What’s For Dinner??

March 31, 2014March 31, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres4 Comments

Welcome to Monday!! Hopefully, all of you had wonderful weekends! We definitely did!!

This morning I was blessed with a beautiful surprise, and the entire course of this morning’s post changed! My sweet little grandmother from New Jersey called and let me know she flew into town and is in Atlanta! How exciting! Craig is still in town, so we are meeting her this evening after work and taking her to dinner.

Now, this sudden scenario may not seem an ‘issue’ to any of you, but yours truly is a PLANNER with a capital “P”, and immediately, my mind has gone into overdrive:

So, in your neighborhood, where would you take a surprise out of town guest for a casual, yet classy, not loud dinner? (Seriously, we want your answers below in the comments! You just never know when YOU will be in another town and not know where to eat…and I don’t mean a big chain restaurant either!)

Here are a few ideas in some of our favorite cities:

Empire State South – This little gem in the heart of Midtown Atlanta not only is a go-to for dinner. They offer breakfast, brunch and lunch, as well – not to mention some delicious desserts and libations! It’s a classy, casual setting – and perfect for out-of-town guests, as many of it’s food options are regionally delicious.

OK Cafe – While not even close to ‘fancy’, this is an Atlanta classic with DELICIOUS food and if you’re in the mood for comfort in a diner setting, this is the place to go! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, take-away – it’s all awesome! I highly recommend the Rocket Burger. Yum!

Pompeii Pizza – Located in Elk River, Minnesota (about an hour outside of the Twin Cities), we read rave reviews about this local pizzeria in Midwest Living magazine – and just had to try it out. It was delightful – This Italian girl can attest to pizza worth ‘wasting’ calories on, and this is it! Not only were their pizza and salads yummy, Craig found some local brews he was pretty impressed with, as well!

Chatterbox Pub – This neighborhood bar/restaurant in St. Paul, MN, will always remind me of our dating days. It’s one of the first places I went with Craig & his family, one of the first visits I ever made to Minnesota – fond memories for sure! 🙂 The food was tasty; the drinks were satisfying and there were even games to play while you waited for your food. Perfect!

The Mash House – This brewery/restaurant came highly recommended by my parents on a trip to the town in which I spent a good portion of my childhood – Fayetteville, North Carolina. Craig and I paid them a visit last year and were in no way disappointed! Steaks, shrimp, pasta, fish, sandwiches, burgers, salads, brewed-in-house beer… We may just go back simply to eat there again!

What are your go-to restaurants? Let us know, and we just may meet you there for a bite!

You’ll have to wait until later this week to find out just where we eat tonight with Grandma Flo! 🙂

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Mixed-Bag Friday

March 28, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Yay for Friday!! We are looking forward to celebrating the anniversary of our first date and our engagement tonight with dinner and a movie!! Do you have any big plans for the weekend?

Today is sort of a mixed bag here at The Newlywed Lefebvres – several things to share with you at random. 🙂

First, here is the devotion I read today.

I know God placed this one in front of me today for a reason. Part of our hope in Him is the ever-constant reminders of His faithfulness. No matter what your prayer, He listens.

Below is a video (yes, you will need to open this post within a browser to view it), of an amazing moment. The 40-year old women shown has been deaf all her life, and here, she is hearing for the first time! Can you even imagine?!?! 40 years of silence, and then beautiful sound!??! Nothing short of a miracle!

That is truly joy personified!

And finally, it’s no secret that I LOVE TO READ! It’s one of my better habits 🙂 The more I read, the more I discover the beauty of words, and the sentences they are weaved into. Here’s a listing of the supposed “Ten Best Sentences Of All Time”, some from some great pieces of literature…I don’t know that they are the greatest sentences, (They missed out on one very important book which houses all of the greatest sentences!) but the beauty of the words and the complex way they convey their meaning…It is truly art.

Well, now, you should have plenty of food for thought to round out your day and plenty of conversation starters for the weekend! 🙂

Enjoy yourselves, and we’ll meet you back here on Monday!

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

What A Difference…

March 27, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres13 Comments

My, oh my, what a difference a few years can make in your life.

Three years ago tomorrow, I was hemming and hawing over what outfit to wear on my first date with “this guy” I had been talking to over e-mail and late-night phone calls for the past month. I’m sure I was obsessing over this decision in my favorite bar of the week, after work, beer in hand, and a worn out spirit in my chest. I was almost out of hope. Where was he??? I had been praying for “him” for what seemed like forever.

Two years ago tomorrow, “that guy” devised a proposal scheme that caused me to actually fall out of my chair, and crawl to him – knelt down on one knee, and answer “Absolutely!!!”, while crocodile tears streamed down my cheeks. I was shocked God had FINALLY answered my many prayers!

A year and a half ago last Saturday, “that guy” was waiting for me at the end of a long aisle. I had the biggest tears of joy in my eyes I have ever had in my life. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much more I would love the man waiting at the end of the aisle.

Last night, we sat next to one of our dearest friends for Wednesday night church and worship at the new non-denominational church we have been attending in addition to Catholic Mass every Sunday. I was so sad when the ‘sermon’ was over. I gave my friend a hug and thanked her for leading us to such a spirit-filled place. She may not have known it, but I had tears in my eyes. Tears of happiness I am beginning to experience with my whole soul.

I thought to myself, three years ago I would have been in a loud bar with friends on a Wednesday night.

Two years ago, Craig and I would have been having a ‘tv dinner’ at my old condo in Atlanta, having a few beers, listening to music, maybe heading out a little later to meet some friends for a mid-week drink.

A year ago, we may have sat on our sofa on a Wednesday night, sobbing about our infertility.

Last night, I saw with new eyes and noticed some wonderful changes Christ has made in our lives. We have an ever firmer faith in the Lord. We are in church as much as we possibly can be – because it’s the desire of our hearts. We long for His Word. We pray together. We study the Bible together. We TRULY mean it when we pray for His Will to be done in our lives. I no longer listen to ‘regular radio’; instead we are all about praise and worship music in our household. We no longer live in sorrow about the lack of a baby’s cries in our halls. We trust that He has wonderful plans in store for us. There is no question He has a beautiful child waiting for us in our future. I have even let His guidance take me to a place the evil one has forever told me I wasn’t good enough for. I now realize, I am NOT good enough…but He is.

Everywhere we go and look and listen in today’s world, we feel like strangers in a foreign land. There’s a reason. We are.

There is a new king of our domain. It’s Christ.

My, oh my, what a difference ~~a few years~~ Christ’s reign over your life makes.

Titus 3:5

Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost;

What's Up Wednesday

That’s IrrElephant!

March 26, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

We are BORING this week…So we present another (Nearly) Wordless Wednesday for your mid-week smile.

Silly & cheesy? Why, yes! 🙂

Have a Wonderful Wordless Wednesday!

TTC Tuesday

Mold Me & Make Me

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

The particular Bible study Craig and I have been working on mentions seeking God’s Will for your life. Over and over and over again. We have poured over the words and the scriptures associated with the study countless times. We have discussed everything, and talked about how God is working in our lives.

But somewhere along the way, I think we forgot that God’s Will for our lives isn’t always the same as what we WANT it to be. And sometimes it doesn’t seem “fair” – by human measures.

I remember thinking throughout my 20’s how badly I wanted a husband and to be married and settled down and to have a family of my own…But God had other plans for my life at that juncture.

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O Lord,

You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand

When the time was right, and the Lord had molded me into more of the person He meant for me to become, ( I am still so far away from that person!) He directed me – and I followed Him – to the most wonderful man on Earth, and a perfect mate for me, my now husband. I recall all of the frustration and the years of waiting for Craig – and I recall a host of poor decisions I made during those years. What trouble and waiting would I have been spared had I simply allowed God to direct my life up to that point?

Craig & I both got married under the assumption we would be blessed with a child right away. Neither of us had any known health issues. We were secure financially. We were ready. But God didn’t agree. Here we sit, more than a year and a half later with 2 surgeries under our belt and a long list of other medical items to follow…Here we sit with no positive pregnancy tests, to date. If God’s Will for our marriage right now was to have a child, He would have blessed us already. He is all-powerful.

So what if we stopped thinking about what we want, and resolved to follow God along the path He has aligned for us knowing He will not forsake us. Having faith that He will bless us.

Romans 2:11

For there is no partiality with God.

That’s right. God does not play favorites – Remembering this has been helpful as we have navigated these stormy waters. He will bless us. We will have children. No matter what doctors tell us or science claims, with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

Interestingly, the moment we ‘gave up’ and let God put us into the palm of His Hand, He began to answer prayers we hadn’t thought of in months – with all the preoccupation on His not having blessed us with children. He began to mold us in ways neither of us could have imagined. Heartstrings that had been being tugged for years, but had been pushed aside because the enemy instills FEAR and DOUBT, were brought back to life, with HOPE and EXCITEMENT!

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, He can turn it around. He can turn your pain into joy, and your mistakes into TREASURE. There is nothing that is impossible with God. Not one single thing. No matter what doctors or science or society says.

God is busy in our marriage right this second! He has some AMAZING things in store for us. The more we bend to His Will, and let go of our own, the more He blesses us and shows us the most beautiful things – right in front of our eyes for so long.

I like to think of our infertility journey in this way: If we hadn’t put so many roadblocks to God’s plan in our lives earlier on, how much sooner would He have brought Craig and I together? I mean, we did live less than a mile from each other without knowing it at one point in our single lives… How much sooner will He increase our family if we stop getting in the way of His well-laid plans?

{View this post in a browser to access the video below}

Visit http://www.nativitystonescollection.com and use code: “newlywed15” for 15% off these beautiful heirloom pieces! Now through Easter!

My Choice Monday

The Nativity Stones!

March 24, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

We have such a wonderful treat for you this bright and shiny Monday! A few weeks ago, we were contacted by a company called Nativity Stones, about doing a product review and a feature article on their behalf. After reading their story, we couldn’t say no!

Here it is, straight from The Nativity Stones’ website itself:

On a winter’s night over 2000 years ago, Mary and Joseph traveled the road to Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus ordered a world census to be taken and all subjects were required to return to the place of their birth. Despite Mary’s advanced pregnancy they journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph’s birthplace. Joseph searched urgently for lodging as it was Mary’s time to give birth, but all of the inns were filled. In his desperation Joseph finally found a cave at the edge of town to shelter his wife. It was here, in the Cave of the Nativity, where the Christ Child was born.

Early Christians flocked to worship at The Cave of the Nativity soon after His death. In 325 A.D. Byzantine Emperor Constantine, along with his mother Empress Helena, officially recognized the site of Christ’s birth, constructing churches to commemorate the three principle events of Jesus’ life. One of the churches was the Church of the Nativity, which was erected over the cave where Jesus was born. The cave was then enclosed in an eight-sided structure and the church was built above.

Despite the following years of neglect, wars and destruction, the Church of the Nativity has always drawn faithful pilgrims from around the world. It is the oldest Christian Church in the world and continues to be a sacred symbol to the devout. It was designated an endangered World Heritage site by UNESCO.

In 1963, there was a one-time excavation to allow another exit for the thousands of visitors who come to the Cave of the Nativity each year. During that excavation a portion of a wall just a few feet from the fourteen pointed star commemorating the actual place of Christ’s birth was removed.

The stones from that wall – the Nativity Stones – witnessed the birth of Jesus. These are the very stones cradled in the Nativity Stone heirlooms.

Wow. What a story!

This company has taken these stones, from the birthplace of Jesus, and incorporated them into beautiful Christian jewelry & timeless pieces. We received a wonderful piece from The Nativity Stones, and I am so excited to have this cross and authentic piece of our Lord’s history – just in time for Easter! The cross I am wearing here is the Classic Nativity Cross – perfect to use in prayer, or just to wear as a reminder of the amazing God we serve and worship!

And we have a treat for you! You, too, can have a beautiful Christian heirloom – and with a special discounted rate! Just enter the code “newlywed15” at checkout to receive a 15% discount!!

What a wonderful gift for Easter, Confirmation, no occasion at all! I urge you to purchase one of these special pieces! You won’t be sorry!

We also want to give a shout-out to a dear blogging friend we have featured before here: The Veil of Chastity showcased us on Friday:

We are SO BEYOND BLESSED with great friends and family and their prayers and encouragement. Thank you for your commitment to us!! It means more than you could ever imagine!

I was thinking just Sunday morning…SO MANY OF OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED! Yet, so often, we overlook those answered blessings and focus on the {seemingly} negative things in our lives. God is so good. He is so faithful.

Spaghetti Squash: It’s What’s For Dinner

March 21, 2014March 21, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Yay! Friday!!!! The longest (work) week ever has finally begun to draw to a close! If you’re practicing Lent this year, you know Friday means:

And in our household, I have given up meat completely for Lent, so we have been eating a lot of fish. A LOT.

So, it’s time to change it up! We’ve branched out to Spaghetti Squash! You can use this amazing gourd vegetable in so many ways! It tastes delicious; it’s filling; it’s healthy – and whether or not you are eating meat (during Lent or in general), you can enjoy spaghetti squash for dinner!

Here are a few recipes:

**Italian Spaghetti Squash Bake**: Click For Recipe

**Spaghetti Squash Pasta Pesto**: Click For Recipe

**Baked Spaghetti Squash (Meatballs Optional)**: Click For Recipe

**Spaghetti Squash Bake**: Click Image For Recipe

**Spaghetti Squash PIZZA CRUST**: Click Image For Recipe

Now you have NO excuses about not eating healthy! All of these dishes are delicious and good for you, too!!

Have a wonderful weekend, folks!!! Don’t forget to go and see GOD’S NOT DEAD! It starts showing tonight!!!

Join us in showing Hollywood just how alive Christ really is!!

Thirsty For Christ Thursday

Captivate Your Thoughts

March 20, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

I don’t know about you, but today has been one of those days I just don’t have the energy to function. Between work and my morning workout, and handling the whole household alone because my dear husband is out of town, I am EXHAUSTED. Two dogs and a (very demanding) cat may not be children, but they can still tire a lone gal out!

satan (the non-capitalization is intentional – he isn’t worthy of it!) can and does use this to his advantage. Beware on days you are too tired to talk and exchange pleasantries with co-workers or take the stairs instead of the elevator, the enemy creeps into your thoughts.

he tells you you aren’t good enough. he encourages you to take the easy way out, to lean on your exhausted state as a crutch to be unkind. And once the net has been cast, he reels you in by further taking over your thoughts…

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

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.

No matter what is going on in our day, we must keep our thoughts focused and under control…This is the entrance point for the enemy.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

When we “keep our thoughts captive”, we are making it more difficult for the devil to enter. Even as a negative, hateful, spiteful, thought enters our mind, we must say, “I reject this thought.”

James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

As the song below says, ‘we are more than conquerors’. We have the power to resist satan and keep our hearts, minds and souls captive to God.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

{To view, open within browser.}

TwoListeners.Org says, “let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that satan will not attack us. He will assault—sometimes in our thought, sometimes in our body, sometimes in our spirit, and—sometimes in our environment. We will succumb to his attack only because of our foolishness. If we know our position and know that we are one with the Lord, and if we resist, he will flee from us. This resisting must be done in faith. Believe that he has fled, and he cannot but flee, for he has no ground to stand before the authority of God.”

Let’s be grounded in our faith and keep our thoughts on Him. It’s one of the reasons I only listen to Christian radio – it keeps my mind in the right place!

Have a great night everyone!

What's Up Wednesday

Another (Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

March 19, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

It’s (finally) mid-week! Yay! Remember my mentioning yesterday that it was our One & A Half Year Wedding Anniversary? Awwww… 🙂 We are continuing the celebration through the end of the month – on March 28th, we mark the 3 year anniversary of our first date and the 2 year anniversary of our engagement!

What better way to celebrate than with a collection of pictures from our dating days?

firstflowers — The First Flowers Craig Ever Sent Me

We are engaged here and JUST finished moving a bunch of the furniture from my condo into our (now) home!

This was taken just a week or two before the wedding!!!

What a wonderful three years together we have enjoyed! Here’s to a lifetime more!

TTC Tuesday

We Give Up!

March 18, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres7 Comments

That’s right. We. Give. Up.

And we are giving it all to God.

For the past year and a half, (on Saturday, Craig & I celebrated one and a half years of marriage and three years of knowing each other!!!!), we have been trying and researching and going through treatments, therapies, tests, and surgeries in order to reach OUR goal – of having a child.

We still want children and a big family so much it makes our hearts ache, but we want something else even more…

To follow God wherever He leads us.

And obviously, He hasn’t led us to children – yet.

This isn’t to say we have given up on having children…but our first priority is going to be God’s will for our marriage.

I made the call to our fertility clinic yesterday, telling them we are taking a break from all of the testing and medications and hormones. And when I hung up the phone, I expected to feel defeated and saddened.

But I felt exactly the opposite. I felt immediately empowered and excited.

When God blesses Craig & I with a beautiful child – either by natural birth, embryo implantation or adoption – all the glory will be HIS.

In the meantime, I have felt a calling to something more. A calling from God to truly live for Him. We are discerning that call, and already doors are opening and He is speaking…and we have taken that first step – of obedience.

We gave up, and gave it to the Lord.

Ephesians 1:18

…since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened—so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints…