40 Years of Marriage

May 29, 1971 seems like such a long time ago, I can still remember that morning waking up at Mom and Dad's house as tho it were yesterday. I never knew that a young 19 year old girl could or would be lavished with so much love and caring from one young strapping good-looking blue eyed man. Lee and I had met when we were in the 6th grade at our church and it was only for a brief time of meeting him that he moved back to Oklahoma with him Mother and young brother. I didn't think much about it at the time, but just thought Wow, that guy at chuch was so cute and he had to move back to Oklahoma, that was just my luck. Growing up I never really dated that much and even the guys I dated were-well, now looking back losers and as my daughters now say "Mom, what were you thinking?"....I don't know what do you think of when you are 13? Uh....Boys. Well, as the next couple of years would have it I went on with my life and Lee went on with his life in Oklahoma never knowing that God was working behind the scenes (like we would see him work so many times in our future lives) putting these two 19 year old kids together.
In the summer we both turned 16 and were about to embark upon the 10th grade, Lee's Mother decided it was to move back to Tally. Boy was I excited when in the back of the church walked this blue eyed boy with long wavy blonde hair, he almost looked like a blonde Elvis (well to me he did). I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day and for awhile after that, until my cousin announced that she was going out with my guy, my blue eyed, blonde (Elvis) haired boy. I was so sad, I really thought he was for me and that God had set everything up for me just the way I wanted and then she gets him?
Well they didn't last for too long and I was on the prey again, praying and claiming what was rightfully mine. And with some help from a friend I went on my very first date with the blue eyed "Elvis" to a Sunday School party and the rest is pretty much history.
We dated from that moment on and our Senior year of High School he asked me to marry him and the next year we were married on May 29, 1971.
I am rambling on with all this in trying to tell a story, but the real story is that God does work behind the scenes in our lives, even at an early age when he is deciding who our soulmates will be and even when he is deciding what children we will have. God already knows. His word promises us in Jeremiah 29 vs 11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future".
As Lee and I look back over 40 years of marriage we can see God's plan he has had for us and we look forward to the future to the plan's yet unseen by us that God has planned. He is faithful
In the words of our favorite singer Karen Carpenter:
"We've Only Just Begun To Live"...

HAPPY VALENTINES TO LEE

I want to dedicate this post to day to MY VALENTINE of 37 years. And so you can get to know him better and see why I love him sooooooooooooo much, I am going to list my favorite 10 things I love about him.





1. I love the heart that he has for God. We met in church when we were in the 9th grade and he has always put God first in his life. He has never waivered in his faith and he loves being a part of the church body of Christ. You are such an inspiration to the men of our church. Thanks for being an example of God's love.


2. I love the way that he loves me and takes care of me. He puts up with my ways and is so willing to look beyond all my little 'faults'. We have been happily married for 37 years. There is no one who could complete me like you !!!


3. I love the way he loves his children. We have two beautiful daughters, Kelly and Holly and he has always made sure that they were taken care of. He has sacrificed so much to see that their every need was met. He still has lunch everyday with our oldest daughter Kelly and he takes care of our baby girl Holly every morning. He cranks her car for her before work and makes sure her lunch is packed. What an awesome Dad you are!


4. I love the way that he loves those 3 GRAND babies, Jesse, Macy and Cole. To see him play or joke around with them, makes life so much fun. Thanks honey for being such a great Papa!!!


5. I love the way that his blue eyes sparkle.


6. I love watching him play softball. He loves the game and has played softball for all of our married life and I have been right there watching him throw out thoses pitches. You are an awesome player and I am so looking forward to this season to do it all over again.


7. I love the creative side of him. Lee is a Jeweler and makes the most beautiful jewelry. You can draw him a picture and he can create it. You make me proud and by the way I do love my ring!!!


8. I love his funny personality. He can make the saddest person laugh. He is the church comedian and everyone loves being around him. He always finds a way to make a gloomy day bright. He tries to see the positive in every situation. Thanks honey for being 'MY CLOWN'


9. I love the speical moments we share (and NO, I am not going to tell you about those), but you are the BEST honey!!!


10. And lastly, I JUST LOVE YOU ! My life would be so lonely without you in it. You have given me the BEST 37 years ever and I look forward to so many more.


HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO LEE, MY HUSBAND AND MY BEST FRIEND!!!

Dreaming about Nights In Rodanthe

I just got through reading Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks and I just couldn't put the book down. Seriously, I think it only took me 3 days to read it and last night no one inside the 'Picket Fence' could get my attention. I was reading the last couple of chapters with tears running down my face. I cannot wait to see the movie, but then I have been told the movie is nothing like the book. For now I am still living in the land of Rodanthe, North Carolina. Without giving the book away, I can still imagine myself at a quaint Bed and Breakfast Inn with a strong, muscular, intelligent, gray-haired man like Paul (or is that Richard Gere or is that my hubby)? Just kidding for all of you who dare not dream or fantasize. Entertainment Weekly states the book is about a woman who is in her prime (ME) l0l , and a man(Paul, Richard or Hubby) who reawakens her(ME)....passion burns and hearts break. Yes, this is a story of my life, only the quaint Bed and Breakfast Inn is here at the Picket Fence and the passion that burns is usually heartburn (l0l) and the heart break only comes along when the cable goes out on the TV. So now you can understand why I am still dreaming about Rodanthe, North Carolina but actually in reality living in Florida.