Minneapolis

Hey.

Thought I'd share a few snapshots of our weekend with you.

First off- packing didn't go the way I planned... most of it was put off until the morning we left.  I also wish I had checked the forecast for Minneapolis instead of Des Moines for the weekend, as it was a solid ten degrees colder there the entire time.  We were pretty chilly during most of our outings, and taking one pair of boots would have been a lot simpler than trying to find shoes for each outfit.

We arrived at the Target Center plenty early to watch the teams warm up and hoped to have a Kobe sighting, even though he wasn't playing.  (Stupid injury.)

No Kobe sighting, but we did see Steve Nash warm up.  (Jered told me that he really hates how many selfies we took this weekend.  I said "too bad" because it's not that often that we go to NBA games... or on mini-vacations.)

      

 

We heard them announce Kobe's name at one point, but missed what they said about him!  Jered also placed a bid on an autographed photo of him, but put his cell number on it.  (The cell he didn't have with him.)  I think if he had found a missed call on it when we got back to the room he would have been more than a little bummed. 

Saturday morning (late, late morning) was spent getting coffee and scones.  The area we were in was really lovely- the streets were clean, the sidewalks littered with art sculptures, and even the street signs were prettier because they had scalloped edges.  (Am I weird for noticing stuff like that?) 

Then we headed over to Barnes and Noble and spent a good chunk of time reading in the aisles.  I found a big book on the human brain for Jered to read.  (I also found an anatomy coloring book that I really wanted to get for him for studying purposes, but I passed for now.)

 

While I utilized the workout room with a pumped up run, Jered napped.  After I finished, the two hot messes joined forces and enjoyed the pool and sauna.  And Jered watched basketball... because that's what you go away to do.  Enjoy the TV that you don't get at home.

 

We went to Brit's Pub for dinner.  (We had planned on going to a Blues Bar and Lounge to see a live performer, but the cover was a bit way more than we had anticipated.)  We stayed until we were ready for dessert- an intense sundae, and enjoyed the atmosphere, that would have been even nicer if we had a friendly waiter.

 

We listened to Jered's Barnes and Noble purchase for half of our drive home.  Nothing like some good ole Blues on a beautiful, sunny day drive.

I never thought I'd be so thrilled to get back to Des Moines weather.  It was seventy degrees when we got back.  So we took off for the lake, where Jered took a jaunt into the woods, and I ran the trail.  It was definitely the most beautiful day we've had so far this year.  I might have found my new favorite spot too.

 

Well, that about wraps up our weekend.  Hope you had a good one!

Aim

Public Profession

Hi.

The prompt for the fifth day of the challenge is to publicly profess your love for one of your blogger friends.  While I do follow many blogs (I'm currently at forty-three), I'm not really friends with the people I don't know.  I'm assuming most of them don't even know I'm reading their posts.

The problem is that I usually tell you about the new blogs I read anyway.  But I don't want to choose someone I know either because I'm always scared of hurting feelings.  (Add that to the list of things that make me uncomfortable.)  Plus, I've already told you about a bunch of my family.  I've really gotten myself into a pickle here.

What to do?  What to do?  It's a bizarre feeling, trying to decide to whom to publicly profess your love.  I would take the easy way out, and write about my husband, but he doesn't like that.  Go figure.
I'll tell you about a beautiful blog I haven't told you about yet: Rachael Osborn Photography
(This is a photo from her blog that she took herself.)
This lovely lady and I actually went to school together at TIU.  We had a handful of classes together in the English Communications department but were a couple years apart, so we never had a chance to get to know each other well.  But she's super sweet and though we don't really know each other, thanks to social media, she has been a real encouragement to me lately.  (It's great to have people respond when you share something that's difficult to open up about.)
You will learn that she loves Jesus, her husband, her adorable daughter, her sisters, photography, writing, and fashion.  You will see her big heart and her tremendous talent and have fun reading what she writes along the way.  (I especially love the bridal and family shoots.  Just stunning.)
Please check out her website and enjoy her gorgeous photos!  Seriously- go now!  Enjoy!

Talk to you later,
Aim

"Number Four!"

 Hi!

You notice a spring in my step today?  Why yes, there is.  That would be because today is essentially my Friday!  Tomorrow we start our weekend adventure, and I cannot wait.  I might be more excited than the boy.

I even started packing last night.  (Although, as I told Katie, when I try to accomplish anything with music playing, it inevitably turns into a fun bit of cardio, as my room is transformed into a dance floor.  Moral of the story: I get more done if a movie is playing.  Always.)


Day #4 of the challenge is to write about your favorite quote.  Well, that's just really tough.  I think I would need days to decide on that.  So, in my true indecisive fashion, you get to discover a few of my favorites.

"Number four!"

Ok, I do enjoy this movie quote, although I don't think it qualifies as a favorite.  I just thought it would work perfect for the title today since the letter is about quotes.  (Points to anyone who knows the movie!)

"That smile could end wars and cure cancer."

"What matters to you defines your mattering."  

- John Green, An Abundance of Katherines

Ok, I had to grab two from this book.  First off, gosh, doesn't that just paint the brightest and most comforting picture?  I would love to have a smile that is described that way.

And that second one?  Love, love, love it.  A little convicting and challenging, right?  It definitely makes me want to reevaluate my priorities.  I guess I've noticed that, like the main character of the book, I don't want my life to go by without doing or being anything worthwhile.

As a Christian, that carries a different meaning, doesn't it?  If God matters to me, I should be following Him and making myself less, thereby doing more kingdom work, which in the broad scope of things is the only work that is of any true value.

(Big shout out to Molly, who got me hooked on John Green's books.  Only two down, but I plan on reading the rest.)

"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." 

- William Ralph Inge

I wouldn't have originally thought this one was a favorite quote, but when I read the prompt, it instantly popped into my head, so I thought it must be worth sharing.  Jered read this quote somewhere when we were back at TIU.  He would break it out whenever I was nervous about a test or the future or basically anything.  I always thought it was kind of annoying because I worry about all kinds of silly things.

However, I am over the moon that Jered knows and understands my personality, as much as is humanly possible anyway.  All jokes aside, he knows what I need to hear in the hardest moments.  Even if it doesn't come across as comforting as I would like, I know he has the best intentions.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, 

which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   

- Philippians 4:6&7

This must be my ultimate favorite because so much good is in those two short verses.  As I just said, I have a tendency to become a bit of a worrywart.  (What a gross word.)  Anyway, it is my go-to behavior, so this is my go-to verse.

The best part, in my opinion, is "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding."  When peace seems impossible, when the situation is so bad or so hard that you can't see a way of anything ever turning out right, that a peace I can't. even. comprehend. is available if I just pray.  Wow!  Major power in that!

And that unbelievable peace?  That ultimate comfort that we can't understand?  It will envelope my heart and mind and guard me.  It is going to be a minky, fur-lined, memory foam-filled armor to protect the most vulnerable, sacred parts of my being.

What's your favorite quote?  Do you have just one?  Or are you like me and can't make up your mind?  I'd love to hear them and maybe add them to my arsenal.

Well, I don't know that I will get around to writing any more during the weekend, so I might not get back to you until Monday.  Have a spectacular weekend!  Can't wait to tell you all about our adventure!

Aim

Uncomfortable

Hi again.

For the third day of the writing challenge, you get to read about what makes me uncomfortable.


To tell you the truth, I was so excited about finding out what the next writing prompt was, that I checked it out last night.  And then I wondered what I should write about.  To get a little extra perspective, I asked  Jered what makes him uncomfortable.  His answer: "Being hot on leather seats."
Not quite what I was looking for, but he gave me a good laugh.
When I think about what makes me uncomfortable, well, I guess I agree with Jered.  Does anyone else remember the old red-seated church van?  The leather seats and lack of air conditioning?  That ripping of your legs when you get unstuck from the seat?  Ugh.
Other things that came to mind include:
Public restrooms.  I don't mind using them- I just want them to all to myself.  (As I told Katie, nearly every time I enter the restroom at work, I pray for privacy.)
High heels.  My toes don't last long in those suckers.
Conflict.  I cower.  I am typically not a debater.
Feeling like an outsider.
Hospitals.  Obvious, I think.
Being professionally photographed.  Even on my wedding day, I felt like a dork in front of the lens.  
Swimming suits.  I've had an unnatural amount of stretch marks since high school.
A plugged nose.  One time I started crying because I couldn't breathe through my nose, and Dad came in to check on me.  I was so upset, and all he said was, "Well, stop crying- it will make your nose stuffier."  Thanks, Dad.
Being the center of attention.  Red cheeks.
Public speaking.  More red cheeks.  And exorbitant sweating.
My own skin.  A blemished complexion.  Seriously.  I'm 26.  Isn't it supposed to be better by now?
Dancing.  Two left feet, right here.
The thought of giving birth.  And raising kids.  And being completely exhausted all the time.
Car trouble.  Let's face it, if something goes wrong, I'm helpless.
Doing taxes.  I know they say some really easy DIY sites are out there for free.  No thank you.  Still would rather pay someone to do it for me.
I think you get the point; lots of things make me uncomfortable.  Some are silly, but some have bigger effects on my life than whether or not I get the restroom to myself.
Lately I've been wondering if I'm really as comfortable with allowing God to work as I think I am.  During the last month, I've heard our pastor's ask, "Is there any one area that you are not ready to hand over to God?" and "Is there a part of your life where you are running from God?"
I honestly thought, "Nope.  I think I'd be ok with whatever ways He decides to stretch us."  I think that's probably the first time I've ever thought that in my life.  I also think it's probably not entirely accurate... and risky.  Isn't it always when you pray for patience that God decides to test you with tough situations?  Uh huh.  That's what I'm afraid of.  
I have a feeling that pretty soon, we're going to be finding out exactly what makes me really uncomfortable.
I'll let you know what I find out!
Talk to you later,
Aim

My Area of Expertise

Hello.

On to Day #2 of the writing challenge?  Well, sure!  (Again, you can find the challenge by clicking on the picture link below.)

You are in luck; the writing prompt for today is educating you on something I am very knowledgeable about, or good at.  Prepare to enjoy my vast knowledge.  *Cheesy smile and a wink* (Think Professor Lockhart)

The description says that I can be educational, funny, or sarcastic.

Let's see...

Cooking?  No.

Public speaking?  HA.

Umm. Anything I learned in school?  Already too long ago.

Nutrition or health?  My apologies to my former employers at the gym, I did not pick up enough to consider myself able to educate.  And Jered can speak for my nutritional weaknesses.

Being the model of a working housewife?  Don't look at my apartment right now.  Especially the fridge.

Art or writing?  Well, even though I love both, I hardly think I am qualified to be an educator on either topic.

So what is left?

I guess I can tell you that I am the resident expert on overreacting and taking things personally.  I think my husband will attest to and appreciate this post.  This is for you, Love.

My hands just started sweating profusely.  Coincidence?  I suppose this is taking us back to the "confessions" origin of this blog.

See him there?  Although he knows the ability of overreacting I possess, he is always blissfully unaware of which words will stimulate my evil powers.

All he has to do is start a sentence with, "You should"  or "Why don't you," and it is enough for me to think he is attacking my entire person.  That I am not doing or being what I should.  That there is something I should change or improve.  That I am an utter failure.

"Why don't you go running today?"  That simple question suggests (in my wacky head) that I am lazy and overweight, while he is just thinking about how it will energize me and allow me to enjoy nice weather.

"You should try my mom's recipe" equals "I hate everything you cook."  (Even though I completely understand wanting meals that I grew up loving.)

Another way I overreact is through my uncanny habit of firing back with something he does that I don't like if he brings up a fault of mine.  Seriously.  I'm like a machine gun.  Bambambambambambambambambam!

"Don't pull the car up so far.  You'll scrape the sidewalk."
"You do it too!"

"Why didn't you get such and such at the store?"
"Well, maybe if you would go instead, you could get what you want!"

"Could you put the DVD back in the case from now on?"
"Well, you have stuff lying all around the apartment."

See what I mean?  Totally irrational, totally overreacting, totally unloving.

If I write to him in our shared journal, and he doesn't write back, I instantly think he doesn't care about our relationship.  If he wants me to listen to a song that he thinks is catchy, and it happens to be about an unhappy couple, I wonder if he is relating to the lyrics.  He says a girl's name and BAM!  He's interested in her.  The list goes on and on.  And on.  These powers are superhuman, I tell you.

Sometimes all it takes is a look from me after something he says, and he replies sarcastically with, "And I meant to attack you as a person."  He knows this weakness I have for taking innocent words, assuming the worst, and taking them as a personal hit.

Honestly, this is barely skimming the surface of my horrible expertise.

I wish I was explaining my extensive knowledge of how to overcome these... insecurities.  I suppose that's what it really boils down to.  But I'm not.  Admitting them to all of you still won't be enough to make me stop.  I know how foolish it is, but I can't seem to shake these superhuman powers!

Maybe one day I will be able to tell you that I've overcome that and have become an expert at seeing how my husband truly sees me.  That I am the only woman he loves.  That he thinks I'm beautiful even when I have zit cream on my face (maybe funny looking, but still his beautiful wife).  That he enjoys spending time with me even if he needs a guys' night.  That I am the one he wants to grow old with.  Even as I write this, I feel those doubts creeping in, fogging the edges of my heart, where I know better.

Thankfully, I have a patient husband.  A ridiculously patient husband.

Well, I hope you've gotten a laugh at my expense (I promise not to take it personally) over my area of expertise, and possibly some reassurance that you're not alone if you happen to be blessed cursed with the same abilities.

Until next time,

Aim

The Story of My Life

Hey guys.

This link is from a challenge on a blog I just started following.  The challenge was to write every day in the month of May.  She provides the writing prompts for each day.


Now, it's not May.  It's not even the first day of the month.  And I can probably assure you that I won't write for thirty-one days in a row.  Maybe someday.  (Probably never.)
The first writing prompt was to write the story of your life in no more than 250 words.  (I hate myself for hearing One Direction's song every time I read/write "the story of my life.")
So here it goes.  (Let me just say, it's hard to decide what is worth including in so few words.)

I was the first of two daughters born to my parents.  My sister was born three years later, and we’ve been best friends since.  We had a wonderful childhood that revolved around church, extended family, and playing.  We lived in the same house for our whole lives, and wouldn’t have it any other way.  My dad was a big advocate of family vacations, so we have many fun memories of the different places we visited.

I was a good student, but hated high school.  After two years of junior college, I transferred to Trinity International University and majored in English Communications.  While I still have no idea what I want to do with my life, I think writing and art are involved somehow.

While at school, I met my husband, Jered.  We had a somewhat turbulent dating period, but God really worked in our relationship.  He popped out of a large gift box on a Christmas morning to propose.  I was shocked and elated.

Now, after just over a year and a half of marriage, I continue to learn about and from him.  He teaches me about myself without trying.  It blesses me to see how God moves in his heart, and I pray that He works the same way in mine.

We spent our first year in Chicago, but decided we needed more rural scenes in our lives.  Our dreams for the future include building our own home, raising children, traveling, and finding time for our hobbies.

Well, that's it.  That's what you need to know about my life.  

In other news, I think I'm getting sick from a dirty humidifier or running when it was cold.  Deep chest pain.  Ow.  Please, don't let it be allergy season yet!  I don't know if I can handle another year like last year.  And I really don't want to be sick for the fun weekend ahead!

Hope you're all having a spectacular/bearable Monday.

Aim

"All good things! All good things!"

Hi. 

Gosh, I can't remember the last time I wrote to you on a Saturday.  Weird.

I 'm sitting in the middle of our living room, surrounded by gigantic mounds of dirty laundry, already sorted because after procrastinating on the laundry front for so long, you learn to be efficient when the time to wash actually comes.  (I've also learned how to manipulate our dryer so that it doesn't rip me off so much each time.  We go through enough quarters as it is.) 

Oh, and Frozen is playing for the second time today... hence the title of this letter.  Olaf slays me.

Earlier today, I tagged along with the mister on a "fresh air run."  AKA: driving to the lake to eat lunch in the truck while enjoying the weather for bit.  You know, recharging Nature Boy before he went to work.

Yesterday I made a "to do" list for my evening.  I only made it halfway through, but the hardest task got accomplished.

I ran.

I have a definite love/hate relationship with running.  I love how it makes me feel... after I'm done.  While I'm in the middle of a running stretch I kind of want to crumple up on the ground and cry. 

 

Ahem.. Anyway... I chose not to take my iPod with me so that I could purposefully use that time to pray.  I don't know how you guys run, but that was haaaard for me.  I run intervals, and found myself only being able to focus when I was on the walking blocks.  I did my best to pray for the whole first half of my outing. 

When I turned back I told God that I couldn't focus my thoughts any longer and asked Him just to help me enjoy His creation and listen to Him on the way home.  I returned home feeling energized and determined.  (Of course that didn't quite help me finish my list, but that's alright.  Sometimes following the "to do" list isn't the best way to spend our time.)

I awoke early this morning to radiant light shining into our living room.  (We camped out in the couch pit after falling asleep three-fourths of the way through Iron Man 3.)  It was a bit earlier than I planned on waking up, but I used the time to make my first ever fruit cobbler.  And yes, I ate it as breakfast.  Why not?!

It occurred to me that I haven't shown you around the apartment in awhile.  Here are a few of my favorite little spots:

I put this dessert display to work on my dresser.  Hopefully someday it will be put to use for its true purpose, but it works pretty well right here.

This little cart was one of my treasures from Grandma Lynn's basement.  This wasn't what I had planned to use it for, but I ended up being quite fond of this little corner.

 

 

This shelf now hangs above our kitchen sink.  Jered's not a big fan of the "Love is spoken here" because he doesn't care for the cheesy sayings, but I loved this because it's such a good reminder to watch how and what you speak.  I am a major advocate for paying attention to the tone of your voice, but find myself not being careful with my own far too often.  I want this to be a reminder to me.  (Also- our kitchen smells of peaches and mango in case you wanted a better feel for the room.)

 

I just got these pretty pottery pieces last night at Goodwill.  I was super excited about this find.

 

 And here is one of my favorite projects (not quite finished).  The wall behind our couch is getting filled up nicely.  I just need one more photo for the center.

(I'm noticing a big difference with how my phone's camera works outside versus inside.  And either my computer or our internet is not allowing me to resize any of the photos.  Grumble grumble...)

 Well, that was pretty random, but I guess that's kind of how Saturdays roll.  

Hope you're enjoying yours!

Aim

We're Going on a Bear Hunt... or Rabbit Hunt

Hey,

Well, here's a shocker.  My artsy night did not happen.

For good reason though.

In spite of my best efforts to stay home and go through with the evening I had planned for myself, Jered talked me into going for a walkabout with him by the lake.  He wanted to give his new slingshot a spin.  And while I did my fair share of whining... the entire time... it was a fun way to spend the evening.  (Shh- don't tell Jered.)

I assumed we were going to walk the trail and enjoy the scenery.  But you remember what the teachers taught us about what assuming does...  It makes an ... of "u" and "me."  Obviously, I was wrong.  So incredibly wrong.  What was I thinking?  I was with Jered Flinkman after all.

What started as Jered taking my hand and leading me through the woods (this was no easy trek), turned into a demented game of Red Light, Green Light.  Jered gained more and more ground, I would run to catch up, and apparently my athletic agility wasn't as stealthy as he would have liked.  "How about every time I stop walking, you stop walking too?"  (I think I'm off the hook for joining him on any future hunting days.)

 

I think you can probably imagine how this walk went.  Jered was one hundred percent in the hunting zone.  Seriously- he's like a dog that sees a squirrel.  That sounds bad, but I mean it in the most endearing way.

 

Meanwhile, I played around with the camera and looked for sights I wanted to remember, like the vibrant green moss that covered the downed tree, or my husband squatting in wait for a rabbit to appear.

 

At one point, I saw a big, lonely patch of snow that stubbornly survived in the shadows.  I almost took a picture to document the fading of winter, but then I literally thought, "I'm not taking a picture of that- Die snow, die!"  You know, because I'm mature like that.

Remember that scene from Princess and the Frog when Louis, the alligator, jumps into the bushes and comes out screaming that the "bricker bushes" got him? And he's covered in briers?  Mhmm.  Yep, I felt like Louis.

 

Finding brightly colored buds on the ground, seeing them covering the tree tops from which they fell, and spying fresh green signs of life peeking through the carpet of dead leaves was more energizing for me than seeing the one and only rabbit that crossed our path.

 

And then there were the more glamorous sights of the evening...

It truly was a beautiful evening, whining aside.  And even though I would have liked a bit more interaction with the mister, I enjoyed seeing him in his element.  He is the epitome of the outdoorsy type.

I honestly don't think I could have asked for a better evening, though my sentiment may have been lost on the mister.  I can't wait to enjoy more beautiful evenings and Saturday mornings like this together.  

Have a fantastic weekend!

Aim