Author Archives: 365 days of marriage

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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 2624 – Reflections On Getting Arrested Ten Years Ago

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Ten years ago at 1:59 a.m., I had a number of thoughts:
– I was so excited about my new job! It was my first “real” job. A 9-5 where I had to wear business casual and not a uniform.
– I really enjoyed working at Target.
– I should not be driving right now.
– I texted someone and said as much.

Ten years ago at 2:00 a.m., when I was pulled over, I had a number of thoughts:
– I shouldn’t have been driving.
– I shouldn’t have been texting.
– I should be ok, I didn’t have that much to drink.

Ten years ago around 4:00 a.m., after being officially arrested, I had a number of thoughts:
– I can’t believe this is happening.
– I can’t believe I blew a .13.
– I can’t believe I talked to the cop on the way back from the official breathalyzer test about thinking God wanted me to talk to him. How embarrassing.
– I can’t believe the cops at the station said I took a good mug shot.

Today, ten years after being arrest, I have a number of thoughts:
– I can’t believe I didn’t think I had a problem back then. I found a short survey I took for my court mandated substance abuse classes. I scored an 11 out of 24. 9 or more meant probable alcoholism.
– I am SO thankful that God graciously helped me quit drinking cold turkey.
– I am so thankful I was pulled over that day. If I thought I was ok driving that day….I shudder to think what could have happened on the days prior that I knew I wasn’t ok to drive.
– I am thankful for those who stood by me through the last 10 years.
– I never thought I would put this out there publicly! I remember being SO scared about people finding out.
– I am thankful for work that doesn’t require me to check off a box – “have you been arrested” etc.
– I am thankful that I can now be a designated driver and not be mad about it.
– I am most thankful that alcohol doesn’t hold any power over me anymore. I always thought I wanted one of those stories….you know the kind…..drug addict, alcoholic, etc sees the errors of their ways and comes to Jesus and is completely saved from their vices. I always thought, well, my story isn’t that exciting….I grew up in a Christian home, gave my life to Christ very early and have clung to my faith ever since. I now know that is one of THE best testimonies. But, now I have both testimonies. 🙂

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Day 2623 – 10 Years Ago, Was My Last Day Working At Target…And The Day Before I Was Arrested

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I realized earlier this year, that I was arrested 10 years ago (tomorrow to be exact). I’ve had that on my calendar to blog about (so check back tomorrow for my reflections on being arrested), but what I didn’t think about was how today was the anniversary of my last day at Target. Even though the hours were crazy, I loved the job and the people I met. I’m still friends with many of the people I worked with at Target. I photographed 13 of my 57 weddings because I either worked with one of the clients or they were referred because of another Target wedding. Almost 1/4 of my weddings! So even though the next day at 2 a.m., my life would change in so many ways, I had a great time with co-workers who are still very dear friends. Shout out to my Target friends!!

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Day 2622 – I Totally Missed A Day!

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So I’ve been blogging for a long time. I realized I was getting close to 2000 posts, my current count is 1969. It hit me though, that I’ve probably already passed that. See, when a former couple gets divorced :(, I remove their blog posts and page off my website. So if you see gaps in my old posts, that’s why. Well, yesterday, I was checking my stats and noticed I had a “backreader.” I can tell when someone is “flipping though” by the days they read. It was then that I realized I completely and totally ignored last Thursday. I have NO idea why. I was working at home. I still had my printed to do list (I just ran out of ink so I have NO printed listed this week! Eeek!) Yea, NO idea. So if you were waiting for a post, I’m so sorry!

Here’s how I reacted!

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