Scripture: Live a Life of Love

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~Ephesians 5:1-2

I love this chapter of Ephesians because of the directions it gives to us on living as husbands and wives as Christians. This line for today starts it all off telling us to be imitators of God. My favorite part is when it says to "live a life of love". The perfect piece of advice for our marriages and our lives. And of course, not the giddy, happy, nothing-can-go-wrong love, but the love of patience, selflessness and without condition. The way that Christ loves us.

Happy Sunday everyone!
~Melina :-)

Five Things Friday ~ 7

Beach Time
We went to Destin for beach time on Sunday, then I hung out with a friend at Pensacola Beach on Monday. I got some color and I'm liking it. I'm not liking the tan lines but maybe that is the mark one has to have to be a beach girl. The weather has been amazing and I predict I will be at the beach at least twice a week! Jealous anyone?

Hubs Started Training
My husband started the next phase of training (next 6 months) on Monday and while I missed him this week, it was nice to be able to get my routine in order with him not around. I'm happy for him to get it going and I'm hopeful that I will be back in the game, especially with this blog!

Back to Running
For some reason, not sure why, I stopped running for a couple weeks. I really missed it but couldn't bring myself to get outside with the new high temperatures and increased humidity. I hate it. But I am back in the game and hunting for a race to sign up for to motivate me to fight the humidity here. I'm thinking as much as I feel miserable when I run now, I keep fighting a smile off my face. That means I must love running right? Yep. I do!

My running path around the neighborhood

New Business Plan in Action
I am now about 8 weeks out to my certification exam for becoming a personal trainer and shortly after that I will be in business. I'm freaking out but I am so ready to start something that betters myself and others and gets me employed! Never thought I'd branch into fitness for a career but if I can make money, I can do the fun stuff I really wanna do for this blog! (DIYs, styled shoots, etc)

Beer Treat
Somehow, somewhere my lovely hubs read an article that said drinking a beer before bed helps with falling asleep and is okay for you. I'll be the first to admit that I LOVE beer! I hate the bloated feeling and the heavy feeling if I have too many, but enjoying one nice, cold beer makes me just smile. So he decided we'd drink a beer before bed every night. I'm not gonna fight him on that one! When my muscles are sore and I can barely move on almost a daily basis, I feel I deserve a treat! :-)

Grand Finale. . .

Mila Pic of the Week:

Loving on her daddy! She just stayed there like that for a while!

I have to say I feel so blessed at the growth of likes on my Facebook page when I have been absent. You all found me/this blog for a reason and I intend to deliver! If you don't already, be sure to Like Wedding Pickle on Facebook!

Have a great weekend and I'll see you tomorrow for some cake!

Discuss: Long Tables

Last week when I was writing the discussion post for the week on having a big or small wedding I came across many photos of table seating options when searching for a photo. I've only ever been to weddings with probably about 150 guests each that only used standard sized tables that were round or rectangle. However, I've been seeing neat ideas of arranging tables in a way that make for a banquet setting. Some examples include long rectangular tables lining reception halls or U-shape tables to encourage discussion among many guests.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Melina on Pinterest by Corbin Gurkin Photography

I can't help but think that if I had to do it over again, considering what a maze it was getting around all the rounds we had, I might have liked to go with long rectangular banquet style seating. Maybe it minimizes the amount of guests in a space but I think I would have liked that!

So what do you think? Which do you prefer and which are you doing or did you do for your wedding?

Do leave a comment below or take the discussion over to the Wedding Pickle Facebook Page! :-)

Color Me Cake ~ 5

Credit: Sweet and Saucy Shop

Five Things Friday ~ 6

I'm back with my Five Things! I haven't done these in the last couple weeks so if you are new around here then let me tell you that this is the day that I like to look back and find five things that made me smile and/or made me feel blessed. Try to do this challenge with yourself and it really forces you to look at the positive in life!

MyCAA
My husband and I had to go to a family readiness for spouses class and we were introduced to many resources to help couples get through the flight training phase that my husband will be starting soon, hopefully this coming Monday! One of those resources I learned of was something called The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts. Basically it is $4,000 available to a spouse to get a degree, certification or training for a mobile career that she can carry with her as she moves around with her hubs. I signed up right away and was approved! I am so excited to get to take advantage of such a blessing! Even more, I am excited to know that I will be equipped to have a job even in this tiny town of Milton!

Spring Break
When the hubs and I were in college in Oklahoma, heading to the beach for Spring Break was not an option. We were also not willing to spend the money it would take to travel with friends to a coastal spring break location. So this past weekend, my husband's best friend, who now lives a couple hours from us, came down to visit and we spent a day at Pensacola Beach. As a local at the present, I have never seen Pensacola Beach so busy! It was really a ton of fun to have a taste of Spring Break even if we aren't college kids!

Family
My family also came down this weekend on their way to Disney World. We had enough time together to enjoy lunch on the beach. I was so excited to see them again even if it wasn't for very long. :-)

Hair
I hardly ever get my hair cut these days but I was more than bored with my look. With the season changing and many other things changing soon, I decided it was time to give myself a feeling of a new me. Even if it isn't often, I typically always get the long side bangs. I decided to do something different and go with short bangs. I know the hubs doesn't like it but I like the new me feeling. I even got some color rub for my hair to make me feel all rebel like, lol! :-)

Spring
Who wouldn't be thankful for Spring? It is the season of life and rejuvenation. It is the time for fresh starts and new changes. This will be a big season for me seeing as how, assuming I pass my certification exam, that I will be starting my own business and finally be working.

Mila Pic of the Week

What five things made you feel blessed and happy this week? I welcome you to share below in the comments or to share with me on the Wedding Pickle Facebook Page!