Back to Blogging!

Consider this blog my comeback blog.

I love blogging, I really do! I know it hasn’t seemed like it, as I’ve taken a little leave of absence for the past month. But really, truly, I’m back for good.

And if it gives you any comfort, nothing really exciting even happened in June. So there’s not much to catch you up on. We basically spent the whole month packing, packing and packing. There is one downside to loving organization (as I do) and having slight OCD (as I have): I’m usually alone in my organizational endeavors, namely packing.

I did most of the packing myself, that is correct.

Don’t get me wrong, Bryan tried to help, he begged me to help, and when I was exhausted enough to give in, I finally let him help. He’s so patient with his crazy wife.

Anyway, we said our goodbyes to many of our friends, I got to hang out with all of the fun high schoolers I know one last time. We had our last “Family Fun Night” with my family. We played Killer Bunnies with our Connection Group Homies. And we drove to Iowa City for good on Wednesday, June 30th.

We welcomed our first guest to our home on Thursday, July 1st. Our house was still completely in ruins, but Sara didn’t mind at all-she even helped us unpack.

Oh yeah, I also did most of the unpacking myself-why can’t I give up control?! : )

We went to IKEA on Sunday, July 4th, and got the furniture of my dreams. Seriously, I love everything we purchased. And I loved the prices even more. Who doesn’t love IKEA?

On Monday, we set almost everything up, and it took THE WHOLE DAY. I did not expect all of that build-it-yourself furniture would take so long to build-it-ourselves! Maybe we’re just extremely pathetic. That, or we got too many things at IKEA.

This post is already getting long. So I’ll leave you in suspense for the following posts:

Our trip to IKEA, and what we would do for the perfect couch.
Our new favorite store in Iowa City, and a Veggietale Lesson
I feel light-headed, is that gas I smell?
Termites! Oh wait, that’s just an Ant eating through the wood in our cupboard. What?!

"Anniversary Weekend"

Bryan has been the best husband ever lately! Well, he’s always the best husband ever, but he planned our “anniversary weekend” wonderfully.

Bryan had to record his bass tracks for the next Anthem CD in Minneapolis on our actual anniversary weekend, so the weekend before, Bryan treated me like a queen.

On Saturday, Bryan had to go to work, so I lazed around the house until he got home. He came home with pretty yellow daisies and said, “I thought we could go to The Spice for lunch.” Are you kidding me?! I love the Spice, it’s pretty much tied with the Cafe as far as restaurants in Ames go. They have amazing Thai food, but really just amazing food! Yum!

The Spice is on main street, so Bryan conveniently led us over to Chocolaterie Stam where I proceeded to pick ANY chocolate my heart desired. Again, YUM!

I was then whisked off to the land of Reiman Gardens, where we Gnome hunted:
After the gnome hunting, we went to an AMAZINGLY FUN WEDDING and danced the night away.

AND (as if this weekend couldn’t get better) Bryan also surprised me by getting a room at the Gateway Hotel, which is probably the nicest hotel in Ames. We ordered breakfast in bed the next morning and everything! What a treat!

I love my husband, isn’t he the best?!?

The first ANNUAL Alsbury update!

People have been asking us lately, “How was the first year?”

As I’ve been answering that question, and thinking about the answer to that question, I began to consider what everyone told us about what the first year of marriage was sure to be like. You see, many, many people in our lives whether friends, family, or complete strangers made sure we knew what to expect as newlyweds. And while I’m thankful to those friends, family members and strangers who gave their opinions, advice and warnings, I must say, we were generally misinformed.

We were told that this first year was going to be hard. We were told that this first year was the “honeymoon” phase, and that we were unlikely to find anything wrong with each other. We were told that we would find ourselves in conflicts with our in-laws. We were told that this would be the best year of our marriage. We were told that this would be the worst year of our marriage. We were told we would fight about money, sex, and/or family. Etc.

I can’t say our first year of marriage matched any of those descriptions, but I also can’t say that our first year of marriage matched none of those descriptions. I suppose that’s the problem with blanket statements. Although, those advice-givers who had been married 30 or 40 years, I can see how to them, the entire first year could be blanketed with one such statement.

But Bryan and I haven’t been married for 30 or 40 years, we’ve just been married for one. And this one, wonderful, crazy, fun, whirlwind of a year ended yesterday.

I replied to one asker, “It feels like we’ve been married forever.” He laughed as he understood my words to be a negative thing. But I meant those words in the best way possible. I meant them to say, “I know our marriage has been short in the grand scheme of things, but it’s so…right that I feel as though it could have been forever.”

My best (girl)friend, Audrey, has told me several times that she admires the companionship Bryan and I share. That is a great compliment! Yet, I couldn’t agree more. We truly are best friends. We can’t stand to be apart and he still calls me every day (which started about nine months before we started dating). More recently, I’ve discovered that I absolutely despise going out in public without him. Thus, I’ve discovered the meaning of the phrase, “my better half.”

I’m getting mushy already, that’s what this kind of love will do to you.

We have a deep kind of love for each other, and this love has manifested itself in many different ways over the past year:

Telling Bryan how crazy he is for wanting 71,894,167 different types of cleaners so that every different surface in the house has its own special cleaner when we could just have ONE bottle of Shaklee H2 Multipurpose solution that cleans everything. That is love.
Bryan sending me all sorts of texts that start with, “help me remember…” and me remembering almost everything. That is love.
Organizing all of Bryan’s video games, computer games, movies, and records. That is love.
Bryan allowing me to create, decorate, and rearrange our house whenever I darn well please even when he has no idea how it’s going to turn out. That is love.
Bryan telling me, “you’re amazing!” when he sees the final product of the above noted creations, decorations, or rearranging adventures. That is love.
Bryan telling me how crazy I am for thinking we don’t need a toilet brush. That is love.
Working hard to stick to our budget and save a ton of money so that Bryan can graduate college without school loans. That is love
.Bryan doing the dishes. That is love.Bryan cleaning the bathroom. That is love.
Researching cleaning products, recipes, coupon methods, natural remedies and countless other things in order to care for my family in the best way I possibly can. That is love.
Bryan telling me I’m beautiful, that he likes my outfit and/or that I look cute. That is love.
Deciding to leave everything I’ve ever known as home and move to Iowa City with my husband who also decided to leave his home. That is love.
Making Broccoli Braid every week for about two months because Bryan can’t get enough. That is love.
Ceasing to make Broccoli Braid for about 4 months because Bryan’s had enough. That is love.
Encouraging each other to stay in the word, stay pure-minded, stay joyful, stay humble. That is love.
Fighting because I want Bryan to be the best husband ever. Making up because Bryan is the best husband ever. That is love.

What more do I need to say? We love this marriage thing. We think we’ll do it forever.

Now that this year has come to end, as has this post, I’d like to let you know that my monthly marriage updates will also end. Nobody likes those people who say their kid is 39 months, and I don’t want to be disliked for saying my marriage is 14 months, 17 months, 21 months, etc.

Now, I’m off to celebrate my anniversary by eating our year-old-frozen-now-thawed cake topper and watching the season and series finale of LOST. Happy May 23rd!

Click any of the pictures to see a facebook album of all of our favorite wedding pictures taken by Mandy Bee Photography.

Elevensies!

Oh man, I feel like elevensies right now.

Anyway. Bryan and I have been married for ELEVEN months today. Holla! That’s almost a year, in case you were wondering. This past month has been…to put it lightly…CRRRAAAAAAZZZYYY!

Crazy in the sense that we OWN A (mobile) HOME (yeah, you know you’re jealous, our home can move around if we want it to)

Crazy in the sense that we saw God provide once again with $6,128.00 of Scholarship Money.

Crazy in the sense that I’ve been so busy with I don’t even what! I seriously have had ZERO to NO time and I’m not really sure why. The expected culprits are: Crafty Projects (which I’ll hopefully be blogging about soon), Relationships (mostly new ones with Iowa City Bound Folk) and Traveling (today I’m going to Iowa City for the third time in the last three weeks).

Crazy in the sense that our TV has been OFF this entire week, and we’ve been crazy productive because of it! (ok, we watched LOST, I’ll admit it. But we didn’t watch it on our TV, and we still dropped from 15-20 hours a week of TV, video games, and movies, to ONE 45 minute episode)

So, yeah, we have crazy lives right now.

Other notables from this month:

Bryan is doing AMAZING in his Stat class at ISU. I knew he would, he has such a brain for weird things like statistics-but still, I’m SO proud of him! The last test he took was out of 85 or something, the average score was around 56 or something and BRYAN got a 72 or something! He’s excited to be done with school in a week and a half!

And while we’re talking about recent accomplishments, as of yesterday I have an entire book of the Bible memorized! If you want to hear it, make sure you carve out around 40 minutes of time, because that’s about how long it takes me to say it!

Tomorrow, we close on our trailer, so you’ll definitely see some pictures soon!

Next time I write one of these, I’ll be writing from the perspective of having been married for a YEAR! Wahoo!

Ten Twelfs! Five Sixths!

I do not have any fun pictures of us this month (not that I usually do or anything, just that I had a picture last month and maybe you have expectations or something…but what am I saying?! I haven’t blogged in over A MONTH and I’m so ashamed that I’m even backdating all of the these posts so that I can appear to have it all together and be organized…anyway, just so you know it’s actually 4/14/10 and I’m admitting that I’m NOT perfect at this whole blogging thing!)

So, anyway, as I was saying, I do not have any fun pictures to go along with this marriage update. Would you like to know why my dear friends? Because Bryan and I actually only saw each other 15 out of the last 28 days. For real! It was a long month, and it was mostly Bryan’s fault. : )

He was, in fact, extremely busy with, you guessed it, the Anthem Band. February 26th & 27th he went up to Minnesota to lay down a few tracks in order to test out a recording company for their upcoming CD. From what I heard, it went well! I personally can’t wait to hear the new CD-some of the new songs are amazing! (I had my own fun this weekend, too!)

The next weekend, March 5th, 6th and 7th, was the Salt Company retreat. Although I don’t know from personal experience, it was amazing. Paul Sabino spoke powerfully, God moved in the students and in innocent bystanders. Matt the Security guard is pretty much famous among Salt Company students now. He got pulled in by the Spirit and many students were right their to pray for him and invite him into their lives. To God be the glory!

Then Bryan played at yet another retreat on March 12th and 13th, stopped home for a moment and loaded up on a bus to Tyler, Texas to serve Pine Cove camp for a week until Friday, March 19th.

Whew. I’m exhausted just recounting it! I’m so so so so glad to have Bryan back and have things back to *normal.*

Speaking of normal, nothing has been lately.

Marriage confession: when Bryan is gone, I have NO motivation to take care of my home or myself. It’s pretty sad, I guess. Or freaking adorable because I love my super fine husband so much and I’m just not the same without him. Whichever way you want to look at it.

I got SO out of whack due to the THIRTEEN days Bryan was gone. I’m still trying to catch up!

We decided to make month eleven a month where we actually get to see each other. And maybe we’ll get some pictures, too!

In other news, we started our Iowa City connection group at the beginning of March and it has been SUCH a blessing! We’re so falling in love with all of the members of our new church family. Can’t wait until IC!

A little delay…

Sorry kids, I’ve had little time to write this week and I’m just not going to be able to write Friday’s post until tomorrow evening!

But Bryan wrote me a poem this week, so you can read the following for temporary entertainment:

How are you doing, I hope the answers great

I’ve been missing you from about the time I was 8

I once saw a crawdad and that it looked weird

Then I looked at you and my mind was cleared.

Now we’re together from now until the end

And I’m so happy I’ll always be with my best friend

He’s the best.

Finance fun tomorrow night!

75% of One Year DOWN

Our marriage turned 9 months on February 23rd, which is pretty exciting. Think about it, we could’ve had a kid by now, sheesh! Seriously, we’re happy to have yet another month under our belt. Here’s a current picture of us:

You know, it hardly seems like we’re newlyweds anymore, I feel like we’ve been married forever. Bryan is more my family than anyone, it’s as though we’ve always had this natural rhythm of life together. I say this a lot when asked about my marriage, but it’s true: I highly recommend it!

Some Updates:

We made it through the month without going over our grocery budget! It was great to clean out our fridge and cupboards a little. But it will be even more great to have food in the house after a big grocery shopping trip tomorrow!

I’ve been keeping pretty disciplined in exercise, budgeting, and reading! It’s been really great to feel like I’m accomplishing much more during my day.

However, God has really convicted me about how very undisciplined I am in reading my Bible everyday. I’ve felt so proud of myself these past 4-5 weeks, but God gently asked me, a few days after the Lent season started, “What impact are those things having in the Kingdom? Why is health, money, and education more important than Me?”

So I decided to start a Bible read-thru. I’m praying that God would help me to exercise discipline in this most important area of my life first and foremost.

Bryan and I switched sides of the bed the other week. That was fun! I’m still getting used to not being right next to alarm clock. Which is a little inconvenient because I can’t see more than a foot away without my glasses on.

Bryan has been pretty busy with the Anthem Band, they’ve written a lot of songs and are starting the recording process.

Bryan also went to the Chiropractor and his daily headaches ceased for the first day in a long time-praise God!

This next month will be a really busy month for us, but I won’t spoil all of the updates now. Until next month!

2/3 of a year, that’s what eight months is.

I just want to clear the air and say that I am totally guilty of back-dating this post (among others) to match the correct anniversary date. Whatevs.

I’m deeming this past month as the month in which God has faithfully answered ALL of our prayers. Seriously, every single one. So that’s the kind-of update you’re getting today.

Prayer #1
Please please please, God, help Bryan get into Stat 226.
started 11/13/2009
answered 1/12/2010

Basically it’s a pre-requisite for EVERY business class and he couldn’t really take much (at U of I) until he had this class under his belt. However, as a transfer student, he had a late registration date, and all classes were full by the time he got things straightened out with the Admissions office. So we checked and checked and checked but no one dropped the class prematurely. So Bryan ended up just going to class on the first day and asking the Professor if he could join. By the end of the week, he was in! Yay!

Prayer #2
God, I need a job in Iowa City that will provide for us while Bryan is in school. But I want to have a ministry with women my own age. I don’t really want to work with 100% males (as I do now) or with Old ladies in a Clerical Position. Show me what you want for me.
started 11/30/2009
answered 1/15/2010

See this post for more details!

Prayer #3
God, we know we’re going to take a pay cut by moving to Iowa City, but we still want to try to stay completely out of debt through college. Show us what you will do.
started 11/30/2009
partially answered sometime after that, partially answered 1/18/2010

God has really softened my heart towards Student Loans. They’re not evil and I need to be thankful that we are out of debt now, and not be upset if we don’t get through college with no loans. After all, we’ll have very little debt even if we do have to take out a few loans. Well, not only has God provided a job for me in Iowa City, but He provide a pretty sizable tax return as well! After we receive our refund, we’ll be putting about 1/2 of this Fall’s Semester Tuition in the bank! Hooray!

Prayer #4
God, we want to say, “yes” to whatever you have for us, give us opportunities here in Ames to say “yes” to.
started 1/1/2010
answered all the time

We’ve had so many more opportunities to hang out with friends and new people and people that don’t know Christ than we’ve ever had before in our marriage! We’re busier and more actively seeking out relationships and connections so that we can invest in the people in the here and now. This is something we really hope to apply easily in Iowa City as well!

seven months in heaven.

Ah, marital bliss!

On this 23rd day of December we celebrate our 7 months of marriage. Is it heaven? No, it’s marriage. More specifically, it’s marriage in Iowa, which is a powerful combination.

Let’s have an update, shall we?

Some little things:

I have been lying this WHOLE time about when I became a christian. If you lie about when you became a christian does that negate the whole “saved by grace thing?” Crap. If it does. I’ve been telling everyone that I became a christian when I was 9 and that I got baptized on Easter. However, I was talking to my mom and she says (according to the church records) that I was baptized in December of 1996 (How could confuse snow with flowers?). And I was only 8 then. But an old eight, I was basically as good as 9, right?

Bryan is so close to being able to whistle! He’s whistled a few times now and he practices for at least an hour everyday. I’m so proud of you, Bryan!

I have been watching waaaahay too much tv lately. I love watching the Office and Heroes with Bryan but on top of those shows I’ve been hooked on Project Runway, Glee, and Parks & Recreation. Wait there’s more! We’re currently watching every season of LOST before Season 6 comes out in February. We’re almost done with the 4th Season. Also, I’m obsessed with Gilmore girls. If you’re looking for a last minute Christmas gift, I’ll take all seven seasons of it please.

As far as other hobbies go, we both continue to read. Bryan just finished Frankenstein and he’s about to start re-reading the Harry Potter Series over break. I’m reading Blue Like Jazz and still need to finish the last four books of the Chronicles of Narnia Series.

I have been playing an online game called Cargo Bridge. And I’m darn good at it too!

Some big things:

We are absolutely, completely, totally DEBT-FREE! Don’t believe it? I’ll bet my bottom-dollar on it. (What the crap is a bottom-dollar, by the way?) That was one of our big financial goals for 2009. After a lot of hard work towards this goal, our debt was ultimately dominated when we were given a huge gift from Bryan’s parents. (We love you!) Yippee! I’m more excited than Hillary Clinton:

We are MOVING! Whoa? (wow.) What? (we’re moving.) Really? (yeppers.)
First of all, thanks to those who have been praying for us about this! Here are some Q&A’s I came up with:

Q: You’re pregnant.
A: No, I’m not. We’re moving.

Q: Where are you moving? Across town?
A: Actually, across the state. We’re moving to Iowa City.

Q: When are you moving?
A: Next summer, as early as possible!

Q: Are you quitting your job, LisaGrace?
A: Usually moving entails a job change, so yes. I’m quitting my wonderful job. I will miss it!

Q: WHY are you moving to Iowa City?
A: We will be apart of a church plant there. Our home church, Cornerstone is starting a Salt Company and a Cornerstone of Iowa City.

Q: Why are YOU moving to Iowa City?
A: To be honest, this was not part of “the plan.” I should be freaking out right now. I should not be okay with throwing away our main source of income and moving to a completely different place and having no idea what kind-of job I’ll be able to get. BUT, seeing as I’m not freaked out, not even in the slightest, kind-of makes me think that the Holy Spirit turned off the worry section of my brain and turned on the overwhelming sense of “God will provide.” And that makes me think we’re suppose to move. So we’re moving because I’m not freaking out about moving, make sense?

Q: What will you do in Iowa City?
A: First on our list is to swallow our Cyclone pride and become Hawks. (heavy sarcasm there, we really could care less!) No really, it’s pretty simple. We’ll move in. Bryan will transfer to Iowa. I will get a job (hopefully). And we’ll live life there. We’ll get to know our neighbors and love anyone we meet. We’ll share the Good News as God leads us. It’s like a long-term mission trip, with the perk of only being 2 hours away from Ames. : )