A Beautiful Surprise!

I am staying at my parents' house this week while I train in Raleigh for my new job. Today when I got back to the house I found something wonderful on the kitchen table!! My husband is so incredible. I am very blessed (and a little spoiled...)!

Thank you so much, Baby!! You amaze me every single day. I love you, and I miss you so much.

Jennie

My Incredible Man

I just have to announce that I have a wonderful husband!

He means so much to me, and he is special is so many ways. Two things have happened lately that have made me realize (again) my appreciation to God for Dustin. The first thing happened on Sunday night. We were getting ready for bed, and Dustin asked me a question. He said, "Is there anything that I could do better as a husband?" He has asked this question before, but this time it was totally out of nowhere, and I could tell he had really been thinking about it. That meant so much to me! It is wonderful to know that the man God gave me is dedicated to being a good husband. Wow!

The second thing happened just today. I checked my voicemail at lunchtime, and Dustin had called to tell me to be careful driving home from work. It has been frigid outside the last few days, and we had a little rain this morning. He said that there had been reports of black ice and a few accidents, and he just wanted me to be safe. I felt so loved, protected, and warm inside when I heard his concerned voice. I am so thankful that he loves me so much.

These may seem like little things to some of you, but I don't want to take anything for granted. I am incredibly blessed, and I praise the Lord for His gifts me!

Dustin has been working really hard lately. He was able to go back to work for the school part-time, and he has also been putting up fence posts part-time for our Landlord. It is really hard work! He has to dig a big hole with post-diggers, make sure the post is perfectly straight and even, and then make sure it stays that way as he covers the hole. The posts are really big and heavy. He is hoping to get alot done before we take off in a few weeks!

Look at that straight line of posts!

I Never Thought I Would be Thankful for This...

The most difficult week of my life was when Dustin was in Ecuador for ten days and I was home alone. I'm sure that sounds really silly to some of you, but it is absolutely true. I felt so lonely even when I was in a group of friends. Every day seemed so long because I couldn't look forward to seeing Dustin when I got home from work. I think I was pretty pitiful, and I'm sure my parents and Dustin's parents can attest to that.

One night when I got home from work I walked in the door and realized that everything looked exactly the same as it did when I left that morning. The dishes were done, the table was wiped clean, the floor was spotless. Doesn't sound too bad, but it was very depressing for me. Suddenly I realized that there was no evidence that Dustin had been home that day. I was alone. I had no one to nurture. I found myself wishing that I could just have SOMETHING to clean or pick up or cook or fold.

At that moment I realized how much I had complained. Dustin has a million incredible qualities... he is a wonderful singer, guitar-player, listener, chef, artist, and much more. However, his personality is very different from mine in the organizing and picking-up-after-yourself department. I don't know if I could count how many times I have huffed, puffed, whined, or rolled my eyes while picking up socks, towels, shoes, plates, cups, candy wrappers, etc. I know that Dustin does not leave his stuff around the house to make me angry; he just does not have the pick-it-up reflex.

That night was a wake-up call for me. I decided that I will never again whine about wet towels on the bed or dirty socks on the floor or any other messes needing to be cleaned. I finally understood more clearly how much I should be thankful. Those things that I would have complained about before have taken on a new meaning. They are evidences that I have a husband who loves to be home with me. Wow...

I have not gotten over my relief that Dustin is safe at home with me. Tonight we took a drive, took nutty pictures of ourselves in the car, and laughed like crazy. When we came home I saw some socks on the floor. I smiled, picked them up, and hugged my precious husband. I am praying that God will maintain this attitude in me; I know I cannot do it on my own.

I Have to Brag...

I just want to take a moment to say that my husband is amazing. I just wanted to show off a little of what he does for me, and tell him publicly how grateful I am for him. In addition to working extremely hard (in the heat!) to bring in a paycheck, and studying hard to get a Master's Degree, he also serves me and shows his love for me in so many ways. He helps me with the dishes, folds laundry with me, grocery shops with me, takes out our trash, and so much more. Since we both work full-time, his help is so valuable to me! In the midst of all that busyness, he still finds time to be romantic. Sometimes he leaves notes in my car for me, or calls me during the day to tell me he loves me. It is not uncommon for me to come home on one of my later workdays (Mondays and Wednesdays) to find dinner already cooked and waiting by candle-light. Sometimes he has drawn a bath for me so I can just read and relax. And last night I came home to a dozen beautiful roses "just because." I am so touched by his thoughtfulness, and I just wanted to express my gratefulness to God for giving him to me.

Thank you hubby! I love you... Jennie

At the Carnivore Preservation Trust (weekend trip)

Here are more pictures from our surprise weekend (see post below for details). This was at the Carnivore Preservation Trust. It was amazing. Check out their website and take a tour! It's worth every penny! http://www.cptigers.org/