Everything Under the Son

Today marks NINE years of marriage for Nathaniel and I. Wow...nine whole years. In some ways, it seems like yesterday that we were making vows to one another. In other ways, it seems as though we have been together forever. What in the world did I do with myself...my spare time...before I was married?

It's certainly been a wild ride...we've packed much into those nine years. We have fabulous memories. We had what I believe to be the most beautiful wedding! We have laughed lots, spent many hours garage-saling (what, you don't consider that quality time?), played our share of mini-golf, and have transitioned into the one thing I thought we would never be...mini-van owners. We have survived cancer, him by my side always. We have endured many a medical test-surgery- uncertain test result. We have faced infertility, and ridden the roller coaster that all of that brings...together. We have the cutest kids...together. Each of those babies, the perfect blend of us...they have Nathaniel's long, beautiful eyelashes, and my funny toes. We have two children in Heaven, something no parent should ever have to grieve...but we continue to journey as parents of children in Heaven, and we walk that journey together. We both love to eat stir-fry, and nothing beats a great cup of coffee. He loves technology, and I love that he loves technology. I love artsy-crafty fun, and he tolerates my projects and the messes I make along the way. Together, we can devour a good carrot cake, complete with cream cheese icing! And don't forget we love to laugh...with each other, and sometimes AT each other!

We each have quirks, and it's funny how those quirks compliment each other. I cannot stand for the counter to be cluttered, but a few dishes in the sink don't bother me. Nathaniel has no worries about a cluttered counter, but cannot sleep if there are dishes in the sink. Perfect. I clean the counters and put all of the dirty dishes in the sink, and he washes them! The perfect compliment I would say :)

It hasn't been all rosy and wonderful. There are plenty of days when life bogs us down, or we disagree on things. Marriage is hard...and though that simple sentence is spoken so often and seems to simple, it is oh.so.true. Marriage is hard. Add parenting to that and it is harder. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. I'd be lying if I said that we haven't had some rough times. We have. I know you may be surprised to learn that oftentimes, I am VERY hard to live with! I make lots and lots of mistakes. I say things that are hurtful to Nathaniel. I am a mess. But he loves me anyway. He models grace and forgiveness for me and towards me daily.

Nine years ago today, we made a vow to each other and to GOD. We vowed to love one another, and we vowed to put GOD at the center of our marriage and to work hard at resisting satan and his attempts to come between us.. This morning, my husband sent me a text message with these words: "Nine years ago today, I promised to love you forever. I'd do it again today." Precious words.

Today, as I celebrate nine years of marriage, and as I say a prayer of thanks for those years as well as the many more that are to come, I am also mindful that there are struggling marriages out there, and I am praying for God to work in BIG ways to heal broken hearts, to mend hurt feelings, and to patch up holes if mistrust. I am praying that He will shower those marriages with grace and HOPE and love. I am also aware that there are people out there who would love to find love, but haven't met "Mr. or Mrs. Right" yet. I am praying that God will fill those hearts with Him, and give them peace. I am praying that if they are to marry, that they will be patient in their choices, for God will bring His choice in a mate to them in His time. And if they are not to ever marry, I pray for peace with that, and that they will be full of joy, and never feel as though they are "missing out"...that God will bless those people beyond their wildest single dreams!

Nathaniel, I love you! I am thankful that you love me too...through the good, the bad, the ugly, and of course, the hilarious! Happy Anniversary, honey!


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***EDIT***

As a surprise, I sang to Nathaniel in our wedding. He had NO IDEA I was going to sing to him, and had this strange grin on his face when I started to sing, and that "deer in the headlights" look! Below are the lyrics to the song I chose to sing to him...the words are still so meaningful to me today!

I have had several inquiries about my secret project...and now, my one secret project has become two! And yes, they are both still a secret. Don't worry, I'll eventually spill the beans and let you in on all the big doin's around here, but for now, you'll just have to wait patiently, and chew your fingernails while you wait. If you really want to help me out, you can say a little prayer for these endeavors. Don't worry, you don't need the specifics...God already has them. Just pray for wisdom and patience and peace, and that God will provide the tools I need to be successful at both of these projects. They could be big for our little family!

I am currently cleaning out the office/craft/junk/crap room in my house. I even took some "before" pictures in an effort to keep it real for all of you. No, I won't be posting them until they can be IMMEDIATELY followed by neat and orderly "after" pictures...if I ever finish! Have you ever felt like you were in over your head? Yeah, me too. Lots. Today.

In other news, we are eating from the pantry here at the Jones' house. I haven't been grocery shopping for more than a few perishables in almost two weeks. Amazingly, there is still food to be eaten, though I won't be winning any culinary awards for our meals this last week of the month. My family is tiring of Ramen noodles, so I am sure they will really be thrilled when I toss out the peanut butter, some crackers, and a can of black-eye peas for dinner. Hey, beggars cannot be choosers, right? Besides, it could be much worse. We could be feasting on potted meat and prunes...blech!

I am working on the handmade valentines that my children will share with their friends this year. I am hoping they turn out as cute as they are in my head. Let me tell you, in my mind they are adorable! I'll be sure to post pics when I am finished...if I like them, that is!

Enough for today...I need to rest up before the after-school-craziness begins. I have been functioning on little oxygen this last week. My allergies have been in full swing, and I am breathing out of one nostril at best...lovely isn't it?

So happy Monday, friends. Make those lists and start checking things off...the week is well underway already! AHHHH!

Today, January 23, 2010, marks a significant day for me...for my family.

Eight years ago today, I had major surgery for ovarian cancer.

I was 26 years old.

It was 4 days before my first wedding anniversary. Nathaniel was and is the love of my life.

It was a rough time for us, to say the least.

Today, January 23, 2010, we are eight years from that day.

I am eight years cancer free!

I was blessed to recover from that surgery.

In the last eight years, I have been chosen by God to be the mother to four precious children, and to parent two of them on this earth, while He holds the other two with Him in Heaven. I love on Natalie and Levi lots and lots, and I can't wait to see Carson and Hope again someday!

Nathaniel has been by my side each and every step of the way...through every up and down, he has been my rock.

I am blessed.



Join me today, and say a prayer of thanks to God. Thank Him for my life...I am.

I have really been in a crafty mood lately! I have always loved artsy-crafty stuff. There is something about taking a pile of supplies, a little time and energy, and emerging with something fun, functional, or maybe just cute! It makes me feel happy when I have been able to make something from what looks like a stack of nothing.

I am hoping in the weeks to come I can share pictures from some of my crafty adventures. I gave several handmade Christmas gifts, and I have a LONG list of other crafty fun that I hope to dive into this year. Honestly, I could probably craft forever and still not ever finish my list, but it will be fun to work through the list and see what I can do!

I have made cute monthly calendars from photo frames...the calendar that never expires! I made some fun polka dot pumpkins with a big monogram on them for Fall. I made some personalized clipboards. I made a house rules board (though I am not quite finished with it yet!). I made three different styles of Advent countdown calendars, complete with family activities for each day of the countdown. I made a rag-a-muffin garland to hang photos and Christmas cards on. I made...well, lets just say there are more things to show and tell about.

I cannot promise pictures of everything, but I will be sharing some of the crafty goodness that I am enjoying! And who knows? If you are lucky, then you just might be the recipient of one of my handmade lovelies!

What about you? Are you crafting?

Is it really Wednesday already? It seems the days are flying by...so much going on around me! I have nothing profound to share today. Just some rambling. I had some ask about my home management binder, and in the coming weeks, I hope to be able to post some of what is in there, and just maybe I'll have some pictures too :)

I've been up since 4:30, completed a PT test in record time, and am well on my way through Fit Camp number 6. I have been working out for 6 camps X 6 weeks per camp = 36 weeks, plus I continue to exercise during the breaks, which adds up to a year in February! I cannot believe it, but that's all I'll say about that!

I have been thinking about my sweet kids...they are such miracles. I can remember so well the days when I wondered if I would ever have children. I have been blessed. Natalie and Levi bring me such joy, and I am so thankful for them! Here are a couple of recent pictures of their sweet faces:

I know, I know. All of you faithful readers (all four of you!) are wondering why it has been so long since I updated this little blog. Honestly, it hasn't been for a lack of blogging material. With Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, there is plenty I could share. Everything from the homemade crafty gifts I made, and they were super cute if I must say so myself, to the fun family times we have had...all excellent bloggy material. I have just been more focused on hanging with the kids, and spending time with Nathaniel instead of writing here. I am hopeful I will do better in 2010...better at lots of things!

I am sitting here typing, reading a counting book with Levi, waiting for the UPS man, pondering my meal plan for the week, thinking that my house sure is dirty, and wondering how I will tackle everything on my to-do list (including cleaning the dirty house!)! I need to take out the trash, clean out the closet, prepare my items for the children's consignment sale, research a special project I am diving into this fall (No, I'm not telling...it's still a secret!), prepare my supplies for teaching Pre-K tomorrow, and clean out the car. I need to finish unpacking from our 24 hour trip to Dallas this last weekend, work on the laundry (three baskets full that need to be put away, not to mention the dirty that needs to be washed!). I want to work on my home management binder, prepare some spreadsheets for our 2010 budget, balance the checkbook (YIKES! There is too much month left, and not enough money!), cut Levi's hair, and decide whether we will purchase or make Valentines Cards this year. I have been up since 4:30, and yes, that is A.M. Today begins my SIXTH six-week Fit Camp...I am a five time graduate. I need to scrub the toilets, clean out my purse that currently weighs 30+ pounds because it is full of so much stuff, unload the dishwasher, re-load the dishwasher, and goodness this list could go on and on and on and on. When I think about all that is before me, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed.

I am sure there are some of you out there who feel just as overwhelmed as I do, especially when we really sit down and make a list of the things we need/want to accomplish. BUT, we can't do it all. At least not today! :)

So today, I will finish that counting book with Levi, give him all the hugs and kisses he can stand, go and pick up Natalie from school and listen as she shares all about her day, enjoy watching Natalie in her element...horseback riding...and then fix dinner and enjoy sitting around the table with my family, eating good food, and reading a little from God's Word while we are all together.

I think the other things on my list can wait!