"OUTSIDE WITH DADDY!"

It doesn't matter how cold it is. My boys want to be with Daddy when he is outside working. I love to see their little faces while they watch him work. They admire and love him so much!

I go shopping in my basement

After 8 months of living here, I have finally filled the pantry. I kept meaning to do it but other things always got in the way. I love the prices I find at Aldi but the closest Aldi is not close at all. I hardly ever get there. One recent Friday afternoon I talked my "anti-shopping" husband into going with me. Pretty Princess came over to watch the cowboys and away we went. We filled two carts to overflowing. It was awesome to get it all organized and finally have a plan. Both fridges/freezers are full as well. The only thing I will need to purchase at the grocery store is fresh fruit, veggies & milk. If the chickens kick it in gear I won't have to buy eggs either. Do you notice all the boxes of diapers? I hit the sale of the century at Target. Those boxes are normally priced at $25 each. Well, I happened upon a clearance and purchased them for $12.50 each. And I had coupons! I ended up paying $11 per box. That is unheard of when it comes to name brand diapers. (I am not a diaper snob...Wubba can't wear anything else because of his super sensitive skin)

I can't wait until my pantry is full of my own canned products...salsa, spaghetti sauce, pickles, etc. How exciting! I guess I better make sure my whole family is planning to help "put up" the garden this year. There is going to be a lot of food!

Tuckered Out

I was letting the cowboys watch a video while I finished "just one more thing" before I put them down for nap. Apparently, I waited too long.

A shared Bed

Well we needed something to put the strawberries, raspberries, and our herbs in. So I went scrounging into the barns to find some scrap wood that would work to piecemeal something together. It ended up taking me about 3 hours to get all the nails out of the wood, design it, a put it together. Here it is after I've put all sides together, but not all in one piece. It went very quick considering I was able to use my nail gun...oh what a great invention.

So I was able to put it all together with a divider. I had a spot that was ready for the bed. Yet I still had to prepare it. I ran the tiller over the spot to loosen the soil. Then I added three loads of dirt with my 3 point bucket on my tractor. Then I had to level twhere the edges were going to be. I still needed lots of dirt, so I got about 7-8 loads of dirt with the bucket.

I then added some manure from the horsey that used to live here (the previous owners never mucked out of the barn). The spice family has a Mantis (not the bug) but a small tiller that I'd be able to use in the raised bed. Here's the bed after all of the poo has been tilled in and the bed is pretty much all done. The larger section is where we're going to put the raspberries and strawberries, the smaller one will be where we put our herbs.

Here's a wider view of the finished product. Also the other freshly tilled beds.

Oh what fun to do back-breaking work...for fun.

Free Bird

We were hoping to let the chickens free range but we were unsure of how that would work. They already have their coop and yard to play in but we wanted them to get out and eat more grass, bugs, etc. Give them a little room to roam. However, we were concerned about these guys. We certainly did not want a farm tragedy.
Huckleberry, a face only a mother could love!

We were also worried about all the cats. As you can see Ranger has been dreaming about getting his paws on the girls for a while now.
One afternoon while EJ was outside and could keep a close eye on everyone he let the chickens out. They LOVE the freedom and the other animals seem to leave them alone. Check them out...

Look, Coal has a new BFF
Trigger has an identity crisis
and this chicken just had a heart attack!

Farm life. It's growing on all of us.

You know you live in the country when...

Your neighbor calls to ask if you want to come meet a newborn baby goat. Yes, please! The boys and I were fascinated. It was amazing to watch this little one try to get up and walk.

Speaking of the neighbors....this fancy baby goat (what are they called as babies?) belongs to our neighbors to the south, the Spice Family. We have had so much fun getting to know them. They have 5 children and they homeschool. They grow a gorgeous garden each year and even sell their tasty tomatoes at a farmer's market. We have a lot to learn from them! I told them the other night that what we lack in knowledge we make up in enthusiasm. I think after hearing a few of EJ's stories they agree!

I must have these...

Aren't they fantastic? I was shopping at World Market with the cowboys when my eyes fell on these lovely ladies. I quickly checked the price $14.99 each. Are you serious. I can't pay $30 for two cute chickens to live on my counter. I am way too frugal for that. (plus we are taking a budgeting course at church and I can't blow my budget on chickens!) Then I noticed a sales tag on them. They were on sale for $7.49 each. Hmmm...this sounds better. I held them in my hot little hands and thought, "What would Dave Ramsey do?" Then I bitterly put them back. When what to my wondering eyes did appear but a sign that said, "This table 1/2 of lowest clearance price." You ladies are coming home with me!

Bubba VS the Bed Frame

One week ago, Bubba picked a fight with the bed frame in our bedroom. At least that's his version of the story. I was in the kitchen and heard the door to our bedroom open. I hollered, "Bubba, get out of Mommy and Daddy's room." Then I promptly came around the corner to be sure he complied. When I saw him, he was holding his head and screaming loudly. I scooped him up and tried to get a good look at the injury. I carried him to the kitchen where I put ice on it. I called my mother-in-law (a Nurse Practitioner) to tell her of the accident and seek her advice. She must have recognized the panic in my voice because she made plans to come straight to our house after work. (it was already in the 4 o'clock hour)

When Bubba calmed down, I asked him to show me where he hit his noggin. He went in our room, lifted up the bed skirt and pointed to the bed frame. "Right there, Momma." How in the world did he manage that? My child who climbs on everything and jumps off everything gets this kind of injury from tripping and falling into a bed frame? Go figure! Do you notice that his shirt says, "You're looking at a legend." Fitting. Look at his profile...OUCH! My mother in law assured me that when a bump goes out (like a goose egg) that is a good sign. She checked him over and gave the thumbs up that he would be okay. I am SO grateful that she makes house calls!

Below are some pics we took a few days after the "bonk." Notice how the bruising is everywhere! He has two black eyes.

I am realizing that I will be spending the next 18 years wondering if the latest injury has given my boy a concussion! I was accident prone as a child so I guess I deserve this! I think having these busy boys is going to keep me on my knees. Praying for God's protection over them!

Romeo and Pretty Princess: Our Love Story

Pretty Princess:

I can’t remember the day Romeo and I met, but I do remember him kind of always being there. We both attended the same church from about first or second grade. I have few memories of our interaction in our small child years, but one I do recall left me with a little bitterness for this little Romeo at the time. We were around 7 or 8 and I was praying for the children’s offering that was being taken. I said something to do with the “monies” and after I got done praying Romeo decides to say “Monies?” and did a little scoff at my (to his knowledge) lack of grammatical knowledge. I decided then that this was a boy not worth my time.

Fast forward 8 years or so and we began our high school years. By this time it became apparent to me that this tall blonde guy was starting to get seriously attractive. I still told myself that it wasn’t an option to be with him because although he was handsome as could be, we just wouldn’t work due to our totally opposite views of dating and lack of maturity.

                  My freshman year, Romeo’s sophomore year, we went to a Christian youth conference and started actually getting along! We flirted like silly high schoolers often do. I have this distinct memory of being in the cafeteria at the conference and walking by Romeo and giving him a goofy, smitten smile. He smiled right back, equally as silly. That same summer my parents decided that the Lord was calling them to move to South Carolina. You can imagine how sad I was. I was just getting used to high school and really looking forward to getting to know Romeo.

                  The day we left for South Carolina, Romeo handed me a letter, telling me not to open it until I was on the plane. I obeyed and opened it on the flight. In the note he told me he had “fallen for me.” I remember just crying on that plane ride after reading it, knowing I felt the same way and now I was moving over a thousand miles away. My heart ached! After we got settled into our SC life, Romeo and I continued, “talking.” Throughout the three years I lived there, our connection fizzled out a little with the distance. Romeo started dating another girl and I continued waiting for Mr. Right. Toward the end of my senior year we started “talking” once again. This time it was serious and purposeful. I made it clear that if we were to start a relationship the intent would be for it to end in marriage. He was completely on the same page.

                   So here we are now. I’ve moved back home and we’re enjoying the dating phase and looking forward to all that lies ahead! It all makes me so giddy!

 

To follow the format set earlier, here are a few things that drive me bonkers about Romeo:

He makes me nuts when he says something and I didn’t understand what he said, so I ask “what?” And he replies with “huh?” And then, even more confused I ask once again “what?” And he giggly replies one more time “huh?!” Uggg! He does this just to be silly and it makes me crazy! It drives me up the wall when I come to Romeo’s house and there seems to be at least a week’s worth of dishes beside his bed. My slightly OCD nature screams out! Despite these things and a few more little things, the good always outweighs the bad. I am looking forward to spending a lifetime with him!

 

A last random note:

I have this distinct memory of sitting in church a row or two behind Romeo when I was about 10 or so, and I was praying. I remember telling God that I think Romeo just might be the man he has for me to marry and pondered at how God would form that relationship. God is good!

 

Romeo:

Like pretty princess said, I can’t remember the first time we actually met.  All I can remember of that time is that I was more interested in Grammy and Pop.  I definitely remember a time when we (the youth group) were going to Christian Olympics and Pretty Princess was especially moody and mean to me that day; I turned to my mother and asked, “Why is she so moody?” Not sure what to say and being a mom of three boys she said, “She’s a girl, they can be like that sometimes.”  So on to the good part, when Pretty Princess and I started “talking” again.

 

I was attending a University in Oklahoma, and I was “head over heels” falling for this beautiful girl.  I was amazed at how we could and can talk.  I always used to ask her, generally Friday nights and Sunday nights, “what are you doing tonight?” and she responded with, “Oh, nothing.” (All the while I’m extremely excited because she used to chose to talk to me for 2 hours while I drove all the way back to Stillwater.) She kept me optimistic and encouraged while I was going through a pretty tough time alone down in Oklahoma, and for that I am extremely grateful. 

 

Another one of my finest memories and a time that I think we absolutely knew this was going to work was when I surprised her at her graduation party.  Her friend was kind enough to throw her an amazing party for her graduation, and for some reason I was “busy” and couldn’t come up from Oklahoma.  Pretty Princess was devastated because one, she wanted to see me, and two, I should be there for her party.  But somehow I fibbed her and I suddenly showed up in the entryway of the house, and that gorgeous smile and squinty eyes came over and met me at the door and gave me a big hug that might have made other people uncomfortable.  (We didn’t mind) Also, during that party, I can remember several times when she was making her rounds talking to her guests and we had the classic, catch each other’s glances across the room, and would just smile ear to ear.    

 

A few things that drive Romeo crazy about that Pretty Princess we all love:

She’s quite stubborn, and like most “babies of the family” can’t admit she could possibly be doing something wrong.

She can absolutely not have anything dirty, not be planned out, or be surprised.  And that last part, for Romeo trying to be romantic can be quite difficult when she doesn’t like surprises. 

 

Nowadays:

I’m completely taken by her when we haven’t talked in hours and we can try to call each other and we get each other’s voicemails with no ring.  We called to talk at the same exact time! Creepy? Maybe a little.  And there are points in experiencing life together that we both have “freakdar.” What I mean by that is that when someone around us is rather “eccentric”, I’ve said, “I know babe, I know” before she can get a word out. We immediately burst into laughter.

We’re both extremely excited about the future and are continually striving to put our trust in God to mold our relationship how he wants it.

More Gardening stuff...YAY!!!!

OH YEAH BABY!!!! We're getting close to being able to plant. We bought some great new tools for gardening. I have been working also in many other facets to get the garden ready for planting.

Here are the new tools:

Here's a garden fork...I know...it looks like a really big table fork. It has bigger tines than a hay fork. This is a hoe specifically for doing rows in the garden.

This is my new hand cultivator. Great deal at Ace for $6 less than Lowes.

This is my new "T-Post" driver that I got at Orchlens for $16!!! Most of the time they're $30+! So with this new device I have been able to put up some of the T-Posts along the sides so that I can still till if needed. This driver made the driving process so much easier, it was well worth the money that I paid for it.

Here I am driving one of those posts! EASY!

Rockin' Years

When I see the front porch rocking chairs I think about Pop & Grammy. I can remember when I was in college. My major was family studies and I was curious about all things family. Most importantly my own. I can remember asking Grammy one day about the issue of divorce. I wondered if she and Pop had ever considered it. She proceeded to tell me about the way God has transformed their marriage through the years. She gave Him all the credit for their success story. She also told me this, "Your dad and I always had a vision that one day we would rock our grand babies together."

Finally it all came together for me. The emotion that I see in them each time they hold a newborn grandchild is so much more than meets the eye. It is the making of a dream. It is the passing on of a legacy. God says, "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6

There is video footage of the two of them holding a newborn bub (Doc & DW's 2nd born) together. They are swaying back and forth praising God and letting the tears flow. I cannot watch that home video without crying. The longer I am married the more I understand. It is a marathon and it is hard. But the rewards are sweet and worth the work.

I'm getting verklempt. Okay, Dolly, sing me out...

"Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages
Side by side we'll be together always
And if you'll hold me tight when you love me
That's all I'll ask of you
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years."

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

P.S. Pretty Princess & Romeo will write their story tomorrow!

Smitten...

We had a theater class together. He was crazy shy and I was just crazy. I thought he was so so handsome and wanted to know him. We got to know each other a little and then he moved with his family to SC. I was heartbroken!! We hadn't known each other long, but I knew there was something BIG there and was begging God to work it out! When school began again that following year I was shocked when he came walking down the hall! I yelled to him and even though he's quiet and shy he grinned and yelled back. I fell hard and quick. I remember telling my dad one evening "Dad, I am smitten." He gave me a goofy look and said "well, who has smitten thee daughter?" I told him about this amazing man and it wasn't long that they would meet.
We were young... really young! But confident in our love for each other and we knew that God was orchestrating every detail. We had the easiest first year of marriage EVER! We were poor but didn't know it, we played video games for dates, made each other meals every day and dreamed of quitting jobs and doing nothing but being together! Nowadays we play superheros and knights, feed a child every five minutes and dream of being successful enough to do nothing but be together. There's no one on earth I'd rather have children with, share my heart with.


As for things that drive me crazy!! This wonderful man of mine can NOT find anything. His shoes could fall out of the sky and hit him in the face and he would still ask, "Honey, do you know where my shoes are?" Just this morning our oldest came in the bathroom and said "mommy, daddy is looking for my shoes. Can you go find them please, I wanna go bye bye." To be fair, he DID find the shoes THIS time. I love you, Husband.

Phojo:

My beautiful wife knows me better then anyone. I think it is safe to say that I am a shy person which is why my version seems so much funnier in my head. During the middle of my junior year I had returned to Kansas to finish up High School in hopes to redefine myself. I knew that God had plans for me and that I was willing to listen to Him. My thought was that I would become more outgoing and adventurous so I enrolled in a theater class to push myself in front of the crowd....then I walked in and met my future wife. First, I'm a sucker for blue eyes and she has the most stunning blue eyes you could ever hope to see. They also scared the ever loving pants off me. Obviously this made the whole process of making Phojo a new man a little bit harder. It took about three months for me to move my seat from one side of the room to the other in hopes to catch the attention of my future bride. Unfortunately once I finally got enough nerve to talk to her I had to move back to South Carolina (stinkin parents) for the summer.

I spent the entire summer trying to plan my next move. Yes, I am that smooth. After returning yet again to Kansas to finally finish school I made it my personal goal to learn everything about this little Rockstar and make her my best friend. Finally we both felt that we had developed something more than just friendship and my lovely wife confessed that she had a "crush" to which I politely turned her down. WHAT AN IDIOT. Didn't I say I was smooth. I was so unsure about my parents future plans for me that it made it hard to pursue Rockstar.

We decided to remain friends but it soon became abundantly clear that this amazing woman was what God had been leading me to all along. I told God that I wasn't sure of myself but I was completely sure of His will. So with this extra boost of confidence I finally had the courage to confess to Rockstar that I too had a "crush" and that it was more than just that. I was smitten.

My wife and I still laugh when we think about how we fell in love. Everyday I get to stare into those stunning blue eyes and I feel complete. I am amazed at how God orchestrates our life and how I know that this has all been within His timing. I could not imagine anyone else being the answer to so many prayers. If you have ever made a list of things you hope God will present in your life you can go ahead and look at my wife and you'll know what mine are.

As for the things that drive me crazy.....my wife really enjoys rearranging our home..a lot...just about every two weeks. Hmm..maybe that's why Phojo can't find anything.

Late Breaking News!!!

OUR FIRST EGG!

The excitement around here is thru the roof! We have been waiting for this day since September when we got the chicks.

EJ and the Cowboys found the egg tonight. We all celebrated with a happy egg dance! From what we understand these are "pullet" eggs. They are still kind of soft. Life is getting pretty interesting at the Farm!

Now back to your regularly scheduled programing...Rock Star and PhoJo, it's your turn. :)

Our Story

This is us on the top of the Empire State Building in December of 2008.

EJ's version: So I happened to eat lunch on Monday November 1st, 1999 at a different than usual time at the dining hall at college. I decided to go sit with two RAs (resident assistants) that I knew that were nice and another that I didn't know, but was cute. I enjoyed the conversation and was flirting with Farm Chick. On the way out of the dining hall she had gotten an ice cream cone and I casually asked if I could have a bite, she awkwardly obliged. So I bit the bottom of the cone off, laughed and ran off. She on the other hand held on to the cone (now dripping from the bottom...awesome!) and went to her boss and said..."Who's EJ?"...to which this gal said "...oh...I see you've met him." knowing that I had a big personality.

I was rather intrigued by this beautiful girl and decided to stalk her at lunch and found her at the same time the next two days...right at 12:30pm. We had some great talks and really enjoyed each other. Thursday I went to ask her out right before I went to go run...so I was just in my running shorts...very short and leopardish. She was somewhat shocked to see me like that and then promptly turned me down...without an alternative. So I took my heart that was wounded and ran it off. The next day I decided to ask again...I'm very persistent...and she said yes (finally). She spent the next month being pursued like no one has ever pursued anything. You've got to understand that I'm very very competitive and when I set my mind on doing something, I will do it and I will win. I am not trying to say that in a cocky way, I'm just very persistent. I knew within that month that she would be my bride and we would grow old together and chase after our dreams together. We knew that it'd be best to finish college before we got married so I waited 2 years to get engaged; the Christmas before we graduated. I played and sang "The Gift" by Jim Brickman on the piano to her in a really cool church. We wed 6+ months later in our home town on June 15th, 2002.
Now Farm Chick and I know some people. To give you an idea here are some statistics (only because I LOVE stats!). We had 7 bridesmaids, 7 groomsmen, 2 preachers, an organist, a pianist, a string quartet, a guitarist, a soloist, and we invited around 1,100 people to the party we called our wedding. That day there was several tornadoes and hail storms so there weren't that many people there, however there were around 550 people there even so.

Farm Chick and I have been through a lot in our short marriage, however I know that God has been there every step of the way. He has grown us closer together than I ever could have imagined. He has changed both of us to conform to His will and changed us and our desires drastically. That's what's great about Christ is that when you let him change you, His will is great to live under; much better than mine. I have a client who just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they are as loving to each other as ever. I can't wait until we are there! Here's to you Farm Chick!

Farm Chick says: I just read EJ's part and I'm grinning from ear to ear. It is true that he was persistent. I never had to wonder if I was "the one" for him.

I remember that first day in the dining hall. I had noticed EJ before on campus because he was always dressed nice and I thought he was very handsome. That day at the lunch table it seemed like everyone else disappeared and it was just us. I can remember being intrigued by this outgoing and joyful guy. I have to admit the ice cream cone thing was really strange. I guess he wanted to be sure he left an impression!

He worked hard to win me and I worked hard to guard my heart. I can remember praying that God would take him out of my life if this wasn't the right man. EJ thinks that is really funny...now. I distinctly remember God's response (no it wasn't audible but it was obvious in my spirit) "He is my gift to you. Don't reject my gift." After that I just felt a peace about it. I knew that we would have to do a lot of work to grow up together but I was up for the challenge.

The best day of my life was when I became EJ's wife. I will never forget walking down the aisle on Pop's arm and seeing him standing there. Tears were in his eyes and a huge grin was on his face. He loves me with an unconditional love. I love him back in the same way. We are human and we make mistakes but we are so thankful that we can find forgiveness in each other and in the mighty God we serve.

Our marriage has not been perfect but it has been an exciting ride so far! I am reminded of a quote from a favorite pastor (Voddie Baucham, Jr). He said, "I told my wife if you leave me, I'm going with you."

EJ and I are complete opposites in a lot of ways. We are as Grammy often says, "iron sharpening iron."

Here are some of our differences that create lovely irritations with each other...
He speaks in detail, I speak in headlines
He is a morning person, I am not
He loves corny jokes, I like dry humor
He sees the big picture, I get lost in the details
He is bold and adventurous, I am cautious and careful

The good news is...
We are both believers
We agree on our values
We agree on politics
We agree on budgeting (mostly)
We agree on the importance of family
We agree that we were made for each other
We agree that the cowboys are the biggest blessing we have ever received
We agree on loving the adventure of Four Sisters Farm
We agree that we love being married to each other!

The "Arranged" Marriage: Doc and DW

Our love story began before the two of us even knew each other. While I was in high school, we moved back to this area. Grammy and Pop were determined to find a good church home for our family. One Sunday morning, we went to try out a new church and we were warmly greeted at the door by my future Father-In-Law. He has sparkly, happy eyes and a quick smile and he was one of the main reasons we came back and started attending that church.

A few years later, my parents and in-laws were part of the same small group, meeting at our house every week. I was in college, but still living at home and I didn't really even know a "Doc" existed. He had been in college the whole time I had been acquainted with his parents. I guess I found out about him when his Mom started telling me to "break up with that boyfriend and wait until Doc moved back." I just laughed. I wasn't about to break up with my boyfriend to wait for a guy I'd never met. Turns out, Doc was hearing the same message over the phone. His Dad would casually mention my existence and tell Doc he needed to meet me when he moved home to finish his last two years of med school in our home town. Doc wondered why his Dad was constantly telling him about me. He thought I was too young (he's 4 years older than me) and anyway, he'd kind of sworn off any serious relationships until he was in residency. Don't get me wrong...he was dating, just not women with spousal potential!

Doc moved home in the fall of 1998... the same fall that I packed my bags and went to France for four months to study abroad. Before I had left, I was volunteering as a youth group sponsor at church. When I returned and got back to volunteering, I discovered that Doc had moved back and was teaching the High School Sunday school class (Rock Star and Farm Chick were in his class). We began co-sponsoring a Bible study (on Revelations no less) together. I must point out here that when I say co-sponsoring, I mean Doc taught and I helped facilitate discussions...he's the brains of the outfit. One evening, after the kids had left, I was the last one out the door and Doc caught me. He asked if I was ok. He had noticed that I was a little down. I told him I was having guys problems. I was casually dating 3 guys (and yes, they all knew it wasn't exclusive) but none of them had real long term potential. I don't really remember exactly what Doc said, but I think it was something along the lines of, "you probably don't need to keep dating them if it isn't making you happy." All I remember was that he seemed genuine and caring and I was intrigued.

The following Sunday, I was at the back of the church video taping something from the service. Doc was sitting back there with his sister and her twin babies. I ended up sitting by Doc and playing with my future nephew the whole time. After the service, Doc suggested that we meet up and get something to eat the following Tuesday so that we could get to know each other better since we were doing the Bible study together. I agreed. We went out and I peppered him with questions about being a doctor, delivering babies and the like. I hung on his every word. He was so interesting. He dropped me off at my work (where my car was) and since we both had a great time, we agreed we should hang out again. The following Friday, we met up for a late movie and hung out at his apartment afterwards. By this time, it was apparent that we had sparks. Sparkly sparks.

We both had dates with other people the next night. The funny thing is, our other dates sealed the deal. We both ended up realizing that we had much more fun with each other than we did with our respective Saturday night dates. Sunday night, we got together and confessed our dissatisfaction with dating the others and decided we would date each other exclusively. Our first official date was the next Saturday. He took me to dinner and a jazz concert. We decided that we weren't huge jazz fans and left to hang out at his house. He had written me a letter telling me that he thought that this thing was the real deal. I told him that I agreed. About a week later, my mom and I went to dinner and I told her I was going to marry Doc. She said, " I know." Our parents knew, way before we did, that we would be good together...hence the on going joke that we had an "arranged marriage."

Our first date was in April. We got engaged (at church) the following August and were married the following May 29th. We have been joined at the hip and in the spirit ever since. We are best friends, partners, co-parents and the love of each other's life. We will celebrate our 10th anniversary this year and I can honestly say that we love each other more and more everyday. He complains about the grey in his beard making him look older but I relish it! I know it means that we are on our way to spending our lives together and growing old together. And grey hair or no hair, that man will always be my sweetheart and I will be his!

High School Sweethearts: Grammy & Pop

Grammy's Version: We grew up in the same small Kansas town and I remember the day I fell in love with Pop. I was in the fifth grade and he in the sixth. I had seen him before and knew who he was but one day as I met him on the stairs at school (for some reason it was just the two of us – we must have been running errands for our teachers), I saw him for the first time as someone I loved. I awkwardly said, “Hi” and he nodded. I was deeply impacted. I can still see the sunlight streaming in the window and highlighting his blond hair, blue eyes, and strong shape. We didn’t date until high school but God planted something in my heart that day I didn’t quite understand. I didn’t chase after him or stake any claims; but I was filled with a sense of assurance in the way I felt about him. We married while we were still in high school and 32 years, four children, and eight grandchildren later, I love him more than ever. There has never been another man I have loved as deeply and I know there will never be another I love so much.

For Pop's most recent birthday, I came up with one reason for every year of his life that I love him and I can honestly say it wasn't much of a challenge. There are things he does for me because he knows I like them - no other reason at all - just because I like them. Wow.

Even in our worst times I have known I can count on him to love God and love family - even if he didn't like me so much at the time. Just knowing that goes a long way in working through the hard times. I remember when we were really, really young (not kidding - really young) and were newly married...we talked about growing old together...about having a home intact where our children could come and bring our grandchildren too. I think God puts that in the hearts of His children and if we let Him, He brings it all to reality. There have been times I wasn't sure of myself or sure that we could do it but I've always known that God can and that's enough.

I would say that Pop never makes me crazy but that would be untrue...it is interesting though that the things I least understand about him are some of the things I love the most. He is truly passionate about things and his passion is often so intense that it unnerves me a little...it is so different than how passion looks on me. He is driven and self-motivated to work hard and play hard and plan ahead. In so many ways, we are complete opposites; yet somehow it works perfectly. Oh, we have had struggles along the way trying to make sense of each other and God has used those struggles to grown us in grace.

Pop's Version: Grammy and I are truly small town sweethearts. I grew up playing with her brothers and have known her since we were literally children in elementary school. Ours is an unlikely story of young love that has lasted over 30 years and still growing.

I remember Grammy when we were 10 or so years old. She was my buddy’s sister and was often around when we were playing ball. She was cute and athletic but I was much too interested in playing sports to pay much attention to any girl. About the time I got interested in girls, Grammy became a life guard at the small town swimming pool. She was blonde, tan and beautiful. I remember going to the pool and just staring at her up there in the life guard chair. She has always made my heart beat faster and I am hopelessly drawn to her.

We dated in high school and I fell completely in love with Grammy. I was young, selfish and immature but I knew one thing for sure! I loved this girl!! She has always enhanced my life and never been a source of diminishment. She makes me secure, confident, and brave. At one point in our life at a very young age we had to make a decision about the rest of our life. We had to decide to either hold hands and take on the world or listen to others and let each other go. I offered my hand and Grammy took it. The rest as they say is history!!

I remember we only bought wedding bands because it was all we could afford. My brother married us in Grammy’s home because it was another time and getting married in a church would have been difficult. I look back at the pictures and understand the doubt and fear felt by those who loved us. We looked our age and certainly would not have inspired confidence in anyone. I realize now we had two things in our favor; we really loved each other and God is faithful.

It has been a wonderful 32 years. While there have been hard times, it has been a wonderful ride. I can still get lost in those beautiful brown eyes, and God has blessed me with the perfect partner. As surprising as this may sound, Grammy is not perfect but she is perfect for me. Over the years I have grown to appreciate her heart for God and family. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me in this life and in a very real sense she probably rescued me from a life of regret. I am so very glad she took my hand all those many years ago!!

Ok, now as directed, a few of the little things that drive me nuts. It makes me crazy when Grammy does the startle response thing (you know, when someone sucks in air and makes that desperate sound like you are getting ready to be killed in a horrible car accident). Grammy has been known to cause whip lash in my neck as I snap my head around trying to find the emergency. It makes me crazy when Grammy starts major renovation projects at 10 O’clock at night. It seems she never finds inspiration for projects at a decent hour. She occasionally stays up half the night working on a project and then she sneaks into bed and invariably puts her cold feet on me. Even as I write this, a smile is working its way into the corner of my mouth. I realize even the things she does that make me crazy, have somehow become a part of my fascination with her. I am totally and completely taken with Grammy. My love for her is deep and strong. She is my Great Love!!!

About Romeo and Pretty Princess

Pretty Princess says:

I'm a college freshman enjoying the oh so silly, fun stage of falling in love with a boy from my childhood (Romeo.) Cliche? Maybe... but that's just fine with me. He amazes me daily and loves me unconditionally. I'm the baby of the four sisters and have enjoyed the throne of princess as each of my sisters left home to start families of their own. I'm the queen of pet peeves, such as gum chomping, pen clicking, and excessive sniffing... especially during a class. I would like to think that, despite my idiosyncrasies that I am loving toward others and hopefully, lovable myself! I have a serious obsession with Taco Bell burritos and Dove chocolate. I'm also slightly OCD when it comes to cleaning. Advertisements for cleaning products often get me more excited than a new makeup line!

The most important part of my life, however, is my relationship with the Lord. I am a young woman who is trying to fully understand just how truly blessed I am. Sometimes I have to stand in awe at how God has blessed our family so abundantly! I am trying, often failing, at becoming the woman that God has intended me to be. Life is such a precious gift!

Romeo says:

Younger brother of two and son of a happily married couple of over 35 years, I'm a college student, a marketing major with a possible minor in entrepreneurship or advertising. Also, I am currently working at AT&T as a retail sales consultant and loving every minute of it despite the stress that is sometimes associated with the job.

Now, on to the only thing Romeo is good for... being in love. I am truly in awe of what God has given me in this woman (pretty princess), and cannot wait to see what He has in store for our relationship. Similar to pretty princess, I have pet peeves: heavy breathing, smacking, and picking at things really drive me crazy.

Some interesting things that you might not know about Romeo:

I absolutely love electronics. Anything from my iPhone, iPods, TVs, Surround Sound systems, and gaming systems.

Speaking of gaming systems, I'm an avid player of XBOX 360. I hang out with my friends all the time and play Call of Duty: World at War and RockBand on my 126" high definition projector. We have a lot of fun. Besides my relationship with Christ and Pretty Princess, my friends are extremely important to me and I'm really thankful that God has blessed me with them.