Reverb 10 - Beautifully Different

I recently came across #reverb10. “Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.” At least that’s how they describe it on their website! In short, there’s a common writing prompt for the day. Let’s get this started!

December 8 – Beautifully Different.

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

I’ve been thinking about this all day and I can’t come up with a good answer. Now before you start leaving comments on why I’m special (looking at you mom), hear me out. I could write a list of all my quirks or the random taste I have in movies, but I’m sure someone else in this world likes these same things too. It could also be argued that it’s the combination of those things that makes me different. But really, when I thought about it, those things aren’t “me”. Those are just things I like or weird habits. But as I thought about “me” I just felt oh so narcissistic. Maybe I’ll feel more inspired by tomorrow’s prompt.

There is one thing I can think of to keep this from being the worst post ever - my nose. It's one of the things that when I look in the mirror I celebrate it's imperfection. You see, it's the exact same nose as my sister, father, and late grandfather. And while it may be one of the reasons I'm not a model, I'd never change it. I love being able to see where I came from everyday.

Supporting the Siblings

This post is a month overdue, but it's so important to me that I'm writing it anyway. Ross and I were both blessed with amazing siblings and November provided the opportunities for us to show them our love and support.

Part 1: My big sister runs her first marathon!

This past Memorial Day we made the long drive out to Indiana and spent some time with my sister and her family. She told us at dinner one night she had decided to train for a marathon that would be in November. She'd train and run the race with her friend Stacy and then her friend Katherine would come up from Atlanta to run the half with her. I knew that I wanted to try and be there. Scrath that, I needed to be there. I went to PLENTY of my sister's events growing up - basketball games, cheerleading, swim meets, and school plays. All of this was because I had no choice. I would be there with my parents unless I had my own game or practice to attend. I was always a little annoyed that she would get a free pass from my events when she went to college. But the craziest thing happened - my sister would still make a point to come to see me as often as she could. And not begrudgingly, but with joy. I'll always remember how much it meant to me that she brought me flowers for my senior play. I was excited to finally in the same way express, "Sister I love and support you too." So the first weekend of November, Ross and I hopped on a plane and went to Indiana for the weekend.

We all met up in the hotel lobby to go over our game plan for the day. Ross was the official photographer, so that's why you won't see him much. Please note how happy she is before the race. And if you're wondering why she has on a sparkly skirt, click here.

And they're off! (She's still all smiles.)

Ross, Dad, Bryan and I all head to Monument Circle to cheer the girls on around the 2.5 mile mark...

...while mom stays with the little one in the hotel.

There they are! Still looking good with about 23.7 miles to go.

The cheering section drives across town to mile marker 14. The plan is that my dad will stay there and run a mile with them, and then Bryan will jump in and take his place. After cheering on so many runners that my hands hurt from clapping, Ross and I made our way closer to the car...

...so we could see my dad run by! We hopped in the car and drove like crazy for a few blocks to catch them again as they got to mile 15.

At this point, Bryan jumped in to run with a "convenience store" in his waist pack and a homemade shirt on.

Now I had the honor of trying to figure out how to get back downtown with all the road closings.

Finally we get to mile 22 and wait for our runners by cheering for all the others running by. I have to admit this was a highlight. At this point, they've all made it 22 miles and to see the joy when they realized how far they'd already come and relatively how little they had left was incredible. And then Bryan, Kandice, and Stacy arrived. The girls have ran 22 miles at this point and are STILL smiling.

And then it was my turn to jump in. Around mile 25, we passed someone playing music for the runners and our song just happened to be "Can't Touch This". Yes, there was some Hammer dancing going on. But then the theme music from "Chariots of Fire" came on and I couldn't hold back the tears. Running the last four miles with these girls was inspiring. Here they were just minutes away from accomplishing a goal they have been training months for. A goal that few people have the courage to try (me included). But it also reminded me of an even greater race we run, a life of faith. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

And while we were running, the rest of the family got in position to cheer at the finish line.

And there she is! Only a matter of feet from the finish and she is still smiling.

This is my favorite picture from the day. It's a beautiful picture of "fixing our eyes".

DONE!!!

The happy family at the end of the race.

Kandice, we are so proud of you! It was such an honor to be there with you. You are such an inspiration to me in so many ways. I always wanted to be like you and we have the childhood pictures to prove it. :) But I think even more important than that is I've seen you become this beautiful woman who is an amazing wife, mother and friend. A woman who loves Jesus and isn't afraid to run with perseverance. I think that's even cooler than when you wore your hair in a side ponytail.

And if you want my sister's take on the day, check out her blog here.

Just because she's adorable.

Indiana in October

Life has been busy for these newlyweds. Last month we went to Indiana to visit my family and catch up with friends. Thank you Christopher Columbus for "discovering America" and getting us a day off of work. There were two purposes to this trip: to experience harvest with my dad and to have a "Yay! We're married!!!" get together with Indiana friends. Well, everyone forgot to take pictures but it was so great to see friends and to introduce them to my HUSBAND. I love that word, and that man. And as for harvest, my dad was lucky enough to get his crops in early, but that meant no combine rides for me and Ross. Without further ado, this is what our trip looked like.

Ross got a wide angle lens just before the trip, and he had fun experimenting with it.

How cute are my parents? We went to Logansport for dinner and a movie. Ross caught this moment as we left the restaurant.

I am in love with this theater. So maybe it needs a little love, but it has such charm.

Sunday afternoon we visited the creek. This means we bounced around in my dad's truck as we made our way through the corn field to the woods along the creek. Of course, I was trying to get as much niece time as possible. :)

I think I could live next door to her and see her everyday and it wouldn't be enough. This little girl has completely won me over.

I wonder why she thinks Uncle Ross is silly.

Putting up a shock at harvest is a family tradition. For years, my sister and I helped my grandpa with it and have recently been helping my dad. Since the crops were in early this year my parents put it up themselves. But it brings me so much joy to see the littlest member of our family enjoying this tradition.

I joined the men for a little twilight croquet. I may not be good, but I look good doing it. Or not.

Enjoying the farm with the little one.

She's a farm girl just like her mommy. Let's just hope she listens when grandpa tells her to not go higher than second gear.

It's been a year and I still can't get over how beautiful my sister is as a mother.

I love my family.

Indiana Teaser

I'm currently gathering pictures so I can write a few posts, but right now it's movie watching time with the hubs. This will have to do for now.

What could possibly be so fascinating that I don't even realize I'm holding an empty plate?

Full House!!!

Forever Love

The more they laughed,

the more they loved,

and the more they knew

this was true...

forever love

Last week Ross and I tried really hard to be good about going to bed at a decent time. We were still trying to catch up on our sleep from jet lag. One night we got into bed but we kept talking and laughing and ended up being more awake than we had been all day. I looked over at him and said, "Being married is like getting to have a slumber party with your best friend every night!" And he replied, "Girl talk, girl talk, girl talk." Ok, so maybe I was wrong, it's not exactly like that, but it still provides plenty of light hearted moments.

For the record, that opener was stolen from one of the wedding cards we received.

First Week Back

It's hard to believe that we've been back from the honeymoon for a week now. While the honeymoon was tons of fun, it's been great to be back in our 'real lives' as married folk. The reality of it all is starting to sink in. We've spent the week trying to settle into the apartment. That means me getting rid of and organizing my things better so there's somewhere for Ross' belongings to go. We've had opportunities to grow as a couple during this process, but it's been an amazing week. Here are my highlights....

We watched a movie Sunday night and then Ross didn't have to go home – he was home! The joy I felt realizing that we now share a home, is a moment I never want to forget. I love knowing that there will be no more saying good bye at the end of an evening.

Ross had the day off on Friday, but I did not and was not looking forward to having to get up while he slept in. However, when the alarm went off he said, “If you get out of bed now you'll have more time to eat the pancakes I'm going to make you.” Pancakes and coffee with my love was a great start to my day.

Again this morning he let me sleep in while he returned the U-Haul. I woke up to a surprise in the kitchen – a Dunkin Donuts bag. (Note the trend that I don't like mornings, but yummy food makes them tolerable.) This one was especially nice since I tended to swing by DD on my way to his house and get him a donut as an excuse to buy one for myself.

Any of the times I've gotten to say “my husband Ross”

Getting attacked by silly string - twice. I've lived by myself for so long that I forgot how much fun roommates could be. It's a good thing I like this one since it's for life.

Seeing the people we love here. This week it's really been evident how DC is my home. Whether it's at work, church, a friend's birthday dinner, or just walking down the street, we keep running into people who are happy to see us back. And they're excited that we're married too!

Cheesy but fun

Married in the City

Ross and I recently returned from our honeymoon. One of the fun things has been reading the posts a few of my friends have done, so instead of waiting a few months to post about it myself, I'll let you see their pictures and comments on the day. Enjoy!

Alison and her lovely pictures

Jessica and her sweet memories

Sarah and her words of wisdom