Disconnected.

Yesterday, Ben and I disconnected...from the world. Yesterday, we spent the day apart....from our Blackberrys, our Facebook, our Twitter, text messages, emails, and phone calls.

We wanted to cherish our first married Christmas tree experience without distraction. I can honestly say I do not even remember the last time I was without my phone or internet. But I can tell you, I loved every moment away from it all.

We created a sanctuary of Ben and I for the afternoon. No one else existed. We had no idea what was taking place in the world. We just spent time with each other. It was amazing. We had more conversation. We did more silly things...not for Twitter or Facebook, but for each other. We were more engaged in what the other person was saying...we listened with both ears and eyes. The world did not have access to our special day in play-by-play action. In fact, we didn't reconnect until about 7pm at night. And throughout the course of the day, we became more attached to detaching.

I am looking forward to our next disconnected day. It was the best thing we've done in a long time.

The Adventure of Our 1st Tree

Ben and I traipsed out to get our Christmas Tree today. We had a lot of fun debating over which was the perfect tree to get. It didn't take long to make a decision.

We then wandered over to Target to get some Christmas necessities. Toting around Starbuck's - has anyone tried the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate? DELICIOUS! I don't even like chocolate and I am loving the salty-caramel concoction! Anyway...after a brief stop to get stamps for our Christmas cards, we began to trek home.

Until I noticed that our tree was SLIPPING off the roof of our car. We pulled over. Ben jumped out, did some adjustments, then we continued. About a quarter of a mile down the road, Ben became frantic.

"Uhhh....where are the stamps?" He asked as he checked his pockets, his seat. No stamps.

I looked at him.

"Maybe I left them on top of the car." He said, panicking. I pulled over. He checked the tree (again), found the Christmas treats (i.e. candy bars) he had left ON THE TOP OF THE TRUNK...but no stamps.

We discussed the probability of actually finding the stamps. It seemed so absurd.  But, we decided to give it a try anyway. We turned around. Ben continued to panic. I did what any loving and adoring wife would do: I burst out laughing. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I considered the fact that we were on the hunt to recover our stamps....FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!

Upon our return to the scene of the crime - where the stamps disappeared originally - Ben began to comb the ditch, the side of the road, trying to find the stamps.

Incredibly, Ben found BOTH books of stamps...which is great for our Christmas Cards! :) How we ever recovered those books of stamps, so quickly, I will never know. But, I do know that we will be talking about this story for a very long time.

Sneak Peek: Christmas Card Photo

In a week or so, we will be sending our Christmas cards! I am so excited about this. Last year, we gave out Christmas cards as wedding favors. Here was the picture from last year:

Tupelo Photography

 And, here is a sneak peek into the photo shoot for this year's Christmas card!

Thanks to: Lydia & Marianna

I love Christmas cards. Mostly, because I love getting mail! Any ideas for your Christmas card?

Thanksgiving 2010

Oh my goodness. I LOVE Thanksgiving.Food. Family. Memories to reflect on, memories to make. Aaahhhh! Life is so good.

Here is my Thanksgiving Thankful List of 2010:

- Ben. I love that man. And. I'm so glad I get to spend the rest of my life with him. I know a lot of girls say they have the best husband, but they haven't met mine. ;)  I definitely believe he makes me a better person.
- Family. One of the advantages of being married is that I gain a larger family! It has been a really neat to experience for me to learn how Ben's family interacts. It is so different from what I am accustom to, but I am enjoying it. Of course, my own family too! They make my life wonderful. :)
- (This may seem silly, but!) Facebook. I know, I know. This probably indicates I have an issue. But I am thankful for this media outlet. It allows me to stay connected with my friends and to work on my relationships with my extended family members (Hello, cousin Crystal!!!)
- Our small group. I love this group of friends that can journey alongside of Ben and I through this adventure called Marriage. I have no doubt I am forming friends for life.
- Grace. While I don't talk about my faith a lot, I am thankful for peace that I have discovered through the Grace that has been given to me.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm off to enjoy turkey, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, family pictures, and quality time with people I love!

The Morning Before Thanksgiving.

I had this morning off. It was blissful. Ben and I played with Milo. Then, we cleaned the house. Enjoying Chick-Fil-A breakfast in our pajamas. I helped Ben with his school work. And all the while, we prepared for Thanksgiving. (which really means anticipating my Dad's cooking!)

By the way, There is a lot for me to share with you. Including:

- An update on my Christmas Homemade Decorations project. It is coming along nicely, but it is taking me long than anticipated. I will provide an update later this week. 
- Online Magazines I've been devouring lately.
- Some fun blogs to read.
- And, my Christmas list. :)

 I have so many things to be thankful for - I'm really one lucky girl. What are you thankful for?

November 19, 2010

Dear Mom,

Four years ago, you finished your fight with cancer. Four years ago, a hole in my heart formed. A hole that signifies your absence. I know that given a choice - you would have continued to fight just so you could have watched your kids grow up. Four years later, I'm struck by how much you've missed. And, how much we still miss you. You'd be proud - we've worked hard to remain a family that did not fall apart just because you are gone. But, you are still missed.

Today, I enter this day with many, many mixed emotions. Today, I remember how much I miss you. Four years seems like yesterday and though I've grown accustom to life without you....I still wish I could go through life with you. Is that too much to ask? To have a Mom to experience the joys, trials and adventures that make up life?

11 months ago, I married an incredible man. Mom, you would have loved Ben. He would have made you laugh. 11 months ago, I planned a wedding and tried hard to remember that normalcy - for me, for my life - was a wedding without the mother of the bride. 11 months later, Ben has been a tremendous comfort as I tried hard not to let this week's struggle of grief and heartache of missing you consume me.

I will always wish that you could have been here. To grow old with Dad. To watch us grow up. To meet the people we fall in love with. To hold us tight when we are struggling. To do all those Mom things.

Four years later, I'm glad you are no longer fighting cancer. Four years later, I'm glad you won.

Other Things

Is it sad that it really hasn't even gotten cold yet and I have cabin fever?  Especially if that cabin looks like this:

Picture Found on This Blog

Every since I saw these BEAUTIFUL scarves, I've been craving one to be wrapped around me.

Don't you think this print is AWESOME? Man, I love Etsy.