7 Years...But Who Has Time to Count???

Today is mine and Justin's 7th anniversary.  My first thought this morning was "wow...where has the time gone?"  I mean really...it seems like just yesterday that we made the decision to stop being "just friends" and get on with it.  I remember that time with such clarity.  I had millions of thoughts going through my head.  "Are we really going to take that chance and risk the unbelievably close friendship that we have?" "Could this ever work?"  "We are so much alike...we are going to kill each other!"  "Our friends (mainly Dusty) are going to think we are crazy!"  But then there was that one thought that stood out more than any of the others..."I love him"...and that made it worth everything else! So we went for it.  A year and three months later we were engaged and 11 months after that we got married on July 31, 2004. 

So, back to my thought this morning.  Where has the time gone?  It has been packed full of LIFE...a wonderful life!  We moved from our first tiny house in Angelo to a beautiful house that Justin remodeled after unrelenting begging from me!  I passed my CPA exam (one of the biggest tests on our marriage)!  We had our first baby in Angelo.  Three months later we decided we were going to move back to Midland and a month later found out we were expecting our 2nd baby.  Within a matter of months we sold our house, I found a new job, we bought a new house, moved to Midland, and had Jaxon.  We have gone through 6 different jobs between the two of us...mostly mine.  We have had new additions to our huge family, along with some very difficult losses.  We have made new friends and continued to cherish the old.  Most importantly we have learned to love each more and more with each day that passes!

I am fairly certain that we have found the secret to what makes a marriage work.  I used to think it was knowing what was important, but now I believe it is something a little different.  Everyone knows what is important!  I think the secret is to know what isn't important and to not waste another moment worrying about all of those things! 

I will never deny that my children are the love of my life.  They are the best blessing God could have ever given me, but I wouldn't have them if it weren't for Justin!  He is definitely a close 2nd on the blessing list.  He makes me smile everyday and continues to put up with me; we all know what a task that is!  We are still best friends, and I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else!

So to Justin...because of course I know he reads my blog.  Thank you for loving me...just the way I am!

A Year Ago Today

Most of you know that one year ago today my family received shocking news. Justin and I were devastated when we received the phone call that our sister-in-law Karah had passed away.  My heart physically hurt because of the fact that my brother-in-law had lost the love of his life and the fact that my nephew Madden was going to grow up without his mother. 
That day and the days to follow made me realize that God has a much bigger plan for us than we could ever imagine.  He never guaranteed us a specific amount of time with the ones we love.  While the loss still hurts my heart, it has made me appreciate my husband even more and take the time to just soak in every detail about my kids.  God has blessed me beyond measure!
The loss of Karah also reminded me that there is no time like the present to get things right with God.  There isn't always tomorrow.

As for my brother-in-law and Madden, they are both doing well.  Madden is a happy, healthy boy who has his mother's beautiful eyes.  Jimmy has made me so proud.  He is doing an outstanding job of raising Madden.  One of my most vivid memories of Karah is the boys baby dedication at Stonegate.  I remember talking with her about how important raising our boys in a Christian was to both of us.  Jimmy has been nothing less than Godly parent...exactly what Karah would have wanted. 

I know she is with God and loving the fact that we have found something good out of such a tragic event.  Hopefully Karah's story will make you think about the things that God has blessed you with and the fact that there is no time like the present.  Love your family and the Lord like there is no tomorrow!