new things to LOVE

In the spirit of Valentine's Day I am going to share with you some new things that I absolutely LOVE:

1.  My Husband's Prayers
My favorite new thing to love this week are Caleb's prayers.  He has such a tender heart and is able to word things just perfectly.  On Sunday, we met with our newlywed group split up for the first time: girls with girls and boys with boys.  This prompted both Caleb and I to increase our prayer life.  We started off by purchasing The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Husband.  We have committed to reading from our book daily and praying for each other.  It is such an encouragement to know that your spouse is praying for you.  Caleb is praying for everything: before meals, before bed, before a budget meeting, before work, before difficult talks with workers, etc.  I am amazed at my man and I love to hear him pray!

 This was my darling little cherub's last passport photo - Caleb's new one came in this week!

2. Start Stop Continue
This is a new favorite.  While meeting with my fellow ladies we shared something we would like to start, something we would like to stop, and something we would like to continue.  It could be about anything: relationship with God or people, job, exercise, etc.  Our fearless and fabulous leader typed it all up and we have been spurring one another on this week.  This is such a motivating way to begin a week. 

3. OVER-CELEBRATING!
Caleb and I are total over celebrators!  We don't let an occasion go by without a celebration.  I figure, who else is going to celebrate him if I don't and I guess he feels the same way.  We totally enjoyed Valentine's Day.  We started last week (Amos Lee concert, Ruth Chris) but let it continue on for the 14th.  We headed to Central Market and came home with some free bison (who knew they gave food away at that fancy place?!)  It was definitely a first for me (Michelle - be proud!) and it was a hit.  We cooked it with peppers, onions, feta and had salad and twice baked potatoes.  Over all a very delicious meal. 

Now...onto my Valentine gift.  I will tell you by starting with the fact that I have wanted this for about a year.  The hubs got me a SINGER SEWING MACHING!  Woo Hoo!

I am slowly learning my new bff - I have to replay the instructional dvd, but I feel like I am already making progress, now onto making something darling for little Virginia!
And...beautiful roses :)

 4. Caleb's Jeep! 

A car just becomes so much more fabulous when you pay it off! Dave Ramsey would be proud!

 5. Spoons
Remember that game?  You sit around a table with cards and one less spoon that there are people playing.  Everyone starts with four cards, and you pass the cards around the table, trying to get four of a kind.  As soon as you do, you quickly grab a spoon and everyone else follows suit...except for the last person.  It is not new to me, but it is so old it almost seems new!  It's better than new! And it definitely is new to Caleb.  We had the most fun playing this classic with the Tubs and the Looneys.  It did take Caleb quite a while to get the hang of it - he actually may in fact still be working on it.  But I know there will be a rematch and the McGuires will be ready!

6. Family
We got to see Josh and his three awesome kiddos.  It was my first time at Amazing Jake's - what a funderland for kids!  We had a wonderful Saturday afternoon. 

Caleb and Luke 

Josh and Elijah 

Eliana was a little frightened of the Merry Go Round

latest addition - don't worry - just a kitchen table

On Sunday, Caleb, Lil' Mama, and I went to Canton.  It was not my first visit, but it sure was a fun one!  Due to the winter weather, there were far less shoppers and sellers were willing to negotiate.  Caleb and I had been casually looking for a table - not wanting to buy furniture to fit our apartment, but wishing we could replace his bachelor tall table (minus one chair).

Ta-da...We found a fantastic little table from the 30's.  We loved the thought of all of the family dinners that had been eaten on that table, and are now enjoying our own.  It is the perfect little size for us!

A good friend of ours had to get her gallbladder out while on a ski trip in Colorado.  She came back in town on Monday, so I wanted to bring her something delicious that would make her feel better.  Well, what do sick people want more than chicken noodle soup?!  I don't know - so I went with chicken noodle soup.  It was my first attempt to make homemade soup and it was quite an undertaking.  There are oh so many steps!  But I do think it turned out quite Paula Dean like.  Caleb and I enjoyed our fair share and even passed some on to his mom. 

Wednesday was, surprise, another snow day!  I was dreading being stuck inside once again, but this time was a little different.  The weather did not affect the roads like it had before.  Caleb and I used his lunch break to get our passports.  It is crunch time on the passport front with Honeymoon Part B quickly approaching, so this snow day was crucial.  For dinner, we met our darling friends, The Smiths, at Amore'.  It was my first time at the scrumptious Italian restaurant, and I enjoyed every bite.  Justin's twin sister got engaged that night - she called him during dinner - and everyone is thrilled! 

Thursday night I had a Valentine surprise for my hubs!  We went to see Amos Lee at the House of Blues.  It was one of my favorite concerts.  He is truly amazing live, and I have fallen in love with his voice all over again.  If my music man made a CD, I think we would find it located in the same section as Amos. 

Long overdue - took off with some favorites, Amanda and Robyn, for brunch and a pedicure - new place, new color, new tradition?  My feet are thankful! 

The end of the week was definitely a highlight - Valentine dinner at Ruth's Chris.  Caleb's dad and stepmom gave us a gift card for Christmas, and we planned immediately to save it for Valentine's Day.  Worth the wait -  It did not disappoint.  Everything was incredibly delicious and we left with full tummys and a yummo doggie bag.

Oh the FIRSTS!

Warning: LONG blog ahead

This trying something new thing is much easier than I expected.  Granted, I am only beginning my second month, but it is in fact quite addicting!
Sunday, the hubster and the Wards rode back from our fantastic Oklahoma weekend.  In the spirit of newness (I'm very thankful for each and everyone's cooperation) we made more stops than necessary which provided for much more fun than expected.  The stops worth mentioning were a stop at The Peanut Shop - quenching Caleb's desire for some "homemade" beef jerky.  Thank you dear dear Peanut Shop for sparing me the effort of learning how to make beef jerky (at least so far)

And...My first trip to a casino - Choctaw. 

I feel that there should be fireworks, horns blowing, or money thrown up into the air - but sadly, nothing.  I was always strongly encouraged to stay away from such gambling locations, only to discover that I have not missed out at all.  I played a couple of slot machines - went up, then went down.  I am sad to report that for me, it was difficult to see the fun through all of the smoke and red necks.  All in all, just four dollars the McGuires will never get back.  We have a dear friend who likes to go and plays cards - I have been told he is quite the money maker.  He has since informed Caleb that we went to the old casino, very clearly, we went to the wrong one!  So if Blake is ever headed that way, I may try it again with a pro.  I'm going to keep my hopes alive!  

Monday was my FIRST time to host The Bachelor.  We watched it in the Movie Theater downstairs - it was my first time to watch anything there - quite the feature film!  I tried some new items from my recipe box courtesy of my sisters.  It was a super fun night!  I do however feel it necessary to point out that Brad made his first mistake - he cut my darling Ashley S.  Perhaps, the network will realize how fabulous she is and she can be our next Bachelorette.  That is a season I would tune in for.

Tuesday, I had my first Texas snow day...and it continued...ALL week!

We only went to school on Monday.  This was definitely a first for me.  Stuff in the house provided for many firsts: 

- I used the Tide washing machine cleaner - glorious!  totally recommend it 

- Watched a couple of new movies - The American, The Facebook movie - eh... 

- Tried some new recipes - delish
- Found a new store - Frock, and Caleb got me these cute glove like things

Friday night, a very happening night at the McGuire house, couch, movie, water noises - what was that?  I heard pouring water outside our apartment...only to discover that water was in fact pouring out of the ceiling in the hallway.  Eeekk!  A pipe had burst on the floor above us.  Luckily, it only affected the hallway, not our apartment or any of our neighbors.  However, it turned our quiet night at home into quite the adventure.

 Arleen loving her wedding pictures as part of her present. 

 The Birthday Girl

Saturday was my first time to celebrate Arleen (Caleb's mom) birthday with her.  We had a great day all together and she made a delicious meal.  She provided some firsts for me - new Texas wines, homemade tamales and beans in a way I have never tried.  They were all very scrumptious.  Michelle Kelley, I am sure you are proud of my new food efforts - or, you should be.  Makes me want to try new foods a little more willingly - well, maybe. 

Stars, Technology and Oklahoma

What in the world do these three things have in common?  They were all included in my "newbies" for the past week.  My darling first graders had a field trip to the Planetarium.  It was in fact, at age 28, my first time to go to a planetarium.  And...it is everything you think it would be.  I was just as thrilled as my munchkins!  The woman who was lead our field trip is the ripe old age of 77 and didn't miss a beat.  I found a new hope, that I am like her when I am 77.  If I took the trip literally, I can add every planet, the moon, and sun to my travels as new locations.
I was introduced to Alan November.  For those of you at Bookman, he is the "Patty" of my new school.  I was introduced to all kinds of NEW technology that I just can't get enough of.  I am amazed at the options and what all there is to discover online. 
A new goal of mine has been to travel to all 50 states - I am at a depressing low start, but this weekend, I added Oklahoma!  

We traveled with our newlywed church group to Grand Lake, Oklahoma.  

Each person shared their Life Map - detailed testimony with the group.  It was an amazing blessing to see God's faithfulness in each of our lives and how He lead each of us to this point - together.   I am so thankful for each couple in our group and know that the Lord placed us all together for His purpose.  Caleb and I were both so encouraged by the openness and honesty of our new friends. 

We also had time for a little fun - a late January boat ride is in fact a really good thing!  

This was a first for me to see Caleb helping out with a boat - and he did a wonderful job of course!

 Scott and Caleb

All snuggled up on the boat 

All of the girls (we missed you Heather).  We ate lots and lots of delicious food - 

a big thank you to Cara for all of her planning!

 The Wards

 The Looneys

First time to see my hubs in a letterman jacket 

Looking forward to some new firsts!