Author / Bethe

by Bethe

One year

August 16 marked the one-year anniversary since Mr. Right dropped to a knee and proposed. I’ve always been big on anniversaries – I love to mark the wins and reminisce about past adventures and reflect on what the Lord has done for us since the last milestone.
So how did we celebrate this anniversary? We went with another couple friend to see The Help (which I think was even better than the book version I read last year) and then came home and re-read the letter Mr. Right used to propose. If you assumed that this weepy woman shed a few tears reading my love letter… you would be right. (You can see it’s one of many, many love letters I’ve collected from my man.)


I realized I’ve never told the story of how we got engaged… so here goes:
Mr. Right says he knew on our first date that we would get married. It took me a few weeks, but then I too was hooked. We waited six months, which seems fast to some people and slow to others – I’ve come to realize that everybody is different. For us, the decision was a very easy one.
We talked about everything, including our engagement, ahead of time. Mr. Right told me he would propose sometime in August or September, so August 1 came and went, and I got into hyper-vigilant mode. Every time we got together, I tried to make sure my hair and outfit were absolutely perfect. Since we were hanging out almost every day, that meant about 12 wasted outfits and good hair days.
He picked the one day I never would have expected it. We planned to go to dinner with a couple in our church who had offered to do our marriage counseling once we got engaged. I barely knew them yet (Mr. Right was much closer to them at the time), and being the organized planner that I am, I even confirmed with them at church the day before that we were still on for dinner.
They played right along.
Mr. Right was scheduled to pick me up for dinner. I was worried about making a good impression. And then there was a knock on my door, and instead of my man, it was my sister, who said she was there to kidnap me. She wouldn’t tell me where she was taking me.
I knew at that moment that this was it. And I immediately froze. Stopped talking. Went into a daze.
She drove me to Fort Worth. That 15 minute drive dragged on forever as I vacillated back and forth between wanting to pee in my pants with excitement and being too shocked to process any coherent thoughts. So we drove, mostly in silence.
My sister pulled up to the museum district, and standing in front of the Kimball Art Museum was my Mr. Right, looking dapper and holding a wooden box with a giant yellow bow. He took me by the hand and led me to the museum steps, next to the reflecting pool–the site of one of favorite dates when we sat lazily on those museum steps and dreamed about our future together, watching the sunset over that reflecting pool.
But back to the proposal…
He led me to our spot and handed me the box that he said he created for me to hold the many love letters he would write me in the future. Inside was a love letter telling me why he wanted to marry me, what he had prayed over our relationship, and his dreams for our future. It was the perfect proposal for this sentimental sap who loves to reread my love letters over and over and over. After I finished the letter, he dropped to one knee and presented me with a gorgeous ring. I said yes, cried, did a little hugging and jumping up and down, and then my sisters suddenly appeared with cameras and we did an impromptu photoshoot to celebrate the day.
I felt so loved.

In honor of our big day, I thought I’d share the save-the-date video I created for our wedding. Every time I hear this song now, I get warm fuzzies.



by Bethe

Pinterest Love: Quilts & Sewing

I’m so excited to find some of my blog buddies are now Pinterest buddies as well. It’s one of the most wonderful things I discovered this summer. That, and Mr. Right’s homemade chocolate chip and pecan cookies topped with chocolate-banana icing. Those are pretty spectacular as well. (Now you know why I’m failing miserably at Project 115? But I AM going back to spin again tonight for the THIRD time this week.)
But back to Pinterest… I’ve been a quilting fool this summer… working on three simultaneously. Mr. Right told me this weekend that the difference between men and women is that a man would start and finish one quilt before he starts another. How boring is that? I know you agree with me… I’m too A.D.D. to commit to just one. Besides, I hope to finish my pink/brown quilt next week while he’s out of town (that I started in 2008… I finished piecing it within a month but never got around to doing the quilting part and instead picked up another quilt… and a master’s degree… and a husband). After that I’ll be down to a very manageable two. So there you go.
But back to Pinterest. Here’s some quilts I’ve discovered on there that make my heart race right now:
This chevron quilt… love the colors and the pattern, which is so hot right now.
I’ve never thought about adding ruffles to a quilt… but maybe I could do a completely ruffled blanket? Or maybe the lower third ruffles and the top two-thirds quilted? Oh the possibilities! (and the yellow and gray color… still my favorite)
Confession: I’ve never actually sewn a ruffle. But I had never made a yo-yo before July, so it’s just a matter of practice. And sweet-talking my sister to teach me how.
Speaking of yo-yo’s… this is officially the prettiest yo-yo quilt I’ve ever seen.
On second thought, that may not be yo-yo’s, it kind of looks like crochet. Which I’m terrible at. But you could still make the pattern with yo-yo’s.
This is exquisite, and I love the monochromatic color. I’m not sure it falls into the quilt category, but it’s my blog, so I’m putting it in anyway. I have no idea how to make that, and I doubt I ever will.
One of my current quilts is a scrappy quilt, and while making it I discovered these circles on a black background… and now I want to change my current one completely (the grass is always greener… especially when your hand-quilts take a year to produce). But I’m already too far along, so I’ll add this one to my ever-growing quilt wish list, and maybe one of my future nieces or nephews will receive one like this:
I don’t know if non-crafty people really “get” a girl’s need to create something. This has become a hobby that is so fulfilling, such a great creative outlet. And someday, every single one of my family members and friends will have a Bethe Original as a birthday present. It just may take awhile. Like decades.
by Bethe

To the nice lady who…

To the nice lady (who knows me) who said to me this morning… “You don’t even LOOK pregnant…”

You’re right. I’m not.
And I will never again wear this flowy, puffy shirt without a belt. Ever.
And I’m going to spin class tonight.
And I ate a salad for lunch.
There. I feel better. Almost.
by Bethe

Greatest Weekend EVER

This weekend may go down in history as one of the greatest no-plans, normal weekends EVER. Here are the reasons:
1. My husband preached for the first time. I was so proud, I thought my heart might burst with pride for my preacher man. He spoke to a Wednesday night men’s service (can you guess how much I stood out amongst 50 men?) and even though you might think I’m just a tad bit biased… my man hit it out of the park. It was all I could do to stay in my chair, I was so giddy for him.
2. We had a big family dinner of fried chicken, peach cobbler AND strawberry pie to celebrate my dad’s birthday Thursday night. There goes Project 115, but it was worth it.
3. I took Friday off from work, and declared it Bethe’s Day-O-Fun. And let me tell you, it was fun. I spent the morning in my pj’s sipping coffee and sewing yo-yo’s while I caught up on missed episodes of the Bachelorette and my favorite prison show. Please, someone start watching it so I have someone to discuss the show with. At noon I mustered up the energy to put on clothes (but no makeup) and met some of my favorite girlfriends for lunch, and then we spent the afternoon at the pool, eating brownies and enjoying those wonderful girl conversations that can only be had on a summer afternoon when no guys are around. It was wonderful.
When I came home, my husband surprised me with FLOWERS and yet another love letter, for absolutely no reason at all. I gushed. And cried. And gushed some more. And then we went out on a hot date to eat our weight in meat and cheese (hooray for the Texas de Brazil buy-one-get-one-free birthday coupon!). Again… Project 115 down the tubes.
4. Saturday, for the record, we went to spin class. I know you’re finally giving me a nod of approval amidst some bad food choices this week. I even wore spandex pants, which should be good for extra credit. After class I came home and took the most glorious two-hour-nap a girl could ever have while Mr. Right cooked me a savory brisket in our crock pot, crossing two items off our Summer Bucket List. Go us. (There’s brisket under all that cilantro, tomato, poblano, and tomatillo, I promise.)
5. Saturday night we settled in for a quiet evening of movie watching (12 Angry Men) without cell phones, distractions… or makeup. Until I checked my cell phone and realized that every news station in town had called about a certain breaking news story that had just happened at our hospital. Since PR jobs are wonderfully unpredictable, I had to throw on my best black suit and race up to the hospital, makeup bag in tow, scribbling notes on the back of a Hallmark bag I’d dug out of my purse, to take media calls on what turned out to be the lead story on the 10:00 news. What an adrenaline rush. And now many of my coworkers have seen me without makeup. (Then again, they saw a lot worse during my ER visit a few years ago).
6. Sunday was full of church (and Mr. Right teaching again), a baby shower, dinner with friends, and a (gulp) visit to our favorite Mexican bakery for just ONE cookie (I know you’re judging me, and I really don’t care–maybe weighing 115 isn’t worth it anymore).
And now I’m going to turn off my computer, curl up in bed with my latest book friend and coast into the new week rested and happy.
by Bethe

Yo-yo Progress

Today is my day off – and I’m filling it with homemade waffles, lunch and pool time with girlfriends, and then a fancy dinner date with Mr. Right to celebrate the end of his summer semester.

Today is a very good day.

This morning I fit in some yo-yo time while catching up on my favorite TV show… Hard Time. I’m 96 yo-yo’s down, about 900 more to go. I’m already in love with this dainty little quilt, which may end up finding a permanent home at the foot of our bed.

by Bethe

Food = Love

After a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma for a funeral, I’ve been reminded once again of a huge truth:

Food equals love.
During the 36 hours we were out of town, we ate dinner at my grandmother’s house, which her friends brought over. Then we ate dinner at the widow’s house later that night, provided by some of her closest friends. I ate two desserts (I know… Project 115… don’t judge me).
The next morning we ate breakfast provided by friends. After the funeral, the family’s sweet church provided lunch for 100 people: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli casserole, topped off with sweet tea. I ate two desserts… again. Don’t judge me, you would too if you were forced to choose between chocolate cream pie and strawberry pie. It’s impossible, I tell you. Impossible
In a time of great sadness and stress, the people of that little town in Oklahoma rallied around our family the best way they knew how… with food. It was so generous, and thoughtful, and it provided a context for people to sit and reminisce and enjoy catching up.
Mr. Right won me over with sweet potato fries and baked goods. When we got married, all of the events were planned around food. In two weeks, we’re taking food to a dear friend who just had a baby. When my mother-in-law had surgery recently, folks brought a small feast. When we want to get to know people better, we invite them over for dinner.
During times of great celebration or times of deep sadness, the one constant that always seems to remain… is food. It makes me wonder who I need to cook for next.
by Bethe

We choose joy

What a week. Things were hard when it started, and then they got tougher. To my praying friends, please feel free in join me in praying for these things:

1. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15
We lost a great man to cancer this week – a favorite relative of Mr. Right, whom he worked for and admired and respected. He was a patriarch of their family, and while we will miss him desperately, we are also rejoicing that he’s reunited in heaven with his maker.
We’ll be roadtripping to Oklahoma soon to celebrate this great man’s life, and will probably eat our weight in fried chicken and pies.
2. Remember how our house got broken into a few weeks ago? Our homeowner’s insurance may not cover the cost to fix our air conditioner. It’s one of those red tape technicalities that took us completely by surprise. Please join us in praying that as we fight this decision, the insurance company will reconsider, thus saving us thousands of dollars in repairs of a costly piece of equipment.
But in the midst of a stressful week, we still enjoyed some great moments – I got to read books to my niece, enjoy special time in the car with my man on our West Texas roadtrip, go wedding dress shopping with a special friend, and grab dinner three nights in a row with some amazing women. It was still a good week.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3
by Bethe

Make it behave

Them’s fighting words…
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
-2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
Take captive every thought and MAKE IT OBEDIENT to Christ. Make it behave…
(insert fist pump here)
by Bethe

I choose you

I must admit that there is one area of my life right now that I feel is defeating me. It makes me feel like an utter failure. It doesn’t matter what my “thing” is, we all have one from time to time. For me, it’s a battle that I seem to be fighting almost daily.
My husband calls it “bean plating,” because it’s like staring at a plate of beans and trying to analyze it, dissecting everything on the plate and wondering about how it’s cooked, why each bean is shaped the way it is, are they correctly positioned… and yet, it’s just a plate of beans. There’s no need to overanalyze. It’s just beans.
My plate of beans is causing me worry, fear, and stress. My plate of beans makes me doubt my abilities as a wife, it makes me wonder if I’m normal.
My plate of beans is winning.
Last night, as I confessed to my husband that my plate of beans–salted with insecurity and fear– is making me doubt my abilities as a wife, my kind, sweet, patient, Christian man did the greatest thing he could possibly do.
He told me, “I still choose you.” He chooses me. Even though he’s caught more glimpses of my deepest insecurities than he probably ever thought was possible… the flaws that I’ve worked so hard to hide from the rest of the world for decades… he still chooses me.
I know I’m not the only woman who craves to be chosen. Whether you’re watching Hard Time in a Women’s Prison or The Bachelorette, we see so many examples of women who will go to great lengths to be chosen. To be accepted. To be loved.
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

“The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 7:6-8
Even in the midst of my battle of the beans, my husband chooses me to be his treasured possession, in spite of my biggest insecurities. That love shows me, in a way I can touch and feel, a tiny glimpse of the kind of love my God has for me.
I am so thankful for a husband who points me right back to the cross in the most unexpected of ways.
by Bethe

Delightful

(Photo courtesy of this site)
I want to be delightful.
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
-Psalm 147:11
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”
-Psalm 149:4

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3

“Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.”
Psalm 111:2-3

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom, or the strong boast of their strength, or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.'”
Jeremiah 9:23-24