Valentine's Day

So I did something a little different this Valentine's Day for Joey, which we actually celebrated on Monday afternoon instead of Sunday. I got this wonderful idea from my friend Monica. She did this a while back for her husband and it proved successful.

I asked 7 of Joey's friends to write a few sentences or a small paragraph on how he has displayed a certain fruit of the spirit in his life and in their relationship. I assigned each of them a random fruit of the spirit and hoped that everyone would participate. I wanted to write on love and faithfulness. As everyone sent me their's back, I printed each one out and put them into separate envelopes.

The same day I received two back and within a few days all of his friends had responded. Throughout the day on Monday I would give him an envelope to open. At first he said this was embarrassing. He doesn't like people doting on him and him being the center of attention. But as the day went on he found himself asking, "So when do I get to open another one?" It was fun seeing the excitement on his face when he read what other's had said and then to see who it was from. I had asked friends from high school to present day friends, including his boss.

I wanted this to be a source of encouragement for him. It was a reminder to me also that I needed to be more forthcoming in my encouragement and praise of others and not always wait for special moments. People like to hear that they are special and it could very well brighten someone's discouraging day to hear someone speak blessings to them, either in person, over the phone, or in a card.

Here is what some of Joey's friends had to say:

"Joey, you truly are a peacemaker. I appreciate your heart for unity without sacrificing truth. I have never known someone easier to get along with and harder to offend than you and this brings a spirit of peace to every situation you are in. I believe that the reason for this is that you are more concerned about others than yourself. I appreciate this quality in your life. I miss you man."

"Vines dictionary has one and a half pages for good and goodness. The phrase that I found that I think sums it up best is," True goodness can only flow out of a life right with God and yielded to Him." That is Joey. He has a heart for God and it shows. I know that he truly cares for my family, praying for us and being one of the few friends I have here in Texas. If I ever needed him for something I know he would do his best to help me."

"Joey is often kind, doing things for others. There are lots of examples of this in his life. The family that was helped at Christmas is one. The way he's always ready to serve Bonnie (Pregnancy Resource Center director) is another. I'm sure there are many things he does in his day to day life that we don't know about. It's his way of being kind. One way that stands out the most is Joey's compassionate attitude towards the unborn, children, and big families. Joey doesn't just talk the talk, he walks it when it comes to these folks. He will always go the extra mile when it comes to being kind to them or advocating for them. Babies, children, and big families will always have a friend in Joey."

I did not post them all, but everyone's comments were sweet and touched him deeply. Try this idea sometime for your husband. If not for Valentine's Day, maybe for his birthday. I know it will encourage him.

Anniversary Outing

Last Friday was our tenth anniversary. Already. Some of you were in our wedding and as I looked back at our wedding pictures I couldn't help but laugh...Joey's white socks, my weird hair style...I can't believe I cut my hair that short, my eighties-looking dresses, Jeff's big eye glass frames that he no longer has...well you get the picture. I was nineteen. He was 20...almost twenty one. I am now 29 and He almost 31. My what a road we have traveled.

It has been a good road, a great road, a hard road, but a much blessed road. We have had few "big" disagreements and even those were silly and the result of two immature people who hadn't experienced life yet. I love Joey more now than then and it keeps growing. He is easy to love, easy to submit to, easy to follow. He has made my life more than I could have imagined. Life without him wouldn't be worth living. He is such a treasure. *If he reads this which I know he will, he will get on to me for saying such things, but they are true so I must say them.

We didn't do anything what you would call exciting. Lack of funds and Libby being so small prevented that, but we had a blast anyhow. We stayed in a hotel in the metroplex, chilled in the heart shaped jacuzzi, watched the newest Tom Cruise flick...which was good and very clean btw, ate at Salt Grass (our favorite steak house), browsed at Cheaper than Dirt (Joey's anniversary gift to himself was his ammo,) and just hung out with each other. Libby stayed with my mom and did so well that even she was impressed. We felt like teenagers in the movie eating popcorn from the same tub and holding hands.

It was good to see Libby again although she acted very nonchalant when she saw us as if to say,"Oh, hey mom and dad. How's it going?" I'm glad she did good.

I love my husband so much and Lord willing the next ten years will be just as exciting and wonderful.

Birthday Weekend

Yesterday was my 29th birthday. I can't believe I will be 30 next year! I remember when I was 12 like it was yesterday. Sometimes I wish I could be a kid again :(

All three of us had fun this weekend at Homestead. There was a lot to do and if we would have had older kids we could have easily spent two days there. I came away with a dessert cookbook and a quart of honey. The cookbook is really neat. All the ingredients are all natural and healthy and yes they even taste good! They had samples set out for people to taste. The honey they processed from their own beehives. Definitely weren't big spenders.

Joey took me out to eat Saturday night in Waco at Texas Roadhouse. We spent time Christmas shopping at the outlet mall in Hillsboro on Sunday afternoon on the way home. They really do have some cool stores there and the prices weren't bad for an outlet. Some outlets aren't really outlets. The prices are still really high but the store says outlet so therefor it must be cheap. This outlet was reasonable.

Joey wanted to take me out to supper again last night. He was totally against me fixing supper last night although I didn't mind. I was going to make homemade manicotti but instead he took me out to eat manicotti.

It was a good weekend. I had several phone calls, some e-mails and some in person "Happy Birthday's." I got to spend it with my family and so today I must admit that I am a little sad Joey had to go back to work. He has been off since last Wednesday afternoon and I kinda got a little used to him being with us every day.

Back to the grind today...Yuck...but I will make it :)

Back From Ky

We spent our annual vacation in Kentucky this last week visiting my grandparents. We left on August 2nd and returned last night. We spent the night going up there and back to split the trip up. We weren't sure how Libby would do on a 13 hour trip, even with splitting it, we were unsure. She did so good. She got fussy a few times, but with a little entertainment, she was fine. My mom and Amy rode with us so we could split the cost of gas. We mainly just relaxed and enjoyed visiting with family, but we did fit a trip in to Nashville, TN while we were there. We had to take my brother to the airport. He flew in to be with all of us. It had been since 1996 since he had been there. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe and toured downtown. It was fun! We didn't see anyone famous, but of course was on the lookout, lol. Here a few pictures we took while on our trip. It's good to be home.

My great-great Aunt Fin-Fin who is 91 and still living at home.

Memaw and Libby playing with her bowls in the kitchen floor.

Cute snapshot

Us at the Hard Rock Cafe

Happy Birthday America

This was our fifth year to spend the 4th of July at Dan & Michelle Lawrence's house. There were about 150 people there this year...this was the biggest year yet since we have been going. The festivities began at 1:00 with a fishing competition followed with games of volleyball, basketball, an egg toss, watermelon seed spitting contest, tag football, and water balloon volleyball. We got to fellowship with old friends and met new friends and ate lots of good food! Each family had to bring their meat and bun of choice and then bring something for the community table. We scarfed down a juicy cheeseburger and then brought sweet corn and squash to grill too. Yummy!! We had an awesome time of worship that evening followed by a huge fireworks show! We always have such a great time and are already looking forward to next year. As I was reflecting back last year, I was pregnant and being warned by Joey to be careful playing softball. I was running bases 7 1/2 months pregnant! This year we were able to bring her with us and it was such a sweet time. She did so well being out in the heat all day. She fussed only a little when she got tired, but after I put her in the Ergo, she went asleep and then fell back asleep during the fireworks show. We finally got home at 11:00 last night. Oh well...we had fun!

Candy, Lisa, and Me

Joey and I

Everybody at the fishing competition and some are swimming

Joey and his team playing water balloon volleyball...I think they won.

My team of girls against guys. I'm the one in the corner hidden. Somehow Joey missed me when he was taking the picture.

Libby absolutely loves kids so she is trying to give Becka lots of kisses as you can tell. She doesn't quite know what to think about it.

Our family

Me, Lisa, and Candy doing our silly poses.

Worship time being led by Rob Daws and his daughter Sarah playing the violin and Stephen Lawrence playing guitar. James and Kimberly Stoker playing guitar and violin off to the side.

Everyone singing.

Amy Bell and James Stoker helping lead worship

America's grand ole flag waving in the breeze.