One Year Anniversary {Link Up}

Happy Wednesday! 
Today is the final post for our newlywed link up series. Thank you all so much for linking up with us to share about your sweet marriages. I have been so blessed by you and your words. 
Today we are sharing how we spent our

 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 

It is so crazy to think that it has already been a year.
Join us as we recap and link up! I would love to hear how you spent your anniversary this past year (whether it be one year or fifteen years).

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter  // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace 

Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You

Our One Year Celebration

JAT and I got married on May 26, 2012. This is also Memorial Day weekend. At first, I was hesitant to get married on a holiday weekend because I was not sure if everyone would be able to come to the wedding. I was wrong. The wedding was perfect and all of our sweet family and friends were there. 

Now, our anniversary is on a holiday weekend and it is glorious. We will always have that Monday off from work to make for a nice long weekend getaway. 

Our first anniversary was spent at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. The Grand Hotel is not far from home so it was nice to be able to get in a little vacation with not having to travel very far...And of course it is beautiful and absolutely the most peaceful place around. 

I am so excited to share pictures with you from our trip.

 

How can you not love a place this beautiful.

JAT and I had a blast. We soaked up every inch of the sun, that we could. One of our favorite things we did was kayak. I hate we didn't get a picture.

The resort has so much to offer and we could not have asked for better weather. 

It was perfect for an afternoon bike ride!

I could definitely get use to this view! 

One of the things that I have learned, from taking trips with my husband, is that it is hard to get pictures. We have several shameless selfies and that will just have to work! 

The pool was so relaxing. We went to the adult pool (no kiddos allowed) and it was totally worth it. Total silence. 

He is such a cutie! I love eating lunch with my husband and having funny conversations.

We rode to Fairhope each night to eat dinner and of course get ice cream!

If you have never visited this little place then it should now go on your to do list. 

It is perfect, for real. 

We ate at Big Daddy's Grill one night, located on Fish River. We had never been there before and could not wait to try the amazing food. It did not disappoint. If you are ever in the area I highly recommend making the drive to try this great seafood. 

We ended our trip with eating the topper to our wedding cake! Honestly, I did not want to eat it. I was sure it would taste awful but it didn't. It was delicious just like it was a year ago.

JAT and I have been amazingly blessed in our first year of marriage. I can not thank God enough for His blessings in our life. I am so grateful to get to share my life with my husband. I can't wait for many more anniversary celebrations!

The Unexpected {Link Up}

Before we get to today's topic, I want to share the purpose of this link up series. 

My sweet friend Kalyn created this link-up series to facilitate and encourage the sacredness of marriage, despite the hiccups experienced along the way, despite all the trials this world markets for newlyweds, despite the way our generation views love. 

It is all of our desire to shower our readers, whether married/engaged/dating, with positivity, hopeful encouraging hearts, and loving joy with posts for loving and living life in relationships with our better halves. 

Join us today we talk about the unexpected. 

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter  // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace 

Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You

Today's Topic What Have You Learned From The Unexpected and  How Have You Grown As A Couple

Personally, I'm not fond of the unexpected. I have said many times that I love to plan. I find joy in writing things, in my planner, and crossing them off as they happen. 

PS:
This is my planner.
I get a new Lilly planner every year and this year I went with a smaller one.
It is the perfect size and fits in my purse perfectly.

JAT has a huge deal with planning. He likes to know what is going on and likes to stick to that. We laugh about how planned out he likes to have everything. Straying away from the original plan is difficult for him. 
                                                                 Needless to say, we aren't very good with the unexpected..
With that said, the unexpected has kicked us down a few times during our first year of marriage. Not even in the big things but in the little every day life moments. When thinking about these moments, I know they have happened, but I can't point out certain ones to talk about even though sometimes they happen everyday. We haven't had a big tragic unexpected thing happen to us since we have been married.
 Here is a list of a few small, I mean small, things that I can remember...
1. Broken TV, 2. Sickness, 3. No heat on the coldest night in Mobile 4. Disappointments, 5. Flat tires, 6. Banged Up Bumpers, 7. Jobs, 8. Let Downs, 9. Broken Toilet, 10. Leaky Sinks
I don't want it to seem like I am complaining. I'm not. These are just some of the moments, that I can remember, that were unexpected. They weren't moments that we wrote down in the planner for that day. They weren't things we were able to talk about before they happened. 
                                                                             They are what they are..unexpected. 


We are learning, from experience, that life doesn't go the way we plan or the way we think it should. When we walk out of the door each morning, with a plan in mind, it may not go our way. It may not go the way I wrote it down or the way JAT thought it would. BUT, at the end of each day, JAT and I get through every unexpected moment. 
These unexpected moments have taught us not to take things so seriously (that is more me than JAT).
Looking back, on the first year of marriage, I can see how much we have grown. These little unexpected moments still knock us down, but maybe not quite as hard. We have learned that no matter how hard we try to plan, these moments are going to happen. We know things will be ok because we have a heavenly Father who cares for us. 
Recently, I ran across this quote. I love it and its daily reminder for me. I, so often, can't even be in the moment God as placed me in -good or bad-. 

God is teaching both of us to just enjoy the moment. Life is full of unexpected things. We don't know when they are coming and we can't plan or prepare for them. 
                                                                         They are unexpected for a reason. 

Hardest Moments {Link Up}

  It is Link Up day! I am excited to share, along with these other sweet ladies, the hardest moments of the first year of marriage.

 

If you are engaged, or married, we invite you to write on the topics with us and link up your posts. It doesn't matter if you are engaged and planning your big day, are a newlywed, or if you have been married 25 years... All the marital advice contributed, all the better for everyone involved!   

 

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace

Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You

 
 
We look forward to reading about your engaged, newlywed, and marriage journeys! If you have any questions feel free to email Kalyn here. 
 

 

Today's Topic

Hardest Moments From The First Year

 

  With every great thing, also comes obstacles. Marriage is great. I have spent the last year of my life with my best friend. Truly, JAT is a prime example of God's grace in my life. I, by no means, deserve to be blessed with the man God gave me. But he saw fit and I am forever grateful.   

I would be lying if I said the first year of marriage was all roses and smiles. It was not, but it is not as bad as the world makes it out to be. Everyone says that the first year is the hardest, I am not sure if I agree. Yes, we had hard moments but we also had moments full of happiness, and those definitely out weigh the bad. JAT and I are very blessed to do life together. We moved into the marriage transition smoothly. Our "hard moments" are probably not even considered "hard moments" to some.      

Top 5 Hardest Moments

 

 1... DISHWASHER. Currently, we are renting a house and we don't have a dishwasher. This my friend may top all other hard moments from our first year.We now both hate washing dishes. IT IS DREADFUL. We have quickly learned that paper products are our friend and it's ok not to use your dishes every day.
  2... Another hard moment from the first year was simply mixing two separate lives together. We both grew up watching our families do different things. Then, when the time came for us to do those things together, we each did them differently. Even down to the little things like folding towels and washing dishes.
 

3... A moment, that I would call challenging, in our first year of marriage was/is communication (this is more my fault). JAT will tell ya that I have a hard time expressing what I am feeling. On a normal day, I will not "let you know" what's up with me. It drives him crazy. I have learned that I HAVE to communicate. If something is bothering/worrying me I need to let him know.

 

4... Something that I also struggled with during our first year is being content. I blogged about it a little here. I am a planner by nature. I like to know what is coming next and I look forward to those things. God has truly taught me to be content with where we are and what we are doing. 

 

5...  Ok..call us 5 years old if you want  (we act like it sometimes), but one thing that was surprisingly hard was thinking in terms of two. I know, it seems easy but when you go from I to WE it can, sometimes, be down right hard. JAT and I can no longer think about self or what is best for just me. We both have to make decisions on what would be best for our FAMILY.

When thinking back on the hard moments in our first year I find myself counting my many, many blessings.

I am already finding that the second year is sweeter!

 

Coffee & Conversation #13

Welcome to Coffee and Conversation!

This Week's Question:

What's the meaning behind your blog title and why? Do you believe you have upheld the meaning's purpose?

What is the meaning behind your blog?

Have you been asked that question? I have and I love when I do because I get to share a little piece of my heart. I love to read. I love finding a great book and digging in. Elizabeth George is one of my favorites, I recommend anything that she has written.

So here is my answer to that question...the meaning behind "A Weaving of Grace"..



" A Weaving of Grace"... This is a phrase I came across while reading a book by Elizabeth George. "The Remarkable Women of the Bible" is a fantastic book and I highly recommend reading it. One of my favorite ladies in the Bible is Ruth. In her book, Elizabeth George, calls Ruth a woman of remarkable devotion, oh how I pray I would have devotion like Ruth. My all time favorite quote that I found while reading this book is about Ruth. George says,

"We must seek to see the hand of God in all events of life. 

If we believe in a sovereign God, if we believe in His loving providence, 

then we must choose to consider all that touches our lives as 

Him at work once again."

I love that and it is a great reminder that whatever we go through (good or bad) is a part of His plan and He is at work at all times in our lives.

Side Note: Another fantastic book about the life of Ruth is written by John Piper. This is on my top five favorite books of all times list. It is seriously the best. Go read it!!





Hannah is another woman I fell in love with while reading, Remarkable Women of the Bible. Hannah is a woman that endured SO much hardship but through it all she stayed faithful and prayed to the Lord. Elizabeth George relates Hannah's life to weaving. Throughout Hannah's life she was weaved some dark threads but there was also threads of faith and devotion in her life.

Just like Hannah, we have hardships (they come in all sizes and shapes) but in these hardships we also have a Weaver who promises to never leave or forsake us. The Lord is weaving threads one at a time in our lives. He knows the pattern.

All we have to do is trust Him.

Trusting is easier said than done at times but just as God weaved different threads through Hannah's life, I know He is weaving threads through mine and yours and they are all there to bring Him glory.

Our lives are examples of God's grace at work. Just like we have hardships and different obstacles weaved through our lives, we also have grace. Amazing Grace.

Elizabeth George put a poem in her book and she said it was given to her by a attendant at a wool factory in Ireland.

The Divine Weaver

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me; 

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow

And I, in foolish pride, 

Forget that He seeth the upper, 

And I the under side.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver's skillful hand, 

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He as planned.

How perfect is that..

So there you have it..A Weaving of Grace is a daily reminder that God is in control and I am so thankful. I am trusting in the Weaver. Our lives are crazy, fun, hard, disappointing, questionable, happy, etc. and through it all we have a God who loves us unconditionally.


The title of my blog is not something, so much, that you have to uphold, it is more about a daily reminder. A reminder of WHO is in control of this life we live. It is beyond refreshing to remember why I started to blog in the first place. No matter where life takes us, I know my sweet Savior is there. How sweet is it to know that He is at work in your life.

Funny Moments! {Link Up}

It's Wedding Wednesday!!

 

 

 I am joined by nine, other newlyweds, who are sharing their thoughts on their first year of marriage!

 

 



Today's Topic: Funny Moments from the First Year.

 

 

We would love for you to link-up and join us each Wednesday as we recap our first year of marriage!

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter  // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace  // Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You

Funny Moments...

 

 

Let me just start with this.

 

 

This would be my husband, at work.

 

Honestly, when I first saw this topic I immediately thought, what in the world am I going to write about? I'm not funny, now JAT is hilarious, as you can see from the picture. You never know what he is going to do or say that cracks you up.


You may think it's sad but it's perfectly ok with me, that I  can't look back on our first year of marriage and say, "Oh yeah, that was the funniest thing that happened" or "Funniest moment of my life happened when the husband did _______."

Nope.

Sorry, we have no stand out hilarious, funny happenings BUT we do laugh EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you know JAT, at all, then you know what I am talking about. The man is funny. He can say the most ridiculous thing and have everyone around him laughing. He is continually making me smile and laughing so hard it hurts. I cherish his silliness.

When is comes to the topic of funny, JAT and I are complete opposite. He would say that I am too serious, sometimes. I can say some things that make people laugh but it is rare and on a good day! JAT, on the other hand, can't go a second without laughing at something or someone.


JAT's family is also hilarious. Whenever we spend time with his parents we are sure to come away full of funny moments and laughing! My in-laws are precious.

 

If I had to sum up our first year of marriage in the "funny" category I wouldn't, at all, call our life funny. It is a sitcom. Together, we make people laugh like a good sitcom and I would not have it any other way.

 

 

I am forever thankful that God placed a funny man, in this sometimes too serious life of mine. 

 

 

Go laugh :)