11 Years

I am SO late on this entry. But better late than never! =)  On July 17, James and I celebrated our 11'th wedding anniversary.  That sounds like such a long time, but I can't decide on whether or not it feels like it.  Sometimes it feels like 11 years if I start thinking about different things we've been through and all of the memories we've shared.  Other times, it feels like we were just dating.  I can remember our wedding day like it was yesterday.  *Insert the memory chime here* I was 18 and he was just one month shy of being 21.  At the time I felt like I was so grown up.  Now I look back and think, "Oh my! I was such a kid!"  Even though I was so young, I don't feel like I got married too soon.  I knew that I was making a lifetime commitment and I knew that James was the man that the Lord had prepared for me.  That doesn't mean that our marriage has been without struggles.  Our 11 years together have been quite difficult at times.  Our marriage has survived the death of our firstborn, a miscarriage, cancer, and just everyday life.  But the Lord has been faithful to us.  He has also provided many wonderful times.  We now have 3 BEAUTIFUL children, loving families, and great friends.

I am so blessed that James was chosen for me.  I know I'm a little biased, but I truly believe that he is the best husband, father, and friend on the planet.  He is everything I could have ever wanted and more.  If I could go back to our first date and relive every moment, I would and wouldn't change a thing.  Even more, I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for our family.

I love you James.  Thank you for 11 wonderful years!

7-17-99

Will you please skate in the house?

 It is no secret.  I HATE to clean!  Not only do I hate to clean, but I'm a pretty messy person.  My husband on the other hand is a very organized and neat person.  He would be a much better stay-at-home-mom than I am.  But even though I don't enjoy cleaning, it's still something that has to be done.  Earlier, my kitchen floor was so icky.  I have been telling myself for a couple of weeks to get the mop out and just do it, but then other things happen.  You know small things like, 3 kids; getting breakfast for 2 kids and myself; nursing 1 kid; getting lunch for 2 kids and myself; nursing 1 kid; getting a snack for 2 kids and myself; nursing 1 kid; getting dinner for 2 kids, a husband, and myself; nursing 1 kid.  What?  We like to eat. ;-)  Anyway, all of this eating doesn't help my icky kitchen floor problem.  So I moved my kitchen table and chairs into the living room.  Put some warm water and dish washing detergent into some plastic food storage containers and put them on the ground.  

Then my boys and I put on old socks, dipped our feet into the water, and started to 'skate' on the kitchen floor. =)  This was not the first time that we have done this, but it was just as exciting for them this time as it was the last time.

After the floor is clean, we take old towels and 'skateboard' to dry off the floor.  Now mopping the floor is their favorite chore to do.  Truth be told, it has also become mine.  I hope that these are memories that they will have for a lifetime! 

Silly me!

I usually write about the things my kids do and say.  Is it fair to point out their funny things and not blab to the world when I do something stupid?  I guess not.  So here it is...I'm going to tattle on myself.

One month ago I had the worst case of poison ivy EVER!  I can honestly say that I looked like a burn victim and I have the scars to prove it.  When you have poison ivy, everyone and their dog has the magic remedy that they want to tell you about.  When you're that miserable you are willing to try anything.  My friend, Andrea, told me that her husband uses a mouthwash called Dr. Tichenor's to dry up his poison ivy.  Somehow, I forgot all about it.  Yesterday, I was starting to think that I was having another reaction to the nasty little plant.  Strange enough, Andrea & her husband drove by while we were outside and they reminded me about the mouthwash.  Later we went to the store and I got some of the magic mouthwash to test their remedy.  When we got home I went into the bathroom and poured some on a cotton ball and started dabbing at the suspected areas.  After I was done, I thought that I would try to gargle some and see how it was as a mouthwash...not a poison ivy get rid'er thing.  I poured some in the cup and proceeded to put it in my mouth.  My first thought was, "Oh, it kind of burns like Listerine."  My second thought was, "Push through the burn.  You can do it!"  My third thought was, "Oh my gosh!!! I've got to get this liquid fire out of my mouth!  Spit!!!!!!"  Something that I learned very quickly was that in order to spit you have to be able to take a breath.  In order to take a breath you have to get Dr. Tichenor's out of your mouth!  All I could do was open my mouth and let it drip out.  Every time I would gasp for air it sent a burning peppermint sensation down into my lungs. I then made a bowl with my hands and started pouring water in my mouth to swish and spit with.  My lips and tongue automatically began to temporarily swell and I thought my esophagus was closing in.  I felt like a fire breathing dragon.  James happened to walk in and in between tear filled laughter I tried to tell him what happened.  My mouth felt like I had taken a drink of overwhelmingly hot coffee and burnt all of my skin and taste-buds off.  I then grabbed the Dr. Tichenor's bottle and started looking at the directions.  In capitalized red letters it says, "DO NOT USE FULL-STRENGTH AS MOUTHWASH"  What?!  "Dilute with 5 parts water..."  Oh crap.  I guess I should just be glad I still have teeth after that episode!  

For those of you wondering, the suspected areas of poison ivy aren't doing any itching this morning.  Maybe it works! 

4th of July

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,

A home and a country should leave us no more!

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!^[12]

This is our friend David with my dad-in-law just after David's first flight in a small airplane. =)

^{What a fun holiday!  We went to James' parent's house (mom-in-law) for their annual party.  Fun was had by all.  Of course it wouldn't be a huge get together without it's difficulties (some more severe than others)...but all in all it was a good day.  I mean really, what could be better than a party with a whole lot of food?!  There were boat and plane rides, games, and fireworks.  Yes you read that right, plane rides.  For those of you that don't know us, my dad-in-law is a pilot.  My in-laws live on a private airstrip and he gave people rides for about 3 hours.
Our kids really enjoyed the fireworks!  We all loaded up on the back of trailers with blankets and chairs and went to the end of the runway to watch the show that shoots off over a local lake.}

Joseph and his best bud Samuel

Hannah's first 4th of July =)

James, Joseph, & Hannah behind her mosquito net

James & me being goofy

David, Amanda, Grace, & the silly one in the back is Molly

David & Amanda's youngest, Joshua

Our family and James' brother's family stayed the night with the in-laws and the following day ate some cinnamon rolls and overnight danish twists for breakfast and then everyone except Hannah and I went out on the lake for a fun day of boating.  The kids were exhausted!  We are so grateful to have such a fun family and friends to hang out with!

Happy Independence Day!!!

Big boy

When did my little boy become so big?  This year he has grown so much.  He is such a big helper around the house.  When Hannah starts to cry he comes running either with her pacifier or just to talk to her to try and calm her down.  He helps Nathan get in and out of the car, builds him Lego things, and pretty much anything else we ask him to do.  Last night James took him for a ride on the 4-wheeler.  After a while, James came in and offered to let me ride.  I was unsure about where to go because I haven't been on the trails at our house.  James said, "Don't worry. Joseph will ride with you and show you where to go."  I later found out that James and Joseph had already discussed him helping me before James even came in the house.  I pulled on my boots and walked outside seeing Joseph already sitting on the 4-wheeler ready to go.  Then it struck me that I was about to depend on my "baby" to show me where to go.  The same child that used to depend on me for everything was about to help me!  I climbed on and sure enough he told me exactly when to turn and kept me on the right trail.  We had so much fun.  I love how the Lord prepares us for each stage in our lives.  I used to dread the day that my kids started to depend on themselves and start to grow up.  I'm learning every day that this stage in their lives and mine can be such a joy.  That doesn't mean that it doesn't come with it's own share of headaches, but it's fun to see what a special young man the Lord has entrusted me with.  I am so blessed!