The Downpour Continues...

So, another year was here and gone, and I always like to be able to look back on each year, and be like ... "YOu remember 2008 - that was the year we _____..."

I was sitting here thinking about 2008, trying to sum it up in a sentence or less, and I am having the hardest time doing so...So many memorable things have happened this year, however, there have been a few that have really left an impression...

My marriage has been tested like never before, not by dishonesty or infidelity, but by the trials of life. I am very encouraged that my husband and I have fought through every one of them, hand in hand, pulling each other to the surface with even more help from God...This is going to be a good marriage year. Kenny has really been making a conscious effort to be more affectionate and thoughtful, and I am already noticing. I have been working on being more respectful and less critical. We have been taking the steps to spend more shoulder-to-shoulder time together, as well as taking time out of our busy lives to just be together, in each others arms...It's amazing how the struggles of life disappear when you are in your life partner's arms!

This has been a phenomenal year to watch my kids grow...McKayla has been working so hard at developing her sweet friendships and being a "peace builder" at school. And Korban has been growing and changing daily as he learns from his teachers and classmates at school, always coming home with a song to sing or a story to tell. They truly warm my soul, and I have been working hard on teaching their open hearts about Jesus and his love, and trying to gently guide them in the way He would like for me to.

This past year has been a blessed struggle for me, as the most signifigant event has been watching and engaging in the fight of her life...FOR her life...my mother-in-law has been engaged in. She has taught me so much this year, but most of all, to stop wishing I could change my world and JUST DO IT! Tami, I love and respect you...and your sweet advice and strong resolve...

I may not be able to stop the downpour, but I will hold your hand and walk with you in the rain!

Sending all my love and hugs to my friends for the new year!

K

And Two Shall Become One

So, on this day, 9 years ago, I was getting dolled up to get married. I was totally clueless about the true meaning of the vows I took. Y'know the ones..."In good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health..." You get the picture!

BUT, we got married, as babies, it seems, as I look back at the pictures. We were all of 19 and 20 years old, and soooo in love! So, I thought it would be fun to do a "top 10 list!"

Top Ten Things They Never Tell You About Marriage...

10. The wedding day is just the beginning!

9. Being married is the most rewarding, most fullfilling relationship God will ever grant you...and the most difficult!

8. It takes Men a loooong time to mature, but it's worth the wait!

7. When God picks our mate, he balances us perfectly for the future, even though we have yet to fully understand how.

6. The excitement of being a newly wed was nothing compared to my excitement now as I look forward to seeing my spouse at the end of a day! He is "home" to me!

5. Finding time to nurture a relationship can be a challenge with kids, but is a MUST!

4. The path of sharing life's road with another can be bumpy and rocky, but there is nothing like being hand-in-hand with someone alot less klutzy than me!

3. There is nothing like having a good belly laugh with your spouse.

2. I think marriage is created so we have someone to keep our icy toes warm in bed in the winter.

and finally number one...

1. Love isn't always a flowery feeling...It's a choice, and sometimes one that takes some effort. . .

When I promised to love Kenny, I knew there was no "out door" for me. I didn't know that there would be times that each of us was so darn unlovable, that it would require some serious effort by the other one!

I cherish my marriage, and feel very blessed with the family I have. I CHOOSE to love Kenny as my number one. We have been through and will see again some very tough times together, but I know that he is my partner, and I am his..."Through good times and bad, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live!"

I look forward to years ahead with my husband, and pray we end up as that cute little couple in the park sharing a lunch and feeding the birds hand in hand...

Editing a bit tonight...

Hey,

For those of you who have been reading my blog, you may notice something missing...a past post.

It was brought to my attention that my words of that post, labeled "Frustration Central," was possibly hurting feelings, so I deleted it to avoid upsetting anyone as requested...

And, I am truly sorry if my honest feelings upset or effected anyone...wasn't really trying to accomplish anything other than venting, and didn't really have any other venue. So anyway, sorry.

Sooo...I tend to be pretty open about my emotions and pretty honest about what goes on in my life, so will be trying very hard to keep my blog pretty impersonal and surface for now so I don't continue to ruffle feathers... But for those of you who are close to me, feel free to email me directly if you want to catch up!

L.I.G......Life is good.

Well, maybe not perfectly good, but last night I emailed Norm to make a request about how he relay info. to Kenny since I am out of the loop now, and Tami emailed me back...

It seems like there was a whole crap load of misinformation, and she is being gracious enough to see through it and put this aside so we can ALL be together as a family.

I am relieved. . . But now, we have something not so fun ahead of us. Tami and Norm have been called to Chicago by her oncologist, and I am afraid there may be some tough news. However, I know that God is good, ALL the time. His timing is perfect, and so is his plan...even when it is not in line with mine ;)

So, now we wait and pray and pray and pray and...did i mention pray?

Homemade Halloween

So, I ALWAYS make the kids' halloween costumes, and this year is no different... I just like them to have something a bit different than the ones everyone is wearing from Wal-Mart! Sooo...here is McKayla's new costume for this year. I will paint her face of course, so this isn't the full effect, but she has on her own leotard, tights, and wings. I made the tutu last night from $3 of tulle that I picked up. And, call me biased, but I think she is going to be the cutest little trick-or-treater EVER! Well, her and Korban, that is. He is going to be a "Scary Dragon!" Which is going to be made from a sweatsuit and a half, and lots of scotch brite sponges...

Intrigued? Doubtful? Welp, cross your fingers that it works out, and I will post it next week once it is finished!

Peace to my friends...

Farmin' Angels

I can't begin to tell you how special our evening was. Korban is OBSESSED with tractors and our friend Steve Mayfield just happens to be a farmer. Soo...when he told Kenny the kids could come out and ride in a combine, we were thrilled.

It never grows old watching my babies discover the world. McKayla was so excited, she actually dance the whole way out into the field down the trail, ooo-ing and aah-ing over every beautiful grasshopper she found. Korban, predictably babbled and asked questions non-stop, and I snapped pictures along the way.

Steve was gracious enough to take all three of my kids on the combine for about a half-hour. He taught them how it worked and what they did with the corn. They got to see the wagon full of corn, and watch the combine work through the back window from inside the cab. He also surprised them by giving them each a turn behind the wheel, and if you don't think we talked about it non-stop, you can think again!

Korban takes the prize for cutest quote this time, and I don't think I will forget it for a long time! He held up a piece of discarded corn and said so seriously, that I had to snap a picture..."Mom, this is ree-wee the corn me and sissy got cut-ted down!"

It's such a blessing to see ordinary things become the wonders of the world through a child's eye!

Peace.

Bragging a Bit!

Okay, just had to share a pic of my beautiful girl and her cousin! This is Deann on the left, our niece, and McKayla on the right. Now, I might be biased, but I really think she was the most beautiful girl at Auntie Sarah's wedding! Oh, and I can't begin to tell you how much she adored having hair and make-up for the big day!