Six Geese A-Laying

I was just putting the dishes away in my fiance's kitchen.  He lives in a cozy duplex in Dallas, complete with PS4 and XBox 360 and all the things you'd expect from a bachelor vinyl and movie fanatic.  In a few months, this will be my home.  I was marveling at this, and then realized that I don't know where all of the utensils go.  I don't know which drawer things go in, or all the little nooks and crannies we store things in, that we know in our heads but that others would never guess.  How sweet it is, to not know my way around.  Just like I don't know my way around marriage.  Such innocent days, these are. 

We've chosen the harder path, to not know each other completely, and to trust God and each other that He will see it through.  We didn't "test drive" this relationship.  We are doing our best from what we know in part, and in part we will learn as we go.  In marriage this won't be his house, anymore.  It will be our house.  For good or bad, better or worse.  Struggling with bills or not.  It won't be my way or his way.  We'll have to find our way.  

And God help us, we will. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!  Pray for us!

Post Christmas Glow

Christmas was amazing.  I feel happy and blessed.  I attended and/or sang for 6 masses over 3 days, 4 of which were on Christmas Eve (Advent IV).  So I'm about churched out for a while, at least till next Sunday.  I have a lot to do this week, but resting is part of that.  So here's to a nice rest!

I am now entering into the phase of planned weight loss for my wedding, which is in 116 days.  I got a little bit fluffy over the food-centric holidays, so I need to lose about 5 lbs to be at a comfy weight.  I am aiming for 4 more pounds on top of that to look my best for the wedding (and honeymoon...eek!).  I have to film my Pop Pilates certification video within the next 7 days so I'm getting on that really soon.

Getting married is really fun, and being engaged over Christmas is sort of like a dream.  It is so nice to look into my fiance's eyes and have that quiet sense of knowing that it will be him, forever...every Christmas from now till the end.  I love him so.

Here are some pics from our Christmas masses:

Rain, coffee, and peace

I'm sitting here in my fiance's house.
It's dark and rainy outside, with just a hint of sunlight glowing behind the grey clouds.
I have coffee, and a little dachshund curled up by my feet.  He's at work, and I'm waiting to go meet the caterer with his mom in a few hours.
Life is sweet.

Having a good, solid man in one's life is a calming force.  There is nothing like a healthy relationship to bring cooling peace to the storms of life.  When you grow up in chaos, chaos feels like home.  You might not even know a different way is possible.

Hunter evens me out and brings peace.  It is gentle, like the sunlight here in this dim room.  But it is constant.  And Good.  Love is good.  Love never fails.

There is so much wedding planning to do on top of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday approaching.  It can get overwhelming.  I'm grateful for this moment of peace.

Try and take time today to find a few peaceful moments where you can breathe a sigh of relief, and hold onto those.  Just a few more days 'till Christmas! 

Grateful Advent

Being engaged is overwhelming, and mostly I'm overwhelmed with goodness. 

I cannot believe how lucky I am.  I have love and acceptance showered on me from people who needn't do that, but do it because they want to and hold great hopes for our future together.  I am so blessed with a beautiful ring, a beautiful merging of two lives, wonderful future in-laws and the most wonderful fiance a girl could dream of. 

He is so kind and good to me.  Where others have criticized, he encourages.  This is huge.  What a blessing from God. 

Today is Sunday, Advent II.  I am dreamily enjoying my afternoon off between Anglican Church/Rehearsal and Catholic Mass tonight.  I get to see Hunter, who was out of town for a concert.  I am happy, full of yummy food, sung out, tired, and so grateful. 

Two Months of Engagement - "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"

Ok, maybe it's an inappropriate use of that phrase.

But today is Pearl Harbour Day, and I couldn't help myself. 

God bless the memories of the those brave men and women, murdered by the Japanese, all those years ago as we launched unawares into World War II. 

Also, I've been engaged for two months today!

Why haven't I written?! Why am I not gushy about this momentous event??

I have two reasons for you:

1. I am a perfectionist and I put off posting till I could write something perfect (hah!)

2. My life got suddenly 3 times as busy when he put that ring on me.  Suddenly I went from three jobs to five.  The other two were planning a wedding, and planning a marriage.  The Catholic Church requires some basic classes, and we have chosen to require more of ourselves, by doing outside premarital counseling and reading books and praying. 

So much is going on!  Everything is good and wonderful.  Our wedding is April 21st.  We are on our way.  And I am feeling the need to write about it.  So, as I am wrapping up teaching for the semester, I promise to write more about it.  I've learned a lot as a fiancee of two months, and I have a lot to share :) 

Our wedding website is here:

theknot.com/us/amyandhunter

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and happy birthday to my darling fiance who shares the day!