Two Years Ago Today…

March 28, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

Good Morning Everyone!

Today is a very special day indeed! Two years ago, on this very day, at this very time, I must have been sitting at my desk at RB Management, poring over magazine pictures and talking with my friends at the office…Trying to decide what I was going to wear for a VERY special date I had that evening. A first date. A first date with the man who turned out to be my husband.

One year ago on this day, I had received a (what appeared at the time to be) very odd package delivered to me at the office…It contained a CD of special songs…a sweet letter…and another envelope I wasn’t allowed to open yet. I left work early for a doctor’s appointment, and afterwards watched a DVD of our past year together with Craig and then went to get ready for our Anniversary Date, only to be met with beautiful flowers and an AMAZING proposal.

Two years ago today my life changed forever, and one year ago today, it changed even MORE and for the absolute best! Happy two year anniversary of our first date, and one year anniversary of the day you asked me to be your wife, Craig! I love you!

It’s the first of these years we have not been able to be together, but such is the life of a pilot’s wife! I am, however, able to enjoy this Holy Thursday with the adorable Miss Daisy, and her sister Lucy – both babies are napping and so I finally had a chance to write this blog!

In other recent news, the draperies are (halfway) completed! 1: We misplaced, and JUST found the return for the other window, and 2: Craig has to be here to thread the bobbin on my sewing machine… SO (or SEW ha ha ha), I did the first panel with stitchwitchery to try and surprise my hubby a few weeks ago with completed draperies… BUT it took almost 4 hours to finish one panel, and my sewing machine just would not allow me to thread it…When C got home, he threaded the bobbin and the second panel was completed while he washed the car with Lucy (fun for him! lol), but then we couldn’t find the return for the 2nd window in our bedroom…So, one window – two panels – are complete!

I’ll try another picture where you can better see the entire window treament soon. I’m not sure why, but the flash on my camera made everything look blue…Oh, well, at least my side of the room is darkened – which means Lucy doesn’t wake up with the roosters, as she did BEFORE the drapes…Whew! 🙂 I really love the wa the window turned out! Craig’s cornice board, made with shims and leftover finish from the refurbishment of our dresser, plus these draperies, against the deep blue accent wall, really do a lot for our bedroom!

We have ANOTHER new addition in our home, as well: “Alfred”.

The cow rug! :-)If you are in the design world, this rug is a Safavieh! Pricewise, we STOLE it! If you know my husband at all, you know two things: First, he is not likely to pay a lot of money for a rug…Especially one that is solely for decoration. But also, he has a thang for cows and all things farm. “Alfred” (along with the cow print I gave him for Christmas) really makes a statement in our den! Both we AND our girls just love it!

If you haven’t been over in awhile…ahem….please come and visit SOON! You must see all the changes that have turned this once-bachelor pad into our little family’s home!

~~Little Lucifer~~ Lucy has been growing like a WEED – or maybe faster!

That was the day we brought her home. This is the other day:

She has discovered a new walking trail, which is DEFINITELY her favorite! The only downside is the 20 minute drive to reach it, along with the fact it is FIVE MILES LONG. You certainly have to carve out a large portion of your day to be able to indulge her!

There are plenty of opportunities for her to get into trouble, considering this is a true nature trail. Yesterday she dove right into a creek that runs alongside the trail, and desperately attempted to catch a fish – which was actually just a floating leaf, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her. Three hours and a 20 minute car ride home later:

This was MY reward! The 5 mile walk is MORE than worth it! 🙂

Craig and I celebrated 6 months of marriage a few weeks ago:

And these truly have been the best six months of my life. Hands Down. Without Question! And so, on that note, let me say that we were overjoyed to celebrate the marriage of two more of our dear friends this past weekend: Ashley and JW (or John, or P. Diddy???? Not sure WHAT to call him after the speeches we heard at the rehearsal dinner…) 🙂 It is wonderful to be able to welcome another set of our friends into the bliss and journey that is marriage! Congratulations Ash & J! We wish you all the happiness!!

Well, I must go! Lucy needs a walk, I need to finish my Bible Study, and then I have to get ready for our parish’s Holy Thursday service! Being in the choir has been SUCH a blessing!

We wish you all the best, and send you all of our love.

In Christ,

Pier & Craig

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Six Months of Marriage!

March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

Today is a wonderful day marking SIX MONTHS of Wedded Bliss for Craig and I! Such an absolute blessing these recent months have been, and there is no one to thank more than God above! Thank you; Thank you; Thank you – Infinite thanks! Never could we have found our jigsaw puzzle piece matches without His omnicience!

In other news, I apologize it has been several weeks since I last wrote – the tides, they are a-changing! 🙂 And with those changes, of course, come a lot of time consumption! 🙂 What all has happened since we last met? Well, due to an…interesting turn of events….I ended my employment as an Executive Assistant a few days earlier than planned…My, that’s a long story…As we noted in the last blog post, Craig and I had been planning for me to leave for several months, but when we KNEW the time was right, we acted…and within DAYS, we had not just one, but 4 different job opportunities staring us in the face – and I hadn’t applied for a single one of them. Please know, we aren’t pointing this out in order to boast, but simply because it was only further proof we were on the path God was leading us down! Jesus says in Luke 17:6, “If you had faith no bigger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree to pull itself up, roots and all, and to plant itself in the ocean. And it would.” We listened to the Lord, put our trust in Him, and He provided. Nothing is impossible with God. (Thanks to our choir director, Dian, for reminding us of this again last week with a BEAUTIFUL song – “Nothing Is Impossible With God”, sung in four parts. Come hear us sing at St. Francis in Cartersville! Sundays at 10am!)

We prayerfully considered all of these 4 positions, and in the end, chose the one that, while on paper may not look the ‘best’, is certainly what we feel I am being called to do at this time. The new job begins in April – so more details to come!

Other than this new career path, it’s been a busy couple of weeks filled with catching up on cleaning and resting and COOKING! 🙂 We even had the pleasure of entertaining my brother for dinner one evening when he came to meet little Lucy! Stuffed pork chops. Delicious! If you’re interested in the recipe, send us an e-mail, and we’ll let you in on our EASY to prepare and gluten-free secret! 😉

Well, I must be off! Before my husband returns home, I promised him I’d finish sewing the draperies for our bedroom – a long overdue project I finally have the time to complete!

Take Care All Of You!

Much Love,

Pier & Craig

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God’s Will For Our Lives

February 26, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope this post finds all of our readers happy, healthy and enjoying life! I am writing at the urging of a very important person in my life (you know who you are) who, when I shared this story with her – because I just COULDN’T keep it bottled up inside – told me I really MUST write it down. So here I go:

As all of you know, Craig and I began at the beginning of 2013 looking for a new church home. We visited several parishes – all of which were wonderful, but it wasn’t until we walked into St. Francis of Assisi in Cartersville that we knew we were “home”. We had been to Mass at St. Francis several times before, but when we walked in this particular time, Father Stack reached over, touched Craig on the arm and said, “Are y’all mine or just passing through?”

Now, keep in mind, this occurred as we were walking into Sunday morning mass. It was crowded and Craig and I were amid that crowd, but yet, in speaking about the situation with him later, C and I both agreed it was like that moment was paused in time. It was like we were the only ones in the hallway… We had been very prayerfully considering our decision to find a new church, and the moment we reached out to various points of contact within the parish to become involved, we were welcomed with arms wide open – quite the opposite from our former church home. We even received an e-mail from Father Stack welcoming us, before we had even formally joined.

Do you get the same goosebumps I do when you consider that perhaps Jesus was speaking through Father Stack, and asking us, “Are you MINE or just passing through?”

Nothing like that has happened on any Sunday since. Not since Craig and I took off the burdens holding us back and moved to a church where we could grow in our faith, and really become involved in service to God.

Now, as we have made one of our ‘goals’ for Lent to really seek God’s Will for our little family, and as we study His Word each weeknight with our “Experiencing God” Bible study, Craig and I are recognizing God’s work in our lives with ever so much more clarity:

The beginning of Summer 2008, when I felt God calling me to become a Catholic. I didn’t know why. I had grown up in the Baptist Church and was raised in the Christian faith. I just felt God leading me to become a Catholic. So I said yes.
The beginning of 2011, when Craig and I both felt led to join Catholic Match. I speak for myself when I say I resisted as long as possible, and then finally gave in to God’s tugging on my heartstrings and said yes.
The beginning of 2013, when we both felt that God was leading us to find a new church home, and then His guiding us to the place we needed to be.

Then, the other day Craig and I both threw in the towel and decided I simply HAD to leave my current job. The environment was just too ‘toxic’. We prayed about the decision for months on end, and never felt like it was the ‘right time’. There were other job offers and opportunities, but still, it just didn’t feel right. And then Tuesday, February 19th came about, and we both knew it was right. I gave my notice, and arbitrarily chose March 5th as my final day.

The very next day, there was more than one opportunity on the table, one of them beginning 2 days after my current job is ending and paying almost the exact amount we need to stick to our budget, and on my way home from the office, I was on the phone with my husband, exclaiming how we took this leap of faith and it really appeared that if we just put our trust in the Lord, we would be okay. Craig noted how it reminded him of the story of Abraham taking Issac up the mountain to make a sacrifice to God. Genesis 22:1-18 Taking that blind faith, and following the Lord because you know that He will provide for you.

Later that evening, I was reading my ‘assignment’ for the discussion Craig and I would have later on the phone for our Bible study, and I came across the story of Abraham and Issac…And I thought to myself…Hmmm….Craig must have already read his part for tonight’s discussion when we were on the phone earlier…And then I read further and the next story was of a man and a wife. The man had a good-paying position, and yet, he and his wife felt God’s calling to them to leave that job for one that was completely unsure but definitely where they were being led. It was a story where the people put their total trust in God and followed Him, and they were provided for in the exact amount they needed.

After I read that, I thought, “Oh, wow.” and then, “God, Craig hadn’t read this Bible study when I talked with him earlier, had he?”

I texted my husband:

God is just amazing. He led me to convert to Catholicism, and I had no idea why, but I listened and I followed Him. That was in 2008, and in 2011, I found out WHY. I didn’t want to join Catholic Match. I thought it was just going to be a dead end, but I felt led to join, and so I said yes, on the off-chance that just maybe God knew what He was doing…and lo’ and behold… 🙂

Craig and I talked that very night on the phone, and thought back…Two years ago, we didn’t even KNOW each other, and here we are, happier than EVER before in our lives, and married to our soul-mate… All because we said YES to God.

He has a plan for each of us, and He CERTAINLY knows what He is doing, and WHY. We just have to be go by our blind faith, and He will lead us on an amazing journey.

xoxo,

Pier & Craig

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Experiencing God

February 21, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Good Afternoon Everyone!

This has been just a whirlwind of a week thus far! I can’t believe it’s only Thursday – Feels like it should already be Monday again…But we can’t skip over the weekend, can we? 🙂

Sunday morning both Craig and I sang with the choir at Mass! Yes! My husband surprised me and absolutely made my YEAR by telling me he wanted to serve God in song with me!

My Awesome Husband In The Vest I Bought Him For Valentine's — My Awesome Husband In The Vest I Bought Him For Valentine’s

Tuesday afternoon I gave notice at my current office job, and my last day is March 5th! Craig and I aren’t positive what the next step will be, but we both know we made the right decision together when we chose for me to leave my high stress job. As with everything, we are praying for God’s Will to guide us in the right direction. He brought Craig and I together; He led us to an amazing new church parish; and He will lead us in the perfect path for what I’ll do next. Keep us in your prayers that we will have the strength to listen to Him for His guidance.

We also began our Lenten Bible Study (via the phone) last night! We chose “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. Just in going over the Preface and Introduction together, I feel like we really got something out of it. There are many opportunities to refer back to the Bible and we had some wonderful discussions over what was said. You’ll have to check it out for yourself. I know God is leading us on the right path and you can never have TOO strong a relationship with Christ. The study is all about that relationship, and being more of a Christian than just attending church on Sunday mornings. I can’t wait to go over the first part of Chapter 1 this evening! Hopefully, our little ~~devil dog~~ angel puppy doesn’t make that too difficult. 🙂

Last Saturday night, Craig and I attended one of the FINAL showers for our dear friends Ashley and JW….It was a great get together, and I just can’t tell them enough how HAPPY we are for them! Ashley and I are lucky girls for sure! 🙂

Their wedding is just over a month away! Eeeek!!! Such an exciting time!! I remember it well…It was just over 5 months ago for Craig and I!!! As we pulled out of the driveway after the shower, we both looked at each other and said, “SO GLAD WE ARE MARRIED NOW and are done with the planning and parties!!!” You’re almost there, Ash and JW!!! You can finally just relax and enjoy being husband and wife…and making grocery lists, and paying bills, and taking out the trash, and doing laundry… 🙂 LOL – Seriously, it is all AMAZING when you marry your soulmate and best friend! I speak from experience.

Well, it’s time for me to relish in the last few bits of dictation I get to do here at RB&Co. No tears. I promise. 🙂

Love Y’all,

Pier & Craig

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Let Our Desires Be His

February 13, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres1 Comment

In honor of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season, I wanted to share a really awesome tool I found today: A Lent Calendar – much like an Advent Calendar. For each day of Lent, there is a mini “thought” or “challenge” and then a call to Fast, Pray and Give.

I like today’s prayer challenge: For the desires of our hearts to be put behind God’s will for our lives. I know I certainly struggle with praying for what I want for Craig and I, rather than His will for our lives. So that’s one of the things I am going to do in a faith-building regard for Lent. I am going to be diligent about praying for God’s will to be done, rather than for the things I want for us.

Also, in the box below, please let us know of any ideas you might have for a Bible Study for Craig and I to do together. It’s one of our focuses as a couple for Lent, and we would love your help!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

xoxo

Pier & Craig

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When In Rome…

February 12, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

Why, Hello There!

We are safely back stateside dears! I know you could hear the birds begin to sing a little bit sweeter when our plane touched down on Saturday evening. 😉

What an AMAZING trip!! Craig and I are so blessed to be able to have enjoyed such an experience! You can see ALL of our pictures (well, the ones from our digital camera) here. But I’ll give you some highlights from our trip below:

Peering Into St. Peter's Square — Peering Into St. Peter’s Square

Our first day in Rome, we arrived early – as our driver from the airport moonlighted for the Italian version of NASCAR. We took back roads, crawling with traffic and mopeds at well over 90 miles per hour. We enjoyed a breakfast at a small cafe near the Vatican while we waited for our bed and breakfast to open at 10am, at which time we dropped off our luggage and took to the neighborhood for exploring while our room was made ready. The photo above was taken while peering through the huge columns surrounding St. Peter’s Square, looking in at the Basilica.

That evening, after a LONG NAP to catch up on our beauty rest, Craig and I enjoyed a DELICIOUS dinner at Renovatio La Sofitta Ristorante, which can provide ANYTHING on their extensive Italian menu in a gluten-free version!

Said Gluten-Free Pasta...Yum! — Said Gluten-Free Pasta…Yum!

We also enjoyed a night out at Saxophone Pub:

The view from our room at the B&B was spectacular at night:

Craig & I visited the AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL Vatican Museum.

I mean...That's a CEILING - and not even the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel! — I mean…That’s a CEILING – and not even the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel!

My highlight of the entire trip was our next stop: St. Peter’s Basilica. If this place didn’t make your jaw drop, well…perhaps, your soul needs a check-up. I could hardly bring myself to take any pictures. I was mesmerized.

Looking At The Altar In Saint Peter's Basilica — Looking At The Altar In Saint Peter’s Basilica

We were so blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate Mass there that evening. It was amazing. I can’t speak for my better half, but there were tears in my eyes the entire time. It was that beautiful.

We enjoyed a sushi dinner at Konnichi Wa:

Sushi In Rome: This is what happens when the Sushi Menu is in Japanese with descriptions in Italian. Actually these were DELICIOUS!

We toured the Galleria Borghese, which houses the original “David” by Bernini.

Galleria Borghese: Unfortunately, photos INSIDE are not allowed!

Until my decision to NOT wear a coat came back to bite me, we saw the ALMOST COMPLETELY OUTDOOR SITE of Castel San Angelo.

We toured Trastevere and must have walked 20 miles that day alone…It too was BEAUTIFUL!

We ate at a “fancy” ristorante called Il Viaggio (“The Journey”), and Craig thoroughly enjoyed his brandy!

My scotch wasn’t too shabby either!

We visited the Trevi Fountain and made our wishes!!!

In Trastevere, we saw St. Mary at Trastevere and prayed a very special prayer.

We also visited the Basilica of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, and my confirmation saint. It was a very special trip for me, thank you to the careful planning of my sweet husband. 🙂

If you’ve never read this amazing saint’s story, you should. And you can here.

Of course, Craig and I visited the Colosseum and the Ruins of Ancient Rome.

Absolutely breathtaking, and such an experience to be surrounded by so much culture and history. We enjoyed our busy time in Rome, and before we knew it, it was time to head back home. As our travels typically are, the trip home was an adventure, as well, and we made the 10 hour flight from Rome to Washington, D.C., and then raced through customs and the D.C. airport to make a flight back to Atlanta.

We made it!

We are now once again enjoying our little family, all home together: Craig, Pier, Daisy and Lucy – who is beginning to understand the importance of both sleeping through (most of) the night, and pottying outside. Yay! We are so blessed and so thankful for all of the many blessings we have. Please pray for continued blessings for our little family.

Tonight is C & I’s Movie & Popcorn Date Night for Mardi Gras, followed by Ash Wednesday tomorrow, and choir practice, and then Valentine’s Day – Our first as a married couple! I cannot WAIT to give C his gifts – which I had to hide (from MYSELF), so I wouldn’t break down and give them to him early. I’m horrible about that!

Happy Fat Tuesday to all of you! I hope you’ll all enjoy a big evening, before Lent begins tomorrow! Have you decided what to give up and/or add to your Christian walk?

Lots of Love,

Pier & Craig

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A Shower of Blessing

January 30, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres5 Comments

Good Evening All!

My, my, my! Craig and I are two exhausted puppies – mostly due to our OWN puppy, Little Lucy, but also because we have been busy as usual! This weekend we hosted a bridal shower for one of my best friends (and former Maid of Honor), Ashley, with my dear mother. While the girls were enjoying delicious treats and drinks, the boys enjoyed some much deserved man-time at the home of Josh & Julia – luckily Julia was able to spend some time with us girls!

I must say “Thank you!!!” to my mother for not only helping me host such a lovely shower, but also “Thank you!!” to my sweet husband for helping me clean our house and for keeping ~~Lucifer~~ Sweet Lucy entertained while I spent the evening before cooking!

It was such fun to host this shower for my longtime BFF! We are SO happy she has found true love! Craig and I wish her and JW all the happiness and blessings life has to offer!

On Sunday, Craig and I attended Mass at our new church and I think we both knew that our prayers had been answered when we left that morning. We found a new church home! I attend my first choir practice tomorrow evening, and we will be introduced at Mass on Sunday! We are so excited to have enjoyed SUCH a warm welcome from our parish family! Being involved with the Church has been something on our hearts for some time now, and at this parish, all we had to do was walk through the doors. Thank you, Jesus!

After Mass, we picked up Lucy from the pet sitter and returned home to enjoy a relaxing rest of the evening! I have to smile at the ‘picture’ in my head from Sunday night: Craig and I on the sofa, watching ‘Damages’. I have my head on his shoulder, while Lucy is in my lap and Miss Daisy is on his right hand side, snuggled up! Our whole little family in one spot. Perfect!

Well, with ROME right around the corner, I should probably begin to plan what we’re packing! We cannot WAIT to visit the Eternal City – but there is a TON to do first!!

Love Y’all!

Pier & Craig

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It Really Happened!!! There’s Proof!

January 25, 2013January 25, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres7 Comments

Our wedding photos are completed and posted for your viewing pleasure! Take a peek at: Our Shutterfly Site

Beware: There are more than 2,000 photos, so you may want to grab some popcorn and a drink first!

Enjoy!

Love,
Pier & Craig

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Ready For Rome!

January 21, 2013 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Good Afternoon All!

I apologize it’s been so long since I’ve posted! It feels like forever since I’ve given all of you an update, but we have just been insanely busy – maybe even more-so than usual!

After my Memphis excursion, I finally was able to fly on a flight flown by my husband – who, may I say as a girl who has been flying frequently since the age of 3 – accomplished the best landing I have ever experienced in a plane! The first weekend of the month, I flew with Craig to Kileen/Ft. Hood, TX. Other than go out to dinner and browse around a strip mall, we didn’t do much of anything – which was actually WONDERFUL! Time together when we don’t have anything to do is SO RARE!!

First Class...Delicious! — First Class…Delicious!

Hard To Be So Close To Craig & Yet, Unable To Talk To Him!

The Flight Back To Atlanta - Beautiful View! How Can You NOT See God In This?!?! — The Flight Back To Atlanta – Beautiful View! How Can You NOT See God In This?!?!

Of Course We Didn't Take A Picture Until The Early Morning Flight Back When I Hadn't Fixed My Hair!! :-) — Of Course We Didn’t Take A Picture Until The Early Morning Flight Back When I Hadn’t Fixed My Hair!! 🙂

The next weekend we were FINALLY able to celebrate Christmas with our Lefebvre Family in Minnesota!

It was GREAT to be able to spend a good, long weekend with family, AND to be able to see some real winter weather! (Well, this Georgia Girl thought it was pretty wintry!) I also had the opportunity to “see” more of the U.S., since we traveled to MN via both Detroit, MI & St. Louis, MO! 🙂

Beany & Jenna Playing Reindeer Games (AKA Scrabble)

And as much as everyone LOVES to take a family photo, I think these turned out REALLY well!

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and we had to head back to reality …where there IS no 4th Christmas that is celebrated in January! 😦 Instead, you have to go to work! Boo!

But…you all know Craig & I, and we can never just leave well-enough alone. So… at my husband’s request, I got a ‘New ‘Do’:

AND…

We got a puppy dog!!!

Lucy Lefebvre is the newest member of our little family, and younger sister to Miss Daisy, our kitty cat – and longtime “Only Child”…It’s been an adjustment of sleepless nights, but we are SO excited to welcome our new little addition home! Even Miss Daisy has given her nod of approval!

Well, let me end this entry and grab another cup of coffee before I fall asleep at my desk! Craig & I have been getting up during the night at the cries of our little one and taking her for several midnight strolls throughout the wee hours of the morning! We are both walking zombies!!

Wish us luck! And come visit us and the newest little member of our family!

Lots Of Sleepy Love,

Pier & Craig

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Meet Me In…Memphis

December 31, 2012December 31, 2012 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres6 Comments

Good Morning Everyone!

My my my! 2012 is not coming to an end slowly, and the end of this eventful year has not become any less eventful! Part of that may have to do with my own flightiness…but nonetheless, beginning with Friday, it has been quite the journey to end the year!

Friday evening, in Dallas, Georgia, was a rainy and stormy and COLD one (for Georgia folk anyway – 34 degrees!! Brrr!)…Sweet Craig had left that morning for work, and I got home from work, and had my peanut butter for dinner, followed by a glass of wine, and decided to sit on our front porch with the iPad to enjoy the rain, and wait for my husband’s evening call before bed. This was around 8:45pm…and Craig did indeed call around 9pm…I grabbed my glass of wine and the iPad and went to go inside for the night…to find the door locked. Not wanting Craig to worry nor to embarrass myself, I asked my husband if I could call him right back, thinking maybe the neighbors had a spare key…So here I am in my pj’s and fuzzy socks, running next door in the middle of the night, in the pouring rain and cold weather…Long story short, there was no spare key…and I had to walk back to 116 Caitlin Court with my tail between my legs…I called Craig back and explained the situation…Now, I don’t know this for sure, but I am almost positive he rolled his eyes a little and sighed, “Oh my goodness, my silly wife…” but he didn’t let me hear it if he did. 🙂

He had me check a few windows that might be open…They weren’t…I called our sweet friend Julia, who lives semi-nearby, but she didn’t answer so I texted her. Finally, Craig broke down and called the locksmith. Meanwhile, Julia called back and sweetly asked if she could help. Knowing how reliable locksmiths are, and also that (by this time) it was 9:45/10pm and she has 3 small children at home and a husband who is also a pilot and away, I thanked her profusely for calling and offering to save me, but told her that the locksmith was already on the way. I called Craig back and sat down on the bench to wait the estimated 15 minutes for the locksmith to arrive to save the day…and (another long story short) during the 2 and a half more hours I waited outside with freezing wet feet and a HUGE spider climbing the wall next to me, I was reminded of the time in February when Craig and I went camping, in the snow…I was pretty much THAT cold. LUCKILY, around 12:30AM, the locksmith arrived to let me inside. It literally took him 2 seconds.

That little fiasco ALMOST foiled my plan for Saturday…

Poor Craig had to be up SUPER early the next morning to fly to Detroit, and he of course had waited up with me until I was safely inside the house before going to sleep. I felt horrible for him, but OH SO THANKFUL I have such an amazing husband – who saved me from the freezing cold and the scary spider even from hundreds of miles away! I was awoken the next morning by a text message from my husband letting me know he was safely in Detroit at the perfect time. 🙂 We had ‘planned’ that I would try and make it on a flight to Memphis, where Craig would be ending up for a long overnight…HOWEVER, the flights were full going to Memphis and back to Atlanta, as well…So we scratched that plan…and Craig knew how tired I was (we both were) from the night before…But all along I knew I wouldn’t let a full airplane stop me from seeing my husband on my day off! 🙂

Craig’s text came at 9:30am – just enough time for me to jump out of bed and quickly pack and get ready to be on my way by 10am! The drive from Dallas, GA to Memphis, TN is right around 6 hours, and Craig was scheduled to be at his hotel around 4pm. Of course, when I got in the car, Craig called me and I had to work hard to muffle all the driving sounds, since he thought I was sitting downstairs enjoying a ~~pot~~ cup of coffee with Miss Daisy…By the time I had passed safely through Birmingham, AL, Craig had told me the flight between his arrival in Memphis and right then had been canceled, and I felt I should probably let him in on my surprise:

Craig was SO excited! 🙂 I couldn’t wait to see him in just a few more hours…

Ha! I should have remembered that my husband is a PILOT who works for the AIRLINES and that anytime you PLAN anything, it never happens as you think it should! Right, Julia? 🙂

Craig’s first plane was delayed by maintenance, so I found a Target in Memphis and decided to go shopping for a bit…Craig texted to let me know they were on their way and I disappeared into the store for about an hour. After I got back out to the car, thinking it would be time to go and pick him up at the airport in about a half hour, I got another text from Craig…there was an issue AGAIN and they couldn’t take-off…AAHH! Very frustrating and so much for newlywed romance, huh? 🙂

So…I visited Best Buy since my phone was close to dying at this point and I didn’t have a car charger…(We do now!) Then, I found a movie theater, rather close to the airport – and not in a desirable part of Memphis… – and by this time, Craig reminded me of his flight number and said they had gotten a NEW airplane, and were about to take off.

Well, I looked down at the clock in my car. 6:30pm. And I walked up to the ticket counter at the movie theater, and saw that “This Is 40” began at 7:05pm. Perfect! By the time the movie ends, Craig will be here and I will have killed 2 hours! I bought my small popcorn and small Diet Coke (STAPLES for a movie, in my opinion), and went into the theater…to find the movie halfway over… What???

OH YEAH! Memphis is in the Central time zone…and the clock in my car is on the Eastern time zone. Duh.

So, I watched the end of “This Is 40″…and then, when the movie was over, I stretched my legs in the lobby and came back to watch the beginning of the movie. About halfway through, Craig FINALLY texted to say they had safely arrived in Memphis! So I left to head to the airport to pick him up! I’m not sure what happens in the MIDDLE of “This Is 40”, but I enjoyed the beginning and the end…even in reverse order.

I picked up my husband and it was WONDERFUL to be able to spend an evening with him in the middle of a 4-Day trip!! (Even though, after we ate dinner, we were both sleeping like babies within minutes!) I took Craig back to the airport at 7am, and began my drive BACK to Dallas. My mother asked me if it was worth 12 hours of driving to be able to spend even less than that with my husband, and it absolutely was! I would have driven, flown or swam any number of miles to be able to spend any amount of time with him at all.

And so, as I await his arrival back home this afternoon, I wish all of you a very Happy New Year! We are going to celebrate with champagne, black-eyed peas and collard greens, and Mass on January 1st. I cannot wait! I can honestly say that 2012 has been the absolute best year of my life, and according to a recent tweet by my husband, he feels the same:

I have the very best husband in the whole world, and am blown away each day by how God has truly blessed us in 2012!We can only imagine what He has in store for us in 2013! We thank all of you for making this year special, and wish you all the best in 2013!

Love Love!

xoxo,
Pier & Craig