32 Years -- Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Daddy!

Congratulations on 32 years.

That seems like such a long time to me.

Chris and I are working on 2 years of marriage, and I'm only 29...
32 years of marriage seems so long!

Thank you for staying together.  Thank you for sticking to marriage through everything.  Thank you for having me, and loving me, and, most of all, loving each other.

Congratulations on all the good times and bad, the sickness and health,
the richer and poorer, the arguing and compromising, the joy and sorrow that these years have held.

 Thank you for your example of marriage, and congratulations on your years together.

Ohhh, the List.

Ohhh, there is a list.

There is a list...
of names...
baby names.

There is an on-going, never-ending, ever-changing, hypothetical, not-needed-at-present list of baby names.

I don't remember the first time I thought, "I like that name.  I might name a baby that someday," but I can assure you, it was at a young age, and it was the first of the same thought that would cross my mind countless times in the years to come.

For some reason, I think I have four names at the moment... for the four hypothetical children that Hubby and I might have.  And I think, "Perfect.  Finally, I've settled on the names I like best."

Then I think, I'd better write these names down, lest, I'll forget when the time comes to name my four yet-to-be-conceived babies.  It's in writing down those names that the flood gates open.

I cannot write down four names, I write down twenty names.

Ohhh, the List.

At present, names that top my list are (in no particular order):

Names for Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice,
The Little Miss:

Leah
Abigail
Grace
Tracey
Helen
Liebe (Pronounced Lee-bee)
Susannah
Stella
Eleanor

Christine

Paige

Elizabeth

Trinity

Addison
Lexington
Remington
Phoebe
Meredith
Charlotte
Caroline
Samantha
Isabella
Henrietta
Effie
Virginia

Names for Snips and Snails and Puppy-dog Tails, 

The Little Gentleman:

Howard

Hunter

Sanden

Nathan

Jackson

Alonzo

Brady

LeRoy

Tristan

Landon

Peyton

Clayton

Milton
Mason
Lloyd
Peter
Seth
Kenneth
 

... So that settles it...

Chris and I will be having 43 children.  Oh, Joy.
Yes, Joy... there's another name I like.
Make that 44 children.

Ohhh, the List.

The Best Hubby

I have the best hubby.
Period.  End of sentence.  No argument.  No debate.  No question.

My hubby loves taking care of me.
He does not love putting his clothes in the hamper, or watching old musicals.
He does not love my cooking, or my attitude when I'm stressed.
But my hubby LOVES taking care of me.

Yesterday, I was not feeling well.  It was those first stages of a cold -- the tickle in my throat, the abnormal headache, the beginnings of a runny nose -- that usually rears its ugly head around this time of year.  My amazing hubby had a hot bath drawn and a heating pad on and ready for me when I got home.  He was able to run home on a quick break between the end of school and after school responsibilities, and make sure I was well taken care of.

I have the best hubby.

1000 Words

Everyone laying on Mama -- me!

We had a good, but long, tiring weekend.

Guns and Religion: The Tipping Point

Yesterday, I shared my views on Guns and Religion.
I also shared that I am taking a class this weekend that will enable me to apply for my concealed carry permit.

Chris and I had been talking about my getting a handgun and applying for a concealed carry permit for quite awhile, but there was one testimony that crossed the tipping point for me.

This woman's words were my tipping point in terms of myself and this issue:



Thank you for your respect and thank you for reading.

Guns and Religion

I have spent a lot of time recently thinking about Guns and Religion.

They are paired in my mind from the political statement,
"Clinging to my guns and religion."

Chris and I have been talking for the past few months about handguns and the license to carry a gun in a concealed way.  Chris has owned handguns ever since I've known him and he is licensed to carry a concealed gun.  More to the point, we have been talking about my having a handgun and acquiring a concealed carry license.

I had to think and pray quite a bit about this decision, and mostly wondered what it said about my faith that I was considering becoming licensed to carry a gun.

My answer came a few weeks ago after I shot the handgun that we purchased for me for the first time.  We had purchased this gun, I had learned how it worked, and I had shot several rounds at a target at our shooting range.  When I came home, I asked myself if I felt powerful, or in control, or strong now that I had shot the gun, and the answer was none of those.  I felt prepared.

I did not feel strong or powerful or any of those things because I never intend to use a handgun.  I did feel prepared -- exactly the way I feel after I take a CPR class.

In that moment, when I realized that I felt prepared, the way I feel after being licensed to perform CPR, I had my answer regarding guns and religion.

When someone is choking, I would not simply pray for them and call 9-1-1.
I would act.
I would do everything in my power, and what I have been trained to do to try to save their life... and I would pray, and I would call 9-1-1.

When someone is not breathing, I would not simply pray and call 9-1-1.
I would act.
I would do everything in my power, and what I have been trained to do to try to save their life... and I would pray, and I would call 9-1-1.

That is how I have resolved the question of guns and religion.

If I am in a situation where someone is trying to cause mortal harm, I will not simply pray and call 9-1-1.
I will be in a position, where, if possible, and if I am able, I will act.
I will do everything in my power, and what I have been trained to do to stop the person causing mortal harm... and I will pray, and call 9-1-1.

This weekend I am attending a basic handgun and pistol class, which is the class required to apply for my concealed carry permit.  This does not mean I will carry a gun every day -- or ever.  This means, I legally have the right, and have the training to carry a concealed firearm if I so choose.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this matter, and that is the beauty of our country.  I have spent a lot of time thinking and praying about this, and I just wanted to share my thoughts on this particular matter.

Thank you for your respect, and for reading.

Dreams...

Are dreams necessary or unrealistic?

When I say "dreams", I am not referring to the subconscious thoughts that penetrate your sleep, I mean "A dream is a wish your heart makes" kind of dreams.  I mean the dreams like when a little girl dreams of growing up to be a princess, and when a little boy dreams of growing up to be a knight.

Adults have dreams, possibly a little more based-in-reality than becoming a princess or a knight, but some can still be pretty unrealistic given their current circumstances.  Are dreams a necessary and healthy part of life, or are they unrealistic hopes that need to be avoided?

Is is better to live in the real world and think you're prepared for what might come your way, or go after your dreams and risk not being prepared or equipped for the real world?

I don't know the answer.
I think many people's opinions would depend on the results.
The man who quit Harvard to develop facebook became a millionaire is considered a genius. (This scenario really happened)
The man who quit Harvard to develop an internet company that sold ice became one who is bankrupt and is considered a moron. (I made this scenario up)

Is it good to dream or is it better to stick to the status quo and be happy with the way things are?

A Little Keep Calm History

Yesterday I saw a cool poster on the wall of a classroom, with a little history attached:

So, these KEEP CALM posters have pretty much taken over the internet...

via

I think its interesting to know where this Keep Calm idea originated.  According to the excerpt along with this poster, the history of Keep Calm is as follows:

"Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the even of invasion."

So, these Keep Calm posters are all well and good and cute and everything, but the truth is they were designed to encourage people during a real time of war and mortal danger.  So, whatever you are feeling you need to "keep calm" from these days, get over it and remember you don't have Nazis bombing your country.  Things will be fine.

There's a little history for your Thursday.

Learning About my Hubby

I absolutely love being married to my hubby!

The longer I'm married, and the more I realize I have to learn about my husband and about being a good wife, the more in love with him I am.

I have new favorite things about marriage all the time... but at the moment one of my most favorite things about marriage is the secrets we share with each other, both intentionally and unintentionally.

There are the secrets we expressly share with each other -- our hopes and dreams and frustrations and joys and struggles...

Then there are the secrets that we both just learn about each other the more time we spend together.  I know what he does likes to do when he walks in the door at the end of the day.  I know his favorite pastimes and which he prefers under different circumstances.  I know how he works and studies best and when he's procrastinating.  I know how he pretends to dislike cats, but secretly loves our Lexie girl because she's ours.

I admit, I am an occasional fan of the television drama and I feel for those married couples that are so in love, but one of them has been keeping a secret.  You name it, there has been a drama written about keeping it hidden from your spouse -- an illness, a disease, a desire, a skeleton in the closet, a past decision, an embarrassing family member -- its all been hidden from a spouse in the television world.  As I watch those dramas, I am always drawn into the story, but then I am completely relieved to know that none of those secrets are between my husband and me.  We still have things to learn about one another, but we have not deliberately and intentionally kept things from each other.  I am completely in love with this man and completely trust that he has not kept anything from me.  Surprises are in our future -- but not deceptive, caught-in-a-lie surprises.

I have learned so many things about this wonderful man who married me in the past year and a half, and I still have so much more to learn.  I love that even with all I have left to learn about my hubs, I love that I know him better than anyone else on earth.  :-D

If I Ruled the World...

If I Ruled the World...

•  Snow would be on the ground from November 1 - April 30... and we would just skip that mud season when everything melts
• I would have several siblings my own age, and we would have our own relationships and dynamics and ups and downs and life-long memories together... in fact, everyone would.  If I Ruled the World, there would be no such thing as an only child.
• Instant tele-portation would be a reality so I could live in Colorado, but have dinner every few weeks with my parents in Michigan
• I would remember more of my life... I'm amazed at how many details and experiences from high school and college I just don't remember
• Chinese food would have zero calories, and eating desserts would actually burn calories
• I would not feel so ashamed when I cry -- If I ruled the world, I would not change how much I cry, and how often I tear up, but I would change the fact that I feel embarrassed whenever it happens outside of my own home
• Children and animals would be loved, cared for, protected and healthy
• The intentions of myself and others would be viewable between the lines of what is said and written so that misunderstandings would be rare
• Food wouldn't splatter in the microwave
• I would have less worries and more faith
• I would think of more important world-changing ideas for "If I Ruled the World..."... but everything that I think of of a religious, political, social angle makes me feel like I'm imposing my view and my values on others, which I guess is what "If I Ruled the World..." is implying...

But I do not rule the world, and I am not supposed to...

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8

Year of Dates: February

Yesterday Hubby and I had our February Date.

We have wanted to try a restaurant in Carbondale for awhile now, but we hardly ever get to Carbondale, and its not on the way anywhere either, so we hadn't been to the restaurant yet.

Yesterday, we made a special trip to Carbondale specifically to try White House pizza.

They offered half-priced appetizers on Saturday until 5pm, so we slept in late Saturday morning, got a few things done around the house, and then headed to Carbondale for an afternoon late lunch/early dinner date.

Caprese salad, BBQ Chicken pizza with a wheat crust, and a soft, gooey chocolate chip cookie... Delicious!

The atmosphere of the place was really fun including autograph pictures of celebrities who have been in to eat.

While we were there, a friend of mine from when I first moved to Colorado walked in with her husband and daughter.  I haven't seen this gal in 3 years as she moved to Washington a few years ago.  Now she's back in Denver, and happened to be in Carbondale for the day.  It was so great to see her and meet her family.

 Hubby and I are loving our monthly dates!

1,000 Words...

1,000 Words... and more actually...

Literally more than 1000 words... and one of my wonderful Valentine's presents.  :-D

News From My Field

Many of you know that I work with students who are blind and visually impaired.

There are very rewarding parts of my job, and very challenging parts of my job.

Thus far, the most challenging part of my job has been working with a student who is slowing losing his vision... he doesn't exactly need my services today, but I have to try to prepare him to adjust to the idea that someday he might need my services -- and by that time he might be out of school, and I won't be there.

There are several eye diseases that slowly rob people of their sight, but last night on NBC Nightly News, they announced a tremendous breakthrough for people with one specific eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa.

I have a few students with this disease and know several adults who have lost, or are losing their vision to this disease.  The below news story is an answer to prayer and the biggest breakthrough people with Retinitis Pigmentosa have ever seen.

Wouldn't it be amazing if, in time, eventually, I had to find a new job because people's vision had been restored through the miracle of science and technology?  Please, Lord, let it be!

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

1 Corinthians 13 on Valentine's Day

To amazing Hubby, My Valentine...

I wanted to search the internet and Pinterest for wonderful, insightful quotes about love that I feel apply to our relationship and marriage... which I will include a few,... like this one:

 ... but my plans for this Valentine's post took a turn when I started searching 1 Corinthians 13.  Hubby, I love the sentiments and instructions of 1 Corinthians 13... I love that they are so widely known, but I dislike how flippantly they are sometimes recited.  In my opinion, they are the most explicit marriage instructions and advice the Bible provides.

They are certainly not instructions to be taken lightly... however, I thought these pictures illustrating each instruction were so adorable and sincere, I had to share them.  Forgive me for the post full of pictures... but this is my way of showing my love today.  :-D

 All of these pictures made me smile, and made me think of our sweet dependents -- Lexie and Lloyd.

Hubby, in addition to these adorable portrayals of 1 Corinthians 13, I saw the following pictures and quotes on Pinterest that reminded me of you, of our love, of the joy that you bring to my life everyday, and how much I love you and feel so fortunate that you are my husband.

I love you so much, Babe.  Thank you for being my man, my hubby, my Valentine, my wonderful partner, my spouse, my Babe, my sunshine on a cloudy day.

Happy Valentine's Day, Hubby!