She's 60 today!! :)

Things used to be different.

When I was pregnant with my first, I began carefully concocting a plan that would raise my children different than I had been raised. They would learn to be prompt, responsible (with a list of chores to do every day), well mannered, etc...

How immature I was! A new mother with high hopes and very little patience!!

Now, after four, I've changed my views a whole lot.

Now I want to be like the beautiful mother that raised me! Forget our crazy schedules...well, we really never went by those anyway! And the impeccably clean house and floors...I want my house to welcome to all, young and old. Sticky fingers and dirty toes!! Yes, I want to indulge my children in fun play, tea parties, snuggles in my bed, exciting excursions! My childhood was filled with excitement and every day was different from the last.

My Mother taught me generosity. She never withheld anything from others to better herself. She would rather YOU benefit!! She taught me hospitality. There was never a sign on our front door that read, "Do Not Disturb!". Everyone was welcome with open arms at my childhood home.

Momma taught me that prayer would move mountains and staying faithful to God is the most important priority I could ever have. We were not raised to be hypochondriacs. Yes, we went to the doctor occasionally, but we prayed first. And, miraculously, it cut our doctor visits in half!! After a touch from the Lord, there was no need to go! :)

She also taught us that money had nothing to do with our personal worth. Rich or poor, we never knew the difference!! In my earlier childhood we had anything money could buy....and more. Sometime during the teenage years, our family's financial status changed drastically. We would count our change to buy a taco at Taco Mayo. We were never destressed by it, though! Mom was joyful, content and happy with our life. She never appeared stressed, depressed or otherwise. She made counting pennies great fun! She displayed a heart of thankfulness for each day and all that God had blessed us with.

My mother is so multi-talented!! She could have made millions with her talents and had a household name. Instead, she chose a beautiful position that kept her closest to her children...homemaker. And, while this isn't possible for some, she had the option. She could have chosen different.

This year for her 60th I may have gone a little overboard, but the older I get the more I realize the importance of "cherishing".

I want to look back on my life and have no regrets...just like my momma :)

So, today Momma is 60 years old. Doesn't seem too old now that I'm nearing 40!!

Here's to you, Momma, the absolute perfection and definition of the word "Mother". Happy Birthday...all my love! ~Darla

19 years ago today.....

I remember asking God to give us at least 5 years together...then 10....then 15.... :) (I guess I feared that something so good couldn't possibly last very long!)

I still marvel that we have shared 19 years together!! You were the mysterious "Randy Jones" that made me laugh and relax and look at life in a unique way. You were kind and very much a gentleman. Mature. Fun. The whole package! I wanted you.

I still do.

Nine years together...by ourselves. We loved to take exciting and exotic vacations, stay up late and have friends over every weekend!! :) Things are quite different now with four beautiful, little people to share our roof with! And the late nights are not so appealing as they used to be! Having friends over has become increasingly challenging and...the vacations...well, Nashville feels like vacation to us ;) (Ok, before we start feeling sorry for ourselves, Seaside has become a wonderful retreat, too!)

But....even after 19 years of marriage, I've learned a few things.

I've learned that there is still incredible findings in you that I have yet to discover. (It's just that most of the time, I'm too exhausted to try!)

I've learned that if I shower you with love, affection and attention~you will return it to me in bountiful ways!

I've learned that if I expect you to fulfill all my dreams and desires, I will be disappointed. There is no human that can fill the void that only my Lord can. So, I'm learning to draw all my expectations from Him instead of people, friends, dreams and family. I know that I can't fulfill yours either. That sounds incredibly transparent, but in all reality it's true. The fantasy of being newly wed hides this fact for a couple of years, but eventually it surfaces. God created us to be a blessing to each other. Sometimes I forget this beautiful concept and become frustrated. Forgive me for those selfish, self-centered times.

After 19 years, my some of favorite qualities that you possess are honesty, compassion, faithfulness, consistency, dependability, wisdom and logic, common sense and strategy. And I treasure your sense of humor!! It brings sunshine to a cloudy day!! There is depth about you that amazes me. You are a starter and finisher. I love your "early morning" approach to everything!

I want to thank you for....

Giving me the elite opportunity and privilege of staying at home with our children. It's the most challenging experience I've ever had, but the best!! I know this time won't last forever and that one day we will look back at all the chaos of these years and say they were, without a doubt, the best years of our lives. You sacrifice to make this happen. I pray that God returns the blessing to you and gives you the opportunity to pursue your dreams in whatever field you desire....cycling, drumming, etc. Some people may only see the Cycling T-shirt and jeans, but I know you. You were created for greatness.

Thank you for putting up with my "green, non-toxic, organic" type ways! :) You actually act like it's a fabulous idea, too!!

Thank you for being a daddy that truly invests in and loves our children. It's not the popular "Quality Time" that really counts, it's the "Quantity Time". Bible Quizzing, baseball games, tucking them in every night...I could go on and on. You are not a daddy that considers his children a "part time job".

Thank you for not making high demands of me. Thank you for ironing your own shirts, cleaning up your clutter and taking pride in "your stuff". I look at others and sometimes feel quite spoiled :) And this brings me to the next point...

Thank you for letting me be who I am. I do not try to act like someone I'm not. Knowing that you love me for me, makes me feel secure. I also find a sense of security in knowing that you trust me. Totally.

Have I any regrets in marrying you? Nope. Not at all. Zero.

Now I can say it: You've had me longer than my momma :)

Happy Anniversary!!

I love you, Sweet Thang!!

Loves, Dar