A New Decade

    It's so unbelievable to me that I will be turning THIRTY in 43 days. If embarking on a new decade of age doesn't paralyze you and make you re-evaluate your life, kudos to you my friend. I remember turning 25 and thinking WHOA! What am I doing with my life! The thing I love most about my husband though, is he is ok with change. Turns out, neither one of us are very traditional. Sure, we love the holidays and our family heritage but in our day-to-day lives, our goals and dreams are constantly changing.
    In 2010, we started new jobs right out of college (BOOMER!), bought a home, got married, and thought we had life all figured out. But then life actually happened. I was at an oil and gas company, bored out of my mind and knew that this was not for me. I felt like a caged bird and was determined I would never be "stuck" in a job I loathed. Great perks but utterly unfulfilling. Honestly, I wasn't ready to settle down, in the sense of starting a family, and thankfully neither was my husband. So, a year later I applied to grad school and began working on my masters. From there on out, EVERYTHING changed; my opinions, my beliefs, my ideas. And slowly but surely, mine and my husband's relationship began to change. I thought because we met in college, we were so well rounded to make the conscious decision to get married and that we knew everything. We didn't know didly squat. But we had passion. And turns out, that was enough for us while we hopped on this roller coaster that we call "life".
    We took MAJOR leaps of faith. Quitting my job at Chesapeake, taking a nanny position, attending grad school full time all while having a mortgage was TERRIFYING. But somehow, miraculously, everything fell perfectly into place and worked out for us; I really believe it was because Brian and I never stopped believing in each other. Corny but true. My biggest fear is that we would just "settle" or "do what we were supposed to do" out of expectation or frustration but I thank my lucky stars every day that we push through to OUR goals and dreams. We are choosing our own path. Brian and I have learned to be so incredibly open with each other. You have to be if you want your marriage to last.
    At this point, I have HOPE. I feel so extremely excited for 2015. For NYE, Brian had the most amazing idea to fly out to Malibu to visit some of our best friends and take that time to make some life altering decisions. I love when that man is spontaneous. It was like that one time he woke up on Labor Day Monday and said "Let's go get a puppy!", all over again.
    Right now we are torn between our roots and our wings but there is a great big world out there and I just want to experience it ALL. Whatever your quest may be, good luck and go with confidence; life is too short to not find your happiness.

God's Calling, ANSWER!

This verse has been on my heart all week. It is no secret that I am "mama bear" or "mama Megan" to many of my friends and family. Nor is it a secret that I am more strong willed than for my own good sometimes. I struggle with this as I do not want to be a control freak. But then I came across this verse and God gave me peace about the way He created me, as I can be completely and utterly BOLD when it comes to the well-being and safety of people and our planet, ESPECIALLY God's precious children and animals. (Yes, there is word on respecting ALL of God's creations, not just humans.) I'm fairly confident Brian is assured that one of these days my forwardness and stand is going to get me shot. 

Please do not mistake that this out of "pity" for others, merely empathy, as I respect we ALL have our ups and downs. I hope to uplift others as God has put others in my life to uplift me. It has been in my late 20s that I have discovered humanitarianism is what fuels my soul and it is exactly what God put me on this earth to strive for. I look forward to the roller coaster ride that God has warranted I'm "tall enough" to locomote.

SHOW His love.

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4

God has made each and everyone of us a certain way, embrace it. :)

Life.

Brian and I attended Life this past Sunday. Yes, I think I may have fallen into the mass church craze. Against my skepticism, it was pretty good. And they serve Starbucks coffee so Brian is sold. Such a simple creature he is. Anyways, the series was called "Altar Ego" and boy did it hit home! I woke up Sunday morning and told Brian we should try Life church because I felt God was telling me He had a very special message waiting for me. Me nor Brian are much of church goers so I'm sure you can imagine the look on his face when I presented this random suggestion. Back to the point, this was the last Sunday for this series and it was about "we are not who others think we are, we are who God says we are". It was about people pleasers (I am mentally raising my hand right now) and how if you are focusing on seeking the approval of others, you are probably lacking on seeking the approval from God. Which consequently might provide some relief to my perfectionism side. No one and nothing is perfect, DUH. Not much to my surprise, God's tiny voice in my head about attending this sermon was dead on. I think Brian was in awe of this little endeavor we encountered. This is something I struggle with on a daily basis. I want everyone to be happy, and thoroughly enjoy making others happy but on the downside, am crippled with disappointment when it doesn't work out. However, Pastor Craig so boldy and obviously stated YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE. Wow. Four little words that I have always known but until he profoundly said them, they had never sunk in. (Side note: I know this goes without saying but that also doesn't mean you have disregard for others in the name of God. I think this it where believers and non-beleivers butt heads as some take that to the extreme but there should be a balance) Please God first and the rest will follow. Here are a few notes that I walked away with after attending service.

Laying Down Your Longing for Approval: Signs You Care Too Much What Others Think

1. You worry about what others think. (Point taken)
2. You are overly sensitive.
3. You compromise your values.
4. You hesitate sharing your faith.
5. You have a hard time saying no.

I hard core admit to #2 and #3.

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." Galations 1:10

And a new favorite below :)
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25

Happy Tuesday Blog World!

LOVE & Marriage: Obstacles and Triumphs

There is something about the holidays that motivates me to blog. It must be the fabulous idea of sitting cozy on the couch listening to the crackling fire enjoying a hot cup of coffee while putting my thoughts on "paper". I'm not sure how many people care to read my rambling thoughts but I figured for people who don't care for blogging/bloggers, don't blog.
                                         
It's been two years since I started this blog and clearly, I have not kept up with it. These past two years have been a whirlwind, WHEW! From vacations to fun family events to celebrations with some amazing friends, Brian and I are thoroughly enjoying this ride they call "marriage". That's not to say we haven't had our struggles. Everyone says your first year of marriage is the hardest, I disagree. I'd say it's your second year because that is truly when the "honeymoon" stage fades and the realization of "forever" kicks in. Not to say that forever doesn't sound absolutely incredibly wonderful but that's a lot of pressure! However, Brian and I are figuring it out one day at a time through our humor, tears, laughter and sometimes straight up fights. With that said, my husband is my very best friend (and a damn good man). He knows the real me and still tells me how madly in love he is with me. When someone knows the real you and is still in love with you, that's a true soul mate. It is easy to get comfortable with each other and lose the spark and lack in the effort but date nights are what keeps our spark sparkling! Whether it's a steak dinner at a nice restaurant or a steak dinner off the grill in our backyard with an ice cold beer, this is something Brian and I so cherish. I am by no means an expert but Brian and I have been together for 6 years, married for two of them, and I have definitely learned a few things about maintaining a fun, wildly, romantic marriage.

1. Make time for each other. There's always going to be a birthday, a celebration or a get together and sometimes you just have to say NO. Me and my girlfriends have this understanding and I greatly appreciate them for that. We are all somewhat newly weds and sometimes a weekend of vegging on the couch with a Dexter marathon and Chili's to-go is just what the doctor ordered!

2. Show affection. I won't elaborate on this but women AND men, you both know what the other needs.

3. Speak to each other as if you were still in the first 6 months of dating. I know for a lot of women patience isn't our strong suit, especially when it comes to our husbands' lack of detail BUT men are not women. They don't care about wrinkly sheets and color coordination. "Please" and "thank you" go a long way. And men, no matter how many days, years or decades you've been with your special gal, gushy love notes left on the mirror or random phone calls/texts just to say "I love you", NEVER get old, neither do compliments ;).

4. Remember each others' strengths when all you are focusing on is their weaknesses. WHY can't my husband keep his laundry under control and organized?! or WHY is my wife overly sensitive?! Instead, WOW! My husband always surprises me with cleaning the kitchen or WOW! My wife always remembers my important events and gives 110%! Don't forget what each of you bring to the table and just how well you compliment each other.

5. Compromising is KEY. If my husband can watch Bravo with me, the TV is his all Saturday during football season and for Thunder games. Sharing the boob tube is minimal compared to some but you get the idea.

So there you have it. My five rules of thumb to maintain a happy marriage. That's not to say that there are days, sometimes weeks, when this all goes to the wind. But hey, A for effort right? Feel free to share any of your "secrets to a happy marriage". Thanks for viewing!


              
                                                           

Our First Christmas as a FaMiLy!

With Christmas hitting our house FULL ON, I am in complete Christmas spirit mode! We hosted our very first Christmas party at our house this year and it was a BLAST! Of course we had yummy snacks and wonderful cocktails as well. With it all said and done, our first Christmas as husband and wife, we will have been to four Christmas parties, participated in secret Santa games, gone on a sleigh ride and of course my favorite Holiday event, attended the Nutcracker Suite ballet! I just can't get enough! With that said, we have also given back in appreciation of our blessings. We have donated a percentage of our paycheck to the United Way as well as warmed up some kiddos with gloves, mittens and scarves. And not to jump the gun, but my New Year's resolution will be to start tithing every month. I truly hope everyone has a joyful holiday and is spending lots of quality time with their loved ones....in the end, if you have family and faith you have everything!

Brian and I hosted our first annual Christmas party! A 40s themed event with delicious food and cocktails.

"The tree is decorated now let's have a cocktail!"

Our 2010 Christmas card

The Stacy's first tree as husband and wife

I am in love with our PB stockings!

It's a WONDERFUL life!

I can't believe it, Christmas is finally here! I could not be more ecstatic!  This will be our FOURTH Christmas together, and yes, we have, and will have, a Christmas card for every year! Time really flies when you are in love. <3 As the year ends, I look back on 2010 and am so thankful and humble for all of our many blessings. God has taken such great care of us and I owe it all to him. Within a year, I got engaged, started my career, received a promotion, had a fairytale wedding, went on the most perfect, romantic honeymoon, bought a house, became a mom to our sweet little puppy Sebastian and NOW I get to focus on grad school! I could not be more excited for what the future holds for Brian and I. I feel as if the sky is the limit! With God's grace, I pray that we continue to prosper and enjoy these next few years as blissful newlyweds. With that said, here are our Christmas cards for the past three years. Be looking in the mail for 2010's!

2007

                                                                         2008

                                                                             2009

Fall Thoughts

Well it's fall time at the Stacy residence. Pumpkin cookies, corn casseroles, OU football and holiday spice candles have officially taken over our home. I thoroughly enjoy making our home "homey". I have decided to order a Welcome sign specifically for our house, "Welcome to the Stacy cottage, leave your worries at the door" (yes, we now have a slogan, corny but I like it). As it is Halloween weekend and I am completely content being at home with my hubby watching our Sooners, I have realized, me being the social butterfly and what not, that Brian and I are at a cross road; not quite ready for children but not tempted to visit the bars either. With that said, not really sure where that leaves us in the social world. We have currently been searching for a home church, particularly one with a young married couples' group. I really enjoy Life church in Edmond but we are exploring our options :). But enough of me yakking, here are a few items below that are a necessity for me while the leaves fall and the weather cools!

Bad news is Brian is going to kill me, good news is these beautiful Cole Haan boots shall be sitting pretty in my closet in two weeks.

 

My new best friends. And perfect for days when I don't want to wash my hair 



 

No this is not a "holiday" candle but this Huckleberry Volupsa candle is my utmost favorite candle of all time, I have it in a lotion too! Really puts the cozy in our home!

I don't even like corn but this corn casserole will change your life!

I am OBSESSED with the sweaters from Gap. They can be worn to work AND on the weekend which is a HUGE plus!

 Ok, I realize I may be getting too old for Forever 21 but their accessories are adorable and I can't ever resist a plaid shirt for 15 bucks!

At last...

I have finally joined the blogging world. Not too savvy at it but I am sure I will learn fast!