I feel like I haven’t had time to just be – let myself decompress and relax into life and take a step back from the speed it’s going. I have been running ten miles a minute trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle but that is no longer fun for me. Just so I don’t forget what has been going on in this time of our lives:
Valentines Day: Daniel was sick which might have actually been a nice save on my part – not being able to have expectations for the evening. I have a love-hate relationship with Valentines Day. I love the cheesy Hallmark-Holiday but more often than not, feel left down because, truth be told, it’s just another day. Nothing fancy, nothing frilly. I picked up Pho, which is slowly becoming a favorite of mine and Daniel’s and brought it home so we could indulge. We ate our delish Pho on the couch and watched the Stress Relief episode part one and two in season five of The Office. Maybe my all time favorite TV show scene is Michael’s “Boom, Roasted!” bit.
We went to Oregon! Daniel’s uncle (who officiated our wedding alongside my grandpa) and his wife (who coordinated our wedding – she was the glue that kept everything together and the track that kept it running. If it weren’t for her, the wedding would not have ran so smoothly – said my own mother) renewed their vows. It was an amazing time on the west coast. Our bedroom looked out over the ocean; you could hear the waves through the walls at night. However after 48-hours home, we all came down with what was lovingly referred to as the “Oregon Flu”. I didn’t go to work for two days, Daniel was out for three. The running joke when we came back was, “The Kerlins were hurlin’.”
Small Group: As I type this paragraph on Wednesday night, Nova and I are lounging on the couch; I just left small group where we talked about Sunday’s sermon on peace. Adam asked us to reflect on what our inner peace and community peace look like and to be quite honest, it was humbling to realize how I have been lacking immensely in both areas. I realized I don’t really allow myself times to be at peace – when these times do arise, it almost seems like I go searching for the next mishap. That sounds crazy to type out; part of me is even ashamed to admit that. More often than not, I feel like I am on edge, waiting and looking for the next thing to go wrong, just so I can say, “See? This calm, contentment didn’t last long.” Why is that my heart? Thinking deeper into pastor Kurt’s message, how does this mentality affect my Gospel influence in my community and to those around me?
Business: Daniel’s been away on a work trip since Monday morning and I am beyond ready for him to come home. The personal time was great the first night but by night two, I was ready for him to be back, even, dare I say, missing the times in the middle of the night when he’ll reach his foot over so he can be touching me while he sleeps. I made sure to finish all the cleaning tonight, I even ran out to Woodman’s to do some grocery shopping so we can make homemade chicken (sweet potato) noodle soup this weekend. I’ll probably splurge and make some gluten free garlic bread that I picked up tonight to go with it. Yum! I brought Daniel a few of his favorite treats as well to instantly lift his spirits when he walks in the door. He has been working 13-hour days and said he’s already coming down with a bit of a cold so this soup will be the perfect thing to perk him up and get us through this weekend-in.
We went hiking on Sunday after church around the venue where we were married. It is such a beautiful area and our favorite trail runs right through. Getting out in the sun and being active was much needed for my mood and everyone else’s sake. It is still so surreal to me that we’re even married; being back in that park brings back so much nostalgia. True bliss.
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