Coming Home

Every day I wake up and love that sunshine. I love getting my best friend's lunch all packed and do our morning routine...complete with Danny grabbing his morning bubblegum from our machine before my kiss! hahaha (I should do the same for him, eh?) Anyways. I have been given alot of grace and kindness from him the past few weeks. There has been a few heavy things on my heart and I'm the kind of person that lets things affect me...I take things into our marriage that don't belong there...and he is so smart to figure that out WAY before I do. I am so thankful for grace and mercy that is new every morning. I like mornings, but I always hate saying goodbye to Dan.

I love coming home though! It`s my favorite time of the day. I am always excited to just hang out with my best friend. One of my goals is to have supper ready for him when he walks in (HUNGRY) and I feel so satisfied when I can! (if I have to make even one stop I usually can`t!)

This has been a summer of rest for me. We haven't had too many activities except enjoying our time together: We've had lots of beach nights, relaxing movie/TV series nights, supper on the deck, grabbing a treat from the drive thru, making our first blueberry pies in our new house (and finishing after 11 pm because of all the steps), using our BBQ as much as possible, and doing (a little) home renos. We haven't done a lot but I am so thankful for the way we work together.

 Our home is not a stressful place (unless I'm being cranky). Its happy, full of light and as clean as I can make it (although there feels to be incessant crumbs on my floor!!!). I have been encouraged lately to make my home a peaceful place and even though I haven`t done this every day, I know its a place I LOVE coming home to,

I look forward to driving in my driveway every day. It still feels like a dream that I get to see Danny all the time and be his wife forever!

My fave way to relax...with a coffee, a fan and a computer! 

At my little bro`s wedding!

Our fave little beach, with our new to us chairs and my deluxe pool mattress!

A picnic (and tunes from iphone) on the water!

Brothers

I'm so glad I have brothers! I am a little nostalgic this morning as there is a huge event happening in my littlest brothers life this weekend! He's getting married! I feel like this is surreal! Its crazy knowing that 2 months ago all this magic and preparation and jitters and stress was MY life and now its me looking on as Mike and Ally wrap up their final details! I feel amazed that our family has celebrated these 2 weddings so close and the HUGE effort that has been made by everyone is truly a GIFT and a BLESSING!

Kristi and Jay are travelling home for a whirlwind trip from New York.
Matt's flying in (second time this summer) from Toronto.
Lori and Brian are trying to manage celebrating Brian's 50th anniversary and then cruising down to make it in time for the Rehearsal dinner.
Mom has made (literally) a FREEZER full of goodies and meals and treats for the next few days that would be a feat that would knock you off your feet if you tried to do it! hahaha
Dad was mowing the lawn last night and making last minute adjustments to his Weed..ahem...Veggie Garden!

And I am trying to just support my mama as she tries to not forget anything!

I'm remembering my own wedding week and the UNBELIEVABLE support I received from my family and friends. I didn't even have to ask. My friends and family just swooped in and wrapped up any details and did things to this day I probably am STILL not aware they did for me!

My brothers helped me down the aisle. They opened the doors, helped me down the steps (so I didn't trip) and supported us down the aisle (just in case either my dad or I stumbled! hahha) Over the years these MEN have become my favorite people to be with. I am ashamed sometimes when I remember how we treated eachother. How World War 3 would ensue if one of us didn't top up the gas that we put in the night before (typically a $5 debt). I remember not letting Matt borrow my Lion King soundtrack and when Mike was a little boy I'd turn out the lights so he'd be scared and hug me! (Isn't that terrible?) OH man Brothers are just something that not every one gets to experience and when you have them you really know what a blessing (even when it feels like a curse!) they can be.

I really do admire my brothers. They are both smart, intelligent, athletic, funny and generous. I can't tell you the amount of times my brother Matt slipped me money when I was poor. He loves to give and although he used to be stingy with gas money...hahaha...that has certainly changed and he can hardly accept a 5 mile drive from me without throwing cash on my dashboard! Danny was shocked the first time he hung out with me and my little bro Mike together! We looooove to tease (harshly joke???) eachother and I just can't help myself...I revert back into this crazy silly immature Sister when I'm around him. Danny has said over and over to me "You really love Mike." I'm glad it shows. I know I am crazy and weird and fake-fight him all the time but I would do anything for that guy! I am so proud of him. He is so smart, level headed and wise for his age! He reads more than anyone I know (except maybe my Mom) and has found a TREASURE in his almost-wife Alyson! She is the perfect match for him! I am so excited to see how their wedding unfolds and to live so close to them as a married couple is a gift that I am so thankful for!

I love my family and I am so grateful for them all!

Little Fam Shout out to the Paulinos!

Dear Kristi, Jonah, Levi and Jason:
Hope you know how much we miss you! We drove up to the cousins house and it felt weird that you weren't with us! Hope that you like the pictures and videos!

Sure did miss you this weekend! We went up to the cousin's house where we saw Maggie in the parade! I tried to take a video of her but it didn't work! She was on top of a JEEP waving at everyone it was sooo cute! I ran up and gave her some flowers! The parade was so cute and they were throwing out candy and your cousins were all trying to grab it and fill their bag! I made some videos for you and wanted you to know that we missed you so much! Love you!

Opposites that have Similarities!

I am so thankful for Danny. yup. Still love that guy even after 46 days of marriage! We are going strong! We are complete opposites in many ways but we have found so many bonds and similarities in different things:

• We both adore the beach
• We have found a sweet connection in our love for canoeing! We get to the water every chance we can!
• We work together in the kitchen....although I make most of the meals, Danny always helps clean up! And sometimes on Saturdays he delivers a tasty breakfast in bed!
• We have the same schedule for renovating! (I am probably a bit more pushy) but we aren't stressing or working OVERLY hard to get every single little project done THIS summer! We are doing things we want to do like: Painting, We made shelves for furnace room for my *MANY* plastic containers, We got our closet organizer up (no more boxes, yay!!) and a ceiling fan installed and we have our lamps! But...we have TONS of projects we have not yet tackled, but we are happy to do it in our own timing!
• We love video games! I never EVER imagined marrying a GAMER! But I am enjoying playing a few games with Dan and I am getting better! We love lots of activities and this is just one that doesn't take TONS of our time but is a fun little break for a few minutes! (I definitely don't have his STAMINA...but I don't need it! I am just having a little fun!)
• We value church. I love walking hand in hand into church with my man.
• We love Harry Potter! (just finished watching the entire series this month!!)
• We love our families! We are both loyal to the death to our fams, and we are learning alot about this these days! But I am so thankful that we have good strong relationships with the people who love us most!
• We really are nice to each other! I really really appreciate the things Dan does for me like talking, listening, and spending TIME with me! And I know Dan loves that I make him yummy suppers and take care of house stuff and play vids with him and spend time with him too! We are learning so much about marriage and I look forward to seeing our love grow deeper and stronger! 

Beautiful Book: The Power of a Praying Wife

When you get married, there is a lot of overwhelming things that happen in a really condensed period of time. Visits from your favorite people, Planning the biggest dinner party of your life for all your wedding guests, the lists, the calls, the bills!!! And then you also receive love like you never have before. I was completely blessed with 3 showers before my wedding. The first was with Danny's family (cousins and aunts and my mom and sister and DANNY!) and we received the most beautiful and practical gifts that we use every day! I love thinking of the person who gave it to us when I use it and I am trying to make sure I can remember those things by writing them all out in a little journal that I can look back in years to come. Then my mom held the sweetest tea party for me at her house with so many women I love and admire! I was so happy to be in that room that day and was again completely OVERWHELMED by the generous and thoughtful things I got!  And then one of my favorite nights was my (tame) Bachelorette and all my favorite girls were in attendance (minus 2 bridesmaids) and that was really special too! One gift that I received in the mail from a dear Prairie friend/blogger (http://thisgraciouslife.blogspot.ca/) is this book below.  I have been really excited to use it in the mornings! I still need a bit better time management to get it done every day, but even just a paragraph is great to get my mind in the right mode for the day! 

I love to pray as I drive to work and even though its not that long of a drive, its the perfect way for me to start my day. I am trying to be faithful to pray for my husband every day, but this book takes it to a WHOLE new level! Its the perfect book to read for me right now and is definitely a humbling book to read as you realize the HUGE gift it is to be a wife and I have a HUGE desire to be a GREAT not just a good wife to Danny! Anyways. I definitely recommend this book and would love to hear feedback of other great books that are inspiring my readers (I think there are a grand total of 3 now! hahaha)

Feeling Blessed

There has been alot of commotion in my heart in mind for the last few months. OH the things that I have tried to process and understand, the plans I've made, the lists I've compiled and the receipts I've tucked away in my file...its alot for me to even get my mind wrapped around.

There has been alot of change that has happened too. I left my favorite apartment of all time. The greatest roomie. Living life as a single gal. Subbing for kids and saying good by to my last name.

But WOW....I can't say enough times how BLESSED I feel to be married. It still seems like a magical dream that my wedding day has come and gone and I have been a wife for 28 days. My wedding week was a wonderful gift of so many precious memories. Here are some highlights:

• Spending time with my childhood bestie Kristin on a Saturday afternoon. Just a precious little gift of quality time---before a busy week and I'm so glad we fit that in, and even more to run into my sister at the mall and have her join us for a while
• Picking up my Bible school besties at the airport on Sat/Sun and having a few days with them before I got sidetracked into moving/wedding mode
• Seeing my friends and family drop everything, take off work, bring their kids, bake cupcakes, move tables, set up place settings, decorate all over the room, finish details, put together flower bouquets and corsages, fill mason jars with flowers, make road signs, hang pictures, pick up supplies and on and on....they made my wedding happen!
• Along with the above note, I have to say that I was totally overwhelmed with the way I was loved in the last week especially and leading up to the wedding day. So many individuals gave me their time and love in so many ways and I honestly never felt so loved as I did that week.

But the best feeling of all was to know that I was Danny's wife. I am his forever and my heart is safe and secure in his love for me. He has already overwhelmed me with his kindness, gentleness and patience and has supported me through some hard things even in this last week. He takes care of me and I know he will always be there for me. I know young love always feels this way, and I know there is many things that will come in my life that will challenge our vows. I know this. But right now in the place I am in...I just can't ever imagine loving him more and even beyond that I can't imagine how hard marriage (could/can) be. I just love being married and I hope that I will always cherish the gift of being a wife. 

Some of my favorite pictures:

Waking up early!!!

Well my new HUSBAND works for 7 am and I love getting up with him in the morning and packing his lunch for him! ( I hope I can manage to keep doing this after the excitement wears off!!LOL) So being up this early every day opens up a world of excitement for me that I haven't known for a LONG time!

WOW, you can get SO much done with an extra hour and a half in the morning! I've actually managed to do laundry, put a load of dishes in and shower and be able to sit down and read a devo...BEFORE WORK! ****MIND BLOWN****

I do love snoozing though....there is nothing like that feeling of : YES! I have 2 more minutes to lie here!  But so frustrating when YOU get up JUST as early on a Saturday morning and start your day right! OH well...hahaha I love mornings, once I get up an at 'em!

So the last few weeks have been unbelievable....now that I am over the HUGE mountain of adrenaline of actually having my wedding be over....

I'll have to do a huge memories post of the special moments I had...but right now I want to talk about one of the SPECIAL gifts we received from Dan's Parents....

our very own canoe!

I'm pretty stoked to have a canoe and we have already taken it out two times! It is the most relaxing and peaceful adventure! I am so so so excited to take it out lots this summer and what a treat to have a river just up the road 5 minutes away!