Wayne's space

One of Wayne's favorite things to do this time of year. And you can't get it done better than with several good hounds. Here's to Wayne and the Pastor and the three hounds that had a good day of rabbit hunting last week. Wayne has fond memories of past times with great friends and good beagles. What a life - a man and a couple good huntin' dogs!

I often thought Wayne was such a deprived little boy, hardly knowing any "fairy tale" stories. But, one he knew quite well was Fox and the Hound. I almost fell off my chair one day when he started singing the words to "I'd rather have a dog than a dollar". That's my man!

17 years today!

It was the summer of 1989. I was preparing for GBS. I would be leaving in several weeks and on my list of things to do was the "breaking up" with my boyfriend. We had been friends forever and had went "steady" for the last 6 months or so. And now the obligation befell me to release "him" since we would have to endure a long distance relationship and that would be fair to neither of us. His response was short and simple - "but, I love you". So, I said are you sure and he never said anything that he wasn't already sure about and we stuck it out. Him making the trip to Cincinnati almost every weekend of the school year to pick me up and make his presence just in case anyone had any doubt about me having a boyfriend :o)

Senior trip to Gatlinburg in May of '90 was quite a trip especially after my Wayne shows up with Randy (my best friend's beau). We happened to be horseback riding at the time. I'll never forget coming out of the woods to the clearing to see Wayne and that Monte Carlo SS in the parking lot. Needless to say - I did almost fall off that horse.

That weekend we managed a short drive by ourselves. Wayne drove me to a park, parked the car, turned in his seat and with a voice that wasn't quite as confident as usual popped the question. I will tell you I was immediately in shock. All I could think of was - I was still in high school! And my life begin to pass before my eyes. And after it stopped rolling - I knew he was for me. He would love me forever. And I said.......yes. Wayne said that was a long pause.

We planned to have a Spring wedding which turned into a Winter one due to exam schedule (I was in college), but hey, that shortened the engagement by several months and that was good. Living the lifestyle we chose to live - long engagements are not a good idea.

We went back to Gatlinburg on our honeymoon. Two kids with aspiration and determination, enough love for the whole world and enough energy to run there if we had to. We had about $300 to our name, no reservations and too young and in love to know any better.

Seventeen years later here is what I know -

You can still be in love after being together 17 yrs

You don't exactly feel "in love" everyone of those days

It's not all about getting but a lot about giving and at the end of the day you realize that while giving you end up receiving much more than you could have even asked for

There is great reward in making a strong, loving marriage - it doesn't just happen it takes work and sometimes hard work, it has been well worth the effort

I may not have seen my worst days, but may be I haven't seen my best days either.

I love you, Wayne. I thank God for you. I'd say - "yes" all over again. And, maybe this time I wouldn't pause :o) Thank you for 17 wonderful years. Now, on to the next 57! Meet ya in the hay, 12:00 sharp!

Catching up -- again

I have had my share of computer / online trouble lately. The USB modem being the latest of the issues. Oh, well, it's not like I have had a whole lot of extra time anyway. But... I do have one very important announcement! My little miracle baby that I referenced in the last post, is now 8 years old!! She was born Dec. 9, 1999. My due date for her was Jan. 1, 2000. Yes, I was projected to have the "millenium baby". I can remember one maternity shirt I had said "a baby like this comes along once in a millenium". Not only did my dates point to exactly Jan. 1, but so did ultrasound after ultrasound. In my mind I just thought it was God's way of letting me know every thing was going to be ok - giving me such a significant due date. Although everyone else thought that is was just so cool - a hospital was one of the last places I wanted to be on the much anticipated "Y2K". Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is You" was my theme song. And guess what.... After working a 3-11 shift I woke up around 6 a.m. the next morning and was greeted with that wet feeling that you only hope and pray doesn't happen on Sunday morning while sitting in church. (That was always my fear.) My hubby kicked it into high gear while I meandered into the shower. We arrived at the hospital around 8 ish and she was born at 7:46 that night. Three weeks early, 7 lbs 4oz ,and a ton of reddish hair. Wow, I knew I wanted to be a mom, but I just didn't have any idea.... The amazement of looking into my children's faces and seeing bits of me and Wayne looking back is beyond words. I cannot even begin to describe the love I felt for her that day. Somewhere deep in my heart she reached. Awakening a love that had never been felt. It now consumes me and I will never be the same. Just before I left our house for the hospital, I was standing in the hallway heading out to the garage. I can remember having this monumental thought as if it were yesterday. I stopped and looked around. It hit me. This oversized house that Wayne and I had shared alone was never going to be the same. Our life as we knew it was never going to be the same. It was a blessed change. I will always know and understand "a mama's love".

Lauryn Alexis - you were the one that gave "mama" meaning to me. I love you so much. Thank you for all the happy moments. You are truly our gift from God. Always walk with Him. You are a wonderful daughter and great big sister. Happy Birthday, my big girl!