Three.

Today is our anniversary. We are celebrating three years of marriage! Three years. That's just a drop in the bucket of the years we hope to have together, or compared to the number of years most others are celebrating. But here's what I think:

I think marriage is hard, so every year a couple chooses to love each other and keep the covenant they made before God, ought to be celebrated. I mean, you only have to be married to someone for a short while before you realize that it is both difficult and wonderful. And if you are married and haven't experienced the difficult part yet, then you either married a perfect person, you are a perfect person, or you're internalizing something. Hahaha!

Our marriage, by the grace of God, is good, solid, and a blessing to both of us. Every day requires the choice to die to self and love the other person regardless of anything else. I fail daily to do that all day long. But thankfully every day also requires forgiveness. Every day with my husband is an unexpected treat in some way; usually he will bring laughter to my day in a way I never expected.

He's the man who makes me burst out laughing in IKEA. He's the man who makes me shake my head at his antics. He's the man who makes my heart melt when I watch him play with our daughter. He's the man I love to serve because he works so hard. He's the man of whom I'm so proud when he teaches God's Word. This man is my husband, my best friend, and my biggest blessing, and I'm so thankful for the three years we've had together and all that's been packed into those years.

I will love every day that God grants us together.

I love you, Mike.

And now, here are some of my very favorite photos from my very favorite day ever (there are many!):

This was a special moment with Mom, before getting dressed. I'd had a lovely time with my besties that morning!

This was our "first look." It was so sweet.

 I loved having my besties by my side, and I loved the cozy feel of our wedding!

 Oh, I love the friends who stood up in our wedding! haha

This is my favorite portrait shot from our photo shoot in downtown Safety Harbor.

I am thankful that we were able to have such a worshipful ceremony. God brought us together. To God be the glory!

 I feel like this perfectly captures our joy and emotion! 

 Our Publix cake had toppled over mid-transit! I found it hilarious! haha

 I'm sad this turned out blurry, but this was during our first dance, to "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath.

We had all the fathers and daughters come out for the father-daughter dance, and it was so sweet. This was a special moment. We also had all the mothers and sons come out for the mother-son dance. What was extra special to me was seeing all the families that had attended our wedding. LOTS of fathers and daughters and mothers and sons. 

 I love everyone on this dance floor! This was captured when I almost fell over, going low. haha!

 We may not have eaten much (sorry, Mike), but boy, did we dance! I've never had so much fun- especially with photo booth props!

 I couldn't have asked for a better reception venue. It was cozy, elegant, and everyone ate so much they almost popped (well, except for us. So we go back every anniversary, just to make up for it!)!

xoxo, A

Be Careful What You Wish For

We were about to leave for a wedding reception. Our best friends were over, as there was some time to kill between the wedding and reception, and they were in from out of town. We were trying to get out the door on time. What happened next was our typical out-the-door situation where I give Mike a five-minute warning, but as we leave he decides it's time to go to the bathroom. I get irritated, we bicker a little, but we still love each other two seconds later. The only thing different this time is our best friends were witness to this typical out-the-door situation.

She told me later that she and her husband think we're basically a sit-com family. I completely agree. I have said before that Mike is Ray from "Everybody Loves Raymond," Doug from "King of Queens," and Nick from "New Girl" all rolled into one. And I love that about him. Every day is both funny and frustrating in some way, which is both entertaining and sanctifying. I wouldn't change him.

And then it hit me: I got what I had always wanted.

Have you ever seen Return to Me? It's one of my favorite movies. I have always thought that the relationship between Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi was the best thing ever. If you haven't seen the movie, see it. If you have, you know what I'm talking about. When I was in college, I used to say that I wanted that. That bickering, flirtatious, outrageous, average, loving thing that they had. I got it. Mike is the Jim Belushi to my Bonnie Hunt. I live in a sit-com, and I love it.

So be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. ;-)

(This isn't the clip I wanted...the one I wanted had too much swearing, but is more accurately our life-- not that we swear! haha!)

xoxo, A

A Year and Some Change...

By "change," I mean a couple of weeks... not a major life change. Though I'll be honest. I think Mike and I are ready for a couple life changes: namely, a house and a baby. But we're waiting, which seems to be what we do in life, isn't it? Wait? That could be why my life verse (acquired while waiting for a husband) is Psalm 27:13-14.

But a couple weeks ago, Mike and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. It's crazy to think an entire year has passed since we stood before our families, our friends, and the Lord and promised ourselves to each other for the rest of our lives. What a precious day that was. In fact, it was my most favorite day ever. You can read about it here.
It's been a wild ride. We survived and enjoyed every holiday, every awful Monday, and lots of little struggles and joys in between. 

So for our anniversary, Mike got us a room at the same hotel where we spent our wedding night-- the Intercontinental, in Tampa. It's a great hotel, and we got a free upgrade to a junior suite. Let's just say that's a little better than our room on our wedding night-- it was an adjoining room with a loud gaggle of girls next door. Hahahaha! Not this time!

Glass elevators... we are easily amused.

This is an attempted panorama of much of our room. That black part in the middle is the partial wall between the living and bedroom area. The windows spanned the whole wall.

Because of our anniversary, we got a free buffet breakfast at Shula's, and they made my my very own special omelet. Why is Mike smiling so, you might ask? Because he spotted Frank from "American Pickers," also enjoying the buffet.  We were going to say hello after he finished eating, but a couple of people finally recognized him and we didn't want to be obnoxious. Instead, Mike made this face. What a cutie.

See? There he is. I know, I know-- you can't see his face. This is all Mike would let me do. He was chatting with the concierge. Nice guy.

We walked across the street to enjoy some shopping. And weird posing with gelato that was under par.

Mike also made a reservation at the same place we had our reception: Maggiano's-- also conveniently located across the street from the hotel. 

We may or may not have gorged ourselves on fried mozzarella, 4-cheese ravioli in a pesto cream sauce, and some kind of way-too-rich peanut butter chocolate dessert. This event in our anniversary weekend was very important, since Mike hasn't let me forget that at our reception, we didn't get to eat anything because we were either dancing or taking pictures. I argue that we did eat this ravioli... hours later, in our hotel room, without silverware, holding them like Hot Pockets.

Our waiter brought us something to toast with-- some non-alcoholic peach thing, which was fantastic!

And now my favorite part: on the left, you have a piece of our wedding cake, preserved carefully by my mom, and kept in our freezer for a year. You know, it wasn't bad! Way to go, Publix! In the back are the toasting glasses my mother-in-law gave us. Then there's our toasting beverage of choice: sparkling white grape juice. I promise, we're both over 21. We just don't like the taste of alcohol! Under that is one of our anniversary presents to the other. Guess who this one is from? Instead of buying gifts, we decided that every year we would write each other a letter. I think that's a tradition I'll really enjoy.

On the day we had to leave, we wept. Not really, but boy was it nice to not have any responsibilities for a couple days! This was our sit and veg until late checkout day.

Our final meal: Chipotle. Can you think of any better way to end a fantastic anniversary weekend? I think not.

On year down, 50+ to go. Hahaha. But really, I'm so thankful to be married to Mike. He's my best friend and it's been a privilege to stand by his side, serve him, and watch him grow. I'll enjoy every year I get with him.  

xoxo, A

At This Time Last Year:

At this time last year, I was very nervous.  Not nervous because I wasn't sure if what I was about to do was right, but because you can't change your life forever and not be a little nervous.  On this day last year, I had a stupid meltdown at our rehearsal because we didn't have the music.  One meltdown for the whole wedding experience?  Pretty good, I'd say, considering it's me we're talking about here.  On this day last year, I sat in the car with my fiance and we prayed about what would happen the next day and for the rest of our lives.  On this day last year, I went to bed, surrounded by my best friends, and slept the sound sleep of one who knows God has led her to this man, this time, this occasion.

This day last year was the day before my wedding.  As much as I loved Mike then, little did I realize how much more I'd love him a year later.  Little did I know the struggles and the joys we'd encounter in our first year together.

This day last year was the eve of my very favorite day ever... to be reviewed tomorrow. :)

xoxo, A

Year One: a love note

I love how adorable he looks as he sleeps in the morning.

I love how he plays with our puppy.

I love that when he wants to show me he loves me, he puts away laundry and lights nice-smelling candles.

I love how he has become so mindful of being a good steward of our money, and how no matter what financial obstacles we encounter, the Lord still gets our firstfruits.

I love that he never complains about my cooking, even when I sneak in turkey bacon.

I love how much he seems to enjoy my baking.

I love his silliness and how I never quite know what he'll do or say next.

I love the feel of his stubble on my chin and my hands.

I love to hate how he just cannot seem to separate his dirty clothes into our three-bin hamper.

I love the little funny laugh sound he makes when he realizes he's being ridiculous.

I love that he can tackle any kind of computer problem and win.

I love how we are on the same wavelength most of the time.

Twelve things I love about my husband-- one thing for each month we've been married.

Twelve months.  One year.  My goodness, how it flies!!  This weekend we celebrate our first anniversary.  We're going to spend the weekend in Tampa, and I'm so excited.  We just got married and just went on our honeymoon, didn't we?  I've truly enjoyed being a newlywed.  Even in its challenges, it marriage is a wonderful, God-given gift, and I'm so thankful to have this blessing in my life.  It's a blessing I didn't think I'd see for a long time, but God is faithful and his timing is perfect.

And now I have the years before me to enjoy being married to my best friend and the one my soul loves.  Oh, we have plans and dreams, but for right now, I'm content to live in our little apartment with our puppy, paying off debt and working in ministry together.  What a great first year!  Here's to the next 50+!

More anniversary posts to come...


xoxo, A

My Husband, the Gamer

I may have just stood in the tamest gamer line ever.  I lined up for a ticket for Hband to come back later and claim his special edition of "Halo 4."  There were a gaggle of really nerdy maybe nineteen year olds ahead of me, complete with some kind of glowy mask that played "Halo" music.  There were two grumpy twentysomethings behind me who made cracks about everyone.  And at the beginning of the line were some old people there for their children, sitting in chairs as if they were going the be there all night.  We're talking like, 45 minutes, people.

At any rate, it got me thinking about one thing I am very thankful for.

Hband has a lot of self control when it comes to gaming.  I know how much he really loves it, and also how much he used to play.  And I know that part of the reason he doesn't play as much now is simply that he doesn't have time.  But I am beyond thankful that my husband chooses to spend time with me or time in ministry rather than allow games to suck the life out of him.

If you think I'm being dramatic about the pull of video games, I'm not.  I've experienced first-hand elsewhere how one can allow gaming to overtake their reality, and therefore miss out on all the important things in life in favor of a game.  It can destroy relationships and lives.

But Hband doesn't let that happen.  That's why I was so happy to stand in line for him today, and why I hope he'll take an entire Saturday and enjoy his game.  He deserves it.  I only wish I was good enough to play with him.  But apparently I lack the fine motor skills that "Halo" requires.

Happy gaming!
xoxo, A

Tip for Tuesday: Wedding Prayer

Sorry, I'm on a wedding vein this week.  I continued to think about the wedding on Sunday, and they included a prayer I've heard at many of my friends' weddings.  The first time I heard it was at my friend Ashley's wedding (find her blog here), still one of the best I've ever been to.  I knew from the first time I heard it, I had to have it in my wedding, too.  


We found it online, and Dad made a couple adjustments to it. Those adjustments aren't reflected here, but I think there was some kind of theological wording issue.  Regardless, it remains, in my opinion, one of the best prayers I've ever heard period, and completely perfect for a wedding.


So here's the tip: getting married?  Know someone who is getting married?  Consider this prayer, or even get crafty and put it on a frame or something lovely like that!


Enjoy!

The Puritan's Prayer for Marriage:

"Father in heaven, thank you for this husband-wife commitment to Christian marriage. As they look ahead, we pray that their future will never lack the convictions that make a marriage strong. 

Bless this husband. Bless him as provider and protector. Sustain him in all the pressures that come with the task of stewarding a family. May his strength be his wife’s boast and pride, and may he so live that his wife may find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs. 

Bless this wife. Give her a tenderness that makes her great. A deep sense of understanding and a strong faith in you. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May she so live that her husband may be pleased to reverence her in the shrine of his own heart. 

Teach them that marriage is not living for each other—it is two people uniting and joining hands to serve you. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first your kingdom and your righteousness knowing that you will sustain them thru all of life’s challenges. 

May they minimize each other’s weaknesses and be swift to praise and magnify each other’s strengths so that they might view each other thru a lover’s kind and patient eyes. Give them a little something to forgive each day that their love might learn to be longsuffering. 

Bless them and develop their character as they walk together with you. Give them enough hurts to keep them human, enough failures to keep their hands clenched tightly in yours and enough success to make them sure they walk with you throughout all of their life. 

May they never take each other’s love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, “Out of all the world, you have chosen me!” Then when life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still very proud, still thanking you for each other. 

May they travel together as friends and lovers, brother and sister, husband and wife, father and mother, and as servants of Christ until he shall return, or until that day when one shall lay the other in the arms of God. We ask through Jesus Christ, the great lover of our souls.

Amen."

xoxo, A

Inspiration Monday: Vows

Inspiration Monday is taking a bit of a different turn today.  Instead of rounding up a collection to inspire you to have a party or decorate a room, I thought I'd give you inspiration for your marriage, whether it currently exists, or it still lies in your future.


Hband and I went to a wedding yesterday.  Well, "went to" is an understatement.  We actually drove nine hours round trip to see a dear friend get married.  The trip was fun because I got to be with my best friend the whole time.  This was the first time he and I got to attend a wedding together (besides our own).  Ironically, it was exactly one year after I attended another dear friend's wedding, where her mother told me I'd be next... and sure enough, I was engaged three days later!


I was unprepared for the emotions I'd experience watching a wedding with Hband.  I felt a rush of all those feelings I experienced firsthand just four months ago.  I told him I hope I never forget those feelings.  The tears I used to shed at weddings was different-- tears of happiness for the bride, tears for the changes that would occur... but yesterday's tears were tears of joy simply remembering the truly divine experience of entering into a covenant relationship before the Lord.


As I sat there, watching this couple become one, remembering my own wedding just a few months ago, I remembered how meaningful our vows were.  I remembered how we labored over the wording, careful to craft them to say exactly what we wanted to promise, and careful that they reflect a biblical marriage relationship.  We got the skeleton of our vows from some kind of bland "Christian vows" on the Internet, but we added Scriptural references and personal promises.  They are unique to us, they still give me the chills.


I remember pulling mine out of the pocket (yes, pocket) in my dress and barely choking back the tears as I promised my husband these things, and I'll never forget his precious, rare tears as he did the same.


I hope these vows inspire you to write your own promises for your spouse, or to keep the ones you promised long ago.


And by the way... if you're a bride-to-be, feel free to use these vows if you like them... but be sure to honor them.

I, Michael, take you, Amanda, to be my wedded wife. With deepest joy I receive you into my life that together we may be one. As is Christ to His body, the church, so I will give sacrificially to you, as a loving and faithful husband.  Always will I perform my headship over you, even as Christ does over me. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care. I will continually seek to love you, comfort you, honor and cherish you, even as I care for my own body.  I will provide for you, pursue you, and protect you, as the weaker vessel.  I will set as my goal in life to please first God, and then you, in all things, and I promise that I will lead us spiritually in faith and hope in Christ Jesus. I will faithfully follow Christ as I entrust our marriage and family to Him, and I will let Him make me into the man you deserve.  Ever honoring God's guidance by His Spirit through the Word, and so throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband.  Forsaking all others, I will keep myself only for you as long as we live, so that in all things, God might be glorified.

I, Amanda, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband. With deepest joy I entrust my whole heart to you, and the rest of my days as God wills. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life, and in confidence submit myself to your headship as to the Lord. As is the church in her relationship to Christ, so I will be to you.  I will live first unto our God and then unto you, ever deepening my relationship with Him, as my first love and Savior. Loving you selflessly, patiently, gently, I will strive to obey you humbly; being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry; caring for you thoughtfully and always seeking to please you. God has prepared me for you and so I will strengthen, help, comfort, respect, and encourage you. I will strive to bring you good all the days of your life. Therefore, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as an obedient and faithful wife, and promise to persevere until death alone shall part us, so that in all things, God might be glorified.

xoxo, A

Thoughts for Thursday: Marriage Conference

We've only been married about four months, and we've attended our first marriage conference.  And it was awesome.  It was the first one our church, Lakeside Community Chapel, has put on.  It was taught by elders, and lots of church couples came, and even some singles and engaged couples, which was great to see.  It's never too soon to start getting a right perspective on marriage and good advice! 

The theme was "The Gospel-Centered Marriage."  With a theme like that, you know it's going to be intense.  And it was.  It wasn't your run-of-the-mill marriage conference that just tells husbands to give their wives love and wives to give their husbands respect, and leave it at that.  This was saturated in Scripture, and the overarching theme I heard in each session was this: you can't control what your spouse says or does.  You can't change them.  All you can control is your words and actions and make sure they are obedient to Scripture and pleasing to the Lord.  That is what is required. 

If marriage is supposed to reflect the beautiful, unconditional love of Christ for the Church, then we must not make our love for our spouses conditional.  "I would submit to him if he would just lead me in a godly way!"  or "I would do what he asks if he would just tell me he loves me now and then!"  Nope.  That's just not how it's supposed to be.  Ideally, if you're in a godly marriage with a spouse who claims to know the Lord, then the Holy Spirit will be working on them and changing them.  But newsflash: you married a sinner, and so did your spouse.  So when (not if) your spouse is sinning, it is not up to you to change them or deprive them of a godly spouse until they repent.  You are to still do what is required of you, even if your spouse isn't doing what's required of them.  Not fair, you say?  You're right.  But neither is salvation.  And I'm really glad for that.

It's easy to submit to our husbands when they are making wise decisions and considering our feelings and loving us how we want to be loved.  But when they make a selfish decision or make a rude comment or hurt our feelings, we are still required to submit.  Because ultimately, we are accountable to God for how we respond to our husbands, and if I trust God with my soul, then I trust him to work in my husband and make things right.  

It always boils down to trust, doesn't it?

I don't want to sound preachy; I'm learning this too.  Not that Hband is not a good leader or anything like that, but we each have our weaknesses, and when his show up, it makes it harder to be the kind of wife I'm supposed to be (and I know that works both ways-- when my weaknesses rear their ugly heads, I know it can't be easy for Hband).  So this was a great reminder of what marriage is supposed to be.

Imagine if the unbelieving world could see a marriage in which the husband and wife love unconditionally and show each other respect and servanthood, all the days of their lives... what a testimony to the Lord and what His love is like (only his is amplified a millionfold).  I want that kind of testimony in my marriage.

xoxo, A

While I Was Sleeping

It has come to my attention that my husband is a troublemaker, and likes to make mischief.  OK, so I knew that already.  What I didn't know is that he would make mischief while I was sleeping.  Here is an uncomprehensive list of recent events:

Last night, I woke up to him at the side of my bed, poking at me, while making a creepy face.  There was no other purpose to this incident except to wake me up and have me see his creepy face.  I think I said "Why would you DO that?  I was SLEEPING!"

He just admitted to, after I wake up in the middle of the night, muttering under his breath to try to get me to say weird things (which I tend to do.  Once I got mad at him because he didn't take the vegetables out and now they're going to explode.).

Sometimes, he'll slowly reach his hand across the bed, under the blankets, and then start to tickle me.  When I'm trying to sleep.  I hate it.

Also last night, I got back from a bathroom trip and I just knew he'd be up to something, because he was still awake.  So I shone my phone on the bed, and sure enough, he was laying on my side, with his head UNDER my pillows.  I don't know what the end game was there-- maybe have me go to lay down and then freak out?  Or maybe he was just being weird.

Once I woke up to him poking my face.

He also told me he has touched my nose repeatedly, and I kept scratching my nose in my sleep.

Apparently, if it's nighttime and I'm asleep and Hband is bored, these are the kinds of things that happen.  I just thought the world should know this man I've married.  Is it any wonder that when I do wake up on my own at night, I think he did it on purpose and blame him for it?  Because I do that.  When I told him I was writing this blog post, he replied with, "You didn't have to marry me.  You're lucky."  To which I said, "Yes.  Yes I am." :)

xoxo, A

Thoughts for Thursday: Verbal Affirmation

I sometimes laugh when "love languages" are discussed.  It's not that I necessarily disagree with the concept, but sometimes love languages are used as pat answers or sound trite.  But the more time goes by and the more I learn about myself, I realize there are specific ways I feel love more than others.  One of those is verbal affirmation.  I like to hear that I'm loved in conjunction with the knowledge that I am loved.  I like to hear that I look nice today instead of just assuming Hband likes the way I've done my hair.


The funny thing about love languages is that not only do we have certain ways we like to receive love; we also have certain ways we like to show love.  And Hband does not always show love by verbal affirmation.  He shows it in so many other ways, and I never doubt his affection.  


But in the three months we've been married, I've realized a problem.  It's not necessarily Mike's problem, but it's mine.  I feel this need to know that I'm loved, desired, appreciated. etc, and I want to hear it.  While that's normal, and not necessarily bad, I know the root of this is pride.  


And it's not in Hband's job description to feed my ego and coddle my pride.  Besides-- if I need affirmation and words that tell me I'm worthwhile, loved, and pretty, I know where I really need to go: the Word.


God tells me I'm beautiful-- Psalm 139
God tells me I'm loved-- John 3:16
God tells me I'm worth it-- Romans 5:8


And that's just the beginning.  That's just the tiniest peak of the iceberg.


This is another illustration of how marriage is designed to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church-- the love and affirmation that a husband might give his wife is only a taste of the love and affirmation given by Christ to his followers.


Of course, he also kicks my butt, too-- but that's for another day. :)




xoxo, A

Thoughts for Thursday: I am NOT the Holy Spirit

And now we come to Thoughts for Thursday. Enjoy the thoughts: 

It's really easy to spot sin in others, isn't it?  It's not hard to determine when someone else is being impatient, letting their anger take control, acting selfishly, or being prideful.  Of course, identifying those sins in our own lives is a little more difficult.  That in and of itself is an indication of pride.

Regardless, if you spend any amount of time in close quarters with another individual, you'll see their sin and quickly.  It doesn't matter if they're your roommate, your sibling, or your spouse; no matter how much you love them, and no matter how wonderful they are, they are going to sin and you are going to see it.

And if you're anything like I am, you're going to want them to fix it.  Maybe it's for the right reasons-- because you want to see them overcome their sin and grow in their relationship with the Lord, ever maturing into the individual God wants them to become.  Or maybe sometimes it's a more selfish reason-- you want them to be as perfect as possible so your environment can be as perfect as possible and your life will be easier.

Well that's a whole other bag of worms, isn't it?

Hband doesn't sin any more than I do, or even any differently than I do, but I've found myself in an argument with him more times than I'd like, sometimes because I've identified sin and won't relent in confronting it until he sees it too.  And admittedly, this argument probably spawns and lingers from my self-righteousness and pride.

Confrontation isn't bad; in fact, if you never confront sin when you see it, that's a problem too.  Woman up and say something in love.  But the problem is my attitude and my unrelenting confrontation.  The problem is, like my wise friend (and soon-to-be-bride) said, "I am not his Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit was given as a helper, with the purpose of sanctifying the believer and acting as a guide-- MORE than "conscience," since even unbelievers have a God-given conscience.  He gives believers the ability to actually say "no" to sin.  He is the one who brings conviction that inspires repentance.  That is NOT me.

{John 14:16-18; 16:23-15; Romans 8:5-11, 13-16, 26-27}

My job isn't to relentlessly hound Hband or anyone else until they see their sin and repent.  Why?  Because Hband has the Holy Spirit, and He is working in my husband as much as he is working in me.  It's my responsibility to point out sin in a loving way, but beyond that, it's between him and the Lord.  Instead of all the energy I've spent arguing and convincing, perhaps I should apply that energy to identifying my own sin and repenting of it.

I think it's probably a control thing.  I want to control my environment, and in order to that, I want to control Hband's behavior.  But again, that's not my job.  He has been placed by God as my authority, and one does not argue and relentlessly badger their authority; that is disrespectful.  Besides-- he doesn't do that to me, and I'm JUST as sinful as he.

So... this is something about which I've been thinking over the last couple of days.  I'm working out how I will learn this in a practical way.  Any suggestions?  Do you struggle with this?  What has worked for you?

xoxo, A