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 1305 – The Beginning Of Another Dream

Posted on February 5, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

I have officially finished typing up the notes from my journals. Why am I typing up notes from my journals you ask? Well, I am writing a book! Originally, it was going to be about my first year as a full-time photographer, but it has become a book about being a Christian small business owner. I have learned so many things over the last year and I truly feel called to write a book about it. I have no idea what it will turn out to be…how many people will actually care about it…but I’m going to write it. 🙂 You know I’ll keep you up to date and share bits and pieces as I go!

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Day 1304 – My Brides Are Ravens Fans

Posted on February 4, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

First off…..GOOOOOOOO RAVENS!!!!!! I am SO siked! 🙂

So, I took the time to look for all my purple brides and I found them!

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And my number 1 fan bride!!!!! I might add, this was taken August of 2011. No fair weather fan here!!!

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Day 1303 – Anything Is Possible or Bret Has Changed or GO RAVENS!

Posted on February 3, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

As you may or may not know, my dear hubby is from California. In 2011, we scored some tickets to the Thanksgiving Day Ravens vs. 49ers game. When I found out the team, I said, oh CRAP! You’re going to be cheering for the 49ers, just because. He likes to stir up trouble that one! After I said this here was our conversation (slightly paraphrased, since it was over a year ago):

“Jen, how do Ravens fans feel about the Steelers?”
“Well, it’s not pretty…”
“That’s how the Raiders feel about the 49ers. I could never go for the 49ers.”
“Ok then!”

So thankfully, he cheered for the Ravens at the game.

Two weeks ago, we went out to watch the Ravens vs. Patriots game. Check out what Bret was wearing….

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I was planning on going through all my weddings and finding all the purple dress, flowers, etc. and doing a nice long post of pics…..yea, ha! Bret will have to be enough for ya’ll today.

GO RAVENS!

Day 1302 – Even When Your Car Decides To Shut Down While Driving, Give Thanks

Posted on February 2, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

Tonight, I had intentions of visiting the store for Superbowl snacks and groceries. I was also going to try and find some purple hair dye. I know, I know. SILLY to look for the DAY BEFORE the Superbowl. But, I was going to do it.

Not 9 minutes from home, my car died. Like, power failure, all indicators went down. I was actually at a pretty safe spot to pull over and no one was behind me. I sat there for about 45 minutes waiting for Bret to pick me up and looking up what the heck it could be.

I was obviously bummed and kicking myself. It’s been acting a little funny….but still running ok. I was due for an oil change and intended to go either yesterday or the day before. As you know, I’ve been feeling a little under the weather and didn’t get the chance to go. What was great was my dear husband didn’t make me feel worse by making a big deal about picking me up or going to the store OR that I didn’t get the work done. (But I really didn’t think it was THAT bad). Instead, he (several times) said, dude, calm down and offered a fist bump. To say my husband has grown in the past few years is an understatement.

After the store, on the last hill of the drive home, we struggled. Started to slide in the snow. Thankfully, we were in the truck and it’s great in the snow…but it still struggled.

It hit me that if I had been driving my car around in this, I wouldn’t have gotten up the hill. I would have been going the other direction on our home road….and it’s worse on the other route. If it was just me, I would have driven to several stores looking for the hair dye. The snow would have been worse. I could have gotten in a very serious accident and done even more damage to the car. As I realized this I was just overwhelmed by God’s grace in all situations. Sometimes what looks like a bad situation is actually the best thing that could have happened to you.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And since it’s snowing, here’s my fav “Bret in the snow” picture. 🙂

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