Happy Endings . . .

After nine LONG months . . .

HE IS HOME!!!!!

FINALLY HOME!!!!

One of the hardest things I've ever had to do is say goodbye! But I'd relive every aching second of his absence for the chance to say HELLO!!!!! These are by far the most precious moments of our lives!!!!! We aren't taking one single second for granted!!!!!!

Our dear friend/ pastor's wife took these pictures.

Crossroads

We are at a crossroad. We're supposed to move but we aren't sure when or if we really will. The house is on the market, but we don't know if we should sell it. We'd like to live here, if we're gonna live HERE. Current events have put a stop to everything, because of the handsome genius' line of work.

Moments like these make it comforting to know God as a Father.

I cannot imagine walking my three little children out to a busy intersection and saying "Watch out for all the cars, I'll see you on the other side."

Obviously, like every parent. The busier the intersection, the tighter my grip. I have a vested interest in getting them to the other side safely. What kind of mother would I be, to leave my children alone at all, not to mention in the middle of a busy street.

If I, with no halo's on my head, hold my children's hands and help them cross the street. Why would He not do the same... Luke 11.

We will navigate our way across this street with His help.

As for now, we're gonna live here, cause the house hasn't sold, the orders haven't come, and the handsome genius is still at work. That's all I need to know.

Peace on Earth

I could really use a little peace on earth right about now.

Unfortunately, this lump in my throat the size of Texas, and the sick feeling in my stomach keeps reminding me that it hasn't happened yet.

Images on my tv screen of those whose livelihoods have been washed away in the floods of Pakistan.

What do we tell the kids?

Daddy is going to go help them.

While he brings them food. We can pray that God would bring them His peace.

That man really is our live action figure hero... so what do I do about this darn lump in my throat?

To my live action figure hero . . .

8 years ago today we promised to hold on for dear life and be married forever, for always, no matter what. It's been the most transformative ride of my life. Nothing has shaped, matured, and enriched me like marriage. You have the most tender of hearts, and toughest of souls. I love you! Happy Anniversary!

You know your husband is in a wild line of work when . . .

You have a phone conversation that goes like this...
"Hey Christy, good to hear from you, but can I call you back I just got out of the gas chamber."

Happy Father's Day, Dan!

I remember when I met you thinking a lot of things, mostly how much I would love to make you mine, but I never quite thought past that to how exactly you'd pan out as a father. Turns out fatherhood suits you better than I could have imagined even if I'd tried. I can't tell you how many times I giggle to myself thinking "Don't tell that 27 year old guy, that you once were, that you'd know all about Dora the Explorer, how irregular a two year old can be and the components to a well packed diaper bag." You have mastered the art of moving fluidly from Jedi to dragon to a date for tea in a matter of minutes. More importantly you have mastered the art of shifting from pilot to daddy in seconds. They'd never know the stress on your plate, because the second you step in this door at the end of a very long day you are ready to play. To them you are the king of buttermilk pancakes, sword fighting, and sand castles. You play with them in the morning and pray with them at night, and to them that's all that matters, but to me it means so much more. Thanks for leading this family in faith, and love, and a good dose of laughter. We love you!!!

The Weekend

You want to know ONE of the things I love about having the Handsome Genius home on the weekends... at 7:05 am when the Little Man enters our room to report his change in status from asleep to awake, he skips my side of the bed and heads straight to Dad's
4 year old: "Hey Dad, what about those buttermilk pancakes?"
Me: "Hey Dad, what about some coffee."
We do love him for much more than just pancakes and coffee, but these two items do contribute to his sainthood status.
Ahhhhh yes!!

Dan the Man

I am married to a man's man. I mean really if they were to make a scale of masculinity and femininity, Dan would be the on the furthest end of the masculine pole. He might even upset the chart. You would think growing up with brothers would give me a leg up on understanding men. However, there is still so much I do not understand, simply because I think in such a different way. To me life is complicated; it's hard to make decisions because there are a million different facets to every decision I make, and everything is interconnected. I am discovering Dan, and men in general, keep things refreshingly simple. I may think the sky is falling one day and the world is at peace the next. No matter, this man I have for a husband is undaunted by the changes in circumstances, barometric pressure, tides, and time of the month. He is an anchor tried and true. His heart is solid. His faith is strong, and his love is tender. He's everything God knew I'd need, and I'm so thankful for this refreshing difference!

My Man

"I love Dan..." Said a salty Marine at the latest squadron function. "And do you want to know why... because you wouldn't know a thing about him unless you asked, like the fact he used to jump out of planes and rescue people as a pararescueman before he joined the Marines. He is a good man! He's the first guy I would go to in a crisis, cause you know he's got your back. He's the most unassuming quiet solid guys you will ever meet." I was surprised to hear such a seasoned stranger share such insight about a man he knows so little of, but I couldn't agree with him more. As CS Lewis said of Aslan, he's not safe but he's good. Dan is loyal, courageous, humble, hardworking... and the best thing about it is that he's mine, given to me on loan from God.
I love you, Dan!
Happy Anniversary

A Day to Remember!

May 15th, was one of the best days of my life. There really are no words to describe such a moment, but one of my best friends here in Jacksonville, Kelli Campbell, did perfectly. She also took all the pictures and posted it all on her blog...
http://thezinniapatch.blogspot.com/2009/05/homecoming-day.html
Enjoy!!!

Scrubs, Slippers, and Mochas

I'll never forget one of the first mornings I saw him there at staff devotions at Spring Canyon. He was sitting in his scrubs and slippers sipping on a mocha he just whipped up before devos. I looked over at that rugged young man and thought to myself. That man is gonna be sipping on mochas in those scrubs and slippers in my living room someday, cause he's gonna be mine... 7 years later that man sits in my living room every Saturday morning sipping on mochas in those same ol' scrubs and slippers and I treasure every minute of it cause he's mine!

I've told of how I love Peter and Anna and related their little adventures. I've talked of my garden and my newfound passion for that. But now I want to tell you about my handsome genius; the man behind it all: the kids, the house, the yard, the dreams, the answer to my prayers. He's quiet, so not everyone gets to see the sides I get to see. That's why I thought I'd shine a little light on this wonderful man I get to call "my husband."

1. He's the most grounded person I have ever met. His faith in God is anchored in truth. It's a steady walk that he has with the Lord. He's loyal. His convictions run deep. There's no swaying him to do a thing he doesn't absolutely feel one hundred percent about. He marches to the tune of his own drum, and opinion polls mean nothing to him. One of his most used phrases is "keep it real" and that's just what he does. He's solid as a rock


2. He puts one hundred percent into whatever he's doing. There's no half hearted anything. He works hard at work and is respected for it, and plays hard at home and his kids love him for it! He's a awesome husband, father and pilot because he puts everything he has on the line.


3. I love his mind. He loves to learn and he loves to read. He's a genius, but he keeps it simple. I love that he's kind of an enigma. You never can quite figure him out. He's a man of few words, but that works out great cause I got plenty for the both of us:).
   
4. I love adventures with him. He's totally versed in everything about the outdoors from climbing to camping, so I feel safe doing anything with him. He's always thinking ten steps ahead with hot water on the ready for hot cocoa and soup, and a sleeping system that makes it cozier on a camping trip in the wilderness than in my own bed at home.


5. He totally enjoys life to the fullest. It makes it easy to feel like a kid when I'm with him, because he's always seizing the moment. Another favorite quote of his is "you can sleep when you're dead." He stretches his hours into the night just to cram everything into his day that he possibly can.


6. He's mastered the art of mocha making, and I can always count on one on a Saturday morning.


7. He is totally handsome! I love his strong weathered hands, dark skin and his deep blue eyes.


8. He's the only person I know who will have me laughing days after he says something. It must be the combination of the above that make him all the funnier. I love watching him watch "America's funniest home videos" because he laughs hysterically every time he watches it, and I don't mean little chuckles: I mean all out belly laughter! And I love his laugh.


9. He does the dishes, cooks dinners, changes diapers, cleans toilets and serves beside me. He doesn't hesitate to roll up his sleeves and help, and he doesn't expect a thing in return. He's a servant leader and there's nobody in this world that I'd rather be married to than him!

Roots

This little town I live in is growing on me. There was a time when I complained about the lack of culture and the smell of pig farms (okay maybe last week), but I'm starting to love this place! It all started when I started planning my gardens. The more I plant the more I notice the little things around me that I love so much. I love those alfalfa fields I pass on my way to the grocery store . . . I love my friends here. Their husbands have the same long hours (or worse) than mine does, giving us plenty of time for playdates, coffee, projects, planting and shared experiences. . . and I love the Mennonite store out in the country with the creaky screen door that slams shut behind you where I can buy my milk in glass jars . . .

I always dreamed of living on a farm. The idea of sharing all three meals with Dan, sitting on the front porch together, watching the sun go down on the fields we planted, working the land and enjoying the fruit of our labor, but Dan reminded me the other day that a farmer's life is one of the hardest: with early morning wake ups and late nights changing water. It's stressful when your life depends on the crops and weather. But here I have the best of both worlds. I have a life out in the country, with a husband who gets a paycheck, most Saturdays off, and lots of leave (when they actually let him take it). They say to "bloom where you're planted." I'm blooming so fast that these roots are getting deep!

Daddy's Coming!!!

Daddy we can't wait to see you! We made some cookies for ya!!!