Today is our 10th wedding anniversary - thus my top 10 list. Lee is off work today and tomorrow and Will is on Fall Break. So we took the kids to breakfast this morning, did a little shopping (where we found Lee 7 new shirts for work and our total bill was $23.90 - you can't beat that deal!), and watched our wedding video together. It's hard to believe it has been 10 years already, but I'm so glad to have shared them with Lee. And here's why:
10. He helps me clean up the dishes after dinner.
9. He watches the kids so I can have the occassional girl's
night.
8. He is honest.
7. He listens to me talk to him.
6. He loves me.
5. He's a great daddy - adored by his children.
4. He is kind to others - a good person.
3. He fills our home with laughter, happiness, and love.
2. He gives me back rubs almost every night (such a wonderful
way to fall asleep)
1. He loves God and has the kind of heart that wants to please
Him.
Who wouldn't love a man like that? I thank God for every day He blesses us with and pray that the years to come will be as joyful as the last 10.
WOW!!! I remember that day well and so do my feet!! They were swollen for two days after that blessed event. Y'all look so young. Not that you're old or anything. I will stop there so I don't dig a bigger hole. Congrat's
Ok, I have two options for you. I do have a rather large family that are dirt poor that you can adopt. They live about 2 hours sounth of us. They have teenage sons and a couple of small grandchildren. The whole family is very needy and the grandfather is in bad health. There are alot of possiblilties for gifts the. Or you can take on the older christians in the area. We live in a cold climate so you could have them get slippers, scarves, heating pads. Things tlike that . Anything an old person could use. Which do you think the class would like to do?
No I did not get to sing. After security dragged me off the stage and threatened to kick me out if I tried it again I was scared to. Besides that, she did not need any help. She is going to make a great singer one of these days/ :)
We had a "Fall Festival" to go to tonight at some friends of ours house, and everyone was encouraged to dress up in their costumes. It was so much fun. The boys dressed up as Mario and Luigi. There was a hay ride, haunted house, lots of fun games to play (bobbing for apples, dart throw, etc.), and too much good food. They had a bucket where everyone could vote whose costume was the best - one adult, and one child. Brayden won the child's costume. He was excited. It was a fun night and a great way to kick of Fall Break!
They are so cute.. Will looks so big in that picture. I just love it.... They both should have won.. What did you dress up as? Where is your & Lee's pic?
awww how cute! brayden looked so adorable in his little suit yeaterday. after church him and cheney were running around in the grass and cheney asked if he was coming to the potluck and he said i dont think so and she was like NO BRAYDEN!! YOU HAVE TO COME YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO! they are so cute haha
Okay, so I'm a little behind. This is actually our third full week of school. But, life has been nutso every since it began. I'm now teaching two classes. This year it is 7th grade Keyboarding and 9th grade Computer Applications. So far I am loving it. Brayden still goes with me and does great. I get to see Will pretty much every day. I really love it. It has made life a little crazy. There's always papers to grade, lesson plans to write, or something of that nature. Plus, Will is playing Fall Ball this year (for the first time), so it has been non-stop. But, we're surviving.
In reference to the last post, things are better. I think I dreaded the due date so badly that it was a relief to see it come and go. Life seems a little different, like someone has put something over my eyes that shades things a little - where it isn't as bright as it once was. I personally think it's reality. You know, understanding that life isn't going to always go the way you want. I think I had a misunderstanding of prayer before this, and that understanding it correctly has made a difference in how I look at things. But, I don't feel as negative as that sounds. I do feel closer to God than I have in a long time and I think I am happier with my life and more thankful for what I do have. Thank you all for your words of encouragement and your prayers. I know that God has blessed me richly through friends and fellow Christians and I thank God for the goodness he gives us and for knowing when we need it most. One more thought to share about that ... the other day I was putting Brayden in the car and he was not happy with me about something and he said "That's not fair!" (which by the way is a phrase that is not allowed in our house). I said to him, "Now, Brayden, you know that I love you and I'm going to do what's best for you. I am VERY fair to you." As I was saying the words to him, I could almost hear God saying them to me, too. Not in some miraculous, speaking directly to me sort of way, but seeing how I feel about my own children has helped me see how God feels about me. I love my children so much, yet the Bible says if we, being imperfect, can do good to our children, how much more will God, who is perfect, do for us. Praise Him for His perfect love and may we see His goodness even in our trials.
On a MUCH lighter note, let me tell you some things that have been going on with my kiddos these days. This is the first year that Will didn't cry on the first day of school. I, on the other hand, almost DID, because I realized how big he's getting. He is loving third grade and hasn't been sad about going at all. I'm so thankful.
We are having to borrow my in-laws truck right now b/c my car is in the shop for a (Cough, Cough) $575 repair!!! Anyway, the airbag is one that isn't always on, so I let him ride up front today. It was nice having him up there with me. I was sitting there thinking how big he is and he put his sweet little arm through mine and left it there. He's such a sweetheart.
Brayden has been singing a lot lately. Last week he was singing the song "He Is In Our Midst" and he kept singing "Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, and shout and cry for Joyce!" At first I didn't correct him, b/c I was just excited that he was choosing to sing hymns. But later, he was telling me the words and I said, "Brayden, it's shout and cry for joy" to which he replied in a VERY teacher-y kind of voice "Mama, it's praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, shout and cry for Joyce." So, Joyce, I don't know who you are, but we are shoutin' and cryin' for you at our house. He also told me yesterday he thought we should break up. After I stopped laughing I told him I was sorry, but he's stuck with me forever. I guess I'm really not all that sorry.
And, lastly, Lee's sister, Lesley, called me tonight and told me she is expecting. We are all so excited as she and her husband begin this new chapter in their lives. Please remember her and her sweet little one in your prayers. I can't wait! See, baby, your favorite aunt is already writing about you!HAHAHA! I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to tell in the future if you're anything like your Mom and cousin!HA!
Y'all just have an exciting life!! Too much fun. It was great talking to you the other day. We must try an get together soon. Things are nuts around here too. Hopefully it will taper off soon. Hope all the days at school are smooth and Brayden and Will will keep you smiling... I love the Joyce story. Too cute..
You seem to be super duper busy! I am glad you have been feeling some better. Thanks for asking about me, I am feeling some better. I have good days and bad, but at least its not all the time now. God willing I will get back to "normal" soon.
Well, it has been a while! This summer has been a whirlwind. We've so enjoyed being out of school. I kept thinking we would go to the free movies, the library, and many other places - but it hasn't really been that way. We've laughed and played, but we've been busy, too. The boys started off really enjoying each other - but now that summer is nearing the end, fights are much more frequent! They have spent some time with grandparents, enjoyed staying up late, and played a lot. Last week we went on vacation with two families from school. We went to Gatlinburg (6 adults and 9 children). It had its crazy moments, but we had a blast!
Our first full week of school (August 11-15) is our gospel meeting (at Elgin Hills) with Bill Hall! It will be great! If any of you can come, you are welcome.
My Dad retired from his job today, so yesterday was his retirement reception. I'm so excited for him (and for us as we should get to see more of him).
All of those things have been such fun and we have enjoyed being together.
On the other hand, I'm finding the end of summer is greeting me with such sadness. The greatest man I've ever known passed away last week. He was my grandfather and he was 95 years old. Ninety-five seems like such a long life, and yet, none of us were ready to see him go. We are so excited for him b/c there is no doubt he is receiving his much deserved reward. We are confident that while we are broken by his passing, he has been made whole! The world has been forever darkened by the loss of such a great light. I pray that I will be moved to be more like him in his faithfulness and example. He will be missed.
Today marked the first of August. I was in the boys room and decided to turn Will's calendar on the wall from July to August. When I did I looked over the month. He had hand written in special days on his calendar. August the 11th had the words "New Baby Coming" written in his sweet handwriting. The words were marked out in blue crayon. It was all I could do not to break down right then and there. I didn't even know he had written in the due date for the baby, much less that he had marked it out. The past 9 months have gone by so fast. It seems like life was finally starting to get back to normal after the miscarriage. It almost seems like too much to bear in the passing of my grandaddy and the due date right here together. I say all that to say, please remember me in your prayers. I'm no longer bitter or angry. I do still sometimes have to fight the feeling that I did something to deserve losing my baby. But most of all I just long to be my happy self again. I fear that this is the new me and I'll never be my old self again. I know that trials produce faith and character - and I know that my relationship with the Lord has changed and grown. I'm thankful for that new self. I guess if life was perfect we would never look forward to heaven! The reward seems so much more real whenever you know there's someone there you want to see again. I pray that the Lord will use these things to mold me into the person I need to be for Him. I ask you to pray the same.
I'm sorry this post is both long and somewhat depressing. It's been a work in progress all summer in my mind and finally spilled over tonight. I'll end on a much lighter note. Sometimes when Brayden is about to get in trouble or if I get worked up about something my sweet, mischevious, 4 year old will look at me and say, "Relax, Mom!" I NEVER thought I'd say this (and those of you who know Brayden know why), but maybe I need to follow his advice!
What a wonderful post!!! This year has been filled with trials and difficult times for you and the family. I am most impressed with the strength you have shown. Your faith has definitely shown through and I for one am very thankful for your example. I have known you for so long and yet it just seems like yesterday when we met at Kroger and became instant friends. We have been through a lot of loss and life since our friendship began. You have been there for me during the loss of my grandparents, I have been there to see you get married to the man you love with all of your heart and to see your beautiful babies come into this world. Life throws us curve balls for sure but it is the way we handle it and what we learn from it that matters. You are a wonderful example Janica and I am so glad to call you friend. I love you very much. Yeah take Brayden's advice and try to relax, mom... He is something else..... [x]
oh, sweet janica! Hang in there! I wish I could give you some of those big hugs you gave us at fc all the time!! You are learning so much and gaining such strength through all of this. Love you!
My dear friend, I am sorry you are having to endure such heartaches at this time, but your attitude about it all is such and example to us all!!! I pray the Lord eases your pain and that you will find your beautiful smile again real soon!
I'm so thankful to have you as a friend. There is no doubt in my mind that your personal trials have made you stronger! I truly think you are allowing the Lord to mold you into what He would have you to be. I love your attitude when you said that "if life was perfect we would never look forward to heaven"...that is so true!
WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!?!? I know it is a busy week with church and school. We must talk soon. Hope things are going well at school for you. I will call you soon after this week slows down.
