Today Walter took the kids camping overnight.   I decided to stay home because I just wanted some time to myself.   

The kids were so excited to go.  Both kids were in the van before it had been completely loaded.  Becca called for me to come out and buckle her as Walter got a few last things together. 

When I married Walter I knew that he would be a good dad, I just never realized how good of dad he would be.   He’s a fun dad who has more patience than I’ve ever seen a man have.  He looks at times like this camping trip as memory building moments that will last a life time.  Ben and Becca are so lucky that their daddy has time for them and enjoys being with them.

The campground where they are at is about 2 miles from the beach at the lake.  Ben didn’t want to ride his bike that far so Walter hooked the trail-a-bike on to his bike and then the bike trailer to the trail-a-bike.  Walter said he got a few “oh how cute” comments from his long train as he took the kids on bike rides.

As I drift off to sleep tonight I’m so glad that I’ve had this time at home by myself, but I’m excited for my family to return and to hear all about their adventures in person.

I saw this on Barb’s blog and thought it was a wonderful thing.   I call Walter “Love of my Life” all the time and it was even on the Valentine’s day card I got for him.

♥ How long have you been together?

We have been together for a total of 8 1/2 years and married for 8 of those this past January.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

We didn’t know each other before we started dating.  It was a blind date.
♥ Who asked who out?

I think he did after that first date, but we just started hanging out together all the time.

♥ How old are each of you?

I am 36 and he is 37.

♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most?

I would say mine, but we don’t even see them very often because of distance.  
♥ Do you have any children together?

We have two beautiful children Benjamin who is 6 1/2 and Rebecca who is 3 1/2.
♥ What about pets?

We just got our yellow lab Echo two weeks ago.  
♥ Did you go to the same school?

Nope, we lived in two separate towns.
♥ Are you from the same home town?

Nope, he is from Visalia and I was from Porterville.   For about two years we lived less than a mile from each other, but never met.
♥ Who is the smartest?

My husband, hands down.   He’s smart and articulate, can add, subtract and multiply without a calculator.  Plus he has the official college degree, not like me – the college drop out.
♥ Who is the most sensitive?

Probably him.  He gets heart broken very easily.   Ben’s a lot like him.
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

Right now our life style doesn’t allow for much eating out, but when we do we either go to the Mexican food place or the Casino.
♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

From Visalia, CA to Bend, OR. our first Christmas before we were married.   Or maybe it’s from Susanville to San Diego a few years ago.  We want to travel into Washington maybe this summer.
♥ Who has the worst temper?

Probably me.  But we are both very strong willed and early in our marriage there were lots of power struggles.

♥ Who does the cooking?

We both split the job equally.  
♥ Who is the neat freak?

Neither of us.   Although a mess starts bothering me quicker than it will him.
♥ Who is the more stubborn?

It’s equal.   We are both very strong willed.
♥ Where was your first date?

Sizzler in Visalia, a trip to visit my sister who was being induced with my nephew at the time and then to a coffee shop to talk afterwards.
♥ Who has the bigger family?

He does.   I don’t know how many 1/2 siblings he has, I’ve only met 3 of them.
♥ Do you get flowers often?

I get them for our anniversary and sometimes just because
♥ How do you spend the holidays?

We spend the holidays usually at home with just the 4 of us.   I don’t like to travel during the holidays.
♥ How long did it take to get serious?

Not very long.   We just started doing things together and love just happened naturally.
♥ Who eats more?

He does now.  My tummy is just too small.
♥ Who’s better with the computer?

Walter.  You should see the things he can create.
♥ Who drives when you are together?

If it’s around town, usually me.   If it’s longer than that him.

It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged.  Life has really been busy here at our house.   November was filled with getting ready for a little surgical procedure, having a run in with the hospital and insurance regarding benefits, canceling “little” procedure and then a week later rescheduling for the first of December before benefits run out.

I spent a nice week over in Redding after my surgery.  My mom came up to take care of me and it was a nice time of connecting.  My dad came up and then Walter and the kids came over for the weekend.   It was great for my parents to get to know my kids a little better.

December was a whirl wind of recovering from surgery, getting back to work, getting ready for Christmas, having snow on the ground for 1 1/2 weeks, the van having issues and having to be taken into Reno, Ben’s Christmas party and in all the hussle and bustle try to remember what Christmas is all about.

As I look upon the past year it’s been a year of change.  This year didn’t have the heartache and personal struggles that the previous years have had.   Actually I’ve noticed that the ache from the brokenness of those years is dissipating.  Praise the Lord for He is so good and doesn’t leave us in those dark places for long.  

I’m so blessed.  I have a husband who totally and completely loves me and the kids.   He desires to serve the Lord and wants our family to serve along with him.   I have a son who is imaginative and smart.  He has a tender heart and is always looking for ways to make things better for others.   And then there is our daughter.   Oh Miss Rebecca how I love you!   You make me laugh and even sometimes cry.   You bring great joy to our lives.   You are always thinking and always keeping me on my toes.  

As I look forward to this new year I wonder what God has in store for us.   Will this be the year where we take the huge leap and go into full time ministry?   God knows the plans he has for us – and without a doubt they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future! (Jer 29:11 – paraphrase mine).

Last night Ben was singing this song:

“My dad is great and he loves God, My dad is great and he loves God.  I’m so lucky he’s my dad.”

In my quest to simplify my life, I’m joining The Simple Woman in sharing my thoughts.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…