Our First Anniversary

To be able to even type that post title is as much a miracle to me as any other part of our love story. Not because I had any doubt we'd make it to the one year mark...but because there were so many days when I wondered if I'd ever even have a love story. To be one year on the other side of that beautiful day is such an answer to years of prayers.  Ryan and I have enjoyed this weekend, celebrating together, and it sure has been a far cry from the scenery of a year ago!

Today I want to honor our first anniversary by sharing with you some of my favorite memories and photos of that day. And I want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have walked beside us in this first year. We've loved having you as part of our life - whether our in-person life or our blog life! Thanks for joining us!

One year ago today at 7:00 a.m., this was our view as we sat in the same sand where we'd later stand to pledge our lives for each other. GORGEOUS sunrise. Coffee, prayer, Scripture reading, foot-washing, gift-exchanging...a perfect start to our wedding day.

Seeing myself for the first time, completely made up as a bride. I felt beautiful, prepared, and worthy. This moment right here, I will never ever forget.

Our first look - in a gazebo just outside the resort where we stayed. People were circling all around us taking pictures {which we wanted!!} but I never saw them. I only saw Ryan. I loved the look in his eyes so much - as he saw me as his bride and I saw him as my groom.

Dad seeing me for the first time in my bridal gown. He cried. I cried. And dozens of YOU cried when you saw this picture. It is indeed one of my most favorite pictures of the entire day.

Telling Ryan my Dad was going to walk me down the aisle. One of the most sacred moments of the day. That tear was the final one in many tear-soaked prayers over that request.

That silly iced tea was the "Where's Waldo" of our wedding pictures. It showed up in many candid ones. I also find my parents in the background watching this exchange MOST hilarious.

I love this moment. Walking on Dad's arm toward Ryan was the answer to more years of prayers than you even know. PS - walking into the sun and offering a genuine smile is REALLY hard.

Listening to Ryan's recorded song for me was my biggest surprise for the day - and a BEAUTIFUL way to start our ceremony.

Reading my vows to Ryan...a moment I ALMOST got through without crying....

Feeling that ring slip onto my finger....I cannot describe that moment.

Our first kiss as husband and wife. Best kiss ever!!

The first time I ever walked barefoot on the beach at sunset with my husband. So happy, I couldn't even stand it.

My wedding day dance. A dance for two on a deserted beach - with the faint sound of Jeremy Camp singing "My Desire" - we played it on Ryan's phone. It was perfect.

Ryan leading in prayer at our reception. One of my favorite moments.

Enough said. :)

Thank you - to ALL of you who made the trek to Florida to join us this day. Thank you to ALL of you who joined us in prayer from afar on this day. And thank you to ALL of you who have been part of our lives - in whatever capacity - as we navigated our first year of marriage.

God.  Is.  Good.

Ryan...thank you for making this past year so full of fun...so full of love...and so full of memories. I have loved every day we spent together, and I've loved being important to you. You've changed my life in the most beautiful of ways. Thank you for patience and grace on the days when I just flat out fail as a wife. Thank you for encouraging me, calling me beautiful, and working hard to provide for us. Thank you for being a picture of God's love for me. Thanks for sacrificing, for taking me on dates, for encouraging me to pursue my passions, for dreaming with me, and making my dreams come true. Thanks for pushing me to be more than I think I can be...for talking through hard situations with me...and for leading us in a Godly way. Thank you for making me laugh and holding me when I cry. I love you so much.

365 days down, forever to go.

You're the only one I want to spend it with.


Rebekah + Ryan from Visual Effects by Seth on Vimeo.

The Shafferland Shuffle

One year ago today {if you go by day of the week} - we were standing on the beach in Florida, saying I DO!! Can you believe it's been a whole year?? We feel blessed.  Here's a recap of what we did in our last week of our first year of marriage!

* Last Sunday, I went to a baby shower for Ryan's sister, Lori, who is having a baby boy in just a few weeks! {Yes, this does make us the only married couple in his family not having a baby.} It was such a nice shower...beautifully decorated and she got so many nice gifts!

* Monday was a VERY exciting day - as WE FINISHED MY BATHROOM!!!!! I was so blessed excited! Ryan got it all finished up and I got to move everything in. Looks so great compared to what it was before. Best of all - we met our goal of finishing our renovations before our first anniversary!

* Tuesday, I was honored that Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep shared my blog post from last week on their Facebook page! I appreciated that! And in OTHER exciting Shafferland news from Tuesday...I GOT MY CAR BACK!!!! After a week and a half in the shop, it's back in my possession. It sounds and runs like a new car...so let's hope it thinks it IS a new car.

* Wednesday I only worked a half day, but Ryan had to work the whole day. So while he was busy, I took some time to put the finishing touches on my anniversary gift for him. I went to the store for a card - and was crying in the card aisle as I purchased my first ever anniversary card. {For a whole-year anniversary. I have bought several for our month-to-month anniversaries.} What an answer to prayer!

* Thursday was our Thanksgiving celebration - first with my family and then with one of Ryan's families. SO MUCH FOOD!!! It really was a truly lovely day - to just get to sit and enjoy, to laugh, to make memories. I appreciated it! When we came home, we watched a movie and some football. A great first, official, married Thanksgiving together!

* Friday night we headed to Indianapolis to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree on Monument Circle. I haven't gone to a lighting of the tree since I was probably a third grader, and Ryan had never been. We thought it might be a fun thing to see! We went early to get a good seat and ended up being outside for about 3 hours! Crazy cold, but a fun night anyway - and I've got good pictures to show you!!

* Last night, Ryan offered me the ultimate sacrifice of love {smile}: he took me to a Gaither concert!! It was my first time to go to a Christmas homecoming concert - and it was his first EVER Gaither anything. He is indeed a man in love. And I melt. The concert was four hours long and was SO GOOD! Can't wait to show you more pictures. But of course....

The Saturday Six

One.

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Jessica Bruno at Four Generations/One Roof posted about their bathroom renovation...with a hint of blue Christmas. The makeover itself is beautifully astounding. But the subtle Christmas touches are...stunning. Well done, Jessica. Less really can be more.

Two.

On a slightly UNDERSTATED decorating note, I happened upon these cute little magnets when we were grocery shopping last week. They were a dollar each. Who can't use a little R and B on the fridge for a dollar a pop? I just think it's funny that our initials are R and B.

Three.

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I don't know how she does it...that KariAnne...but she has a way of sharing so many gorgeous pictures, while telling a totally unrelated story...and it all WORKS!!! I know Thanksgiving is technically over, but check out this story she told on her blog this week - which actually made me cry - and while you're there, drool over the classy decor pictures.... 

Four.

SkyePuppy and Barb - this one is for you!! My precious cat {insert "look" here} learned many, many years ago how to flush the toilet. I tried many things in vain to get her to quit, and nothing worked - EXCEPT the onion holder. The Tupperware onion holder! We took it off the toilet during our renovations because - well, it's unsightly. And the other night, that girl climbed right up on the toilet and had a flushing party. Onion holder is back.  

Five.

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Oh man. I hate it when I realize I'm missing an ingredient I need. Check out this massive substitution list. You know - for when you're missing things like self-rising flour or buttermilk.  

Six.

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Perhaps I'm feeling sentimental on this weekend that is my first anniversary...but I ran across this blog post with a BRILLIANT idea for an outdoor wedding. What's the one thing you can't have at an outdoor wedding? Center aisle doors. Didn't bother me one bit to NOT experience those doors being thrown wide open, but if if would have...this would have been the perfect solution.  

Thankfulness, Day 30: And as a final bit of thankfulness for this month...what if you thanked someone who gave you permission to...(Fill in the blank.) Permission to feel...to try...to grieve...to do something you needed or wanted to do but wouldn't have without their extra push. Tell them thanks! 

A Pinteresting November

Well after being a Pinterest FAIL in October, I managed to give life to some of the inspirations I found this month! So here you go!

Spicy Sausage Pasta Dish

Found this one on my sister's Pinterest board, and she said everyone in their family loved it. That was good enough for me to try! I made it - it was easy, it was filling, it was flavorful, it was comforting, and it warmed over well. Translation = KEEPER. {Note: we did use regular lowfat milk instead of the heavier cream it called for. Tasted fine.} Here was my Pinspiration. 

White Chicken Chili

I wanted another good soup recipe, so when I stumbled across this white chicken chili recipe, I decided to give it a try. WE LOVED IT. We did make it using Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream and regular lowfat milk in place of the heavier cream. Ryan loved, loved, loved this one. Here was my Pinspiration.  

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

No, you can't see the card yet...but we did use some Pinterest poses as inspirations for our photo shoot!  Here are some of my favorites:

Here was my Pinspiration for the first one:

Here was my Pinspiration for the second one:

Mantel Decoration

I loved this idea for painting on little votive jars. I did mine just slightly differently than she did, but I loved the result just the same. Mine say "Grateful" rather than "thanks." Perfect low-cost, low-stress craft project! Here was my Pinspiration. 

 Thanksgiving, Day 29: Every week when our trash and recycling guys show up, I am VERY THANKFUL for them. I can't imagine facing the extreme hot and cold on the back of the trucks to haul heavy, smelly trash and recycling. And I bet no one ever thanks them - but they probably hear a few complaints when things don't go right. What if we thanked someone who does a thankless job?

Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings on Me

When I thought about what to write for today's post - I kept coming back to a southern gospel song I learned when I was a kid - Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings on Me.

Sometimes I'm just a really messed up girl. I freak out over stupid stuff, I worry needlessly, and some days I wonder how Ryan - and God - put up with me. But oh how thankful I am that they both do.


So today I'm taking the lyrics of the chorus to that song and offering my thanks for the beautiful, undeserved blessings God has given me.

There's a roof up above me....I've a good place to sleep....

I'm so thankful {though it has nearly been our undoing at times} for our home, which in our eyes is comfortable, cozy, warm, and beautiful. I'm thankful for Ryan and all his hard work to transform so many rooms into something even more functional and more beautiful than they ever were before. I'm thankful, especially in light of last week's tornadoes, that I still have a home that is relatively unaffected by the wind.

Blessed, indeed. Every time I look around the home we've created together. Thank you, Lord.

There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.

Obviously we do not go hungry, and I know there are many throughout the world who do not have that luxury, so I'm thankful for a life that doesn't cause me to worry about food - but I'm also thankful for more than just mere food on the table. I'm thankful to have a husband to prepare food for. I'm thankful for a husband who also loves to cook and will spend time in the kitchen with me, helping me prepare the food. I'm thankful for the mornings he's brought me breakfast in bed, or stood outside in the cold to grill dinner. I'm thankful for a reason to stand in the kitchen at 6 in the morning and pack lunches for two. I'm thankful for friends who want to come over and share a meal with us, so I can plan and prepare a meal to entertain. I'm thankful for money {and a plethora of gift cards!} that allows us to enjoy dates out on the town and take a break from cooking. God has provided above and beyond....

You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family.

How THANKFUL I am for God's love, His grace, His patience, His teaching to my heart, His presence...all of it. This year has been a time of learning, adjustment, and enjoyment, and He's led every step of the way, and I'm so thankful. And I can't NOT talk about my family...the family I was born into has stepped up to support me in ways that just blew me away this past year. They sacrificed to help Ryan and I begin our life together, and I'm so thankful. And I married into a wonderful family, too. I'm thankful for a whole host of new people who have welcomed me warmly. And of course...Ryan. The one God sent to allow me to have a family of my own. The two of us make the family I've always dreamed of having. {Well, and let's not forget Braeya. She's family too.} Thank you, Lord!!

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me!




Thankfulness, Day 28: Even though the magic of Facebook and Twitter let us stay in contact with people more than we ever did before...there are still people we end up not talking to forever. Not on purpose. Just happens. Who haven't you talked to in over a year? Let them know today you've not forgotten them and you're THANKFUL for them!!