Tuesday, January 29, 2013

...no to us...but to YOUR name be the glory...

Today Scott and I celebrate 31 years of marriage! I am so thankful the Lord gave me this man that I have shared life with. Life has been so hard at times we thought we might not survive and so sweet at other times that I would find myself wanting time to stand still so we can just stay in the moment!

Some of my favorite moments over the last 31 years...our first summer together of marriage...until now...that was all the alone time we had...sweet memories...the look in his face right after we were married and I was so sick...all I saw was love and concern and I still see it!...the look on his face as we discovered we were pregnant (each time!)...our drive to the hospital with baby number 1...it was a good excuse for him to drive like a stock car racer!!! After Cassie was born...he made a stand with me...he told me, you can come to church if you want...but Cassie and I are going...I want my kids in church...this was the first time I knew how serious he was about this "church thing"...watching him learn to call heather, heather and not michelle...was quite funny...but you probably had to be there to understand that...maybe that is why he just called her sis!...the look on his face when we saw michael was...a boy!!!...then the looked for months afterward on his face as Michael screamed if his dad tried to have anything to do with him...looking out the window and seeing all 3 of them working beside him on the weekend...stacking wood...thinking they were all such big helpers!...one day he said...but I thought YOU wanted another baby...I said well I thought YOU wanted another one...so we better be CAREFUL...oops to late...and along came Katie...and I think even her siblings would agree with us when I say life would have been just a little boring without our Katie!...his face as he baptized Cassie...the only one he had that honor to do...there was an event that happened in his life that God used to make him serious about the Lord and the message of the Gospel...watching him go to the house of one of his friends on a friday night...knowing the house would be full...and what was going to be going on...and sharing with that friend the Gospel...that friend as far as we know still doesn't know the Lord...but I KNOW that friend has great respect for Scott still to the day...because he knew Scott was being REAL and sincere...that was a turning point in the life of Scott...never to be the same again...the look on his face the day I was saved...the period of time we both learned what a relationship with the Lord really looked like...it goes way beyond...church and church activities and responibilities...it is everyday...we walked that journey together...the "time of hell" in our home...a time I caused but he loved me thru it...still after all these years amazed at that...thankful to the Lord and to Scott that we came out the otherside...bruised and battered but still standing...together...and I think stronger...the day he told me Jesse ask him the "question"...and the day Donnie and sis came to us...and the giggles we have gotten from the the day Thomas finally got around to asking the "questions"...thankful that we have 3 godly son in laws we call our own...and that they all respected us enough to come to us...the look in his eyes as he gave each of his girls away...as he has held each of our newborn grandbabies...and not to long ago with all of the 5 older ones on the four wheeler with him...the pride I see in his eyes as he looks at the man Michael has become...and the way he gives Bekah a hard time...makes me know she is truly one of us!!!!

He loves to joke, pick and play...he brings joy to so many...not just me...he is a good man and I love him so much!

I have ww tonight so last night he made me dinner as we drank ice water from our "fancy" glasses...he got me some flowers and a sweet gift...but more than anything...I find that we just enjoyed our time together...talking...learning about each other still...learning to be just the two of us...I remember there was a time we BOTH were scared to death of that coming day...because all we ever talked about were the kids...so what would be talk about when they were gone???...but we talk...we listen...we are learning...and you know what we kind of like it!!!!

Happy anniversay to the kindest man I know...thank you for loving the Lord more than me...because that allows you to love me the way it is suppose to be....thank you for being "excited" for a baptist...thank you for hoopin' and hollarin' when a salvation takes place...when a life is changed...for rockin' beside me in church every sunday...for giving me 4 amazing kids...for sharing Mikeah, Amy and Gastoe with me...here is to our future...may be have another 31 together...I love you

Beth

Monday, January 7, 2013

Cassie...

Well the dreaded day is here in just a few hours!!!! The big 30 for you this year and we won't even talk about what is number is coming my way this year! I cannot believe you are 30 years old...I know you are amazed at how fast the years are going with your own children...you get just a glimpse of how fast they are going for me!

Last night I spent the FIRST night alone ever in my entire life I think...no husband...no kids...not even any grandkids to keep this old grammy company...a picture of our future with everyone out on their own now...and it seems that I should be yelling at you guys telling you to get to bed and get to sleep you have school the next tomorrow and you won't want to get up...but then I realized that somewhere along in there...I blinked...ALOT...because you not only are grown but raising kids of your own!!!!

I've said it before but I'll say it just one more time...you have amazed me this year how you have supported your husband...stayed faithful to the Lord...desired for the boys and now Laney Kate to see Jesus beyond anything else in this world...I know you don't know it...but there are many people who see this in you and admire the christian woman, wife, mom, friend, daugther and sister you are...I tease you because I think someday when they are grown the kids will make fun of you because you made them say the happy heart thing...just like you all tease me about the "in light of eternity does this matter" thing...but I also think they will be glad you taught them that just like I believe over all you guys are glad we used those words on you!...but you live that out...in light eternity the character you show WILL make a difference in the lives of those who are watching and those you are walking with...in light of eternity you make a difference...keep it up!

I love you so much...so thankful you are home again...for a season of however long...I'll take it...I'll soak it up and I'll attempt to never take you or your siblings for granted again!

I pray you feel how loved you are today...your special day from every single directions...from the Lord...Jess, the kiddos...family and your sweet friends...