22 years...

 

Tuesday was our 22nd wedding anniversary...

Saturday we went out to breakfast at one of our favorite diners and then headed out to Old Forge to enjoy the day.  We took a ride on the scenic chair lift.  The views were spectacular- even if the leaves were a little past peak.

I am so thankful for this beautiful day and time with Rhett. <3 God is good.

just this... little things, can feel like BIG things

My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness. I have been reading over past blog entries and I can't even fathom. The goodness and faithfulness of my God. I am just so, so thankful.

Saturday Rhett walked in the door from the gym and said, "hey, I just called you."

Oh. sorry. My phone was on the table. I was vacuuming. My head was not in a good place.

"I just thought we could go out to lunch in town."

And we did.

One of a thousand little stories that show, we are different now. We are better. God is still working on us. But things are good. I am hopeful. And its going to be ok.

Whatever is happening. Whatever is going on. Whatever your hurt. God sees. He knows. He's holding you, right where you are. He'll bring you through too.

Metallica, crawfish and almost 8 miles!

Sunday afternoon I went running. It felt so good. I was berating myself for not going Saturday morning before we left for our trip. I felt like such a slacker and a fraud. I didn't go because it was raining and I wasn't feeling the best.  Still no excuse- all I kept thinking was if you really want something you find a way- if you don't you find an excuse.

Gah! Do I want to be a half marathon runner or not???

Seems like all I do lately is make excuses.

Sunday morning my run from last year popped up in my FB memories.  UGH.  It was one of the worst days of my life and I ran a couple miles  with Chance and then to my parents house across town.

As we drove home I realized I could squeeze in a pretty decent run- if I headed out like the second we got home. 

Which I did. I took Chance for a 4 mile loop and then set out to do it again.  It was deliciously fall-y. I listened to a couple running podcasts for motivation. The rain held off until I finished running.  I came up a little short- since we had to be somewhere at 5:30.  I cut it a little too close as it was and we were a few minutes late anyway. 

I was feeling pretty good and proud. Maybe I will be able to pull this thing off after all.  Just imagine what I could do I actually committed to my training plan *sigh*.

Last nights dinner- so yum! Another Quick Cooker success.  I used this recipe I found on pinterst. But used ground beef,  Worcestershire  & sour cream, in place of the turkey, aminos and greek yogurt.  I also did a live video over on my facebook page.

Random side note: I just love our living room. <3  This morning walking around my freshly scrubbed and vacuumed home I felt so peaceful and content. I just love this feeling of home. But I know what makes it home is the people- not the house itself.  No matter what the future holds and no matter where we dwell- it will be just has much HOME and wonderful.  I pray my home is always welcoming. That my friends, family and kids' friends always know our door is always open and feel at home.

Rhett bought me the canvas in the middle for our anniversary.  He could not have gotten a more perfect gift. Brought tears to my eyes. ❤💖❤

This weekend was amazing- the Mister and I spent it in Buffalo to go to the Metallica concert. Heavy Metal is not really my thing. But I was so happy to be able to experience this "bucket list item" with him!

We had a great dinner at this Cajun place we found on Yelp! The food was so good! 🍼 If you are in Buffalo I recommend checking it out.  Not gonna lie- the crawfish we got as an appetizer kinda creeped me out.  But I laughed it off and ate them anyway, 😂.  They tasted all right but too much work.

 

Today my heart is Thankful-  I have been working on this week switching "I have to" to "I get to!"

Here's a short list in no particular order:

• Concert this weekend
• "You're a good find too" ;-) <3
• Almost 8 miles! 💥💪
• Prayer
• Coffee!!!! 🍵🍵🍵
• Ibuprofen
• New phone!  
  
  
  
  
  
• Spray 'n' Wash - got a coffee stain out of my brand new sweater- even after it was washed and dried! 
• Sunshine
• pumpkin party
  

One more day of October and then my favorite! Thanksgiving Season!!!

Shine

What a week its been.

Wednesday night the kids and I traveled to Pennsylvania so we could be present to bid farewell to this dear lady, my aunt Sue.

I picked this picture because it was her ready to go cheer us on as we ran our 2nd half marathon in Pittsburgh.  Cheerleader is how my sister described her when she stood up on behalf of the Snyder Cousins at Sue's funeral.  And that she was, she was always happy to see you and always an encouragement.  She was so brave and inspiring as she battled cancer.  "Kicking and Screaming".

We love you Sue and you will be forever missed.

Thursday was also my Mom's birthday.

Friday the Mister came down for the weekend with the Pup.


October 6, 1998


Not gonna lie this year has been a rough one. It has been by far the worst year of our marriage, yet somehow by the end...maybe the best.

My life pretty much imploded around this time last year.

Everyday its a struggle to believe we have moved beyond that, that we are healing and things are not the same as they were last year. I love this guy so much. I can't even. So today again I am choosing to look at the good. To see how far we have come this year. NOT live in fear of being in that place again.  The above picture has been my phone screen for almost a year. Since December at least, with the goal in mind that it would stay there until we looked at happy again.

Here we are, October 6, 2018. YEAR 20! We made it! Here's lots of new *good* memories and the next 20 years.

I started this book weeks and weeks ago and for some reason set it aside. Maybe because this weekend was the time I needed the words inside. I don't know. I don't agree with everything in this book but at the same time it gave me hope. Turned my eyes to God {again} to keep healing my hurt and keep molding me into the woman He wants me to be. Reminding me both love and pain are necessary in that process. To open my heart. Be open and honest. To keep trying and growing and being me.

This morning's Jesus Calling.  Reminding me life is hard, but God is with me. That He will sustain me when I am weary. To stop complaining and SHINE.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25 NIV

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

My focus and goal for today- NO COMPLAINING!!!

Not Today . . .

I woke up cold and grumpy.

Why???

I had the most amazing weekend. I was not going to allow the devil to steal my joy today.  I took it right back. Life is too short to be grumpy.

This weekend we were privileged to attend the wedding of my husband's sister.  All the more precious to me because 10 months ago I was afraid I wouldn't get to attend this wedding.  But God is good.  The picture below fills me with joy.  My heart with hope.  What ever struggle you are facing today- God knows and He's got your back. Believe me.

"19 years and 50 weeks"
❤💖❤

I feel like I look awful in this picture and I don't even care because just the fact that it exists makes me so happy. My husband took it. MY Husband.  This may seem stupid- but it is a very specific answer to prayer. God keeps reminding me- stop looking at the past, where you have been.  Look forward. Enjoy the now. Don't let the pain of the past ruin the joy of the present. (I came very close to doing that this weekend.)

God's beautiful creation.


The happy couple....

In case you need reminded like I do {frequently}


One of the things I love about fall... SOUP! I'll be doing a LIVE video over on my facebook page tonight. Come check it out around 5ish.  Wanna cook with me? 😉  Here is a link to the recipe. Baked Potato Chowder.

my verse today...

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; 

be courageous; be strong. 

Do everything in love. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

the weekend. . .

Saturday I had a booth at Woofstock.  It was a fundraiser event for the local animal shelter.  

 

It was pretty chilly. But Hannah and I enjoyed all the dogs that came through. They had three live bands that were pretty good too. As far as business goes- it was kinda a bust. But I'm still hoping to get an order in tonight.  Here is the link to order if anyone is so inclined: https://www.pamperedchef.com/go/WoofStock2017

 

Rhett and Ryan stopped by and brought us Dunkin'.  My first Pumpkin spice of the season... made my day. ;-)

 

Later Rhett and I went on our first date in like forever. It was fantastic. =) It was so nice to actually spend time with my husband- feels like we have been running in opposite directions lately. Its been awful.  It felt so good to sit and talk and reconnect.

 

This week was Move Up Sunday- Here is my new class- Its gonna be an interesting year to say the least.  But we had a good first class yesterday albeit a little chaotic. K-1 is such a great age, its so amazing seeing how much, especially the kindergartners grow and mature over the year.  From not being able to read to learning to read and then learning to find and read verses out of their own Bibles! LOVE it!

 

 

Later on we did a LIVE video to coincide with Woofstock- we made Chancey some pumpkin apple cookies.  We used the new rolling cookie cutter and also I made a couple, like the one below with the Halloween cutters ;-)
Check out our video here --
https://www.facebook.com/amyspamperedkitchen/videos/1431993873581825/

 

Then Ryan had youth group.  Moms Connect hasn't started yet so- after much debate- Hannah and I went to Mickey D's for milkshakes and fries- hit the spot!

 

And today... leftovers 😍 yum!

 

Anniversary Edition

For Today {October 6, 2016} 18 years ago I married the love of my life.  What a ride its been.

Linked up with the Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window it looks like an inviting Fall day

I am thinking about these two crazy kids, they didn't have a clue what they were getting into.

My Junior Prom

I am thankful for 18 years with my husband. We have definitely had our hard times. A few times I didn't know if we'd make it. The hardest time in our marriage came just after one of our anniversaries. Sometimes I still struggle with those wounds and memories.  But God reminds me He can make all things new. I try to keep my focus on the now. And to remember the good, there was a lot of good too.  

One of my favorite things time with my husband. I am looking forward to spending the day with him on Saturday. We don't get nearly enough time together.

I am hoping that despite all odds, we'll have good weather on Saturday.

In my garden  Anniversary flowers delivered to work. Caused quite a stir, we don't get a lot of excitement around here :P

Board room

Pinned: Love

Source: rebekamhallberg.com

Post Script a little video I made a few years back...

Shared Quote from our Vow Renewal 2009

Rhett's:
There's a saying among the Marines that says "Whatever doesn't kill us --makes us stronger."  We've been through some very tough times-- and yet here we are, standing in front of our friends and family dedicating ourselves again to one another and to the Lord after almost 11 years of marriage.  In the movie Fireproof it was said that "fireproof doesn't mean that the fire won't come-- but that will will be able to withstand it when the fire does come.' We've been through the fire.  But instead of succumbing to the heat and pressure-- we like gold when it is refined-- all of its impurities are burned away and the gold shines brighter and bonds stronger.  When we first started out I though that love was simply a feeling.  Over the last 11 years and especially the last 4 I've learned that love is an act.  Paul says in the book of Ephesians that Husbands ought to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.  From this day forward I vow to love you in exactly that way.  In a way that will make you proud to say I am your husband, in a way that our 3 children can use as an example for their future relationships.  And in a way that will put a smile upon our Lord and savior's face.  I pledge to you now that when the fire comes again-- that I will be standing beside you-- holding your hand like I did when we first met at Lake Champion.  I love you-- and will always love you for as long as my heart still beats.

Mine (much shorter but just as heartfelt):
Nearly eleven years ago I stood by your side promising to be your wife.  Though that promise wavered and was strained it was not broken.  Today I pledge anew my faithfulness, my love and my devotion to honor and cherish you all the days of my life.  To walk beside you no matter where the road leads us.

A moment from my day

Wedding Day

I just love him--- like a ridiculous crazy amount

My parents anniversary party -  2008

Closing Notes:

Marriage is hard. As I said previously, we've had our share of rocky roads. I'm thankful we have made it through 18 years thus far...hopefully with many, many more still on the horizon.  I'm thankful for the legacy before me.  My parents just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary.  Both set of my grandparents remained married for a lifetime. 60 and 59 years respectively. Something to strive for...