Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Who is my man?

Who is your man?

Jeff DeBruler

How long have you been together?

Since December of 2003-or at least that's when we met and I fell head over heels for him. We have seen each other *just* about everyday since the day we met, minus half a dozen days, or so, when he goes out of town to drag races. We married in May of 2006.

How long did you date?

2 yrs and 5 months-including engagement.

How old is your man?

33-he'll be 34 in October.

Who eats more?

Honestly, right now, I do because I'm nursing and I feel like I'm starving to death all the time. But if I'm unpregnant and not nursing (haven't seen those days in a while!) then he would eat more than me.

Who said "I love you" first?

Funny story, I was CRAZY about him and knew that I was in love with him but we hadn't been dating all that long so I was afraid to say it - I didn't want to scare him off, and it would have crushed me if he had rejected me after telling him how much I loved him. So, after I had put Summer and JD to bed one night, Jeff came over to see me (at that point I wasn't letting him spend a great deal of time with my children-wanted to make certain he was a sure thing). We were watching TV and he leaned over and told me that he felt like he was falling in love with me, I got all flustered because I felt the same way and told him that I KNEW I was in love with him, so...there you have it, I guess technically he said it first.

Who is taller?

He is.

Who sings better?

Jeff doesn't sing so I would have to say that I am the better singer. Yeah, I am definitely a good singer, anyone who has ever heard me sing tells me how amazing my voice is. Often they say things like, "Interesting, I've never heard anything like that before." What a compliment, my voice must truly be one of a kind.

Who is smarter?

We both have our areas of expertise. There's a lot of things that he knows that I don't, common sense kinda stuff. But I'm more the book smart type, I know a lot of worthless, random information.

Who's temper is worse?

Well, we each have different ways that we handle ourselves. I just kind of fly off the handle and start yelling and rambling, then I'm done, I'm over it. Jeff hardly ever, ever gets mad about anything, but when he's had enough - you better clear out! We both have tempers, I show mine off more often than he does.

Who does the laundry?

We both do-however, at some point in the near future, my children will take over that job.

Who takes the trash out?

We both do-but JD helps most of the time, and soon he will be able to take that job over, he needs time to bulk up a little, trash is heavy to lift.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

We both do-(hee, hee) .

Who pays the bills?

I currently keep up with the check writing and balancing the check book. However, Jeff will take over those responsibilities very soon because I need a break! But really, it's pretty mutual. There are no secrets, we both know how much $ we have, or don't have. We both know when bills are do, he may drop off a payment here or there if he's in town. We are pretty much on the same page when it comes to that sorta stuff.

Who is better with the computer?

He is.

Who mows the lawn?

He does for now. Again, just waiting patiently for my children to get a little older. There will come a day when Jeff won't have to mow anymore and that responsibility will belong to one of the kids.

Who cooks dinner?

Me, most of the time. Unless we grill out. My husband is, hands down, the best "meat cooker", whether it be grilling, frying, baking, BBQing, -he's way better than me.

Who drives when you are together?

He does. I really like for my husband to drive. I think he's cute and when he drives, it gives me a chance to look at him.

Who pays when you go out?

Does it matter, he's the only one making the money, so I guess technically, he pays! Usually though, when we go out, he will pay the bill.

Who is the most stubborn?

Me, no him, no me, no-definitely him, mostly me and usually him...it's a secret.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?

We are both still learning to do this. I, however, am really good at admitting when *he* is wrong, but I don't think that was the question.

Who's parents do you see most often?

We see my Mom more often because she lives so close. His parents and my Dad live out of town.

Who kissed who first?

I attacked him first, but I forewarned him that it was going to happen if he didn't stop lookin' so darn handsome all the time, and he always smelled so good! So I might have kissed him first, but he made me do it... it was his fault.

Who asked who out?

It was a blind date. However, he was gracious enough to go out with me after I stood him up twice!

Who proposed?

He did, he gave me my ring in this HUGE box with this cheesy note in it that said,"Will you marry me?" We never set a date though. The wedding date was set when this conversation came up..."Uh, babe, I'm pregnant. I guess we should get married ASAP?"

Who is more sensitive?

Me--I win that one every time!

Who has more friends?

Definitely, him. I have "acquaintances", but not really all that many friends-this sounds awful, but I don't make time for friendships at this point in my life. Jeff works with his best friend everyday so it's easier for him to nurture that relationship. My closest friends are my sisters, my mother, and Jeff-those are the people that I see or talk to everyday.

Who has more siblings?

I have 2 sisters and 2 step-siblings. Jeff has 3 half siblings. How do ya figure that up?

Who wears the pants in the family?

He does.

How did you meet?

My sister introduced us.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Summer

A terrible thing has happened...terrible, awful, horrible. I must have the MOST disobedient daughter on the face of the planet. I cannot believe that my sweet little girl would go and do something that I specifically told her NOT to do. She will most certainly be grounded for eternity. You won't believe it, I can't believe it, guess what she went and did...

She Turned 9!!!!

On Wednesday my oddest, I mean oldest child, had her ninth birthday. I was 21 when she was born and even though I am oh so furious with her for turning one year older, I am going to tell everyone who is reading this nine reasons why I love my SumSum!

Nine Reasons Why I Love My Daughter SOOO Much

1. She is the person who made me a mommy. She gave me the greatest job in the world.

2. She is my second set of hands. There are many, many things that I could never get done without her help.

3. She use to call Mermaids 'Wormaids'...I never corrected her because it was so adorable.

4. She is the only child who has freckles like me.

5. She lets me read her stories. Even though she knows how to read and has read *just* about every book in our house, she knows it makes me happy to cuddle up next to her and read her a story...and as corny as that is, she still lets me.

6. My daughter is BEAUTIFUL! She is one on the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Most importantly though, she has a beautiful heart. She is generous, she is mannerly, she is witty. I can't wait to see the awesome woman that she will be someday. And although, when she is grown, I will still be her mom I am most excited to be her friend.

7. She is strong! I am amazed at her physical strength, she is NO wimp. But she is also mentally strong. She is very outspoken and confident, and is not easily swayed by others remarks or thoughts.

8. She is brave. I am in awe of her courage to stand up for what she believes in, even at such a young age.

9. And the most important reason why I love Summer so much is because I know that God created her and made her my daughter. She is a wonderful young lady and I am a better person for having her in my life!

Happy Birthday Summer, I Love You!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Like this little child...

Something happened to me last week at church that changed my heart. I would like to tell you that it was something that the pastor said or maybe a song that was played, but it wasn't. It wasn't a testimony of God's forgiveness or healing. It wasn't a praise for an answered prayer. It wasn't because someone rededicated their life to Christ or got baptized. It was none of those things. Something happened during church that was seen by only my husband and I.

My son... my sweet son, JD, pulled a dollar bill out of his pocket during offering and placed it in the offering bag. He was not told to do this and he did not ask me for money, it was his own. He didn't give his dollar because someone was watching or because he wanted praise, he didn't even know that we saw him do it. After the service he didn't brag about it or ridicule someone else who he noticed had not given. He gave his own money out of his own penny bank, it was probably the only dollar in there or maybe the only one he could reach with his little fingers. None-the-less, I was proud and ashamed all at the same time.

See, he didn't learn that from me because I am not an obedient giver. I tell myself that *next* week there will be some money left over to tithe, I'll give *next* week. I tell God that when the checking account looks better then I'll start giving regularly. As soon as the school clothes are purchased, then I'll be able to budget in my 10% tithes. I tell God that I'll do some volunteer work-that will be my tithes and offerings. The truth is that I tithe only when I have extra money, only when it is convenient for me. Only when I have no other obligations.

This lack of obedience is a testament to how weak my faith is. On the 'Cardboard Testimonies' video from my previous post, there was an older gentleman that held up a sign that said "God Robber". I felt a lump in my throat, that was ME...along with several other signs that I saw. I am robbing God, I am stealing from Him. He gifts me with so many blessings EVERYDAY and I have the nerve to sit in church and give him nothing in return, and he asks for so little-I don't even given him the few pennies on the dollar that he asks for.

God promises that he will take care of us if we tithe! He promises that by sacrificing our hard earned money (that just doesn't seem to go as far as it needs to) he will pour out the blessings. Listen to God's own words...

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. TEST ME IN THIS," says the Lord Almighty," and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so many blessings that you will not have room enough for them." Malachi 3:10

I try to be a living example for my children, but last Sunday my son was the example for me. God told JD to give his own money for an offering and JD obeyed without question, without need for praise or attention, without placing judgement on others...God told him to do something-JD obeyed. That command had to come from God, because that was not the example that I had set for him.

Tomorrow in church I will be tithing. I will follow the example that my son has set for me.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 and 4

Yes Lord, I hear you loud and clear.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Watch this

This is what God's grace is all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

I would like to invite anyone who reads this blog to come and visit my home church, Living Water, this Sunday. Come as you are, I will have my bluejeans on and Jeff will be wearing his Redwings. There is a smoke pit out front, and drums and a base guitar in the sanctuary. I'll be saving a seat for ya!

http://www.lwclife.com/

We were created to be free from sin.