Today's Lesson

Mr. R and I have been in a bit of a rut. So I was excited when Cher posted her week long class. Spouse Loving 101. I am not sure what married life in like in your house, but I can tell you that it's easy for two overcommitted married people to forget to love on each other daily. Especially when you don't have matching love languages, but I digress.

Tonight is all about the make-out (and a little bit of graphing).

So Mr. R, (if you are reading this), class starts @ 8:00!

Attendance: Mandatory

Participation: Encouraged and Appreciated

And the lesson on graphing... (check it out below)

It flies by...

A girlfriend of mine from high school is an amazing photographer in Maryland. I had the chance to peruse her website this week and I was struck by her philosophy: capture and enjoy the moment because time flies by.

This week has flown by so quickly! I can't believe its Saturday. And for a good chunk of this past week I have been worrying and fretting about a new school year, my students, new expectations, and a crazy workload. In all of that worry I forgot to take pictures, spend time with my husband, and enjoy the little moments that make everyday worth living.

A few years ago another girl I went to high school with became pregnant and needed an emergency C-section. Upon opening her up the doctors discovered she had stage 4 cancer. She died only a few months later. Time flies by, life is way too short and too precious to worry about the small stuff.

So today I am going shopping for flowers. And I am making a toga. I am going to take lots of pictures and sing loudly to the radio with the windows down. Life is too short not to enjoy every little moment.

Photos by Amanda Arnold

You are the worst kind...

You are high maintenance that thinks you are low maintenance! -Harry Burns

Mr. R says I am high maintenance. I say I am low maintenance. I am sticking to my story because I take short showers and can be ready in 20 minutes, unless ironing is involved.

He says no make-up and ironing have nothing to do with my high maintenance status. He says my inability to close cabinet doors, put the cap on the toothpaste, charge my phone, and pump gas make me high maintenance.

I say those things are my cute character flaws. And that he is just lucky that I fell head over heels for him. Because well, Harry Burns needs his Sally Albright...

Picture of the day:I made Pioneer Woman's Beef & Bean Burritos for dinner. They were awesome! And I ate them with sour cream and guac and the condiments were NOT on the side!

6/26: Anniversary Dinner (2 days late!)

4 years ago we were married on the beach, barefoot, dressed in linen, with our hair blowing in the ocean breeze.

We said our vows surrounded by tiki torches.

Our wedding march was played on steel drums.

We served our guests brunch.

We danced to songs played by a band called Big Pineapple.

Our song is Little Surfer Girl.

Tonight we celebrated our 4th year in island style.

We toasted to surviving our first year of marriage, learning to love each other's families, moving to Florida, buying our first house, fixing up our first house, and trying to start our own family.

I do not think I could love this man more.

Happy Anniversary!

Image Source

6/24: Anyone up for a picnic?

Our town celebrates summer with music in the plaza on Thursday nights. Each Thursday a new band sets up in the main gazebo downtown and plays a free concert. Tonight we packed our own picnic dinner, grabbed two camp chairs, and set off to listen to The Grapes of Wroth.

Dinner was excellent, the music was fun (lots of covers from Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac), and best of all, its a free night out! (And its always fun to people watch!) Have you seen this people watching game? I think I need to make some of these for next week!

6/24: He gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love!

4 years ago Mr. R and I were married.

We call our marriage a merger.

A merger of love, friendship, goals, desires, and plans.

We made our vows in love,

but also in the desire to push each other forward in reaching our goals.

In the four years since we have been married, we left jobs, found new jobs, got promoted, earned degrees, adopted two dogs, bought a house, ran a marathon, volunteered on and ran political campaigns, started a Young Republicans club, hosted many successful events, Mr. R got elected to the zoning board, and I got tenure!

I fully acknowledge that without Mr. R I would not be who I am today.

Like VanMorrison said, it's all about the love!

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Ups and Downs @ Casa Republican

I think the best metaphor for marriage is a roller coaster. You have periods where you are flying high, hands raised, and screaming and laughing your head off. Other times you are waiting in line for the excitement to happen. And then there are also the times when you are scared to death, eyes closed, and hoping it will just be over soon.

2010 hasn't exactly been a smooth ride here at Casa Republican. We are holding on and we will ultimatly get through it, but please excuse my lack of blog material at the moment.

Things I used to care about that I have let slip through the cracks...

I was one of those girls who swore she would never get married. And then I did.
I was also one of those girls that said I didn't believe in two souls becoming one. And then I fell madly in love with married life and was willing to let go of some of things I loved when I was single.
I was one of those girls who swore I wouldn't give up my "me time" and "my girls". And yet now I have moved away from my high school and college friends and spend many nights hanging out at home with my husband.

Normally, I relish in married life. Having someone to share my days with, having someone to sleep with and cuddle next to. I love spending time together learning new things or exploring new places.

But.. I am starting to miss the old Hilary. The girl who backpacked across the Northwest, moved to New Orleans knowing no one, the girl who thought nothing of protesting for things she thought were wrong, and was brash and brazen at all times.

Is it possible that I lost her in the shuffle of marriage, moving, and new jobs? Is she just hiding under the cover of dutiful wife and mother to two adorable dogs?

Free Night!

Tonight I had a date with my husband and was ditched in favor of fellow republicans. I am trying to be the cool wife that is fine with the fact her husband would rather hang out with guys at a cigar bar then spend time with his wife. (The cool factor is not working very well for me)As I type this I am fuming.

While I was home alone with the pups I took the time to explore an awesome new blog, making it lovely. From the first post I read I was in love. The author is a quirkly boho girl that mixes Ikea, pink, brown, and vintages peices into every room and her clothing. I still have a crush on Katie from Bower Power, but I think Nicole of Pink loves brown is my new fave. What makes her even cooler is that she makes cards for every occasion that mimic the periodic table. (Yes, I am a science nerd).

My husband should be sending me this #18 card.

She makes me want to paint my whole house tan, pink, and brown. I also now really want an Emes chair! If Mr. R and I actually ever get around to having a little republican I am demanding an Emes rocker for the nursey or maybe the living room.

Check out her blog and vote for her awesome porch makeover.

http://makingitlovely.com/

Congratulations Peter & Molly!

Although I may not look like it, I am a hopeless romantic who swoons to love songs, cries at weddings, and loves a happy ending. Last night, Mr. R and I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of two of our college students Molly & Peter.

They are two of the most precious and genuine people we have ever met. They love Christ with all their heart and you can see that his love is not only present in their individual lives, but in their love for each other.

I think my favorite part of any wedding is hearing the vows the bride and groom pledge to each other. In a world plagued by divorce, adultery, self-love, and anger it is refreshing to be inspired by young love promising to be faithful in sickness, health, poverty, and riches until Jesus calls them home. The vows inspire me to reflect on my own marriage and remember that I promised not only love Mr. R when he is lovely and kind, but also in times of anger when neither of us is beautiful.

The reception, the decorations, the girls were all gorgeous...and Mr. R and I got to tear it up on the dance floor! (Oh and the wedding cake was amazing!)