Makes a Great Substitute When Times are Tough

Hubby,

Just think of all the money that we'll save!!

~B

The Countdown is ON!

Hopefully~~in 24 hours ( or less) I will be in the arms of my hubby again!

~B

A Small Favor Returned

Today, I helped my mom with her new job that she got at a local store.

She has to stock these certain shelves with certain things and the system is very complicated--she had been perplexed by what she was supposed to do for some time now and the training with the job was non-existent--no training= extra confusion for an incredibly bright and wonderful older woman.

So, I went to the store and helped her, with a job that would have even overwhelmed me.

It was incredible to stay with her and help her figure out the maze that her employers had left for her to figure out all by herself--but we persisted together and we figured it all out and it took 2 1/2 hours, but we got it done.

I kept on smiling at her, remembering all the times that her and my dad helped me out when I was a teen.
~The time that I got a job delivering Valentine's Day flowers--yet didn't know where hardly ANY street names were in the town I grew up in. She took the afternoon off and helped me for HOURS.
~The time that I was working at a tiny university job and I was supposed to cut out articles from newpapers about the state that I live in--I was there for HOURS and this was before cell phones, I heard a small rap on the window and looked out and here at 2 am, was my dedicated father, checking up on his girl--and he helped me finish my job (Him and I decided I would quit soon after that).

There are too many other times to count and I am SO happy that today, I got to return ONE tiny little favor to these people that raised me so well.

Thank you, my dear parents.

~B

Another Pointless "Missing My Hubby" Post

When you are gone, there's really a big time slot to fill at night--
and I don't like it much.

I get bored.

Here's a picture of your lonely pillow.

Later on, Puzzle, decided that he would lay on it to keep me company.

And then, of course, there's ridiculous Lucy.
She's just so---strange....

Only 9 more days to go.....

You are a very good boredom buster.

~B

I Miss.

Do you remember when,
love was young
and
to see each-other was
such bliss?

Do you remember
stealing kisses?
And feeling on top of the world?

It was such bliss!

I still get so excited
to hear from you
and to see you!

I still look forward to every evening,
spending all of my energy and time with you.

It is good when you are around.
It is fun when you are home.

What a difference one person can make!
What a difference that you make!

~B

You Don't Have to, but It Helps.

What can I say to you, dear,
to get you to understand,
how very much I appreciate
the power that you hold in your hand

I snuck this photo of you washing up the kitchen this past Sunday
and I took it because I wanted you to know
that I noticed.

I notice when you help me around the house after a crazy day of educating/molding the children.
I notice when you put an extra load of wash in and quickly get it folded when I'm not even looking.

When you take this time to do this for me, it speaks to me that you care.
It tells me that you realize that I need a helping hand and even though the dishes will be soon piled up again at breakfast,
you know how it will lighten my ever busy load.

You don't have to do it, but goodness, it helps my heart so much.

~B

He Still Surprises Me

If you know my husband, you won't believe what he did last night.

We were at a music festival, we were walking around looking for a food booth, I saw the lead singer of MxPx, one of my hubby's favorite bands, and I told him. He then proceeded to ask me if I would take a picture.

I took his phone, thinking that my hubby wanted a picture of himself with the lead singer being in the background (without the lead singer's knowledge??), BUT no....

He walked up to the guy, said strongly: "Mike, Can you turn for a picture?" and he responded, "Sure, Yes." and he turned around, both smiling brightly....

So, here I was with the phone in my hand trying to believe what had just happened. Trying to believe that I could press the photo button correctly....

Obviously, I did okay. But wow! This goes into the category of "If You Don't Know Me By Now."

I never, ever knew my timid, quiet hubby would do this!

~B

Hero

In this world, I notice how women are not taken proper care of by their husbands. Women do not let themselves be cared for by men because it might be a sign of "weakness". Men don't allow themselves to take care of their wives because they maybe weren't properly taught by the examples in their lives or possibly because they are afraid that the women will retaliate and embarrass them for stepping in. It could just be that it's downright scary for them to have to face this part of being a male.

This women wants to be a damzel that is going to be taken care of by her knight in shining armor.

Recently something came about where I needed my knight. I never expected him to rise up so valiantly and honorably.....but he did.

He saw a wrong. He picked up his sword. He slayed the dragon (figuratively speaking).

I stand here in awe at the prince I have in my presence. What a wonder to behold that this knight is willing to get bloody and scarred just for me. Just because he loves me. Just because I am his and he is mine.

I don't think that he will ever be able to comprehend what respect I gained for him in doing this for me.

~B

Alan Jackson-Remember When

I'm not a big fan of country music, BUT I just read "It's All About Him" by Denise Jackson (Country Music Star Alan Jackson's wife). It's an incredible read..... (my mom made me read it... and I'm glad she did).

There's a song that Alan Jackson wrote called: 'Remember When' poetically detailing the ups and downs of marriage.

This song means so much to me now that I have heard it. Marriage is so much work, it is not to be taken lightly but the commitment is SO incredibly worth it. This song is just such an accurate portrayal of the happinesses and pains of marriage.

Because this certain video cannot be embedded, you can click below to watch the original video, which is excellent or you can watch a "summary" of 'The Notebook' movie with the song included, which isn't as good. Your choice!

Click here to watch video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Y4NTXT96EM~B

Enjoy,

B

P.S. to previous post (read that one before this one)

Just a side note to the last post I did.(Read previous post first, if you haven't already).

I had dropped hints at this guy, and he never would respond to wanting more in our relationship. It became a "fight". When we would talk about it, it was always me pressing the issue. I was frustrated by the amount of time that it was taking for the relationship to get going, he was frustrated by the fact that I was always nagging him to tell me more about where our relationship was going. It was a cycle.

Eventually he started spending more time with me and we reached a "plateau" where we no longer seemed just friends, but we hadn't taken any steps towards anything else. Just a natural progression, I guess. But it wasn't from my nagging that was causing us to be closer, it was just how it "happened".......

One unexpected day, months after all the arguing and nagging, he ended up giving me a small kiss. Nothing crazy-romantic like in the movies, but just an indication of his interest in me.

We took it slow, he wanted to take it real slow. Too scary to go too fast; I wish we would have gone even slower. For when passions are awakened, then that's when it gets serious and scary especially when your body wants to naturally move along and all your heart wants to do is honor the God Almighty.

We both wanted that. We both had incredibly "dangerous" desires for one another once we started down that slope of a romantic relationship.....

If my then-boyfriend (now my hubby) would have pushed me for s**ex, I would have put my desires first and done that with him. OH! But thankfully he had his head on straight...... he just wouldn't pass the line, and we ended up dating for two years (after being friends for one) and getting married and then passing that spiritual line.

I can't say much for my spiritual wholeness at that time, but it says a lot about his.

:)

~B

Confusion Abounds

Here is a "bumper-sticker" that I found on a friend's blog. She's obviously not married, or she wouldn't have had this "sticker" posted. She was explaining about her feelings about a male friend that she has, a guy who, she spends loads of time with and feels very much a part of his life/friendship and longs for love.

Oh, the days of mine when I was wishing and dying for the man of my dreams to become the man of my reality..... It was such an awful time. I was so obssessed with this man, it wasn't even cute.

I recall driving down a gravel road, crying, none-the-less (and being overly dramatic in a real sense) and listening to: "Nothing Compares 2 u." by Sinead O'Connor (I'm showing my age). As I was crying, I was crying out to God to enable me and this man to finally become a couple. Just something more than being friends, but not just a sexual relationship.

When I look back, it was me that needed to know what was going on in the relationship. I was in love and in agony and I would have rather not have his friendship, than to not have his undying love for me..... or would I? He needed to make it clear to me what he wanted, because for me, it was too painful to not be together as a couple. Hint to men: Let the woman you are close friends with know without a doubt right away if they ask if you are interested in being friends or a couple, it will save you a lot of trouble and irritating hints from the woman.

My story ended with a real beginning: Eventually we did fall in real love, (because there was a friendship that was very deep). We are still together; happy and deeply in love. But he forced me to take it slow. Something that was completely agonizing for me when it was happening, but something that I recall with gratefulness and wonder.

Again, hindsight is 20/20, right? I can see why he had me wait.... he didnt' want to lose what friendship we did have and he had just become a Christian and he didn't want to jeopardize the new life that he was trying to live with sexual temptation, etc.

Just thoughts, my friend, just random thoughts.

Take it real slow.

Enjoy the friendship and treasure these simple days.

If and when the two of you get closer, it will take a lot more gumption to keep the lines from being blurred. Stay on this side of safety until the two of you are ready for a lifetime commitment.

Just my thoughts friend,

B :)

Honeymoon

As I was looking through honeymoon photos of me and my husband (from 14+ years ago), I was overwhelmed with the happiness of it all.

Here we were, 20 and 18, SO incredibly happy to just finally be able to start our lives with each-other. We had waited for almost three years to get married, (because Hubby was still in High School).

Oh, the sweet, sweet times we have together. Oh, the happiness, the laughter,
the contagious
L O V E of it all!

I explained to Hubby just the other day how incredible this time with him has been. How I can't understand it, but we've been so blessed in our marriage.

Keep smiling.
Keep joking.
Keep hugging.
Keep treading on.
and on.
Keep loving.
Keep being patient.
Keep forgiving.

Look back
and
remember.

Ahh, the wonderment of it all!

~B

Just a reminder: LOVE

This is an older post from my previous blog. I heard the radio broadcast on it just the other day and the story just astounds me.

May I be this giving to my spouse if it would happen to us.

~B

Love and Alzheimer's

Robertson and Muriel McQuilkin's unintended testimony
by Summer Bethea

A talented and creative artist, an enthusiastic radio show host, a happy mother and wife — no one would doubt the preciousness of Muriel McQuilkin’s life — until her decline into the darkness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Muriel spent the last decade of her life battling Alzheimer’s, while her husband, Robertson, battled critics of his decision to stay home with her.

Robertson’s decision became controversial when he resigned as president of Columbia Bible College to care for Muriel full time. With his 22-year career at a peak, many urged him to put Muriel in a nursing home and continue with “God’s work.”

God’s work, Robertson concluded, was taking care of his wife. “There are others who can lead the Bible college,” he said, “but I am the only one who can care for Muriel.”

He didn’t debate the ethical value of her life. The McQuilkins’ story is about abiding love.

“I wrote a book on ethics; I even researched euthanasia,” Robertson said. “I know the issues. I am keeping a promise: til death do us part. I made my decision because I love her. I thought, Here’s my lover; what can I do to make her life easier?”

To the oft-asked question, “When will you put her in a home?” Robertson always answered, “When someone else can take better care of her than I can.”

That never happened. Robertson kept his promise right up until Muriel’s death in September 2003, feeding her, bathing her, loving her even when she could only respond with grunts and groans. “Love takes the sting out of duty,” he says.

All of us who peek into the McQuilkins’ story receive lessons in love. Robertson painted the portrait of Christian marriage as that of Christ and the church. He loves His bride even when she doesn’t show love in return.

“Of course, love is designed to be reciprocated,” Robertson says, “but true love is not about how lovable the object is but rather the heart of the one loving.”

Robertson notes that the decision to stay home with an ailing loved one is not for everyone. “My story doesn’t always help people struggling with this issue,” he says.

Some people may not be old enough to retire from their jobs; some might not be physically strong enough to lift a sick person; some might not be emotionally strong enough to handle it. “I was fortunate to be in a position that I could do what I did,” he says.

In Muriel’s case, perhaps God used her most profoundly in her mental darkness. Their story has been published many times and has spurred countless marriages to deeper commitment. One afternoon Robertson received a foreign magazine with their story in another language. “See there, honey, you’re preaching all over the world!” he told Muriel.

Since Muriel’s death, Robertson speaks at churches, conferences and universities on the topic of love and marriage, most often sharing his lecture “Six Things Muriel Taught Me About Love.” Through it all, their journey of love lives on and encourages many.

Summer Bethea is a freelance writer in Columbia, S.C.