Random Ramblings

1. I have always had a problem with blushing when put on the spot. Even better? Blushing on command. Thanks to Dr. Strobel, there are many times during rounds when: a. the chicken dance is brought up or; b. he turns to me and says, "Megan, blush.......NOW!" And I do it. Embarassing? Yes. I just call it the utmost form of respect for my superior.

2. You can't always take things literally. Brad and I were cooking a few nights ago and I was warming tortillas in a skillet. He says, "Real Mexicans heat them directly on the burner." So, in trying my best to be authentic in our Mexican food cooking, I put the torilla on the burner. Result? A tortilla that started smoking and ended up with a nice charred set of concentric circles on it.

3. I'm not perfect. Shocker, huh? I am completely type A and love things to be in complete order. I have a daily morning routine and I would honestly rather wake up 15 minutes early to perform that routine than sleep in and grab breakfast on the go. The attempt to be perfect, however, bites me in the bum often. Because when you try to reach perfection, you're let down much to often. I should probably try and lower some of my standards or expectations and then the let down wouldn't hurt as badly. But is that fair? I don't know. I'm learning as I go.

4. I have dreams. Dreams that may never be fulfilled. I dream for a really good camera so that one day I might take really good pictures. I dream of becoming a mom. A mom of two kids, one boy, one girl and that those children will be perfect little angels. I dream of having time to work, play, finish my scrapbooks and raise my children without being exhausted. I dream of owning our own house. One that has a huge kitchen, cozy fireplace, lots of land and (these are per Brad) two garages -- one to park our Maserati in, the other to "build stuff -- and an underground wine cellar.

New Year's Resolutions

Well, the new year is in full swing and because you're supposed to make resolutions, here they are:

1. Be less busy. Last year, I honestly think we had a total of THREE weekends when I was off work and we had NOWHERE to be. We spent a lot of time in the car traveling to some place to plan the wedding, visit family, watch football, etc. Either way, we spent that time together, but it was exhausting for us both. So, this year? More free weekends. But don't plan any visits to see us anytime soon because our weekends are full through February ;)

2. Run more. Brad has always trumped me here, but the plan is for me to join him everyday I'm off. So far, not too shabby. Now that I have running shoes that actually fit, I'm doing better. Did I tell you that the shoe "expert" fit me into an 11.5?!?! I thought I was going to cry when I bought the pair of 11s. But a half size even larger?!? Expert, schmexpert. I'm up to [almost] three miles without too many issues. I'm still battling the self-diagnosed exercise-induced asthma attacks when my lungs decide to fail me, but my inhaler has come in handy. The GOAL: 10K in February; half-marathon before the year ends.

3. More Bible study. We started a Nearlywed/Newlywed Sunday School at church last year that is intended to be a one-year study/commitment. We've already attender for 14 months, but missed about half of the lessons because, well, see number 1. I've also started a weekly women's study at the church and am really focused on being the best God-honoring wife I can be. Not as easy as one would think.

4. Pay off debt. Ideally, we would like to be debt-free by the end of the year. Realistically, we will hope to pay off half our debt. Brad and I are both VERY blessed with good-paying jobs and are learning how to spend it appropriately. 10% to savings, 10% to the Church and the rest to live and pay Sallie Mae.

We love being married, but I think as many couples do, we are learning things about ourselves and each other we never knew before. As our Bible study teacher said last week, we have need buckets that we're expecting our new mate to fill and fill and fill until it's spilling over. These expectations are not met and we begin the "poor, pitiful me that needs more from him/her" attitude that can become detrimental to a marriage. Instead of seeing our mate as the cup to fill our bucket, we should see him/her as the sponge that squeezes itself dry (until it recharges) trying to put some drops of water into the bucket. And instead of asking them to squeeze a little bit harder next time, we should be thankful that they're squeezing at all. Instead of focusing on our needs being completely met by some imperfect human, we need to focus on the One that can meet our needs His way and not the way we think they should be met. So the last goal is to grow stronger together in the arms of a God that knows us better than we will ever know ourselves.

Blessings to you in 2009!
B&M

Happy 2009!

Well, we made it through a crazy and exciting year in 2008. Around the time of New Year's, you hear so much about things people want to change, resolutions they've made (and will abandon by March) and goals that they have. However, you never really hear much about the year that just went by. So, my favorite things of 2008?

JANUARY

My return to the slopes...

We also took engagement pictures and some really awesome family pictures with the Littekens!

FEBRUARY

Technically, I found it in January, but I bought my wedding dress in the month of love!

MARCH

Rodeo fun with the girls (and boys)!

APRIL

(No pictures here, but we celebrated Brad's last birthday in his 20s ;))

MAY

Breanna, my second neice, was born!

JUNE

We had so much fun at our engagement party hosted by the Duncans and Fittses. I also was able to go on Beach Retreat as a volunteer nurse with SBC. Brad and I enjoyed some time with old friends at Leslie and Travis's wedding, too!

JULY

(Again, no pictures, but we did a LOT of traveling around Texas and registering for the wedding)

AUGUST

DENVER! And of course, the start of an abysmal football season.

SEPTEMBER

The start of our wedding showers! And more crappy football.

OCTOBER

More showers and football, but more importantly, Callum Ray Taylor was introduced to the world!

NOVEMBER
(This is when we actually met Cal)

Can't forget about Thanksgiving with the Fischers and the last few days before the "I Do"s

DECEMBER

Do I really have to say it? We got MARRIED!!!

Don't forget NYC and spending time with BOTH families for Christmas!

So yes, God was SO good to us in 2008. We were blessed with new members of each family, fun times with friends, making of new friends, plenty of safe travel all over the state and country and the sacred covenant of being united in His love for the rest of our lives! We loved every minute of it and can't wait to see what 2009 has in store!