It's Official

As of today, March 31st 2009, I am officially (per the social security department) a Ballew!! Rob and I got up bright and early and headed down to the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds, purchased two OFFICIAL copies of our marriage license, then made our way over to the social security office and made the switch:) Now, for a new license. Oh man. Let me just say, for the record...they DO NOT make it easy to change things- weather it be your name, drivers license, license plate, registration...etc...etc. Not that I think it should be easy, but I do think that you should be able to get MOST of this stuff done in ONE place. However, each of those things has to be done in different places...at least out here. What a hassle. This is why I avoid changing things until I absolutely have to. This is also why I have gotten several tickets:( Not anymore!! I am up to date, organized, legal and official in every possible way. Thank you Jesus for you grace to get it all done:)!

On a lighter, more fun note: I HIGHLY  recommend renting Disney's new animated movie BOLT. It's about a dog and his "person". So well done, hilarious, and completely clean. Gotta love that! I would say it's even worth owning:) Secondly, if you havn't seen the preview to Disney's new animated movie "The Princess and the Frog". It comes out December 12th and is hand drawn animation like they used to do. By the creators of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. Here is the link to Walt Disney Pictures official homepage where you can view the preview. Enjoy!

On ANOTHER note. Check out the Choose LIFE Cd on Ihop.org along with Ihop's new limited edition 23. Wow, both so amazing!! Song number two on the Le 23 is called "Oh that you would rend the Heaven's" by Misty Edwards and is so powerful. If your in the mood for some new music, these two albums are the way to go:)

My Husband Rock's Friday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!

 Man of God

Youthful

Handsome:)

Unbelievably tender

Sweet

Blesses many

Always encouraging

Newly Wed

Destined for greatness

Relentless

Optimistic

Clever

Kind

Seeker of truth

Fantastic husband!

Rock's!

Is going to be the most AMAZING father

Deserving of great things

American made

Yowza!!

!!!

!!

!

!

My Husband the model...

Rob took me to the Roasterie (an amazing little coffee shop in Brookside) and then the plaza. It was a beautiful day, and we had alot of fun just being together:)

Here is Rob modeling the "My Wife Rock's" tee we bought for V-day. We each got one for eachother, mine, obviously says "My Husband Rocks" and I love it!! Anyways, he took me on a date the other day, and was really excited to show it off:) Love him!

My Husband Rock's Friday!!

It's friday again! Amazing. I love to talk about my man:) He is so tender, and caring. The way he treats me everyday is with sensitivity, love and understanding. I can only imagine what he will be like when we have kids! I am so excited for that day, because I know he will be the best father:) I had a few days of feeling sick this week, and usually when I get this particular feeling, I don't want to be around ANYONE. I am not very pleasant, and cranky. Sad, I know. Well, my husband, he isn't phased by this. No, he pushes past my 10 foot pole and wall of emotion and just loves on me. Holds me, strokes my hair, and continuously tells me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me. I can't tell you what this does to my heart. I love this man!!  Not only that, but on Tuesday, at like 2 in the morning, he came home with an amazing bouquet of flowers:) They were RADIANT (see above picture)!! I felt like such a princess:) I always say this, and I always will...I love how he loves me:) 

"If everything we've got is blowing away, we've got a rock and a rock til our dying day. I'm holding on to you, holding on to me, maybe it's all we got but it's all I need, You're all I need."

All I Need by Mat Kearney

My Husband Rock's Friday!

I know this is a day late, but, better late then never:) My husband always rocks, and I am always blessed by him. It's so funny because when I go to write these little praise reports about him...I feel I sometimes get stumped. Not because there is nothing to say, but because there are SO MANY THINGS! What stands out to me right now, is how accommodating he was when my family was in town. They visited a little over a week ago. All except for my dad:( Not only did we have family, but three of them flew in from different places, and had delayed flights. Let me make this story even more interesting. My family came in on a Monday, and we had moved the day before...yes, thats right...Sunday. Into a house. Way across town. On minimal sleep. After many days worked. Coming off of a night schedule. Chaotic doesn't even begin to describe the days leading up to that Monday. In addition, we also had a girl driving from California moving in with us, and arriving Monday evening with her mom, and one of my brothers friends visiting with him from Maine, who would be staying with us:) So, this is our Monday. Sarah: get up after maybe 3 hours of sleep after being up all night unpacking and cleaning our house. Go to work for two hours. Come home get ready, Rob: running around like a crazy person, paying rent to not one, but two places...our apartment and now new home. Both meet back up at house, leave to pick mom up from airport 30 min away. Get to airport where we are supposed to pick up Andrew (coming from Maine), Mom (coming from Cali) and Aimee (coming from Virginia).  In actuality, only Mom's flight was able to come in. Andrews was pushed back 6 hours, and Aimees cancelled til next day. We grab mom, run to dinner, run home, unload car, peruse new house, friendly comments exchanged, much love...gotta go! Run back to the airport, Andrew's flight landed, all passengers unloaded, all passengers grabbing baggage, all passengers leaving, no passengers left. No Andrew. Hmm. Call Andrew, his phone is dead. Rob and Daniel run around airport looking for Andrew. Mom and Sarah also looking, utter confusion...30 min go by, airport is turning lights off at terminals, and things are shutting down. There is a big tall person walking towards us. It's ANDREW! Grab Andrew, run home. GO TO BED. Next morning wake up, run and get Aimee. Come home, Rob and Sarah both off to work. Work, work, work. Come home see family, hang out, share stories, laugh, cry, bicker...old times. Repeat next day, and every day thereafter for one week. We had 5 people total staying with us:) It was crazy. I don't know how we did it. My husband didn't complain once. He was supportive. He worked his schedule out to be with us as much as possible, even though he still had to work a maximum amount of hours. He made sure I was spending enough time with everyone, and constantly offered to do whatever he could. He made everyone feel compfortable, and included. He even made sure I had some spending money:) The week came and went in a whirlwind. It will forever be one of my most precious memories:) I couldn't have done it without my husband, and all of his love and support. 

Rob, thank you for being so accommodating and flexible with my family and I. Thank you for running around doing family stuff, working, running around some more, and in the midst of it all, being such a supportive husband. You bless me and I love you more than words. Xoxo.

My Husband Rock's Friday!

Share anything you'd like the world to know about your rocking awesome hubby! :)

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patience |ˈpā sh əns|

noun
1 the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset

The above word and it's definition are what my husband has been this week. This has to be one of THE clumsiest weeks, no, past few months that I have ever had. My mistakes are expensive, and we are poor:) Instead of getting angry with me, he hugs me, tells me he loves me, and reasures me that everything will be fine. I always expect the worst reaction- but have yet to experience a negative response. Here are a few of my "calamity's"; hit a pole in our parking structure and knocked off my bumper and lights, spilled milk on my laptop and dropped my ipod in the toilet. Two of the three incidents are resolved, and praise the Lord, with very little hit to our bank account. We were able to fix the jeep via a very generous friend from Ihop, and we took my laptop in to be looked at, and not only was it not damaged from the milk, but the little things on it we were having trouble with they repaired for free. The only true casualty was my ipod. Unfortunately, they are not made to be water repellant.So, a word to the wise- do not place them in water:)  When I tried to turn the little guy on- he made some whizzing, pinging noises- and the screen flashed a picture of an ipod with a sad face and a phone number to apple. So alas I bid farewell to my Ipod. We have been through ALOT together...I am surprised he lasted as long as he did.

Back to my husband- as you can see, many reasons why he could be upset with me. And I would totally understand if he was. But no, not Rob. His patience is such a relief, and a blessing. I love him so much:)

P.S. I also accidently messed up on cutting his hair, and had to shave it all off:( Now that, he was kind of  not so happy about, but, took it all in stride. And still loves me:)

My Husband Rocks Friday...

Share your favorite "married moment" from the past couple of weeks. Anything that was special, made you smile, or made you feel all "warm and fuzzy" :)

I was sick most of this week,  and had to be in bed sleeping or resting as I felt terrible. It was frustrating, because I had to watch my husband, who already works SO hard, continue to get up and go to work...come home comfort me...get ready and go to class...and then go to the prayer room. Only to do this all again the next day (4 days in a row). In the midst of it all, his only concern was me. It didn't matter what I wanted or needed, he was ready to make it happen. In the few moments between running, running, running, he brought me my favorite soup (panera's broccoli cheese) twice...made me multiple glasses of chocolate milk (my favorite drink) and still took the time to lie down with me, pray with me, and make sure I was ok. When I offered to help him get ready, make him food, or do something minimal to help him out- he made me go back to bed-so I could feel better. I am loved beyond words:)

Thank you honey for being such an amazing man of God. For working so hard, and for taking care of me. You are a true example of what it is to serve. Everyday you remind me of not only the love you have for me, but the Fathers love for me. It is such an honor to see Him working in your life, and your willingness to press on. I love you so much.

Pray

I came home one day and Rob had purchased this pray sign and candles and set our dresser up like this- I love it, and thought I'd share the picture:)

Valentines Day 2009

Rob and I had an amazing Valentine's Day! It's kind of like we had two:) Since we are on nights, and we spend them in the prayer room- the 14th started at midnight while we were in there. I'd say that's a great way to start a day together- spending time contenting in prayer. We left the prayer room at 5:30am and took his mom flowers at work (Starbucks). Then we came home and gave eachother cards and had some Valentine's chocolate that he had gotten me:) Mmmm. I gave him his gift, it may sound lame, but he has really been wanting a tie hanger/organizer, so I finally got him one:) Realizing we didn't want to sleep in too late, we decided to hit the hay.
We got up around 2ish, got ready and went shopping. We still had a gift card to Crate and Barrell, so we went there and found the cutest personal porceline tea pot and cup (it's so cute and small!) He bought me that and a little bamboo serving tray, and turquois vase:) I love them!! My new favorite thing is tea, and small things. Not really sure why. I am also suddenly loving flowers. They make me happy- and remind me of life. If anyone knows me, I have never been a big flower person, so this, I blame on my mom. (No offense mom, it's a good thing- just weird for ME). Next, we went to dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant called Cinzetti's. It was fabulous! Of course we then hit up Starbuck's, because working there everyday isn't enough, you HAVE to go in on your days off as well:) We drove around enjoying conversation and city viewing, then came home. I had been feeling sick all day, so he made sure I got comfortable and went to bed. This is what I love about my husband so much, he is ALWAYS making sure I am ok. He always wants to make sure I feel loved, happy, comfortable, content. He dotes on me non-stop. I know I have said this alot, but he loves me so well. He treats me like a princess. I really do believe I have THE BEST husband ever. God is so faithful, he really dose have the BEST for us, if we choose to be patient and ALLOW him to provide it for us in His timing:) 

I posted the few pictures we took today, including one of the tea pot/cup and tray he got me:)

Blessed

As I sit at home, waiting for Rob to get off of a long day at work...I am reminded of just how lucky I am. 

We both work at Starbucks. He is full time and I am part. Not only are we both working, but are doing an internship at IHOP...during the night. Which, I might add, is three months long, intense because of the hours you put in, but even more so when done during the night hours. On top of all that, they don't usually allow interns to work during internship, because of the difficulty. However, as we are not raising support yet, they graciously, with some concern, allowed us to continue working. So, this is what our current  schedule looks like; class from 10pm-12am, prayer room 12am-6am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Friday and Saturday is the EGS (encounter God service) from 6pm-8pm, 9pm-11pm prayer room, 12am-6am prayer room. Sunday is FCF (Forerunner Christian Fellowship) 6pm-8pm, class 10pm-12am, prayer room 12am-6am. Then, there's Wednesday, considered our "sabbath" so we don't have to be in the prayer room until 4am and only until 6am. Now, in addition, we are both getting up around 1pm to work until about 9pm...give or take, some days are a little different. Not only do we barely have time together, but we are CONSTANTLY going. We also have about 5 weeks to find a new place to live:) 

The beauty of all of this is the Lords faithfulness, and Rob's support and strength. This was my idea, and even though he was somewhat skeptical, because of how busy we already are, in addition to being newlyweds and not having alot of personal time, he went for it. He has been so positive, so encouraging and so attentive to my thoughts and feelings. He hasn't complained, even though he is working harder than anyone I know. I believe the Lord is really giving him grace, and meeting Him through this time. He makes me want to go hard, with a good attitude, and to truly appreciate the season the Lord has us in. 

We have completed about a month of the internship, and though I feel like there is a long road ahead of us, I know, with the Lords grace, and my amazing husband...we will finish strong. He loves me so well, I could not have asked for a better man.

We Voted!!

This was Rob's first time voting, and my third.  It was exciting because it was one of the first big decisions we got to make together (as husband and wife). Our main concern was voting pro-life. The Lord has really marked our hearts with this message. Ultimately, we do not look to man, but to God. It is His government that will reign forever. 

"...Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...and He shall reign forever and ever..."