A Decade in Review - Happy Anniversary

Where do I even begin?  It's been a decade since I married the man God brought to me.  Ten gloriously wonderful years.  Ten years filled with ups, downs, laughter, tears, the good and the bad.  But ten years filled with unwavering love.

I was a 19 year old kid who thought I knew everything.  Little did I know, I knew very little.  But one thing has proven true, I knew I loved Mark and that's all I really needed to know.  That love has withstood the test of time and not only that, but it's grown into something much deeper than I ever could've imagined.

Ten years has brought a lot of change with it.  We're no longer living in a 1 bedroom apartment, pulling our hair out for lack of space, lack of room to get away to cool off after a heated argument (what?  You don't have those?  :)  We're no longer living off ramen noodles, Lipton's noodle packets, and Kool-aid, although we do still occasionally enjoy some of those.

We're now in our home - the home we've had for 9 of the past 10 years.  The home I came home to after graduating with my first degree, and then with my second.  The home in which we had our first family pet, Dexter.  The home in which our lives forever changed when we welcomed home Anna Grace and Eli David.  The two best additions by far.  The home in which we found out about our precious #3.  The home in which God saw fit to take our precious #3 home with Him.  The home in which I'm privileged to stay at home in and raise our precious children.

The past ten years have brought us our precious nieces, Topanga, Rebekah, Morgan, and our newly added nephew, Brian.

The past ten years have taken Mark's great grandpa, his great grandma, Momma Gene, my grandma, a man I greatly respected, Ron Mitchell, and of course, our sweet #3 as well as numerous others.

But most of all, the past ten years have brought with it a new love for Mark.  Because it's through all of the trials that he's been by my side.  Time has a way of changing love.  It can either be to the detriment of the couple or for the better.  And I'm so glad to say that ours has been for the better.

I love Mark more now than I ever have.  My love for him has evolved from a more physical love to an all encompassing, consuming love that isn't fickle or easily swayed.  It withstands trials, disagreements, tragedy and grief because we've learned that all the work it takes to maintain a great marriage is more than worth it.  We've learned that disagreements are just that - a disagreement and can be worked through.  He's the one person that can simultaneously make me angry and yet make my heart flutter.  That I can be furious with him and 5 minutes later we're joking about the ridiculousness of it.  I absolutely love him.

Everything about him has refined me in some way.  Refined my cocky, rebellious Aerosmith, Def Leppard loving self into what I am today.  God always refines but I believe at times He chooses to use people to help refine us and Mark has been that person for me.  It hasn't always been easy, nor have I always readily agreed, but I can look back over the past ten years and see a world of difference.  A difference I can be proud of and I have my husband to thank - for walking hand in hand with me.

Here's to the next ten years (and 20, 30, 40....) - hoping they're walked just the same - hand in hand.

Happy Anniversary, babe.  I love you more than you'll ever know.

Happy Anniversary

See what Mark had delivered to me yesterday?

I'm looking forward to many more, too!

Values Voter and Proud

*Warning* - this is a heated and rather blunt view of politics as seen by me.

If there's one thing that really gets me riled up, it's politics. To me, the privilege of voting is about ensuring that we elect the right people - that is, the right people who will uphold Christian values. It isn't about what a politician can do for me, my bank account, the stocks we hold shares in, my children's education, social security, the war, or any other topic they like to go on about. It's about their values, more importantly what their views are on abortion and gay rights. As Christians, we have an obligation to uphold God's principles - not just at home, in our churches, or at work - but also with our votes. Sadly this too often isn't the case, as evidenced by abortion being legal, the ever increasing gay rights movements, as well as with the mounting numbers of liberals in congress willing to promote anything for a few under the table buckaroos. But I digress.

Where in the world did we go wrong to think that aborting innocent, helpless babies is okay? What in the world makes anyone in their right mind think that delivering a baby with the intention of aborting it and then letting it suffocate to death is morally acceptable?? Or delivering just the head, then stabbing the baby in the back of the head with a pair of scissors and suctioning its brain out. And we as a nation think this is okay??? What is wrong with us!! If I were to have a baby, throw it in the dumpster and leave it to die, I'd be charged with murder. What in the world is the difference??? Merely because it's labeled under the cloak of "abortion" it's now not legally considered murder? And mind you, I said 'legally' because regardless of what society says, our laws say, or anyone else, it IS murder.

And where did we go wrong to think that God advocates and promotes homosexuality? My goodness, what are we thinking!!? And yes, I'm talking to you, Ray Boltz and you Clay Aiken. God is NOT a promoter of what He specifically says is an abomination to Him. Simply because there are those who would like to read things in to the word of God doesn't change what God Himself has said. It's wrong. Period.

And what's worse is that there are Christians by the masses willing to vote for a man who stands for such horrendous things! My mind can't even comprehend this or how one justifies such an action.

I have been attacked because of my support for McCain and Palin. I can handle criticism. What I can't handle is giving my vote to anyone who supports the mass murdering of innocent babies. Someone who blatantly goes against God's word on so many issues. I will not cast my vote for such a man. I simply won't.

I'm sadly aware of the vast amounts of people out there who still have no idea who to vote for. Even worse, I'm more aware of the mass amounts of Christians who will be casting their votes for Obama. So, if you're confused, undecided, or in need of a little guidance, let me help you. Vote McCain. Vote for Christian values and principles. Vote for ensuring that marriage remains what God intended for it to be. Vote for life. Vote McCain.

Date Night

Date Night at the Passion Play in Memphis.

I think one of the biggest problems facing couples is that we've forgotten the importance of dating. We get married, get busy with work, children, and other obligations, and dating slips by the way-side. Then when things begin to go astray, we wonder why. I find myself reminding people I meet with all the time that dating is what brought them together. It's the time when we get to know one another and spend hours on end talking about nothing. Why should saying vows end this? It shouldn't! Dating not only brings you together, but it helps keep you together. If you're not spending time with your spouse, if it's not already causing problems, it soon will. Let me pause here to say that dating doesn't have to be expensive. Mark and I often cut the Hastings coupon out of the Sunday paper for Rent 2 Movies and Get 2 Fountain Drinks for $6.99. We put the kids to bed, and then we watch movies and eat popcorn. We're even known to play Scrabble or Rummy.

And for those of you not romantically inclined, let me pause here to do a promo for Simply Romantic Nights which is a Christian resource from Family Life. Some friends of ours gave us this as a gift one year and I highly recommend it (note: it'll come up with the ideas for you)!

So be creative, plan a date, and rediscover what it means to genuinely know your spouse (and no, she's not the same person you married 10 years ago).

Do Something Special

I think all too often we often get so busy that we forget to do something special for our spouse. This doesn't have to be anything big, costly, or time consuming. Merely putting thought into something shows that we care and are thinking about them.

I'm particularly bad about not cooking anything that I don't really care for - even if Mark really likes it. Take potato salad for instance. I could live the rest of my life without it and never think twice about it. However, Mark loves it.... and sadly, in the 6 1/2 yrs. we've been married, I've made it once. Other favorites of his are baked beans and deviled eggs - also rarities around here.

So, while Mark was taking a nap getting ready to go on the night shift, I decided that I would make him a good meal to take to work. I grilled steaks, made baked beans, deviled eggs, a vegetable stuffing dish, and completed it with homemade banana pudding.

I challenge each of you wives to do something special for your husband. It doesn't have to be cooking a meal, just something extra to show your husband that you're thinking about him. I'm often looking for suggestions, so if you have any, feel free to send them my way.

I Love My Husband

I think all too often, I forget to let Mark know just how much I love and appreciate him. He truly is the better half and keeps me together. Stealing from a friend of mine who recently posted a top 10, I'll do the top 10 reasons why I love my husband.

10. You're forgiving and see past my faults. You're one of the rare ones who adheres to the 70 x 7 rule.

9. You're patient beyond reason.

8. You have the most caring, big brown eyes that I could get lost in over and over again.

7. Your smile makes everything better and your hugs let me know that when I've had a bad day everything will be okay.

6. You try to do all our own home projects and amazingly they often turn out quite well.

5. You provide for our family and never complain about it.

4. You love Anna and are an amazing father to her and you already love Eli just as much.

3. You pray with me each night for our children.

2. You're my best friend, my companion, my confidant. You love me for me even when I make that difficult.

1. You love God, take our family to church, are the leader of our family, and are beyond more than I could have ever asked for. I thank God for giving you to me.

I love you.

Correction Everyone! Correction!

I just wanted to make light of something my dear husband did. On a previous post, I had discussed giving Mark points for giving me a day off - complete with a gift certificate for a massage. I also took points away for him making comments about "the babies" (there's only one by the way). He had posted about a certain number of points, of which I pointed out wasn't correct. He was giving himself more than he had banked! See how sneaky he is. :o) He then commented again that he was in fact correct, causing me to question my math skills and thus apologize. Two and a half months later, he tells me that a co-worker told him I was right. So in order to not appear wrong, he logged in to my account and changed the numbers on my post! So, for all you readers out there, I was right! Hehe. And here's a little tip: beware of who has your password, you never know what they might change. :o) Love ya, Mark.

Change is Good

Recently, Mark e-mailed me an article from a 1955 Good Housekeeping magazine entitled "The Good Wife's Guide". (He better have been joking!). While I am certainly not a feminist or progressivist, all I can say is, I'm glad things have changed. For a better view, just click on the article.

Note: Underlines, circles, and/or other emphasis are not mine!

It's The Small Things

Monday, while eating out for Mark's birthday, Mark observed a couple over in the corner of the restaurant holding hands. The rest went as follows:

M: "Look at them over there. They've been holding hands this entire time. They haven't let go since we've been here."

P: "So?"

M: *Pause from Mark*

M: *Mischievous grin* "They must be dating!"

While it's funny, it's very likely true. We oftentimes forget the small things, like sitting next to each other... like holding hands. There was a commercial once that said "... because you're never far apart when you're holding hands." Sometimes I think there's more truth to that than we often realize. So take time to remember the small things because sometimes they're not so small afterall.

A Grandmother's Secret

While visiting a blog I frequent, Girl Talk, I came across a posting I found particularly inspiring. Often, I'm tempted to become angry when Mark does something irritating, say shaking his legs at night to soothe himself to sleep, then claiming he has Restless Leg Syndrome. *You know I love you babe.* :o) I found this fitting. It's in those times I will definitely have to remember this.

"On her golden wedding anniversary, my grandmother revealed the secret of her long and happy marriage. 'On my wedding day, I decided to choose ten of my husband's faults which, for the sake of our marriage, I would overlook,' she explained. A guest asked her to name some of the faults. 'To tell the truth,' she replied, 'I never did get around to listing them. But whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, 'Lucky for him that's one of the ten.'" Roderick McFarlane, in Reader's Digest, December, 1992.