Insta-Fri

The week has flown by for me. It's been my first week at work and the training has been exciting, fun, intense and challenging all at the same time. I can't wait for the weekend because my Hubby will be home and maybe I'll get to sleep-in once! This weeks Insta-Fi was from last Friday when I did a little window shopping in the downtown area. We're renting right now and dreaming of owning a home. I have decorated our rental as much as I can without putting up curtains, painting, or doing any major revamping! I have so many things I'd like to do, but for now it will have to wait. There's nothing to keep me from dreaming though. Do you ever play the game if you're at a store and you think, "What if I had unlimited funds and owned my dream house, what would I buy?" I love playing this game, because it helps me decide what I really like. I have a tricky time deciding what I really like. I like western, I like french country, I like modern, I like.....oh so many styles. Here are few finds which I picked out last week during my window shipping tour.  The pillows were a warm golden color and had a texture almost like burlap. These were so soft and squishy, perfect for a comfy couch. The ottoman was an awesome faux cowhide, I love the warm brown, white, and black color. The table and cabinet where similar in style so in my "dream world" I wouldn't actually buy both so it's not too matchy, matchy. You can't really see it in the picture, but the wood was a smooth un-varnished with a turquoise paint texture over it. Almost like it was painted turquoise at one time and then was sanded off. So far I've determined I believe my style is sophistication that's a bit rough around the edges at times. Kinda of like me.... ;-) What's your Insta-Fri from this past week? I'd love to hear about it!

Love, 

Bethany V.

Monday Reflections

Today I start my new job in Oklahoma City! I'm very excited and also a tad nervous. So many unknowns right now. I'm certain by the end of the week I'll have less unknowns to worry about than I do right now. I was inspired by this post about picking a word for the year. Even though it's September I'm sure it's never too late to start, right?! I feel like if I had to pick a word the first word that comes to mind is Courage. This past year I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. Between the joy of being newly married and leaving family and friends back in Colorado. There have been times where I have felt so glad I could have burst for for happiness. Other times I have felt so alone the whole world seemed to be engulfed in one giant rain cloud. I have learned something about myself this year: I don't like doing things by myself. Living at home for a good part (well, all) of my life there was always someone to "go with" to the grocery story, Walmart, clothes shopping, you name it. While Hubby and I try to do as much as we can together sometimes it's just not possible as he is often hours away. This means I have to go by myself. Courage. The courage to job search by myself. Courage to grocery shop and come home to an empty house and try to muster up the enthusiasm to "make" dinner. Courage to meet new friends. Courage to drive to new places and embrace getting lost. I found this definition of courage: the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. While I don't pretend the things I'm facing are life and death, they are uncertain and often unknown. Courage. I have to be wiling to confront the fear of the unknown. I must be willing to confront the uncertainty of a new job. I must be willing to tackle the pain of leaving family and be willing to courageously find friends here. Courage. First day at work, I am aiming to courageously take you on!

Love,
Bethany V.

Monday Reflections

I'm letting you know in advance this is a sappy post. Okay. That is my disclaimer.  If you're not up for sincere sappiness you do not have to continue reading (lol, ;-). On August 24, Hubby and I celebrated our one year anniversary! I know it's cliche, but it REALLY flew by! It's been a good year for us. We've learned a lot about each other. I thought I knew Bret pretty well when we were married. Nope! Every day I learn something new about him and I love that! We learned quickly how we're not perfect. We are, however, perfect for each other. That's probably been the biggest lesson for me this past year.

I had all these high expectations of who I was going to be as a wife. Expectations on how I would respond in certain situations. I was pretty convinced I'd never lost my cool. I knew being on the road would have challenges, but I thought I could handle it. The expectations I had for myself were pretty high and I've learned so much about myself this year. I've grown to love my Savior more and I'm thankful He forgives our mistakes. I've also grown into a greater understanding of what a great man I married.

I'd have to say Bret's expectations for me were zero. He simply loves me for me. He's loved me through happy days and sad days and the-in-between-kind-of days.  I knew I married a great guy on August 24, 2012. A year later,  I see to a greater depth how I've been blessed with this wonderful man. Bret's my best friend, my faithful listener, my encourager. His love for the Lord and for me points me back on track when I'm off my rocker! ;-)

Our faith and laughter has been the glue that's held us together this past year. It's grown us closer. One of my favorite things in flipping though all the wedding photos is seeing how much we were laughing on our wedding day! I love that we have a sense of humor!!

Happy 1st Anniversary Hubby, I love you so much! Second year of marriage - we can't wait to see what you hold for us!! It's an adventure....!

Love,
Bethany V.

Kansas // Travels 2

Today I am continuing our travels from the summer! Hubby and I were sent to Cheyenne County in Kansas for several weeks. I loved the fields of sunflowers we drove past on our way there! In Goodland they have a HUGE (80 foot tall) Vincent Van Gogh replica painting of the Kansas state flower: Sunflowers! 

My favorite day(s) were spent with Hubby in the tiny town of St. Francis. You can drive from one end of town to the other in a matter of minutes. Hubby spent his time in the courthouse while I drove around and saw the sights! :) Something I have loved about traveling with Bret is we get to see places off the beaten path. While most of these little towns I would never set out to visit, I feel like I have been able to see a piece of the heartland of America. The people are warm and friendly. They always know you're a visitor because everyone knows everyone! There is a quietness about these little towns I love. The folks aren't enthralled with the latest fashions, they drive old pick-ups and everyone waves. It's a good feeling!

St. Francis had a county fair going on while we were there. I watched the horse competitions (for free) browsed the local produce, ate delicious berry pie and met a friendly horse along the way! The rides were so ridiculously cheap it would be the perfect place to take a family to! So quaint!

I also visited the local museum of St. Francis. There was a bulletin board filled with pictures of all the old family barns in the area. I love old barns! Some have been torn down, but it's fun to think of how the barns were a place to protect livestock as well as a gathering place for parties and get-togethers. I think I may want a barn someday....

 

A collection of old Valentine cards - too cute! They had also persevered the old soda fountain from back in the day. I wonder how many people sat on those bright red stools to talk about all the latest gossip in town. ;)

Kansas was quaint and pretty. I wouldn't mind stopping by and visiting a few more little towns if we happen to be driving through. Until next time....

Love, 

Bethany V.

Nebraska // Travels 1

I kept my promise didn't I? You thought I wasn't going to post for another six months, right? All I can say is it happens and you can't get rid of me that easy (lol!). Here's the first state we spent some time in. Nebraska! It has a special place in my Hubby's heart. 1) His grandmother grew up on a farm near Hebron 2) his grandparents had a dairy farm in Omaha 3) Hubby was born and raised in Omaha for the first few years of his life. We've been in Nebraska about three times this past year and I'd have to say it's gaining a spot in my heart too. What? Nebraska? I almost can't believe my fingers are typing this?! Well, traveling around has given me an appreciation for each state. From what I've seen, they each have their own beauty and they each have something to offer. I used to think Colorado had it all (okay I still think that, moving on!). We spent one of our nights hiking (Hubby hiking, me huffing and puffing) "The Monument" in Scottsbluff and the view was spectacular!

                 

                                 

This tunnel went right through one of the bluffs near the top of the monument! The monument itself towers about 800 feet above the North Platt River. According to the National Park Service it was the second most referred to landmark on the famed pioneer trails such as the Oregon Trail ("you have dysentery, would you like to stop?" Wow I just dated myself), Mormon Trail and California Trail. Okay, enough history, here are some more photos. ;)

Please don't tell him I took this photo, he doesn't know. It'll be our secret, okay?! He's just so darn handsome I couldn't help myself.

No, someone doesn't live inside this rock. I thought it was a chimney too (kidding). It's actually a surveyor's pole. I can't remember when it was surveyed and Google didn't provide me with anything (what's with that?). At one point in time the pole was flush with the surrounding rock, so you can see how much of the monument has eroded over time. I wasn't a bit surprised as it was very breezy up there! The view took my breath away. I tried to picture myself as a pioneer. After traveling miles upon miles of prairie, this would have been an inspiring spot to take it all in. 

I'll be back with some more of our state travels in the next weeks. I also have a DIY coming up and other exciting stuff too! Happy Tuesday and see you soon!

Love, 

Bethany V.

Monday Reflections

The last six weeks have been a whirlwind of activities and I'm happy to be back home! I will not bore you with all the details, lets just say I spent the last 6 weeks in 4 different states (more on that coming soon)! It was fun and a bit crazy at the same time. The last week was bittersweet as I was ready to go home and at the same time I was sad as it may be a while before I travel with Hubby. Why? I was recently handed the ticket to find another job. So I will be job searching for awhile here in good 'ole Okie. The reason I'm reflecting today is because I've noticed a pattern in my life where I don't really fully appreciate something until it's gone. Does that ever happen to you? No? Oh, well guess I'm the only one ;). In the last year and half a lot of things have changed for me: I got married, moved to a different state, adapted to a different life-style, got used to living with another person (who happens to be my best friend) and so on! I've been realizing there were so many things I took for granted and the sudden change brought out how comfortable I'd become. Being uncomfortable is challenging. I've found myself wishing for things to be back in my comfort state. Now with the recent job loss I had a sudden jolt of reality. How many times had I complained? How many times had I considered I would be happier doing something else? Now that it's gone I find myself wishing it back. It was comfortable. It worked. I knew what was expected of me and what was required. Now all that has changed. It's as if I can be unhappy with the present and then when it changes I begin to think I'd be happier with the past. Crazy, right?

I just finished a wonderful book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I'm sure you've heard of it or already read it, I can be behind the eight ball on these things! She writes on the attitude of cultivating a thankful, in the moment, heart of gratitude in Chapter 4: I only live the full life when I live fully in the moment. Wow. So simple and yet SO difficult to do. I'm purposing to not wish for what was. I'm not going (Lord help me) to wish for this season to be over. I'm going to ENJOY it right now. For tomorrow it will be gone. Reminds my of what my Lord said, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). It's easy to talk about, Lord, help me live it. Next up I'll be sharing some photos from our recent travels. Stay tuned......


Love,
Bethany V.

Colorado Christmas!

Going back home for Christmas was wonderful, warm and fuzzy, and a tad crazy! It was our first time back to Colorado after four months of being married and there were lots of peeps to see and things to do. We managed to fit it all in though! I'm thankful Bret and I decided to do "our" Christmas before we left. It really made our first Christmas special and established our traditions as a couple, I think. Our favorite part of being back home was watching all the nieces and nephews open their gifts. The excitement is contagious and their raptures (or disinterest) over gifts is wildly entertaining. Who needs TV?! Both of our parents had lots of food and more Christmas gifts for us to open (we had already had a couple "early" Christmases, lol). They really do spoil us completely!

     

         
 Fun times with my mom, brother Nathan, and sisters Joelle and Meagan......

 The dog, Misty and my big brother Andy

The guys doing some clean up after the Christmas dinner

 

baby Eric and my little main squeeze Maddie Cakes

 Ben and Eric, the nephews, are such a hoot together......

Sophie fell in love with Uncle Bret

and Will takes after daddy with his funny bone!

 Our parents....sorry Bob I didn't snap one of you!

Cold, happy and in love! It was a great time and we loved every minute of being back in our home town. Can't believe Christmas 2013 is JUST twelve months away, ha. Hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year as well!

*dear family, I tried to get a picture in of everyone. Please don't take offense if you don't see more than one photo of you (or in Bob's case, none) we love you ALL dearly!! Okay, that's my disclaimer. xoxo

Love,
Bethany V.

My First LIVE Football Game

I have fond memories watching football games at my grandparents home. My grandpa was a huge football buff and I'm realizing now how much my grandma knew about football as well (I guess that's what happens when you've been married for almost sixty years)! That being said, I never really understood the game. It always felt like a bunch of players just running around. Sure, I knew a touchdown meant you received points, but I knew nothing about: first downs, punts, kicks, interceptions, a wedge, or a fumble. Okay, I will stop boring you with football terms. Point is, I've learned a lot and all the credit goes to my patient husband for explaining and re-explaining. Little, by little I'm getting it. I feel like I can watch the game and realize it's more like a game of Chess than players just randomly running around. Football gurus, please forgive me. We had the opportunity, thanks to Melissa (my new sister-in-love), to go to an Oklahoma State University game. Or "Ooooo, Ssssss, Uuuuu, Cowboys" as the fans would say! It was really fun to be a part of something that is truly American and to feel the buzz of excited fans. My biggest revelation of the day: the reason a "Flag" is termed as such in football is because.....are you ready? They actually throw a flag on the field! If your laughing at my football illiteracy, I'm laughing with you! :-)

Love,
Bethany V.

2 Months!

Today is our two month anniversary! From the time we've been married till now we've traveled ALOT!   

My wonderful hubby took me to Estes Park for the start of our honeymoon and then we flew to the gorgeous island of Kauai in Hawaii. It's an unforgettable memory I will always treasure and spending it with my best friend, well that was the best part! Once we got back we were home for about two weeks. Then we trekked down to Fairfield, Texas for Bret's work. After three weeks in Fairfield, we drove another 200 miles to beautiful Galveston and spent a week there!  It's been fun, but a tad crazy. I thought  I would share a few pictures from Fairfield and Galveston. Maybe on our three month anniversary I'll share the honeymoon pictures (insert smile).

So true.....

This little guy was very strange

Stewart Title - where Mr. B spent his working hours

The Galveston Harbor at dusk

Lots of Pelicans

Beach house on Bolivar Island

Aaah, the ocean

Palm Trees

One thing I will say is traveling makes you very thankful when you're back home in your own bed! :-)

~ Bethany