♥ 31 Years! ♥

I just wanted to pop in here real quick for a couple of things.......

First of all, Joy has been in the hospital since Monday with a flare-up of the pancreatitis.  However, we caught this early on, so it looks like we're getting out of the hospital today!  And her pain level this time  is nothing compared to last time.  For that, we are thankful!  We're still praying for complete healing though!  We would appreciate your continued prayers!

Secondly,  today is Jason's and my anniversary....our 31st anniversary actually.  :)  I am so blessed to have him by my side in this life.  I trusted God for sending me the man he had for me all through my teen years, and He was faithful to send him to me.  I never would have thought it possible on our wedding day that I could love him more, but I do today.  Our love has grown in so many ways.  God has blessed us with our precious children and in so many more ways.  I am truly thankful for 31 years with him!  I can only imagine how love grows in the older years and I look forward to many more with this man God gave me!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥  

♥ 30 Years Ago ♥

I loved him then…….

But I love him even MORE today.

We’re celebrating our 30th anniversary with a little mountain get-a-way (in the Newlywed Cabin).....just the two of us.  :)


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Be sure and stop back by tomorrow for my Sunporch Chat with Paula of The Fraker Farm.  I promise you won't be disappointed!  You're going to love her and her farm!  :)  

Our 29th Wedding Anniversary

29 years ago today, Jason and I were married! We dated for almost 2 years so we were ready for this big day! It seemed like the day dragged on forever! The ceremony didn’t begin until 8:00 p.m. I remember it rained for awhile that afternoon (showers of blessing I like to call it). I was so nervous and anticipating this big day that I dreamed the night before our wedding that it was time to walk down the aisle and I was still in my pajamas! (I tend to have crazy dreams like that when I have something big that I’m anticipating the next day). :)

I can honestly say that our love has grown over the years. I wouldn’t have thought that possible but it’s a deeper kind of love. We’ve gone through many chapters in our lives and I wouldn’t trade any part of it. I value his opinion, his time, his sacrifice, his talents, his leadership, his approval, and most of all, his love.

I appreciate and love the way he shows me I’m important every day. It’s the little things that he does every day that really makes me happy – opening my car door, holding my hand every chance he gets (even in the car), his arm tucked around me sitting in church, his “hey baby” when he walks by or calls me, noticing when I’m wearing something new or have my hair fixed different, or just telling me I look pretty (what girl doesn’t like to hear that?). These are just a few of the little things he does that mean so much in making me feel loved, valued, and cherished.

I thank the Lord for writing our love story and for the gift he gave me in Jason. If you’d like to read more about us, you can read here, here,  here , here or here.

Today as you read this, we’re off on a little overnight getaway….the first and only one we’ve had since Luke came home. Joy and Luke are getting pampered by Grandmama and Pop; Colt has the house to himself; And we have our very own cabin. :)

Our 28th Anniversary

It's hard to believe that 28 years ago this time, I was excitedly and anxiously awaiting our late evening marriage ceremony! It didn't begin until 8:00 p.m.!

July 31, 1982...


In some ways, it doesn't seem possible that it could be 28 years. Then again in another, it seems like we've always been together. Jason and I have been through many happy seasons, but we've also had our share of difficult seasons in our 28 years.

Then...


We've been blessed beyond measure. I know God gave us each other and I'm so glad we both listened to Him and trusted God on knowing He would send our future mate. Now 28 years later, here we are in a new season of our life which some might say should have been reserved for grandchildren (instead of a new 2 year old). :) But that's okay. The best part is....we're right where God wants us. And we wouldn't want it any other way! I remember praying when I became a Christian (at the age of 10), that I wanted God to plan my life. That still holds true today.

When I think about us, I think how I love the simple things. I love sitting on the back of a 4-wheeler with my arms around Jason just enjoying the ride down the gravel roads. I like taking country drives and just enjoying the scenery (and that's funny because our kids never "get" why we enjoy that...it's boring to them). I like the times we're in deep conversation and I like the times we can just ride in silence holding hands....and be comfortable with either. I love dreaming together....whether it's about our kids, our home improvement projects, our financial goals.....or just growing old together. I like remembering past times together and laughing about them. No, we don't have everything we've dreamed of or desire, but part of the fun is just dreaming it together and the journey getting there.

Now..


This evening, we're going out to dinner to Outback Steakhouse. It will be the first time "out on a date" (which I've missed) since we've been home from China.....and I'm looking forward to it very much!

So to my honey and best friend.....I love you....More! Happy 28th Anniversary, Jason!

~ Tammy ~

** NOTE ** If you would like to read previous anniversary posts and our love story, you can read more here, here, here, and here.

A "Stormy" Anniversary Date

I'd like to thank everyone for the anniversary wishes. They were all so sweet! And to answer the question as to if we did something special to celebrate......I have an interesting story to share.

Thursday evening, the night before our anniversary, was our night to celebrate and I dressed up a little to go out to dinner to Outback Steakhouse. You know as a stay at home mom, you don't always get a chance to dress up, so it's kind of a treat! The second picture of us on the anniversary post was taken right before we left. Jason snapped this of us before we left and since it's the only picture I have to go with this post, I included it on here again today. :)



Well....on with the story....it was raining ALOT! We left around 4:30 p.m., hoping to allow plenty of time because of the weather. Traffic was backed way up on the interstate to a crawl. But in spite of the traffic and the pouring rain, Jason and I had such a great time just talking....remembering...really oblivious to the time....and the weather. When we did start getting close to Outback, we began hearing sirens. We were looking around trying to figure it out. We decided they must be testing the sirens because of the weather! When we turned into the parking lot of Outback, the manager came out to our car (in the rain) and told us their electricity was off. At that point, we figured, the tornado sirens must have been going off for a reason! Honestly, it just didn't look like tornado weather....just heavy rain. Then again, we had just been talking the time away. Anyway, we thought about our options as far as more Outback Steakhouses in the area. We decided on another one and set out in that direction....back out on the interstate....with traffic again. Meanwhile, it was still pouring and we were still talking. Colt texted us and asked where we were and if we were okay. Then my mom called (and then daddy got on the phone)and asked the same thing. We then learned that just an exit away from where we were, a tornado had hit and took off part of a Kohl's store and blew out all the windows of all the cars and the parking lot. There was a natural gas leak in the area as well, so by the time we got to that exit, the police had it blocked off because of the damage. After getting directions for a LONG detour to Outback Steakhouse, we arrived safely at around 7:00 p.m.!

I've thanked God for taking care of us through all of that bad weather, and for really giving us a memorable anniversary in the midst of it. Because honestly, we had a great time and I think it will be remembered as a special one for us for a long time.....talking and enjoying each other's company while the storms raged around us.

In the next few days, I'll share a few pictures from a mini family vacation that we took Friday and Saturday to the mountains. After time for just us, we then had some family time together! I know Joy will want to share some of those pictures on her blog too. And don't give up on me, please!

~ Tammy ~

27 Years......

Today Jason and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. I have the absolutely best and sweetest gift he could ever give me to share with you today....words from his heart. Today's post (except for this introduction and explanation), was written by my husband to be shared on my blog. I'm a very sentimental person and always the type of girl that loves being shown by her hubby that he's still in love with her everyday....but I'm also the one in our relationship that is the note writer. I write him notes in his lunch everyday, or leave them in other places. Besides cards that he makes for me on special occasions (which are always treasured because they are his words), this really is special and unique. I will treasure this always and I even wondered about sharing it on here because it just means so much, but since he wrote it with the intention of sharing it on my blog, I am going to do just that. I have to admit, it seems weird to me being the one talked about as I'm more comfortable being the one doing the sharing on here, and besides this makes me all teary eyed! Back in February, I shared our love story (Her Story) and Jason shared (His Story) of how we met. If you missed this and would like to read it, you can click here.

And now, before I go I'd like to wish my soul mate, my best friend, my husband forever, a very Happy 27th Anniversary! (I love you, Jason, with all my heart...more everyday....I love my life with you! Thank you for all the little things you do to show me you love me everyday and for all you do for our family!)

Now on to his post (which he asked me to type for him since he "hunts and pecks"):

I was born in 1960. I believe from that time up till now, our beloved country has seen the most changes of any generation before us. We have seen the very best in standard of living and technology, but the very worst moral decline.

By the time I graduated high school in 1979, I knew I did not want a relationship in marriage built on "if you love me", or "I don't(s), or "I love you BUT." I wanted a marriage of absolutes. So I started look for that girl. I looked only in the so called church world. I don't want to offend anyone out there, but even in churches I was starting to doubt if there was anyone out there for me with my beliefs of right and wrong. Well after a long talk with God, I met that person, my so beautiful wife, Tammy, I often call my little tiger. We were married on July 31, 1982. I can tell you exactly what it means to have someone that believes in absolutes about truth, committment, and treating others as they would like to be treated. It means 90% of the worries in a marriage are non-existent. I have never had to worry about my wife's committment to me or our children. Tammy is my best friend, my companion, my soul mate. She is the one I lean on alot for comfort and strength. She is an outstanding mother to our children. Our home is made complete everyday because of her.



Husbands get alot of credit for taking stands on things and issues that are right to stand for. We get credit for a job well done at work or an activity or committee we serve on that accomplished a goal, or just from others seeing us being a good role model in our community. As for me, I can say it's because of my wonderful wife whom I love very much. It's been 27 years and I am firmly committed that I love her more everyday.



There is a saying that says behind every good man is a good woman. Well, I am that lucky man.

Love 4 ever - Your husband,
Jason

Our Love Story (Her Story)

I feel like I am so out of touch with all of you. I haven't had time to sit down and catch up on all your blogs. I will have to sit up really late a couple of nights this week to visit. Please don't give up on me...I'm thinking of you...there's just not enough time in a day and my blog list is growing!

Thank you all so much for the comments on Jason's story. Today, I will share with you my side of the story. :) (All of these pictures were taken after we were married at different points...we didn't have a camera while we were dating..I guess).
The only one we could find was the picture from my prom (on Jason's post).




Our Love Story (Her Story) - By Tammy

I had also dated some guys within our church, but never felt any of those were the one for me. I have to say that I do have a quality that can serve me well or not-so-well and that is a streak of stubborness. In this case, I guess you could say it served me well. After dating these others, I had set my standards of dating and finding "the one" high. My mom was praying with me and I wasn't settling for any less! I was looking for a sweet, genuine, treat-me-like-a-queen, Godly kind of guy (and if the Lord was willing...it would be really nice if he was really cute too). He had to click with my family too!

I didn't have any idea that anyone was playing matchmaker with us. Nobody clued me in, so I never even knew (at the time) about Jason's first visit to our church. I don't remember seeing him then. And at this point, let me explain about the guy he saw beside me at church on that first visit. We used to date, but didn't anymore. I had been trying to make it clear that we were only friends. Since I was the church pianist, I would lay my Bible and purse in a pew...then go to the piano. Everytime, he would proceed to go sit beside my stuff. That left me with two options...either pick up my stuff and move it and myself to another pew (which I felt was rude and non-Christian-like) or just sit down and hope for the best. I never wanted to hurt his feelings, so I would sit down and move a "safe distance" over (you know to give him the message) and he would inevitably do the whole-stretch-his-arm-across-the-pew-thing. To anyone behind, I'm sure it appeared we were together with his arm on the pew behind me. That is what Jason saw and these ladies knew the whole truth! :)


The second time he visited I remember well. Yes, I was in a blue terrycloth dress and I was very red! lol! My best friend and I had laid out in the sun for 3 hours and we both looked like lobsters! I even had water blisters on my face! Jason and I were introduced and I thought immediately that he was such a sweet, gentleman-like, confident guy (and he was handsome too). I loved that he was taller than me too! (I'm 5'7" and I always wanted a guy to be a good bit taller than me...he's 5'11"). We talked awhile there at church, then he came over to our house after church. It was very common for us to have folks over after a service for fellowship and food. We would all sit around playing music, singing, and talking...adults, youth and kids alike. He fit right in immediately! He sat beside me on the piano bench and sang right along. I remember playing "Love Me Tender" at some point and he and I singing it (that was a little awkward) but I really felt so comfortable with him. I learned later he felt the same way and pretty much knew that was "it" for him and that he thought I had the longest toes! Yes it's true! lol! He said they wrapped around the piano pedal! (He's always teased me about that).


Later that week, he invited me to go skating with his youth group from church. He had a wreck on the way and was late getting there (everyone was ok). He had to go back and get his dad's truck. Now the thing about that was that it was just the one seat and it was Jason, me, his sister (Holly) and her boyfriend....four of us in that truck. So I was sitting pretty close and I wasn't sure how comfortable I was with that. Then I remember on the way home, we dropped off Holly and her boyfriend and my mind was racing as what to do...Do I move over (Then he'll think I don't like him) OR Do I stay here which was really close because we were packed like sardines in there (It seemed way "too forward" for me). So I decided to scoot over just a bit and not all the way. I think in the end it was the wise choice as he really respected that decision. :)

I knew I really liked this guy. We could talk, and talk, and talk...and our values were exactly alike. We were both looking for the same qualities in a mate. He opened the door for me and was so sweet (and still does the same to this day..ALWAYS). I can't honestly say that I knew at that moment he was "the one" because I had to see if he was as genuine as he seemed.

After two weeks, I knew Jason was the guy I'd marry. I never doubted that he was "it" for me, from that point. God had sent me the one he created for me! We dated for almost 2 years. Jason told you about the engagement, so I won't go through that again. My family loved him! My brother loved him. He said he was a nice change to some of the other guys because he treated him so well. It was very important to me that my family loved him too!



I dreamed of a December wedding, but in the end, it just seemed too far away! So, we moved it up to July. We were married at 8:00 in the evening on July 31, 1982, in the church that we met. It was a simple wedding and I do remember my daddy asking me right before he walked me down the aisle, "Are you sure? It doesn't matter how much money we've spent...we can stop this right now." I couldn't have been more sure about anything.



We will be married 27 years in July and I can honestly say that I love this man more today than on our wedding day. I never thought that was possible, but it's true. He's always treated me so well and loved me unconditionally. I look forward to writing the rest of the chapters of Our Love Story. And....I will always be grateful for two ladies that knew we were right for each other and helping it along.... :)



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In a post later this week, I plan to answer some homeschooling questions asked on the comments of Homeschool Open House. I was going to answer them privately, but I thought there might be others out there wondering about some of these same things. So stay tuned! And thank you for all your visits and comments! I enjoy them all so much!

Our Love Story (His Story)

Last weekend on Valentines Day, I intended to participate in Patty's (of Blessed Beyond) "Our Love Story". That whole weekend, neither Joy nor I felt well really, and I just didn't get around to doing it. I asked Patty if I could still share it with a link to hers, even though it was late, and she said she'd love for me to do so. Click here to read Patty and James' Story.



Now my hubby, Jason, is not the type to care to sit down and type or write anything. He can give wonderful speeches and speak in public (better than I ever thought of doing), but writing is not his "thing". But...I thought you all might be interested in hearing both sides of Our Love Story, so I asked him if he might dictate to me and I would write, then type the post. He said he'd like to do that if I would wait until Saturday. So we sat down at the table, and of course, Joy was there, so I got the silly side first...the hillybilly dialect version (for her entertainment). After I endured that one, he was ready to give me the real thing for the post! lol! So here are his words as he spoke to us:

Our Love Story (His Story)- by Jason

I had casually dated some young ladies of my church, but there just wasn't that click between us. I was invited to a church that I had previously attended for several years. I was told there was a piano player there that was a very attractive Christian young lady. So I went. I was planning to introduce myself. I noticed when she came down from the piano, she sat down next to another young man. I didn't realize she was dating or seeing someone else, so I didn't pursue. Two ladies of the church that knew me from previously attending there (one of which that told me about this piano player) saw me leaving and asked me if I had asked Tammy out. I told them, no, that I had seen her sitting beside someone that I assumed she was dating. And they both told me clearly, "She's NOT DATING anyone...that knucklehead is just following her around." I told them, "I'll just have to see...I'm not going to do anything right now." For not going back in and asking the piano player out, they both followed me out to my car calling me a chicken all the way. I did tell them I'd probably come back in a week or two. Within a month or so, I came back to the church and when the evening service was over, Tammy was coming down the aisle and I was walking toward her to meet her and someone that knew both of us, introduced us. She was wearing a blue dress, kind of a sundress, because she told me the day before she and some friends had gone swimming and gotten sunburned. After that, there was a couple that was invited over to Tammy's house for dinner and they asked me to come too. When we walked in, there she was, sitting on her piano bench at her house. That was it for me. The rest is history.





We dated for about a year and a half. We would have dated longer but there wasn't any need to because I was in love. We became engaged one Sunday night before church. I asked her to marry me in the parking lot of the church...the church we met in....then was married in. We wound up not going into the church that evening. We went back home to show her parents the ring. (They weren't going some reason that night).





I remember asking her dad to marry her. We were painting sealer on an underground water tank. He's good with painting with a brush...makes it look like it comes from a factory. You could tell from the point I asked him to marry her because from that point it looked like a 3 year old tried painting it. He was giving me the responsibility-of-the-husband-talk and since it was his daughter we were talking about, he wasn't too concerned with how that tank looked.



We set a date for December, in 1982, but we moved it up to July 31st of 1982. On that date, we became one. I remember standing in the hall of the church before the entrance door into the auditorium, with all the groomsmen (my daddy was the best man) and I remember I was waiting for him to say something like, "Are you sure this is what you want to do...don't worry about backing out....now's the time if you want." I guess from him knowing me, he knew I had found the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. If you were to know my daddy....to him, there's no since going into something if you already know what the answer is.



After we were married, we were in the truck. We were headed to our honeymoon destination and it was very late. I remember my new wife stretching across and laying her head in my lap because she was tired and I knew then that she trusted me. (Very few people go to sleep when I'm driving). At that point alot of things ran through my mind....that being a husband is not just a ceremony...being a husband is being a caretaker of the family and he must provide, perservere, and he must protect at all costs.


Come back for Her Story (Tammy's story) on the next post.....