2014

Josh painted, brightened and refreshed the walk-in closet for me. my first spot in OUR home but I still kept my bags on the weekend in the guest bedroom until it was officially mine.

showers + planning. hello Kitchenaid!

celebrated 14 years for my healthy kidney. same day as McCoy's baptism, too!

we became Mr. and Mrs. Black. married. God blessed us with a beautiful, slow and exciting day!

Puerto Vallarta. sunburns, blister got infected (disgusting), cards under the umbrellas with guac and drinks, earthquakes, dolphins, sun and love. It was wonderful.

New job for Josh! He was pursued for this cardiovascular position RIGHT after our wedding. God has perfect timing.

bonfires, landscaping and sunshine.

new living room furniture!

Chicago Blackhawks weekend for the third time! a weekend in Galena was the perfect end to the weekend!

State Fair. corn dogs a-plenty!

paid off my student loans on Oct 19! (over $17,000 in May 2013 and completed 17 months later) Josh surprised me a dozen white roses and a J and a B mug :)

Ryan Adams concert in Ames and late night Perkins.

Josh's 37th birthday. dinner with our families at Exile.

Garth Brooks concert on Nov. 8th! with all the Millers.

My 27th birthday. dinner at cool basil of course :)

Wisdom teeth out! Josh was so helpful and very sweet. Felt pretty good after 4 days of resting and icing. Thank you God for ice packs.

first Thanksgiving as the Blacks!

McCoys birthday party. farm animals, chewing on ribbons and pork sandwiches.

Stephen Kellogg concert at Flying Mango as our 7s birthday gift to one another!

new bedroom furniture and a fun (and challenging!) bathroom remodel!

first Christmas as the Blacks!

New Years with a puzzle and cider/beer!

Im always drawn to art that has significance. A ticket stub becomes art when viewed that way. I've been quietly open to the idea of finding a scripture verse to have painted on one of our walls in our home... preferably spanning an inside corner.

This morning, I think, I found that quote.

rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; 
Romans 12:12.

I came across this post on A Cup of Jo today. My wheels started turning...

If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?

Mine are:

Faith-filled.
Happy.
In Love.

Why I Quit Facebook.

Nearly two years ago, I said good-bye to Facebook.
The reasons continue to evolve and grow...

Jealousy clouds out sunshine and I belong to the Light.

Humility is found on other pages and in other areas but not on Facebook.

Time is more precious than a lit screen and a scrolling feed.

I am blessed to spend real-time with my husband, my family, my nephews.

If I like something, I'll text you, smile at you, tell you or hug you and you'll know even more from that than my little blue thumbs up.

*Facebook is a blessing for families that live across states or oceans from their families. I get that and because of that, I understand the needs and desires Facebook fulfills. 

taking stock

Making: eta: strawberry rhubarb crisp 
Cooking: cowboy caviar. we've made 4 batches in the last 3 weeks
Drinking: iced coffee c/o Trader Joes with almond milk
Reading: Love Languages
Wanting: new dresses
Looking: forward to Chicago with my Joshel
Playing: games with McCoy tonight is what I'll be up to!
Wasting: time. arg. I long to use my minutes + hours more intentionally
Sewing: pillows 2 weeks ago with drapery remnants
Wishing: for a sunny Saturday to landscape
Enjoying: my time as Mrs. Black. I pinch myself and thank God hourly.
Waiting: for Joshel to get home and the three Millers to get here soon!
Liking: our new normal. feels so good.
Wondering: what God has in store for us.
Loving: Josh. fresh herbs. coconut oil in lieu of lotion
Hoping: to be a mama. and praying. praying hard.
Marvelling: at God's plans and forgiveness and grace
Needing: Gods grace. and breakfast
Smelling: rain
Wearing: old jeans and teeshirt. and im at work. thats awesome
Following: my heart and God's leads in turning away from gossiping and paying loans ($4300 to go!!)
Noticing: the beauty everywhere.
Knowing: how to calligraphy and watercolor is really poppin up a lot lately
Thinking: about Carm... Emily... Josh.. Jamie...Sara as she interviews
Feeling: content and excited for the weekend
Bookmarking: recipes and Intentional Questions to enrich relationships
Opening: my heart
Giggling: at Joshs silly dances and jokes
Feeling: loved. very loved.

post inspiration taken from here.

a healthy June

I'm inspired by Madison's post to keep a mental (and blogged!) checklist of

healthy goals for each month.

JUNE 2014

enjoy walks (with Josh too!)

mow our lawn.

The Balanced Life's booty burner—only 5 minutes, Bridg!

explore our weight room.

invest in the future with calcium + biotin.

take prednisone.

take time to focus on staying hydrated each day.

fiber + prunes + more fiber.

favorite verses

God is working in Josh and me...tirring our hearts and igniting our passion in Him who gives us hope and renews us for tomorrow. 

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11-13For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Philippians 4:6-7Don't worry about anything; instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him in all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The Blacks

JOSH & BRIDGET BLACK

APRIL 12, 2014