THE FIRST YEAR

Holy Cow, we have been married a YEAR! Last year at this time, my stomach was filled with butterflies… so nervous/anxious/excited all at the same time as the countdown seemed to slowly reach the BIG DAY. The day came, and I had a surprisingly calm spirit (meanwhile I think Brandon was probably more nervous than he had ever been). I still remember so vividly, the moments where I looked at my dad as the doors opened to the sanctuary, then taking that step to walk the aisle, I looked ahead at the loved ones who came to share our day with us. Through the crowd, I could see Brandon looking back at me, smiling. Then I closed my eyes to take it all in, and I opened them again, and here I am sitting at our kitchen table listening to Christmas music, and typing about our first year as a married couple. Everything the older people say is true. It really does go by so quickly. And since they were right about the first year, I have a feeling their right about it only getting faster each year.

 

Something interesting about living in Florida is that since there really is only one season (I don’t count a few days in the 50’s in January to be the season known up north as “winter”), you don’t realize the time flying past you.  In NJ, seasons are very distinct and calculated, and you know that when each new one arrives, it brings a change of weather, and you say goodbye to the previous quarter of the year. In Florida, November still feels like summer, and you don’t really think much about the weather. It’s always the same. I think psychologically, it makes the time go by more rapidly, because you don’t realize things are changing and time is progressing, and then you suddenly realize – ITS BEEN A YEAR SINCE I GOT MARRIED?!? 

 

It’s been lovely. I love living in Florida. Here are a few pictures of our first married year together:

 

Honeymoon in St Lucia

 

 

Moved into our new house…

 

 

 

New Years 2009 a few days after we arrived in Ft Myers

 

Valentines Day at Disney World

Meeting our new friends that we love, Kyle & Jen Jackson!

 

 

Spent 4^th of July at the Lakehouse…. And a lot of other weekends in the summer:

 

 

 

Enjoyed many visits from Corey and Cissie :

 

 

 

And of course my family too:

 

 

 

 

We both turned the BIG 2-5!!

 

 

 

 

Went back to our Alma Matter for Homecoming weekend:

 

 

 

 

It has been a great year- God has truly blessed me with a loving husband who has become the love of my life and my best friend over the past 6 years. 

 

I LOVE YOU BRANDON. BEING MARRIED TO A MAN WHO SEEKS THE LORD IS A TREASURE. I KNOW THAT EACH YEAR IS GOING TO BE MORE BLESSED AS WE GROW IN KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL.

 

OK. Now it is time to kick off our ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND!!!!

 

Take care,

 

Megan 

BLOG OR GET OFF THE POT

I've been told that I need to start blogging more faithfully or just throw in the towel. I knew it had been a while, but I didn’t think that it had been a month and a half! It's not easy to find the time and interesting things to write about. I commend creative and committed bloggers. I’ve never been a good diary keeper.

 

Since my last blog, I’ve completed my 30 sugarless days and cashed in for the big prize. It wasn't too bad, but I doubt I'll do it again (unless there is another fantastic prize). Sugar is very bad. But I was eating a lot of other things to make up for my sugar cravings. I ate an entire bag of Stacy’s pita chips in 2 days (FYI, I have a list of sugarless snacks if you were ever in search of some). Needless to say, my body didn’t look like it went through a sugar fast for 30 days.

 

But it doesn’t matter because the camera is sick! Here is one of the first pictures we took the night we got it.  This was at 9:00pm, with no sunlight. You can see every detail of this tiny tree frog.

 

 

We took it out to get some good wakeboarding action shots:

 

And a posed family pic:

 

 

 Well, catching up on the last month and a ½ is not going to happen, so I’ll just start fresh from here on out.

 

*Side note* Current read: Mere Christianity. What a great book. It’s hard to conceive that I have been saved for almost 20 years, and I had never read this book. CS Lewis has to be one of the coolest and most brilliant men of the 20^th century. He wrote the fantastical Narnia books, as well as some really deep, philosophically rich books about Christianity.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

The Unlikely Disciple

In a strange sequence of events, I stumbled across this book trailer for The Unlikely Disciple, written by Kevin Roose. Kevin is a Brown student who decided to "study abroad" at Liberty University for spring semester 2007, with intentions to write about his experience: http://www.kevinroose.com/blog/2009/03/book-trailers-theyre-like-trailers-but-for-books/

 

The most intriguing part of the book is that Kevin, with no Christian background, went to Liberty with an open mind to the experience, following all of the rules in the Liberty Way, joining Friday night Bible studies, meeting with a spiritual mentor, memorizing the books of the New Testament, for the sake of getting the real experience of Liberty. I was LingOL throughout the entire book. If you went to LU, or any conservative Christian college, I guarantee you will enjoy this book.

 

 

 

 

On the sugar fast - going strong. 8 1/2 days down - 21 1/2 to go. 

Secret Ingredient Saves the Day!

Yesterday, my morning coffee was terrible. I had to go from using delicious Vanilla Caramel creamer and ½ packet of Splenda to heavy whipping cream and pure vanilla (YUCK). Not a good start to the day. Well, since no Splenda or sugar are allowed, this morning, I used the heavy whipping cream, pure vanilla, AND the powder mix from sugar free vanilla pudding. It’s actually pretty good! I’m enjoying my cup of coffee with my new secret ingredient : ).  I definitely had a headache last night and this morning – it is apparent that I am an addict going through slight withdraw.

 

Last night, I got a phone call from the hospital I have been interviewing with for the past 2 months, and they offered me a job. PRAISE THE LORD. He knew exactly what was going to happen, while I waited confused for these 2 months. The new job will be in a brand new building about 2 miles from my house. It’s definitely a “foot in the door” type of job, but I am just so thankful to have one at all!

 

Anyway, the point of mentioning that was to tell you that we went out to Outback to celebrate last night, and we ordered the Bloomin’ Onion – and I couldn’t have the yummy sauce they serve with it because it has ketchup in it – and I just learned that ketchup is nearly 1/3 sugar!!! So far it has not been hard at all to not eat the blatantly obvious sweets, but it’s the things that I would never think have sugar in them (i.e. the bloomin’ onion sauce, milk, cream cheese, whole wheat pasta).  

 

 

So it’s one day down, 29 to go! At least I’m learning a lot in the process. 

Giving up the SWEET TOOTH!

I have been challenged to a 30 day fast from Sugar. Anyone who knows me, is already thinking, “HA! she’ll never make it!” The truth is that I have a major sweet tooth, and Brandon thinks it is so darn-near impossible for me to go without, that he said if I make it 30 days with NO SUGAR, then I get a prize (the camera I have been wanting): http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/6/canon-50d.jpg

 

So, from April 16 until May 16, I will be sugarless. The one source of sugar I AM allowed to have is fruit. BUT anything with 1 or more gram of sugar on the nutrition label is NOT ALLOWED.  I was so surprised to learn some of the things that are loaded with sugar, that I never knew about – like skim milk has 12g of sugar in one cup! The worst part is that I have to give up my flavored coffee creamers. Obviously, not allowed to eat any candy, cookies, ice cream, most breads and cereals, as well as any sweeteners, such as splenda.

 

It’s definitely going to be tough, but I am keeping my eye on the prize! If anyone has any suggestions for good things to eat when you are on a sugarless diet – PLEASE SHARE!!! I’ll keep you posted on these 30 CHALLENGING days. 

THIS....... is my American Idol

Oh how I love American Idol. Some people make fun of the show and of Paula, but I will stick to my guns and die a fan of both. I love Paula! How can you not with those dance moves, her ability to always find encouraging and positive things to say, and more hairstyles than all of the females I know combined! Paula rocks. 

I know that everyone has their opinions about who should win American Idol this year - and I'd love to hear them - however.... these are my top 5 contestants and a brief explanation as to why. 

5. Kris Allen

He is like the Jason Castro of this season. He can play the guitar, and also has a really good voice. He is just adorable!

4. Allison Iraheta 

She has got a seriously good voice and alot of confidence for only being 16 years old. She is such a rocker-chic. However, she has social awkwardness issues, which is understandable being so young. I always look forward to her performances though, because she's just plain good. 

3. Matt Giraud

Between his voice and his talent on the piano, he definitely is a contender for being the next American Idol. You have to love a guy with that much talent, and yet so much humilty at the same time. What a sweetheart!

2. Adam LambertI have to say the make up and screaming vocals are sometimes a bit much, but I have to give him his credit. I'd be crazy to say he wasn't just plain sick. He doesn't have my favorite personality, but if he won AI - it wouldn't surprise me at all. 

AND MY #1 PICK IS............

1. Megan JoyShe doesn't have the typical "belt-it-out" voice of an American Idol, but she is so unique and beautiful. She is mesmerizing. Like the judges often say, it is about being relevant. The newest artists to come out are ones like Adelle and Duffy - and Megan fits right into that genre of music. 

And there you have it - American Idol season 8 "what I think should happen". 

Race for the cure!

Well, since my junior year of college, when I really got into running and exercise (thank you, freshman 15), I have literally run over a thousand miles - but can you believe never in a race?! It seems pointless to run that much if there's never going to be anything challenging that comes out of it. So, this past weekend, my friend Jen and I ran 5K in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Coconut Point. I was so excited to finish in under 24 min, which was my goal! While I was running, I was thinking "Props to those who have run a marathon - I don't know if I could!" My next goal, is the 1/2. We'll see :).

 

 

Brandon only had his iPhone to take pictures with, and low and behold, 3 days later – and before I had the chance to upload the pics to the computer - he dropped his phone in the driveway and ran it over. So the pictures from the actual event are gone forever, but here are a couple pics we took when we got back to la casa.

 

And a SHOUT OUT TO AESICS…here are my faithful running shoes that I have had for about 4 years!!! If you are going to get into running, I suggest nothing but Aesics. I’ve tried Nike Shox, New balance, and Reeboks, but none compare!!! They can be a little expensive, but like I said, mine have lasted 4 years. Can’t beat it!