Thursday, June 28, 2007

Happy 16th Anniversary, Max!!



Looking back to the day I married you, I realize that we were both rather naïve and probably didn’t fully comprehend the enormity of what we were committing to. We long-distance-dated for just under a year before you proposed and were married six short months after that. Did we really even know each other? We just knew that we were “madly in love” and wanted “to spend the rest of our lives together”.

Kind of scary, actually…but thank God that He knew there was more to us then starry-eyed infatuation. There is no doubt in my mind that He led us to one another and crafted each of us to be perfect soul-mate for the other. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Him for giving me YOU!

Things I didn’t know 16 years ago:

*I was marrying someone who’d become my very best friend
*You’d inspire me to become a better person
*I’d cherish our talking “dates” on the couch
*I was getting a great running partner
*My heart would be held and so protected
*Each day, I’d be counting the hours until you came home from work
*You’d be the bright, shining spot in my day
*You'd much rather spend time with me and the kids than watch t.v.
*You’d keep such a great looking yard
*You’d value having a wife who is a full-time mom and homemaker
*I’d be showered with so much love, both in words and in actions
*You’d be such a family man
*You’d invest so much time in our children
*You’d open your heart and our home to our sweet Brielle
*You’d be such a stabilizing force in our family
*I’d want to spend my time with you more than anyone else in the world
*I would look forward to your daily phone call over lunch
*We’d have so much fun together
*You’d make me laugh so much
*How kind, patient, and slow-to-anger you are
*I'd be so much more in love with you 16 years down the road!

Looking forward to holding your hand through the rest of life's journey!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Happy Father's Day!

(One day late...just like my card)

Dad ~

Thanks for:

*teaching me to be disciplined
*modeling and passing on a great sense of humor
*always being there for every event I ever participated in
*your tender, loving side
*the countless hours of shooting hoops at Trinity school
*being my first running partner, and
*still running with me
*your fun energetic personality
*sharing warm cups of coffee and conversation

I love you, Dad!



Happy Father's Day to you, Max!



Thanks for:

*putting our kids and our marriage first
*coming home at 5:00, even though you have enough work to keep you there all night
*joyfully and willingly spending your free time with the kids and me
*being a fun dad!
*your wise fatherly counsel
*appreciating(and often reminding me of) the value of full-time motherhood
*providing a stable home in which our children can thrive
*modeling a positive, non-complaining attitude in all situations

I am so blessed to be sharing this journey of parenthood with you!
I love you!!!

Monday, June 4, 2007

Comfort Food

My sister, Cindy, "tagged" me with the request of sharing the recipe for my favorite comfort food. This probably sounds silly, but I love pumpkin...pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins (last fall, I sooo badly missed the pumpkin and cream cheese muffins from Little Farmer pumpkin farm in WI), pumpkin pie Blizzards from DQ - pumpkin anything and anytime of the year! I actually crave it quite often. Knowing this, I always have a can of pumpkin on hand so that when I crave the comforting taste of a pumpkin-filled carb, I quickly whip up this recipe for Pumpkin Bread:


Pumpkin Bread - this makes 2 loaves

4 eggs
1 cup oil (I often use applesauce)
3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup water
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 cups pumpkin

Beat all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into 2 large greased bread pans.
Bake at 325 degrees for 90 minutes.




I love eating a slice or two right out of the oven, accompanied by my favorite comfort drink ~ a hot mug of Starbucks' House Blend coffee.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Friday, June 1, 2007

Hurry back, Mom and Dad...I'm having caffeine withdrawals!



I'm sneaking in a belated post about my Mom and Dad's visit a few weeks ago...
We had such a great time! As I've said before, my parents are so very active, and we always love being on the go with them.

Their visit included a 5-mile hike at Government Canyon State Park, where the cacti and wildflowers were in full-bloom. Next came a trip to Sea World, Missions National Park, a few dips in the pool, multiple trips to Starbucks, and way-too-much going out to eat.

What a blessing it is to share such sweet memories of times with my parents! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for showing us such a good time : 0)!