Through The Years

My Dearest Knight,

On June 19,1982, twenty five years ago today, I married you, my Knight in shining armor. I can and can't believe we've been married for twenty five years. It feels like we just got married and at the same time it feels like we've been together for as long as I can remember. You are my best friend, my soul mate, the man that has surpassed my "dreams". I didn't think it was possible to love you more than the day that I married you, but I do.

You know how hard it is for me to say with words just what you mean to me. Not because I can't express myself, but because you leave me speechless. You take my breath away. My heart skips a beat when I look at you. I treasure our time together. I thank God that he brought you into my life. I'm blessed beyond measure. Through the years, I've thought it can't get any better than this, but I've been wrong. You have made my dreams come true. I'm living the "happily ever after" that all women dream of.

On our wedding day , our first dance was to Kenny Rogers' song, Lady. The first verse says, "Lady, I'm your Knight in shining armor and I love you...". I called you My Knight and you called me your Lady before this song ever came out. So it was very appropriate for us to dance to this song. Years later, in 1999, Kenny Rogers came out with another song, Through The Years. When I first heard this song, I knew that it would become one of "our" songs too. Today I dedicate this song to you. I love you...

forever yours...
Your Lady


Through The Years
by Kenny Rogers

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the year, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you ... through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what loves about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as its okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years!

Thursday Thirteen #20

This coming Sunday we'll be celebrating Father's Day. I'm blessed to say the my dad is still here with me. My dad was always my hero. I looked up to him. He set an awesome example for me as to what a man is and should be. Whoever I married had big shoes to fill.

Today I'll share 13 thoughts about my dad...

* He loves unconditionally. He has been wronged by many and still he does not wish them ill.

* He gives and gives... and expects nothing in return.

* He's habitually late for EVERYTHING! For as long as I can remember, he has NEVER been on time for ANYTHING. Through the years, when he's invited, people tell him a much earlier time, so he will be there at a decent time.

* He's old fashioned. He'll stand up and give his seat to a lady. He opens the door for the ladies.

* Only buys "American Made" things. I've often heard him say, "We have to buy American and support our country. "

* He's a patriot. He served in the American Army. He loves and supports our country. He's thankful to have the freedom he has.

* To him family, ALWAYS comes first.

* He's a gentleman.

* He's got great work ethics, good values, good morals and high standards. While growing up, I remember at one time he had two jobs, so that my mom could stay home and take care of us. I was not allowed to date as a teenager. He believed in courtship.

* He's not a "pretender". What you see is what you get.

* He's funny and makes those around him feel at ease.

* He's wise. He's always given me great advise.

* He charming. My dad is 71 years old. My mom and dad are still married. He's not one to call attention to himself, but he still attracts attention. Once when they were visiting us, we went out to eat. A lady at the salad bar invited him to do dancing. Me and my sister were right there standing next to him. This happens to him all the time. LOL!

I love my dad. I wanted to marry someone just like him. I have to honestly say that my Knight is and is not like my dad. I'm so blessed that God has given me two wonderful men to love. I think that's the reason it was so easy for me to relate with our Heavenly Father. I have such a wonderful earthly father.

Happy Father's Day Papi... I love you! XOxoXO

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Character

God sure has a way with things. His timing is always impeccable. Today waiting for me in my email in box, was an email from a site I subscribe to. They send me a daily inspiration.

I have to be honest, there are times that I just don't take the time to read it. Today's inspiration caught my eye. It was titled, "Character". Since lately I've been writing about my Knight's character, I though it was only fitting for me to share the "inspiration" I had just received...

Character

Character is often determined not by when we do what we must,
but by when we do what is voluntary.

It is tested far more by charity, than obligation.

It appears not so much in what the public sees,
but shows itself clearer in what is done in private.

~A Mountain Wing Original

An Action Speaks A Thousand Words

It's been a difficult couple of weeks. A Glance Into My World has more details so I won't have to re post it here.

My Knight has shown with actions, just how much I and our children mean to him. He, like everyone else is a busy man. He leaves for work at 6a. and arrives at home between 5-6p. He's a baseball umpire and the president of the little league. He is always getting calls. Some are good and some are well... not so good. I don't know how he does it, but he stays calm and collected. Well, I do know, it's because God dwells within him.

I shared about how busy he is because things have been a little topsy turvy around here. Through it all... God has given us grace, peace and mercy. My Knight has done the groceries, done his ironing, helped to take care of the ones that have been under the weather, has cooked, kept up with the "outdoor" duties, and ran back and forth to the pharmacy for medications. All this is expected. It's as it should be. It's how it's suppose to be. For so many it's not. that... breaks my heart.

He never once complained about cleaning up our child's mess. He didn't belittle the one who wasn't able to "make it" to the restroom. He stood by and comforted the one that was moaning cause the pain was too much for his little body. He gently rubbed our little one's belly as he spoke softly trying to comfort him. Along with the one's that have been ill, I too have been getting very little sleep. So, I try to catch some sleep when I can. My Knight doesn't wake me up. He lets me sleep and rest. He doesn't ask, what can I do to help? He sees and does what is needed. He'll call on his way home from work and see if there was anything he needs to bring home to his family.

My Knight is a man like no other. I will forever be grateful to God for bringing the two of us together. Yes, an action speaks a thousand words... I keep hearing/seeing, "I LOVE YOU".
I'm so blessed...

Build Me A Son

I subscribe to different email devotions. I thought I'd share the one below. My thoughts are shared after the devotion...

BUILD ME A SON

The following prayer was written by General Douglas MacArthur:

"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is
weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be
proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

"Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should
be; a son who will know Thee....Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease
and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion
for those who fail.

"Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a
son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who
will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into
the future, yet never forget the past.

"And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of
humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too
seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity
of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

"Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.'"

Though most of us are not nearly so eloquent, I suspect that all
Christian parents have uttered a similar prayer. Mindful of the great
responsibility that God has given those of us with children, we pray
fervently that God would help us as we strive to train our children in the
ways of the Lord.

While still childless, Hannah made this vow to God: "O Lord of hosts,
if you will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant and remember
me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a male
child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life...." (I
Samuel 1:11). It was a vow she kept, and her son Samuel became one of the
greatest spiritual leaders Israel ever knew.

May Hannah's prayer and Gen MacArthur's prayer be the prayer of all
Christian parents this day.
-Alan Smith


God has blessed me with three girls and two boys. Being that this devotions was about boys, I'll keep to the topic of my boys.

I've said it over and over, how blessed I am. I'll never tire of saying it and I'll never stop believing it. I'm blessed in so many ways. One way I'm blessed, is to have the best husband in the world. I know we all feel "ours" is the best. In my heart I know he was meant for me. He was meant to be the father of my children. We are meant to grow old together.

The prayer above was written by General MacArthur, many years before I was born. When I read his prayer, my Knight came to mind. This is how I see him. He is all that, that prayers asks for and more. My heart's desire is for my Squires, my little boys to grow up and be the best "they" can be. Not that they have to "be" like their dad, but strive to be the best that "they" can be.

My Knight leads by example. He's a great role model. Not just for my boys but for those around him. He makes those around "want" to do better. He's a good leader with incredible character. God has blessed him and used him in mighty ways. God has brought him through storms. Like Job, he chooses to praise God and give Him all the glory. He continues to be challenged and stretched. Still he rises to the occasion. Reminds me of Matthew 25:14-29. I know it talks about "talents of money", but I believe it can also be applied to other areas of our lives, not just monetary.

One of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln says, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. " I find this to be so true. Power does not corrupt, but the "love" of power does. My Knight is the head of our family, he is a leader in his work place, he is a leader at our church, he's a leader in our community.

My prayer for my boys are that they grow up to be the men that God intends for them to be. That they be men after God's own heart. I pray they walk the straight and narrow road and not deviate. I hope they keep their eyes focused on Him who went before them. When they stumble and fall, that they learn their lesson and press on. My heart is full of hope for them. May they always know that they are not alone, that God is always with them. All they have to do is... follow in His steps...

Thursday Thirteen #19

Yesterday, Lisa asked a group of us to share 10 things that made us smile. I thought that would make a great TT list. Being that it's 5:36am, not much has happened today. So I will share 13 things that made me smile yesterday...

1- Thoughts of my Knight- he makes my heart skip beats.

2- Soaring Amongst The Clouds and her "isms"- she makes up her own words.

3- Still Waters and her logic- I kid you not, she's like Spock in Star Trek. She gets that from my Knight.

4- Daughter of the King's twinkling eyes- her eyes speak volumes.

5- The sound of my G.I. Joe's voice- he is 13 so his voice is sounding deeper, my baby is growing up.

6- My Warrior playing with his beanie babies- he had them sliding down the stair handrail.

7- Watching the Gypsy Kings video of the song, Volare- made me think of Abuela Caky. I remember her singing it once when I was younger.

8- Tuesday night, was the final of Dancing with the Stars. We are big fans of Apolo Anton Ohno. We taped it and watched Tuesday morning. I enjoy watching people dance. I also enjoy dancing. :o)

9- Tuesday night was the finale of The Bachelor- Officer and a Gentleman- the final rose. We taped it and watched it during lunch. The Bachelor picked the young lady we all wanted him to pick. :o)

10- My children are all outside practicing baseball/softball. Seeing them all working together, helping each other out fills my heart with joy.... how can I not smile at that?!

11- The thought that my Knight will be working out of our home tomorrow Friday. I love it when he's home.

12- I finally found a song that I've been looking for quite some time. I didn't know the name to it, but a jazz station played it. They happen to have a website and I was able to find the title. It's called, Europa- Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile by Gato Barbieri. If click on the name and scroll down, you can hear the song. :o) It was one of my favorite songs when I was a teenager. Now that I've found it, I'm going to order it. :o)

13- The thought that one day I'll be with my Lord and Savior.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
List 3 emotions you experienced this week.

* sadness- My friend's nephew died in a car accident. He was 19. Brought back memories of when my brother passed on, he was also 19.

* joy- My Warrior got a good hit off of the league's best pitcher- Big Al, he's 12. Not only that, but he got on base too. This is the second time he's done that. Oh... there is only one other player who's done that and he's 12. My Warrior is 10. :o)

* contentment- Spending time with my family, sitting, talking and laughing.



Soup
Name a car you’d love to have.

* Would a motorcycle count? I'd like to have a Gold Wing. Not for me to drive it, but for me to ride it with my Knight. IF that doesn't count, then I'd like to have an RV.



Salad
Describe your typical morning routine.

* I log on to my computer and read my online devotions. Get my emails and read the ones that are asking for prayers. I go see what my children are up to. Help with school work (we homeschool), if they need it. Start a load of laundry. Watch the news. Check to see if I have errands to do. By that time, it's lunch time. You see, I get up around 8-8:30a. My children let me sleep in. :o)



Main Course
Have you ever emailed someone famous? If so, who, and what did you say to them? Did they reply?

* We all know what famous is, or we think we know what it is. So I looked it up. Dictionary.com says: famous- 1) having widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated: a famous writer. 2) informal. first-rate; excellent: the singer gave a famous performance. 3) notorious (used pejoratively). Not only did I look up this word, but I looked up the other words in the description of this word and the description of the words those words too.

So, what is famous to me, might not be famous to some one else. With that said, my answer would have to be yes. I have emailed someone famous... my Knight. Yes, he did/does reply.



Dessert
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, which ones?

*Yes....

Y-hot

Y-rock

To partake in other feasts visit Friday's Feast a buffet for your brain.