ends tonight at midnight. So if you haven't entered already, go here!

Life Lessons

Huckleberry's always creeping on my baked goods..

I wanted to take a break from Friday Letters this week and instead just share some things that life has been teaching me lately.

So, this week I've learned that...

My husband is only human. It's amazing how quickly I can forgot that my husband's not perfect. And even more amazing how personally I take his faults. When he leaves the refrigerator door open while pouring himself a glass of milk, it isn't a passive aggressive attack on me. It's funny how the quirks you found funny when you were dating are now grounds for battle in marriage. But hey, he isn't perfect and Lord knows I am so, so far from being perfect myself. At the end of the day, he is still my rock, my covenant partner, my number one. The little things need to remain little, not ignite WWIII.

If something is important to you, get it done yourself. I think a lot of time we (or at least I) rely on other's to get the job done. Maybe because we don't want to add anything else to our overflowing to-do lists, or we simply don't want any extra responsibility on us, especially during the holiday season when we already feel stretched too thin. But if something is genuinely important to you, get the job done yourself. Relying on others will oftentimes result in disappointment. If it's important to you, make it your responsibility and see it through. And then if something falls through, you only have you to blame instead of building resentment towards another.

It's easy to make friends, if you only put yourself out there. Ever since I moved to Washington, I've craved intimate friendships. Of course Steven's childhood friends adopted me as one of their own, but everyone is in different places in life. I missed the companionship of my girlfriends from back home. After making excuses for about a year, Steven and I joined a young adult's Bible study, and by the time we left I honestly felt like I had made 12 new friends. As crazy as if sounds, I can't wait to go back next week! It took long enough, but we finally got out of our comfort zone and amazingly, we discovered that people like us! It really isn't hard to make friends if you just put yourself out there. More than likely people will like you too ;)

Hugging a dog will relieve you anxiety. Seriously. There is nothing more I need to say about this one. They just have magical powers.

What has life been teaching you lately?

That Post Where I Expound On My Marital Wisdom

Not only is tomorrow my birthday (!!!!!!), but it's also mine and Steven's one month anniversary. Ahh, to be married a month! What a huge accomplishment (heavy sarcasm applied).  Or maybe, in today's culture, it is a huge accomplishment. 

So far, in my very short stint of marriage, I've learned a few important things. Firstly, husbands are good for killing spiders, reaching those dishes in the top cupboard you have to climb on the counter to get, and eating leftovers. All things I am immensely grateful for. Secondly, I've learned that marriage is an evolution. A never ending process of two beings becoming one. 

But wait, Danielle. (This is you speaking, FYI.) Don't the two become "one" on the wedding day? 

To answer that question simply, I'd say "yes." It says in Genesis 2:24,  "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." But your wedding day is just the beginning. To say that all your selfish, sinful human desire ends here and that you are living every moment unconditionally loving your spouse is simply untrue. We are too selfish for that. We are too human. 

I believe for two souls to become completely one they have to unite on three different levels: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What does that EVEN MEAN!?! In many ways, I'm still learning.  But can this phenomenon take place? Certainly. Can it take place with only the husband and wife's efforts? Absolutely not. I doubt there is one successful marriage in which a third party isn't involved. Christ is oftentimes the missing link. Only he can create the durability that weaves these two souls together so tightly no amount of time, circumstance, or suffering can ever break them apart. 

Danielle, you've been married one month! How could you possibly know this??

I've seen it. I have seen marriages deteriorate because of selfishness and sin. I have seen a woman suffer due to her husband's obstinate refusal to turn his heart to God. I have seen men carry a burden too great for even the shoulders of an ox to bear because their wives have sought their own pleasures and denied Christ. I see it in the news everyday. In the books I read. I see it plastered on the internet and behind the smiling facade of a stranger's face. 

I've seen it and so have you.

Some of you live it...

If marriage were supposed to be easy, God wouldn't have needed to leave us with instructions. "Wives submit to your husbands....Husbands love your wives..." (Read Ephesians 5: 21-33 for the versus in their entirety.) 

In the last month, Steven and I have already had a few ups and downs. I've felt unloved, he's felt disrespected. When I use to tongue to break him apart instead of to life him up, I hear it. I hear that third party whisper to my heart. Danielle, respect your husband. And when I feel unloved (usually due to something stupid like a raised toilet lid or dirty socks on the floor), the soft whisper returns. Danielle, I love you. [I] The Lord your God is in your midst, [the] mighty one who will save; [I] will rejoice over you with gladness; [I] will quiet you by [my] love... (Zephaniah 3:17). 

I have so much to learn regarding marriage. I know I am not the perfect wife and never will be, but by golly I'm going to start trying!!! Why not strive for perfection? Of course, I can never attain it in this life, but how awesome would that be if I tried? Tried to love Steven with every ounce of my being? Tried to honor him and submit to him daily? Wow! What an amazing marriage we'd be blessed with. 

And I suppose that's the third thing I've learned in my short stint of marriage. 

It is a blessing. 

Friday Letters.

Dear Husband - There are few things in this world I love more than being your wife. Actually, at this moment, I cannot think of one. To hear you call me your wife makes my heart swoon. It truly is a remarkable feeling. The best I've yet to experience. Thinking back to when I was a little girl and the things I hoped for in a husband --someone tall, blonde haired and blue eyed-- makes me smile. I definitely was blessed with a man who possesses all those superficial qualities I thought would make me happy, but I feel outrageously grateful that the Lord gave me a man with so many more strong qualities I did not think to ask for when I prayed for my storybook knight. You are by far the most generous man I've ever met --nay, the most generous human being! I love your big heart and continually outstretched hand toward others. You are a giver. A leader. A hard worker. You are passionate. You are my encouragement. My biggest fan. My never wavering support. My comfort. My love. Thank you for all the character you possess. My prayer now is that I will continue to help you build on that character for which you already have such a strong foundation. I pray that I will lift you up and never cause you to stumble. I pray that our love for one another will continue to grow. You are my knight in shining armor. My storybook romance. My Mr. Darcy, if you will. 

Thank you for pursuing my heart and capturing my soul.

Always,

Your Wife.

Boldt Castle

Choosing to get married in New York meant every single one of my bridesmaids would be visiting a part of the country they've never seen before. Upstate New York is beautiful, and I really wanted my girls to see as much of that beauty as they could in the short time they were there. 

On the top of my list of places I wanted to take them was Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands. Originally called Hart Island, George Boldt purchased this island out of the 1,864 islands in the 1000 Island region   for his wife. His goal: build a 6 story, 120 room castle complete with a drawbridge, dove cote, yacht house, and playhouse for his two children, all as a display of love to his wife, Louise. 

He changed the name of the island from Hart Island to Heart Island and spared no expense as construction began. Beautiful white and pink marble, an elaborate stained glass dome, millions of hearts etched in stone, and extensive Italian inspired gardens throughout the grounds are just snippets of the grandeur this castle possesses. 

Aerial view via

Sadly, one year before the castle was scheduled to be complete, Louise died. George sent a telegram to the men working on the island simply stating that his wife has died and to stop all construction. It is said that George never stepped foot on the island again, leaving this display of love for his wife untouched for 73 years. 

Now this piece of history has been restored to it's original state and opened up to the public for viewing. Stepping foot on this island is like walking into the pages of a fairytale. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't know any man who has built a castle for his wife. This just doesn't happen everyday, ladies! While walking though the castle, one feels as if he or she is caught in a romantic haze. The elaborate majesty and delicate detail is breathtaking, and then, coupled with the thought of such a romantic gesture, one leaves feeling dizzy; intoxicated by the rarity and depth of this man's love.

This coral room is my favorite one. Thought to be his daughter Clover's reception room.

As you move higher into the castle more of the rooms are left incomplete.

Truly, every time I've been to Boldt Castle has been completely worth it. The beauty is simply immeasurable and the story behind it is more touching every time it's told. 

Needless to say, me and my girls has a great time! Actually, I had such an amazing time I made Steven tour the castle a few days later while on our honeymoon! I hope you all enjoyed the little history lesson! But seriously, if you are ever in the area, I think Boldt Castle is well worth the visit! :)

Happy Day, Friends!

Fix It.

Via

If you were to ask me for one thing that I have taken away form premarital counseling I would say that MARRIAGE IS GOING TO BE TOUGH! 

obvi.

Communication

Respect

Love

Selflessness

Kindness

....

The list could go on and on.

It's not that this is new information to me. 

I have heard people say all my life that marriage is one of the hardest things they have ever done.

Marriage is tough.

A sacrifice.

A blessing.

A giving of ones' self.

Daily.

A continual outpouring of every good thing in you to give to another.

Marriage is exhausting.

Exhilarating.

Terrifying.

An ever-changing, developing, mind-blowing whirlwind.

And since you and I live in a fallen world,

Marriage is broken.

We must massage, mend, and mold it.

And then get up the next day and do it again.

But I've also learned, 

that if done right,

MARRIAGE IS WORTH IT.

House Project 1

In my recent house tour post I left out photos of the master bedroom. Our room is a little quirky and we're not really sure what to do with a lot of it yet. One of the obstacles we've encountered is the closet. With it's odd layout, we are having trouble deciphering the best way to maximize the efficiency of the space. 

There are 2 big issues with the closet.

1. We have a closet within our closet. I'm not lying. It is definitely the weirdest setup I've ever seen.
2. Our water heater is in the closet within the closet. Taking up more storage space and leaving us with an even more odd layout.

Here's the view when you first open our closet.

Double mirror doors reveal a walk-in space with no shelving or any sort. The second door is not in the middle of the back wall either, leaving the left and right side of the closet uneven for shelving. The far right wall is not even either. The front portion is set deeper than the back portion.

Weird, right?

Inside the second closet is a longer, narrower layout. You can see on the left side is where the water heater is stored. So that space is completely used up. The right side has one rail for hanging clothes and one shelf directly above it.

Just some of my clothes are in this back portion of our closet and it's completely filled up. Steven and I want to make this space much more efficient before he moves in after the wedding. We have a tall five drawer dresser I plan on touching up with some paint and new handles and placing in this closet. Other than that, we really just have to rely on shelving units. 

Huckleberry's helping daddy with measurements :)

So what are your thoughts? Any ideas on how to maximize a small space? Have you had a similar problem with a closet? I know IKEA has some great storage options for small spaces, but I'd love to hear your ideas as well!

Hope you had a great weekend!