A new space for a new marriage...

It's finally finished! Six weeks ago, as I prepared for my bachelorette party, Neil rolled in with a stack of tile samples. "We're going to re-model our master bathroom!" he surprises me, "Pick out the tiles you want to use!" Our master bath was in need of a total re-do. We love the layout of our house, and appreciate our awesome location on a daily basis... but the 30 year old bathrooms left a little to be desired! With the wedding on the approaching horizon- I never thought this would be added to our mix. But it was. And we finally moved in, in spite of exhaustion, last night!

GLORY! We are so thrilled to be back where we belong! The bathroom quickly turned into the bedroom, bathroom, and closet; and then we like the knotty alder baseboards so much- we continued them throughout the house. One more step in this little spot becoming our home.

So here are the pictures... A beautiful shower, heritage bronze fixtures, peacock granite, travertine, and natural stone tiles, knotty alder baseboards, custom vanity and hand trough texture. All comes together to create a fresh space for a fresh marriage. A place free of the world's distractions, deadlines and tasks. A place for Neil and me to rejuvenate, rest and re-connect.

A New Era...

What a month! A wedding, a new nephew, and a new start in our house. Our master bedroom and bathroom are almost finished being remodeled. They are beautiful! And with a new bathroom comes new towels- soft, fresh and perfect. With a new bedroom comes new curtains and bed pillows and bedspread... Neil would prefer not so many pillows ;)

With a new marriage comes new dishes and new pots and pans. We also said good-bye to our old couches. Sallie bought some "new to us" couches for Neil and I for our up-coming birthdays! THIS is a great gift! Neil and I each had a lingering couch from our college days. Mine, a green velvet couch, with one cushion that could not be flipped over. I tried to clean it with carpet cleaner... and bleached the heck out of it. One glue stain on the arm, and one small hole in the corner- strategically covered with a throw blanket. Neil's was the former dog-couch. A not so comfortable khaki couch formerly loved by Little and the late Lucky.

A moment for Lucky- Lucky was a Rhodesian ridgeback that was found left for dead on the side of a highway. He was neglected, starving and almost dead and a very young age. He was rescued and brought back to health. The vet who saw him first named him Lucky. He came to Neil during grad school and spent weeks behind a couch in his apartment before he was finally ready to come out, live life and trust his new dad. From then on- he was Neil's dog. I was scared of him the first time I met him. He was huge, had a huge bark, and killed huge rats, a couple of cats (I know- sorry), even bit another dog's leg off in one snap-no problem. But- Lucky became my dear friend and protector. He lived to the old age of 12 years old until he went to heaven. He let us know that he was ready to go. I still think of him and believe I will see him again.

Lucky's dog couch was scrubbed by me and my mom, until it was clean enough to use in our house for a few more years. Yesterday it left on a truck to go to a young man's first apartment. Even though I had awesome new couches in my living room- it was bittersweet to say goodbye to that silly old dog couch. It's funny to notice the things you get sentimental about.

The rest of the evening- I spent unboxing new dishes, silverware and other new kitchen and house hold items. New, beautiful and promising of the many fun meals to come! SO exciting. So much fun. What a ride we are on. The up's the down's - and end of one era and the beginning of another. Surrounded by friends, family to ease the bumps and celebrate along side you.

The Planner...

So, I am a very good planner- not the best, not exceptional, but very good. I do know some of these exceptional planners. They are quite impressive to me. And I do believe that I will also one day be exceptional at putting things together.

However, my hubby is not a planner. We have had to come together to communicate from 2 different planes of thinking. Neil easily goes from point a to point z- instantly in fact. I prefer to work through a, b, c, d, e, f, and so on. This is the way I feel I have a through understanding when I reach z.

It is a good thing to have these differences in your communication or planning styles. As a true team should be- each player brings different skills to the game and in the end we balance each other's weaker points and enhance the talents... both of which are plentiful. :)

I begin my morning with a small, constant whisper of worry as a new plan is introduced. I try to silence it- but I'm not wired that way. Not my mind, or my heart... but my spirit- my Heavenly Guider can overcome worry. He guides me through the what's in between point a and point z. I'm not in control. I'm not in control. I'm not in control.

Our team in guided by the One who sees this life from every direction. He's not stuck in my through a, b, c, plan or Neil's a to z brilliance. He is the reason we are faithful.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD."As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."Isaiah 55:8-9

To Him be the glory.

Exploding with Joy!

Joy in a family! Through my marriage to Neil- my family has grown to include two brothers and sisters in law, mother in law, father in law, step father in law, and one niece and da da da daaaaaaaaa THREE nephews! Brent and Ana's new addition was born on Saturday, April 18. He is 6.4 lbs. and he was a little early to arrive- hence the slightly smaller birth weight for a Boecking boy.

What a joyful day! New addition was not scheduled to come join the world until today, BUT he had other plans in mind. Friday, Ana was on my mind- I called to make sure she didn't need anything... Then Neil awoke a little early to check his phone- a text arrived! "It's happening- we'll have a new baby in a hour!" he read excitedly! "What?!" I said! My sleepiness disappeared instantly to be replaced with adrenaline! "Let's go!" we tell each other with wide, happy eyes. We race to get dressed and collected, in minutes we were having a quick breakfast. We chatted about what the name might be, and what he will be like. What will his big brother think of him...? What dinners should we bring them...

Finally we arrived at the hospital and anxiously walked together to see Brent, Ana and the new baby. He was just adorable, Ana was glowing- calm and collected. She rested quietly as everyone buzzed around her- recovering from her c-section with juice, water and a little food.

Brent, Neil and I walked down to the viewing area. New addition rested under the heat lamp, moving around a getting warmed up. He was tinier than his big brother who was all head and chest at birth. New addition has a neck and loooong skinny arms and legs, big feet and hands, and a beautiful face! He was just perfect.

What a magical day. And new bright boy arrives on his own accord. He's surrounded by a loving family who will cheer him on through life. His most popular big brother will be a best friend. He's perfect, and life is good. Welcome to the new addition from Uncle Neil and Aunt Melanie.

The "Mini-Honey"

My husband and I are in a world of weddings, house re-modeling and the numerous events events surrounding both... including a much anticipated arrival of our new nephew on April 20! Due to our eventful state, we are postponing the honeymoon until later this summer. So after the wedding, we took a "mini-honey." :)

Neil booked a beautiful cottage in Fredricksburg. It was just what we needed, calming, charming, comfortable and convenient! We rolled in after a lovely brunch at the Slick Rock Grill. As we sat enjoying the perfect sunny sky and cool breeze, my mimosa was interrupted by a small thump! I caught the tiniest of objects hit the glass wall behind us and then fall to the ground. Upon further inspection, I found a tiny green hummingbird had taken a wrong turn and now lay stunned on the deck floor. We watched him for a minute or two, and then I placed one small, newlywed finger in front of him. To my surprise and delight- he immediately jumped onto the gentle perch.
He sat there for several minutes to be admired by the others and gather his senses about him before flying off to a nearby tree. This lovely moment was the first of many on our mini-honey.

As tired as we were, sitting in cafes, wandering through shops, and sipping wine at wineries was the perfect order for Neil and I. The weather made for perfect comfort, the area was charming and the company was blissful. Yes, blissful- the perfect start.

The Big Day...

Pictures by our Photographer - Melissa Olson

Here are a few pictures taken by friends... more to come!

Melanie

Amar & Emiea


Shawn & Shilpi

Michele & Nolan

Melanie on the way to see Neil

Melanie & Alex

Missy & Amye

At the alter

After months of planning and preparing... Neil and I headed to Horseshoe Bay Resort early on Friday morning. Brent organized golf for Neil, Randy, Steve, Zach, Tom and Brandon. They enjoyed the great views of the Apple Rock course while the girls hung out at the hotel getting settled in and making sure everything was ready for friends to arrive that evening.

We enjoyed the beautiful putt putt course in teams of four, Amy was the big winner with 10 under par! After golf we headed to Sallie's condo to enjoy some great Salt Lick BBQ and drinks. The food and fun atmosphere was the perfect end to the day and start to the weekend celebration. Drinks and cigars by the pool was the wrap up to the night- full of laughs, stories and music.

Saturday morning began with brunch at Lantana Grill. The ladies: Barbara, Sallie, Alex, Missy, Amye, Jenn, Ana, Debbie, Vicki, Birdie, Dot, Beverley & I enjoyed some girl talk and breakfast to kick off the big day. After breakfast, Neil and I visited each of the parents to deliver a gift of thanks- crystal picture frames to fill with happy family memories. Then we went our separate ways to begin getting ready. The cool air blew in and we made the call to move the reception inside after the outdoor ceremony. Alex delivered Neil's gift - engraved cuff links, and mine, a gorgeous bracelet to wear on my wedding day and forever. Pictures in the spa gardens went great and soon it was time for the ceremony to begin.

The ceremony was beautiful- on the Whitewater Lawn. An acoustic guitar player set the atmosphere of love and joy. My brother did a wonderful job with the ceremony- one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Everyone looked beautiful and Neil was the only one I could see.

Like our first song- I will love him come rain or come shine.

We danced the night away after a great meal. It was a dream come true. I'm still floating.

Pictures to come...

Life is in the Details...

No matter how prepared and organized I was... I am still dealing with the last minute details of the wedding. With a house that is a construction zone, working a mile a minute, and still holding down the fort of day in day out... the pile of things to do can sometimes make you cry in your office.

However, there's nothing a glass of wine, a new to do list and a pointed phone call to the wedding event planner won't fix. And, my sweet fiance helped too, by making me laugh and cleaning up the kitchen, well most of it, after dinner. Also, we picked out the specific tiles for our new shower floor last night. Lovely, multi-colored stones of gray, cream, rust and brown. AND, somehow there is one pink stone in the mix- just for me. When something is just for you, you're reminded that life is good- there's really no reason to cry, except for tears of joy.