Happy Anniversary

Fourteen years ago I married my best friend.

We had a lot of dreams, files full of plans, and we were ready to take on anything.

"Anything" turned out to be both better and worse than we expected.

Life hasn't been exactly the way the 22 and 18 year old us planned. We haven't made all our goals or realized all our dreams.

As John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Life - the real thing. The real, beautiful, messy, exciting, frustrating, sweet thing has been far more than either of us could have imagined back then.

And even though we're back in Survival Mode these days, I can tell you this: I'd rather survive with this man than triumph with anyone else.

So there won't be a big celebration. (Maybe next year!) There won't be a lot of fanfare or even a lot of time to reminisce. Life is busy. There are things to do and places to do and people to see.

But we'll be doing those things and getting those places and seeing those people together.

Life is good.

This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. 
Song of Solomon 5:16b

Weekend Links - June 15, 2013

Father's Day tomorrow! What do you have planned for your dad? After our big seafood feast of Father's Day 2012, I think we're taking it a bit easier this year. And, sadly, my gift that I ordered for my dad hasn't come in yet. Daughter fail.

Anyway, on to the links:

Spiritual / Inner Life

• The Gentleness of Jesus by Mike Leake. This post talks about a common sin and the grace that changes everything.
• The Western Emperor Has No Clothes On by Conrad Mbewe. Interesting perspective.
• Get Rid of These 6 Things by Tim Challies.
• God Rules the Mundane by Gloria Furman. I needed this one this week (OK, every week).
• Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Part 1 by Russ Ramsey.

Marriage / Parenting

• Ten Darn Good Reasons to Get Married Young and Have Kids Young by Stephen Miller. Of the things I regret in my life, getting married at 18 and having our first child at 20 do NOT make the list. Some of these reasons are why.
• Seven Things Pastors Would Like Church Members to Know About Their Children by Thom Ranier. As a PK myself and now the parent of children whose dad is in the ministry I can tell you that this is right on.
• Five Tips for Enjoying Toddlers by Melissa McDonald.

Homeschooling / Education

• Shakespeare in Eleven Steps from Mental Multivitamin.  I'm really thankful for homeschool and book blogs that encouraged me to start Shakespeare early with my kids.
• Garage Sales: The Anti-Tutorial by Deb at Not Inadequate.

Uncategorized

• Millions Take Part as Traditional Marriage Movement Sweeps Through France. Encouraging, perhaps.
• Heracleion Photos: Lost Egyptian City Revealed After 1,200 Years Under Sea. Incredible.
• Monday Morning Memories from Kevin DeYoung. Crazy that a grainy video of a horse race almost made me cry.
• Like Mother, Like Daughter Library Project. I love our library but it doesn't have the grave, awe inspiring presence in my kids' lives the way our library did when I was a kid.
• And, in honor of Father's Day: The 16 Best Western Movies. I don't agree with all the movies on this list (nor have I seen them all for that matter) but I was thrilled to see my favorite western - the only one I actually own on DVD - made the list.

Pins of the Week:
Yum.

Source: luluthebaker.blogspot.com via Karen (Candid Diversions) on Pinterest

Helpful:

Source: alililyblog.com via Karen (Candid Diversions) on Pinterest

So, what caught your eye this week?
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