Last Sunday we had beautiful weather, so after lunch Scott and I made a couple trips to Oskaloosa's snow dump site to pick up woodchips. The site is a real blessing--it is officially where the city dumps snow in the winter. A couple years ago after a huge ice storm that broke tons of branches, the city opened up it for people to bring their branches and brush. Since then, people have continued to bring branches, and it is almost a community gift. People who heat their houses with wood come with a pickup and a chain saw, and can get a free load of fire wood. And the city comes around every once in a while and chips all the wood, leaving big piles of free woodchips. I guess if you're picky and only want certain wood, it wouldn't help you, but we're not picky! There are some leaves mixed in right now, but they will blow away or decompose, and we'll still have free woodchips! Now, to get some flowers...
We bought about 4 tons of black dirt to fill in the garden, and have also been using it to fill in low spots and bare spots in the yard. We are also thinking about a place to put a vegetable garden. Here is Scott watering his latest grass babies.
Sunday eveningwe had game night at our house for the first time. This group of people has been getting together almost every Sunday for a meal for about 8 years. We used to play card games (thus the name), but now we just eat and visit. Scott was cooking meat on the grill, and he is just so professional with his fancy thermometer!
I had a Signature Homestyles party after supper, so the ladies stayed inside for that, and the men sat around the fire bowl outside. It was a nice evening.
I've been reflecting lately on how intense the marriage relationship is. When you are dating, and when you are first married, both people work so hard on communicating, on putting the other person first, on being a wonderful partner.
Scott was gone for 3 weeks in August, and I think we both lapsed back into our single attitudes. When you're single, you make your own plans and don't have to tell anyone that you are running an errand or going outside to water because there isn't anyone to tell! You can sit in the house at night and play on facebook or watch tv, and not have to talk to anyone about anything. You can have that kind of attitude when you are married, but it doesn't really do much to grow your relationship. And when your relationship isn't growing, it is stagnant, frustrating, overwhelming, and kinda lonely.
So now we start with the little things (again)--invite them to run to the store with you, compliment the dinner they cooked or the yard work they completed. Change the toilet paper roll. Keep praying together and get up on time to do morning devotionals. Talk to each other.
I told Scott yesterday, "I love you even when I'm frustrated." He agreed. That is why our relationship will last--because we have committed to love each other despite everything, and we are going to keep working on it!
On Sunday after church, Scott's brother and family (Shawn, Audrey, Wesley, and Seth) drove out from Iowa City to spend some time with us. We packed a picnic lunch and went out to Lake Keomah State Park--which was practically empty! After our lunch we hiked all the way around the lake, then went home and ate dessert while we watch the 3 stooges.
Senior Pictures!!!!
At the reception Scott and I relived a moment from our wedding...although I didn't get to smear frosting all over his face this time.
Sunday morning we went to church, then took a quick tour of Dordt College. It has changed quite a bit since I graduated in 2000! New dorms going up, parking lots that used to be fields, fields that used to be parking lots, a new student union, and hug additions to the classroom building. New soccer fields, and even a huge new sign welcoming you to campus. One thing that has not changed--the statue, "The Gift."
