15

That's how many years ago it's been since I married my love! We are so excited to be celebrating our 15 years of marriage today!!!!

I am extremely thankful for our marriage. We've had our share of ups and downs and it hasn't always been easy. BUT... it has totally been such a blessing to grow and mature with someone who loves me unconditionally. Seriously... he really loves me unconditionally!

And I'd do it all over again, no questions. I love this man more today than I did the day I said "I do."

I am thankful for him. When I was dating I didn't really know what kind of man I wanted to marry. I just wanted to be loved.

I will be forever grateful to God that he gave me a hard working man, a man who loves God, and a wonderful father to our children, all things I value so much and didn't even know how much I would or should. I know he will always take care of us until his last breath. Even though he has chronic pain, he gets up every day and goes to work. I pray Micayla will be blessed to marry someone just like him.

I am thankful that John loved me back when I wasn't so lovable. He has been quite long-suffering, patient and forgiving with me. I'm not really proud of who I've always been but am so thankful for God's mercy and grace, and a husband who loves Him and in return, could love me through some of my yuck. It was painful at times, but can't things that are worth fighting for be painful at times??

I love how much we've grown up together. We've learned to love God together, parent together, enjoy our uniqueness with each other, and learn to have meaningful friendships together.

Happy Anniversary baby!! I can't wait to celebrate 50 years with you! I love you with my whole heart and know we'll be together forever! I wouldn't want to do this life with anyone else!!!!

Our New Family Member

Meet Jack...


He's been so much fun! He does this a lot right now. I'm not a big fan of pets on furniture and I wasn't thrilled that John put him on the couch, but we're gonna let that slide... for now.



Not sure how big he's gonna be but I'm guessing big. He's been super sweet and we are loving him!!

Christmas 2010

Can she really be 11?

I can't believe it's already been 11 years. Seems to go faster and faster each year.

Some pics from her day... a SPA day at the house with some friends. Thank you Mom and Julie for staying and helping. Not sure I would've survived all those nails, toes and hairstyles!!




It was a fun day and she had a great time. She has some really sweet friends!!!! They each brought their American Girl dolls too and it was a lot of GIRL fun!! Good thing we sent the boys away for the day!

Love you baby girl. You're such a huge blessing in my life!!!! We're so thankful God blessed us with you!!

Goodbye Mick

It's been a hard 24 hours. Our best furry friend and companion died yesterday. It was a horrible day. Mick was the best dog ever. I know we all say that about our pets but he truly was the best dog for our family. He was passive and obedient. We only used a leash so other people wouldn't freak out. His size was rather impressive and intimidating to those who didn't know him. I think that was one of the many things I really liked about him. He was a protector for our kids. He was a best friend to our kids.

I woke up and at first sight of him I knew something was wrong. He was very round and bloated. Now I know Mick was a large dog, but this was way different than normal. He wouldn't lay down and kept retching and drooling. I could tell he was very uncomfortable.

My sister came over and offered to help get him to the vet. She is always there for the yucky days of my life!! Thank you God for her.

We took him to the vet where they confirmed with xrays that his stomach had flipped. It was also about three times the size it should be.

We had to make the worst decision ever. We had to say goodbye to our beloved pet.

After all the family had gathered, we said our goodbyes. It was absolutely horrible. Much worse than I ever thought it would be.

We stayed with him til he was gone. I just couldn't leave him.

It seems strange to me at times that I could be so attached to a dog. But he wasn't just a dog, he was MY dog. He loved me and could show it. He was such a HUGE part of our family, both in size and in our hearts. I think since we are home all day with him everyday, it makes it even harder to accept the absence.

We miss him terribly. We miss him singing happy birthday with us, chasing the squirrels, bringing presents to us when we walk in the door (whatever he could find on the floor, a pencil, paper, toy, shoe, etc.), going to get the mail with us, allowing the kids to use him as a pillow, sleeping with the kids with his head on a a pillow too, gladly cleaning up the cooking messes on the kitchen floor, waiting patiently for the "leftovers" at the table, listening to all of the kids secrets, and just giving out tons and tons of love and companionship.

We miss him.

Family Update

Can it really be that fall actually began in October in Florida?? I have been so excited that the temps have finally dropped and it's been actually COOL already! Usually we're still sweating and running the A/C in October. I hope these fabulous temps stay here. I so enjoy the cool crisp air and being able to wear my jeans and long sleeves!! We're still running the A/C here and there but nothing like we usually do this time of year!

We are in the full swing of school and really enjoying it. I've picked up a new curriculum this year for our Language Arts called Total Language Plus. It's been great for us and the kids really love it! Right now we are reading Caddie Woodlawn. It's a cute story about a girl who is allowed to run around outside and play with her brothers instead of being trained to be a "lady" and learn alongside her mother and sisters indoors. It appeals to both my boy and girl so it works well!

Joshua is still plugging along at school. It's been hard for me to not really "know" how he's doing or having dialogue with any of his teachers. He says he's doing fine. I just hope he's remembering everything. He seems to enjoy it so far. We're still trying to work out transportation for him. It's been hard for him having to rely on his parents or Aunt for a ride. He is learning how to ride his bike 2 miles to the bus stop and take the city bus where he wants to go. I'll be honest... it makes me a NERVOUS WRECK! I don't want to let him do this but I know he needs to do it for himself so off he goes! Wow... it's hard letting them go!!! Joshua trusts everyone and takes it all at face value. I just don't want him getting taken advantage of or hurt. The doctors have said they want to see what he can do physically. So far, he can ride his bike much farther than he can walk.

Alex and Micayla are doing great. They are both playing the piano and Alex is singing in a band and playing soccer. He is quite the soccer player. He loves it and has so much passion for it! He plays midfield and keeper. He is a great goalie but has been enjoying playing out on the field too! He's not afraid to go after the ball and get right in there! Micayla has become quite the pianist and will be playing in February for Federation. I can't wait!! They are both doing great with school and I love it that if they don't get an A on everything, they get very upset! Hope that continues!!!

John started a new job 3 months ago. We are thankful for the job but it's been an adjustment for him. He is walking into a company that needs to make a lot of changes with their employees. The best way to describe it would be (in his words), the lunatics are running the asylum. It amazes him that a grown man can be so disrespectful and lazy and still expect to be paid for it! We'll see how it goes. He will be taking another class and test for his fourth certification in the disaster business. Pray he does well!!

I've been busy teaching my children, being their taxi, teaching piano and violin still, and trying to do the little things I love to do. Church, friends, crochet, baking and quilting. It's crazy but I wouldn't change it.

Please hug your family tight! If you haven't singed up to be a donor yet, please do that too!! Go to www.donatelife.net and sign up! It's quick and easy! We thank you!!

Blessings!!!

Update on UF Visit

After many hours of waiting, we had our appointments with Joshua's cardiologist and pulmonologist. We usually don't have to wait hours like we did this time. We understand it happens but it sure is no fun. Although, we have a great social worker who gave us meal vouchers which paid for lunch at Subway downstairs while we were waiting for the doctors!! Thanks Mary!!

The main topic this visit was compliance. Joshua has to decide whether or not he wants to continue treatment. That may sound shocking to you but it is where we are right now. I/We cannot want it for him. He has to want it for himself! He is frustrated with taking meds and all of it really. There are days when I wonder if he's just given up. The medicine is very, very, very expensive and if he's not going to take it then we don't need to be getting it. Thank God his insurance pays for it but it's still not right to get it and not take it.

We've had some long talks. Basically, I think he has gotten hung up on the word TERMINAL. Sure, I was hung up on it too for a while. That's a tough pill to swallow. But... I've joined several PH support groups and I really honestly feel like he could live well into his 40's or 50's IF HE TAKES HIS MEDICINE. We're all going to die and none of us know when that will happen so we need to live life to the fullest!!

So... we're on a new plan in our house to help Joshua start gaining more independence and forming a plan for himself.

Please pray this goes well and he can see the positives for this medical regimen.

Hope you're all enjoying the lovely fall weather! It's actually cooling down here a little too, finally!!

Love ya!