8 years with the love of my life {and our food for the week}

8 years ago, I married my best friend. We have survived deployments, major medical issues, several cross-country moves, unemployment, and philosophical differences. We have given birth to three {beautiful} children, and parented 12 children we did not conceive. Like any marriage, we have had our ups and downs, but I can't imagine life without him. I've written before about why I love my amazing husband, but today in honor of our anniversary, I'm going to give you the top 8 reasons I love being married to him.

1. He loves me--even when I act unlovable, and despite my shortcomings, hormones, aging body and physical afflictions.
2. He is a great father.
3. He is faithful.
4. He works hard to provide for us.
5. He loves our animals.
6. He humors me, especially when it comes to different food experiences. 
7. He respects our differences, and works to find compromise.
8. We have fun together.

I love being married to him, and I can't wait to see what the next 8 years have in store! We'll be having a flexible meal tonight (trying out a new Chiniese restaurant!) to celebrate our anniversary, but we'll be eating primally for the remainder of the week. On the menu:

• Chicken Souvlaki
• more Roast Chicken with Gravy
• Paleo Mongolian Beef, possibly with this fried rice
• Kalua Pig
• carnitas (with the left over kalua pig!)

I also have a lot in store for the blog this week, including a Sissy update, my long-awaited (and I think perfected) meatloaf recipe and a large, spur-of-the-moment purchase we made this past weekend. I'm also working on a review and giveaway. We have a busy and exciting week ahead. What do you have going on??

28 Things I love about my husband

in no particular order...
1. He loves his family above all else.
2. He makes me laugh.
3. He's smart.
4. He loves to learn.
5. He keeps us safe.
6. He is a great father.
7. He rides a motorcycle.
8. He puts up with my healthy lifestyle changes.
9. He loves to read.
10. He's not afraid to try new things.
11. He brews his own beer.
12. He is patient with me.
13. He's hot.
14. He gave me 3 beautiful babies.
15. He challenges me.
16. I never have to doubt his faithfulness.
17. He keeps us out of debt.
18. He makes family time a priority.
19. He flirts with me.
20. He likes to garden.
21. He's building me a petting zoo.
22. He supports me (even in the birthing tub!).
23. He wrestles and tickles his kids.
24. He has been a father to 12 kids who were not his own.
25. He values my contribution to the family.
26. He works hard.
27. He is a great storyteller.
28. He is committed to me.

Happy birthday to the love of my life!

When Things Don't Work Out Right...

Curly arrived at our house last Thursday. She was sick and kept pretty quiet, though she seemed to have fun with the kids that evening. Friday was busy, so there wasn't much time for normal interaction until the evening, when my mom watched the kids for my birthday date with Hubby. We ended up picking the kids up a little early after a text that she was being mean to the other kids. I hadn't seen anything major, so I figured she was just tired and sick.

Saturday was my birthday, and I woke to Bubba screaming in pain. I hurried out of bed to find Flower Girl holding him. She told me that Curly had thrown him into FG's footboard. I was alarmed, but not extremely concerned. Unfortunately, the injured list kept growing throughout the day. She was obviously a hurting child, lashing out toward others both verbally and physically, often completely unprovoked. With six other children in the house, we knew we couldn't let it continue. Hubby emailed her caseworker Sunday afternoon, explaining the situation.

We're currently waiting to hear when she'll be leaving. Hopefully she'll be placed with her brother, in a home where they are the only children, or at least the youngest. Disruptions are disappointing, but we're confident that we've made the best decision for our family and the children in our care.


81. my children's love for each other
82. a protective little brother
83. the great staff at our doctor's office
84. the opportunity to help my sister through THREE days of active labor, and in the end
85. welcoming my new nephew into the world!
86. free childcare via my awesome mom for my birthday
87. beautiful weather
88. baby breath and
89. open-mouth (baby) kisses
90. comfort in the chaos

27 Reasons

On why I love him:

1. He leads us spiritually.
2. He is a constant learner.
3. He is patient with me.
4. He is a great father.
5. He isn't afraid to look silly.
6. He values family.
7. He likes to garden.
8. He tickles and wrestles with his kids.
9. He is crazy smart.
10. He makes beautiful babies.
11. He is faithful.
12. He challenges my intellect.
13. He encourages me in my writing.
14. He still wants me (after 3 kids and breastfeeding!).
15. He makes up silly songs and stories for the kids.
16. He flirts with me.
17. He is usually right.
18. He admits when he's wrong.
19. He makes time for me.
20. He supports me (even in the birthing tub!).
21. He wants to be a farmer.
22. He loves the fatherless.
23. He doesn't complain (even when the house is a mess and he has no clean underwear!)
24. He goes to bed with me every night.
25. He lets me know he's thinking about me with phone calls and texts throughout the day.
26. He keeps us out of debt.
27. He never criticizes me.

Happy birthday to the man I love more everyday!

What do you love about your husband?

{Happy Homemaker Monday}

Check out the AWESOME things for sale today @ The Mercy House's 2nd Benefit Day!

{Happy Homemaker Monday}

The weather in my neck of the woods: chilly! We actually had to close the house up last night to keep warm--finally!


Things that make me happy: Hubby taking a half day on Friday to take us to lunch for some much needed family (just the 5 of us!) time, and to share in the after-school chaos (which isn't really chaos when he's around)! 


Book I'm reading: Calvin's Commentaries on 1 & 2 Thessalonians

On the menu for dinner: chicken noodle soup


On my to do list: school with Sissy, haircuts for most of the family

 

New recipe I tried or want to try soon: Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats {MOPS moms, this is what you're looking for!}


In the craft basket: A dress I bought on clearance that needs to be shortened & my nephew's birthday shirt {still!}

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you'd like to share with the readers): Loving the kitchen tips & recipes (so organized!) over at Good Life Eats!


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days: Even when everything seems crazy and like it could fall apart at any moment, I have a Rock who holds everything together!


On my mind: my nephew {HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, JOSIAH!}, wondering if our 2 newest girls will be moving to their aunt's next week


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Join in at Happy Homemaker Monday




33. worshiping with the residents at the assisted living facility
34. watching my sister be showered with love as we prepare for the arrival of my nephew

35. sweet dreams about my nephew

36. rain in the valley

37. time as a {small} family

38. a full nursery at church

39. good talks with my older girls

40. for our health (and that small colds aren't something much worse)

41. for technology & this blog (even when it isn't cooperating!)