TEN YEARS AGO...

In the past 10 years the news has stayed in business with stories after stories...
Attacks on 9/11, War in Iraq... and Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina, Asian Tsunami, International spies captured, Wikileaks, Beiber fever... but the story that has the biggest impact on my life was the story I was creating with my best friend, my partner in life, my God-given husband.
As we dined by candlelight (with interruptions from the 3 GORGEOUS kids we've welcomed into this world in the past 10 years), we discussed how fast those 10 years went by.
Our first year we both worked, had the freedom to get to know one another, be in ministry together, it was a GREAT first year. The 2nd year we packed up and moved a few states away and entered into full time ministry. Finally understanding how strong we had to be in order to be an effective ministry TEAM! Our 3rd year was calm. And our 4th year was exciting. We were pregnant, we were having changes in ministry. Things were VERY rough at the church, but very exciting at home as we watched a baby boy grow and move inside my belly. By the 5th year, we were looking for a new ministry position, welcomed our first baby into the world, and by the end of that year we packed up and moved from MO to CA. A total leap of faith, an adventure we will always remember. 6 days in the car with an 8mo old was something no one will forget! our 6th year, we struggled in ministry. We found that our relationship was strong, was what kept us focused, and happy in the midst of what could be a very depressing time. We clung to one another as we were so far away from any other family. We learned that the family God was creating in us (as we were then pregnant with our 2nd child) was the family that would always be there (in proximity). And we made some tough decisions that year. By year 7, we were back in the Midwest at a new ministry, struggling to find the right balance. Dave working 2 jobs, me being at home with 2 little ones. It may have been our hardest year, and I say that knowing it wasn't all that hard. We struggled with the dynamics of having two kids under the age of 3, one going through the terrible 2s, then 3s, the other just being a needy baby. By year 8 we had this parenting thing down! We were recovering from the stress of the year before. At the beginning of year 9 we got pregnant a third time, then lost that baby. We, for the first time, were grieving together. Learning how each would handle the situation, we comforted each other, prayed for one another, and got pregnant again. The rest of that year is a blurr to me! Year 10 is comparable to our first year... so easy, so fun, so established. We were now professional parents as we welcomed our 3rd baby, happy, comfortable, and growing closer than we had in years past. So now, as we start another 10 years, I am blessed to be doing life with this man! We are so good together. It has been such an easy road for us. I know this is not the case for so many married couples, so I count this as a blessing. We discussed what makes it so easy for us, why do we have such an amazing marriage? And if you know us you'd know, we LOVE to talk! We cuddle...and talk. We eat dinner together... and talk! Even when he's at work, I call daily... to talk! We fight... we talk it out. We parent by talking about the situation, the consequences, the joys, the milestones. We talk! and we talk a lot! (I am so blessed to have married a talker, huh!?) We were made for one another, we are the perfect combination! And as much as I look forward to all God's going to do in the next 10 years, I have to say it'd be fine with me if those next 10 years could go a bit slower!
Happy 10th wedding anniversary, Babe! I love you more than I can ever express! Thanks so much for being who God wants you to be in our marriage! Here's to the next 10 (and the next 10, and the next 10...)!

Pics to come soon!