Love Story

A friend posted her "love story" & asked all her friends to write theirs, so here goes! I WANT YOURS TOO!

I met Matt in HS. We had an Algebra class together, said hi in the halls, and he was friends with my HS boyfriend. He was a year ahead of me and when he graduated, I honestly couldn’t have cared less (love ya babe).

We lived our lives in completely different ways for the next few years. I went to WCU & had a blast! He started what he THOUGHT was a family that only turned out to be a nightmare, with one blessing that I wouldn't change at all.

Nov 7, 2003... There was a play-off game @ our HS alma mater & I wasn't going to go, but one of my BESTEST friends, Linda, was doing the ticket table & asked if I would keep her company. Of course, I would never turn down a chance to socialize, especially since I was supposed to leave for England in a few months for an Au Pair position! Well, Matt walked up & we started talking...he never made it into the game!

We went to IHOP to catch up afterward & we talked about everything! We were there for a few hours. I found out that he & JohnR (another one of my BESTEST buddies) were moving in together at the end of the month. So, it was easy to see we were going to see a lot more of each other. I wasn't thinking of it in a "relationship" sort of way AT ALL.

Well, long story short, we went out a few times as friends. Then, one night after a movie & some video games w/JohnR, we kissed! It was nothing expected, yet it felt completely right. A few days later, my au pair position fell through because of some passport issues. I was upset at the time, because it was something VERY random that kept me from getting one. In fact, it turned out to be a BIG mess that was solved with a click of a mouse! So, you gotta wonder...

So, Matt & I started dating exclusively & here we are 6 years later. Although its not a walk in the park some days, I know its that forever love that everyone dreams of finding one day. The way each tiny “coincidence” having to fit together just right shows God definitely has a purpose but also a sense of humor. I am so blessed to have found him & to share our lives, our children, and our dreams! If you haven’t found that person, KEEP LOOKING! DON’T SETTLE!

Off to Mady's preschool Thanksgiving Harvest luncheon!

MOOOO

3:00 and all is well! Hope everyone's had a great week! Thnx for all the support in the last few weeks. I wouldn't know what to do without my friends & family! Life's changing & we're trying to keep up. Who knows where this latest news will take us. We're a little scared of what it will mean for our family, but ready!

The Truth Project keeps getting better & I'm sad to see it end in two weeks. I'm HAPPY it's made a difference in my life, our home, and so much more!

The girls are LOVING basketball. Monkey played in her first scrimmage this weekend. Ok, so, she stood in one spot with her arms crossed for a whole quarter...BUT the second half she ran with her team, was passed the ball & was nice enough to share with the other team (LOL). Unfortunately, Monster had to miss it due to "HRC," but she'll ROCK IT @ the next one! They can't wait to pick out their basketball shoes this week!

Fall Festival was cancelled for lack of parent volunteers & pre-orders. HELLO? GC Parents, WAKE UP! Although, the ones that are reading this are the ones I can call to help with anything, so, I guess I'm preaching to the choir. I'm not sure what's changed in the last few years. GC was a FAMILY-now we can't depend on a few parent volunteers??? WHAAAT?! grrr

Gotta go, Beast's hungry & that's my cue! MOOOOO (LOL)

Yep, I said Rabid Squirrel. I was nearly attacked by one this past weekend. See, what had happened was...

Our unit was going to T-Bonez @ Myrtle Beach for dinner. Treva & I didn't want to walk through the tall grass (why when there is sidewalk?) so we went the long way. No big deal right? OMGosh! So, this squirrel jumps out in front of us (startled, stil no big prob) & just stops & stares. So, we keep walking but he doesn't move away, he comes toward us! WHAT ANIMAL DOES THAT? LOL, anyway, so we had to run past him so his tiny little squirrel teeth and claws would not get us. Ok, so, maybe he wasn't rabid. I'm sure he's just used to people feeding him, but I could have died. AND you know you laughed when you read the story! That was the goal; to give you guys a good laugh for the day! :) But, if you REALLY want a good laugh, check out the HILLARIOUS video of Rachel & Tyger doing the "Oprah interviewing MK NSD Lynne Holliday" and you'll be good to go for a while!

Well, other that the rabid squirrel near death experience , this weekend was GREAT! We had our annual Holliday National Area Beach Retreat. It was filled with fun, learning, laughing, crying (good tears mostly, except the few I cried missing my tiny ones), some more laughing, goal setting, relationship building (with my MK Sisters), and so much more (even some pumping so my boobs didn't explode, LOL, thanks ladies for the laughs). It was so much to fit into 3 short days! BTW, you have to check out our "Grease" picsas soon as I upload them! I helped re-write the scene where Rizzo & the Pink Ladies sing "Look @ Me, I'm Sandra Dee" to fit into our MK world! We won 1st place AGAIN this year! So, you'd better "BRING IT" next year R.H.! We'll be ready!!!

I have had so many great things happening lately & I know its only getting better! I'm ready to listen God, you can stop throwing the bricks! :)

Thanks for the comments girls (and guy) but a few of my friends have already been attacked/bothered for their support in the past, so I'll keep your pages & comments to myself so you can avoid all that!

To answer you: Matt & I are doing great. He's really been moved by all of this as well. Changes really are happening & I am so blessed to have him. He's become so much more than I ever could've wanted. The other night I was reminded how much he cares for his family & to what lengths he will go to protect us in every way. He may have lost his head for a moment with that person, but I am so proud of his actions afterward!

Close friends and family know our oldest daughter's current situation. We are doing everything in our power to give her the solid home and family she deserves. I can't say the same for everyone in her life and that makes me feel more emotions than I feel comfortable sharing here. I will say this, I cried while talking to my mother in law the other night about it. How can someone claim to love a child but not be willing to be in THEIR life. Sure, its easy to say "I can't because..." but having a child means being ever present. Otherwise, are you really a parent? Can you say you're raising your child? I've come to the realization that you can't MAKE someone be a parent no matter how much you wish they would be.

I'm sure we'll end up back in court because it seems nothing will be "good enough" until Monster is torn apart & we've all spent our time/money to fight over a child that is perfectly happy, loved, and safe. One day, they'll look back & realize they lost her to themselves, not us. They'll know that their time & money could've been best spent on raising her, spending time with her, and being a part of her life, not fighting over her.

I hate that we have to spend our money that could be put towards so much, but she's definitely worth it. So what that I can't buy "everything" I want. We have so much already it doesn't matter. Plus, my family is wonderful! My dad LOVES to spoil the girls & I know they'll NEVER want for anything...well, except maybe that pony, LOL!

We've chosen to follow God in our home and trust in His will for our family. I guess that's all we can do right now. Of course, sometimes I wonder if we are strong enough to be what our daughters need. But then I remember that God has given them to us according to His ultimate plan. I don't need to know why or how, just that there is a reason & a season for everything. If that changes in the future, I'm sure I will question Him, but I will still need to trust in Him. There is NOTHING that God's will can not affect. Remember that.

So, enough of that! This Sunday we dove into the relationships and systems that God has created. Marriage & Family were a big focus. I never thought I would say this but I am ready to be in submission to my husband. Isn't that crazy to hear from ME of all people? LOL I KNOW! But, here's the catch...submission doesn't mean "obey" or "be under his control" or have any other negative connotation. It means respect, listen to, share life, and so many more postive things.

Husbands, love your wife as you love God. Yep. Fully complete, pure deep love without blame or expectations. When you love her like that, respect will be automatic. One day you will be held accountable in God's eyes for the state of your family. If that isn't motivation, I don't know what could be.

I am so blessed to be where I am right now. I'll be getting my girls up in a few mintues from their warm beds to start their daily walk not only in life, but in the Lord. The differences in our home are remarkable. What a difference a day makes. I can't wait to see where our journey takes us!

We can't change the past, but we sure can make a dent in our present & future!