Lessons from the "Swan Princess" Movie

I watched the "Swan Princess 2" a couple of weeks ago while folding laundry. I have seen the movie before, but I was surprised after watching it how much it is filled with marriage truths. In the second movie, Odette (the Swan Princess) and Prince Derek are celebrating their first anniversary of marriage. However, Prince Derek, forgets about it....can anyone relate? 

Princess Odette is not impressed and goes on to sing a song called "The Magic of Love"

I'm sure most married couples can relate to this song, as it talks about the passion and feelings of love fading away. We start to freak out when the warm, fuzzy feelings fade away. Nevertheless, they do still love each other and work together to defeat the evil sorcerer. In the end, it is their commitment that matters. 

Marriage transforms love from something on the surface to a very deep love that is committed for life. True enough, it sure doesn't feel good at first when it seems like your marriage is nothing but cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, making dinner, getting to work on time, paying the bills, fixing the toilet seat, and turning off your wife's hair straightener when she forgets. Life gets busy and seems to take over the time you once had and thought you would always have.

But it doesn't have to stop there. I am determined (as Josh already knows) to keep our marriage strong and firmly grounded in faith. I want us to be able to stay connected during the busy times. It is very important, even if the fuzzy feelings fade away. It certainly isn't easy, and Josh and I definitely mess up from time to time. We are learning to forgive and forget. We are learning to be patient with one another. We are learning that things don't always go according to plan. And it's OKAY.

Speaking of forgiveness, Derek sings a song in the third Swan Princess movie that I sure many men can relate to...

"Because I Love Her"

This song actually makes me tear up because I know this is how Josh feels about me. I know I am not always the easiest person to please or get along with, but he forgives me because he loves me. Thank the Lord that I have such a forgiving man.

Who would have thought that the Swan Princess could hold such wisdom...most Princess movies don't show the couples' lives after Happily Ever After. 

And just for fun...a video about After Happily Ever After for some of the Disney Princesses:

(Warning: Mature adult material presented)

Spring is Here!

It is 60 degrees in Colorado Springs, and it has been a beautiful day! At 7 am it was already 40 degrees, and I was so excited to see how warm it would get. We have been having a lot of snow in the Springs lately, but I have been yearning for spring. I can't wait to run outside, go on picnics, take a hike, and have barbecues. 

I have also wanted spring to come for other reasons. Since moving to Colorado Springs, I have felt like I was under the dark cloud of winter emotionally. I felt cold inside. I felt hurt and afraid because of all of the change going around me (I would never suggest to any newlywed couple that they should get married, move to a completely new place, and start jobs all within the same season). In the last few weeks, God has been giving me more and more peace about living in the Springs. He has brought us great friends, helped us settle in, and opened up many doors of opportunity for us. 

However, things are still hard sometimes. Josh and I are still getting used to each other as husband and wife. Job stress has been a huge thing on our table. Josh is trying to make his project work, and I am trying to secure a job this month. There are still ups and downs. There are still things being thrown at us. Nevertheless, I am filled with a joy I have not felt in a few years. I feel God working. Even when things feel really BAD, I still feel God's presence and His love. I didn't sleep very well last night because my mind was racing from all of the stress, but I woke up this morning thinking, "I am alive! God has given me another day to live life to the fullest! I will praise him for the breath I have in my lungs." Thinking this takes away all of the hurt, the anxiety, the wearniess. I am at last filled with HIS JOY! Spring has finally arrived in my soul!

I was born in the spring, so I have a bias towards this season. Here are the reasons I love spring:

MY Birthday of course!

The sunshine

The fresh grass and flowers growing

Easter! A holiday that should be the most celebrated!

Wearing T-shirts and shorts

Pastel colors

Mother's Day

Spring Break!!!

Gardening

Picnics

Tractors planting

Hearing the birds chirping

I have decided to start a garden this spring on my (tiny) porch. I am ambitious, but I have always been that way--even unrealistically optimistic. I want to have herbs, vegetables, and flowers. 

This is what I would like my garden to look like:

This is probably what it will look like:

HA! HA!

No, I really do think I will do alright. I got the help of Hannah Clark while she was visiting us in February, and she is a pro! I have been reading a book called Apartment Gardening by Amy Pennington. It is awesome! If you are thinking about starting an apartment garden, you should check out this book. It gives you practical tips on everything, from what and when to plant, what size of pots you will need, how to harvest, when to harvest, and how to do it CHEAP. 

I will post pictures of my garden when I get it started. Happy SPRING!

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

Psalm 126:5

the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 65:13

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

Psalm 71:23

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalm 84:2