We're schip lovers so this makes us smile

Yes, this is Charlie with a broom.  This week he has carried a very large broom.  It has not been easy.  I told him this a.m. before he left for work that I am very proud of him.  I thanked him for taking care of us.  More changes are coming, some of which he wouldn't have sought.  But he is proceeding with strength, grace and integrity.  I love him so much.

Trials bring gold

There's something Charlie and I do not automatically share and that is the bliss of peace.  The peace that comes from our Father and can't even be described.  In the turmoil of the "takeover" at his job, he has spent some out and out rough moments.  Monday eve after spending hours filling out forms, he asked for prayer.  The thing I remember praying for sure was that he could receive the peace God offers.  Tues. was a better day and by today Charlie is back in the saddle of riding this journey equipped for whatever comes his way.  Peace is a personal experience because we're all wired differently.  I'm just so grateful to see its evidence in my dear Charlie once again.  His lack of peace definitely threatens mine.  So we'll continue to pray for one another and trust God for the rest.

Rocky Road

We've been here before.  Job security not as secure as we human beings prefer.  The first change after months of wondering was a pay cut.  A brief reprieve of "symptoms" of insecurity allowed Charlie and his co-workers to  put the question on the back burner.  Then things got progressively more and more suspicious.  This is a common occurrence these days for many families.  Well, Charlie just called a few minutes ago.  The small family-owned business he's been employed with for over 20 years has been bought by a big fish in the pond.  At least we know more than we have.  The insecurity remains despite the reassurances spoken.  We've talked about worst case scenarios for quite awhile now.  We're steady and stable in the most important regard which is . . . we know God will see us through.  Not that He is some kind of sugar daddy.  But that we will not be undone by this circumstance any more than we have by others.  There's a reason God recommends that married couples share the same faith in Him.  I can't imagine what the past several months would have been like if one of us trusted something other than God, or more than God.  This is no small thing.  This is a blessing deserving awesome worship.

Kitty love, puppy love - whatever

Oh, yes, I relate to this photo completely.  A year ago Charlie drove us out to Denver, CO to pick up a schipperke puppy.  We had suddenly lost our other schip Andy in April.  Charlie loves me so much that he put aside his reservations and brought Nali into our lives.  I couldn't hide my desire for another dog and we have enjoyed a relationship that gives me permission to reveal my desires to my dear Charlie.  Even when it is a little scary.  I was prepared for him to resist and he had good reason to do so.  But that's where love comes in.  Like the obvious love in this photo. Now we're in the puppy business together again.  I am so grateful my husband understands me so well.  It is no small thing.

Charlie as a Daddy

Yesterday we gathered to celebrate Daddy's Day.  Charlie was touched with the gifts (including Beatles glasses I'll get to handwash!). He is the kind of guy who takes in these expressions of love with an appreciation not necessarily obvious to others.  But I get to hear firsthand the joy it brings him.  He is so immensely proud of his precious girls and the families they now enjoy.  Even tho' we thought I was pregnant with a boy both times, he never even had a thought of disappointment over being the patriarch in a family of females.  Hence, the pink.  Another thing that we love about our family is the laughter and creative humor that bubbles out when we're together.  This is how it has been for us since way back when we were just dating.  We started out laughing a lot and now live with the understanding that the saying "live, love, laugh" is the path to thriving as a family.  That, and our connection to Jesus, has served us well.  How I love this man who loves his family so deeply.

A time for everything

We've been away on vacation for 5 days now.  Time seems slower and we've done well to be loose with any kind of schedule or "must do's".  Each afternoon we've enjoyed a nap.   I think God is pleased that above all we just want to spend His precious gift of time "being together."  It is a beautiful, bonding thing.  I wish I could figure out how to tell the married couples of the world that "being time without agenda" is important.  This is difficult to do at home surrounded with the obvious to-do list.  In years past we figured out the fruit of being away even if it meant Motel 6 budget restraints.  We sometimes joke that we're getting on each other's nerves, but we always feel sad the first day back to work and part with "I'm going to miss you."