Out with the Old, In with the New

Husbands are so wonderful because they can do things I can't. Such as...

We've been doing some remodeling on the house since before we got married. We live in a 70's style house and many of the fixtures, wallpaper, and other such things have been in the house since it was built. Since Kevin is an electrician/handyman of sorts, there's a lot of the remodeling he can do by himself. Well, ever since we got married I've been complaining of the light fixture in our bedroom. I wish I had a picture, but I don't. Just imagine the absolute ugliest, gold platted, low hanging chandelier you can imagine and then picture it hanging above a bed. Ugly, right??
I kept asking Kevin to put me in a ceiling fan and he kept refusing (mainly because he said I was nagging). So on Monday night, I had an event at the seminary to attend and Kevin said he had a big surprise for me when I got home. I was expecting all the dishes to be done or the laundry to be folded. But when I walked into our bedroom, the most glorious and spectacular ceiling fan was hanging above our bed!
Ok, maybe I'm being a little overdramatic but isn't that what being a woman is all about!!

50 Marriage Promises (Part 3)

21. Compliment twice a day
22. Call during the day
23. Slow down
24. Hold hands
25. Cuddle (Take note Kevin)
26. Ask for each other's opinion
27. Show respect
28. Welcome the other person home
29. Look you best
30. Wink at each other
31. Celebrate birthdays in a big way
32. Apologize
33. Forgive
34. Set up a romantic getaway
35. Ask, "What can I do to make you happier?"

The Joys of Marriage

Now that Kevin and I have been married for 7 1/2 weeks (how time flies) I was thinking the other day about the things I love about being married. Here are just a few...

1. Seeing Kevin's wedding ring and knowing it's on his finger because of me. (By the way, Kevin's an electrician and can't wear his ring to work. Every day, and I mean EVERY day when I get home, it's already on his finger. That is huge for me!!)

2. Knowing there is someone who will always buy me a Diet Coke even when I forget (or intentionally leave) my wallet at home.

3. Having someone to call in the middle of the day just because. (Ok, I do this with my mom too but it's a little different with Kevin).

4. Scooting closer to him at night when it's freezing cold and the blankets just aren't cutting it.

5. Having parents and an entire family I absolutely love only 10 minutes away when I've been far away from my own family for so long. (So, this isn't directly related to Kevin but it's because of him that I have them.)

There are so many more reasons why I love being married but those are just a few.

50 Marriage Promises (Part 2)

11. Select a song that can be "our song".
12. Give back rubs.
13. Laugh together
14. Send a card for no reason.
15. Do what the other person wants before he or she asks
16. Listen
17. Encourage
18. Do it his or her way.
19. Know his or her needs.
20. Fix the other person's breakfast.

This I Promise You

These marriage promises are courtesy of Hyman's Seafood Restaurant in Charleston, SC.
May I daily strive to exhibit kindness and love to my spouse in these ways.

50 Marriage Promises (Part 1)

1. Start each day with a kiss.
2. Wear your wedding ring at all times.
3. Date once a week.
4. Accept differences.
5. Be polite.
6. Be gentle.
7. Give gifts.
8. Smile often.
9. Touch.
10. Talk about dreams.

There are 50 total so to be continued.....

What a Year Can Do

Yesterday was a very important day in the life of the Stidham's because Kevin and I celebrated the one year anniversary of our first date. To celebrate, we went to dinner at the restaurant where we first met and where he proposed. As I stood outside of the restaurant waiting on him, I remembered all of those feelings that I felt 365 days ago. I remember feeling both nervous and excited as I waited to see him and just prayed that the date would go well.
On that first date, as we sat across the table from each other, I kept thinking, "Does my hair look ok? Am I acting like a complete idiot? Oh no, do I have something stuck in my teeth?" (By the way, the answers to those questions were Hopefully, Probably, and Absolutely!) Our first date went very well but was not without a few embarrassing moments.

Moment 1:
Me: "What are you going to order?"
Kevin: "I don't know. I'm allergic to shellfish so anything but that."
Me: "What's shellfish?"
Kevin (with a puzzled look on his face): "Uh...fish that comes in a shell."
Me: Totally red in the face!

Moment 2: (after shellfish comment)
The night before our date, we were on the phone and Kevin said, "I'm kind of afraid I am going to do something really stupid on our date." I responsed kindly by saying, "Oh, if you do I'll be honest." Well that night as we sat there finishing our dinner, Kevin said something really funny and I started cracking up. He said, "Ok, it's time to be honest." My first thought was that I absolutely had something stuck in my teeth since that just usually happens to be my luck.
I said, "I have something stuck in my teeth, don't I?"  He said, "Yep! Big and black and right there in the middle." I rubbed my finger over my teeth and pulled out something the size of a frisbee. We both cracked up and I realized that although embarrassing, it helped break the ice a little.

Last night, we reminised our favorite moments over the past year. We talked about the funny memories, our favorite memories, and memories that we will never forget. It was a wonderful way to celebrate!

To my wonderful husband, I love you, I'm so glad I found you, and thank you for asking me out on a second date!

Our first picture together!