March 21, 2012

My Anniversary

Three years ago, I stood at the front of my childhood church and pledge to love, honor, and obey my best friend. Before all of our family and closet friends, Mikey and I joined our lives together. At the time, I thought I could never love him anymore than I did -- but I was wrong, I fall deeper in love with Mikey every day.

For over a week, I have thought about what I wanted to write to my husband....but I kept coming up short. How do you find the words to express your love to the man who is your safe place when life gets trouble, let's you cry on his shoulder, pushes you to pursue your dreams, and is an amazing father. I am not sure I can.

So I started reading thru my old blogs...and I came across this entry written in 2005

"Now, at the ripe old age of 23, I do find myself warming to the idea of being married and raising children. However, I am in no hurry to rush to the altar. Moreover, my idea of a marriage is vary different from the stereotypical marriage.

Here's what I want out of my marriage:

1. A husband who is willing to be an equal partner in all aspects of the marriage - this includes and is not limited to Cooking dinner, Cleaning up around the house, Changing dirty diapers, Completing his fair share of 2 a.m. feedings


2. The ability to maintain my own full-time career, should I so choose. By the same token, the right to decided to be a full-time Mom, but not to be told that it is "What I'm suppose to do"

3. A husband who understands that I am horrible when it comes to ironing, would rather read a book than cook dinner, will never under any circumstances learn to sew beyond sewing on a button or hemming a pair of pants.

4. A husband who is willing to treat me with respect and love - even when I don't deserve it."



Did I get what I wanted -- yes, yes, yes...and so much more!

1. Mikey has taken on more than his fair share of cooking duties - sometimes cooking every night of the week, he has changed more than his fair share of the dirty diapers, and has done his turn at the 2 a.m. feedings. He has also mopped the bathroom floors at 9:00 p.m. - after Joycie got sick, stayed up all night with her and then went to work the next day.

2. Mikey has always supported the choices that I have made in career - and has always told me that if I wanted to change things, then he would stand by me.

3. Three years of marriage later, I have only ironed for Mikey 4 times - and that's only because we were running late. He knows that I hate it, and he gives me a major pass on this household duty. He laughs when he finds me at the kitchen table reading when I am suppose to be cooking, and as of yet has not asked me to sew a single thin.

4. I am not always easy to love. In fact, I have to admit that in the past 3 years there have been times when I have been mean - even downright cruel to Mikey. And yet, he still loves me, treats with respect. He brags on me to his friends, shows me affection in front of Joycie, as well as when we are alone. And he still looks at me like he did on our wedding day - as if he is thinking "How did I get so lucky?".

I am wonder the same thing, baby. 6 years ago I had vague idea of what I wanted out of a marriage. 3 years ago, God took that vague idea and put it to life in my marriage to you. And with each passing day, I realize that I got way more than I could ever of dreamed of -- I am the lucky one!

Happy Anniversary babe!

March 17, 2012

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Joycie!

 

Dearest Joycie,

You turned 2!!!  For more than 24 months, we have shared our lives with you – and we are so blessed for it.  I thought you changed so much in the first year of your life, but I think you might have changed even more in the 2nd. Let’s start off with you stats. We had your 2 year old check up last week and you are now 34 inches tall and weigh 30 pounds.  Doctor C was very happy with how well you had grown and progressed since your 18th month check up.

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This year you mastered the art of walking, then running, and jumping. You went from babbling, to saying a few words, to carry on entire conversations.  You continued to develop an outspoken, fun loving, joyful personality. 

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You love to be on the move – whether it is jumping on the trampoline with your cousins, riding the tractor with Daddy, or dancing around the house with Mama.  You are “Go…Go…Go”  from the time you wake up until your head hits the pillow at night.  While at times, it makes us tired, it gives us so much happiness that you are living life to the fullest.

You are also very smart and kind.  You are already learning the various letters of the alphabet, how to count, and can identify some colors.  At school and church, you tend to look after the younger children – bringing them toys, giving the hugs and kisses, and playing with them. Mama got to see your nuturing side, when she found you likes this:

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Standing on the chair reading to your baby dolls – each of which was tucked in a blanket.

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The past 24 months of been full of so much joy and happiness but there was also a bit of fear… as you starting experiencing seizures. But you faced that challenge like anything else – head on and with a smile.  You went thru an MRI and an EEG with very little fuss – something that would be hard for most adults, much less a little girl.

Our greatest prayer for you has always been that you would grow up to have a heart for Jesus.  We can already see our prayers being answered as you get so excited when we go to church, love to sing Sunday school songs, and often wave at the stars and say ‘Hi, Jesus’.  We continue to pray that we can raise you to love our Savior with all of your heart.

And we continue to thank that same Savior, that he chose us to be the parents of such an amazing little girl.

We love you!

~Mama and Daddy

March 05, 2012

Test Results are In (Joycie's Seizure Update, Part 3)

Today on her 2nd birthday, Joycie underwent an EEG. After the EEG, we met with her neurologist and learned that both the MRI (which she had last Thursday) and the EEG were perfect normal. Basically, we have no true reason for why Joycie is having seizures, however, the medicine seems to be controlling them. For now, we will continue with the current dosage and will see the neurologist again in 3 months. Please pray that the meds continue to keep Joycie seizure free. Thank you all for the prayers over the last few weeks.