Lea said Yes!

December and Christmas pictures

2009-01-01T16:16:00.002-07:00

Well, December was a whirlwind of finals for James, and work for Lea, but we were able to squeeze in time to wear some ugly sweaters, celebrate James' birthday, and jet off to Nebraska for Christmas. And because you - the reader - probably weren't around to do all this stuff with us...we took pictures :-).

Here they are...

December various

Christmas in Nebraska

Pictures from the last couple months!

2008-12-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

A ton of pictures from the last month or so!

Kristy and Jenny's visit

Our 2 year anniversary

October and November various pics

Lea's trip home

My wifey

2008-12-07T08:47:00.002-07:00

I woke up this morning to my darling wife singing happy birthday to me, giving me a hug and telling me how much she loved me. Then when I got up, there were all these notes taped around the house, wishing me happy birthday, and telling me how she loves me... she got up REALLY early to do all this cause she had to go to work today at the break of dawn!

I get to go have lunch with her today and see her floor...I'm really excited.

On Friday, she made me an early birthday dinner - chicken fajitas, which were REALLY good. And she made me an Arnold Palmer (ice tea - lemonade mix) cause she knows I really like those, and she made me this Reese's Peanut Butter Cup pie - oh my gosh it was good (I love peanut butter).

Anyway, just wanted to take a sec to brag about how lucky I am. :-)

Thank you Lea, I love you!

Anniversary book

2008-11-08T13:10:00.002-07:00

Here is an online version of the book I made for Lea, that she mentioned in her post: http://preview.picaboo.com/Webview/CoverPage.aspx?album=000000000002C19A1B&user=0000000000007F1F69

The awesome book she made for me was made with love by hand, so if you want to see that one...come visit! :-)

Fall colors

2008-11-07T17:06:00.002-07:00

Lea took the camera on a walk at the beginning of this week and took some beautiful pictures of the fall colors - I just had to show them off. Great job babe!

Fall Colors - November 2008

Also

2008-11-05T10:13:00.002-07:00

I just remembered a couple other things...

She listens to me all the time with my stories and thoughts about everything... and believe me, that's a lot of listening!! She really shows an interest in what I am learning in school and wants to know what I think about things which makes me feel respected!

AND, she is working so hard at her job and supporting us in that way too, which is no small task and yet she has shown her love for me in that way - which is such a blessing. Thank you sweetie!

Also, I think I've mentioned this before, but that girl can cook!! ;-)

I love my wife

2008-11-05T10:07:00.002-07:00

What an amazingly encouraging and uplifting post from my darling.

She made me a wonderful picture and caption scrapbook of this past year we have spent together - I loved it and can't wait to get home from class so I can look at it again!

Lea is such a wonderful wife and I know that God gave her so many gifts that are such a blessing - especially to me since I get to live with her! Her encouragement lifts me up in amazing ways and really makes me believe I can do it - whatever "it" happens to be. That has particularly meant a lot in this law school endeavor...as I tell her, I end up feeling stupid a lot during classes and while doing homework, so it really means a lot to hear her encouraging words.

Her hugs an touch give me a joy and an energy that really brightens my day if I'm feeling down and fills me with energy if I'm feeling worn out.

When we pray together, her love for our Savior and her desire to see Him glorified and magnified in us is a great reminder and encouragement of what really matters.

I love you Lea.

Happy Anniversary James!

2008-11-04T16:19:00.003-07:00

Today is our two year anniversary (three years since it all began)!! James and I are going out to dinner to celebrate tonight. I am not sure where...that is a surprise! Before we go, I just wanted to share a few things about James that I absolutely love and admire.

I love that he is always there for me. He listens to me intently and patiently, and trys to understand all the crazy things I share with him. He makes it clear that he loves talking with me about anything and everything.

James is hard working. As you know, he is in law school. Though he hasn't complained once, it is probably one of the most challenging and busiest times of his life. Even with all that is going on with school, he stops studying the minute I get home from work to say hello, and to talk with me over dinner. And often times, he will hang out with me for an hour (or several) before he starts studying/reading again. Then he will proceed to stay up until the early hours of the morning getting things done! He makes me feel valued. Even though I tell him that I support him in studying and that he doesn't have to drop everything for me...he still does.

Even though our lives are busy, I cherish every minute with him. He is also a very giving person. There is literally not a time that I can remember where he has refused my request for a back or foot massage after a long day at work.

James gave me the most beautiful picture book for our anniversary, which chronicled our second year of marriage. I know he spent a lot of time on it, and it is just one more example of the amazing man and husband that he is.

Here is to many more with you babe (576 +). You are my beloved, and you are my friend (Song of Solomon 5:16)

Lea

Happy Birthday Lea!

2008-10-06T05:46:00.003-07:00

It is my beautiful wife's birthday today! Everyone be sure to email or call this wonderful woman and tell her Happy Birthday!

Also, feel free to add comments to the blog about special memories or birthday stories! :-)

Lea, you are a gift to me every day and I hope that today is a wonderful start to a fantastic year. I love you.

Country song

2008-10-05T15:49:00.005-07:00

Those that know me know that country is NOT my favorite music, by any stretch. So this should be funny to you. I was joking with Lea about how I could write a country song in 20 minutes...it just had to include alcohol, a dog, and someone leaving someone. She thought it would be fun to hear me try...so, here is my silly country song (written in UNDER 20 minutes).

Those that also know my "fondness" for Blackberry Brandy will especially enjoy one of the lines in there. The lyrics are below and the song is here: http://www.jamesgottry.com/assets/songs/country.mp3

It's cold outside, but it's freezin in my heart
since you've gone, yeah since we've been apart
i haven't felt nothing, nothing but the lonely
and every drink that i take doesn't even break the pain that's in me

Please please I can't take it come back, please please i need you by me
please please i can't take it come back, i can't take it even with blackberry brandy

I keep drinking down my sorrows hoping that tomorrow
you'll come back, and i'll see you walking up the drive with our yellow lab Stew

quiz

2008-08-24T08:25:00.002-07:00

I posted a fun little quiz for you to take - check it out here: http://jamesgottry.blogspot.com/2008/08/quiz.html

Tennessee Update

2008-08-18T09:10:00.002-07:00

Hello family and friends -

I hope this letter finds you all doing well and ready to start the
week!

I write this to you with crumpled kleenex in one hand and a bottle
of ibuprofen close by! I think after settling in after our moving
and unpacking, it has all finally caught up with me and I am
sick...but mostly I think I have worse allergies here with all of
the flowering plants and trees (I LOVE the green by the way!).

Anyways...some of you were asking for an update so I wanted to
send one out today since I am at home and missing James. Today is
his first day of orientation! I did get a picture of him with his
backpack (: He was a bit nervous, but positive as he usually is
(this amazes me!).

These last few weeks have been incredible. There are a lot of
things I could tell you about, but mostly I want to highlight how
God has been faithful to us throughout this life changing process.
First of all, He blessed us with the opportunity to move to
Tennessee and to financially make it work for James to attend
school while I work making considerably less than I was in
Phoenix. God provides for His children, always!!! He has also
provided the means for us to do several significant unexpected
home improvements/repairs to our new home, without us going into
debt. Thank you God!

James and I have noticed that we have become more patient and
gracious with each other since the move. I had friends that
always said this move would bring us closer together, but I am
already seeing this. Praise God that we can lean on Him so that we
might be able to be an encouragement to one another.

I was on a walk the other day at Centennial Park (which is a big
beautiful park near Vanderbilt campus and about a mile away from
out house where I will probably make my official "walking spot"),
and I was reflecting on how I feel completely inadequate,
vulnerable, and desperate for GOD. I was reminded of my
inadequacies and of His incredible strength. "My heart may fail,
and my spirit may grow weak,but God remains the strength of my
heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

Instead of letting these feelings culminate in fear or worry, I
know He wants me to be completely dependent on Him and to see that
all I really have, and ever had, is Him. "Everything, absolutely
everything...got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him." Col
1:16 Thank you God for reminding me of these truths!

So those are just a few things that come to mind as I send out
this update.

So how are all of you doing? James and I miss you very much and
would love to hear about what is happening in your lives. Thank
you for your calls, prayers, notes, text messages, and love!

Love,
Lea and James

We visited a small church yesterday called Calvary, and they
played this song. We both really liked it!! Hopefully it is an
encouragement to you too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OredXBZzMVY&feature=related

A plethora of pics

2008-08-16T15:47:00.003-07:00

Ok, here are a bunch of pics from our move, of our house, with family, and some down at the park.

Enjoy!

Our home

August - Various pics

Family visiting TN

Moving to Tennessee

Mrs. White's

2008-07-30T10:22:00.003-07:00

Our small group from church (minus Aaron and Jodi) went to Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe for dinner last night.

This is just about my favorite place in the world to eat - it's soul food and it is good! The place is just a little hole in the wall in downtown Phoenix, cash only, etc, but it's so awesome!

Sooo, here's a couple pics from the evening. (Larry pretty much runs the place now I think, he's the man, so I had to get my picture with him. ) He gave Lea and I our meals for free as a going away present (I've been there alot in case you were wondering!).

golfing

2008-07-24T16:30:00.002-07:00

Lea and I were golfing last night...well, on xBox.

I bought my friend Kao's xBox when we were buying his car (another story), and my friend PJ gave me his old Tiger Woods game cause he has a newer one.

What I love about the game is you can make a golfer that looks like you. Soooo, thought you might enjoy seeing Lea and my golfers.

Tiger Woods Golf

Legally Bald

2008-07-14T19:15:00.003-07:00

So... the ADF C&D team had a little get together this weekend, kind of a going away party for Lea and I. It was really fun, and I am so grateful for the amazing people I have been blessed to work with the last few years.

However... they gave me a gift that I'm pretty speechless about. (First of all, I should say they also gave Lea and I a beautiful platter with John 15:5 inscribed on it, and Anita gave me a really special book... BUT!) Well, I'll just let you see the other gift.

"What's that noise?"

2008-07-12T12:11:00.004-07:00

My husband absolutely cracks me up!

Early this morning, at about 2am, I hear this noise. It was loud, and it sounded like whistling or the sound of tupperware opening and closing, or...just a very loud clicking sound! At first I was kind of nervous because I was thinking, "Okay, what did charlie get into..." Then I turn to James and realize it was him!! So I shook him a little and said, "Hon, what are you doing?" He woke up right away and said, "Oh....I was having a dream that I was making loud noises...was I actually doing that?" I just started laughing to myself, and said, "Yes! You were actually doing that!" He said, "Oh...sorry...I'm thirsty."

Funny guy huh!?

I love you too!

2008-06-28T17:23:00.002-07:00

So Sweet, and creative! James emailed this to me while I was at work several days ago...

Picture time!

2008-06-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

A bunch of pics from the month of June for your enjoyment :-)

congrats to Lea

2008-06-20T12:43:00.002-07:00

Most of you know we are moving to Nashville.

Some of you know we were there this week - we went out on Monday & Tuesday for a house inspection on the home we are buying, and for Lea to go to some meetings/interviews at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Well, the inspection went well, but that's not what this blog is about, so moving on... Lea's meetings went great - ALL THREE of them offered her a job, and I think a couple of them were trying to get her to sign on the dotted line right then. Obviously they could all tell what a huge boost it would be to have her on the floor!

She officially accepted one today - it's an OB/GYN position, working with post-partum and ante-partum (did I spell those right babe?). Basically she gets to work with moms and babies, which is what she has wanted to do for a long time. (Sidenote - she worked some in the nursery at our old church and is so good with babies, so this will be a great job for her!)

Anyway, I'm so proud of you Lea - but not surprised! Vanderbilt Nursing is lucky to have you!!

J is so funny!

2008-06-20T08:55:00.008-07:00

My husband is the best! He cracks me up...he is always telling jokes, and when he starts cracking jokes, I just cannot stop laughing!

For example, James and I went to Tennessee this week to be there for our house inspection and for me to go to some interviews at Vanderbilt Medical Center. We were staying with some family friends in Franklin on Monday night. They were so kind to take us out to dinner at Bucca di Beppo!!

After the waitress brought us our waters with lemons in them, Pam (the mom) started telling us about how she saw this special on Dateline or something like that, of how lemon rines have lots of bacteria and "you never know what they do with the lemons before they put them in your water..." And of course, me being a nurse, I was very intrigued. I was actually debating whether or not to say adios to my lemon water days.

So while we were discussing the lemon theory, Kelsey (the daughter) said, "I just like to be blissfully naive," and started chewing on her lemon. Her boyfriend, Bradley, said, "But we are no longer naive!" And under his breath, James said, "...and no longer blissful." We just started cracking up! Especially Kelsey, who I think thought James was pretty funny!!

It might be one of those, "you just had to be there.." but it was quite hilarious!!

Reba and Justin Duet

2008-06-04T16:01:00.002-07:00

WOW, okay I just saw this on Oprah today.

I love this song, it is beautiful. With the sad court decision in California today re: marriage, and a discouraging article I saw today in Christianity Today, I became somewhat disheartened with some of the worldly things I am surrounded with. It saddens me to think about those people that don't know God, and who are searching.

This song reminded me of God's love for His children...His love remains!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0XH-iDpgAk

I think lots of my family members will like this song....go Reba right!??

Love you all,
Lea

Pastor Paul

2008-06-04T15:03:00.003-07:00

One of the most truth-telling Christian leaders/pastors I know is Pastor Paul Brushaber. My roomates and I attended his church when we were studying nursing at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. If you are looking for some challenging scripture-based sermons, you should check out his church website. There are podcasts and sermons you can download.

http://www.cccrochester.org/sermons/index.html

Bye y'all!

Lea

I love walking

2008-06-04T13:44:00.002-07:00

If you know me very well, you know that I LOVE TO GO WALKING!! Whether it is alone or with a friend, whether it is in the morning, afternoon, or at night....I LOVE TO WALK! It is very refreshing and rejuvenating for me to walk. On my walks I enjoy listening to sermons or music on my ipod, praying and talking to God, or just processing my thoughts.

I found this cool article about walking today...check it out if you get a chance, it's cute:

http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/editors/2008/06/words_on_walking.html

By the way, happy anniversary James! I love you sweetie, and I look forward to many more days, weeks, and years with you by my side!

Lea

happy day!

2008-06-04T10:08:00.004-07:00

As of today at around 3pm, Lea and I will have been married for 19 months. For those of you scoring at home, that works out to 578 days that I have been the luckiest guy!

Lea made the most amazing dinner last night - within one bite I knew it was one of my favorites - and that is saying a lot cause I like everything she cooks. I was sitting in a meeting yesterday afternoon and I was thinking about dinner, cause I knew it was going to be really good.

I brought leftovers for work today - and right on cue, my stomach just growled. :-)

Happy anni sweetie pie.