Technical Support

People: I love my husband. He is a man with many a great quality. He's loyal and kind. He's a hard worker. He is strong and silent. He supports me. He doesn't miss a Sunday of church. He's great at folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher. I so love him for that.

But there's one thing he is not, and that is good at the jobs that require you to read directions and/or think deeply. Putting together and/or hooking up things is just not his strength. To say the least.

When the kids were little he assembled their Little Tykes wagon with the wheels on
backwards. They stayed that way for seven years. It never really rolled quite right. I have quit asking him to hang things on the wall because bless his my heart, they usually end up falling down at some point. I tutor him in all things computer. So ya see, it's just not his specialty. Even though in his younger days he did get a job as a maintenance man for a bank down in Texas. Now that's funny stuff. He had his own workshop and everything. And I can say all this about him because he doesn't read my blog either, Baloney.

Anyway, things have changed for the better in our house. I now have my own little Technical Support, known as Luke. Completely of his own initiative, he decided that the XBox that we got on Christmas morning and that was gathering dust in the corner, needed to be set up. So he got up, opened up the boxes, read the directions and SET UP the XBox. Bam. Just like that. People, do you know how much easier my life just became? I envision myself sitting in my easy chair eating bonbons, shoving owner's manuals at Luke and having him hook up everything from our surround sound to changing the oil in my car. ;-) Oh Happy Day!

Why Tom is One of the Best Things That Ever Happened to Me

I have been reading through some of my old diaries and journals lately. I kept a pretty accurate record of my life for at least ten of my formative years. Peeking back into those curly cursived pages, I realized something: I haven't really changed that much.

My emotions threatened to drown me then; there is always some kind of flood stage in my life now. Warning: Rising Water. It's not something I can or ever could control. My mom always told me I was making a mountain out of a molehill. And I'm sure I was. But that didn't change the physical pain that came with the cascade of feelings. Believe me, if I could change it I would. It's UNPLEASANT.

In one of my journals, I copied down this quote by Cynthia Swindoll: "Depression... black as a thousand midnights in a cypress swamp. Lonliness that is indescribable. Confusion regarding God. Frustration with life and circumstances. The feeling that you have been abandoned, that you are worthless. Unlovable. The pain is excruciating."

Does this sound Ultra-dramatic? Yep? Hurtful to everyone who loves me? I'm sorry. But those are the things that the devil regularly plants in my mind. And it is a bloody war to fight them off.

Does this weakness make me less of a Christian, feeble as a woman, and miniscule as a mother? In the end, I don't believe so. It gives me a chance to live out "In my weakness, HE is strong." It gives me an element of life that God definitely wanted me to experience.

I think of David, a man after God's own heart, who cried out in desperation while seeking God. His emotioned rocked his world. Thank God I didn't marry a David.

I married a Tom who is about as cool as a fresh drink beachside in Costa Rica. He doesn't get me. Thank God. There are honestly times he has no idea what I'm talking about. But he loves me. And he is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Because of him, I've had 14 1/2 years of emotional stability.

I thought it was just that I had matured. Grown out of my feelings. But ever so often (see here and here) when they come roaring back, I realize that those monsters are still there, held at bay by God of course, and a marriage to a man who is strong and loyal and at times braindead. haha. Just the polar opposite of me. Which is just what I need.

14

tom and i celebrated our 14th anniversary this week.

wow, that makes me feel old.

but thankful.

even though my husband and our relationship is not perfect.
we quabble. he usually thinks he's right.
so do i. (think i'm right.)
he can't fix my car when it's broken down and he's not really good at putting things together.
he is gone an awful lot, and though it's not his fault, i still get mad at him sometimes.
and did i mention he's forgetful? ooooh honey, he's forgetful.

though not perfect, i am immesely thankful for him and for our 14 years of marriage.

here's why....

1. simply said, he loves his family. he puts us first. being of the coaching profession, that is a very big thing.

2. he gives me a footrub every night (when he's home). be jealous. be very jealous.

3. he isn't afraid to make a decision. as a girl who doesn't like decisions that is very, very nice. plus, i trust his decisions. he seems to have a knack for making the right one.

4. he folds the laundry and changes the sheets. all the time. no kidding

5. his faith in God. i look to him for leadership in that area.

6. he is quicker to spend money on a quality item than i am and probably splurges on me more than he should.

7. he knows who he is.

8. he shows me affection and tells me he loves me everyday.

9. he supports me in anything i want to do whether that is taking up tennis or going on a cruise with my friends.

10. he is tall, dark and handsome. oh yeah.

11. he enjoys his guy time.

12. he is a wonderful daddy - gets down on the floor and wrestles with them all the time.

13. he knows how to make me laugh.

14. he is mine!!!

Blessings both Big and Small

Blessing: I got a job!!

Yes, this may be one reason my blog has been so neglected lately; however, it is a great job for me. I am working in half-time position as Gifted/Talented Coordinator at Jenks East Intermediate - helping with enrichment for 6th grade students. I just so happen to be partnering with a very, very good friend who works with the 5th graders. I am still getting adjusted to working and managing everything, but the blog will NOT be put on the chopping blog nor will reading your blogs, though I haven't been able to read lately. Sorry! Blessing: Bunco Babes

My new friend Tiffani (pictured on the left), who should win the Nobel Peace Prize for uniting people, put together a Bunco Group. New to our city, she has pulled 16-20 of us together for this very fun activity! I have never been in a Bunco group before, and never really had time for much "me" time, so I am loving the time with my new Bunco friends! (Many of whom are also from my and Tiffani's church!)

Blessing: O Christmas Tree

Never in the history of my very fine marriage to Tom has he been around for the decorating of the tree. Ok, maybe he was around a couple of times, but slept through it on the couch. This year, however, not only was he around (a miracle in and of itself), but he went and picked out a tree, brought it home and helped us decorate it!!! We have always used an artificial tree, so can I tell you how awesome it is to come home to the fresh pine smell everyday? Tom so made my Christmas this year by picking out the perfect tree for our family. Thank you basketball for allowing him to be available! I love our tree with all my heart! The blessings keep flowing abundantly... more to come tomorrow!

Birthday Wishes

My handsome husband had a birthday yesterday!

Here were some of his birthday goodies:

A card from Kami. Good thing he's not too sensitive. Could have been more like a punch in the gut seeing just how over the hill he is, according to her. She's not trying to be funny or mean. Just sayin' it like it is.

And on the inside, a special reminder about just how old he is... Granny called and sang to him, as she does EVERY ONE of her over 100 grandkids and grandkids'-in-laws. Is this the cutest thing you've ever heard? She's 97 and watches American Idol! And is calling herself one! OmiGOSH!!! Listen to her song below.

All I could manage for him was some birthday cupcakes and lots of hugs and kisses. I really feel bad about it... I wanted to do so much more!!!! This time of year is so crazy with basketball and all that it's so hard to make a big deal of his birthday. I guess since ORU won by 30 on his birthday, that is a pretty good present. But, he does have a little surprise coming on Sunday! I don't think he reads this thing too often, so I will tell you that his bday present begins with an i. A little i. So excited!!!!!

The Interview

Amber from A Small Peek into my World had a very cool diddy on her blog.... someone had interviewed her and then she posted her answers for all to see. She asked for people to comment if they wanted to be interviewed, and I took the bait.

Here are her questions to me... and my answers following.
1) How did you meet your husband??

My first "real" job was as an English teacher at East Central High School. I had worked there for a couple years when this really good-looking new coach got hired on as assistant basketball coach. The head coach, Coop, was just a couple doors down the hallway from me, so I saw Tom quite a bit. We made a bet on the outcome of a TU-OSU football game... winner paid for movie and dinner. (I won.) The next time he came to make a "bet" I called his bluff (said, "are you going to ask me out or what?") and well... the rest is history.

2) When did you realize that you had a love for letters??

When I saw the two mouths talking on Electric Company. Back in the day.

3) What is your favorite kind of music??

I Love, Love, Love Christian music. Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Mercy Me, Third Day.... That's mostly what I listen to in the car and on my ipod.

However, I cut my teeth on some real funk.... and still feel the beat in my soul when I hear Chaka Khan (I Feel For You!), Prince (Purple Rain), Club Nouveau (Situation Number 9), Michael Jackson (Beat It) Midnight Star (No Parking on the Dance Floor). I went to a fairly rough high school where I also became fond of bands like Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, White Snake, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Boston. My dad loved classic music like the Eagles and Elton John, so I grew up liking that music too. And when I was a cowgirl at OSU, I danced my boots off to George Straight, Garth Brooks, and Hal Ketchum.

Oh, and one more thing... lately, I've had a bit of a thing for Robin Thicke.

4) What’s your dream job? Are you doing it now?

I was born to teach. I know that. It's agreed with me for all my life.

But I am a dreamer and in my wildest dreams.... I would be...

*a writer for a newspaper or magazine - weekly columnist

*an author of a wildly successful children's book

*an artist (but I can't paint or draw)

*a comedian (but I'm not funny)

*a tough as nails lawyer (not that tough)

Guess I'd better stick with teaching and being a mom (my dream job come true)

5) What is your favorite family activity??

It's soooo hard to pick just one! Things we like to do together as a family...

any sporting event, bowling, letterboxing, playing board games, wrestling in the living room floor, hanging out with friends, watching sports on TV, baking, going to movies, watching plays, playing Wii, card games, and of course spending time with the kids' grandparents and Granny I.

Can I interview you? If so, leave me a comment and let me know. I will email you your questions.