Red, White & Boom

Not only is the fourth of July a fun filled holiday, but also a holiday full of meaning as I think of our freedoms and the people who so courageously serve our country. It really makes me stop and thank the Lord. It wasn't my holiday to work so I got up and went running with a friend. I opted to skip the parade because someday in the future when we have kids I can imagine spending too many July's in the hot sun getting melted candy tossed at me and listening to blaring fire sirens;).

That afternoon Derek and I were getting ready to leave for Peoria when I realized we had a little extra time so I decided it was time for an impromptu photo shoot. Why is it that those always work out better than the planned ones? I called up my sister and she snapped a few quick pictures of Derek and I with his nice camera.

Attempting to reenact one of our wedding poses....flop

From there we hung out at my moms before going shopping in Peoria. We went to Ross in search of some new shirts for Derek, but somehow came away with a ceramic frying pan and a spatula. Yes we are odd and easily distracted, but in our defense we didn't get a new frying pan as a wedding gift so we'd been using an old peeling one.

We went to Logan's for supper since it was buy one entree get one free. It's a great deal if don't mind waiting 45+ minutes to be seated, but we went for a walk and scouted out a good place to sit for the fireworks while we waited. Peoria fireworks were pretty to watch and since we stayed on the East Peoria side of the river I felt like we got back onto the interstate fairly quickly. It was a great day spent with my hubby:)

One Year Married!

It's surreal to think that Derek and I have been married for one year. Just one year ago we were watching the grey skies outside praying the rain would hold off until after 5'oclock so we could be married {without getting drenched that is}. And it did hold off thank the Lord. Now here we are one year into our marriage journey and I couldn't imagine life without my hubby. Just the other day he brought me breakfast in bed just because, filled up my car with gas and dusted our house. He makes my heart smile with all the ways he loves Jesus and then as a result loves me.

On a less sappy note...here are some random thoughts from our first year together:

In one year I haven't had to buy any laundry detergent...I don't know why, but it seems we got an over abundance of laundry detergent at our wedding showers....which is fine by me. In a year we've learned the art of admitting when we're wrong and asking for forgiveness. In a year I've learned to always buy 2 cans of pringles...one for me and one for him (some things you just don't share;). In a year we've grown quite attached to our home in town....we love walking out the door and hopping on our bikes in the evening. In a year Derek has been a nurse to me often....he must have the immunity of a horse because he has yet to be sick (no complaining here lol).

The day before our anniversary (celebrating Andrew and Emily's big day)

 

 

On our anniversary my brother Max got baptized so we got to spend some quality time with family before taking off for a quick getaway to Michigan City. We drove up Sunday night ate at a Pizzeria and walked along Lake Michigan. The next day we enjoyed breakfast together, went back to the lake where I learned Derek is a pro at skipping rocks and then went to an outlet mall (not Derek's favorite place to be, but he was sweet about it). Then it was back home we went:)

Road trip:)

Awww isn't he sweet!?

Road down to lake Michigan

A+E Wedding

On the sunny day of June 21st my sweet friend Emily got married and what an exciting weekend it was! On Friday we decorated the church in all things burlap-y and rustic, it looked great! Then we got pedicures together which I was thrilled about since my poor runners feet needed some pampering. That evening we rehearsed and then had supper together at Rosie's.

Rehearsing

Rehearsal dinner fun with these two:)

 The morning of the wedding my uncle passed away so it was a bittersweet day of many emotions. Just thinking of him in Heaven brought us such joy, but thinking of his family broke my heart. He will be deeply missed.
My brothers girlfriend, Francie did my hair that morning- I am so thankful for people who know what they're doing with hair:). Then I met up with the rest of the bridal party at the church to get ready and then it was picture time. The photographers were nice and kept it short so we didn't sweat too much:)
                                            
The wedding ceremony went great, no one tripped, fainted etc and they both said I do! From there we went to the reception where I suffered a minor case of anxiety due to the fact that I had the honor of giving a speech though I am not much of a public speaker. Thankfully it went good (or so they tell me) so then I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Beautiful bride in lace:)

Maid and Matron of Honor... and I just have to say I'm so excited for her upcoming wedding!

And they're off to a tropical week in St. Martin! (I am just slightly jealous)

Thank you Emily for your friendship and how you Love the Lord in a way that makes me want to seek after Him more and more. Can't wait for many more years of being friends- now both as married couples!

Canoing down the Mackinaw

Last Sunday we went canoeing in the afternoon down the 'ole mackinaw. The water was high enough, the sun was shining, but the water was still icey cold so no tipping on this trip;)
I've never been a master at the canoe, but I did canoe in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota for about a week and barely lived to tell about it so I must be decent enough at it. I ride in the front of the canoe, Derek rides in the back and things go quite swell (we've tried it with him in the front and me in back, and it does Not work- shocker right?).  Then I work on getting a tan and throw a few strokes in here and there so I don't look completely worthless. Truth is though that Derek enjoys canoeing, is good at the whole steering thing so I just kinda get to relax and put my feet in the water (aka not mess up his grove;). It was a beautiful day with family and makes me love summertime all the more...

Ross and his sweet girlfriend

Derek keeping us from running into the bank:)

Corrine and I ready to do some serious canoeing

It's Wedding Season!

When Spring and Summer arrive it seems they bring in the unofficial "Wedding Season" right along with them. This is evidenced by the myriad of wedding invitations and wedding shower invites that cover our refrigerator and threaten to take over our bulletin board as well. That's ok though we like weddings (perhaps I shouldn't say "we", but I like them anyway;) This weekend we were able to celebrate my good friend Emily by throwing her a wedding shower. She is getting married June 21 and we are sooo super excited for her and Andrew! For her shower we headed to Madison's in Washington to celebrate Emily and they did a phenomenal job! The food was great and the atmosphere was really fun.

Right before everyone arrived at Madison's

Opening gifts

Cute cookies to match the occasion

Hostesses and bride to be

The next day was John and Kandace's wedding. It was a beautiful day and we were excited to be a part of their big day.

Derek and I all ready for the wedding

 

 

 

 

 

                                  

 John and Kandace

Then on May 4th (I know this is backtracking a little, but I couldn't forget about these two) we got to go to Rex and Rachel's wedding! Rachel and I were study buddies throughout nursing school and share the same passion for nursing.
And that's all the wedding stuff that's been going on for now!:)

Sweet Springtime

Iris

It's spring and I absolutely Love it! I'm glad Illinois got returned from Antarctica in time for spring (or what's left of it anyway). I was just telling Derek how this is the first year that I've truly been aware of plants and their regeneration. I feel like everyday I check our landscaping to see how much our irises have grown  and just today I realized that the peony bush is starting to grow. I am no flower/plant expert, but I am learning a lot and totally enjoy them. My mom has quite a few plants at her house now, but when we were little she didn't. I have this image of a rose bush she had that was new and pretty small. My siblings and I plucked all the roses off of it and tramped around it, enamored by the thorns. Yes and perhaps this is why my mother gave up on plants until we were older. We also are getting ready to till our garden....whenever it stops raining long enough for us to do it that is. So in short...I'm really glad that a new season is upon us:)

Easter 2014

For me Easter brings up memories of new bright colored Easter dresses that undoubtedly matched my sisters and white shiny shoes....or possibly not so shiny depending on if they were handy-me-downs;) I remember how we would wait our turn for my mother to curl our hair and then I would lavishly apply chapstick as if it was Mary Kay lipstick. Only now do I wonder how my mother ever got herself ready for church when she had 6 girls.....yes you moms are amazing! Then it was off to church we went and I loved and still love singing He Arose. Oh what a special day to stop and really soak in the fact that Christ died for us, conquered the grave and lives! I know that my Redeemer lives.....it is undeniable...from the way his handy work shows up in the everyday to the way that lives are transformed by His saving grace. Yes He Lives.
Easter this year was spent at church and then with Derek's family for lunch and then with the Roth side of my family for the evening. We were at Goodfield fellowship hall when we realized there was someone outside "slack lining"...which is basically a tight rope, but thicker. Well we couldn't believe our good luck....here we were having great food and now we would have a "show" too! The owner of the tight rope graciously let us give it a try. Needless to say it is just as hard as it appears even when you're only 3 feet off the ground. It was fun though:)

My cousin Kayla giving it a try!

Yum lots of food!

 And that's how we spent Easter 2014:)