5,256,000 minutes

On August 4th, 2004, I married the love of my life.

This blue eyed, blonde haired, Marine stole my heart.

With his genuine kindness, giving heart, servant attitude, witty humor, gorgeous smile, captivating baby blues, and it didn't hurt that he looked AWESOME in a uniform!

Last year was a very special anniversary for us.

We had a lot to celebrate :

10 years of marriage.

3 beautiful children.

Lots of family.

The beginning of a life of ministry and worshipping our Lord together.

Not only all those things.

Each one is enough reason to celebrate.

But, 2013-2014 was such a difficult time.

Not only in my health, in my own body.

But, in our family and in our marriage.

I jokingly/seriously said while in the hospital : "if I make it through this, I am getting my wedding in a church and getting my dress!"

Although I was very serious about it, at the time, it wasn't my main focus.

The wedding, the place, the dress, the napkins, the candles, it's not the most important thing.

In fact, none of those things even matter at all.

We could have gotten married in a courthouse snack room, with a tunic dress I bought at Ross for $10, a bouquet of flowers from Wal-Mart for $3, and a mini reception for 5 people at Applebee's, afterwards.  And, it still would have been a magical day.

Oh, wait!  That DID happen!

We were still married.  We still loved each other and were surrounded by people who loved us. {They may not have all been HAPPY about it at the moment..*ahem*Lisa*  Ha! But they loved us, nonetheless}

Our marriage is not dependant on the venue, or dress, or food served.  Our marriage is dependant on Christ and His love for us.

Our marriage is dependant on our attitudes and our willingness to put each other above ourselves.

We haven't "mastered marriage".  Unfortunately, this side of heaven, we never will.

He is going to annoy me and I am going to frustrate him.  It has happened and it is going to happen time and again.  But, we have love.  We have Christ.  That's enough for us.

This Tuesday, we will be celebrating 11 years of marriage. 

I cannot believe how quickly time passes.

I want to soak up every last minute.

I want to love my husband more than I did yesterday.

I want to adore him more than I did 10 years ago.

I want to need him more than I did 2 years ago.

He forgives me for my short comings, he gives me chance after chance to get "wife things" right.

And, I forgive him, and I give him chance after chance to get "husband things" right.

That is what marriage is.  

Loving him, loving me, through it all.

For better or worse.  Through sickness and health.

Til death do us part.

The devil has thrown lots of things our way.  We have caused our OWN problems, too! 

But, by the grace of God, we are still standing here, together. 10 years, 363 days.

Happy Anniversary, honey!

Missed my anniversary

I was in Georgia when my blog had a birthday.
And, I didn't even throw it a party.  I am ashamed!!  My first post was on October 1st 2005. 
Jackie had been in Iraq for almost 2 whole months.  And I was in fully swing, babysitting daily for a cute little 2 year old boy.  Also in my life were 2 dogs {shortly after the blog began it was down to ONE} Lucy and Sidney.

Wow! How times have changed in just a few short years....
Husband in school and working on becoming a pastor eventually.  {BUT, once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine}
Not babysitting, but raising kids of my own.
No dogs...2 kids and one on the way!

My life has changed, and so have I.  I think, for the better. {on MY end anyway.}
I KNOW my life is better...I rely more on God these days than in those.
I trust Him more, I even LOVE Him more than in those days.  Which is only a good thing :)

I also love my husband more. I appreciate him more, too.  I can also say I rely on him more as well.
Let's face it...I would eat hot dogs and mac-n-cheese every night if it weren't for him....

So many things have changed, and yet, some things never do.

Gotta love that.

Happy birthday, blog...even if it is a whole week late!

Our Date Day

Yesterday was so much fun.
Jackie and I NEVER get out alone together.
Well, I can't say that anymore. Yesterday we left the girls with his sisters Sher and Joy, while we went on a little afternoon trip.

We had lunch {on the way..} and about 1 hour and 30 minutes later, we finally arrived at our destination:

                                              Lansing, Michigan. {the capitol of MI, just FYI}

The building is spectacularly beautiful inside and out.

This was looking up from the first floor up to the dome ceiling.

House Chamber

Us in the public viewing gallery for the House.

Paintings of Muses above the 4th floor from Greek and Roman Mythology.

Ugly women, beautifully done paintings.

Speaker's chair

Conked out Congressman.

Almost 2 hours later, our tour of the Capitol was over and we headed back.

We ended our Anniversary date with dinner at P.F.Chang's.

It was both our first time eating there.  And, it definitely won't be our last.

I cannot believe I have lived this long without a lettuce wrap. OH MY...it was scrumptious!

We had a wonderful day together, just the two of us.

We really need to do this a little more often!!

Especially if it involves a lettuce wrap!

Happy Anniversary!

Today, 6 years  ago, Jackie and I got hitched!

He is an awesome husband, fabulous father and my best friend.

I am on my Sister In Law's computer, so the only picture I have on here is our wedding picture...
How completely appropriate.

We have a busy day planned.  Most of which I am not privy too.  It's a surprise.
He's good for that kind of stuff.  But, I don't mind.  I actually enjoy the surprises.

He is all kinds of awesome.

Even when he is bugging me to get off the computer to get ready so we can leave for our anniversary day date. HA! 
Well, I better go before he leaves without me.  CHYEAH right.

I stole this from Kristy's blog...go check her page out.
She is quite possibly awesome!! ha ha



Get your husband or boyfriend....corner said husband or boyfriend, and make him answer these questions about YOU. {you as in...not him.} Got it!?



Jackie? What is My Favorite:

Song- Come What May
Food- pasta
Color- pink
Time of day- nighttime
Drink-distilled water...no noo Dr. Pepper
Store- Hmmm..Which one!? Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Target...I know Target's on there...
City- Kinston...hmm..New York..no not New York, you've never been there...Chicago.
Candy-Twix
Flower- Tulip
Holiday- Christmas ...Ha! No, Kari's Birthday...{as he laughs}
Restaurant - Olive Garden
Movie - The Princess Bride

After we did this...I started laughing. Poor husband. I thought about it, I don't have A favorite anything. I don't like having ONE thing MORE favorite than another. HA!
*Like with Songs?! PLEASE. You don't want to listen to a CD with me...or even the radio. Just about every song that comes on..."I LOOOVE this song! This is my favorite!"But, Come what may is definitely top 5 favorites!
*Candy!? Really? Just one!? when asked what candy...I just say "yes please."
*His answer for City just makes me laugh.
*There were 2 that he absolutely did NOT hesitate on...Color and Movie. THAT-A BOY!!! ha ha
*with the exception of CITY...he got 'em right. Technically I suppose even that is right. Because I will always have a place in my heart for my hometown {no matter how crappy it can be...} And, I do LOVE Chicago.

NOT TOOO SHABBY. Not too shabby.

Blessings abundant

I couldn't resist taking more pictures...and posting them for all to see!!

Audrey doesn't look at the camera yet...but that will be here before I know it.

Charlotte hasn't gotten the hang of actually smiling for the camera, she makes this scowling face...and says CHEESE...it is so funny.

But, aren't they just stinkin' adorable anyway!?!?

We have been a truly blessed family.

The way God has worked in our lives has been amazing.

Yes, our family has it's problems, but even through those problems..I see God working.

I thank God for my wonderful husband and my 2 beautiful girls!