A few things Caleb has taught me.

It blows my mind when I think about the fact that Caleb and I have been married for almost a year and four months already. Time flies like CRAZY! I was thinking about how this blog once revolved around our relationship, our engagement, OUR wedding planning...and lately its been all about me, my life, my problems, and my "stuff". So I thought I'd throw it back and talk about a few things Caleb has taught me along the way.

(This is one of my favorite photos ever. His reaction when he saw me walk down that aisle on our wedding day!)

Ranch dressing goes on everything. Even if I don't agree with this, his logic is hilarious.

Sometimes, you've just gotta let stuff go. I can't tell you how many times I've come home from work and told him some long story about something that bothered me. I used to get offended when I didn't get much of a response from him, but now I realize he just has this amazing ability to 'brush things off' as if its nothing. I so wish I could be like him in that aspect.

It doesn't matter what people think of you. It never does. I came out of the bedroom before church one Sunday and he said I looked amazing. I began to shrug. I was wearing some adorable new heels, and had convinced myself (even though I felt really cute) it was too 'fancy'. His opinion? Life is too short (for me) not to wear heels whenever I feel like it, and who cares what people think anyway?!

An after-dinner walk is always a good idea. Back when we were dating, we used to take walks all the time. Since we've been married its been hard to make time for small things like that, so we've been taking a ton of late night walks and these sunsets aren't terrible to look at either ;)

It's okay to go to bed with a dirty kitchen. He would always laugh at me for getting these 'cleaning fits' at night right before bed. Almost like I couldn't sleep until the place was near-spotless. He told me that no matter what, the kitchen will always need cleaned. So sometimes, why not wait until tomorrow morning?!

How to fish. He absolutely taught me how to fish. Fishing is how we spent all of our time the first month or two of our dating relationship. He was with me when I caught my first ever fish, and he even taught me how to hook a worm. Yuck.

Guilting yourself is dumb. Especially on weeks where I'm sick, or not feeling my best...if I don't get my usual number of workouts in, I'm grouchy. I complain about how lazy I am, etc. He reminds me that life happens, and its okay to flop on the couch for an entire evening (and binge watch our favorite shows).

Loving someone a little extra is always worth it. Caleb is the best. Plain and simple. He always does small things to make me smile...whether that's surprising me with a Vanilla Double-Decker Moon Pie when I come home from work, or just by cleaning off the table after dinner... he's constantly pursuing me. I only hope I make him as happy as he makes me.

Sorry for the semi-sappy post...but we only get one chance to do this thing called life, so why not hug a little tighter, worry a little less, and laugh a little louder? Happy Wednesday!

My silly little smart phone.

My husband recently told me something that's been bothering him lately, something that I've been doing...and instead of being a good wife, and listening...I immediately got defensive, put up my guard and began to cry. Yeah, sometimes I'm 7 years old.

What was it he was just so bothered over?

My cell phone...and not just that I'm using it...but how often I use it.

He claimed that every time we get in the car, or watch TV, or anything really, its like a habit, I take my phone out of my pocket and search my endless social media feeds. I still speak, or laugh, or whatever is appropriate, but with few words and I look dis-interested. I got so defensive when he approached me about it, but I think its because I knew I was in the wrong.

Now don't get me wrong...I don't think smart phones are bad. Heck, I have every social media app known to mankind. I just think as a society we all need to step back when we're with others and focus more on being present. It's so easy to talk/listen to someone and search our phones at the same time. I know how irritating it can be when friends do it, so why did I think I was any exception to this rule when it came to alone time with my husband?

As a kid, I grew up with very little technology. The most I was exposed too was a weekly episode of Barney on VHS! I actually went outside and played make believe games with my friends, and I'd like to think I had a pretty great childhood. It makes me sick when I see parents who let their children have their phones for hours on end...and then I think, well, isn't that kind of what I'm doing to myself now?

So I started thinking... I should set some guidelines for myself. When Caleb and I eat dinner, my phone doesn't come with me to the table. When we decide to turn on a movie, my phone stays in the bedroom...and when we decide to have a long conversation, I don't need to be double tapping all my bestie's IG pictures from that day. Sure, its fine to have my phone here and there in front of my husband, but for the most part, I just want to be with him. I want to be PRESENT. I hadn't realized how selfish I was being. I wasn't giving him my full attention, and that isn't fair at all. I think the point of writing this post was for me to be more aware of how dependent I am on it....and I really don't like that feeling.

So, here's to new beginnings.

doyouknowwhatsannoying...

...when your space bar goes out on your office keyboard.

It's like one thing I use EVERY SINGLE DAY but never think about.

Until it quits working...and while I'm at work? That stupid space bar is all I think about now.

I know it sounds crazy, but it got me thinking, what else am I taking for granted?

My hot water heater?

Didn't think twice about it until it breaks on me and I have to shower in ice water. Awesome.

My turn signals?

Not until they quit working and I have to use hand signals out the window like I'm in drivers ed again.

My job?

That job I was SO excited to get hired for...that I did a happy dance-jumping-up-and-down in the women's restroom jig...and a mini photo shoot of myself at the same time. So why do I catch myself complaining about it every now and then?

Electricity?

It's just so easy to flip a switch and have power at your fingertips, but when there's a bad storm and you can't charge your iPhone anymore...OH NO!

It really got me thinking about WHO in my life I possibly take for granted.

How long has it been since I called my sweet great-grandma Agnes just because?

How long since I've gotten in touch with my old middle school best friend?

Whens the last time I told someone I truly appreciated who they are, and meant it?

I don't know about you, but I've definitely been the victim of one-sided friendships. Then it hit me, have I ever been the one who didn't try hard enough?

I want to be intentional. I want to surround myself with people who love me, despite my weirdness. I want to remind my friends and family that they are beautiful, loved, and most definitely not taken for granted. Ever.

I want to soak in the evenings after a long day at work with my husband, and not just ask him how his day was...but as him how HE is doing. Really talk to him. Ask him if he needs prayer.

I want to be friendlier in the office, and maybe bring some extra cheer to a small financial firm.

I want to call old and new friends more, see what's new in their lives, and spend a few extra minutes with them, even if I'm tired.

I want to eat a lot of carbs with my husband, because some of our best conversations happen over food.

Hiii college days.

So, what can you do to make sure you don't take something, or someone, for granted?
Have a happy Tuesday, friends!