The Applegates

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Marriage... my call to sainthood.

I can still remember the look on his face and the tears in his eyes as I walked down the isle towards him. It's hard to believe that a year has passed since I was rushing out of the house in the pouring rain trying to make it to the church on time. I remember being overwhelmed when I heard my flowers would not be arriving because the florist was flooded in and could not make it out of her driveway. I remember my bridesmaids circling around me to pray and reminding me that nothing else mattered except the man waiting for me at the alter. I remember Father John telling me how beautiful I looked and praying a special blessing over me before I left the bride's room. My memories continue through the Mass and into the evening; surrounded by all of my family and loved ones. It was a day that was better than anything I could have dreamed of and filled with more love than one can put into words.

There are no earthly guarantees when you approach that alter. No guarantee for a life of riches or comfort. No guarantee for perfect health or perfect children. No guarantee that there won't be difficult days and moments of frustration. Instead there are promises you make to one another. Vows to love in times of sickness and health, for richer or poorer. Vows to honor and love each other for the rest of our lives. This is serious stuff and I love the intensity that it demands from us. This vocation calls us to die to self for love of the other. Marriage isn't suppose to be easy because becoming a saint isn't easy. Marriage is filled with trials and struggle, but at the same time overflowing with love, laughter, and copious amounts of joy! This last year has been an incredible time of loving, listening, forgiving, asking, laughing, crying, dancing, reminding, and continuing to push one another towards heaven. God has reminded me that He wants me to be a saint. He wants me to be purified, humbled, and open to receiving His grace. And marriage is how He plans to do it. I am humbled and overwhelmed that God has given me Josh and that I am forever his bride.

To celebrate this first year, Josh and I decided to spend a night in Denver and a night in Estes Park. Josh received a generous gift card for a steak restaurant in Denver that we've been saving for a special occasion, so we decided this was the perfect opportunity. We went to our hotel early to use the roof top pool and then get ready for dinner. The steaks we had were probably some of the best steaks we've ever eaten in our lives. This is a big deal... we are from Texas and we both grew up on steaks, so we know a good one when we taste it!

The next day we made our way to Estes Park to play for the day and then stay the night at the historic Stanley Hotel. Josh and I played three dollar put put, and laughed until I cried. It was seriously hysterical joking back and forth and Josh taking ridiculous pictures of my protruding belly as I leaned over to put. It was probably one of the best dates we've had and it was only six dollars! After that we went to the local fishing hole to kill some time before we could check into our hotel room. Again, there was more laughter as we used this terrible little fishing pole that Josh and I couldn't cast to save our life. To make matters more interesting, we didn't catch anything, and it was a stocked pond. Needless to say it was quite the adventure and really fun to be outdoors with the beautiful views of Estes.

That evening we walked around the town, went out to get a pizza, and ate dinner in our hotel room. Then we sat out on the big beautiful patio that wraps around the front of the Stanley and ate chocolate covered strawberries and sipped on a bottle of wine that Josh gave me on our wedding day. It was perfect. We topped off the night at the Stanley Hotel bar where Josh was given six different whiskey tastings, some of the best he has ever tried. If you know my husband, you know his love of whiskey, so this was an extra special treat for him!

The next day we packed a picnic lunch and went to one of the nearby lakes in Estes to enjoy the mountain views and our final hours of the anniversary trip. Josh made friends with a few of the chipmunks who were very happy he was willing to share our loaf of bread with them. It was a wonderful afternoon and a perfect ending to the perfect getaway.

Here are a few of the pictures from the trip, hope you enjoy!

Love,

Josh, Lisa, and Baby Apples

Sitting poolside at our hotel... roof top pool!

Anniversary dinner at Elway's Restaurant

One of our wedding gifts was a personalized bottle of champaign to share on our first anniversary.... I took little sips :)

Breakfast at Snooze before heading to Estes Park

Love the whisky... especially when is local!

Showing Josh who is boss when it comes to put put...

And then he got a hole in one...

Fishing... my 34 week belly in all its glory :)

checking out the historical info on the Stanley Hotel

Josh jammin out at a local Estes coffee shop.... I could listen to him all day.

On the porch of the Stanley Hotel, enjoying the views and...

the chocolate covered strawberries....so good!

the front view of the Stanley. It is really a beautiful hotel.

We decided to wake up at 5:30am the next morning to catch the sunrise over the mountains.

It was beautiful...

... and definitely worth waking up for.

One of Josh's new friends.

Our picnic view... life is good!

At the lake enjoying our picnic.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Fourth of July, Surprise visits, and Baby's Room

It's hard to believe that July is already here! It seems like yesterday Josh and I found out we were pregnant, and now we are entering into the home stretch!

It's fun living in a smaller city when it comes to holidays like the Fourth of July. The whole city comes out for the parade, and there are kids everywhere! We are living in the perfect community to raise a family. In as much as Fort Collins is a college town, it is also family oriented and kid friendly. Our dear friends, the Leyendeckers, invited us to go to the Fourth of July parade in Old Town. We all piled into their suburban, picked up some coffee along the way, and made our way to the 'finish line' of the parade. This was the first year that Fort Collins organized a Fourth of July parade, so it was a bit unorganized and there was definitely some timing issues as we waited for each float to make its appearance. Never the less, it was lots of fun to go with the kids and watch them enjoy the festivities.

Lisa Leyendecker is 6 weeks ahead of me in pregnancy, so it has been fun sharing the joys and difficulties of pregnancy with a friend in Fort Collins. We are really blessed with the friendship of Lisa and her husband John. John is the FOCUS Team Director for Colorado State University, so he and Josh work closely in building the campus ministry program at Blessed John XXIII. John and Josh are two peas in a pod, which is a good thing because these two are always together!

After the parade, Josh and I went down to Denver to see some of our Denver friends and have diner at the Nepil's house. Fr. John Nepil is the priest that married Josh and I, so seeing him is always a treat! Spending the evening laughing with good friends and taking joy in stories and good food made for the perfect ending to another wonderful Fourth of July.

Josh told Lisa and I to 'look pregnant' in this photo, to which I replied, "Josh, this is as good as it gets!" ... Love my husband :)

Four of the six Leyendecker kids

Number 5 is sweet little Lucy. We love these kids!

Looking patriotic :)

our little one

33 1/2 weeks along

About a month ago I received a facebook message that one of my dear college friends, Chris Kellerman, was spending a month in Denver as part of his Jesuit Novitiate. The last time I saw Chris was when I left Lubbock in 2010. It's been a joy to share our vocation stories with one another and to see where the Lord has taken each of us in these past three years. When Chris first entered the novitiate, Josh had just proposed to me. Now as Josh and I await the arrival of our little girl in August, Chis will be taking his first vows. I'm grateful he was able to make the trip up to Fort Collins for dinner, and that he was finally able to meet Josh. I am so proud of this man for following God's call and I'm so blessed to have him as a friend!

In other news, we are finally finished with the baby's room! It feels incredible to know that we have a little space just for her and we are ready to welcome her home whenever she decides to arrive. Preparing the room was really fun since we bought everything off Craig's List, garage sales, and resale shops. My favorite part of her room is the large crucifix above her crib. I know it will be a good reminder for me when I'm tired, when I've changed a million dippers, and when the baby just won't stop crying. This is my calling, my vocation. Motherhood. Christ constantly reminds me that I am called to die to myself, especially in these remaining weeks of pregnancy. I can't wait to hold her, to see her little face for the first time, and to share her name with the rest of the world. :)

We decided on a vintage turquoise look, and I love the way it turned out!

He gave me a smile for this picture.. but he was definitely ready to have the crib finished at this point!

This last picture was taken at my going away work party. At least I thought it was a going away party until I walked in the door and saw the decorations! Josh had no idea, because the staff ladies were smart and decided to keep it a secret from him as well. It was a lovely party with food, gifts, and fellowship. I am extremely blessed to have worked at this parish for three years, and I will miss being in the office with such a wonderful staff. God is good and we are excited for the adventure ahead!

Love,

Josh, Lisa, and Baby Apples

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Steubenville Rockies, 31 weeks pregnant, and another year older!

Steubenville Rockies 2013

Steubenville Rockies was my final event as the youth minister for Blessed John XXIII. We were blessed to hire a new youth minister that same week, so Patricia was able to come with us and spend time bonding with the teens. The weekend was a blast! We started the weekend off with a dodge ball tournament / sleep out with other Archdiocesan parishes on Thursday evening. Although we didn't win the tournament, the teens had a blast playing ball and camping out with all the other teens.

The Steubenville Conference is always a sweet reminder that our young church is alive and active. Joining over 2,400 teens to celebrate the Mass, worship in Adoration, and experience the healing of reconciliation is pretty powerful. I have to say my favorite part of the weekend was the small group time I spent with the girls that were in my first Bible study 3 years ago. These young woman have matured in their walk with Christ and it's been a privilege to see their love for the Lord flourish over the years. It is truly a humbling responsibility to lead and teach teens about the faith of our Church. I love these teens as if they were my own, and I'm so thankful that I will still be in Fort Collins to help out with youth ministry in the coming years.

26 Years for Me and 31 Weeks for Her

Sunday of the Steubenville conference was also my birthday. It was great to end the long weekend with a dinner at Texas Road House with the love of my life. Josh spoiled me with a birthday manicure/pedicure, a Duck Commander-Uncle Si tea cup, and a framed photo for the baby's room. It was great! I think one of the best birthday gifts was carrying around our sweet little girl all day and feeling her move. It reminded me that 26 years ago my mom chose life for me. She chose to carry me for 9 months and then spend the next 26 years loving and supporting me. I now have the same opportunity to carry and love this little girl with the same compassion that my parents continually pour over me. I'm so blessed to have parents that spent the last 26 years preparing me to be a mom, just by being an example of incredible parents.... I love you mom and dad!

Enjoy the pictures from the Steubenville Conference!

Love,

The Applegates

With my wonderful chaperones

Adoration on Saturday evening

My senior girls

The NEW YOUTH MINISTER, Patricia!

(31 weeks pregnant and 26 years old!)

Celebrating Mass with Archbishop Aquila

Group photo with all my teens... so blessed!

Love this lady, fellow youth minister, Shannon Gunning

Meg and Shannon... thankful for such wonderful friends!

Grand Canyon Family Vacation

Well I am clearly still behind on my blog posts since this one is from our trip to Phoenix at the end of May. The whole Applegate family traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate David's (Josh's oder brother) graduation from podiatry school. Diane and Phil (Josh's parents) were kind enough to rent a large house for all of us to stay in together. It was really special to spend so much quality time with everyone and share meals together.

Being 27 weeks pregnant at the time, I was so thankful to have a pool to lounge in during the hot afternoons. I don't think I've ever experienced heat like Arizona heat. I'm pretty sure the sun was blazing by 6am and going strong until 8pm. Josh and I went for a few runs while we were there, and my goodness I was about ready to die after only 20 minutes. I literally spend the whole afternoon in the pool, even if I was the only one out there. It was the perfect way to beat the heat. :)

We really enjoyed watching Dave receive his hood and walk across the stage to receive his diploma. A very proud moment for all of us. Even his niece, Baby Apples, was kidding with excitement when David received the diploma! It also provided a great opportunity to get some family photos. With grandparents getting older and a new baby on the way, Josh and I are taking every opportunity to get pictures with grandparents. The Saturday after graduation we decided to pack up and head to the Grand Canyon. I went to the Grand Canyon when I was in high school on the way back from a Steubenville Conference, but it was fun to go with Josh and experience the beauty together. It was a great day filled with beautiful sights and lots of pictures!

This is probably the most picture filled blog post yet! Hope you enjoy! They are a bit out of order, but I need to move on the the next blog post, so hope you don't mind the out of order sequence. :)

Love,

The Applegates