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As crazy as it seems, Dan and I have been married for a whole year already! We celebrated with a great day of just spending time together. I woke up to him gifts for me. He decided it would be fun to try and follow the "traditional" anniversary gifts, and this year's is paper. He got me three new books (I have been out of new ones for too long!) and a framed poem that he wrote me. It was really special. From there we hung out and took Willow to a park near by our house that takes you along the Mississippi. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. We came home and enjoyed beer from my sister (thanks Kris!) and watched the Twins game. We cooked a great meal together of beef and garlic mashed potatoes. After dinner, Dan surprised me with a bottle of champagne. He and my dad went shopping to find the one we had on our wedding night, but couldn't find it, so my dad helped him find the one we shared with my family the night we got engaged! It was really sweet and thoughtful. We settled down to drink the champagne and eat our wedding cake as we watched the video of our wedding ceremony. It's amazing to think of how far we've come in this first year. It has been a wild ride, but I am so thankful for Dan and all that he adds to my life. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us next year!

We spent a lot of time talking today about all the things we've learned in this first year (and are still learning) about being married. Here's a bit of what we came up with. Feel free to add to our list if you've got other good marriage advice!

• There is no substitute for forgiveness. You don't just need to forgive the big things, but the little things are just as important. In fact, they are probably more important because they happen all the time. Being a kind, compassionate, forgiving spouse is important whether you are forgiving them for not telling you they invited people over for dinner and forgot to tell you or whether they just forgot to throw their socks in the hamper.
• You're going to fight. It happens. No two people can live together forever and not have disagreements. For us, it's been all about allowing the other to say what they're feeling (in a calm way) and for us not react poorly and try to "win". If we can both say what we need to and have the other really listen then the fight never escalates. And don't forget about that forgiveness thing when you're done!
• It's way different than you see in the movies or on TV. WAY different! It is, however, the best thing in the world. Don't let the media make you think you're doing it wrong or try to conform to make it seem like it does on TV. It isn't, and it shouldn't be. Trust me, though. It is so much better!!
• Go out of your way. Sure, it's great to be surprised with a puppy, but you can't do those things on a weekly/monthly basis. If you go out of your way to buy them something extra special to take in their lunch (100 calorie packs of Cheetos work great if your husband is anything like mine!) so they know you are thinking about them, it can mean just as much. 
• Yes, you will fight, and yes, you will have amazing moments together, but almost all of marriage is spent in the middle, doing the stupid day to day stuff like paying bills and walking the dog. One of the most important things I've learned is to be a good companion during the mundane and not always be trying to create a real high or a real low. Some of the most special moments in our marriage have been well placed hugs or an "I love you". Just take care of each other and do what you can to help each other out. 
• You can't be a perfect husband/wife. There's only One who is perfect, and as long as He's in the middle, you'll be just fine.

Cool.

Dan and I got really hooked on American Idol this year. I was happy with the winner, Kris, but as more is coming out about him, I am even more thrilled. Here's a video someone sent me of his pre-idol days. It's just cool.

I really hope he keeps on showing his faith! I am glad he is the American Idol, and I hope he gives to all to the One and Only!

What would I do without Jon Foreman?

Okay, so I'd probably be just fine without him, but I do love, love, love his music. Most of you know of my crazy obsession with all things Switchfoot/Jon Foreman. It is definitely not a crush - I'm happy with my hubby - but I think he is the most eloquent writer and the way he connects it to music really speaks to me. I guess it's a respect crush, if that makes sense to anyone other than me. From what little I know about him and from the few times I've met him, I feel like we struggle with the same things. He's just better at putting them into words than I am :)

A few weeks ago, I learned that he and Sean Watkins from Nickel Creek made an album together this year. They are both very much still with their original bands, but wanted to do a project together than turned into an album and a band called "Fiction Family". I have been listening to their music non stop, but this week the Youtube videos weren't doing it anymore and I finally bought the CD. It is great, great stuff. There is something about his voice that will always tug at my heart strings. I could listen to him sing forever.

Believe it or not, I'm not out here to promote their album (although I think it is definitely worth the $9.99!) So where am I going with this? I've been having a really hard time after someone said some harsh and crappy things about me in front of a group of others that I don't think I deserved. Tonight I decided to pop on the CD and have some quiet time with God. I was going back and forth with Him about how I really just wanted to see this person and yell back and say hurtful things to them so we were "even". In the midst of my prayer, I caught a line from one of Fiction Family's songs: "It takes two to go to war". I've gone back and listened to the song and it really has nothing to do with avenging or not avenging your anger with someone, but the moment I heard it, I knew God was telling me to let it be. It's only a war if I make it one. I was then lead to all sorts of verses that reinforced His point. God works in such neat ways and I am so thankful that He finds ways into my everyday life to show me He's here. I also love that He knows me so well and loves me so much that He spoke to me through music (Jon Foreman music at that! :) ) because He knew that would help me understand better. What a great God!

So, I guess the title of my post should not be, "what would I do without Jon Foreman?" but instead, "what would I do without my Savior?" Thank God I never have to find out!

Because I can't talk about them and not leave you something to listen to, here's some Fiction Family!

Mother's Day

I woke up this morning to this wonderful sight:

The note said, "My favorite things: Mom, sticks and leaves!" While it may not be my first Mother's Day as an actual mother to an actual child, Dan and Willow got major cute points for thinking of such a cute idea. It's fun to be a puppy's mom!

A happy mother's day to all of you mom's, mom's to be, or puppy mom's like me! I hope you were all lucky enough to have a great mom and role model like I was - I love you momma!

What happened to all my play rooms?

Hi everyone, it's me - Willow! I've been happily living with my mom and dad for almost three months now. Today someone brought a whole bunch of stuff into our house and I'm not sure what to think. I mean, where am I supposed to play?! Take a look at all the stuff now taking up my play rooms and tell me what you think.

This is my livingroom. I love playing with tennis ball with dad in here - it bounces off the floor and is really fun to try and catch! Now that this big brown thing is in our way, I'm not sure if mom and dad will still let me bounce my ball in here. This things only saving grace is that I can now look out the window and bark at my best friend Bella who lives nextdoor. 

As you can see, I'm pretty upset with what they did to my basement. Up until today, we would go down there every night and play puppy in the middle. Now all dad wants to do is lay back in the leather recliner and nap. Someone better help me find a new place to play!

Here's my bed. You can't see it, but now there is an annoying piece of wood at the foot of the bed that makes it hard to jump on and off. Mom took a good gash out of her leg tonight when she walked past it, so I'll have to keep my eye on it... I don't want it hurting anyone else! I've also discovered that those lamp table things are great for helping me look out the window - now no matter where I am I'll be able to see who's here and if Bella is out to play!

Can you find me in this one? I'm being a great hider. Probably because I am getting so good at playing hide and seek with dad. We love playing games together - he is such a great dad! These two monsterous things don't make much sense to me, but they do smell pretty good. Mom says the drawers are lined with cedar, but all that matters to me is that they smell like trees and sticks - I LOVE sticks!

So, do you see why I'm upset? Good thing there is nice weather outside and we have a big yard because a Willow needs her room to play! Well, I'm off to bed before mom and dad catch me at the computer. Goodnight everyone!