Halloween Memories

One thing that has been particularly fun during our engagement has been looking at childhood photos of both Matt and I and seeing how we were similar. Below is one of my all time favorites :)

I was the bunny off of the Disney Robin Hood. I think Matt was a clown -- regardless, he was adorable!

Happy Halloween!!

The Climb

We slipped through the gate. "What happens if we get caught?" "We run." That was Matt's response to my question. Gulp. The unlocked door led us closer to the most intimidating part of the journey: the climb - five stories of ladders stairs. I quit looking down on the second flight of stairs. On the third flight of stairs my arms started to ache form gripping the ladder so tightly. I kept imagining that someone would walk in the open door, flip the light switch on, see us, and we'd get in trouble. The depth of trouble we'd be in was unknown so I imagined the worst. On the fourth story. I said "Matt, my legs aren't working anymore." "Come on,  you'll make it. We're almost there." Deep breath. We finally were at the last story. Matt unlatched the final door and pulled me onto the roof. Breathless, I stared at the view. I could see down the highway, the fields, and the beautiful old building. My gym shorts were wet, my hair was wild, my heart was racing and my mind was spinning. Matt seemed calm though. He kissed my cheek, smiled and said "so....I wanted to bring you up here for a reason.... Will you be my girlfriend?" I said yes, smiled and I'm pretty sure I let out a little giggle. We sat up there a little long, just enjoying the view and the moment together. I have no recollection of the climb down. I do remember the walk back to his truck, holding his hand and dancing in the rain.

That was a year ago today. Crazy. The climb to the actual wedding now seems a lot like the climb to the top. There are times wonder if this whole ordeal is going to be worth the stress. Why didn't Matt and I just have a week long engagement? It'd make everything so much simpler. It'll be worth it though. Even though the climb seems forever long, (at times seems to be getting longer) the days are flying by.  We've got less than a month which I suppose would be equivalent to one more flight of stairs. One last push, then we're there. And yes, the view will be so worth it.

Lady Bella Buttercup

The mistake I made was holding her....that was my downfall. We were sitting on the patio at Stromboli's and a friend of Matt's said they were looking for a home for her. That's when I held her.  I'm not above blaming Matt -- he didn't say, "No Nikki. Absolutely not. We DON'T need a dog, let along a puppy right now. We don't have time for it." So, we took it home, but not before we went to Walmart and got her a hot pink collar and something for her to sleep in - they guys had already gotten her food. In all honesty, I knew I was making a mistake when I took her home, but she is simply irresistible. Her disposition is so gentle, her skin so soft, her face so cute.... We tried out some different names; I liked Lady but Matt said that was too common. He didn't go for Buttercup, as in he rolled his eyes at me. Actually, he said we shouldn't name it -- we'd get too attached. But, when I came downstairs Sunday morning, Matt was sitting outside, eating cereal, and telling Bella she couldn't go inside.

 After some discussion, that included trying to get my parents to take her (my dad was the one who said absolutely not -- go figure) we both took her to the animal shelter. That was less than fun. For a while, I resented having taken her at all, but now I'm glad we did. We took her to a place she'll get the proper care she needs and a place that will lead her to her future home. 

One Month :)

Stressed Spelled Backwards Is....... DESSERTS!!!

So these past few weeks have been intense, good but intense. Sweets have helped me.... tremendously! :)

dump bars

sugar cookies

berry berry good fro yo

Fighting Frustrations

My Mum teaches a bible study and right now they're studying the book of James.  It starts out "Count it all JOY my brothers, whenever you face trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." There are times I want to cut those verses right out the bible because they are a little too convicting and there are times when all I can do is say them over and over and over again to myself, fighting to believe that God is working this for good in my life. These past few days, I've been more interested in just tearing the whole book of James right outta the bible!! So, rather than tearing the book out, I've been reading the Psalms, partly because it's been quite a while since I've read through them all, but mostly because it provides the perfect countdown till Matt and I get married - 46 days, for those who are interested :) In the Psalms though, it also says "As a father has compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14) While I suppose you could choose to be insulted by this because it says we're dust, it offers the sweetest encouragement. Dust supports nothing, it simply piles on top of itself. It gets into places that it shouldn't and is rather pathetic and annoying. Knowing that we are dust is good because it explains why we can't handle anything on our own, and when we do the situation only gets worse. Our frames are fragile, unable to support anything, yet we have a Father who has compassion on us. That is why we count trials joy -- they are they perfect reason to run to rest in the perfect support, the arms of a Heavenly Father. Praise Him for that!

Because every post needs a photo.