We've been busy getting ready to be out of town. For us, half the fun of our yearly vacation is taking awhile planning and preparing for our week away! Well, while we are away John and I will be celebrating our 6th anniversary (July 12)!

Six years! I can't believe it's been almost 6 years!! What an amazing wedding day we had! Here's a link to our wedding vows.

Lately I've been pondering the many, many reasons why I am so deeply in love with my husband. Not that words can even express all the reason...but I will try.

First, John is a man of God. He doesn't just go to church and play "christian", but he loves God passionately and has a deep, strong desire to please Him. He loves God, loves His Word, and strives to obey what the Lord asks and requires of Him.  His love for God produces an overflow of love for me, our boys, our family, and others. He's compassionate and caring. He also keeps his life and mind pure!

Second, John loves me in away I never thought was possible. I know all my faults and all my annoying habits, but his love for me is deeper than any words can express. He strives to be an excellent husband. He cares for my needs and wants.

Third, John is always finding ways to express his love for me. I think of the Christmas I was pregnant with Luke. I was so sick that Christmas was awash! So on July 25th John surprised me with Christmas in July. He decorated the house for Christmas, bought gifts and had Christmas music going.

With this last round of morning sickness John was simply amazing! He just knew what had to be done (laundry, grocery shopping, meal planning, cleaning, caring for the boys) and he did it without complaining. Seven or 8 weeks with a sick wife was not easy, but John handled it with grace! (of course he has a bunch of new gray hair since then Sorry honey!)

Or I think of all the little things he does around the house to make my life easier! He's got an inventors mind, so when he sees something not functioning to the best of it's ability, he strives to make it different. I love all the little ways he's made my life easier!

Fourth, John is amazing dad. The other night he was trying to get a project done and Miles asked him to do something, John said, "Yes, I want to do that with you because I always have time for you!" And he does! No matter how tired he is, he plugs himself into our boys. He has a vision of raising warriors for the Kingdom and knows that the boys will remember what he DOES and not what he SAYS. He's very aware that he has two (soon to be three) sets of eyes watching him.

Fifth, John is a hard worker! I know that know matter what John, with God as his aid, will provide for our family. He is not lazy and takes serious this role as provider of our family.

Sixth, John is super silly and is always making me laugh. Of course after being together over 6 years, I know a lot of his jokes...so it makes him try even harder! I love watching him try to make me laugh. There are times I'll play stoneface just to watch him try harder

Here he is showing pictures of our boys to the Billy Graham statue!

Seventh, John doesn't watch TV. Okay sounds silly, but John really only watches Bears Games. So no TV leads to lots of family time. Every night (almost) we spend our time together playing a game, talking, or just being together. TV has never taken any place over me or our family.

Eighth, John has been so teachable in our marriage. He knows that before me he didn't understand women. So he's made a point to get to know me and to communicate in our marriage. He's not afraid of talking through tough issues and sharing his feelings and thoughts with me. I never have to guess. I never think, "What's he holding back from me?" There's total trust and open honest communication.

Ninth, John saved himself physically and emotionally for me. I was his first girlfriend! Yes, at 31 I was his first love. What a wonderful gift he gave me! I was glad to be able to give it back! (Oh this is why we had an 82 day engagement )

Tenth, John has the most steady personality. He takes life very calmly. When issues arise, he doesn't flare or over react. He's taught me patience in this area. I remember one time I almost left our brand new $700 Canon camera on the top of the car. Thankfully I saw it before getting in the car. When I told him later what I did he said, "Well, if it would have broke, it would have broke." As some family medical issues have come up the past couple of years, he doesn't panic, but has a deep solid foundation that keeps him grounded. Being married to someone so steady had calmed me down and I hope made me a bit less overreactionary!

John, I love you! Thanks for picking me. I still think, "Pinch me...John picked me!!"