On Wisconsin

Mark's first time at Camp Randall...

We mixed some of his favorite things together to come up with this weekend. Travel to someplace new, college football, our 6 month wedding anniversary and oh yes, me his wife. I agreed to go back to my alma mater (2 times in the making - English Degree and Education Degree) and have the memories of going to football games completely wash over me.

Who was that woman? In a sorority, hardly focused on her academics, so insecure, so unsure, so directionless. She NEVER would have guessed that she'd be back in Madison with this whole new life, new outlook.

One of the surprises was certainly that the Badgers played their worst game in 30+ years losing to Penn State terribly. Sorry honey...

But, the weather was stellar. I'm even wearing short sleeves. We really took in the stadium and the electricity of the crowd. On our way up to our seats (the usher told us not to hit our heads on the blimp on the way up), we talked to the guy that maneuvers the camera above the field. Mark really, really likes to find out about how things work, the behind-the-scenes stuff. He wants to dissect and question and analyze and know. In the moment, I'm completely reluctant, "why can't we just get to our seats and sit down?", but often walk away glad to have learned that extra tidbit because of his curiosities.
We're planning to make a weekend of it again next year. I truly am encouraged that my hubby wants me to hang out with him at such a not me kind of thing. It is wonderful to try the things that my spouse is interested in. It opens me up to something about him I didn't understand or possibly even appreciate before. Very encouraging.

I thank God that I've married someone who is so adventurous and truly does want to experience a lot of what God allows us to see on Earth. Even within losses, there are often big wins.

Gina's got a gun...

Who gave that woman a gun? Chad, my first husband did. It's a Beretta. It's slick and heavy and fun to shoot. I've often been afraid to even use it, but have some friends that were willing to go (thanks Monica) and we shot us up some paper!

This trip to the gun range was eye opening to me. My heart was fluttering with all of the "what ifs". Not growing up around guns and having a filing cabinet full of reasons why it's too dangerous, I couldn't really figure out why I was doing this...except that I could. Except that why wasn't I doing this more often?

Fear. Fear. And more fear.

I'm a book loving girl. I've never lived in like a Bronx or the Chicago hood. I've never needed to defend myself at gunpoint or know how to protect myself at this level, I like to watch Legally Blonde and Freaky Friday and smile at the predictable ending to come where everyone is happy and not once is a gun referenced. So, why the gun range all of sudden?

Because, there truly is an edge to me. A good one. I have some toughness to me. And granted, I'm not Gina from the Block, but I'm not easily put into a box. I'm not easily defined and characterized by what one may see on the outside. Only God understands me fully, all of the dimensions and layers.

But, I do like a sense of adventure and doing things out of the norm every now and again.

As I calmed down and prayed for our safety, I came to realize with focus, I'm really good at this for someone with so little experience. I kept telling myself how fun this is and it's okay to try new things. It was fun. I haven't been back since, but know that I'm up for it and will hopefully go again and improve over the last time.

If ever you'd like to see my target sheet, just ask when you come to visit. I've got it saved in my bedroom...

Watch out! Gina's got a gun.

To play or not to play...

Smile Taylor, you like football remember?  

A beautiful day for the game, but you can just tell that Taylor is not as excited about the game as he used to be.  He plays his position, but does not respond well to the yelling that his coach does - it's pretty bad.  He wants to quit, but remains on the team out of commitment to his teammates and the reckoning of the non-refundable dues paid in order for him to participate.

We go to cheer him on and have a great time doing it, but we'll see how the pigskin fits into our teenager's future.

Young Marrieds 2008

A group of newly married couples getting together to learn about how God wants our marriages to reflect His perfect love.  Must be married 0 to 5 years to participate.  Thank you to Gary & Deborah Kinzer for guiding us through the baby steps of the first years of marriage.