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Tomorrow, it will be eleven years ago that Ben & I got engaged. I was a freshman in college and he was a junior. Babies! That's what I think now...at the time, I knew I was just really mature for my age, HA :) We had started dating when I was a freshman in high school...I saw him on the football field during State Football Playoffs, and the rest is history. I've been trying to remember the details of how he proposed...and it turns out, I really should have written stuff down back then, everything is sorta all blurred together. So, here's my fuzzy recollection. I remember that I had wanted him to drive me home from college for the weekend, but he kept giving me all these reasons that he couldn't. He said he'd meet me at home on Saturday instead. I was very annoyed. My roommate, Shell, and I were from the same town, and she graciously let me ride home with her. She drove, her boyfriend rode in the front seat, and I sat in the back, pouting and listening over and over to, I'm so annoyed with my boyfriend kinda music, I can't even remember what the song was! Ben and I ended up going on a date that Saturday night...he picked me up and handed me invitation cards to where we would be going that night (at this point, I'm still pouting a little...so mature.) Our first stop was a state park that we had gone to a lot to grill out and walk on trails. I thought it was a little weird, because it was March, and not exactly the ideal time to go for a stroll. A ways down the path, he stopped and got on his knee and opened a little white leather box. Shock. I think I shouted something like "are you kidding me!?!" The timing was completely unexpected...and I saw the past few days flash before my eyes, and then I felt like an IDIOT! He couldn't take me home for the weekend, because he was ring shopping! Needless to say, on Sunday, before heading back to school, I remember feeling pretty sheepish when I showed Shell my engagement ring :) In June, we will celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. Each year I am more amazed by the man that he is. He is my best friend. His selflessness and love embody who he is. I have yet to meet someone he couldn't get along with! Which probably explains his ability to love me :) Ben, I hope you know how much I adore you...and I (and our future daughter-in-laws) will be so blessed if each of our boys grow up to be just like you. Thank you for always striving to be more like Christ, I know He's the reason you are who you are.
So...I feel the need to let you in on my little victory. Yesterday, although it started out not so great, turned out to be really good...but I battled my stupid "feelings" all day long. The list of examples could go on and on and on, but I'll save you (this time) and just share the one major victory. So major, that I'm actually posting a not so flattering pic of me (post run) making out with my cute little pink Sansa. I adore that shiny little pink thingy. The victory? The treadmill. I did it! I got on the treadmill, even though I did not want to. Granted, I fought it till 2:52 in the afternoon, but I finally gave in. I usually go with the theory that I'll get on the treadmill when I feel like it...guess what?!? I NEVER feel like it! So, yesterday, the verse I read gave me a novel idea...get on there even though I don't feel like it! Imagine that!?! It's no secret that the treadmill and I have a love/hate relationship. I love that I have it, but I hate that it is so introverted. I'm a social runner, and my treadmill is dull and oh-so boring. But my hot pink little Sansa...FUN! While I'm being real with you...I'm also going to admit that I ran for 3.5 miles while listening over and over to the same 2 songs. Weird, I know. What's even weirder, is that it was the songs Year 3000 and S.O.S. by the teen band Jonas brothers!! Yep, I'm like an eleven year old girl when it comes to good running music, I'll admit it. Those peppy little songs, on my pink Sansa, kept me going. And for that, it deserved a big fat kiss!
This is how I felt this morning...Eli just looks a lot cuter pouting than I do. I woke up today in a mood...an irritated by everything kinda mood. Pathetic. You know it's bad when I was wishing I didn't have to be around myself! As I drove the kids to school, I was thinking about what I could blog today...they were not pretty thoughts :) So, before I started my post, I first went to one of my favorite blogs by another Pastor's Wife. God has been using her blog to tell me what I need to hear, and boy do I need that today! Sure enough, it was on prayer. Had I prayed today? Not really...mostly selfish whiny requests and complaints. Nothing that would allow Him to change my heart. So I sat down with my Bible, and opened to this, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about." Philippians 4:8. Yep, pretty sure God was speaking straight to me. Why do I so easily forget that? Why do my thoughts immediately focus on the negative? No wonder I'm in a bad mood...dwelling on how tight my jeans are feeling today since I haven't been running because of the snow day after day after day...SEE! There they are! Un-lovely thoughts! I am thankful that I can "fix" my thoughts on the good things. It doesn't happen automatically, but it is POSSIBLE. I am making a conscious decision, today, to not rely on how I'm feeling, but on God's truth. I can pretty much guarantee that I'll have to re "fix" them on an hourly basis today :) Truth: the snow will eventually melt...I will eventually be able to run again outside, which will cause my jeans to not dig into my stomach as I sit here at the computer, AMEN!
The laundry is DONE! ALL OF IT! And put away...all while my children were home with a snow day. Miracle. I even kept most of my sanity until about 3:30, after that it was a little hairy. It was one of those days, that as I crawled into bed, I felt like I had accomplished something, I had evidence.. Many of the rest of the things done during my daily routine cannot be checked off my to-do list...they're less tangible. I will admit, that as I go about my day, there are times, that I stop and look at our dog, nestled up on the couch, and wish I could switch places with him for just a few hours. I really could use a nap. Yesterday I wished I could switch places with my husband, as he went off to work (he has a full time job along with being a pastor...another post:) because I didn't want to be home for another snow day! I spoke with people I love, who are in really tough situations. For some of them, I have walked through similar circumstances, and know the pain, for some I can only imagine. I wished I could switch places with them, just for awhile, to give them a break. It's not how it works. But there is relief. They do not walk the journey alone, and neither do I. I am certain, that in my own life, there have been times that Jesus actually stepped in and carried me though, because I needed that break. His Word says that he will never leave us, I know that to be true. Walking through life with Him, is far better than "switching." I am thankful for HIS strength, and mercy and grace. Without it, where would I be? So, although I really do need a nap, I am glad I am not a wiener dog named Odie :)
Yep...its a fun filled day here at my house. If any of you need me, this is where you'll find me! (Although, you really shouldn't find me today...it's not pretty, I'm not even showering, too much to do :) I call it the "mud room." It's our back entry room, its generally full of boots, shoes, coats, hats... well, you get the picture. It's also where the washer & dryer are...and so it is where I will be today too. Something happens at our house over the weekends....the laundry multiplies...how does this happen!?! (Heth, I CANNOT even imagine your laundry pile!) It's a mystery to me. I couldn't even come up with something interesting to blog about, because I'm so distracted by all the dirty clothes...gotta get to it. Happy Monday everyone...I hope yours involves actually showering and leaving your house!
Seriously. Is this really necessary? Good Grief! If you ask Eli, my 5 year old, he will look at you, smile, and reply "yep." He does not see the problem...and really, it's not...but it is a tad. bit. annoying. He gets himself ready for preschool, which by the way, is great! Granted, he picks out the same three shirts, and usually doesn't match, but frankly, doesn't bother me. Apparently, though, in order to get dressed, it is necessary to open all three drawers at the same time, pull out most of the stuff in the drawers, and leave several articles of clothing throughout the room. So this is my routine every. single. day. After two of the kids are at school, eventually laundry gets done, and eventually it gets put away. I fold the clean laundry, go into his room, shove all the clothes back into the drawers, place the newly clean folded clothes on top of the wadded up ones, and shut the drawers. Guess what happens the next morning? Does this seem like insanity to you? Why do I even bother folding the clothes? Why!?!? I have no answer for you....but there is something inside of me that is compelled to keep folding the clothes, and repeating this CRAZY cycle. Tell me I'm not the only one :)
Today marks my 13th day of being a blogger. I am having so much fun. Posting and reading other's, reading comments and leaving them too. A big thanks to all you seasoned bloggers for all the blog love :)I'll admit it, before blogging myself, I didn't really get it. Why put yourself out there for everyone to see? Now I get it. To truly experience the blessings of community, you have to be willing to put yourself out there! In 13 days I have "met" extraordinary ladies, whose faith, honesty, and sense of humor have so encouraged me! Lindsay, (a new blogger friend,) in her post a bit of a change, made a statement that perfectly put into words what I was thinking, but couldn't put into words! She said, about the blog world, "It's a technological tool that makes journal writing interactive & "alive." That's exactly what it is for me! I get to write about my life and add pictures, and interact with all of you! Thanks for the fun!
Tomorrow, it will be eleven years ago that Ben & I got engaged. I was a freshman in college and he was a junior. Babies! That's what I think now...at the time, I knew I was just really mature for my age, HA :) We had started dating when I was a freshman in high school...I saw him on the football field during State Football Playoffs, and the rest is history. I've been trying to remember the details of how he proposed...and it turns out, I really should have written stuff down back then, everything is sorta all blurred together. So, here's my fuzzy recollection. I remember that I had wanted him to drive me home from college for the weekend, but he kept giving me all these reasons that he couldn't. He said he'd meet me at home on Saturday instead. I was very annoyed. My roommate, Shell, and I were from the same town, and she graciously let me ride home with her. She drove, her boyfriend rode in the front seat, and I sat in the back, pouting and listening over and over to, I'm so annoyed with my boyfriend kinda music, I can't even remember what the song was! 
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