Three

The number three seems to be showing up a lot of places in my life lately. The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity had me thinking about our triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In March (the third month) we became a family of three. Peter is three months old now (how did that happen?), and today Michael and I celebrate three years of marriage. Three years as husband and wife. Three years of God's grace poured upon us in this beautiful sacrament.

{WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY A THOUSAND WORDS PHOTOGRAPHY}

The Gospel reading at our wedding Mass was from John:

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
       just as I have kept my Father's commandments
       and remain in his love.

I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
       and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you."

{John 15:9-12}

The way He loves is the way we are called to love. And Jesus gives us this commandment that we may receive His joy - not the joy of this world, but an eternal joy. A joy like no other.

Michael, our joy became a little more complete in this third year as husband and wife. I pray we will continue to grow in joy for the rest of our lives together. Today I renew my commitment to always strive to love you as God loved His Son, and as Jesus loves us. Thank you for loving me even when I fail to do that, and for being so quick to forgive. I am forever grateful you chose me to be your bride.

Happy Anniversary. I love you more than I can say.

  P.S. Just for fun: our two year anniversary post // our love story

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7 quick takes {no. 25} Austin edition!

Happy Friday, friends! This is turning into a 7 quick takes blogging kind of month for me. Hopefully once I'm back in NYC this fall I can get back into my groove. But for now, here are seven quick takes (and more than seven pictures) from our weekend in Austin!

{1}
Michael and I stayed at the sweetest bed and breakfast just west of Austin, near Lake Travis. It was a secluded little cottage for two. I must say it was quite romantic, and such a nice place to get away and celebrate two years of marriage.

{2}
Of course, we enjoyed exploring Austin as well. I must say, it is a great town!

We spent some time in the South Congress Street area and ate at Guero's Taco Bar of Something Other Than God fame for lunch. 

Delicious chips & salsa.

Enjoying a margarita!

{3}

We also spent some time searching for a couple of the murals around Austin, which was a lot of fun! We happened to stop by this "Greetings from Austin" mural at the same time as another family. They were all decked out in their Texas best - cowboy hats, cowboy boots and all! While talking to them we found out they just moved to the area from near NYC! What are the odds?

They insisted we wear their cowboy hats for our picture, as you can see below. Too funny.

{4}
This Austin mural was probably my favorite:

Love my man!

After taking pictures and exploring in the heat, we clearly needed some Amy's Ice Cream.

We both tried their famous Mexican Vanilla flavor, which was delicious. (Michael had Reese's Cup mixed into his. Yum!)

{5}

After a little rest and relaxation back at our B&B we went to a nearby restaurant which overlooked Lake Travis.

The views were gorgeous! It made for a lovely evening.

{6}
On Sunday we were blessed to meet beautiful Kathryn (and her baby girl, Gianna!). I always adored Kathryn from her blog, but meeting her in person made me like her even more. As she said in her quick takes, "Isn't it fun when internet people become real people?" I so agree! (Especially when said person has a sweet Texas accent to boot!)

We so enjoyed our conversation and spending time with you, Kathryn! Here's hoping we're back in Austin again someday.

{7}
So that was our weekend! This week has been relatively uneventful...other than when we got rear-ended at a red light. That was just great. (Not!) But we are fine, thank the Lord!

And last, but most certainly not least, a special shoutout to my beautiful sister-in-love who turns 12 today! Happy birthday, Malissa!

Love ya, sis!

Be sure to visit Jen and check out the other quick takers...
Happy weekend!

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7 Quick Takes {no. 24}

{1}

Happy Feast of the Assumption! The Gospel reading at Mass today is one of my very favorite scripture passages. So rich, and so good. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us...

{graphic I designed for blessed is she}

{2}

Our time in Texas continues to be hot, but blessed. We are enjoying being here, but we are also looking forward to returning to the comforts of our apartment in a couple weeks. It's true: there really is no place like home. I'm thankful that we have somewhere to miss!

{3}

I've been listening to Fr. John Riccardo's program Christ is the Answer on the Catholic radio station here in Houston this week. Have you ever heard this program? He gives some amazing talks. I heard this prayer (a challenging one!) on the show, and thought I would share it here:

prayer of abandonment

Father, I abandon myself into your hands;

do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you:

I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me,

and in all your creatures - 

I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul:

I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,

for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,

to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,

and with boundless confidence,

for you are my Father.

{Charles de Foucauld}

{4}

It seems there a lot of people who need our prayers these days - around the world and in my personal community. Would you join me in praying for Molly, baby Katharine Therese and her family, and Mary's family? I am also saying a prayer of thanksgiving for some blessings in my family!

{5}

Michael & I are going to Austin this weekend for a belated anniversary getaway. We are really looking forward to it. It seems like everyone has such wonderful things to say about the town!

{6}

We've been taking some travel recommendations from this post by Kathryn at Team Whitaker. And of course I know of a few other hot spots from reading Jen's book. Recommendations from locals are always the best! Any other Austin locals, or ladies who went to Edel - what's not to miss?

{7}

Well, I'm fresh out of takes - back to the laundry and packing. Linking up with Jen and many more...

Have a great weekend, friends!

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Two Years as One

June sixteenth, two thousand twelve was the happiest day of my life. 

Two years ago today I made a vow. I made a vow to Michael and to God that I would be true to my husband in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I vowed to love him and honor him all the days of my life. 

That's quite a promise to make, especially in the broken world we live in today. Thankfully though, I married a man who, with me, is striving (and failing and striving again) not to live for this world, but for the next. As a married couple we try to lead one another towards heaven. We encourage one another to become more and more the man and woman - the husband and wife - that God calls us to be. Marriage is our vocation, which means "a call." We believe we were called by God to be a living example of His love for the world. We can only do this by God's grace, and heaven knows we mess up (a lot). We are far from perfect; we have so much to learn. But what a gift to be united as one in marriage with my one true love and my very best friend. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you for the most wonderful two years, Michael. Thank you for being my husband, and thank you for choosing me as your bride. I can't wait to see what God has planned for us.

{ALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY A THOUSAND WORDS PHOTOGRAPHY}

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

                        {Colossians 3:12-17} - the second reading at our wedding ceremony, 6.16.12

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