The Supporting Role

Above is Jeff, teaching Children's Church. Sadly I did not have the camera with me to illustrate the story I am about to tell.

A few weeks ago I was practicing with the praise team before church, while Jeff sat out in the pews. It's the same scenario every Sunday I sing. We arrive together two hours before church starts and Jeff sits and watches us practice. I do not expect him to do this but he says he doesn't mind. As I was practicing the other day, I looked out into the audience and saw Jeff sitting contently on the sidelines. I stopped and said a quick prayer to myself for God to reverse the scenario--Jeff serving in his ministry and me sitting on the sidelines, supporting him.

This same Sunday we were teaching Children's Church. During the Hug & Howdy time, I saw Jeff walking behind the row of chairs where the children sit during praise and worship. As he walks, he is smiling and talking to each of the children. A few he is having to quiet down but most are behaving. As I watched, I realized that Jeff is where he loves to be, the back row surrounded by a bunch of children. Later we take the kids out to the playground. For a few minutes, he and I are both sitting on a little bench that allows us the perfect viewpoint of the children at play. One child comes over and Jeff begins asking him about his recent family vacation to New Jersey. This little boy is laughing and enjoying telling us every detail, Jeff is actively listening to every word. While they continue to talk, I realize more and more kids are coming over to talk to Jeff. At this time there are probably 5 kids standing in front of us. I was perfectly happy to sit back and watch the kids and Jeff interact with each other. A few minutes goes by and Jeff says, "Who wants to play a game?" I kid you not, every single child came running over to join in the game.

The game consisted of Jeff taking the kids through an made up obstacle course on the playground. Each child had to finish each stage in order to move ahead. What made me laugh was watching Jeff demonstrate each obstacle for the children. He was in his element. As I continued to sit on the bench, I realized for the first time that during Children's Church I was the supporting player. There is nothing more rewarding than to see your husband thrive in the ministry that God has given him.

Even on Sundays that we are not teaching Children's Church, the kids still come up to Jeff to tell him about their week or the upcoming events in their life. The supporting role is really one of my favorite ministries that God has given to me.

Thank you Lord for all that you have done in our lives.

Jeff rewarded me with a bowl of ice cream and Reese's magic shell for getting through my testimony without crying. Actually, I teared up a few times but I never went to the ugly cry. Apparently I have some very good friends at church who told him that I deserved my bowl of ice cream, so we stopped on the way home from small group to get the goods. Isn't he a great man?!? Thanks friends for helping a chick out!

This week's goals are simple. One word says it all. RELAX!

Already I am off to a good start with the rain and a massage from a friend. Life is going at a much slower pace and for this I am very, very grateful.

I will be back in a few to tell you guys of the latest happenings in the Young household.

What Happened to Date Night, Jazzy?

Thankfully our anniversary isn't until tomorrow :)

:)

At my last appointment my doctor said two things that left me knowing God is fully in control.

1) There is nothing medically wrong with me keeping us from getting pregnant. This just proves to me that God's timing is perfect and His timing has not yet come.

2) My doctor told me that I was the most peaceful patient she has ever had who has been where I am today. She said most women in my shoes come in saying "What the hell? What's wrong with me?" Little does she know that I have said those same words many times on my knees crying out to the Lord. Looking back I kick myself for not using her comment as a transition to talking about all the Lord is doing within me. Maybe one day that door will be opened again.

And another tidbit that was just funny to me.

3) Jeff and I have a unspoken agreement between us that these next six months are going to not be about a baby; we want to live each day to the fullest in the present moment. But the other night, I broke that little agreement to tell him about a friend I know who works for an adoption agency.

"So and so works for an adoption agency...we should talk to her to get direction from her if that day comes."

Jeff-"Does she handle Swedish adoptions?"

It took me a minute but then I started laughing and said, "I am not sure I am going to allow you to do a Swedish adoption."

Jeff says, "Why don't you want a hot 18 year old Swedish girl for a daughter?"

"No, I want a baby."

To which Jeff says "I want a baby too."

Then I just had to hold up my hand and say "Whatever Jeff."

:)

I love this man and could not imagine anyone else walking this journey with me.

And let me close with what I write in my journal almost everyday.

I wait with hope.
I live in peace.
I serve with love.

Boy was I Bummed

The picture above is what I found when I walked into the kitchen this morning. Someone had themselves a pancake feast while I was sound asleep. Boy was I bummed!

But to be fair, he did try to wake me up but I wasn't having it.

I guess that is what I get for taking a sleeping pill close to midnight last night. It was either take a sleeping pill or be up at 4 am wide awake. I think sleeping through the night was the better of the two.

I hate that I missed out Jeff's pancakes but was so happy that he cleaned up after himself. Isn't he thoughtful! I think I will keep him.

This is my 600th Post...Oh My!

Last night I made cookies while Jeff was at work to surprise him.

Seeing as how the last time I made homemade chocolate chip cookies was when we were still newlyweds (5 years ago) he was very surprised. So surprised, in fact, that he woke me up at 6 this morning to tell me how happy he was that I made cookies. "You made homeade cookies? YUM!" (The fact that he said yum still makes me giggle)

I rolled over and went back to sleep, happy I made my husband happy.

Let me ask you, what is your husband's favorite thing you make or bake? And when was the last time that you surprised him with it? Come on ladies, tie on your aprons and get a cookin'.

Bless your husband today! :)

Edited to add: I make killer break and bake cookies but sometimes it's nice to kick it old school and make cookies the old fashioned way!

What Happened To The Weekly Tradtion Jeff?

Today I have spent the day going through the scrapbook closet trying to clear out the things not making the move. The children's home is going to love me when I bring them my box of "craft crap" (thanks J for the name!) Anywho, I stumbled on this little diddy from Jeff a few years ago and had a good laugh.




A few thing worth pointing out:

(a) this is the only letter I recieved in the new Young Family love letter tradtion (b) we were watching the Three Amigos and basically he just wrote every word that he heard in the movie and or a commercial break.

Jeff wants to know when I am going to do doll up a scrapbook page for this letter.
I want to know why he only wrote one when it was going to be a "weekly" tradition?

Oh, it doesn't really matter...he's funny, I think I will keep him.

Something Funny to Share

The other night I was surfing the Internet on Jeff's side of the computer. I hit the down arrow to see if I could find a recent search I did on google. Low and behold I found the funniest searched items, all done by my sweet and oh so humerous husband.

I am listing them in order of not so funny to super funny. (Or it was funny to me!)

4. Blessed Assurances Blog-he said he was looking for the blog to see if I wrote anything about him that week.

3. Where's the Beef? He was watching a I Love the 80's and decided to search for the little old lady that said "Where's the Beef? in the Wendy's commercials.

2. What to look for in a knife- earlier that day we went to the Gun Show and a man was showing off a few antique knifes, Jeff must have been impressed. This one is really not that funny but in the moment it was funny that he would google that phrase.

And my all time favorite!

1. Is Jamie Lee Curtis a man?

LOL! I love this guy! Oh to get in his head to see his train of thought when he typed out that question!!! If I had to guess, I would say it came from the time I was flipping through the television channels and stopped for a brief moment on Freaky Friday. He was surfing the Internet at that time and I guess got curious.

Best Buds

Here is a picture of two best buds trick or treating Friday night.

One is 3 the other 38.
One is nicknamed Jazzy Jeff. The other is nicknamed Super Bubbie.

This little friendship has been fun for me to watch take shape.
They defiantly think the world of each other.
And this little cowboy sure does keep us laughing.




And here is a cute picture of the whole gang Trick or Treating.

Song in My Head

Jeff quoted a song the other day that I just can't seem to get out of my head now.

Thanks Jeff.

Funny that he quoted this song just before we did our Fantasy Football Draft.

And now I can't seem to get it out of my head. So if you get this song stuck in your head today because of me, well, you're welcome!

He Ain't Gonna Win Don't Forget the Lyrics

Maybe you have heard the Ashlee Simpson song titled L.O.V.E. I love this song because it's just plain fun.

It must be a catchy tune because I just caught Jeff singing it.

But he was singing his version and not Ashlee's.

Instead of singing L-O, L-O, L-O, L-O V-E Jeff sings Hell-o, Hell-O, Hell-O, Hello-O Beep, Beep

Here is the video so that you can hear the real version. Jeff thinks his version is better, what do you think?

Tonight I Drank A Cherry Coke

And you would too, if you were sitting underneath the NE Mall food court waiting out a tornado.

Let's rewind shall we...

Jeff and I went walking earlier in the day and I mentioned something to him about how it looked like it was going to rain. He responded by telling me that I need to be alert tonight in case the storm turns severe. Sure, no problem, I wasn't scared. I grew up in Texas, you learn to stay on your feet and you learn at a young age not to freak out.

And do you remember this from this time last year? Well, who wants to relive that drama?!?!

Here is the bullet points from my adventure:

-Jeff calls tells me to head to the mall. What? Giddily I ask, "The mall?!?!"

"Yes, the mall. Park in the parking garage and walk the mall for a few hours, see a movie whatever it takes to pass the time." And I am thinking, "Wow I just won the lottery!"

Hmm quality time at the mall. WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD PASS UP THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY! I felt like I was 13 again being released from the my jail, I mean, home.

I head off to the mall, without my cell phone but my latest novel in hand, just in case I had to sit for a bit.

I start to shop because I would be S-T-U-P-I-D to pass up an opportunity like this.

I was buying some much needed make up when the trusty security guard comes in screaming for everyone to get down to the corridor, and I quote, "A storms a comin! A storms a comin!"

"Corridor? What the heck is a corridor!" I say to myself. Sweet shop lady explains to me that is the basement under the food court. And I think to myself, "Sweet an adventure is coming!"

So I head to the CORRIDOR, like a single cow in a big ole herd heading to the slaughter house.

-And if you have ever been to NE Mall, then you know that I have to pass a Sonic to get down the stairs.

And if you were heading to God only knows what, you too would break the vow of no soda.

The Route 44 was good to me, while I read my book, people gazed and caught up with a fellow RHS grads. Yes, you read that right. Only yours truly would find a tornado coming through as an opportunity to socialize.

It sounded scary for a bit but I had read in my quiet time that morning about Jesus calming a storm so I knew when the time was right, Jesus would calm the storm. I ain't scared. I kept reading, sipping my super sugary Cherry Coke and saying hello to a few old friends.

Sadly, Jeff may rethink the evacuation plan when he realizes I bought a new pair of jeans after the drama had passed. I justified it by telling myself I was a TORNADO SURVIVOR!!

The reality is that it really wasn't a tornado but very, very high winds. I choose to exaggerate because a tornado sounds so much better and justifies buying these. They were on sale after all.

And I just survived a tornado!!!

:)

A Jeff Story

I normally do not turn on the lights until the sun goes down. I really don't see the point when our apartment has such great natural light.

Friday night, Jeff and I decided to stay home since I had been running a fever off and on all day. I was laid up on the couch watching a movie. It had gotten dark and so I heard Jeff start to pull blinds and I what thought was the sound of lights being turned on but I never saw the light. I got up to go grab something, when I see Jeff in the reflection our dresser mirror walking around stealth like in the dark.

"Jeff what are you doing?" I asked while starting to laugh.

And he replies, "Practicing my night vision."

I threw a pillow at him and called him a goober. And later, as we were eating dinner, he smiles real big and says that's a story for the blog isn't it. Er-yes, yes it is.

Here is why it is funny to me, have you ever seen or played the game Splinter Cell? Well this spy goes through a series of events to gain intelligence and crouches behind things and uses his night vision to accomplish these missions. The crouch that I saw Jeff doing was the Sam Fisher pose. I thought it was funny and one of the reasons I love my husband, you just never know what he is going to do.

Later that night, I started to scrapbook at our kitchen table. I was supposed to go scrapbook with a few of my friends but since I had fever decided it would be wise to stay home. Anyway, the point...I was sitting on one end of our table cropping away-Jeff was on the other end of the table cleaning his gun. I wish I would have snapped a picture for the blog but I was enjoying the moment too much to stop what I was doing.

P,S To my fellow Scrapbook buddies, did you know that Scrapbook Pad is now closed! Yes! That's right...CLOSED! No more Recollections, no more Scrapbook Pad.

Wedding Pictures

When Jeff and I got married we got a heck of a deal from a friend of ours to take our wedding pictures. Super sweet deal! But the catch was that she wanted to use our wedding pictures in her advertisments. We said, "Sure, why not!" I mean if you would have known the deal we got you would have jumped too. I found her website today to walk down memory lane, if you would like to look to, click here.

Oh and there is another bride in the mix who is from Puerto Rico she and I worked together back in the day. That girl was super full of life and taught me all I ever wanted to know about fashion and such. :) I was clueless before I met Sonya. She is the skinny one with her head thrown back laughing and has the rose petals thrown around her. Oh how I miss sweet Sonya!

Going Back to Where It All Started

Last night Jeff and I went out to dinner. I thought we were going to my favorite pizza joint but he had other plans.

When he turned in the wrong direction of the original location, I asked in a not so friendly tone, "Where are you going?" I don't know why I just don't go with it because 9 times out of 10 he is about to do something sweet.

Jeff says, "We are going back to the place it all started."

Knowing this route very well, after having worked there for 8 years, I smile and say, "You're sweet!" He smiled because he knew he was doing something good.

Friends, if you don't know already where it all started was at Chili's. I was waiting tables-he was a brother to one of my managers.

Sitting in that restaurant last night was very surreal for me. We were sitting at the same table (by accident of course) where I told my friend Scarecrow that I think I met the one. Since Scarecrow has known me since I was 8 years old and had heard those very same words many, many times from a few of the other boys I dated he probably wanted to laugh. But Scarecrow being the good friend that he has been to me for many years, started to quiz me about Jeff's character, job and his intentions. I told him about his character and his job but I didn't know what to say about Jeff's intentions. We were just having a good time getting to know each other. I am happy to report that I got the thumbs up from good ole Scarecrow. And I am happy to report that my conversation with him gave me the courage to talk to Jeff about where this relationship was heading.

I am sure you can guess the outcome of the story since we are celebrating 5 years of marriage today.

Last night was also a huge blessing for me to look back and see God was moving when I just knew that He had forgotten about me. I hated being home after being at college with all my friends. I was not happy with me and I was trying hard to get back on track with God. Time and time again, during those years post ACU, God brought just the right people at just the right time to help me on my journey. Meeting Jeff was a total fluke. Falling in love with Jeff was a total gift. And spending the past 7 years, 5 of those married, have been the best years of my life.

God blessed me at just the right time without me having to even look for it or manipulate the situation. Jeff fell into my lap like a gift from above. Our marriage, like all marriages has had it's ups and downs. In fact last night, we were fighting for the covers in the wee small hours of the morning and he said, "I don't know if we are going to make it to 5 years." To which I replied, "Yeah because I am going to knock you out before morning if you don't shut up!"
But I will take the good with the bad because both bring us closer to each other and God's will for our lives.

Life has been sweet with Jeff.

I am blessed.

God has blessed us.

Now I am off to scrub the joint while Jeff is off running errands.
I have learned over the past 5 years, his favorite thing of all time is to walk into a house that smells all clean and fresh. And what my baby wants, my baby gets.

A Romantic Dinner @ Home

Valentine's Day is a sweet day. It is one that I have enjoyed since I was old enough to realize that my birthday was coming a week later. I have always viewed Valentine's Day as the kick off to my birthday week. And if you have been reading since last year than you are aware that in our house you are allowed to celebrate your birthday for a full week if you choose.



We aren't big on going all out on Valentine's Day. Call me crazy, but if we are going to do anything romantic I would prefer it be on my birthday not a hallmark holiday as Jeff describes it. And you see one birthday not too long ago, Jeff proposed to me. Obviously now we have a special place in our hearts for my birthday rather than Valentine's.



But...



Jeff's work schedule changed for this week. He is home at night with me for the next 5 days. He asked me a few days ago if I would like to go out to eat. I said, "Nah! Let's stay home." (Having worked in the resturant industry for many years, eating out is the last thing I want to do on this day) So he said, "Are you going to cook then?" I said, "Nope not cooking but I will think of something."



Before Jeff came home yesterday, I went to Wal-Mart to enjoy watching the hussle and bustle of men buying junk for their sweeties. Make sure you mark that on your to-do list for next year, it was so much fun watching men trying to figure out if they should get a teddy bear, balloon or flowers? Some looked very nervous, some looked mad that they had to buy it and some had the sweetest look on thier face which made me want to follow them home to see what was up thier sleeve for sweetie. I spent a few minutes standing off to the side watching this and it was the best free entertainment of the year.



Then I hurried home to close down the office before Jeff came home. Office=living room. I cleaned the house, finished and hung a few loads of laundry and pulled out a few candleabra's that have never been used since we were first married...5 years ago.



Jeff called on his way home from work so I called in our dinner.



When Jeff came home, this is what he came home to



And later we watched "The Good Year" that we got in the mail from Netflix. Although we didn't finish is because the disc was too scratched up at the end. So we ended the evening watching Ace of Cakes, my all time favorite cooking show.

It was a sweet night without flowers, a 5 star dinner and dressy clothes. Who says you need all that junk to say Happy Valentine's Day to the one you love?

It's A Simple Thing That Make Me Happy

My goal for today was quite simple.

Laundry and rest.

I finally shooed Jeff out the door so I could enjoy the solitude of cleaning my house without interupption. Don't get me wrong, I love Jeff but he likes to get in the way more than help. And the confindes of our little one bedroom apartment can become a bit unnerving at times.

Today I have done more than laundry and rest.

I have chatted with family members, dusted, vaccumed, cleaned out my closet, did our lesson for small group tomorrow and have relished every minute of my time to myself.

My closet brought me a wonderful surprise today too.

I have a shirt that I bought online from Harold's awhile back. When it arrived in the mail I couldn't zip it up on the side. I was so dissappointed and chastized myself for trying to buy clothes without trying it on. For the last few months, every once in a while I will see that darling little shirt hanging in my closet and just have to try it to see if it fits. Every time, I get closer and closer to closing up the trap so to speak. Today I decided I would try it on once again to see if I could get it to fit. Imagine my delight when I not only was able to zip it up but was able to breathe, move around and raise my arms without it being too tight on my arms. Jub-i-lation!

Couldn't life get more better than that for a woman? Not sure. Because today I am so happy I just my burst my shirt that I have spent many, many months trying to fit into.

When Jeff saw me wearing the shirt he asked me when I planned on wearing it? I said, I would wear it when he threw me the birthday party of the year to which he just shook his head and walked away muttering something along the lines of "Lord help me."

I tell you what loosing 30 pounds has been the best birthday present for this soon to be 30 year old. I just can't wait to see what gift is coming next.

I am off to clean and watch the Absent Minded Professor.


(spell check is down, forgive the mistakes yet again!)

Speechless Moments

In recent weeks, my sweet hubby has left me absolutely speechless. This has been a wonderful thing and one that I fully give God the glory.

1. While sitting in Olive Garden he tells me that he is now mentoring so and so. What?!?! You have taken on a men tee? And his reply was yes, it's time to pour into others. Well, alrighty then, pour away.

2. The other night, I was exhausted. I knew that if I talked too much I would either pick a fight or cry until I feel asleep. Neither one seemed appealing to me so I told Jeff I am going to turn off now so I don't cause a scene. He wrapped his arms around me and said, "I am so proud of you, my excellent wife." Jeff is not usually a lovey type person, so this sweet show of affection came out of the blue and left me speechless.

3. Yesterday afternoon, we were having our household "State of the Union" address. This time has been a real blessing to us and something that Jeff started a few months ago. It's 15 minutes of structured time where he shows me the #'s and where we set goals for our self spiritually and physically. By doing this, I am able to truly enjoy the the journey and trust Jeff fully to provide for our needs. I am also loving watching Jeff guide our family in such a sweet, caring way.

But in the course of our conversation, I asked Jeff what the ETA for moving is. His answer, which I choose to keep between the two of us, is not too far off in the future. It's just not right now and well, I would love for it to be NOW.

Jeff looked me straight on and said, "What changes if we have a house?"

So I started to list off a few things mostly relating to hospitality and having people into our home on a regular basis. He gently grabbed my hand and said, "Well aren't you doing that now?"

"Well yeah but it would be more."

And here is the part that left me speechless, "Susan you have a ministry right? (Yes) You and I are happy right? (Yes, of course) Then maybe what we need to be more focused on how we can serve now, today-rather than how we are going to when this comes or that comes."

Jeff then quoted our theme verse, "Whoever is faithful in very little is faithful also in much." Luke 16:1-13

You see, friends in blog land, it's moments like this that leave me totally speechless yet forever grateful for God bringing this man into my world.

And for those of you who may be tiring of stories about how much I love Jeff, well two things I must say to you.

1) Get over it.
2) And if you could only see where we have come you too would be giving God 3 snaps in a circle!

Can You Tell He Makes Me Laugh?

He Keeps Me Laughing!

This morning, I was reading in bed trying to prolong the time until I got up to start my day.

I was 10 pages out from finishing the latest mystery novel and I just couldn't put it down.

Jeff (who works nights) comes in from work and as always was restless going to sleep. Usually on days like this I will scratch his back a bit to make him fall asleep faster. But like I have already told you, I was trying to finish the latest mystery novel.

So this was the following conversation that took place between husband and wife this morning.

Husband: "Will you scratch my back a little so I can fall asleep?"

Wife: "Umm in a minute I am trying to finish this book?"

Husband: "Well I don't think that is very Titus 29 of you?"

Wife (still reading) "Why don't you try looking up Titus 29 and tell me how that works out for you?"

Husband: who repeats what wife just like he is four playing the "nanny, nanny boo boo" game

"Why don't you try looking up Titus 29 and tell me how that works for you?"

Wife: was starting to smile when she lays down her book waiting for what was to come next

And for those of you who have heard these such stories in the past know that with Jeff a zinger is soon to follow

Husband: "Well, I didn't realize I was sleeping next to BIBLE ANSWER MAN!"

That did it, wife died laughing! Told him to be quiet and go to sleep and then continued reading the latest mystery novel while scratching Husband's back.

And let me ask you, do I look like Bible Answer man to you?

Don't worry, I don't see it either.