NYC

The boy and I got to spend an extended weekend in New York City. We wanted to get away to celebrate our anniversary, plus we knew that football season was around the corner, so we decided to splurge and soak it all in before reality set in. After this trip, I learned that even if someone offered me millions of dollars, you couldn't pay me to drive through New Jersey. However, we made it out of there alive and had a blast enjoying all the Big Apple had to offer. Manhattan was such a great place to people watch, to say the least. Despite the mad heat and the busyness of life there, the two of us were able to catch up and laugh and hold hands and putz around town. Here are a few pictures from our trip, from the Empire State Building, to Wall Street, to the corner of Grove and Bedford (all you "Friends" fans out there understand!) Enjoy :)

Brown County

This summer, Brett and I were able to go on  an extended weekend excursion with a few of our friends. We chose to go to Adventurewood Log Cabin in Brown County, Indiana. It was seriously perfect. Aside from the fact that we had no power for the first 20 hours due to a storm that came through moments before we arrived, the six of us had an awesome time catching up and goofing off. Between hiking and telling stories on the front porch to golfing and shopping and playing games and grilling out, I couldn't have had a better time. Granted, it may have had something to do with the 5 people that came along on the trip :) Anyway, here are a few pics from our trip. And if you're ever needing a getaway yourself, I highly recommend this cabin! We will be going back next summer :)

Our First Year

Things I Learned in the First Year of Marriage

• How to successfully cook for a man who won't eat anything that contains these ingredients: cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, mushrooms (or just about any vegetable at that), eggs, or mayonnaise. He also won't eat casseroles or anything too sweet or chocolatey or with too many tomatoes. And everything has to be plain.
• Never run a vacuum during a football game...I learned that week 3 of married life.
• Jesus is the only One who truly satisfies. As wonderful as my husband is and as much as I feel my cup overflows, I've noticed my moments of dissatisfaction in my marriage are parallel to times I haven't spent with Jesus. When I really get in the Word and when I spend time in prayer and practice daily surrender, the times of frustration pale in comparison and I am able to chose joy.
• Brett defines a "good" fart as one that is loud and super stinky. I define a "good" fart as one that is silent and provides necessary relief. And that's the difference between boys and girls.
• Keeping score only keeps you further from your spouse. Lay down the score card, grab his hand, and be a team.
• My husband is a warrior. He loves me and protects me fiercely. He works so hard for anywhere from 8-18 hours a day, busting his butt and I have yet to hear a single complaint about his schedule or exhaustion. He is the most loyal friend, not only to me, but to his friends and family. I am repeatedly blown away by his kindness and leadership. He is MY warrior. That being said, he is still a sinner, just like me. In moments of frustration, God has taught me to shower him with grace. God has taught me to love him and respect him generously, whether or not it's "deserved." Because of that, one of my heart's greatest desires is to learn to love Brett and respect him a little more everyday. 
• There is more than one way to fold socks. In my family, we always folded our socks by laying the pair on top of each other, and tucking one into the other. Brett, on the other hand, folds his socks by literally folding his socks. I don't know why that makes me laugh so much, but it does.
• It's not always easy recalling positive remarks made by someone, but it's always a cinch to remember words that hurt. Choosing words wisely and thinking before you speak is indispensable in life, especially in a marriage.
• How to play poker. And how to win poker.
• Always assume the best out of your spouse. There have been times I've come home and gotten upset that the dishes weren't done or the laundry wasn't put away. Instead of storming in and yelling about how "I do ALL the work around here!" (which is NOT true, by the way), I assume he didn't see it, or that just because my priorities aren't his priorities doesn't mean his priorities don't matter. Am I making sense here? Bottom line: Assume the best.
• Be his friend. Laugh a lot. Sometimes I need to stop taking life so seriously and dress up like a moron and dance around the house with the boy.  Watch football together and go on walks and make him feel like the rock star he is. Enjoy this awesome gift of marriage God's graciously blessed us with.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to us! One year ago, on 8/6/11, the boy and I promised God and each other a lifetime of faithfulness and obedience to Christ as Team Fox. It was the best day of my life. And it wasn't because it was the beginning of something HUGE, because I don't think that had really settled in yet. Don't get me wrong, I understood the gravity of the commitment and the fact that this day would change my life forever. I just didn't know how because I hadn't lived it yet. It was, however, the best day of my life because there I was, in a pretty dress, next to a boy that held my heart fiercely and gently all at the same time. We were surrounded by our parents and siblings and other family and friends that had watched us grow up. 


Some from the start, some not until high school, some not until a year or two prior, but ALL had impacted our journey to this place. As if that wasn't enough, it was gorgeous outside, and there was excellent food, and beautiful music, and ridiculous dancing, and so much laughter and smiles my face literally ached. All because the Creator of the Universe had enough compassion on us to send His Son to die in our place, so that we may spend eternity giving Him Glory, and meanwhile enjoy the awesome gift of marriage, designed by the same God that created the mountains and the ocean and the human heart. Here's to a hundred more, my love!