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 2060 – Happy TWO Year Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Hotte!

Posted on March 2, 2015 by 365 days of marriage

I hope you guys have a wonderful day!!!

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Day 2059 – Why You Should Try Other Things On the Menu

Posted on March 1, 2015 by 365 days of marriage

I’ve been eating at el Salto for about 13 years. On my first visit, I got a lunch special #5. I have since ordered a lunch special #5 for about 99% of my lunches….and the dinner special #27 (which is the same as the lunch except for an extra burrito) for 99% of my dinners. A few years back, I realized I could order extra shredded cheese (which is my FAVORITE thing on the menu). But I never strayed from my typical order. Never.

Yesterday, we wanted to feast. So we tried the nacho supreme appetizer. Never thought to try it. I mean, you get all you can eat chips and salsa…why pay for something more?

Well sir, after receiving and eating the nacho supreme, I now know why. Because it’s huge and freakin’ delicious! There was even oodles of melted cheese (same type as the shredded cheese). These nachos were so big, we honestly could have JUST eaten that. I had Bret hold up his hand to give them some scale.

So friends, try and order something new off the menu at your favorite restaurant next time….or take this to a deeper level and order something new off the menu of life. (ooooo, deep thoughts for a Sunday!) 🙂

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Day 2058 – Unfettered Joy – or Childlike Faith

Posted on February 28, 2015 by 365 days of marriage

Yesterday, I found an old photo from my visit to Disneyland. It was when I was riding the teacups and just laughing with joy at how fast I was going. I swear I will be like a child until the day I die. But I don’t think this is a bad thing.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-4

This verse gives my childlike heart such joy. On the outer layer, you can think, alright, being a kid is great, it’s ok to act like a kid. Wooo hoo!!!

But there is a much deeper, much harder truth to this. If we can strip away out “adult” minds and our “learned minds” and break life down to a simple, child like faith, we are asking ourselves to believe much.

Take away the big words and the big thoughts and our belief comes down to this:

We were created by God
We were bad (sinned)
God is good and can’t be with bad
Because God loves us, sent Jesus to pay for our bad
If we believe Jesus did that, we are good
When we are good, God does good for us
Everything that happens to us is for our good

I mean, think about the weight of that last statement and believing that like a child. There is no explaining it with big words, there is no deep thought. God says He works all things together for our good and we believe that. That’s it.

Oh Lord, let it be that my heart is ever simple and only focused on You.

And thanks for Disney, that was mighty nice of ya. 🙂

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Day 2057 – Love To Travel, But Don’t Have The Money? – or – How We’re Flying To California For Free (Almost)

Posted on February 27, 2015 by 365 days of marriage

We LOVE to travel!! I don’t think we realized how much until we had more money to do so!

Before this Christmas, we tended to take the super cheap ways in travel. We’d have to get a lower grade room or sleep in our car. We even had to cut our honeymoon short. Being in debt for so long, finally paying it off and Bret landing a teaching job has radically changed our financial situation.

We’ve splurged a little over the past few months with travel and eating out. I told you a few days back that we’re taking a weekend trip to go to a concert. While booking the hotel, I realized, you know, I just learned a LOT of great tips for saving on flights…I should share that!

A few months back, we finally signed up for a Southwest credit card. I think it’s one of the better rewards credit cards out there…especially if you fly even a little.

I lucked out and signed up during a promotion; if you spend $2000 within your first 90 days, you’ll get 50,000 bonus miles.

We hope to hit that number pretty soon. What I love about the Southwest Credit Card so far is how easy it is to earn miles and opportunities for bonus miles.

A particularly awesome way to rack up the points is Rocketmiles. This is a way to earn rapid rewards through booking hotels. I just booked our hotel for the concert and will get a bonus 5,000 miles! I mean, that’s like spending $5000 on my credit card! So, just by booking a hotel through the website (which we needed anyway), I’m getting miles.

Let me give a practical example.

You earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on your purchases. You’ll get 2 miles for every dollar spent through Southwest and their travel partners (hotels and car rentals). I’ve noticed they send a ton of other ways to get bonus miles too. Before Valentine’s Day, they had an offer for bonus miles if you ordered flowers through 1-800 flowers.

Now let’s break down your potential based on your normal cost of living expenses. Since this can range depending on a million factors, I’m going to just use $2000 as a starting point. I’ll also use our typical travel as well.

Yearly expenses amount – $24,000 i.e. 24,000 points
Our bonus for signing up and spending the amount required on the new credit card – 50,000 miles
Our bonus for booking a hotel through Rocketmiles – 5,000 miles
Rough estimate of cost of tickets to California at Christmas time for two – $1,100
Rough estimate of points for California at Christmas time for two – 76,578 miles
Rough cost of tickets to California at Christmas time after using points – $22.00

Total miles earned – 79,000
Miles left over after booking flight – 2,422
Cost to visit family for Christmas – $22

What about you? Do you have any money saving travel tips??

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