the marriage diaries vol. 4

100.  That's how many nights I've crawled in bed next to a guy I can call my husband.  That's how many days I've watched him slip a ring on his finger before he goes to work.  That's how many days I've had a true, biblical partner.  So many things about my life has changed in just 100 days.  I went from a single, selfish girl to a married, yet still selfish, girl.  Through marriage the Lord has put a mirror right in front of my face so that I can see my ugly selfishness clear as crystal.  Marriage has shown me my sinfulness in a way that I'm daily forced to recognize my need for grace.  Sometimes, when we have "good" days, it is easy to forget how innately sinful we were are.  Sometimes I forget my desperate need for grace.  But, thanks to marriage, I don't have as many opportunities to forget.  It's funny how God uses marriage like that.  When I was a little girl, I thought that marriage was about two people coming together, loving one another, and having some sort of a "happily ever after".  When marriage is really about striving to live a life sold out the gospel while God uses a partner to strengthen you, challenge you, and support you.  The Lord has really started to teach me so much through our marriage, even though we've only been marriage for a second.  Here are a few things, silly and serious, that I've learned in 100 days of marriage.

1.  I'm terrible at doing laundry... I'd almost rather cut my own arm off.
2.  Ty is a picky eater. I might as well get over the fact that I'll never cook anything green.
3.  I will almost always fall asleep first and I'll most definitely fall asleep in every movie we watch in bed after 7 pm.
4.  I somehow manage to share a pillow with him some nights.  I guess I like to cuddle in my subconscious.  
5.  I'm horribly selfish.  Ty is much more selfless than me and I'm almost always slapped in the face by how selflessly he loves me.  It makes me want to be more like him.
6.  It's okay if Ty only makes the bed twice a week.  Life really does go on.
7.  And it's okay if I don't point out every time that he doesn't make the bed.  I don't have to take every opportunity to nag.
8.  Our go to meal will ALWAYS be breakfast for dinner.  It's a classic.
9.  Sometimes I just want to be mad.  It's a TERRIBLE habit that I really need to kick. 
10.  Being able to talk about sex is fun.  And flirting when you know where it will lead is pretty fun, too. 
11.  One of my favorite moments of the day is when we hold hands and pray over dinner.
12.  You have to be even more intentional with a marriage than you do with a dating relationship.  When you see someone day in and day out it's easy to fall into "routines" that don't encourage your marriage.  I'm trying to remember to always be intentional with the time that we spend together.
13.  I don't need all those things I thought I did to make our home look complete.  I've learned a lot about the difference between a needing and wanting.  I actually need very, very little.
14.  Having godly couple friends that support our marriage has been one of the biggest blessings of our lives.  We've needed those kind of people in our lives.
15.  While I can't wait to have babies... I've learned that having a Bella and a Beau is more than enough for us for now!

Here's to the next 100 days!

five on friday

It's FRIDAY!!! This week flew by in a flash after starting to babysit in my college town on Tuesday and Thursday.  Those are going to be some long days, but It'll be good to fill my schedule up a bit for the next several weeks!  This morning I wanted to link-up with Natasha again to share 5 little things before I take on this Friday morning.

one

Sometime today I'll have a guest post up on sweet Brittany's blog!  Brittany has been engaged for mere days and she asked me to come share my heart on dating, engagement, and marriage.  And share I did.  I feel like I could write a book with all that I'm learning! 

two

This guy is going to the vet this morning to get his next round of puppy shots!  I'm kind of dying inside because he's getting so big.  And I definitely laughed when he looked at me with the saddest eyes after his bath.  You would have thought I was murdering him when I came time for the hairdryer! Goofy little guy.

three

I'm loving one of my sweet sponsors, Megan!  Since finding this girl's blog a little while back and now getting to know her through sponsorships, I'm certain that we would be fast friends.  She's got the sweetest heart and she's the cutest thing ever.  She emailed me last night about a post that she wanted to write for me and I just about lost it.  It's going to be that good.  I'm so thankful for the women the Lord has placed in my life through blogging and how their testimonies affect me.  Jesus is good, y'all.  And did you see Taylor's post yesterday?  Girlfriend said some good stuff!

four

Last night my family made an impromptu decision to head downtown for dinner and dessert.  We had a really yummy dinner at Pearl's Oyster House and ended with cheesecake and coffee at Cheesecake Corner.  Y'ALL.  If you've never been, you're missing out on one of the greatest things Memphis has to offer.  I could drink their coffee ALL DAY LONG.  So, so good.  It was such a fun night for us all to be together celebrating an early Father's Day!  Speaking of...

five

Happy Father's Day weekend to my sweet Dad!  I'm so blessed to have grown up with such a loving, sweet, and hilarious Dad.  God couldn't have blessed me more!  I just might be more excited for this guy to be a "Big Daddy" than I am to be a Mom... I think it's going to be the greatest thing ever.  Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Well, I'm off to take Beau to the vet before I have bible study with Caitlin and catch up on some house work before the weekend!  I hope you guys have a great weekend!

a girl like me

I know for a fact that sponsorships have blessed me more than I've actually blessed the sponsors.  The girls that have come my way... they're just awesome, y'all.  Taylor has been around since I started offering sponsorships in February and I've enjoyed her consistency so much.  I find myself relating to her so much... we both have dealt with our inner "good girl".  I wanted Taylor to share a little bit about her so that you couldn't resist going to visit her.  ;)  Enjoy Taylor and her sweet testimony!

Hey y'all! I'm Taylor and if you've been around Bloom for a while you've probably noticed my little picture on the sidebar, I have loved sponsoring Nicole and helping out some awesome charities while doing it! 

I'm originally from Louisville, but am currently attending the University of Kentucky in Lexington. So, yes I am from Kentucky and no I do not wear shoes. Kidding...kind of. I grew up in a somewhat Christian (Southern Baptist specifically) household; my parents took us to church, but that was about it. We never discussed anything, and Jesus was our sunday thing. It was not until I was in middle school and started attending youth group that the gospel was presented to me in a clear and understandable way. I accepted Christ as a seventh grader and was baptized shortly after. I went on six mission trips with my church while in middle and high school, one of them being overseas to Guatemala. I led and attended small groups and bible studies, went to church every Wednesday and Sunday, helped in the nursery, volunteered around the community, and did all the "right" things, but really my life looked no different from that of any other high schooler. No, I was not sleeping with my boyfriends or getting drunk every weekend, but my heart was cold. I was rude to people, overcome by jealousy, extremely proud, and gossiped more than I care to admit. I had Jesus where I wanted Him, neatly tucked into the same drawer where I kept my Bible and church clothes. 

high school best friend

While things did improve my senior year, it was not until college when I really began to own my faith. No longer was my mom there to make sure I went to church, but instead it became my responsibility. This was the best possible thing that could have happened. I was dating a guy who was a Christian (still am!) and got plugged into the YoungLife community. I learned so much about Jesus my freshman year of college. Yes, the girl who had been in church her entire life learned so much more about Jesus in one year away than she had in all those years. I learned about grace, about to Holy Spirit's guidance, and about repentance, all things I had previously not known anything about. I now lead Wyldlife at a middle school in town, attend Tates Creek Presbyterian church weekly, serve others to the best of my ability, put Jesus first in all my relationships, am in a weekly Bible Study that challenges each other, meet with an accountability parter, and hunger for my friends and family to know Jesus. Oh, and I sin and screw up and am reminded that I am not perfect. A lot. 

It's so funny because as I typed all that out I think the huge change that occurred in me from high school to college is hard to see. It was not just that I stopped doing the wrong things and started doing the right things. It wasn't a huge change from drugs to Jesus. It was a a heart change. It was taking Jesus out of that Sunday/Wednesday drawer and putting Him everywhere, and not because it was because it was what I was "supposed" to do, but because it was my desire to do so. It was learning that Jesus is not a condemning ruler with huge lists of regulations, but a loving friend who gives grace, mercy, and forgiveness to those who trust in Him. It was letting go of my try hard relationship with Him and stopping letting the image of the "good girl" define me. It was learning to be bold for the gospel, and to always put Jesus first and others second. 

my sweet boy

my Wydlife team

Today, I am still a sinner that is in need of Jesus every single day, but my relationship with Him brings me so much joy, peace, and happiness. I struggle with spiritual disciplines, especially being intentional with getting in the word daily, but I know there is grace in that. For now, it is still something I check off my list, but I know Jesus will change my attitude towards this and I will wake up thirsting for His word.  In the meantime, doing a bible study has really helped me. I am currently doing Kelly Minter's Ruth study!  The biggest key for me has been being a part of a Godly community that encourages and challenges me in that. I encourage everyone to pray about that and seek one out. I am so excited about the future and trust that God has big plans for my life. There is so much peace in that y'all!  

my bible study

roommates (minus two!)

community on spring break!

 So, there's a little about me and where I'm at right now. I would love to talk to you an about anything anytime! Feel so free to stop by my blog, or to just email me!

Thanks so much for having me Nicole! 

summer yummies

I don't know what it is about Summer that makes me feel like I should be Betty Crocker.  Maybe it's because of all the great fruits and veggies at the farmer's market or maybe it's because so many Summer nights are spent with friends.  Summer has always seemed like the perfect time to get in the kitchen and whip up something yummy.  I've tried several new recipes lately and I thought they were good enough to share with you!  If you follow me on Pinterest you may have noticed a new board that I've created.  I created "pinned it, did it" to repin all of the things that I try from Pinterest.  I wanted to create a place where people could see REAL feedback from the pins that are floating around.  I hope that you find it useful!

(I didn't have a good picture, so this one is from the original website!)

We made this homemade peach ice cream several weeks ago when we had friends in town and it was a winner all around!  It was light, creamy, and so very peachy!  It made just enough for four people to have a nice sized bowl, so I would definitely double or triple the recipe if you're needing to please a crowd.  The sour cream gave it more of a tart taste, so I would add more sugar if you want to tone that down.  We loved how light and fresh it tasted, so we didn't feel the need to add anything!  Great, easy ice cream to try this summer!  Recipe found here.

I've been going through Kelly Minter's Ruth study with my friend Caitlin and there are many reasons why I've loved this study.  Ruth has such a great story, Kelly presents it in such a challenging and convicting way, AND Kelly throws in recipes to try every week.  Bible study winner right here, y'all.  This past Friday Caitlin brought over a really yummy pasta dish and I made a loaf of homemade bread. It was technically supposed to be a flatbread, but it really didn't turn out that way.  It was really good and tasted even better dipped in olive oil and herbs!  Yum!

Parmesan Flatbread

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 (.25 oz) package active dry yeast

1/3 cup warm water

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup grated parmesan

Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water in a small bowl.  Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.  In a larger bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour.  Stir in additional water, one tablespoon at a time, until all of the flour is absorbed.  When the dough has come together, knead it on a lightly floured surface for a couple of minutes.

Lightly oil a bowl and place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.  Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.  It should double in size.  Preheat over to 475 degrees.

Punch the dough down and turn it onto a lightly floured surface; knead briefly. Pat or roll the dough into a sheet and place on a lightly greased baking sheet (I did mine on a pizza stone) Brush the dough with oil and sprinkle with salt and lightly dust with parmesan.

Bake bread in preheated over for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on desired crispiness.  (I did mine for 20 minutes and the outside was nice and crispy while the inside was moist and soft.)  Let stand for about 5 minutes and cut into strips.  (Or, you could just tear right into it fresh out of the over like we did.  Oops)

So good!  For more recipes from Kelly Minter's bible studies visit her recipe page here.

Sunday night at small group we had "southern night" so I baked a strawberry cobbler.  It was the perfect Summer treat and super easy to make!  I had all the ingredients in my pantry except for the strawberries so it was a really affordable dish to make.  My 8x8 baking dish served about 10 people, so you could always double it to make it for a larger gathering!  You can find the recipe here.

I'm going to try and cook my way through my pinterest board over the next few months and I hope that I have more success stories than failures!  Do you have any go-to recipes for Summer?  Do share!

more creamer, please

If you've never had this coconut creamer you're missing out on one of the greatest pleasures of life.  Yes, I'm being serious.

My friend Kalyn has been doing a Monday morning series called Coffee and Conversation for a few months now and I'm always so interested to see the questions and answers that Kalyn shares.  I really liked the question for this morning, so I thought it would be a perfect time to sit down with my second cup of coffee for the morning and chat with you!

What's the meaning behind your blog title and why? Do you believe you have upheld the meaning's purpose? 

Bloom.  I've been blogging for almost three years and I've been blogging with the title "bloom" for two of those years.  (I was living.learning.loving. the first year... ick.  I know.) When I introduced bloom in this post I ended with the sentence "No matter where you are in life, remember to bloom, live, and enjoy."  I made the switch to bloom because I wanted something to represent my heart.  You see, I'm kind of bad at change.  And I kind of want my way... like, all the time.  Which makes for a very interesting relationship with Jesus, as you can imagine.  I've always had plans, timelines, and wish lists that I just hoped fit into the plans that Jesus wanted for me.  As it turns out... that's not how a relationship with Jesus works.  Matthew 16:24 says that in order to follow Jesus I have to die to myself and carry the cross of Christ.  I have to give up my own selfish desires and plans and follow Jesus.  Sometimes that means you walk through situations and seasons that aren't comfortable.  Sometimes that means doing something that you didn't have in your plans.  Sometimes you learn that your desires don't line up with Christ's desires.  I don't know about you, but that has been a tough pill for me to swallow.  The Lord's ways and thoughts are higher that mine (Isaiah 55:9) and He sees the greater purpose for the paths that he places me on.  I have to actively choose to "bloom" in the season he places me in.  I can always whine, complain, and grip tightly to the things of the past.  Or.  I can surrender to the Lord's plan and watch as He uses me in more ways than I could ever have imaged.  

I started bloom because I wanted to be reminded to have contentment where the Lord places me.  At the time, I wanted to be content dating.  And then I had to be content through engagement.  And now I have to be content in yet another season.  See a trend?  I'm always going to have to combat my selfish desires.  I'm going to have to choose daily to die to myself so that I can live for Christ.  Daily.  The Lord has shown me lately just how selfish I am.  Just how much I want my plans over His.  He's shown in in black and white where His will is and I have no doubts that I'm on the path He's laid out for me.  But, it's tough.  I have to actively choose to bloom and grow and serve where I am.  I have to fully surrender my life and my desires to Him.  

This blog has taken me through some major life changes.  I went from dating to engaged to married.  I went from a college student to an almost teacher.  I've had to choose to bloom where Jesus places me.  Sometimes I've done that well, and other times I've done that poorly.  When I look back on this season one day I pray that I see a woman who was fully committed to Jesus.  A women who loved, served, and poured herself out for the gospel.  Even in the midst of uncertainty.  This life isn't about me.  Ever.  My life is about the glory of Jesus.  My life is about sharing the gospel with a broken world.  My life isn't about comfort or the American Dream.  My life is solely about Jesus.  

Some days I've upheld the meaning of bloom.  Some days I've wanted my own desires so badly that I've failed miserably.  As I continue to walk the path Jesus has laid out for me I pray that I would uphold it more.  

I'm so thankful for how the Lord has weaved this blog world into my everyday life.  I've made some of the best friends and I've been challenged in some of the greatest ways.  I've seen how He's given me a platform to share truth and how He's giving me a ministry with women.  I'm so undeserving and so thankful.  What a blessing this has been.  

Here's to more blooming, ladies.  I hope you do it too.