Happy Anniversary, Jeff!

Fifteen years ago today I was getting ready to walk down the aisle to be forever joined with my life partner. And I do have to admit that there was some trepidation about entering into this commitment. I knew that the Lord had brought us together and had led us to marry, but Jeff was just so different than me in almost every way...I mean really different...

He is brilliant, driven, an extrovert, loves licorice and golf, and knows more statistics than 12% of the general population. I struggled in school, am laid back, HATED miniature golf as a kid and can't hardly even remember my kid's names.

But more than anticipating our differences, I could not imagine that he really wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I remember giggling with my girlfriends in high school about this very moment and what it would all be like....

And now fifteen years later (which seems like a blink of an eye) I find myself completely sure that I could never be with anyone else. Jeff is still extremely different than me, but I am amazed at how we become more alike in so many areas. We actually do finish each other sentences or think about the same thing at the same time. I understand his passions, I know what he loves and what he hates, what excites him and what drives him crazy...and hopefully we are learning to balance each other out.

And I realize that this is still only the beginning! I look at couples who have been married 25 years or 50 years...we are still just novices.

So today I publicly thank and give praise to God for giving me Jeff. I acknowledge that it is only by His Grace that we are together and it is He who sustains our marriage.

And Jeff, I want to publicly say that I love you more today than I did last year...more than yesterday....and will gladly walk by your side as we embark on the next fifteen years together and beyond as the Lord gives us.

A not-so-good effort

A family has very graciously let us "play" in their garden this summer and now we are reaping many of the spoils of the labor.

So....We have been trying lots of new (and old) ways to use up the zucchini that we have been blessed with.

I tried a recipe for zucchini fritters and then decided to add my own pizzazz to the mix to pump up the flavor.

Nothing is better in any dish than a little crisp bacon!

And who better to help me than this darling little chef??

And the result??



Greasy, soggy, fairly tasteless and probably not very good for us at all.

BUT it was fun trying to make it look like a really good cooking blog...a Pioneer Woman (check out this blog for some REAL recipes!) I definitely am not!!

The home school adventure!

We are venturing out into the world of home schooling once again. Cameron is returning to "traditional" school, but the others will take this journey with me.

And so I am trying to come up with some fun "Reasons to be Home Schooled"

1. You can learn your math while wearing a life jacket

2. You never ever get away from your siblings...(oh wait we are talking about positive reasons!)

3. You can learn about "fungi" AND try and find some on your breakfast toast all at the same time!

And there will be more reasons to come....hopefully....

Family Getaway

Last week, we went on vacation. We had debated on going to the ocean, to the Grand Canyon, to Niagara Falls or to Mackinac Island. We had BIG plans to spend a week traveling in a grand, glorious vacation.


But due to a purchase of a house and a trip to India, we settled on a three-day getaway to a small lake just north of Chicago. We rented a small cabin, and spent one day on a boat fishing and swimming....


I admit that I was a little disappointed that we were not able to do something "grander" for our kids....something that they would really remember...

AND again, I was humbled by the reminder that it really doesn't matter what we do - our kids love being with us and having our undivided attention! We had a ball hanging out together on the boat. We laughed at the "giant" fish that Conner was catching. We took naps in the sun and chased each other around the boat on our noodles. I have no doubt that they will remember this vacation...

We enjoyed each other's company away from the busyness of life. There was no pressure to be anything but ourselves (especially Calvin) and we had a blast!


Life will now hit full speed ahead as we start school next week, pack to move to our new house and prepare for our trip to India to close up a house there. I find myself easily overwhelmed by the tasks ahead of me.

I have been learning about the different names of the Lord in a Bible study that I am doing with some ladies and I realize that I need to trust in my Jehovah-Jireh - "the Lord will provide" for these next weeks ahead.

He is able to provide the strength, endurance, grace, and mercy that I need. And I pray that He will provide these things to the end that others may see HIM instead of my bumblings in all these endeavors - that He will be glorified and worshiped for who he IS.