42

When Joe and I met in 1974, both of us were ‘dating around’ a bit...not planning on getting serious with anyone. Yet, three months after he asked me out, we were married. Today is our 42nd wedding anniversary! 


Joe keeps telling people, “This is the longest I’ve ever been married!”

I realize over and over that the love I had for him at the beginning pales in comparison to what we have now. And when we were blessed with a daughter, seeing Joe as a father made it greater still...

I could wax on all night about the man. Instead, I’ll just tell you that he brought things out of me I never knew were there. He saw the potential in me that I didn’t know existed!

I sewed basic things from the time I was 14 years old, and got pretty good at basics. But Joe challenged me to try sewing more complicated things by purchasing fabric and a pattern as a gift. I was brave enough to make a blouse with long sleeves, cuffs, buttons and a collar! That was a first for me. I even made buttonholes!


When we were first married, Joe taught me to drive a stick shift! My daddy tried a few years before but became exasperated, walked in the house, threw the keys to my sister and said he’d taught three kids to drive a stick and he was too old to try and teach me. (guess I wasn’t a fast learner...)

In 1978, he encouraged me to try radio! Joe had laryngitis and asked me to interview a visiting minister on the air during the 30 minute program he had at a local radio station. I did it, even though my knees were applauding my bravery! When the guys sent word that they wanted to talk with me about becoming a deejay, I just laughed. But they kept asking and Joe kept encouraging me to try it. I did. And that was the beginning of a career that lasted from 1978 to 2010!

When Hannah was a little girl, I would encourage her to try something new. My favorite quote to her was, “You can do hard things.” Guess Joe helped me realize that a long time ago.

Most of all, Joe has shown me Jesus. His loving, forgiving, and kind spirit blesses me. His joy is consistent! When describing him, I often tell people that what you see is what I get. He's the same wherever he is.

42 years...and I love the adventure we’re living! Happy anniversary to the love of my life...






Remember...
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Make your life count!

Coming soon...

Our daughter and her husband are expecting a baby! They’re very excited about “Peanut.” (That’s the baby’s name for now.) They already know if it’s a boy or girl and are keeping that secret to themselves for now, so Peanut is what we all call this “alien creature inside...” as quoted by my daughter from her blog at http://www.hannahandhusband.com/99-surprised/

If they tell us what names they have chosen, we’d figure out what they’re having and all the mystery would be gone. Personally, I think they’re very smart not to tell anyone what they’re naming their firstborn because people always have opinions about names. When one shares a name that they've chosen and another turns up their nose and tells some horrendous story about a person by that same name, it kind of ruins things. Parents don’t need others to weigh in on the given name, so our kids are using their noggins on this one. (I keep hoping one of them will slip and unintentionally say if it’s a boy or a girl. But they’re calling it an ‘it’ and not giving anyone any satisfaction! Ha!)

Around August 25th their world will never be the same...hence the grandparents’ worlds will never be the same. This is a first for all of us! And that due date is only THREE MONTHS AWAY! The word 'excited' doesn’t begin to describe our feelings!

Hannah and Andrew met in 2003, married in 2006, and just before their tenth anniversary, Peanut will arrive.

Joe and I were married for eleven years before Hannah was born. Everyone kept telling us things like, “Boy, things are gonna change around your house!!” or “You are in for some big changes!” Well, duh! We were married for eleven years and were ready for those changes! And she brought such fun and life into our home! What a joy she is! And now Hannah and James get to find out what joy is coming along! They’re going to be wonderful parents!

Grandparents?
Hannah’s mother-in-law, Cindy, said it best when she said this kid is going to rock our world! WooHoo! Bring it on!!!!!

I admit that I’m still wrapping my mind around the fact that my baby is going to have a baby. She’s going to be a good mom. All of her life she has exceeded expectations. From the time she was a little girl, I’ve told her over and over again, “you can do hard things” and this time will be no different.

People want to know what our ‘grandparent names’ will be. I have no clue. James called his mother’s father “Poppy” and Hannah called my father “Poppy” so I guess I’m sort of hoping that will be Joe’s name.

Poppy came around by accident. When Hannah was born, I’d call my dad “Papa” for her. She said it a few times, but then it morphed into “Poppy.” He didn’t care what she called him! He loved her so much that it didn’t matter!

I guess the baby will name me. Her parents will likely choose what we’ll be called, but ultimately the kids usually come up with what we’ll be...just like Hannah did with my daddy. It doesn’t matter. I’m so happy at the thought of being a grandmother!!!

I usually write something funny in my blog but this time I haven’t. Instead, I’ll just share this funny with you...

Remember...
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Make your life count!