First date, re-created

To round out this week of mushy, wedding-y posts, I thought I might as well put up pictures from our anniversary dinner on Tuesday night.  Poor Matthew had a cold but took me out anyway, and we did something we’ve been wanting to do forever now—we recreated our very first date.  I even wore the same exact outfit! 

Those of you who’ve read our love story may recall that Matthew and I only met briefly before he had to fly home to California, and then we talked on the phone for a couple weeks before he flew back down to Texas for a week of first dates.

I remember our first first date like it was yesterday.  I was a weird mixture of nervous and excited as I drove to the Starbucks where we were meeting, and when I got there, I sat down inside at a table near the entrance and wondered where to put my arms and whether I should cross my legs and if I should watch the door for him or play it cool like I didn’t see him coming.  I went for the cool option. ;)

Anyway, our first date was at Paesanos in San Antonio, and this time around we were even able to sit at the same table as the first time!  It was a really special evening and we had a great time chatting and laughing about how different our conversation was on this second date.  Neither of us could have imagined all that would change in our lives and how damn hard marriage would be sometimes, but while looking through wedding pictures this week, I was reminded of an excerpt from my favorite book (The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran) I had read our wedding.  It’s taken on new meaning for me now, and it’s humbling and breathtaking all in one.

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth….

But if in your fear you would only seek love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover you nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing floor,
Into a seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course…
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

 

I have a couple more Instagram pictures to share, but I think I’ll wait until Sunday. :) Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

On this day, three years ago

January 19th date necklace, c/o Stella Collections (use coupon code Jenni25 for 25% off!)

On this day, three years ago, I woke up in a rented little house I paid for waiting tables.  The walls were cold in that little house, and I snuggled with my puppies every night so we’d all stay warm.

On this day, three years ago, my three and a half year relationship had just ended, and I was feeling lost.

On this day, three years ago, it was Martin Luther King Day and a university holiday—it was my second to last semester of college.

On this day, three years ago, I met a friend for breakfast—a date that had been rescheduled since it didn’t work out the first try. 

On this day, three years ago, I was running late (typical)… but the timing was still perfect.

On this day, three years ago, paths were crossed in a funny little turn of fate.  I didn’t know it then, but one year later I’d be married to that blue eyed man I met out in the parking lot.  My best friend.

On this day, three years ago, the entire course of my life changed direction.  Matthew, I hope to someday be someone who deserves you, and to be what you deserve.  You make me better everyday.  I am so grateful.

Funny all that can happen in a single day, isn’t it.

“I have learned to listen to my heart.  I have learned that if you never make room for better things and better ways to be, if you never clear out the things in your life that stand in the way of your happiness, then you are not aligning your universe to allow for amazing things.   In this life, you don’t find yourself.  You create yourself.  And the same goes for love: you don’t find love, you create a road for love to travel and wait for it to come.”  Full love story here.

PS – The date necklace pictured above is one of my favorites and would make a fabulous gift (guys—Valentine’s Day… ehhh?)  Be sure and use the coupon code Jenni25 for 25% off!  :)

Guess what?

Matthew is about to start law school.

WOA! What? Where did that come from, right?  Warn us first before you spring this kind of stuff on us, Jenni!  (Just playing.  I mean, not about the law school thing, but about your unlikely reaction to it).

No, but really.  Almost a year ago, he decided it was something he really wanted to do, for a number of reasons.  So he studied day and night for the LSATS, took them, did great, got into a school (details of which I won’t be relaying here on the interwebs), and now he’s about to start.

I haven’t written about this on the ole blog yet.  I’m not really sure why.  Maybe I’ve been hoping he might change his mind about it. 

But now, as his first day looms, it’s starting to sink in that our reality is about to become quite different.  For the first year and a half of our marriage, he and I have spent nearly every waking moment together, as we’ve both been working from home.  Which may sound awesome, but it’s really not as awesome as you think, after a while.  Separation is good, and even VITAL in a relationship.  Too much togetherness breeds secret, murderous contempt.  (kidding.)

But as the impending rigors of law school approach, I can’t help but feel some anxiety.  Law school is supposed to be tough on relationships, though I’d like to think that we are stronger than your average bears.  Neither of us are needy, and I think I could definitely find plenty to do with all my extra alone time.  Such as gobbling up books like I’ve never done before, writing as much as possible, studying photography and editing, starting up my little business, and of course, supporting my man in every way possible.

I also know that I can be a selfish biotch sometimes fairly regularly.  I’m worried about how I’ll start to feel when Matthew’s head is buried in books every waking moment, and ::gasp:: he doesn’t have time to watch the Harry Potters with me or take my outfit pictures or go somewhere so it can appear we have a life… (for my blog).  Will I remain gracious and understanding and good-wifely, or will I throw PMS-induced tantrums and cry and wail of the injustices of my unfortunate situation?

I know, I know, I’m being a tad dramatic.  But I know things will be different now.  We’ll be pinching pennies like no other for one thing, and time together will be precious.

But you know what?  As much as I am anxious, I’m also excited.  I’m so proud of my husband for following his heart and being courageous enough to make this big change, even though the decision wasn’t always a popular one.  And I’m even excited about all the extra time this will give ME, to pursue some of my own dreams.  I can’t help but feel that we’re right on the edge of something great, though maybe getting there will take a few years of sacrifice.

And just because, here’s a picture of us from my mom’s birthday dinner on Thursday, complete with happy, smiling faces.  We’ll see how long they last…  (ha ha)

And of course, if there are any law school/med school wives out there with some helpful advice for us, I’d love to hear it! 

Have a nice Monday!!

My Weekend with the Wild Things

And I don’t mean my in-laws. 
But Matthew and I DID spend the weekend with his parents at their ranch, and while I was disappointed that there were no spring flowers yet and all plant life was still deader than dead, I managed to snap some fun pictures anyway. 
But first, for purposes of your amusement, I recorded several conversations that Matthew and I had on our long car ride on Friday.  There’s something about being stuck in a car together for long periods of time that seems to evoke some rather humorous intercourse.  And by intercourse, I mean conversation.  Don’t be gross.
***I apologize in advance for Matthew’s reference in conversation #3.  But I don’t apologize that it made me laugh so hard I cried.***

__________

Jenni (after passing some people flying kites in a field): Have you ever flown a kite?

Matthew: I have.  I had my very own kite when I was a kid.  And it wasn’t a cheap plastic one either.  It was FABRIC. It was blue, red, yellow, and green, and it had a tail.  A long, magnificent tail.

*Long pause*

Jenni: (disdainfully) Well, excuuse me.  Mine was plastic. 

__________

Jenni: I think I’m going to get a new swimsuit.

Matthew: Yes, a smaller one!

Jenni: No, a one piece.

Matthew: (look of horror)

Jenni: They’re back in, and very cute.

Matthew: Huh.

__________

Jenni: I really miss the bologna and cheese sandwich at Subway.

Matthew: They don’t have it anymore?

Jenni: Nope.  It used to be on the kid’s menu, but not anymore!

Matthew: It’s probably because people started realizing that bologna is ground up assholes.

__________

Sigh.  That man.  I love him though.

Here are some photos from the weekend.  And yes, that’s a real life armadillo.  I had no idea how cute they are, and now I want one of my very own.  Named Mo.  Mo the Armadillo.

And now I’ll be super sad when I see one smooshed on the road.  Poor, poor Mo.

Driving along in the “mule” (ranch vehicle), seein’ what we can see…

I could only imagine what was going through his head when I got this close to him.  Probably something like this: “omg omg omg omg omg omg I’m gonna die I’m gonna die I’m gonna die I’m gonna die…”

Then he just hid his little face in his little hole, and it was kind of precious.

Bambi.  Just chillin’.

This goofy guy’s head was covered in alfalfa.  And I didn’t want to mention anything, but his dangly parts are kind of enormous. Just sayin’.

THE END. :)

A Few Little Lessons from My First Year of Marriage

Hey kids!

I’m guest postin’ over HERE today.  The topic?  “What Every Newlywedded Woman Needs To know.”

It’s not funny, though it might save your marriage (or relationship).

Ok, maybe not. 

But you should at least go make friends with Brandi, cause she’s the sweetest EVER. 

Night-night!

Care to join us on our descent into madness?

Matthew is working from home right now, which means he and I are together all day, every day.  Aside from the occasional solo-ran errand, we eat, sleep, and breath each other every single day, and it has been this way ever since we got married a year ago.
Now, that might sound completely wonderful, but I assure you it isn’t. 
Yesterday Matthew and I had the following conversation:
Jenni: I believe we are both slowly but surely descending into madness.
Matthew: Hmmm. Perhaps.
Jenni: We talk TO and ABOUT our dogs all day long, and I believe that an outsider looking in would say that the psychotic-ness of these exchanges has increased exponentially over the months.
Matthew: Yes, we need human friends.
Jenni: Hmmm.  Perhaps.
But personally, I think human friends are a little overrated (no offense, human friends – you know I love you!). I just tend to prefer the furry variety.

GRACIE

 COOPER

And how could you not, given that they are SO FREAKING CUTE?! Little precious furry baby faces.  Gosh I love them.  As long as I can take my babies with me to the looney bin, I’ll be one happy, crazy little camper. 

PS – Do not be concerned. Our marriage is perfectly fine, and we are actually rather enjoying our descent into madness.  Lots of things drive people crazy, and too much togetherness is hardly one to complain about. ;)

The "Surprise"

Oh, that husband of mine.  He is a wonderful guy, but sometimes I really do wonder what goes on in that brain of his!  I'm going to have to delay the posting on what-I've-learned-about-how-not-to-live-in-squalor, because the following is SO much funner to write and read about.  Yes, funner. 

So, last night Matthew went to a "wild game" dinner and auction with his dad, and at around 9:00 PM I get a call from him saying he's on his way home..... and also that he has a "surprise" for me.  Well, I generally like surprises, so my interest was peaked.  Except that when I asked what kind of surprise it was, he replied with, "the kind that requires a lot of work!" 

Ummm, what?  I didn't like the sound of that. 

THIS, was my surprise:

No, your eyes do not deceive you.  That is a real life puppy.  A 7 week old Golden Retriever puppy, to be exact.  Now those of you who know me well already know why this is all kinds of wrong.  First of all, I've always said that my next dog will be from a shelter.  Second of all, it will not have long hair.  We have dark hardwood floors and the vacuuming required to keep them looking clean is the proverbial "thorn in my side" with two SHORT-HAIRED dogs.  Thirdly and by far most importantly, Gracie and Cooper.  Need I say more?  They are the sweetest animals I think that ever lived, but when it comes to small dogs or other animals, they pretty much want to rip them in half.  Which they actually came pretty close to doing with a squirrel they caught.  Remember Nutkins? 

Lets have a moment of silence.

Ok, back now. So, a puppy?  And Gracie and Cooper?  Hmm.  Clearly not much thinking went into this decision.  And of course, the puppy was ADORABLE. PROBABLY the cutest thing I've ever seen, EVER.  He was a precious little clumsy ball of fluffy fur and puppy breath.  I loved him the second I buried my face in his silky-soft puppy fuzz, and I named him Finley and imagined that we would have many lovely years together.

But of course, that was VERY short-lived.  Let's just say introductions didn't go so well.  To the tune of lots of drippy-drool and chops-licking on the part of G & C, and even a lunge hear and there.  Basically, they thought he was a late-night snack.  Poor, poor Finley baby.  And poor, poor Matthew.  He kept saying, "What have I done?  What have I DONE? " and "Oh God.... what have I done???" and "Well, at least in all our months of marriage so far, this is the worst thing I've done!"  He's SO funny.  My poor husband has had a stressful week and what does he do? NOT go get drunk or go to strip clubs... he just buys a puppy.  I love him so much, and how can you be mad at that?

But we knew we couldn't keep the little dear, so we put an ad up on Craig's List and within ten minutes we got a call.  The woman had a 2 year old Golden already, and her kids really wanted another one.  So, the little guy spent just one night on the couch with Matthew, and I slept in the bedroom with Gracie and Cooper.  Who were very restless due to the squirrel out in the living room with Daddy.  Or I assume that's what they thought. 

Below is a shot of Gracie and Cooper this morning - Finley was in the crate and they would not take their eyes off him.  What you DON'T see is the puddle of drool in front of their faces.  Why would they be salivating unless they wanted to take a big fat bite out of the baby?  Good heavens, I don't know. Nor do I want to find out for sure.  Finley needs a home where he does not have to wake up each morning and ask himself "Is this the day that I will be eaten?"

So the choice was clear, and we dropped Finley off with his new owner this morning.  Here he is on the ride there:

So precious.  I truly hope he went to a good home. 

And one more thing.  Overnight and this morning, Matthew got many calls and emails about the puppy, but one by far takes the cake. You see, in our ad, Matthew wrote that bringing the puppy home was a "newly-married mistake" since he didn't consult me first and also because our dogs don't take well to other dogs (which is putting it pretty mildly).   Below is a copy of an email Matthew received in reply to the ad.  He thought it was hilarious and was perfectly content to shrug it off and ignore it, but I, OF COURSE, reacted quite rationally by spewing expletives and demanding that a reply be made to defend my honor.  In the end, I wrote the reply myself, and just signed Matthew's name to it.  The part I wrote back about compassion might be a LITTLE off-base, but whatever.  This dude don't know me!! 

Notice the subject line.  He means "poor choice" of WIFE. Enjoy!

Subject: poor choice

Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:28:05 -0500

Hate to say this, but if your new wife can not find compassion for this absolutely adorable puppy, you may have made a big mistake in choosing a wife!


So what if the other dogs don't take to a puppy right away? I brought a rescue kitten to my home, and all the adult cats hated her at first. Now she plays with them. She is providing stimulation and exercise to the older cats. Thank goodness I didn't give her away!

Just saying, give it some time before trying to give away such an adorable puppy.

If your new wife won't tolerate it, run for the hills! (seriously)


JMO



WTF??????!!!!!!!!!! CRAZY CAT MAN!!!!



And my reply ("From" Matthew):
 
 
 
Subject: RE: poor choice
 
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:18:38 -0700

Woa dude, actually my wife is the most compassionate person I know and also the biggest dog-lover I've ever known. We have two pitbulls and it was just really bad forsight on my part to assume that they wouldn't want to pretty much eat the puppy. We felt that it wouldn't be fair to put the little guy in an environment where he was in danger. My wife has always said our third dog should be a full-grown shelter dog that needs a forever-home, so that is most likely what we'll end up getting one day.

Thanks for the advice though, however unfounded.
 
 
 
Ugggghhhh.  Can you believe people?!!!  What a poophead!  Rather funny though, in hindsight.  But I am exhausted from the events of the last 18 hours and think I will go take a long, well-deserved nap now. Have a great Friday!
 
J