Happy 25

On this day, twenty-five years ago, my parents were married.  Their marriage has impacted me more than any other relationship I know.  As their daughter, I have observed their marriage from a very close vantage point.

They have faced many things together:
- welcoming nine little mischief-makers into your home as gifts from God (I was an angel, of course!)
- facing unemployment with five little mouths to feed
- moving from Texas to Canada and then back again
- starting over in Virginia with no family around
- following God’s call to plant a church
- building a house together
- successfully pastoring a quickly-growing church while maintaining time for each other and their children
- embracing my husband as a sixth son
- becoming grandparents
- and many more that I am probably not aware of

I have watched how God multiplied their love for each other with each new addition; how He strengthened their commitment to each other through every trial they faced; how He knit their hearts closer together with every blessing He bestowed.

Although I’m sure that both of them would say that the last twenty-five years have been far from easy, they have made it look so (even to their children, who are typically witnesses to any flaws and shortcomings).  I know their marriage is far from perfect, but it is certainly one I want to emulate.

Mom and Dad, I thank you for demonstrating such a life of commitment and love, leaving a legacy for your children.  I hope and pray that my marriage will be as strong as yours.  Your marriage truly is the reflection of God.  I love you.

Monthly update... ha

Well, so much has been going on... I don't even know where to start!

I guess I'll start with the most exciting news... we found out a few weeks ago that we're having a baby girl!  I'm beyond excited.  We decided on the name Hallie Ruth.  It's hard to believe that I only have less than fifteen weeks to go.  I can't wait to meet my daughter!

To update from my last post (which was entirely too long ago), Drew ended up getting the job in Houston.  Praise the Lord!  He started on Monday, July 11th, so he just started his third week of work today.  So far, he loves it. :)

It's bittersweet, of course.  With the job comes the move.  Drew found a cute 3-bedroom apartment; we move in August 14th.  I dread leaving Dallas, but I have to admit that I'm excited for the blank canvas that a new house will provide.  I'm already dreaming about how I'm going to decorate my babies' rooms.  Hehe.

Currently, I'm in Calgary, Alberta, on vacation with most of my family.  I've been here since July 6th, enjoying the cool weather, Big Turk bars, Swiss Chalet, and extended family.

It's been amusing to watch my three-year-old brother and my one-year-old son interact.  They crack me up.  Anderson calls Gabriel "my wil nephew."  Anderson doesn't share his toys and kind of bullies him, but that's okay.  Gabriel gets him back in the bathtub by splashing up a storm and getting water in Anderson's eyes.  LOL.

Of course, I've been missing my beloved hubby something fierce!  I have another two weeks to go before I see him again, making it four weeks total.  I definitely don't want to do it again!  Anyway, I get back to Texas on August 7th... and then move on the 14th!  Busy, busy!

Well, I've been without internet for almost three weeks now... so I'm going to finish this up and go play. ;) Hopefully I'll get another update in before August.  Ha.

Trust. Faith.

I am currently sitting in a Super 8 Motel in Houston, TX.  Drew has a job interview at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon at an oil and gas company and we came up the night before as a family to take advantage of the fact that they paid for his gas to come.

Gabriel is sleeping in the bathtub.  In his pack'n'play.  We had to put him in the tiny bathroom in order for Drew to watch the Mavericks game (which they won!!).  Poor kid.  We're about to move him out, now that the game is over.

I have mixed feelings about this job interview.  Drew needs a job.  He's been without one since the beginning of November.  But if he gets this job, it will require us to move--for the third time in eight months--to Houston.

I don't want to move to Houston.  I don't want to move at all, but especially not to somewhere outside of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex.

The metroplex is home.  It's where family is, where our church is, where our friends are.

But at the same time, I know I have to be willing to let it all go if God is providing a job.

I just hate the thought of moving, of finding a new church and new friends.  And of being four hours away from family.

Trust.  Faith.  I will need both no matter what happens at Drew's interview tomorrow.

Prayers are welcome, both for Drew's job and my peace at the outcome.

Cordon Bleu

I don't often post what we're having for dinner on Facebook.  Who really cares what Drew and I eat?  The only time I do is when I'm extra proud of something I've made.

Monday was one of those days.

I recently made the happy discovery that one of the blogs I admire has a recipe sub-blog (cue the Hallelujah Chorus).  I'm always looking for new recipes to try and I have trouble with the ones in books that don't include pictures.  Not sure why.

Anyway, I am a huge fan of chicken cordon bleu.  I made it so much the first year of my marriage that Drew had to ask me to stop.  Later he admitted that it wasn't one of his favorites... so I literally haven't made it in over a year.  I started craving it a few weeks ago and made up my mind to make it, no matter what Drew said.

Fortunately, I came across a downright scrumptious-looking recipe for it at Kevin & Amanda.  I was so excited to try it... and I'm ecstatic to say that it turned out very well.  I mean, just look at this picture!  (Mine was a little more browned, but still tasted yummy!)

kevinandamanda.com

I paired it with mashed potatoes--another amazing recipe I found via Amanda, although it's from The Pioneer Woman (I halved it and still have half the recipe in the fridge).  They, also, turned out perfectly.  I had been planning on baking some asparagus with it, but when I pulled them out of the fridge, they had a little mold on them.  -tears-  Oh, well.  It was filling enough.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that this dinner was one of my bests.  Drew loved it.  It was the first time he spoke so highly of chicken cordon bleu, haha.

The Month of March

March has always been an important month for me.... actually, for my whole family.  First and most importantly (haha), my birthday falls on the 11th -- 23 this year, baby!  But, I share this month with so many special people.

My great-aunt -- March 4
My great-grandfather -- March 5 (although I never knew him)
My grandmother -- March 7
My uncle -- March 7
My dad -- March 9
My little sister -- March 12
My baby brother -- March 19

And, there's also the most important date of all, for real:  my wedding anniversary on March 15.  I can't believe it will be three years!

So, these are all the dates my family looks forward to in the wonderful month of March. :) And this year, there's one more reason to be excited:  I'm going home!  It's my birthday present from my parents, my sisters, and my husband.

I am beyond excited.  I am ecstatic.