It just is

My favorite question as a child was, why? Why is this so? Why must this be? Why can't I change this?


In a few short weeks I will be getting married. I've never been married before... or engaged either. I can't speak for being married, but being engaged stinks. Between the full time and part time job I still have, the new family obligations, preparing the new house that he and I will share together, the constant transit between work, his place, my place, and all the overly helpful family members I am exhausted.  Coordinating vendors and passing out the correct information while trying to repress the ones the rumors with incorrect information has kept me up at night. I suppose we're now into "the last minute details that really make an occasion" and with those details comes the inevitable minor problems. Regretably, where I see them as a minor problem, someone else might see them as the, "that's it. Scrap the plan, let's try again in a year."  On top of this, it is that time of year when we really should be focusing on the Christ Child, and redemptive suffering, and preparing the way of the Lord by being His hands on earth. And all anyone can talk to me about is bridesmaid dresses, where we are registered, and wedding cake. I admit, I hadn't considered this when we got engaged and picked a date.


The fact is, I would not have been fine with eloping. I have too many people who I would be disappointed to not share this day with. And any other modern day wedding is a little bit crazy, it just is. However, I would like to point out, that if the flowers wilt before the reception, this will not invalidate my marriage.  If the cake does a backflip off the stairs, this will not invalidate the marriage.  If someone spills kool-aid on my dress, my matron of honor will be upset, but we'll fix it, or we won't. And it will still be a sacrament of marriage.


I started this blog to talk about my adventures, and this really has been a good one. We are all overwhelmed trying to plan a wedding between two families that aren't in the same state, in the same mindset, or on the same page.  If you have a question, ask me. Or my matron of honor. Or the groom. We all talk to each other daily (or more frequently) and we love to answer questions. If you feel like I'm not communicating well, try being the one to start the conversation. Don't spread incorrect information. It takes me a ridiculous amount of time correcting it.


This wedding is about God. And our families. And us. However, this marriage is just about God, He, and I. It just is. The wedding I will share with you, if you let me. Because this is a good thing. A sacramental thing. A blessed event. It just is.

Rules #215

There is nothing like almost losing someone to remind you that it doesn't matter what your wedding invitations look like.

Rules #214

In every wedding something will go wrong, but it will make a great story later.

Rules #213

Realistic views about D-Day: something will go wrong on your wedding day. It will be okay. And if you're lucky, it will make a great story later.

Rules #212

Other helpful advice while preparing for marriage. Don't ever tell your future mother-in-law that you had considered eloping.

Rules #211

Helpful advice for planning your wedding: Elope.

Rules #210

You are the culmination of all your ancestors' flaws, hopes, sacrifices, crimes, and love. The one that you should pass down is love.

Rules #209

It's okay to not be okay and need a detox day.

Rules #208

Be the hero in your own story.

Rules #207

Tell the truth and suffer the consequences like an adult.

One more thing

If all you ever learn from this life is that you need God, then you have lived this life well.

I still Love Lucy

Today is Lucille Ball's Birthday!


Here are some great quotes from her.


“I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.”


“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.”


“I’m not funny. What I am is brave.”

Rules #206

Love is smiling and saying "I love you" even when you're angry.

Rules #205

Sometimes we make do and continue on just because failure is not an option.

Rules #204

"You are what you eat" is a phrase that is meant to make people feel guilty about what they eat... no matter what that might be. This might also encourage cannibalism. This remark should be countered by eating a cougar, or a shark, or something equally unequivocal.

The best kind of day

Today was a bad day. It wasn't really anyone's fault. Well, it might've been the cat's fault. I am now sporting three fabulous new bandages because of him but part of me wonder's if it's really his fault or his nature's fault. Anyways, it was a long day. It was a difficult day. And I survived it. Largely because four of my littlest challenges who were also having a rough end to a long day, all (separately) wanted to sit in my lap and be held. This doesn't make my day any better or any worse, but, it does leave me remembering, I may not be the best person I know- but I'm important to some beautiful children. And no matter how hard my day was, it was the best kind of day.

On the First Day of Spring

So, it's the first day of Spring. HA! As a reminder, there are flashflood warnings until 7:00 PM... tomorrow.

There is truly nothing worse than being home sick, bored, alone, and not having the strength to stand for extended periods of time.

Rules #203

Nothing puts me sleep like reading other peoples reports. Nothing wakes me up like trying to write them.

Rules #202

"Not as cold as" does not equate "warm".

Rules #201

For God so loved the world that He only made ONE of me.

Rules #200

Morning people in the morning around non morning people are dangerous.

Rules #199

There is never a task too simple or too easy that someone can't mess it up.

Quotes

"I like flying to be on solid ground." -Jackie

2014

A few months ago we were discussing at the dinner table what some of the more exciting events of 2014 were and we were laughing at how many of them were repeats of mine. In fact, if you had shuffled up my year differently, it seems that I did hardly anything.  Consequently, I decided to share some of the conversation with you. Please note, we're weird.



1. Gabbie goes through a breakup and disappears to Dallas for two days.



2. Gabbie learns what it is like to be a single parent of five for a week with the help of two geriatric helpers.



3. Gabbie gets a job a Google.



4. Gabbie gets a job as a temp.



5. Gabbie gets a job at a University.



6. Gabbie gets a new boyfriend.



7. Gabbie goes to Roswell and gets a new job offer.



8. Gabbie gets a new job at a Law Firm.



9. Gabbie goes through another breakup and disappears to Houston for two days.



10. Gabbie gets a new boyfriend.



11. Gabbie is a bridesmaid. Again.



12. Gabbie goes international.



13. Gabbie meets the Pope.



14. Gabbie gets her Insurance Adjuster Trainee license.


15. Gabbie runs away and is never heard from again in 2014.



Like I said, a lot of repeats.