25 Years Ago Today .................

I married the greatest guy around.

I was all of 20 years old and really hated dating.  I prayed at night that God would send me the man of my dreams.  The man to be my life partner and the father of the many children I hoped to have.

There was this guy at church who was super nice and who I really liked as a friend.  He kept asking me out but I just didn't think that I liked him "that way" so I kept making up excuses as to why I couldn't go out with him.  You see, I was secretly pining for another boy in our college group.

After a few months of him asking and me saying no a few of my friends asked if I was ever going to go out with that really nice guy named Dave?  No, I told them, he's really not my type.  Fine, my friend Lisa told me, I'm going to ask him out then.

What?

Isn't it funny how we never seem to want something until we think we might not be able to have it?

I had never gone to a professional football game before and had mentioned this to Dave.  One day he nonchalantly mentioned he had two tickets to the Raiders game that weekend and would I like to go with him?  Sure, I said, that sounded like fun.

During the months that I kept rebuffing his kind requests for a date my parents had their own counter insurgency approach to this situation.  You see, they really liked Dave, and couldn't understand why their daughter did not.  Many an afternoon I found him sitting in my living room watching a game with my Dad on the T.V. after church.  You see, he was a starving student and renting a room without a T.V.  I would always feel slightly irritated when I found him at the house, knowing what my parents were trying to do.

Well, it turns out that your parents truly do know what's best for you (remember that kids!). I fell in love with this great guy shortly after our trip to the Raiders game.  I never could really understand why I thought he wasn't my type.  After we fell in love I discovered that he was everything I had ever hoped and prayed for. 

We have had 25 years of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and highs and lows.  We have stuck together and I am so glad we have.  It has not always been easy, and I'm sure there have been a few times when you thought it might be nice to have a little break from being my husband:), however, we have always seemed to find a way to compromise and let each other know how important we are to each other.  Yes, we may bicker and argue sometimes, and the kids might role their eyes at us and tell us to cool it every once in a while, but how comforting it is to know that no matter what, I am married to a man who is on this journey with me for the long haul.  We are running a marathon not a 5K.

We have seven wonderful children and a life I am thankful for each and every day.  I thank God for giving me the privilege of being your wife.  I'm so glad I didn't let that other girl ask you out on a date those many years ago and was smart enough to finally say yes to your kind invitation.  What an idiot I was!

The minister who married us was our college minister.  He and his wife Kathy have been life long friends of ours and our daughters are the best of friends.  Another blessing that came of me marrying this great guy.

I can't wait to see what the next 25 years brings honey!! I'm so glad I get to spend them with you!

Lovin Summer!

Howdy Friends! Lots going on around here since my last post.

We have finished our school year, had out of town guests, visited Sea World in San Diego, played our last baseball games, turned the school room into the two older boys bedroom and have been hanging out by the pool and reading a lot of good books.

Zach graduated from High School and is excited about starting college in August.  We had a pool party celebration for him, unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures.  How could that have happened?  I guess I was so busy having fun it slipped my mind.  I am sure my camera/picture hating son was not disappointed at all.

Here we are at Garrett's last baseball game.  I can't believe my first baby is all grown up and ready to head off for college.  We are so proud of you Zach!

I have been cleaning out old curriculum and starting to think about our next school year.  I think I have it all planned for our two High School Students....Yes!, I will have two now!  Samantha graduated from 8th grade and will join her brother in our journey at home schooling through High School. 

They are both going to take three classes through a classical academy and then take their other classes at our Thursday co-op.  This will be a lot less work for me and allow me to spend a lot more time with my little ones.

Here is Garrett who was showing off his cannon ball skills to Levi.  Levi has learned to swim and no longer needs his floaters on.  However, he likes to wear them and calls them his "big muscles".  So funny.

I have been using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons with Levi.  His is doing great.  His English is also coming along wonderfully.  Those who meet him can't believe he has only been speaking English for a few short months.  He is one smart and happy little boy!

Levi loved playing baseball and is going to basketball camp next month and then starting soccer in August.  He is very very excited!

All of the kids are enjoying swimming everyday together.

Garrett really loves his little sister Amelia.

Amelia also loves to swim.  She is such a happy little girl!

She has learned where the big step ends and the "big" water starts.  She is usually happy to play on her step.

When she gets tired of playing alone she will call to the kids and one of them will immediately respond to her call.  No, this little girl is not spoiled at all:)

Every once in a while she gets a little to brave and falls of the step.

Not to worry, big brother was there to save you!

Our six month post placement report is due in two weeks.  Hard to believe the children have been with us for six months, however, in other ways it feels like they have been with us forever.  What a blessing!

We are going to clean the house today and then play the rest of the week.  We are berry picking with friends on Wednesday, pool party for our home school group here on Friday, one day we will go and see Toy Story 3 and then who knows what else will come up. 

Summer, you just gotta love it!!!

Shivers Just Went Up My Spine

Garrett will be leaving in a few weeks to travel to Wisconsin to visit his best friend who moved a few months ago.  He is sooo excited.  I am a little nervous to send him off on a four hour flight alone, but I have been trying not to worry about it.

I read this today.

I'm not sure I will be able to sleep tonight.  Seriously?