One whole year!

So I am pretty excited to say that Brent and I celebrated our first anniversary yesterday! I can't believe it has already been a whole year since we stood up on the stage at FCC and were married. The day was just perfect and there's still nothing I would change about it!

 So much has happened since then! Marriage, honeymoon, cross-country road trip, moving to a new state, starting 2 new jobs, setting up our first apartment, traveling, and so much more! It's amazing to think about all the fun adventures we've had this year and I am looking forward to so many years of adventure in the future! I have truly loved being a wife and spending every day with my best friend, whom I was apart from for so long. I honestly don't feel like the "newness" of getting to spend so much time together has worn off yet. :) There are so many ways that God has blessed us as we have moved and begun our lives here. It's amazing to simply reflect on how different life would be if we were somewhere else. Simply put, we know that God has placed us here for a reason because we've seen him working in our lives in so many ways.
We celebrated our anniversary at Rehoboth Beach, DE, for the weekend! It was fun exploring the cute town and hanging out on the beach working on our tans . . . er, sunburns. :) Reminiscent of a week spent in Riviera Maya, Mexico, last summer for the honeymoon! We had some delicious seafood this weekend and just enjoyed relaxing while we were there!

It was a fun little roadtrip there and back. We crossed Chesapeake Bay on the giant Bay Bridge...

... passed so much farmland, which, I can't lie, I totally loved . . .

Am I in Patoka?

. . . don't worry, we also had the essential piece to every trip, of any kind.

We also passed a bison farm. I'm sorry to report that I did not manage to get a picture of them. We decided they must have stolen the bison from the Midwest. That's the only logical explanation.

But, yeah. It was a fun trip. :)

Happy 1st Anniversary!

Sadly, we were not able to have our anniversary cake since we moved. It would have been hard to transfer cake on a 2-day roadtrip or via airplane, so we made due with some delicious cookie dough ice cream to celebrate when we got home.

 

Brent also surprised me with this lovely gift! A diamond bracelet. So pretty! I had no idea!

So, needless to say, we had a lovely first anniversary and are continuing to enjoy every minute of being married. I have the best husband and look forward to many more amazing years together! He makes me so happy. :)

Thanking God for His blessings. :)
[hugs]

A happy heart.

Ah, sweet summertime. It is here! I hope yours is going as well as mine.

It was a perfect start to my summer break to head home to OK, which welcomed me with the familiar arms of the Midwest heat. And what an occasion to make it home for . . . nothin' better than the wedding of an old friend! My kindergarten friend and college roommate, Julia, got married last weekend! I had the honor of being a bridesmaid and loved being a part of her special day. My dear friend looked just beautiful and it makes my heart smile to see her so happy. :) Another bonus: mbf, Mrs. Brown made it to town for the wedding! I wish I had a picture of the 3 of us from 1st grade when we all became friends, but I suppose this one from the wedding will have to do.

Blessed to have known these girls so long, and for many years to come!

The rest of my time in OK was spent just seeing all the people I love the most. When I headed back to MD, I brought along a couple of stragglers with me. Nick and his friend Mikey joined me and we spent a few days exploring DC. I can say that I spent my 24th birthday in Washington, D.C. I'll add it to the list of other places I've spent some birthdays: 17th-France, 18th-Cozumel (with Julia, actually), 24th-Washington, D.C. I'm sure there have been some other fun places along the way too, but I won't reminisce too much for now. Nick, Mikey and I walked our poor feet all over DC on Thursday and Friday, and managed to see so much! We made the monument tour and hit 4 of the Smithsonians. Unfortunately, we missed seeing the Obamas when we visited the White House, though.

The 2 best-lookin' boys in DC. Way to represent, OK, boys!

Of course, for my birthday dinner, we had Mexican! On the Border doesn't quite compare with Compadres or Lindo or some of the places from back home, but it will have to do for now.

Handsome husband... btw, anniversary is comin' up! How is that almost here already?

Nick!

Since then, I have taken to spending my week attempting to be productive: working out, cooking, running errands, and watching Food Network and SVU! The usual trophy wife stuff. ;) Ha.

Another pastime . . . pinterest.com. I am officially addicted. If you haven't checked it out yet, it's a site where you can "pin" ideas and photos you find on the web and want to come back to later. You can pin anything . . . recipes, projects, fashion, quotes, anything at all! You should head on over there right this minute! Seriously. You have to be "invited" to join (not sure why, because you just request an invitation), and so if you want to join, send me a message or comment and I'll invite you! It's super fun, I can't lie. But you may end up spending [way] more time on it than you planned. Consider yourself warned. :)

And, that brings me to tonight. My sweet husband is out of town on business so I am making good use of my evening alone. Eating leftover stuffed portobella mushrooms (a new recipe I tried this week, absolutely delicious!) and currently watching The Sound of Music. This movie has been favorite of mine for so long (Mrs. B knows what I mean!) and I haven't watched it in forever! Dad always says, "Isn't that movie, like 5 hours long?" Nah, just 3. :) It's a good thing Brent isn't here to witness my quoting and singing of every line. Ooops. But it makes my heart happy.

"When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." -Maria, The Sound of Music

What makes your heart happy?

[hugs]

Home of the Brave.

Last weekend, Brent and I had the privilege and honor of attending the U.S. Naval Academy's graduation ceremony in Annapolis, to watch our dear friend Josh Teeman graduate. The graduation speaker was the Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, who announced that it would be his last commencement speech from his position. What an honor to listen as he imparted words of advice to the thousand young men and women offering up their lives in service to our great country. He even got a bit teary and emotional at the end of his speech, as he was discussing the burden of sending young people, like those he was speaking to, off to fight for our country. I got a bit teary myself, just looking across the football field at the crisply uniformed graduates, taking an oath to honor and protect our country in service to the Navy. Not only am I so grateful to all of those graduates and all service men and women, but also to their families. We sat with the Teemans during the ceremony, and it couldn't help but think about how much they are giving up as well: long months between seeing their son, brother, and boyfriend and worries when he is on deployment. I have a friend from church whose husband is in Afghanistan, so she goes many months without seeing him. Coming from a long distance relationship, I empathize with their pain, but also have no idea what it would be like to worry about a loved one in danger daily. I can't thank the families of our military men and women enough for their sacrifice either. I consider these people, these families, those I was surrounded by on that Friday, to be the most patriotic and brave of us all. I was honored to be among them.





I love that the graduation coincided with the weekend of Memorial Day, another chance to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and freedom of all Americans. Again, the families of those men and women are heroes as well.

I also love that, on that Sunday, our preacher spoke of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us as well. On Memorial Day, I hope that we all remember that we are forgiven and able to go to heaven because of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid for us.Though we didn't deserve it, nor were we even born yet, Jesus loved us and died so that we could live.

 How could we not be eternally grateful, literally?

We truly live in the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.

[hugs]

Summary.

Due to my lack of posting here for the last month, it's time for a quick summary of April and the beginning of May:

• Spring Break gave us a chance to head back to OK for a few days and it was lovely! I got to meet 3 cute babies while I was there: Miss Brynlee and Josiah and Garret! Just precious. Moms (and Dads) should be so proud! :)
• Easter with new and dear friends (see last post)
• HersheyPark adventures with Damon and Adam. It was a full day of nothing but riding roller coasters! Oh, and attempting to eat a bucket of fries, listening to Brent scream on the roller coasters, and convincing Damon to make a music video. Fun times were had by all! :)
• Celebrated Brent's 23rd birthday last week! His friends got him a grill! Yessss!
• Felt appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week with sweet cards and gifts from students and parents. I now hold the lives of 3 potted plants in my hands. I've never actually attempted to care for a plant or flower for a long period of time, so I'll let you know how that goes.
• Finished reading Crazy Love with our lifegroup. This was definitely the most challenging and life-changing book I've ever read. I feel like I've grown in my faith and am more aware of how my actions affect others as I attempt to love them with the same crazy love God has for me. More importantly, I have been challenged to simply live my life in accordance with my love for God. I need to purposefully live each minute, each day with the intent of loving God and loving others. I am so blessed to be part of a lifegroup and church family that strives to show God's love to the community so that they too can feel the hope and love that only Jesus can bring!
• Learning more to pray specifically for God to work in people's lives. It is absolutely amazing how He works for his will to be done in ways that we will never understand, and that's ok with me. I'm glad I'm not in charge and have someone to rely on who knows it all.
• Reminded of the amazing friend I have in Miss Brittany. I am so blessed to have found in her such a beautiful friend, as well as a prayer and accountability partner. I hope everyone has a friend like that!
• So thankful for my husband and how he continues to love and provide, as well as make me laugh every single day. I love that we have been married for almost a year (what??) and I still wake up each day so excited that I just get to hang out with my best friend! Now, if only I could figure out how to beat him at Kinect Sports . . .

Hope all of you are well and looking forward to summer which is almost here! I have 13 days of school left, not that I'm counting! :) Post coming soon about goals for the summer, of which there are many!
Count your blessings today.
Love you all.
[hugs]

"He is not here; he has risen!"

Today is, as the song says, marks the greatest day in history. 3 days prior, everyone thought that death had won, and Jesus Christ was not who he said he was. Then Sunday came, and he had risen from his tomb, conquering death, and our sins, forever. The salvation of all mankind rests upon the resurrection that happened so many years ago, but still stands today as the foundation of our faith.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly, two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words.  -Luke 24:1-8

I was a bit surprised as I sat in church today to hear the preacher quickly skim over the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. He then headed to Luke 15 and spent the rest of the sermon speaking about the "heavenly meaning behind the earthly stories" of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son. I love that our preacher, Brian, went away from the usual story that most people (even if they only come to church on Easter) have heard that yes, Jesus was crucified; yes, Jesus was buried for 3 days; yes, Jesus rose again like he said he would. But the message today answered the question why Jesus died on the cross and rose again. He did that to save us! Because we are the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the rebellious son who need saving! And Jesus gave his life so that we could be found and saved.
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3: 16-17

I am ever amazed at the mercy and grace of God who chose to do these things so that we could be with him in heaven someday, even though we have done nothing to deserve it.

Brent and I were blessed to spend Easter dinner with some members of our church family today. It's such a cool thing to sit around a crowded table with people you've known for only a short time, and discuss openly how God is working and guiding us in our lives as we celebrate his Resurrection (and also to let them know that there are civilized people from Oklahoma, even if people forget that we're a state and that there are people out there! ;)We are thankful to our friends for opening up their home to us today!

Happy Easter, everyone!
[hugsfromMD]

It's Friday, but Sunday's a' comin'.

Today is Good Friday.
Brent and I attended a "tenebrae" service at our church tonight, which literally means "darkness." Quite appropriate for the event that occured over 2,000 years ago, when Jesus Christ laid down his life for our sins on the Cross. The quiet service was a much-needed reminder of that sacrifice. In addition, I am posting a story below that someone sent to me today, which more clearly portrays God's sacrifice than anything else I've read. Read with a box of tissues, if you are willing. I hesitate to post it, simply because it really is sad, but I think we all need the reminder.

The Train Sacrifice
There was a bridge spanning a large river. Most of the day, the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river parallel with the banks, allowing ships to pass thru freely. Twice a day, a train would come along and the bridge was turned sideways across the river, allowing the train to cross.
A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place for the trains to cross. One evening the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come. The train approaching was a passenger train with many people aboard. When the train was within a prescribed distance, he stepped up to the controls and turned the bridge into position. To his horror, the locking control was not working. If the bridge was not locked in position, the train would jump the track and crash into the river below.



The switchman hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a control lever, which he could operate manually to lock the bridge in place. He would have to hold the lever back firmly, with all his strength, as the train crossed. He could hear the rumble of the train, and he took hold of the lever and pulled backward with all his might, locking the bridge into place. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked. Many lives depended on his strength. Then, from the direction of his control shack across the bridge, the switchman heard a sound that made his blood run cold.



"Daddy, where are you?"

His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him.



His first impulse was to cry out to the child, " Run! Run!" But the train was too close. The tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. In the same instant, he almost left the lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety. But he realized that he could not get back to the lever in time for the train to pass safely. Either the people on the train or his little son would have to die. It took a moment to make his decision.

The train sped safely and swiftly on its way. No one on board was even aware of the tiny broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed. Neither did they see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked before, to tell his wife how they had lost their only son.

As we comprehend what this experience must have meant to this man and how it affected him, we begin to realize what our Father in Heaven must have had to endure when He sacrificed His Son (the most innocent man ever) - to bridge the gap between us and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that He caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken when His Son was crucified? And how it must affect Him when we speed along thru life with little thought or appreciation for His sacrifice.

 I also heard this clip on the radio today, which has an incredibly uplifting message about the hope we have because Jesus died and then rose from the dead. While describing the events that happened on Good Friday as Jesus was on trial and put to death, the pastor repeats the line "it's Friday, but Sunday's a' comin'." and "they didn't know it then, but Sunday's a' comin'." What an amazing God and Savior we have that endured the pain of this day and was put to death, but rose again 3 days later. God conquered death and has forgiven our sins. Give this a listen to (especially if you need positive pick-me-up after the above story!) but ignore the cheesy video. Just listen to the powerful words.

I can't wait to celebrate the Resurrection on Sunday!

[hugsfromMD]

A mighty fine April Fool's joke.

Last week was the beginning of another new month. I am having a hard time believing that it is already April! Not that I am complaining. Brent and I have been married for 9 months today, living in Maryland for almost 8 months, and I'm less than 2 months away from summer break. Now, if only the right April weather would come to stay!

To ring in the new month, I pulled a pretty good joke on my kiddos at school. To be honest, I didn't really think I would pull it over on them too well because I thought they would be expecting it. They're some pretty smart cookies, ya know! Here's how it went down:

My kids had a science fair project due this Monday, April 4. (Remember we are on Friday morning, April 1). I had one student bring her project in early that Friday, so I thought I would use this to my advantage. I had both 3rd grade classes come into my room (our routine when doing presentations) and had them get seated and quiet. I then announced that it was time to begin their science fair presentations. Their jaws dropped and then the protests began . . . "but the paper says they're due on Monday!" . . . "I don't have mine today!" . . . to each protest I politely but sternly disagreed, saying that it was very clear that they were due today and that late projects would be penalized. I then called on the one girl who had her project and she picked up her poster and began walking to the front of the room, protests from the kids still a' flyin.

I kept a straight face until one of my girls started crying.

"Oops, joke's over!" I thought to myself, and began to smile at the class, without saying a word. After a few seconds, one student finally caught on. "Mrs. McLaughlin! This is an April Fool's joke! She's joking, guys!" The other students began laughing, the tears dried up, and I gave myself a mental pat on the back for successfully pulling one over on my students.

One of the other teachers was speaking to one of my boys (one of the tough, cool guys, I might add) in the hallway later in the day. "I heard Mrs. McLaughlin got you guys pretty good this morning!" The boy's response: "Nah, I knew she was joking the whole time. I was just pretending to be surprised."

Yeah, right. ;)

Happy April!

[hugs]