About 365 days of marriage

I started this blog in April of 2011. At the time, Bret and I were wedding photographers and it was a way to share how marriage is more about the day to day and so much more than the wedding day itself. For about 5 years, I blogged about the joys and sorrows of the Christian walk, marriage, work, family and friends. I’ve blogged every day since a few weeks after I started. In May of 2015, we photographed our last wedding. Now, I have become passionate about simplicity, particularly in marriage, Christianity, business, travel and life. For a number of reasons, we have become minimalists. I’ve found that having simplicity makes life so much deeper, refreshing and joyful. I hope that this blog will help others see the benefits of living simply.

Day 2901 – Happy World Productivity Day!

Posted on June 20, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

Woo! I love days like today! I’m all about productivity and learning ways to better myself.

Here’s my top productivity tip for today, write out your to do list the night before. This has multiple benefits for me. It allows me to mentally let go of the things I couldn’t accomplish that day, knowing that I can try to complete them tomorrow. When I first hop into my day, I’m still a little fuzzy, and not in a place to say, ok, what should I do next? I need past Jennilyn to tell me what to do.

I’m trying something new with today’s list – I’m chunking my tasks by goals – feeding my soul (devos, journaling, reading), building community (social posts/blogging/etc), organizing my life/other’s lives (most of my to do list, lol).

What do you do to stay productive?

p.s. This is where we were one year ago today. Ahhhhh, I miss the road!

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Day 2900 – Reflections On 2900 Days Of Marriage

Posted on June 19, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

I can’t believe we’ll hit 3000 days marriage in only 100 days. As they say, the days are long and the years are short. I have to say, I love that I’ve kept a blog for over 6 years, so that I can look back on our marriage and life together. We have experienced so much together, and grown so much. I love the people we are growing into. The past few months have been especially noteworthy. In some ways, I can’t believe how much we’ve grown. There have been many mindset shifts about life, money, home, and more. One thing we’re told is that people can’t change. If you marry someone with a bad habit or something you don’t like, you’re going to have to deal with it, because people don’t change. I am so so so glad that’s not true! If that were true, we’d still be in debt, I’d still be an alcoholic, and Bret wouldn’t be building a successful business. I think the better preparation is – people can change, but it takes time…and patience.

I cannot wait to see where we are on Day 5800….and beyond.

I love ya B, here’s to another couple trips around the sun!

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Day 2899 – I Never Thought I Would See My 35th Birthday

Posted on June 18, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

Here’s something a little “not normal” about me. I never thought I’d live to see 35. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d live through my 20’s. See, I lost many friends in my young adult years. When I was 15, my manager, who was 21, passed away. A few years later, a very close friend, who was 17, passed away. For the next few years, I would lose someone under 30 almost every year. I have attended so many funerals of young adults, and old adults. So, there was a part of me that thought I wouldn’t make it that long. In honor of them on my 35th birthday, I want to share how they have changed my life, even though they are gone.

1. Enjoy today as if it was your last.
2. Tell people you love them at every opportunity. Bret and I almost always say “it’s been real” when we say goodbye. Because you never know when it will be your last goodbye.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff…
4. …or the big stuff.
5. Laugh often, and without reservation.
6. Don’t hold too tightly to the negative things people think about you.
7. Stop and enjoy where you are right now.
8. If you wash dishes, wear an apron.
9. If a t-shirt is made for a teddy bear, you can wear it, really.
10. Don’t forget your wallet on a date.
11. God is the most important thing.
12. Don’t hold grudges for other’s mistakes, cover them with love and gratitude.
13. You can have another career in your “retirement.”
14. Use your “retirement” to build tree houses.
15. If you fail at something the first time, try again tomorrow.
16. Sacrificing yourself for someone else’s benefit, is the ultimate gift.
17. Greet everyone with a smile that genuine.
18. Take the trips, and laugh often.
19. You can leave a part of yourself for someone, even if you leave before they can remember you.
20. You can always take extra helpings of mashed potatoes.
21. Even if you are limited in some way physically, you can still make an incredible impact on others.
22. Hug others as fiercely as possible. You never know when your last hug will be.
23. Don’t hold tightly to winning fights.
24. Sing if you have the voice.
25. Have a second home, if you can.
26. Enjoy the small things.
27. Live in the moment.
28. Others can be impacted by your joy.
29. Every day is a chance to try again.
30. Visit the places you’ve always dreamed of before it’s too late.
31. Everything can change in an instant.
32. Do what you love.
33. Don’t make excuses for your mistakes.
34. Treat everyone as important.
35. But don’t waste your time on negative people.

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Day 2898 – How A Concert Taught Me I Am Getting Older – or – Mini Review Of The Deftones/Rise Against/Thrice Tour

Posted on June 17, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

I had this vision of how to spend my 35th birthday – at a concert, moshing. What better way to say “screw you” to a mid-life crisis than by rocking out? I wanted to see Thrice on their summer tour with Deftones and Rise Against. The show on my birthday (happening tomorrow) is taking place in Raleigh, NC. We were waiting to see if Bret closed a deal before we booked anything, ha ha, to see if we had money to go! We ended up nixing all overnight traveling, and decided to spread out the “celebration money” and do more things locally. I even saved a few bucks on the tickets. So we decided to go to the show in at the new MGM casino in National Harbor. I have to say, it’s a beautiful place! Parking was super easy (and free) and there were lots of signs leading the way to the theater.

After Thrice played, we decided to walk around a little bit. While Rise Against is all well and good, we were like, Eh. We found our way to a big, outdoor deck with a colored water fountain, overlooking the harbor. The night was perfect. A warm breeze. Ah, so peaceful.

After hanging outside for a bit, we went back in for the last song of the Rise Against set, and then Deftones. I thoroughly enjoyed their set! They were such a big part of my late teens/early 20’s. I even got goosebumps when they played Change (In The House Of Flies). Amazing show.

But, there was another side, a side I don’t like to admit – I’m getting older.

During the Thrice set, we saw the mosh pit, and headed over. Upon arriving at the circle, instead of watching for a minute or two to get a feel for the vibe and intensity, I hopped right in.
Barely 10 seconds passed before I was on the floor.
I hopped up, ready to keep going, nope, sorry lady, you’re back on the floor.
Hopped up again, oh, hello again floor!

Probably best that I was humbled so quickly, or else I’d be more beat up. I still enjoyed the set, and I love hanging out on the side of the pit. It’s nice and open, and you only have a few people running into you.

As we sat in between sets, I realized, wow, I already have a bruise.

The next day, we were able to sleep in, and upon waking I felt like an elephant had stepped on me.

I spent the day hobbling around, complaining about my sore neck…and body.

I was so not with it, that I dropped almost half a bag of floss picks on the floor. I just looked at them, then at Bret, and said “I can’t adult today!”

I took multiple naps and lay downs.

In some ways, I felt like I was recovering from a hangover. That’s something I haven’t done in almost 3 years!

My ears were ringing all day.

Dudes, I’m actually getting older. Now, to be fair, I did throw myself into an arena of guys twice my size, who were pushing each other around. But still, I’m getting older! I really don’t mind getting older, there’s a part of me that’s looking forward to all the senior discounts and freebies, but the past few days were the first time I realized that my body will show my age too.

All that to say, I can’t think of a better way to age, than by rocking out. 🙂