six months

Mike and I have been married for six months today, and what a better way to celebrate, than to watch our wedding video.

Today was filled with errands and running around, finishing Christmas shopping, picking up a few things, and taking photos for our Christmas card. 

One of the errands we had to run was picking up our wedding video from our friend Joey. 

When we got home at 8:00, I couldn't wait to put on the DVD and relive our wedding day. 

Eventually we got everything out of the car and got settled, and popped it in. 

It was amazing seeing it all again. Feeling the same feelings that I did on that day, and remembering special moments that Mike and I shared. 

I wish I could go back in time and relive the whole day, but watching it on video will have to do. 

Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago that we got married, and other times it feels like just yesterday.

Sure, we've gotten comfortable with each other, and sometimes act like an old married couple, but I love that about us. 

Sometimes Mike drives me nuts, and I'm sure sometimes I drive him nuts too, but I would never give up what we have for anything. 

We're goofy and weird and loving and passionate. 

We sing together, laugh together and play together.

We fight and get upset, and then kiss and hug and make up.

We are the best versions of ourselves when we are together.

I think that all makes up a pretty good marriage, and I cannot wait for what God has in store for us for the next 6 months. 

Or for the next 60 years, if we have the privilege to be together that long. 

The Christmas season is upon us. 

Well at least at the Bouwman house it is.

Mike and I went to the Niverville MCC today, and bought a christmas tree!

We originally wanted to chop down a real one, but when we saw a $30 artificial tree, we decided it would be easier, and went with that. My sister gave us a bunch of lights, and my aunt gave us a bunch of adorable christmas ornaments. 

We also bought more ornaments and a few decorations at the thrift store. 

Spent a lot more than we thought we would!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm usually one of those people who will not allow myself to listen to christmas music, or put up christmas decorations until December 1st. 

But this is mine and Mike's first christmas together, and it just seems right to make it last as long as possible.

So this afternoon was spent decorating for Christmas. 

And yes, we did have christmas music blaring! 

Halloween at the Bouwman house

 a mouse and a clone-trooper 

 a baby giraffe 

a clown, an M&M, and a kiss!

All the nieces and nephews came to visit. 

and were they ever adorable!

October 20th

One year ago today, my boyfriend took me on the best date I'd ever been on. 

He also gave me the best present I've ever received. 

A beautiful engagement ring. [to read the full story of our engagement, click here!]

i can't believe I've had this ring on my finger for a year. seems like just yesterday...

Today, I decided to give him something that he would appreciate. 

maybe not as much as I appreciated an engagement ring... but how can I compete with that?

All weekend, Mike has been gone on a camp retreat. 

I've been cleaning the house, doing constant laundry, making the house look nice for his return, 

AND making his favorite cupcakes.  

I also bought him a few T-shirts, hopefully he likes them.

I know this seems like a girly thing to do, but I think he'll like it.

my love for a boy.

Last night Mike and I had a bit of a scare.

Mike had some funny feelings in his chest for a few weeks already, and it was just getting worse. 

He just needed to know that there was nothing wrong, and give himself (and me) some peace of mind.

So we went to the emergency room. 

Because he's had heart issues in the past, he was a top priority -- which meant we didn't have to wait very long. 

But once he got in, and was laying on the bed, we waited for hours. 

They ran a few tests and figured out nothing was terribly wrong with him.

Phewf. 

This morning, we both called into work and slept in, seeing as we only got to bed around 3 am.

Having scary moments, like not knowing if my husband has something wrong with his heart, makes me appreciate him, and being with him so much more.

We kissed and cuddled this morning, and i loved every minute of it. 

We also took some time to thank God for his miracles, and his mercy.

i love this boy so flippin' much.

our house becoming home.

our house is finally becoming Home.

i spent much of my day on saturday putting up picture frames, and cleaning up the house, so i could show everyone who wants to see what our home looks like.

it's completely me, and I'm so happy with the way it looks. 

it's becoming a sentimental place to me, and i honestly thought it wouldn't. 

i thought we would own this house for 3 or 4 years, and then sell it. 

but seeing the way its turning in to our home, makes me want to renovate and add a bigger basement instead of selling it.

having someone else living in my home would just be weird.

but, whatever we plan to do, this is home for now.

our entrance chalkboard. i love writing new verses and sayings on here to remind us of God's love and power.

the keyholder i found at a garage sale this weekend. definitely fits the house perfectly!

the picture frame in the background WILL have a wedding photo of mike and i soon. but for now, i just wanted to put it up to see what it would look like when we get the picture!

our kitchen! which is cleaner than it usually looks...

i love the contrast of the light blue to the dark brown. and my beautiful guatemala painting on the wall.

our tv area! and my lovely hubby. he's cute.

and i had to get a picture of the kitty cat. love her. and she posed for this picture.

my wedding decorations have a big part of my house decorations! 

when we moved in, i didnt like our bedroom. but as soon as we painted, and put up new curtains, i started to love it. it suits us.

my new photo wall right outside the bathroom (one of the only empty walls!) thinking i need to add one more picture at the bottom, but for now it will do!

our wall clock/scale. an ikea find. adds a nice touch to our bathroom :)

and my wedding flowers, and cards basket making a display in the entrance, on my grandpas old night stand. i thought we would get rid of the nightstand, but it looks great in the entrance. and adds more storage space, which is always good!

well. thats our house. hope you enjoyed my virtual tour! i'm enjoying living here more everyday, and its not just the decor that makes me love it, its who i'm living with.

forgetting and reliving the past.

being married is amazing. 

owning our own home is so much fun.

but...

sometimes i miss the old days when my biggest concern was whether this boy or that boy liked me.

the simplicity of my mind, and what my thoughts were consumed with.

i was reminiscing the other day about Outtatown, and my experiences on the program.

how only a few years ago, i was just a kid, concerned with how i looked to others and how to make myself attractive to the boy i liked.

i discovered some things about myself while on the program, one being that i put my value in others. 

not just in boys, but in other girls as well.

that was so childish, and i'm so happy i've grown out of that, and i think Outtatown had a big influence in that.

i know now to put my value in God. 

sometimes i wish i could go back to those times.

 i wish i could have all my old friends back.

i wish i could relive all those new experiences and discoveries, and have more.

and i wish i could do it in Guatemala with the same group of people who i was there with over 3 years ago.

but that time in my life is past now, and i need to discover new things.

like how to 

-treat my husband with respect.

-manage our money.

-have time for friends, while still making time for Mike.

-take time for God, and also time for myself.

and there some things i forgot on Outtatown that i need to relive 

like

-morning devos.

-having people i can trust to talk to about my joys and concerns.

-seeing God's beauty in everything, whether its perfect or completely broken.

theres my little rant for tonight.

wishing i could go back, while being incredibly happy in the present. 

i'm really not sure how its possible, but that's just how it is.

heres one incredibly happy moment from the present that i needed to share. 

Mike and i holding my new baby niece, Brynlee.

Saturday mornings

Saturday mornings are my favourite.

Mike loves making breakfast on saturday, and I love cuddling up on the couch, with my hot cup of coffee.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

married life

Mike and I have been married for over two months now. Sometimes it doesnt seem like its been that long, but mostly it feels like its been forever already. 

We argue like an old married couple

We're lazy and spend our evenings sitting on the couch together (and cuddle most of the time) 

We have a pretty good idea of who does which chores (& mike is starting to do them without me asking him!! WOO!)

I make supper, Mike cleans up

I clean the house (and make sure he helps me a little...) he takes out the garbage

I show him where I want my photos and shelves up on the wall, and he hammers the nails and screws the screws in

I can't imagine going back to life without him.

Marriage is everything I've ever dreamed it would be, and more, because I'm with the man who God chose for me, and he is perfect for me in every way. 

(i wanted to add a picture of both of us, but apparently we don't take those anymore, now that we're married and all.....)

Thank you God, for this wonderful life. Forgive me when I don't appreciate it enough.

Wedding Scrapbook

I decided that the best way to remember my wedding is to make a book that I will want to look at again. One that will allow me to relive the day through pictures and words.

It's going to cost me a lot of money. But I don't care. 

It will be well worth it.

I've been working on the scrapbook almost all morning. 

I think i got some good pages done. 

Let me know what you think :)

What I've Been Learning Lately.

[Mike and I don't have to spend ALL of our time together.]

Now that we're married, every night is date night. 

Which is amazing, but sometimes we have different ideas on what we should do. 

Last night, I really wanted to watch Pretty Little Liars (I know, I know... but its an addiction) 

And Mike really wanted to play video games. 

We only have one TV. 

So I decided to be nice, and let my hubby play his games while I went to shower. 

Then I decided that I would sit in my room and watch pretty little liars on my laptop. 

It was actually a pretty good evening. 

Eventually Mike came to find me, I turned off my show, and we spent some time together.

[Work before play]

Something my dad would ALWAYS tell us girls on saturdays, when all we wanted to do was go and play with our friends, or play on the computer, or watch TV. 

I hated that rule, and always seemed to break it, which ended up being worse for me.

I was always the last one left cleaning the house while everyone else was doing something they wanted to do. 

It always took me so long because I would get distracted.

Now, the same thing is happening. 

My house is a mess, and instead of cleaning it, and doing any sort of house work right now, I am blogging.

[ALWAYS make time for Jesus]

Sometimes it can be hard, especially when I'm super busy. 

Mike and I bought a devotional book, intending to read it every night.

Well you can guess how we've been doing with that... not very well.

I also have a devotional book that I like to read in the morning, but often mornings are so quick that I find I don't have time.

That's something that needs to stop for me, running out of time for Jesus.

I have no excuse for not spending time with Him.

This is Mike & I exactly a year ago today. 

Who knew in a year we'd be married and living in a house together.

Well, God knew :)

Our Honeymoon

Mike and I had an amazing time on our honeymoon! We stayed at a cabin at Falcon Lake, which was just perfect for us. We got to relax, make each other meals, and cuddle around a fire.

Day 1

We had to put all our things in wheelbarrows and carry it to the cabin. So there I was in my little blue dress, cowboy boots and my bride sweater, pushing a wheelbarrow. At least Mike thought I was cute!

This is our awesome cabin.

I immediately jumped in the hot tub when we got there, while Mike made supper.

and we ate on the porch :)

Day 2

Breakfast included bible reading. 

We want to include Jesus daily in our lives. 

Never forget who brought us to where we are today.

We went to the Falcon lake campground, grabbed some coffees, and went for a walk. 

and found ourselves playing mini golf!

what a goof...

We just had to show off those rings!

I made lasagne for supper! And it was delicious.

Day 3

We spend a lot of time in that hot tub. I miss it.

We decided to take a little trip that day, so we biked up to the Eco Friendly cabins, which were AMAZING! 

If we ever go back to the cabins there, we'd stay at the eco friendly ones. Although they didnt have a hot tub which was sad... Mike and I LOVED our hot tub, if I haven't said that enough already.

The amazing sunset that evening. 

I couldn't get enough. 

I took a million photos.

Day 4

We made fun coffee. 

And I had fun drinking it on the porch.

And Mike made pancakes for breakfast!

We went for a Hike just around the area. Saw an eagle and some deer. 

And then found a deer wandring around our cabin, Mike fed it some apple. Not sure if you can see it in the picture, he stayed pretty far away from Mike.

And we saved the best meal for last. Steak, mushrooms and caesar salad. yum. :)

Needless to say, we had an amazing trip, and I wish it wasnt over so fast. I love this guy, and I loved spending so much time just with him.