Well today I'll be writing a little different. All to often I forget to write about my sweet husband and what an amazing man he is. So today, I want to give a little background history:
I really don't remember the first time I met Jeff. I was young (very young) and he was old (in my eyes anyway. ha!) There is 8 years between us so as you can imagine at 14 a 22 year old guy is not even in my sights. I mean shoot I just got out of the whole "boys have cooties" stage! Fast forward a few years and now I'm 16. I'm not really sure at what point I started falling head over heals for him but I know I was smitten (not sure about that spelling..). After a year goes by of "just hanging out" the boy finally decides to ask me out. He was a little reserved initially because of the age difference and him not being so sure I'd date an "old man" (I can't believe I thought 24 was old??? He was a young pup!) Well, on July 29th, 2002 our love story truly began.
3 years and 4 months later Jeff popped the BIG question. We both new we'd found the one but again I was still a youngin'. Don't get me wrong it's very hard to wait for that diamond ring when you know in time you'll start the beginning of the rest of your lives together but now looking back, I'm glad we spent those 3 years getting to know one another and working out some "kinks" that are easy to get tangled up in once married. :)
(this was the spot Jeff asked me to marry him. Also, the spot he told me he loved me for the first time. We go back here every year and put the date :) ignore the date stamp on the pic... it's wrong)
December 30th, 2005 we were married. WHAT A DAY! This truly is a story in itself as most wedding days are. I actually surprised Jeff (and everyone else, as my sister and the pastor where the only ones who knew... oh and the sound guy) by singing Sarah Evans "No Place That Far". Oh I guess the guitar player (my brother) and piano player knew too....ha! My sweet Jeff bawled like a baby! He'd kill me for sharing that but the boy was so adorable! I've seen him cry only a handful of times in my life and yes folks, this was one of those times! I knew I'd made the right choice by surprising him when I saw his hands rubbing those tear filled eyes.... Maybe I can post a video of it one day.
(sorry about it only being me in this pic... All my wedding pics are one my parents computer)
We were married for almost 2 years and found out we were pregnant!! Only a few short weeks later we found out we had lost this tiny little baby. This was for sure a rough patch in our life. But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger and our hearts opened up even more to one another. It was a very sad time for us but looking back I know it was all in God's plan and Jeff and I became closer because of this sweet child.
Nine VERY LONG months later we found out we were pregnant again. Our sweet Alli was born in April of '09. ( her entire life history can be found in all posts dated after 4.28.09) :)
From this date on began a whole new love for my husband. I watch him with Alli and can't help but smile at how wonderful he is. From day one he has always been willing to change diapers and do all those "not so fun" parent things. At this point my love is greater for him than it ever has been (and I didn't think I could love him any more than I already did!)
Another very fast year and 6 months goes by and we once again have a sweet baby on the way (you can find her story in posts dated after I believe Nov. '10) But as most of you know this was not an ideal pregnancy. We were sent to UAMS 3 days before our baby was born and I have to admit despite the circumstances I had a great time reconnecting with my man. We played cards, watched TV, he helped me wash my hair (yeah I had IV's all over the place!) and just talked and shared with each other our hearts. It was truly a time we got to share together that I wouldn't trade for the world. Emry was born 11 weeks early weighing 1lb 3oz. Dr's said if she were to survive she would have no quality of life (this was all due to them not knowing why she had stopped growing in utero). After many, many prayer from everyone, our tiny baby girl surpassed ALL of the medical staff's expectations! There were still roller coasters for sure throughout our stay in the NICU but I treasure every moment. I saw a side of Jeff I had never seen before. It was really a time where we both just let down our guard and were completely open. For the first 2 weeks my parents kept Alli over night and allowed up to stay together with Emry in her room. Each night (and 100s of times throughout the day) I would watch Jeff as he stood over her Isolete praying whole heartedly for his child. He didn't care who was around or what was going on. He knew that our Savior was the only one who could save her.I knew at this point I had never loved him more (do you see a pattern yet? ha!)
Alli is now 2 and a half and Emry 7 months. We have 2 dogs, a house we had plans of living in for only a few years (we have lived here for 6 years now), some land out in the sticks, a rent house in another state, a couple cows out at Jeff's parents, and a WHOLE LOT OF LOVE to go around! I am truly so blessed to be married to the funniest (yes this man is absolutely the funniest man I've ever met!), most handsome, strong, outgoing, christian man.
I love you Jeff with all my heart and I can't wait to love you more!!
