Jeff Ruby's

Last night we were invited to Jeff Ruby's by a very good friend. The Cranor's lived next door to my parents for fourteen years. Some of my best memories include them and their family, and of course their dog, IKE. We spent so much time together that the path between the two houses was completely worn, not even allowing grass to grow. When the Cranor's moved it was devastating. So much of our lives were intertwined. You pray that you will have good neighbors, one never imagines though that those neighbors will become family. We miss them terribly and have managed to stay in touch. In fact they came to Louisville for my wedding. Which was such a gift for me. So last night they invited us to be their guests at Jeff Ruby's. It was a wonderful evening. We laughed and laughed and then cried when it had to end.

The Lake

From the time I was a child, we have been going to the lake most weekends in the summer. My grandparent's built the house about fifty years ago and it has become the place to gather. It is only about a forty minute drive from our house, so we certainly take advantage of it. All of my cousins, (there are sixteen of us) have been water skiing since before we could walk. Seriously, my uncle used to hold us on his lap while he skied. As we have all gotten older, we have honed our skills, ie: being able to slalom, wake board, and knee board. Anybody that marries into our family must love WATER! Or else, you're out! It is so much fun to just sit among family and tell stories and relive memories. And now the next generation, my nieces, has started their love affair with the lake.

Aruba Video

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The Jack Ryan

Every year our country club hosts a very competitive golf tournament. The format is in a member guest. Since Chris and I are only social members and not golf members, we have to wait for an invitation to play. Every year, Chris holds his breath, hoping my father will ask him to play as his guest and his partner. Every year, Chris goes into the tournament with the greatest intentions of winning the championship. In the past, they have won their flight. They haven't brought home the winner's trophy yet, much to my husband's disappointment. I have to keep reminding him that it is only a GAME. It amazes me how competitive men can become over a small white ball. Anyway, this year was not the best for winning, but fun was still had by all. And there's always next year.......I just have to remind my sweet husband to breathe between now and then.

God Bless America

It rained ALL day long. So going to the pool and basking in the sun was out. However we still managed to have a great day. Only to be topped off by a fantastic evening spent with friends. We grilled out, drank some wine, played board games, watched the fireworks, and celebrated my birthday. I loved the cake, however the fact that I have to turn a year older to have the cake.....not so fun. On aother note, Baylor hated fireworks, absolutely despised them. Tonight though, my heart smiles because I know the fireworks looked absolutely beautiful from where she sits : )

Thoughts on Marriage

Marriage is the hardest thing I have ever done. I honestly don't know how to put into words all the emotion that this covenant encompasses. My love for Chris is overwhelming and all consuming, yet there are times when I wonder how in the world will we make it through the next fifty years? How can you love someone so completely yet in that very same moment, he brings you to tears? We lived together before we got married. And I truly believed that nothing would change. But it is amazing what the significance of ring does. I am bound to him not just legally, but spiritually. We stood in front of our family, friends, and God and took a vow to love each other all the days of our lives. But some days, the love is a little bit harder to give out. I believe that Chris is the one person that I am meant to spend my life with. I believe that no other person in this world will love me like he loves me. I want to grow old with him and beside him. But sometimes it's hard to picture that. Kind of like seeing "the forest through the trees." Marriage is a learning experience. It is giving and taking, and loving and losing, and hoping and dreaming. It is ever emotion all rolled into one word. There are days when he drives me crazy, where all I want to do is be alone. And then once I am alone, I realize that the loneliness doesn't work well for me anymore. Because I belong with him. Every day I try to become a better wife, but this is certainly uncharted territory for me. I've never been a WIFE before. But truly, it's my greatest treasure. How blessed am I to be loved! I know that our future has many obstacles that we have not yet encountered. Many hills that we will have to climb. And it certainly won't always be sunny. There will be rain. But as long as he is standing beside me......bring on the rain.