Gratitude. Patience. Love.

I have a real problem with patience.

No, seriously.

It's probably the one greatest (non-physical) thing I would change about myself. It's the biggest fault that ties all my other foibles together.

And, while I know my impatience stains and strains nearly every aspect of my life (my faith, my parenting, my marriage, friendships, self-concept, etc.) I was pulled up short last week by a blog post by Ann Voskamp, author of "One Thousand Gifts."

As described in 1 Corinthians, Ann posited that while love is kind, not jealous, does not brag, not arrogant - it is first patient!

We know that the greatest of faith, hope, and love is LOVE. And, the greatest trait of love is PATIENCE.

Ann goes on further to say love walks with patience when it is first GRATEFUL for what is present in each moment.

"Lack gratitude - then lack patience - then, ultimately, lack love."

I love my kids. I love my hubby. So why are they most often the target for my impatience?

And, instead of working on my faith, my parenting, my marriage, and my friendships like they are all separate balls to be anxiously juggling, I could just work on being grateful.

No, REALLY grateful. Even for the tough stuff.

Even if it means being grateful for the kids challenging my authority - I want independent, curious, thoughtful thinkers, right?

Or, for my husband to challenge my decisions, question my motives, ask me to explain (again) my thinking because iron sharpens iron and he is looking out for me.

Or, for a pastor who asks me to really think about what I believe about God, the Bible, and what a fellowship of believers really looks like.

Gratitude about the muddy feet, broken toys, and spilled juice.

Thankfulness for temper tantrums, sassy children, and sibling bickering.

Appreciate disruptions, interruptions, and unending questions.

Gratitude brings patience. And, patience begets true love. And, ultimately, I want a house filled with True Love.

Pottery, Willow, or Leather? Huh?

Three thousand, two hundred, and eighty-seven days.

That's how long DaHubby and I have been married today. In some ways, it's seems like yesterday. And, in others, my single life seems like EONS ago. LOL

But, as I considered what to write in praise of my wonderful partner-in-crime this week, my attention fell more than once this week to a little wall plaque in my kitchen. This wooden heart hung on the wall in my apartment when we were engaged and in each house we've lived in since we were married.

While we were a-courtin', DaHubby made this heart for me to remember the promises he would make at our wedding and would keep in the years ahead. Some of what he wrote...

"Beth, I promise you the following things...

My love for you will never be compromised by anything in or of this world...

My love for you makes me smile all day long, even when the storm threatens to sink my ship. I can always count on knowing that there is someone out there who feels the same way that I do.

My love for you will always give you my honesty, wit, heart, mind, and soul to make you happy and whole.

My love will always support you in any of your dreams and goals.

My love for you will always make you number ONE in my life.

You see, honey, I will be honored to give you my hand, heart, and soul in marriage; to always put you up on a pedestal where you belong. I love you and I always will..."

*happy sigh* What girl wouldn't sign up for a marriage like that? LOL

And, he has kept these promises through thick and thin...

Through infertility, surgeries, procedures, miscarriages, and heartbreaks...
Through every time I questioned myself, he stood beside me...
Through multiple pregnancies, he's kept me calm and walked beside my overanxious self .
Through deaths in both our families that have shook us hard, we've walked hand-in-hand .
Through blockages I've put up before me, he's challenged me, coaxed me, and occasionally pushed me. LOL
We've fought hard to get on the same page with our finances.
We battled next to each other through the last 2 1/2 years of life upheaval while he completed his schooling to grab for us a more secure future.

When I look back at what God's brought us through the last nine years, I stand in awe. Without Him, we never would have made it. Ours is truly a marriage of three: DaHubby, God, and me.

Happy 9th anniversary, my love. You are the answer to all my little girl hopes, my teenager dreams, my single girl imaginations! I love you.

A Well-Needed Reminder

DaHubby and I married in 2001. We were 32. So, after the whirlwind courtship, the 11 months of wedding planning, and then the ceremony, we deemed it appropriate to jump right in with the whole makin' babies thing. (Don't worry - this is a family-friendly blog. That's as far as that chain of thought is gonna go. LOL)

However, as 2001 ended, we were completely obsessed with temperature taking, charting my cycles, and the like but still were baby-less.

Then, 2002 moved through spring, summer, and into fall. Still no luck and then we were mending our broken hearts over our first miscarriage. In the midst of that grief, I rededicated my life to the Lord and was re-baptized for the first time as an adult.

By 2003, I was completely undone again. I felt like God had left me where I was - childless and alone. It was hurting my health, my spirit, my mind, my faith, and (if I had to be honest) probably my marriage. I was depressed, gaining weight - which ironically worsened our chances of conceiving.

I remember crying at the sight of babies. Being unable to attend baby showers. Unable to hold a baby. Feeling like an awful person when I couldn't manage to be happy for yet another friend or acquaintance who was pregnant. I remember being livid at stories of parents mistreating their children. Every month was yet another disappointment. I felt like a failure. My body was betraying what I thought was my God-designed purpose.

I remember a call to prayer around that time at the church we attended. In the middle of praying about something completely unrelated, I fell apart. I recall laying on the floor face down just sobbing. My heart didn't know what to pray anymore so I just cried and repeated over and over and over "Your will be done, Lord, Your will be done."

I had been praying for over 2 years. Twenty-five cycles I spent praying for just one tiny miracle. "Let me, Lord. Please. I won't complain. I'll love him/her. Raise he/she right and to serve You. I've truly realized what a miracle it would be. I would never, ever take it for granted."

Then, the Lord granted my prayer. We found out we were pregnant in July. And, Flicka was born in March 2004. They said "take her home and love her. You'll probably never conceive again."

And, yet, I began to complain. Flicka was a colicky baby. Spent most of her first 8 weeks screaming whenever she was awake. I spent days wondering "what about ME, Lord? I'm tired!" And, even when God blessed me again with my second miracle, despite my whining and complaining, it was hard to feel grateful at the time as I was still nursing a 15 month old. After Pojke was born in 2006, I began to take it for granted.

So, six years later and earlier this week, I found myself undone again. The ongoing stress and strain of the last 2 years of DaHubby's schooling; the stress and strain of him being laid off in February and surviving on $350/week unemployment; and then the stress and strain of 2 very opinionated, also stressed out kids blowing major tantrums, ignoring me, and being generally rude - I just shut down...and cried.

"I can't do this anymore, Lord."

And, He reminded me yesterday..."But, you prayed for this."

And, I cried again. I was so embarrassed and ashamed before the Lord.

"Yes, Lord, I know. I prayed for..."

the temper tantrums
the mess
the hysterical hyena laughing that sets my teeth on edge
the non-stop talking
the unending questions
the interruptions
the pigpen rooms
the fussy eating
the momma body
the chauffeuring

"I prayed for it all. I also prayed for..."

the constant band-aid dependency
the midnight wake-up calls
the sleep deprivation
the stacks of sticky, dirty, stained laundry
the overnight "accidents"
the 2am calls to the pediatrician
the ER runs
the gum in the hair
the ruined clothes from marker fights
the whining

"Yes, Lord. I asked for all this. I even prayed for..."

the preschool attitude
the kindergarten "Diva" 'tude
the stomping of feet
the awkward questions in public
the embarrassments in stores
did I mention the tantrums?
the sibling bickering
the sibling big time baby-wrestling
the plaster ripped from the wall
the broken curtain rod

And, I even prayed for...

the "clingies"
the little person version of nagging ("Mom? Mom? Mommy? Ma? Mumma?" Repeat ad nauseum)
the God-knows-what in someone's ears
the who-know-what in someone's nose
and, the last night runs for Tylenol or Benedryl

Help me, Lord.

Just like I'm thankful for DaHubby because I vividly remember my awful single days, I just needed to be reminded where I was before God provided me with not one but TWO miracles in my life.

What would my life be like without the Vikings? My heart breaks to even think about it.

But, to remain in a state of thankfulness and gratitude, I also need to remember that I can't do this momma-parenting thing all alone.

I need Him.

Help me, Lord.

Psalms 46:1 ...God [is] our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

A just reward?

I've been pondering a question posed to me yesterday and just couldn't come up with a good answer.

While at the park with the kids, another mom I know was there. As we exchanged pleasantries, she asked how things were going. I gave her my usual update: 20-some days 'til DaHubby's graduation, 9 weeks since his layoff but by God's grace we were hanging in there, paddling against the tide, keeping our heads above water.

Later, she happened to ask how long we'd be there and did we come to this park often. We haven't seen each other much lately and we both felt it would be nice to meet up again.

I said "oh, I bring the kids out as much as possible since (DaHubby's) home studying full time now."

"Well, you must be wife of the year then!" she replied.

I laughed and jokingly said, "oh yea, he's gonna owe me BIG time!"

Then, she startled me with the next question:

"If he could get you anything you wanted as a reward, what would you want? A new car? A new house? A vacation? Jewelry?"

And, I was really at a loss. While all four of us at the Viking Hus have been keeping little "wish lists" for when DaHubby graduates and gets his first big job in his new awesome career, it's never really occurred to me that I would be able to finally get what I "deserve" for dealing with everything over the last two years of DaHubby's training.

I think I mentioned "a vacation would be nice" but I was thinking more upstate and camping rather than Disney and Florida.

And, when I told DaHubby how the conversation had unfolded, he just smiled. Not sure exactly what that meant. LOL

But, my wish list has included things like a new kitchen floor, a new kitchen counter, a new wedding set to replace the ones I lost 3 years ago, some new clothes that come with TAGS and not receipts from Goodwill, some rooms painted around the house, a dinner out, new windows in the house, a compost bin...yea, I know, a compost bin.

And, if God's will is that we stay in this area and not transfer out-of-state for a new job, those are still the things I'd like.

As to what I "deserve"? I keep hearing Dave Ramsey's voice in my head from our Financial Peace University (FPU) classes.

“People think they deserve it just because they suck air, but they don’t!”

"You don't deserve anything until you save and pay for it."

"The most important business lesson my dad taught me was that money comes from work. Don’t talk to me about what you deserve or what you’re entitled to. No one is going to hand you anything. This has been true since the beginning of time: You’ve got to leave the cave, kill something, and drag it home. Then it’s yours."

Honestly? What I've done the last few years while we got our finances together ala FPU and then with DaHubby's subsequent schooling and lay off is what is expected of me in a godly marriage. To give sacrificially. To the glory of God - not myself.

I'm fortunate to know that DaHubby's looking out for me and, when the time is right, there may be some rewards for all we've been through the last 4 years. But, there was NOTHING in our marriage vows or some contract since (verbal or written) that said "well, I'll sacrifice this for you but THEN I get this."

And, there have already been rewards.

Improvement in my marriage through trial, struggle, and joint problem solving.

Improvement of my and DaHubby's character.

Improvement in our sense of contentment.

Improvement in our discernment about what's really important to us as a couple and as a family.

Increase in our faith that our Jehovah Jireh will provide.

Evidence that we have some pretty cool family and church family who will step up, walk with us, pray over us, and take care of us in times when we need them.

Considering what I've seen around me during that same time span, I think we've already been blessed WAY beyond the investment of time, money, and stress we've both put into these challenges.

So, what exactly is my "just reward"? Just what I've already received in addition to the wonderful blessings God's got planned in front of us in this new season of our lives.

To God be the glory. Amen.

Happy Eighth to me!

Eight years ago today, all my dreams came true...


Thank you, my love, for the promises you've kept and the life you've built for us. You honor me more than you know and I'm so proud to be your wife. Thank you most of all for the Vikings (the little mini-you's LOL) and all the laughter. My life is forever changed.

Living the Life

Back in 1999, I was working 50+ hours a week at a middle/high school language arts teacher plus working 10-15 hours a week as a lifeguard. It was a tough schedule but, at that time, I didn't know what else to do. Working tons of hours at multiple jobs over different shifts is all I had been doing for the previous 9 years. I was single, independent, and while churchgoing I had no sense of living it out day to day.

But, to this day, I remember a moment of clarity. I was driving home from school after dark one night. I remember thinking "this is ridiculous. I can't do this forever. And, I don't want to."

And, as I pictured then a "someday" in the future, I remember thinking "I just want some free time to help people. There's people out there like me now, running themselves ragged and I want to have enough free time to serve and help people like that out."

At the time, it made no sense. I never EVER intended to stop teaching in some way. I had begun getting used to the idea of being alone since I was then 31 and hadn't married. I was so sure God intended for me to remain single that I started the process of becoming a missionary with a Bible translation group. I knew I'd *have* to work somehow to support myself.

I felt like a rat in a cage. I could see what I wanted but had no idea how to get there.

Ten years later - I'm living that life.

Instead of a "Road to Damascus" instantaneous conversion, God worked on me and through me until today I can look back and see the miraculous changes.

I'm married, Biblically submitted to the head of my household.

I'm a mother, something I never thought would be possible.

I quit teaching a year before reaching tenure, something you could have NEVER convinced me of doing back then.

I'm a stay-at-home mom, something that would have horrified me back then.

And, yet, I'm living that life I pictured. Just today I was taking a meal to a new mom. In these last few years, I've been able to take meals to, pray with, mail cards to, sit with, talk to people I come in contact with during the walk through my life.

Despite the mess, the chaos, the noise, the stress, the ants, I'm living the life God allowed me to peek at all those years ago. And, I love it!

It's all in the attitude

*deep breath*

*thinking to self* This was a REALLY good day

*then the critical voice pipes up*

But, why? What's so special about what you did today? You got NOTHING accomplished.

Hey, now wait a minute...

*thoughts come to a screeching halt*

I've spent a lifetime battling with that internal critic. You're too fat, too loud, too tall, too awkward, too slow, too different, too freaked out....blah blah blah.

So, I've tried to be positive. I've tried to be consciously thankful. But, I regularly and habitually start listening to that internal critic again.

Then, something occurred to me in a stronger, more powerful way tonight...it's all about the attitude. It's all about which glasses you are looking through as you survey your circumstances. Just today has been full of choices:

ANOTHER sink of dirty dishes
OR
hey, I had the sabbatical from housework today

Man, Pojke has just been a handful all day
OR
Wow, Flicka was an absolute angel at Aunt Peg's house today.

Crud, I got NOTHING crossed off my to-do list today
OR
wow, I got to sit around, visit, watch the kids play with their cousins, and watch a little TV uninterrupted.

Oh no! I forgot my purse at Aunt Peg's
OR
how cool that Aunt Peg brought my purse to me!

Oh my goodness, I'm almost already through my gas budget 'til Wednesday
OR
I'm so blessed to have a second car and the chance to drive around to Aunt Peg's and Grandma's today while DaHubby had class and had work.

I'm not sharing this so I sound all enlightened or holy or whatever but because it was a powerful realization today. And, by sharing, I'm hoping it'll make me more accountable to continue thinking this way.

And, hopefully, it can serve as a gentle reminder to someone who might be having a rough day. (((hugs)))

Something else on my mind today...

Sue had a great post today about attitudes. Ours as wives. As a witness to our hubbies.

Let me ask you...what would your husband say about your attitude?
How do you suppose he speaks of you when you are not around?
And what do you think his friends say about you behind your back?

I'm fortunate enough to know - for the most part - what DaHubby says about me when I'm not around. What makes me catch my breath sometime is what must he think of my attitude? As my best friend, I vent all the icky stuff I'm feeling and dealing with. Eight times out of 10, he helps me with whatever it is. The ninth time - he's just listening to me vent and knows he needs to just listen. LOL it's that tenth time I'm worried about.

I want this home to be a place of relative peace from the world for us - especially for him as he is working full time and schooling full time and needs a place to rest, crash, and re-group.

Now, I'm not suggesting I should start keeping things from him but maybe be more careful about what I say and how I say it. And, for the days he's really struggle (as am I), what am I showing in terms of my faith in Christ?

And, as Sue ended her post:

"How can you change your attitude to show your husband that your faith in God and His Word is real...without using words?"

Thanks, Sue!

7 Posts 7 Years

Other than seriously needing to catch up from a lack of blogging last week, there is another really good reason for having seven posts today...and saving the best for last!

Seven is the number of the day around here today because today is DaHubby's and my seventh wedding anniversary! So, in honor to the man of our house and the most awesome-est hubby in the world, here are my favorite seven things about DaHubby:

I fell in love with him first for those eyes and the smile.
Then, a few months later, I fell all over again when he played piano for me!
He always, always, ALWAYS sees the best in me.
That he brilliantly combines the heart of an artist and the mind of an engineer
That he is so hunka-hunka-hunka *wolf whistle* when he's all sweaty and dirty from workin' outside! *wink, wink*
He is an AWESOME daddy for a little girl!
And, he ROCKS as a daddy for his son as well.

Thank you, my love, for all you have done and all you are doing and for all the promises and dreams we will fulfill in the future. You are my rock, my shelter, and my defender here on earth. Thank you for loving me, making me safe, and giving me the Vikings. You guys rock my world!

Tackle It Tuesday

Not sure if this counts since *I* didn't do the work, but can I have "partial credit" for it being on DaHubby's "honey do" list? LOL

Last summer, DaHubby tackled our crumbling brick porch and replaced it with a beautiful new deck. However, we were at a loss on what to do with the landscaping on the left side of the porch. So, it sat. With a icky pile of debris from construction being my eyesore all winter.

Then, with the help of some kind friends, we were able to acquire several pieces of 2-by-10's as well as several wheelbarrows full of rocks and, in the ultimate Dave Ramsey style, DaHubby made a clean-looking, beautiful rock garden for the cost of a $7 roll of weed barrier! LOL

Many, many thanks to DaHubby, his ingenuity, and his frugalness! Man, I love that guy! LOL

For more tackles, go here.

Another 7 things

Jessie at Overflow of a Forgiven Soul tagged me this week for a "7 Things" meme saying I'm "spunky"! I wonder what THAT could mean? *wink*

The Rules: 1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

And, since I try to pick a "theme" of sorts for these to help me come up with all seven, this meme's theme is my wedding! LOL

My 7 Things:

1. DaHubby and I had a courtship, engagement, and wedding based on "fives": we met on 5/25/00, five weeks later he proposed, five weeks after that I had quit my job and was moving to the other side of the state to be near him, and we were married on 5/5/01 with only 50 guests!

2. A bagpiper "played me" down the aisle!

3. Instead of a unity candle, we exchanged tartans: my family's background is part of the Clan Hamilton and DaHubby's mom's side is connected to the Clan Gordon. I "gave up" my Hamilton sash and then DaHubby pinned the Gordon sash on me.

4. We were married under a cedar arch DaHubby built just for the occasion that then stood in our first backyard and followed us to our current one as well.

5. DaHubby's dad, DaGrandpa, married us. He's that tiny, little guy behind us in the photo above. Don't let his size fool ya! He used to be a boxer...in the Navy!

6. Being new to the area, I planned our wedding for the first Saturday in May...which happens to be the same weekend as a large local festival around here which includes a parade. The main drag out of the local "downtown" passed right by the old-mansion-turned-restaurant that we had chosen. In the middle of the vows, it occurred to everyone that the parade was complete because...everyone that passed by honked at us! LOL

7. The dance with my daddy after the ceremony was the first and only time I've danced with him.7 People I'm Tagging:

Most of my immediate bloggy circle generally don't do many of these but I will tag them nonetheless (LOL) and leave their response up to them.

1. Anita (she'll have to come out of hiding to tell us she's OK)
2. Debbie (maybe she'll show us her favorite seven teacups! *wink*)
3. Lisa (who can probably name the seven best deals she's gotten this week)
4. GiBee (who will probably give seven home remedies for flu and/or toddler ear infections)
5. Christina (I want to make sure she's survived the midwest winter)
6. Sara (who'll need something to do when she comes off her bloggy break LOL)
and
7. Pam (who could easily list seven ways God's blessed her during the last two weeks during her hubby's hospitalization)

Post 757

Well, I had been planning all week to do a meaningful, retrospective, thoughtful, and serious blog anniversary post...then life happened! LOL

So, short and sweet: happy blogoversary to me!

I began blogging to when Pojke was just 10 weeks old. In the midst of "mommy hazing," I needed something that was "mine." Something "grown-up" that didn't include the kids...yea, right! Look at this blog now! LOL

So, it has been two years of growth, fun, prayer, faith building, and friendship. To my other Faithprints alumni: it's been TWO years! Can you believe it? LOL Thank you SO much for making my life so much richer.

And, while DaHubby didn't realize that this anniversary fell today, I got a "gift"! This is what happens when I leave him alone for two hours to run errands...

HE'S CUTTING MY CABINETS! We had talked about this...how the originals were in such great shape, that whoever put them in placed them so low that much of my cooking paraphernalia doesn't fit under them, that MAYBE we would cut them off some day and shorten them up and get some light in my main cooking area...and he went and DID IT!

Luckily, DaHubby is as equally talented with construction as he is with engineering. And, this was my result:

It may not seem like a lot to anyone else but I feel like I have SO much more clearance and there's some really cool optical illusion going on that makes it feel like the cabinets are set farther back now, too.

The difference four inches makes...

And, the difference two years makes.

Thanks again, ladies! And, thanks again, handsome. Reflecting on how lucky I am to have the friends I do and the hubby I do, y'all made for a wonderful day!

I'm finally pretty!

I've never felt particularly pretty. Always felt lacking in all things "girly." Never in style. Wouldn't even know where to begin if I DID want to be "in". Make-up application is still beyond me and I am one of the few women I know who hate shopping of all kinds and would still rather spend extra money on ANYTHING other than a new dress or new shoes! LOL

Luckily, God provided for a husband who compliments my way of thinking! LOL And, he still often mentions how pretty he thinks I am. But, it finally soaked in today....

While snuggling Flicka during our pre-nap routine: "Those sure are pretty eyelashes, Mommy. Where'd ya get those? You sure are pretty!"

DaHubby - no matter what condition I am in - thinks I'm pretty. He sees what's inside and out and still thinks I'm pretty.

Flicka - no matter what kind of day she (or I) have had - thinks I'm pretty. Despite bickering over rules, time outs, what she'll wear or not wear - she still thinks I'm pretty.

How blessed am I? *sigh* Wow!

Bob Villa's Got 'Nothing On DaHubby

Good grief, he's been busy! LOL He's been on a home improvement tear the two weeks.

Basement bathroom re-plumbed? Check.
Bathroom sink faucet replaced? Check.
Grass cut and garden cleaned up? Check.
Concrete (from old porch foundation) moved. Check.
Begin our business website redesign. Check.
Pulled up stinky post-flood carpet. Check.

And, I'm sure I've forgotten other projects.

And, we've talked about having him build another raised planting bed for next summer's garden and painting Pojke's room...which is still the lovely pastel purple we painted for Flicka when we moved in! LOL

While I haven't seen him much and despite my worrying he's not getting enough sleep, I'm SO proud of him! He done good! *wink*

What's Appropriate?

Feeling a little confused after the weekend. Da Hubby and I have been hashing over an issue since Saturday afternoon and I still haven't come to any sort of resolution. So, I figure I'll throw it out to you ladies (I say "ladies" since I think DaHubby is my own male reader! *wink*) and see what you think...

Saturday morning DaHubby and I decided to take Flicka for her first lengthy canoe paddle. Leaving near Lake Michigan and one of its lovely tributaries has its advantages! LOL So, we made the necessary arrangements for Pojke to spend the afternoon with DaGrandma who was going to be baking goodies (rough life, huh? LOL) and the three of us rigged up the car and the van to be canoe-ready, dropped off the van at out exit point and we were off to our entry point!

We drove a couple miles out of town to a local river access park. Flicka was nearly vibrating from excitement. It was gonna be a great day! While DaHubby unloaded the gear, I got Flicka all greased up with sunscreen. We finished getting everything we needed in the boat, got Flicka settled in her "canoe chair" DaHubby set up for her with strict instructions to never, ever, ever stand up, and we were off!

The paddle was wonderful! The weather perfect! Flicka actually sat still and "helped" paddle (by dragging another paddle along side the canoe and splashing a bit LOL). We got out and stretched our legs about 2/3 of the way. The last 1/3 was a little rough on Flicka but we saw blue herons, fish, LOTS of geese, ducks, birds, etc. so she was mildly occupied.

Three hours from when we started we pulled into our exit point's boat ramp and began to load up the van for the trip back to get the car. Then, I noticed it...

My wedding ring was gone.

I had taken it off and set it next to me to put the sunscreen on Flicka...and left it on the dock at our entry point! *sigh* I immediately told DaHubby - who, let me tell ya', is an absolute saint in situations like this! "It'll be alright. It's OK."

We hurriedly packed up and rushed back to the original park. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to cry and hyperventilate. Flicka is starting to pick up that something's wrong. I had even went to my knees near the back of the van to pray.

We arrived back at the entry point to no ring. It was gone. And, I fell apart. But, thanks to DaHubby's low-key reaction, I began to wonder...as a Christian, what was an appropriate level of upset-ness for something like this?

The ring is still a "thing". It's just "stuff" as DaHubby and I have called things before. It's replaceable. The kids are healthy. We're healthy. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, family that loves us, and, most importantly, we still have our faith and salvation in Christ.

But...

That ring already has SUCH sentimental value even for us only being married 6 years. DaHubby drew a picture in the sand one weekend after we met and said THAT'S the ring he wanted for me...and then FOUND IT after scouring half a dozen jewelry stores.

We had a lot of "fives" connected to our meeting...we met on 5-25, 5 weeks later he proposed, 5 weeks after that I quit my job and moved across the state to be near him, we were married on 5-5 of the following year. My ring has five little stones on each side of the main one.

And, that ring symbolized to me all the amazing transformations and healings God worked in both of us from the day we met until our first anniversary. DaHubby was my answer to prayer and that ring was my symbol of that. *sigh*

So, I still have Christ but I have no ring...so what's an appropriate level of "mourning" over things? I would feel ridiculous complaining about this ring to someone like Heather with her recent cancer struggles or to a family member whose possibly looking at a second melanoma diagnosis.

Another thought - I was SO surprised/impressed/moved/horrified at a funeral DaHubby and I attended pre-Vikings with his parents at a super-traditional Pentecostal/Apostolic church where they were literally singing and praising God that their loved one had joined Jesus in heaven. Barely a tear in the place and many smiles to behold. How silly it seems in light of that to be upset over this ring.

But, it's mmmyyyy ring (*whine*)...

So, sisters in Christ, counsel me. What's an appropriate level of upset-ness?

God's Fingerprints - part one

(I was going to try and get this all down in one post but with Sara's good example with telling of her youngest's birth story (*wink*) I'll do it in parts today as I get the chance. Thanks for your patience!)

I can see the fingerprints of god

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of god

And I know it’s true

You’re a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you’re covered with the fingerprints of god

In this case, it was a "what" instead of a "who".

Despite the best intentions of my parents (who were probably initially mortified at the thought of what their eldest, independent daughter was considering), I decided to walk away for an undetermined amount of time from a budding and promising career in teaching once DaHubby and I met. From the day we met until 345 days later when we wed, God did an amazing work in both of us. I have never felt such a move of God in my life until that point. It was clear to me that DaHubby was an answer to prayer. God's fingerprints were all over it.

Before our meeting, DaHubby had been "off the wagon" in terms of church attendance. I was attending church regularly but didn't feel the "fit" or the "fire" where I was worshipping that I so longed for. We were perfect complements to each other - DaHubby gave the fire of his Pentecostal background to me and I gave him back his regular attendance! LOL

We were married 2 weeks before the end of a school year. After much conversation, prayer, and consideration, we decided that I would finish that year of teaching and then I would not work in the fall, I would stay at home, and I would start having babies! Despite the idea going against everything I had been taught and experienced, I really felt deeply that this is what God wanted me to do. His fingerprints were all over it!

to be continued...

Update on my porch...LOL

Well, Da Hubby has been working his tail off since Friday at 1pm. He even skipped church yesterday! Shhh. But, Pastor knew! *wink*

DaHubby had a schedule and I (more importantly) had a promise that this would be done in under a week. He assured me that he could do it in a weekend. Well, that was before we found the 12 inch thick, six foot by six foot concrete slab under the dirt of the old porch! *sigh* So, DaHubby spent most of the weekend beating that piece of concrete up with an 18 pound sledgehammer. But, it got done...finally! The poor baby. And, then there were holes to dig. DEEP holes! Yikes!

Then, posts to put in. And, then holes to back fill. So, after midnight on Saturday night...this is "all" that was accomplished.

So, Sunday was spent getting to this point...


And, today...you see that lovely neon green sticker on my front storm door? The city building inspector approved everything so far! YEE-HAW! DaHubby's coming home soon and should be able to start putting the actual decking on shortly!

It wasn't done in a weekend as he had hoped...but it'll be done before he is allowed to leave leaves for his camping trip a week from Friday! *wink* MY HUBBY ROCKS!

Six Years Ago Today...

Happy Anniversary, my love.

Overheard/Said at the Viking Hus This Morning...

Da Hubby generally gets up a snooze alarm or two after 5am. He goes, makes his coffee, takes a shower, etc. and then usually wakes me up around 6am. That way I can make his lunch, we get a chance to talk for a minute, then I often can get 30-60 minutes of me-time before one of the kids wakes up.

Anyway, he crawls back into bed this morning around 6am and snuggles up behind me. It's obvious he's feeling all mushy this morning. He's quiet for a few moments, lets out a big sigh, and says..."is this what you always wanted? To be the queen of your castle?"

I didn't miss a beat..."yep, I always wanted to be a queen with dish-pan hands!" *wink*

And, he rightly followed up with..."you're gonna blog about this, aren't you?"

LOL Yes, handsome, I am!

We Did It!

What a blast we had last night! Thank you Shalee for your wonderful idea.

We went geocaching! So, we dropped the kids off at Da In-laws at 6pm. Did a quick dinner at QDoba's, then had to run home for a missing memory card which was not in the camera, then to Walgreen's for batteries for a GPS, and then (more than hour after we dropped off the kids) we were off! *wink* (Can ya' tell both of us have ADD? LOL)

So, here we are kid-less at Walgreen's:



With 2 GPS's, how could we get lost? LOL


We found the park. We've lived in this area for YEARS and never knew this park was here! LOL


According to the directions and hints, we walked about 1/4 mile back and went off on a small side trail. Looking for a tree with a root ball in the path. The cache box is supposed to be 3 steps off the path near that fallen tree. Do you see it in the next picture?



Success! And, yes, in case you are wondering, we hung the digital camera from a tree branch to get our picture! LOL


We found one more after this just a mile or so away in a different park but it was too dark by then to get very good pictures. And, we're completely addicted! We woke up today wanting to take the kids to another one about 5 miles from here but other plans (and cooler heads and cooler weather) prevailed. *wink* We'll definitely be doing this again!

Quote of the night from Da Hubby..."so THIS is what geeks do on a date!" LOL