thirteen years

In thirteen years,

there has been a whole lot of sunshine and a little rain,

abundant joy and some pain,

but through it all our love has sustained and remained!

 

He knows me. 

He "gets me."

He makes my heart flutter.

I love him more now than ever.

And I'm still absolutely crazy about him.

valentine memory

I forgot to do a recap of our Valentine's day this year.
Since it was our last Valentine's Day as just the two of us,
I do want to record the memory.

We've never really went "all out" for Valentine's Day.

We prefer to express our love for each other all through the year,

not just one specific day.

And we typically do not go out to dinner as the crowds are ridiculous and can be frustrating.

This year, we had pizza at home.

Exchanged gifts.
Snuggled and cuddled.

Chris gifted me Happy perfume (since I broke my previous bottle in a clumsy accident)
and two sweet Willow Tree figurines.

I had a few gifts and surprises up my sleeve for Chris.

Gift-giving is one of my love languages, I guess.

I love to surprise others with gifts; especially ones I know they will enjoy.

I gave him a "crazy about you" balloon, fun music-making card, and an I-tunes gift card.

Our dogs gave him his favorite snacks and junk food
with a card signed with paw prints asking him to share the treats.

And Josie gave him a purple guitar pick for him to teach her to play the guitar, a baby piano to play alongside him, two little books (one about Pookie), and a little girl charm for his keychain.

 

And of all the gifts he received ... the charm was his favorite.

He actually said that is on the top list of gifts I have EVER given in him.

So, I scored BIG TIME!  =)

I also gave my mom and his parents one of the little charms and a small box of candy.

We can't wait until our little love bug is here to celebrate next year!



throwback Thursday

This week marks 17 years ago,

that a dark and handsome teenage boy walked into my church and stole my heart.

He immediately had my attention.

The feeling was mutual ... because it wasn't too long after that he told his grandpa that he would "marry that girl" and we started "going together."

Go ahead ... laugh!
This is our first picture together.
Easter Sunday 1996
15 years old and 14 years old
I have no idea what Chris is doing with his mouth.
(before digital cameras -- so of course, we didn't know a re-do was necessary)
Check out our hair and glasses ... both BIG!

 and here we are today ...
Married (soon to be 13 years).
Still "going together."
Actually, "together" is our favorite place to be - we do very little apart.
Happy, happy with a few extra pounds, smaller glasses, smaller hair, and a baby on the way!
More in love than ever.
And absolutely crazy about each other.

Every day, I'm so thankful that our paths crossed again in 1996.

filled with love

Today, I'm thankful for love.

All love.  All year.

My life is filled with love.

To feel loved is a deep desire in all humans.

And to be loved indeed brings happiness.

Love of my husband.

He shows it in many ways.

Taking care of me.
Making my bowl of chocolate ice cream each night.

Providing for our home and family.

Hiding love notes.
Taking out the garbage.

Sending random sweet text messages throughout the day.

Turning on my side of the electric blanket early, so it's toasty warm at bedtime.

And on and on.
 

Love of my family, both immediate and in-laws.

My mom prepares Sunday lunch for us almost every Sunday.

She does so many little things for us ... all our clothing alterations, thinks of us when she is shopping and finds a good deal, allows us to store things in her outdoor building, gathers sticks in her yard for us to use as kindling, and much more.

Chris' parents love me like their own.

My "other-mother" texts me occasionally to check on me.

They've ran errands for us.  And Chris borrows tools from his dad often.

And the rest of the bunch shows love in many ways.

Nothing says love like a big sincere bear-hug when I see my family that I haven't seen in a while.
 

Love of my friends.

I am blessed with true, encouraging, real friends.

Friends who aren't after a "return favor," but genuinely love me for me.
Friends I can be real and honest with.

Friends who send random text messages, sweet emails, Facebook notes, cards, and make phone calls.

It means so much to know I am thought of, cared for, and loved by others.

These friends I know I can count on through thick and thin!
 

Love of my God, most of all.

He gave His son to die for me and my sins.

That's true love.

Real love.
Unconditional love.

And nothing ...  not death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, height, depth, any other creature ... nothing will ever be able to separate me from the love of God.
 

May your day, your week, your year, your life be love-filled (with all kinds)!
Happy Valentine's Day!

14 years

Tuesday marked 14 years of dating for Chris and me.
Even though we are married, we're still dating -- right? =))

We celebrated with a date, of course.

Out to dinner (Mexican, is there anything else??), 

a little shopping (got some new cologne/perfume),

and some yogurt (@ Yogurt Mountain).

We laughed and reminisced about the day we started dating.

Chris has an amazing memory about stuff like that.

It's hard to believe Chris and I have been together almost half our lives.

That means we're getting old.

... but there's no one else I'd rather grow old with.  ;)

*thanks for the picture, Miranda*

me and you

"Two are better than one ..." Ecclesiastes 4:9


Chris and I ran some errands this evening and ate dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We snapped this picture before we went in to eat. We both are wearing stripes. (sort of matching unintentionally) I love him immensely. As quickly as he can "light my fire" ... he too can melt me heart in a moment. I'm definitely a better person with Chris. He and I are a great balance ... he helps to keep me real and mellows out my crazy, OCD ways. =) I'm so thankful for my "other half."

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it's our anniversary!

Eleven years ago today, I married the man that makes me laugh harder than anyone and makes me feel loved and beautiful even on my worst days. May 6, 2000, we started the beginning of our wonderful life together, for the good and the bad, in sickness and in health, through all life’s ups and downs.

There’s no doubt God chose us for each other
… and thankfully we chose each other!I wouldn't have it any other way.
I love him more now than ever.

Happy 30th Birthday, Babe!

Wow! The big 3-0!

We've been together half of your life.
And even after all these years,
I've still got the biggest crush on you!
You're talented - amazing - hilariously funny - and MINE!I don't know what I'd do without you.

I wish for many more years together!
(at least another 30 or 40)
I hope you have a happy day!

Can't wait to party on Friday. ;)
Love you bunches!

a little playful competition

This little board hangs in our laundry room.
I wrote a message first.
And then someone came along and wrote his message.

Irregardless of what you see here,

fact is,
I love Chris MOST!
(to infinity and beyond!!) lol.

one happy bride

planning a wedding.
finding the perfect dress, the veil, etc.
being the star of the special day.
becoming a wife.
loving Chris.

more wedding smiles

these few pictures are some of my favorites,

because they always bring a huge smile to my faceit's who we are.
together.
we always laugh.
and have fun.

living a dream

Ten years ago today, at this moment,
our dream came true - our wedding ceremony began.
Chris and I vowed to love, honor, and protect each other
for as long as we both shall live. And the rest is history … we’re living out that dream!
Time has flown by so quickly.
It's really hard to believe that it has been ten years.

But indeed, here we are, ten years later. Celebrating our ten year anniversary
and we’re still committed to love and honor one another
and be the kind of spouse that we each need. We’ve been through tough spots and had many worries;
but more and more we’re learning
to turn it over to the Lord and trust Him. And we’re confident that there will be more struggles, worries,
but that’s all part of completely experiencing life.Today, we will look back and remember the people that were there,
the laughs we shared, the love we felt,
and how much it meant to us for everyone to be there.Then we’ll talk about how far we’ve come since then,
how we are more in love now than ever,
and thank God for never failing us.

what a ride!

10 years ... a few pot holes ...

several hills ... lots of speeding tickets :) ...
narrow places in the road
but, there's been so much sunshine ...
many smiles ... tons of laughter ...
more happy days than not ...
and a truck load of love.

love

Love is what makes two sit in the middle of a bench
when there is plenty of room at both ends.

14 years ago

Chris and I met (again).

Our parents knew each other.
But, our paths didn't cross much - rarely ever.

I only remember ever meeting Chris

one other time in my life at around 8 or 9 years old.

However, Tuesday, March 26, 1996,

Chris and his family visited our church.

We were in a week-long revival with Rev. Steve Orr.

Chris was 15 years old.

I was 14 years old.

And I like to think that when our eyes met,

the connection was instant.

Chris was informed that I liked him.

And I was told that he liked me.

By Friday night of revival, he found courage

to ask me to "go with him" at the beginning of the service.

I said "yes." And we sat together.

As young love sometimes goes, by November,

we were on 'the outs' and no longer 'going together.'

But that's how it all started.

And as you obviously know, we got back together.

Most definitely, March 26th 1996, goes down in our history,

as a day that changed me FOREVER.

I thought I'd share a few photos from back then.

I 'accidently' scanned them as black & white,

but it slightly helped with the quality,

and I guess it's appropriate, since they are 'antique.'

The big-framed glasses are a good laugh, too! :)May 1996 - Church Picnic @ Biggerstaff Retreaton the church porch

Youth Camp 1996

Session in old-timey photo booth
in Gatlinburg on Teen Sunday School class trip

from my valentine

Je t'aime

I love you

In any language, it's you I love

he is wonderful

My husband is wonderful.
For many reasons.

He often tells me "You look good, babe."

He understands me.

(as much as a man can understand a woman)
He takes out the garbage.
He tries his best to protect me and my feelings.
He sends sweet text messages that brighten my day.

He works hard to provide for us.
He rarely complains about what I have chosen to cook for dinner.
He spoils me.

And he does all within his power to keep me happy.

He is wonderful.

I'm so glad I call him mine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

my man

Chris has been extra-sweet the past few days. (so sweet I even asked him if he was "buttering" me up to tell me some bad news) But, there's no bad news, just a great husband loving me!! He told me Wednesday that we were going home this weekend, which makes this homesick girl so-so-so HAPPY! :) Yesterday he sent me a text which read, "I have some spare cash in my wallet, let's make tonight a date night - we'll eat wherever you want to." And he even surprised me by pulling in at 3:42 PM yesterday afternoon - and he never gets off early. We had a great, fun evening together, despite the cold and the rain. I love him!

leaving for our date

Today for fun, I decided to add in this fun survey about my man:
1. Who is your man? Chris
2. How long have you been together? a little over 12 years
3. How long did you date? Dated for 1.5 years. Engaged for 10 months. Been married for almost 10 years.
4. How old is your man? 28 - he'll be 29 the end of this month
5. Who eats more? most definitely Chris. we shared fajitas last night - he ate 4 and i ate 2
6. Who said "I love you" first? Chris
7. Who is taller? i am by about a 1/2 inch
8. Who sings better? Chris ... he's got the music talent
9. Whose temper is worse? Ummm.......probably Chris, once he is actually mad. mine is just shorter fused and flares more often. :)
10. Who does the laundry? ONLY me; Chris and laundry would be a disaster
11. Who takes out the garbage? Chris - he found out early on in our marriage that i have a sensitive gagging reflex when it comes to bad smells.
12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Chris
13. Who pays the bills? i actually pay them. he makes the $$
14. Who is better with the computer? probably me
15. Who mows the lawn? typically Chris, although I don't mind to, it just normally ends in a broken lawn mower, no weed eater string, or the wrong gas in the mower, etc.
16. Who cooks dinner? Me - always me! (unless it is microwaveable)
17. Who drives when you are together? Chris mostly; expect at night on long drives - so I've been doing a lot of driving lately.
18. Who pays when you go out? Chris
19. Who is most stubborn? I would say Chris - but, he'd probably say me!
20. Whose parents do you see the most? At this time in our lives, we see them the same. When we go home we make it a point to spend time with each.
21. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first!
22. Who asked who out? Chris asked me - we're old school, boys do that stuff.
23. Who proposed? Of course Chris did - at Stone Mountain GA, June 26, 1999!
24. Who is more sensitive? that's a given, ME
25. Who has more friends? Me - but a girl must have friends!
26. Who has more siblings? we both have one sibling.
27. Who wears the pants in the family? I'm striving to be a good submissive wife. :)