Jen Russum

Six months and counting…

January 11, 2011

Today, Micah and I have been married for six months. We have never been anniversary people. We dated in high school and when other young couples were putting gifts in each other's lockers in honor of their seven month anniversary, Micah and I weren't even sure when we actually started dating. Even when we dated again after college, there were no special dates on the calendar. We aren't heartless... we just never took the time to figure out the whole anniversary thing. But now we have a real anniversary (the kind you get freebies at restaurants for), July 11th, and today is six months past that date. We actually celebrated this weekend in the midst of all the BCS Championship mayhem in Scottsdale. And since it's been a full six months since our wedding day, I thought it might be time to FINALLY post a few wedding pictures. The pics are good. Really good. Because our photographer, Alex, is AMAZING. And if you think the pictures are amazing too (which I know you will), I will let you in on a little secret... this was her first wedding shoot. Seriously. A rookie... but definitely Rookie of the Year. She also does engagement shoots, family shoots, babies, you name it. In fact, here is a peak at one of our awesome engagment shots... And Alex grows more and more fabulous as she gains experience. I kind of consider myself her PR agent, so if you like what you see, please contact her. To see her site, click here. She is based out of Seattle, but she can fly to you and make you look awesome in photographs for any occasion. Here are just a few of our faves from the big day: ... Read more

Giving Thanks With My Whole Heart

January 10, 2011

In my uncertainty over what to read next in Scripture, I have turned back to the ever-faithful Psalms and Proverbs this past week. I have been slowing down the pace, just reading a Psalm a day, and about half a chapter of Proverbs. I love these books - comforting meditations and praises in the Psalms, timeless wisdom in Proverbs. My uncertainty has also led me to more prayer... instead of trying to figure out a reading plan of my own, I turned to the Father last week and asked Him to reveal to me what He would like me to read and how He would like me to learn His Word this year. I am still waiting to see what He reveals and until then I am soaking up these Psalms... "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you: I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." - Psalm 9:1-2 Here are some things I am thankful for today: A small kitchen. Yes, someday I dream of having a big beautiful kitchen with hardwood or tile floors, lots of cabinent and counter space, and plenty of room to hosts lots of friends. But today my small kitchen seems just right. I take fewer than two steps to make my latte in the morning. No steps to the fridge, which is right next to my beloved espresso machine, one and a half steps to the sink behind me to wash my dishes. The whole process takes less than five minutes and minimal movement. Our kitchen is just right for newlyweds, and I feel blessed by it. Speaking of my espresso machine, I am also thankful for these sweet girls who pitched in and bought it for me as a wedding gift. Living with these girls last year was such a sweet season of life, and I am so thankful that I got to spend my last months before getting married with them. And I am very excited that a few of them are coming to visit this weekend! And that leads me to marriage. I am so thankful for my husband, for his love for me and the way he leads and provides for our family. He is busy at work right now, and he is so good at his job. I am so proud of him. And, finally, I am thankful for my health today. With the Phoenix half-marathon quickly approaching this next weekend, I am so thankful for legs that can run and a heart that can pump. I am not a fast runner by any means, but I feel blessed that God gave me the endurance and discipline to complete my training, and I am so thankful that as I approach 30 (okay, it's still a year and half away, but still....) I am probably in the best overall shape of my life. What are you thankful for today??? ... Read more

Groupon

January 8, 2011

It's official... I finally bought my first Groupon today. I have been a Groupon member for a couple of months now, but nothing has struck my interest until today. I somehow missed the $25 for a $50 gift certificate to Nordstrom Rack day... I would have been all over that. I briefly considered buying Micah a three-hour grilling class for $49 as a stocking stuffer, but we were trying to cut back on Christmas spending this year, and he still hasn't used the Weber's Way to Grill cookbook that I got him in the fall. (Mental note: re-establish Micah's once-a-week cooking night this semester...) So today is the day. I finally broke down and bought a Groupon to a little indie ice cream shop in North Scottsdale. It's called Sweet Republic and I have been wanting to go there for months now. This place was recommended to me by my best friend's sister. Tamara lived in Phoenix for a short stint this past summer and the one place she said I HAD to go to when I moved here was Sweet Republic. In fact, I have tried to go to Sweet Republic already. Like invite another couple over, put the address in the GPS, and start driving north up Scottsdale Road tried to go there. But somehow this little dessert date night took an unexpected detour to some resort off Scottsdale Road where we listened to a band play in the lobby and ate overpriced appetizers on the patio. I have to say it was a cool resort and I would love to go back there and stay the night in one of their amazing bungalows, but it didn't satisfy my ice cream craving that night (a craving I have most nights, let's be honest). So now there is no excuse and there shall be no detours. I have a Groupon for $5 for $10 worth of ice cream at Sweet Republic. Ice cream craving soon-to-be-fulfilled. ... Read more