Day 22 - Fourteen Years Later

Fourteen years!!   Cliche as it sounds, I have to say it.  I can't believe how quickly time passes.

Today, Tim and I are celebrating our fourteenth wedding anniversary.  In looking back over the years, I am thankful for the many wonderful memories we share  - the birth of our children, the seven different addresses we've called home, working together, laughing together, and even crying together.

Can I encourage you today?  Tim and I wouldn’t for a second claim to have the perfect marriage.  We've had our ups and downs like everyone else.  

There are times we've put a smile on our face while deep inside we feel empty and alone.  

We’ve had our moments when we’ve looked into our future as husband and wife and wondered if there was any hope.

We’ve experienced frustration, pain and loss, but we made a choice a long time ago.  If we’re gonna fight, we’ll fight for our marriage!  What we have is too valuable, too precious, too unique to just let it slip away.

We’ve learned that marriage is one of the most priceless gifts from God.  He created it to give us security, comfort, and love, yet few are willing fight to save their greatest investment.  Too often, self gets in the way and ultimately steals the joyful moments we long to experience.

What happens when we pause for a moment and consider the other ones feelings?  What changes when we build up the other, rather than chose to serve self?  

Today, when I look across the room at my husband, I am thankful because I know it is the grace of God in our lives that we have reason to celebrate today.  

When we were broken, He brought healing.

When we were hopeless, He gave us reason to look towards tomorrow.

When we were unlovable, He showed us His love.

When all seemed lost, His comfort was what we clung to.

He didn’t give us this precious gift of marriage and leave us alone to figure it out, instead, He walks with us and teaches us to love as He does.  In return, we are experiencing a love that in some small way reflects the love God has for his Bride. 

I Think You'll Like This!

Ok, you've seen Embraezie Boutique's sponsor ad on my sidebar, but have you stopped by to see what it's all about?

Embraezie Boutique has some of the CUTEST custom made clothes I've ever seen - and right now, they're having a sale that makes your Christmas list start looking fun and affordable!!

Now through December 1st, Embraezie Boutique is offering $10 custom tees (limited styles) on their Facebook fan page.   

$10!!

That's an incredible price for custom designed shirts!! Go to their Facebook page and check out all the design choices, including initials, numbers (age) and other basic & holiday ideas.  I'd love to see what you find for your special someones, so be sure to send me pics! 

SUMMERTIME This and That

SUMMERTIME!  I love SUMMER!  I mean, like I REALLY love SUMMER!  I love it so much, I start getting depressed around the end of June cause I know the days are starting to get shorter!  SUMMER NEVER lasts long enough for me! 

Here's a little this and that I have to share with you about SUMMERTIME!

First, the more often your write SUMMER the wierder it looks.

Second, SCHOOLS OUT!  Which sometimes I love, and sometimes I don't love.  Right now, I love.  Just today I had a blast picking out little Thank You gifts for the kids' teachers.  I was ready to go for the ole' gift card idea (which is always a great choice) but then I saw these new JUMBO marshmallows... LIGHT BULB (in best Gru imitation)!

So I gathered up everything you'd need for s'mores (which happens to all be on sale at Meijer this week), grabbed red and blue gift bags, some tissue paper and American flags instead of bows and TA DA!  So, I had to share this idea with you for any of those SUMMERTIME gift bags you need to throw together at the last minute. 

When my kids get home, I'm asking them to write a Thank You card for their teacher - especially noting their favorite memories from the school year, and wishing them a SUMMER full of happy memories.

Another idea for all those SUMMERTIME birthdays (especially for adults trying to stay healthy) is to use a watermelon for the cake.  We did that last year for my mom and she was thrilled!  I thought it was a win-win - God made it and my kids ate it!  All I had to do was cut it up - plus we weren't trying to muscle down leftover birthday cake for the next week and a half.

 Is that not the cutest watermelon?  Wish I could say I did that, but I didn't!  I was kinda going for the... ummm.. well... more of a triangle theme with my mom's cake.  Oval, really... at first.  Then triangle - with the tips broke off... sometimes.   But THIS one!  THIS one is my goal!

Last thing - if you're not wanting to wait to win the Notebook and accessories in this weeks GIVEAWAY, Staples is having a shin-dig you might wanna check out.  Here are the details I got from a couponing email I got this afternoon:

"There’s a great Staples printable coupon available this week on their website. You’ll find a number of office supplies at 50% off this week, so now is a great chance to stock up on school or office supplies.

1. Visit Staples.com
2. Click on “weekly ad,” then look for the SPECIAL OFFER box (example shown above) next to the front page of the ad.
3. Click on the offer box to print your coupon.

The Fine Print:

• Valid through June 11, 2011
• Limit 1 coupon per customer per day.
• Excludes HP ink and toner, postage stamps, gift cards or phone cards.
• Minimum purchase of $3 must be met to which no other coupon or instant savings offer applies"

So, what are your favorite SUMMER traditions or memories?  And how do you plan to make this a SUMMER to remember?