Why I Love My Husband: Reason #756,859

After an especially long and hectic afternoon, he offers to bring something home for dinner so I don't have to cook. And, as an added bonus he plans on taking the toddler out for a while so I can let silence tickle my ear drums.

Ah, the luxury.

He's my hero.

Happy Last Year Of Your 20's, Babe!

Look how hot he is! I am one lucky woman! :)

Love Story

Andrea, at Sgt and Mrs Hubs, is hosting a Valentine's Day Lovefest! She has invited readers to share the story of how they met their spouse. I think it is a fitting way to celebrate the day of loooooove, so I am joining in. Happy Valentine's Day!! (And don't forget to visit Sgt and Mrs Hubs for some more romantic stories!)


I was lonely after my family made the cross country move. Finding friends my age proved problematic. My only social outlet was with the youth group (at church), where I was an adult leader. For months I went to work, hung out with the high schoolers, and slept. Rinse and repeat. Boring. Depressing. Blah.

I accepted my fate, begrudgingly, until one Sunday hope set a spark in my heart. Across the youth room I saw a handsome face that I couldn’t ignore. This was somewhat bothersome for I was pretty sure that the face belonged to a high school kid and I wasn’t in to cradle robbing. I left church that day putting it out of my mind, but as I said, hope had light a spark. I went about business as usual, forgetting the face, but not the feeling.

My younger brother, Andy, was meanwhile pestering me about some guy he had met at church. According to Andy, said guy was “awesome” and a “California dude” who loved In n’ Out burgers (that won big marks in Andy’s book) and he was a drummer. Since I come from a family of musicians this was an added bonus in Andy’s opinion.

Day after day Andy would taunt me, saying, “You have to meet Jon (name of Andy’s boy toy). I think you should marry him.”

Since my husband “criteria” was a little more sophisticated than “Must love In n’ Out burgers, be an awesome California dude and must play drums”, I didn’t give Andy and his quest much thought.

Several months later I was chaperoning at The Large Youth Event Hosted By Our Church. My brother, being the precocious 14 year old that he was, decided it was time I met “his” Jon, who was also a chaperon at The Large Youth Event Hosted By Our Church.

Trying to hide from Andy and his suitor, I introduced myself into a conversation that my other brother, Gabe, was having with someone named Jonathan.

(Do you see where this is going?)

Hmm, I thought, Jonathan looks strangely familiar...

Halfway through that thought Andy comes running up, "Oh, you've met him already?!"

Yep, you guessed it. Jonathan was Jon. Andy's Jon. The Jon that Andy had been raving about for months now.

But that’s not all… Jonathan was also the good-looking face from months earlier. The face that sparked hope- the one I thought belonged to a high school boy. Was I ever wrong! And folks, can I just say... I was smitten. Right on the spot, I was head over heels infatuated with that man.

I don't believe in love at first sight, but I knew at that moment Andy had been right all along. I was going to marry that man.

And, four years later I did just that.



To read a little more about my romance with Jonathan (it's even better than the first part!), check out this story: Sing A Song, Tell a Love Story

Be Still My Heart

Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut

I think this is one of our best pictures ever. My grandma would be so proud! :)

The Joys Of Marriage

Ever had a disagreement with your spouse? An argument in which you were totally passionate about your cause? One where you KNEW you were right and any thought contrary to yours must be absolutely, without a doubt Wrong, with a capital W?

And then, somehow in the middle of all the talking, your spouse utters a phrase that knocks the breath right out of you?

Not a mean phrase, mind you. Not a vindictive phrase. Just a simple sentence, made in honesty sincerity, that cuts your feet right out from under you. I'm talking about the phrase that makes you realize how oh-so-Wrong YOU were?

Uh, huh. That one.

Ouch. It hurts.

Pride tumbles in ruins. You sit there, mouth agape and you have no comeback because you are/were so totally WRONG. And you must swallow your smugness and humbly ask for forgiveness.

Yep, that is why I am awake at 3 am. Because I have a big mouth and now I need to make good use of it to say sorry.

I'm sorry.
I was wrong.
Will you forgive me?

Simple, but dang if it ain't hard for me to admit.

Our Little Family

Well, obviously blogging hasn't been a huge priority of mine these days. I am just trying to soak up all the time I can with my little guy, while he's still little. He is 7 weeks today and time just seems like it is flying by! He has started cooing at us and even laughing a bit. His smile lights up our whole day. I never knew it would be possible to love someone so much!

Sing a Song, Tell A Love Story

Music is a huge part of my life. Well, huge may be a slight understatement as pretty much every member in my family is in someway musical.

My grandfather led the "hymn singing" in his Nazarene church. He was accompanied by my grandmother on the organ, and my father on the piano.

My father is a gifted musician and arranger (or de-ranger as he likes to call it). My whole life he has been using his love for the Lord and his love of music to lead others in worship. His passion is teaching others how to truly worship the Lord- both in song and in lifestyle.

My mother loves to sing. She says she sounds best when singing behind closed doors. Out of respect for her I won't argue this point at all. :) I'll just say that it was my mother who brought music into my everyday life. Singing silly, nonsense songs, dancing around the house to the oldies, and belting out the sad tunes of country-western she showed me that music is emotional.

My brothers are both very talented musically. My youngest brother, however, is the one carrying on the worship leading torch in the family. He, at the age of 20, is currently interning under the worship leader of a church in Ohio. The boy is gifted y'all. He can pick up an instrument and play it. He can write and compose and sing and do it all. And best of all, he is passionate about worshiping.

And, not to be forgotten, my husband. He's a drummer. And a good one at that. Some may argue that a drummer, who is just a drummer, is not technically a musician. I would say that such a statement does not apply to J. The man knows his stuff, let me tell you.

So, what was my point??

Oh, yes, music is a huge part of my life. It is a huge part of J. and I's life together. Actually, music is what drew us together- not just once, but twice.

I was thinking today about the second time that music drew us together. Mind if I tell the story?

About 2 years before we were married, J.'s dad died very tragically. It was a tough set of circumstance to walk through for all concerned, but it was really difficult for J. After a few weeks of trying to keep everything together we realized that in order for J. to begin to heal we needed to end our relationship.

Can we say HEART. BREAKING?

Walking away from the man I was deeply in love with, while he was going through utter turmoil, well it was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do.

And let me just take a second to say that we are not quitters. This was a last resort for us. And honestly, it turned out to be such a blessing in disguise. God used that time to work wonders in our lives.

But I am getting a head in the story...

About a month after we broke up, my dad came to me with a song he needed me to sing at church. When he told me that the song was I Hope You Dance, I am pretty sure I laughed in his face. Not that it's a bad song mind you, in fact, it is now one of my favorites. However, at the time I was not in the mood for such "sap".

My dad graciously informed me of 2 things; 1) The song went with the sermon (something about hope, I think) and so it had to sung by someone, and 2) In his opinion no one else could sing it with the same conviction that I could. In light of all that had been going on in and around my life at the time, you see.

So, I sat down with the word sheet and looked it over real good. By the time I got to the end I was almost in tears. I realized that if there was anything I could say to J. it would be the words of that song. Word for word it captured my hopes and prayers for him.

Duh, that was exactly my dad's reason for wanting me to sing it. (He's smarter than the average bear!)

For weeks I worked on this song. Doing my best to make it perfect, all the while praying that some how J. would be there to hear it. We had not spoken to each other since the break up and I wasn't sure where he was at in his life. Of course the Lord is good to see through all the small details of His masterful plans. How silly of me to doubt that.

Anyway, the Sunday came for me to sing the song. We have 5 services at our church and so by the time the 4th one rolled around I was nice and warmed up. A line or two into the first verse my mom caught my eye. She was standing in the very back of the sanctuary pointing, every so discreetly, to her left. As I was singing I slowly moved my gaze to look where she was directing me.

There, peering in from the back door, stood J. I almost lost it. I almost broke down right there on the stage. Finally, I had the chance to say to him what I had been dying to tell him. I was able to stand there and sing the words directly to him. Laying my heart all out on the line in front of, oh I don't know, only a couple hundred congregants.

I didn't see J. after the service. I didn't expect to. My purpose for singing the song was not to get back together with J. I was ready to accept whatever the Lord had for each of us, together or apart. I just simply wanted to communicate hope to a man I cared deeply about.

Well, seeing as how we are now married and pregnant, we obviously got back together. Would y'all believe that he called me up the very next night and asked me if I still loved him, 'cuz he still loved me, and would I think about getting back together? (Um, YES I still love you!)

During that time in our lives the Lord showed us both that hope is necessary in all circumstances. No matter how large, or small. And that real hope can only come from faith in the One who has it all under control.

I also realized how truly important music is in my life. It is emotional.

Even sappy songs have their moments.

And, I Hope You Dance, well it was the song we first danced to as Husband and Wife. Seemed only fitting.


I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

Who's Calling The Shots

Jonathan was asked to speak last night for The Exchange, which is the high school ministry at our church. The topic, control, was part 2 in a series called "Experiencing God in the Suburbs".

The talk was recorded and I am posting a link below for anyone who cares to listen. And you should care to listen 'cuz it's good stuff. And I'm not just saying that- really- it was good stuff. I needed to hear it myself.

Who's Calling the Shots?

And J... in case I haven't said it enough- I am proud of you. It's an honor to be the wife of someone so freakin' awesome! I love you!!

how i met my honey...

Barb, at A Chelsea Morning, is asking how people met their spouses. Since I've been in a blogging funk lately, I thought this might help pull me out. So, for your reading enjoyment, here's my story...


In the fall of 2000 my family up and moved from Southern California to Vermont. I was 20 years old at the time.

Upon moving to the Green Mountain State I found myself leading worship for the youth group at our church. (Still not sure how that one happened since I do not play an instrument, but never the less, I did it).

One Sunday morning, after the youth service was over, a very good looking face caught my attention. I quickly averted my eyes thinking it was just one of the students. I went about my business and did not think another thought about that handsome face cause that would have just been wrong.

Several days later my younger brother Andy, who was 14 at the time, began pestering me about meeting some guy named Jon. Jon could play the drums on the youth worship team, he would say. Jon's from Southern California too, he would say. And, I think you're gonna marry him, he would say.

Since this was my 14 year old brother talking I, of course, ignored him. I just figured my brother had found a hero to worship and wanted everyone to do the same.

For weeks Andy continued to tell me that I should marry this guy and why wouldn't I just meet him already?!?

And still, I ignored him. I was not interested in having a boyfriend, I was not interested in getting married and I was not interested in being set up by my 14 year old brother. (Have I mentioned that yet?)

Well, then the magic happened. (Gods' kind of magic).

About a month or so later I was helping to chaperone a youth event. At the start of the night Andy came running up to me and said, "Jon is here, you have to meet him. I'll go find him."

Trying to hide from Andy and his suitor, I introduced myself into a conversation that my other brother, Gabe, was having with someone named Jonathan.

Hmm, I thought, Jonathan looks strangely familiar...

Halfway through that thought Andy comes running up, "Oh, you've met him already?!"

Yep, you guessed it. Jonathan was Jon. Andy's Jon. The Jon that Andy had been raving about for a month now. The Jon that my 14 year old brother had been trying to set me up with.

Jonathan was also the good looking face from the back of the youth room that I had seen months earlier. Turns out that face didn't belong to a student after all.

And folks, can I just say... I was smitten. Right on the spot, I was head over heels infatuated with that man.


I don't believe in love at first sight, but I knew at that moment Andy had been right all along. I was going to marry that man.

And, four years later I did just that.

my superhero husband

I have sung his praises on here before, and much to the chagrin of those that dislike the mushy stuff (my husband among them), I must sing this little tune once more. I have the greatest husband alive!

Really, I do.

I was having a bad day yesterday. I'm talking PMS bad. No, I am talking PMS, uncooperative hair, largest cold sore known to man (seriously, it is HUGE), work day from H-E-Double Hockey Sticks, mountains of laundry to conquer, massive sinus headache, a thousand things still to do before leaving the country for 2 weeks bad.

IT. WAS. BAD. (Are you getting the picture yet?)

And I was grumpy. Very grumpy. By the time I picked my husband up after work I was in tears. Actually, that too is an understatement. I was in the middle of a mini-melt down thanks to my dog who was barking insanely at every living soul who walked by the car. Just made things all the more dramatic, and I love drama, right mom?!

Anyway, I digress.

My sweet husband gets in the car, takes one look at me and says, very matter-of-factly, "This is what we are going to do..." He then begins to address every stressful thing that was running through my head. Here's the superhero part... he just knew what was wrong without having to ask. He fixed all the problems in matter of minutes, like he was Marry Poppins with a magic carpet bag.

He relieved me of my plans to make a nice, well thought-out meal.
He finished the last few loads of laundry for me.
He vacuumed the entire house.
He took out the trash.
He cleaned the BATHROOM! (His least favorite chore)

All the while, I took my time preparing a very simple salad for dinner. Yes, feeling slightly guilty, but he would not let me help do anything else. He knew what I need and he blessed me immensely by selflessly giving me the night off. That puts him firmly in the hero category for me.

(I won't mention that his ulterior motive was most likely getting the house cleaned quickly so he could watch 24 all night. If I had done the cleaning there wouldn't have been time for such trivialities. But like I said, I won't mention such things).

Love...

Just Because I Love Him...

I love this picture of my gorgeous husband!!

Good Things Come In Small Packages

I have wanted a pair of diamond earrings for several years now. Since we bought our condo I quit dreaming about them and stopped asking. I just couldn't justify spending the money on such an extravagant gift when they weren't a necessity. And then last night, while enjoying a romantic birthday dinner with my husband, he quietly asks, "Would you like your gift now?" And then he slides over a small box wrapped in a big bow.

Good things come in small packages and I have the sweetest husband in the world.

I love my husband

I just want to say that I am deeply in love with my husband. He is the best friend that anyone could ever ask for. I am honored to be his wife! He has such a gracious and tender spirit and his compassion overflows!!! I am blessed!

I love you, Jonathan!

Red Sox Miracle

While driving home from a friend’s house last night I turned on the radio in the car. There was nothing of interest on any of the music stations, and I didn’t have a good selection of CD’s on hand, so I turned the radio to the AM stations. After a few seconds of scanning I realized that the only thing without static was what sounded like some sort of sports radio broadcast. I was about to switch the channel when I heard, “… Johnny Damon on deck…1 out so far… you are listening to Red Sox baseball…”

While I am not a sports fan, my husband is a bit of a sports addict, especially where the Red Sox are concerned. Though he was not in the car with me I felt almost obligated to listen to the game. Since there was nothing better on the other stations I left the radio tuned there as I continued my drive home.

Several minutes later a strange thing happened… a funny aggravated grunting noise escaped my lips. “What was that? Did I just grunt? Why did I just grunt? OH MY GOODNESS!!! Did I actually just grunt at the radio because Johnny Damon struck out?!?!?!?!?!?!?”

I was in shock, disbelief, wide-eyed-wonder!! Since when had I become interested in baseball???

The rest of the drive home was gruntless but my mind was churning. What did this mean? What had happened to me? Why did I grunt? Slowly it began to dawn on me... I was in love. Not with baseball, but with my husband, and when you love someone, what they love matters to you.

That’s when the Lord began speaking to me. Do I love what He loves? Do I know what His desires for me are? You see, it’s really not about the desires of my heart; it’s about my heart being aligned with His so that our desires are one. It’s about falling in love with a Savior, so much so that I grunt, and yell, and holler, and scream, and cheer, and cry, and praise, and protect, and desire the same thing He desires.

When you fall in love with Him, you fall in love with what He loves, and it changes your life forever.

And doesn’t He have a sense of humor that He would use Red Sox baseball to remind me that?!