Anniversary, Ambition, Action

Tomorrow will mark our FIVE year wedding anniversary. I cannot believe it's already been five years.

Five years of honesty, laughter, growth, change, and more love than I ever thought possible. Sometimes I just sit back and think about where my life used to be and where it is now and I cannot believe how blessed I am. What did I do to deserve such a wonderful man? Even in these trying times we've had financially, we have remained a team. We always have one another's best interests in mind. I can wholeheartedly say that our relationship is built on the principles of love found in 1 Corinthians 13. One of my favorite nuggets of wisdom from that passage is that "Love keeps no record of wrongs." Jason and I don't fight. Sure, we've had our little squabbles here and there and sometimes my over-analyzing self can blow things out of proportion but I firmly believe that one of the reasons we have never been an arguing couple is because once it's done - it's done. We don't bring up the past mistakes of the other person and throw it in each other's faces. We deal with it, let it go, and move on. I have always loved that about our relationship.

So, since we don't really buy each other anything (mostly due to the money issue), my gift to him will be these top 5 qualities that I love about him...one for every year of marriage. So Bunches, if you're reading this, Happy Anniversary.

1. He is kind hearted and compassionate.
2. He is easy to talk to - I love our deep conversations.
3. He is creative: wood, art, photography, cooking, etc. (I tease him about it being disgusting how talented he is but really, I LOVE it).
4. He is an excellent father - watching him become a daddy has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
5. He loves me for exactly who I am - flaws and all - and never goes a day without reminding me of that love.

I could go on, but I don't want to embarrass him (he actually does read my blog, make that #6, ha!)
Love you, babe!


I posted earlier about this new year and probably mentioned I wasn't making resolutions. Well, I didn't. Not for 2013 anyway. These are my life goals. These are my ambitions. There are 4 of them:

1) Strengthen my relationship with Christ through daily bible study and prayer.
2) Get out of debt and ultimately become financially free through being frugal and budgeting wisely.
3) Get healthy through daily activity and making wise food choices.
4) Get organized through prioritizing time, consistent cleaning, and weekly low cost organizing projects.

Now, these four things cannot just stay in a list. In order to come to fruition, they require a great deal of action. And so, here's how I've already acted:
1) I've downloaded a Bible reading plan on my phone that tells me what to study each day. Sometimes that's our problem. We don't know where to begin.
2) Each paycheck, I sit down and budget everything out. I've started keeping food and gas envelopes. I pay for these items with cash only and once the cash in the envelope is gone, it's gone until the next paycheck. Cash hurts more than plastic. We've also made a list of items we intend to sell on craigslist to further aid our debt payoff efforts. We're following Dave Ramsey's baby steps to financial peace.
3) We have started eating much healthier. We are slowly cutting meat and dairy from our daily diets, as well as refined sugar and processed foods. We are being intentional about what we eat and the activity we do each day. I am eating healthy foods I don't like by cooking them in ways I will eat them.
4)Finally, I am keeping lists. I have kept up with the straightening up of the house, the dishes, keeping our bathroom clean. I am finding tangible and cost effective ways to become more organized (thank you, Pinterest).

I know it's only the 3rd day of 2013 but I'm already feeling good about this year. There's something refreshing about a new year - a new start. It's cliche, I know. But you know it's true.

So, here's to 2013 and more importantly, to 5 glorious years of marriage with an amazing man. Thank you for being everything I'm not. I love you...more.