Quotes from the Kids - August through October 2017

Derrick told the kids that he could give them swirlies (when you dunk someone's head in the toliet & flush), but then said, "I'd better not...Ms. (Social Worker's Name) wouldn't like it." J (3) stuck he head out of the bathroom & said, "Well, Ms. (SW)'s not here!" She's a sassy one, that's for sure!

Andrew: "I'm goin' to be an elefant when I grow up!"
Me: "Will you still be named Andrew? Andrew the elephant?"
Andrew: "No, my name will be Horton & I'll live in the zoo!"

Dylan lost a tooth -
Dylan: "I remember I lost a tooth on my birthday, so I think that was why I got a book & a dollar for that tooth. I think it was my 6th birthday."
J (6): "When you were 8?"
Dylan: "No, when I was 6!"

While at the Chinese buffet restaurant -
J (4): "I want ice cream for dessert. I love Chinese ice cream!"

J (6) - "This penny is 3 long. I weighed it, so I know."

Andrew, holding a penny: "Who is this guy?" 
Me: "Abraham Lincoln"
Andrew: "What? Andrew?"
Me: "No, not Andrew, Abraham."
Andrew: "Oh, I thought you said 'Andrew.' Andrewham Lincoln."
Me: "No, his name is not Andrewham."

From Derrick:

One of Dylan's spelling words is "chicken." I asked him to spell it for me.

Dylan: C-H-I-C-K...I-N
Me: No
Dylan: A-N
Me: No
Dylan: E-N
Me: Yes
Dylan (in LEGO Batman voice): First try!

I've created a monster.

Happy 1/2 of my Life Together, Derrick!

This blog is a little late in coming. I meant to write it last month, but then we got busy. And kids needed things. And we traveled. And we lived life. (And now I am finally finishing it up 6 months after the fact. Again...Life.)

Honestly, that's kind of what this blog is about. Life. 16 years ago in May, I started dating Derrick. I was 16 years old. (You can do the math to figure out my age.) I am sure there are pictures from this time, but I can't find any on my computer.

I have been anticipating this milestone for a few years now. Derrick & I have been together for half of my life. That's crazy.

November 2016

I am thankful for so many things that went right in to make these last 16 years happen.

Andrew's baby dedication

I am thankful to Derrick's sweet family who have always accepted me as one of them, even before we were dating. I have babysat his sibling's children. I have fed baby deer with his dad. I have spent hours hanging out with his mom & sisters. His grandparents, aunts & uncles, & cousins are so dear to me. I have always felt like a part of the family. What a blessing that is!

I am thankful to my awesome mom who allowed me to start dating Derrick when I was so young. She loved him, welcomed him into our home, & fed him meals. She allowed us to be serious about our relationship when we got engaged when I was 17. She saw that we truly loved each other & were willing to work hard to make things work. She has always been such a huge support of our marriage & ministries. I appreciate her so much!

Most of all, I am thankful for Derrick. We were best friends when we started dating. He knew I was interested in dating him, but he didn't rush the relationship. (I tend to be a bit impulsive when I get excited about something). He allowed things to develop naturally. Because of that, we didn't end up just dating "some person." We dated a friend. Our relationship evolved from acquaintances, to friends, to best friends, to dating, to engaged, to married for 13 years. I am thankful he took a chance on me - even though I was young.


I am thankful that we were both committed to pursuing a future together, not just dating to date. I have never regretted getting engaged & married so young. Some years have been hard. Some days have been awful. Sometimes I wondered if we would make it. But then we always do. It hasn't been easy, but God has blessed us & carried us through.

As we celebrated our 13th anniversary this year, I feel honored to be Derrick's wife. He is still my very best friend. I love that he lets me be me, encourages me to pursue my passions, & allows me to walk along side him in ministry & in life.

As I thought about our relationship, this scene from The Office popped into my head. I know this will be true for my kids, too.

Here's to many, many more years of living this life together!