9 Years!

Today, Joel and I are celebrating our 9 year anniversary.  Probably like most couples, we always think back on the years we've been together - those sweet first few months of marriage, the times of uncertainty and challenge, and the times that are just plain tough.  The past nine years have been both blissful and painful.

All in all, we have grown together through it.  We have learned our own strengths and weaknesses because of each other.  And we've learned that in all things, we have to work together and not against each other.

Joel's deployments have created their own challenges for us.  If you've been following this blog for a while, you've probably read about them.  But if you're new here or are new friends of ours, please read Part 1 and Part 2 of our first homecoming story.  Joel's first homecoming from Iraq was a major turning point in our marriage.  And it's those months that I think back to often - remembering how much we struggled, how much  we hurt and how much grace God poured on us during them.  We never want to go back to that place, although we're grateful for the experience and the refining God did in our lives during that time.

Nine years ago I was starry-eyed about marriage.  All I could see was rainbows, hearts and fairy dust in our future.  But marriage is not those things.  And I'm thankful for the man God gave me - to push me, grow me, love me, pick me up and help lead me through our lives together.

Joel,


I love you more today than I did yesterday.  Thank you for always loving me, always encouraging me, always seeing the best in me.  Thank you for working so hard for our family and for standing up for what's right, even when it's hard.  I can't imagine my life without you.  I can't imagine life without our little family.  Through all the obstacles of life, I'm honored to walk this road with you.  Praying that God would grow us together this year and that He would show us how to love each other better and more purely.


All my love,
Jill

Blog Anniversary & Giveaway

Happy one-year anniversary!!!  Last year, on June 10th, I did my first blog post.  Through all the ups and downs of deployments, marriage and mommyhood, this blog has been a safe haven - a great place to put my feelings out there and connect with so many great people.  I cannot imagine going through this past deployment without all of the MilSpouses out there who encouraged me along the way.  And I'm so thankful that this blog has allowed me to share my heart, my worries and my joys.  For those of you who have been following - thank you for your support!

To celebrate, I'm doing my first giveaway!  My cousin, Beth, has an Etsy shop - Busy Bee Gifts.  She has the crafty gene, that I didn't get and has been busy making totes, wristlets, earrings, key fobs and insulated tumblers.  She created a tumbler, just for this giveaway.  It will be personalized with the winner's name, once the winner has been selected.

Here is an idea of the finished product - of course with the winner's name!

Here is the cup - just waiting to be personalized

To enter the anniversary giveaway, all you have to do is:

 - Be a follower of this blog

+

 - Leave a comment telling me if you are a new or "old" follower &;

tell me what you're enjoying most about your summer so far.

Easy Breezy!  The giveaway will close on Friday, July 1st at 11:59 EST.  I will announce the winner on Saturday, July 2nd.

A Letter to My Husband

Dear Joel, 

Happy Anniversary, Love!  Seven years ago, today, we became husband and wife.  One of the best days of my life and I am amazed how far God has taken us in the years since then.

I miss you so much already.  I know we're just a few weeks into this, but I really wish you were here so we could celebrate together.  I think this makes the fourth anniversary that you've either been out of state or out of the country.  Next year we'll have to get away for a few days to celebrate - a big bottle of champagne is in order!

I don't know where in the world you are today, but wherever you are and whatever you're doing, I hope you know how much I love you, how proud I am of you and that I pray for you every moment you come to mind.  I am one of the lucky few who can really say that her husband is her hero - and for so many reasons, you are that to me.

Thank you for always standing up for what is right and for doing the hard task, even when that task requires a lot of sacrifice.  Thank you for loving me, even when I'm difficult to love.  Thank you for supporting our family and working so hard so that we can have a bright future.  Thank you for always encouraging me, always seeing past my flaws and for always thinking of your family first. 

Seven years ago, Glen challenged us with this at our wedding:  "God will lead you into such situations and will bless you and develop your characters as you walk together.  He will give you enough tears to keep you tender, enough hurts to keep you compassionate, enough failure to keep your hands clenched tightly in His, and enough success to make sure you walk with Him."  God has certainly brought us through a lot since we've been married - I wouldn't want to walk this road with anyone but you.

I pray that God would continue to lead and guide us as we journey through life together with our girls.  Wherever you are today, know that your wife stands beside you in what you're doing.  I love you with all my heart and cannot wait to have you home again.

Love,
Jill