What I'm Loving Wednesday + 14 Year Anniversary

When Andrew and I settled on Palm Springs as our Thanksgiving vacation destination I knew I wanted to do our Christmas card pictures while we there.  I wanted something different.  

I found a photographer I liked and who was affordable, but when I reached out to her about it she told me she didn't have any openings.  She was kind enough to recommend two other photographers in the area.  One of those photographers happen to take picture in California and in Arkansas.  

What are the chances?

It turns out Amber lives in California but her husband's family is from central Arkansas. 

Clearly it was meant to be.

Andrew and I enjoyed meeting and working with Amber and her husband.

We are already talking about another photoshoot the next time they are in Arkansas.

So today I'm sharing our photos from our time with Amber because I'm loving them.

And I'm loving that today my man and I are celebrating 14 years of marriage.

The Grooming Anniversary

The 25th wedding anniversary is the silver anniversary.

The 50th wedding anniversary is the gold anniversary.

Andrew and I aren't quite there yet.

We are on anniversary number 12 which just happens to be the grooming anniversary.

Or at least that's how we celebrated.

A few weeks ago I told Andrew I wanted to go get mani/pedis together for our anniversary.  I have been prolonging a much needed manicure just waiting for this day.

We decided to celebrate on Saturday, the day before our anniversary.  

We started the day with a quick bite to eat.

I had never eaten here before and I must say it was DELICIOUS!  Unfortunately it really was a QUICK meal because we had to be at a hair appointment for Andrew.

He decided to try a new salon.

It was the cutest salon.  Made me want to get my hair cut and I just got it cut the week of Christmas.  I'm seriously considering bangs.  I want them even though I feel like I won't like them.  Andrew is not a fan of this idea.

After a haircut we went and roamed around the mall for a bit before heading to our appointments for mani/pedis.

This was a first for Andrew.  I think he really enjoyed it.

Maybe I can convince him to go with me again sometime.   

It was getting dark when we finished at the nail salon.  We decided to drive around and look at houses before it got too dark.  We have always loved driving around looking at homes.  

Then we started to get hungry.

We ate at Damgoode Pies.

It is one of my favorite pizza places.

So yummy!

I never have dessert but I could not resist this peanut butter pie.

To Die For!!

We ended our date with a little shopping.  We went to Ulta, Sally's, Target, and Barnes and Noble.

It was the grooming anniversary.  

Lots of new hair products, skin care, and make up was purchased.

I added two new lip sticks to my every growing collection.

Excited about that!

It was a fun day with my sweetheart.  

Twelve years have flown by and I can't wait for the next twelve and the next twelve and the next twelve....

Happy Anniversary

Twelve years ago today before God and our family and friends I vowed to love you for the rest of my life.  For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness (despite my slight protest) and in health.

I was twenty years old.  

Young and dumb naive.

I thought I understood what I was promising you.

And I guess in my twenty year old way, I did.

I don't remember anyone ever telling me that marriage was hard work.

But I also don't remember anyone telling me that it would be the greatest blessing.

You make me laugh like no one else can.

You hold me close and wipe my tears.

You teach me how to love others with everything I have.

You protect me even when I don't know I need protecting.

You make me feel beautiful.

You are my best friend

You love me as God as called you to love me.

25For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.^b 27He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.

(Ephesians 5)

Thank you for choosing me twelve years ago and every day since.

Thank you for giving me grace as I learn to be the wife God has called me to be to you

How sweet it is to be loved by you!

Eleven Years

Eleven Years.

Today we celebrate 11 years of marriage.

Each year seems to be better than the last.

I still wake up every day in awe that I get to do life with my best friend.

He loves me well.

I am blessed.

Happy Anniversary babe!

Two Thought Tuesday

1. Thirteen years ago today Andrew and I went on our first date.  You can read all about it in this post.  It feels like just yesterday that I was waiting nervously in my dorm room for him to pick me up.  

A few of my favorite pictures...

2. I had another orthodontist appointment today.  I got a new wire and new bands.  I chose purple this time.  I think they are my favorite color so far.

Throwback Thursday: A Celebration of Love

Thirty-three years ago today these two kids promised to love each other for the rest of their lives.

Thirty-three years they are still an example of a loving marriage.

Happy Anniversary Momma & Daddy!  

I love you!

Our Anniversary Date

We had such a great time celebrating ten years yesterday.

As soon I woke up Andrew gave me my gift.  I love that it is hard for him to hang on to a gift when he is excited to give it to me.  

He gave me a beautiful diamond owl necklace.  It is so small & dainty.  I absolutely love it.  The picture doesn't do it justice.

I had planned to wait and give him his gift at dinner, but after opening my gift I couldn't wait anymore.

Andrew isn't exactly the easiest person to buy for.  But I knew exactly what I wanted to give him for our anniversary.  He has been wanting a new watch for quite some time.  I was a little nervous about it because I've never picked out a man's watch before. 

But he loved it!  Turns out I picked out the one he had been looking at for himself.

Andrew worked yesterday so once he was off work we went out for dinner & a movie.

We ate at a local BBQ place that we've been trying to go to forever.  Andrew ate there for lunch a couple of times but every time we tried to go together they seemed to be closed.

It was worth the wait.  So yummy!  I don't really eat ribs, but oh my goodness.  Theirs were sooo good.  I had to still a couple of bites from Andrew. 

After dinner we had about an hour before the movie started.  When we drove by our little theater though there were already a few people standing in line so we decided to join them.

We were easily the oldest people there.  I'm talking twice the age of everyone else in line.

It was pretty comical.  

Our theater is exactly what you would expect to find in a small town.

One show playing at a time.

It's great.  Like stepping back in time.  

That is until there is a movie that you really want to see and our little one show theater doesn't show it until weeks after it has been released.

That's right.  Our little theater just started showing Catching Fire this weekend. 

I finally convinced Andrew months ago to watch Hunger Games in preparation for this very event.  

I was pretty pumped to finally get to see Catching Fire.

And I WAS NOT disappointed.  It was AMAZING!

As in can I please go see it again today? kind of AMAZING.

With the books I seemed to like each one less than the previous one.  

Not the case with the movies.  Catching Fire was sooo much better than Hunger Games in my opinion.

And it totally leaves you hanging.  If I hadn't already read Mockingjay and know how it all turns out I would have been very upset.  

It was a great day!  I'm looking forward to the next ten years and then some.

Happy Anniversary My Love

Today Andrew & I are celebrating ten years of marriage.  

TEN YEARS!

It seems like only yesterday that I was walking down the aisle toward my groom ready to promise him the rest of my life.  

2004

2014

I love you Andrew Jay!  You are my best friend.  There is no one else I'd rather do life with.  Thank you for being my biggest supporter, for knowing me better than anyone, for making me laugh often, and for loving me even when it isn't easy.

Thank you for believing in the sanctity of marriage and for leading our little family.

Thank you for working hard to take care of us.

Thank you for always being honest.

Thank you for choosing me.