For Better AND For Worse

I often think back to the day when Chris and I got married...22+ years ago.  He was 26 and I was 25 and little did we know about the COMMITMENT we were about to take on.  I think to some degree, we both had a "pie in the sky" idea about marriage.  We pictured ourselves skipping through a field of wildflowers while holding hands...and life was going to be peachy, grand, and easy.  We didn't forsee any struggles in our future.  Our new found love wouldn't allow it.

Well, though we have been very blessed to have such a good and strong marriage, we have certainly encountered some tough times along the way.  The loss of Chris' job 8 1/2 months ago has been no exception. We have been fraught with stress, uncertainty, worry, sleepless nights, the whole gamut.   Yes, we've been each other's biggest support and, often times, greatest annoyance. We're not used to spending every waking moment together...and it's been a quite an adjustment.  However, truth be known, when I look at him, my heart still melts. Oh, I could run away if I really wanted to, but I don't. I could throw in the towel and say to him, "That's it, I'm done!", but I won't.  I could tell him that I don't want to be a part of this, anymore, but I can't...and neither will he.  Want to know why?  Well, you see, I have made a COMMITMENT to Chris and he's made one to me that  regardless of the obstacles life throws our way, we CAN and WILL get through through them....TOGETHER!  I love this man with all my heart and soul...and thanks be to God...he loves me, too!

We take our marriage vows very seriously.  When we pledged before God to love each other through thick and thin, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health...we meant every single word of it.   Never has "bowing out" been an option...and it never will be.  We plan to be happily married for the rest of our lives.

So, the point is that as long as we have each other to rely on and we continue to have FAITH, there is nothing that can tear us down or tear us apart.  We plan to be able to share our love story with our grandchildren one day, hoping it will serve as a firm foundation on which to build their own. Growing old together...we wouldn't have it any other way.

God gave me you for the ups and downs,
God gave me you for the days of doubt,
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true...
God gave me you.

~Blake Shelton~

A+ For Effort

I certainly don't profess to be the best cook in the world, but I think I do pretty well, considering.  So, on Saturday, I decided to try a new Crock Pot recipe called Chicken in Honey Sauce.  Sounds pretty scrumptious, doesn't it?  Well, Abby and I ran to Target while the chicken "did it's thang". When we got home and opened to the door, the smell hit us both like a ton of bricks!  Chris popped his head out from upstairs and asked if something was burning.  Oh, no....that's just how is was supposed to smell!  Well, I lifted the lid off the Crock Pot and took a peek inside.  Hmm...looked mighty dark in there!  I took a spoon and flipped the chicken breasts over.  They were honey glazed alright, but were as BLACK as black could be!  Needless to say, I took those babies out right then and threw them on plates and rang the dinner bell.  Chris and Abby came to the table with looks of disgust on their faces. We all tried to choke down the burned, dried out meat, but no such luck. It was an EPIC FAIL!  Thankfully, last night, Chris offered to make dinner for us and I rejoiced!  

Here he is reading the recipe he wanted to try out.  He had some brown rice cooking and onions sauteing in the pan. 

Just look how happy he was during the entire process.  Nah, not really....he faked this one!  In fact, I aggravated him because I was snapping pictures every few seconds. He wouldn't even let me step foot in the kitchen while he was cooking because he wanted to surprise me, so I had to stand in the sunroom or in the family room.  Meanie!

I don't know, but there's something about a man washing dishes that makes him so attractive!

Ding, ding, ding...time to eat!  No, this is not a big bowl of oatmeal.  It's the brown rice...and let me tell you, it stuck to your ribs, and your throat...you get the picture!

Here's the main course...Cajun Baked Catfish. Now, let me explain something here.   Having grown up in the South, I love catfish...FRIED CATFISH with a big heap of hushpuppies on the side!  I am not a fan of baked fish of any kind.  So, when Chris placed this on the table, Abby and I looked at each other as if to say, "What are we going to do?"  Well, Abby flat out refused to take even one bite.  I, on the other hand, put on a happy face and tried my best to eat it.  I couldn't get over all that soupy stuff it was floating in. 

Needless to say, I ate lots of corn and had several crescent rolls!

I have to be honest, the best part of the meal was the red velvet cake Chris bought for dessert.  Man, was it GOOD!

So, even though neither one of our meals would have given Paula Deen a run for her money, I think we both deserve an A+ for putting forth the effort to try something new for a change.  Of course, after these last two meals, a good ol' bologna sandwich is sounding better all the time!

Side By Side-Year By Year

Twenty two years ago today, I took a leap of faith and married my one true love.  From the moment Chris and I went on a blind date back in 1988, he won my heart.  I was never a believer in "love at first sight" until he walked into my life. I still remember that feeling when I first saw him.  There was something inside me that told me he was "the one".  Our courtship was fast and furious and we were engaged only 3 months after our first date. Then, 10 months later in a Baptist church in Lenoir City, Tennesee, we said "I do" and the rest is history. 

We've had our share of struggles and triumphs just like every other married couple, but I'm proud to say that we're one of the success stories.  I love Chris more than I ever dreamed possible.  He's my sweetheart and my best friend.  There is nothing I'd change about our lives up to this point and I can only imagine that the coming years will keep getting better.  I feel honored to be his wife and his lifelong companion.  I look forward to growing old with him by my side!

   

"A successful married life requires falling in love many times, but always with the same person."

Good Cop Bad Cop

Are you ready for Round 2 of our question and answer session? Off we go...

My sweet friend, Shelley asked this question..."Who's more the disciplinarian and who's more the softie between you and your husband when it comes to the girls?

OK, any guesses here? Now, remember, I'm the one who's always shedding crocodile tears about my girls and the things they say or do. Actually, the mere thought of them growing up is enough to turn me into a blubbering mess. Yes, I am definitely the softie when it comes to the girls and my husband is more of the disciplinarian. My girls know that I have a soft heart and they use that to their advantage...A LOT! Take my word, I'm onto their little game! Chris, on the other hand, tends not to budge when he lays the hammer down. Batting their big, brown eyes at him doesn't work, nor does begging and pleading for mercy! LOL! I think we strike a pretty good balance.

I have to admit that I was quite proud of myself the other day, though. Just the week prior, I had warned Brittany that if she came home late from being out with Patrick, her boyfriend, one more time, there would be consequences. She's, usually, very good about coming home on time, but she does like to sit out in the driveway and chat for an eternity! I told her that her curfew is when she should be walking in the door, give or take a few minutes. Well, the other day after school, he picked her up and they went out for an ice cream. I told her to be home by 5:30 PM because that's when we planned to eat. She walked in the door at 5:50 PM. I took one look at her, extended my hand, and said the most devastating words a teenager will ever hear..."Give me your cell phone." Yes, I took it away from her for a full 24 hours...because it's her lifeline and I knew it would make a lasting impression. Boy, did it ever! In a nutshell, she was NOT HAPPY with me! I think I saw steam coming from her ears, but I'm not sure. Chris called me that night from being on the road and he told me how proud he was of me for sticking to my threat. I was pretty proud of myself, I have to say! She tried to get me to give it to her sooner, but I refused! I made her sweat it out till the very end of the 24 hour period...right on the dot! As Chris always says, "Actions and consequences." I guarantee you that she'll think long and hard the next time she's told to be walking in the door! I know, I'm such a meanie...it's so much fun, too! :)

“Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young."~Author Unknown


P.S. I had intended to participate in Vlogemotions today, but my girls' last day of school was yesterday and they were NOT motivated to help me create a video, as I had planned. If I can convince them to try again today, I'll get it posted later on this afternoon or early tomorrow, so we'll see!

A Prom Tag? OH, NO!!!

My sweet friend, Carrie, at Carrie's Little World tagged me with this utterly embarrassing PROM TAG! Oh, what a stinker she is! Now, the only good part about it, if there truly is such a thing, is that I shared my prom picture recently, so it shouldn't come as a big shocker to most of you.

Here I am with my prom date, Eddie. We dated for two solid years in high school. I wasn't too happy with him the night of our prom because he came in clothes that were totally mismatched. The pants were his, the jacket was a friend's, and the VERY LARGE shirt was his father's. He didn't even wear a tie! Oh, no, he had to expose his St. Christopher medalion for the whole world to see! LOL! That look on his face spells misery...at least I was able to squeeze out a smile! I'm going to have to think read hard about whether or not I'm going to reveal the actual year the photo was taken. Maybe I'll conveniently "forget" all about it! LOL! Of course, with the way my brain operates these days, that might very well be the case. So, let me just say that it was the time when disco was alive and well, and Duran Duran was a big favorite of many.

Now, any guesses as to who's in this next picture? Well, I did a "google" search on Eddie and found out that he's currently a tennis pro in Arkansas. This is the picture of him that was on the website of the country club where he works... When I showed it to Chris, his exact words were, "Boy, you sure hit the jackpot when I came along!" Trust me, that's his typical "sassy" response! Someone's a little stuck on himself, wouldn't you say?

Now, I warned Chris that I was going to show HIS prom picture for all to see! No way was I going to disappoint you! :) Well, here it is in all it's glory! Look at what a peanut he was as he stood next to his date, Kelly. He said he weighed about 112 lbs! He'd asked her to go to the prom with him about a week after she broke up with someone else. He said that when they got to the prom, she saw her ex-boyfriend there alone and started bawling. She, basically, dumped Chris to reunite with her ex! Isn't that awful? Their theme was "Stairway to Heaven", but it was a night he'd rather forget!
Ok, here are the rules:

❶ Leave me a comment guessing which year this photo was taken...(yes, the wrong guess might hurt our friendship...LOL...totally just kidding!) I will post the correct year in a few days after a few guesses come in...how fun! Hmm, on second thought, maybe not! :)
❷ If I TAG you...dig up your old prom picture...post it and let's guess the date, too. If you really are that self-conscious and don't want us to know the date...maybe we can guess the decade?. If you are married to your prom date, let us know! If you aren't, try to post a prom picture of your prom and a second picture of your husband's prom. Let us know where each of your dates are now and their relationship status!! (and, of course, YOU are way cuter than his prom date!) If you are single...let us know where your prom date is now!
❸ I am going to TAG some people...and then those taggers need to keep it going by tagging 5 other people! I can't wait to see all of your pictures! Fun huh!?

Alright, though I usually don't like to tag people for fear of leaving others out, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity with this one! So, I'm going to TAG:

Jodi-Green Acres
Pam-Life By The Creek
Lorrie-The View From My Door
Heather-Family Forever
Amy-From The King's Table

Don't let me down, ladies! You can't chicken out...I want to see those treasured photos from yesteryear!

"It is indeed ironic that we spend our school days yearning to graduate and our remaining days waxing nostalgic about our school days."~Isabel Waxman

My, How We've GROWN!

Today is Wednesday and you know what that means, right? It's time for Wordful Wednesday hosted by Angie of 7 Clown Circus. Pop on over and join in the fun!

Now, this picture was taken of Chris and me several years ago when we went to the Florida Keys with his former employer. We went out with a couple of friends of ours one afternoon and did some exploring and shopping. We couldn't resist the opporunity to have them snap our pictures posing as "full-figured" tourists...and I mean FULL-FIGURED! Please, someone assure me that this isn't what we're going to look like as we get older! Of course, now that I look at it...mine's not half bad! Chris, on the other hand...
"They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body."~Author Unknown


P.S. Just as I promised, I chose a winner for my "Followers Monthly Giveaway" using Random.org. The winner this month is Darlene #51! Congratulations, Darlene! If you could e-mail me your home address, I'll get it in the mail to you ASAP! Don't forget, everyone, I'll be having a giveaway at the end of every month for all of my loyal followers! That's not an April Fool's joke, either! :)

Bad To The Bone...NOT!

Yay! I'm so excited that it's time for "Wordful Wednesday" with Angie over at 7 Clown Circus! As you probably know by now, I'm never at a loss for words, particularly when it comes to sharing some of my photos. Be sure to pay Angie and the other participants a visit and see which photos everyone is sharing today! It will be worth your time, I promise!

Now, this is a picture that Chris and I had made a few years ago when we went to Vail, Colorado with his former company. We'd all gone to a local ranch for dinner one evening and they had an area set up where you could put on different costumes and have your picture taken. We were a bit reluctant, at first, because it was out in the open where EVERYONE could watch you make a fool of yourself. We had some friends convince us to do it after they had their picture made. So, this is what we came up with...a Civil War photo. Now, to me, Chris looks the part...straight out of the history books! I, on the other hand, look like some sort of "floozie", as my mom would say. Did women wear boas back in that era? :) Don't you just love the lack of expression on my face? Everybody was standing around trying hard to make us laugh, so I had to put my serious face on to keep from cracking up. It didn't really help because I kept giggling and the photographer would have to stop and start all over, again. I think she got pretty irritated with me, but it was all in good fun!

"Carry laughter with you wherever you go."~Hugh Sidey

P.S. Brittany ran in a track meet yesterday that was a make-up for one they'd cancelled a few weeks ago. She did so well, placing 2nd in the 1600m with a personal best time of 5:40! It was a huge confidence booster...I knew she could do it! What's more is that she beat her best friend by 9 secs. She holds the school record (5:32) for the 1600m. Woo Hoo!

Watch That Hand, Mister!

Today, I'm joining Angie over at 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday. Please pop over when you get a chance and see what the hoopla is all about!

Here's a picture that makes my girls cringe...all the more reason to post it, right? :) It's one that Abby took of Chris and me at one of Brittany's cross country meets. We were getting ready to help with the finish shoots. Well, we didn't realize it until we reviewed the photo that Chris' hand had slipped down a little too far. Oops! Abby and Brittany took one look at it and said, "Oh, that is DISGUSTING!" Chris and I just looked at each other and laughed! Anytime we can get that kind of reaction from our girls is time well spent! Aren't we terrible??? LOL!

"Right now, my daughter's just rolling her eyes at everything I do; I'm just an embarrassment."~Elizabeth Perkins