My man

Another noteworthy date that recently passed was my husband's birthday. He hit a pretty significant mark age wise this year. And in light of the fact that it was his birthday (earlier this month), I thought I should reflect on this man whom God has blessed me with.

I'm not really sure what I ever did to deserve a man like my husband. He'd probably tell me I'm crazy, but really it's true. Sure he might not be that man who showers me with gifts (for the money is much better spent elsewhere...we both know that!) and most of you who know him, know he's definitely got some lovely little quirks (ex. socks needing to be folded a certain way (which is perfectly normal in his family....kind of a laughable trait in mine...)) however, the stuff that really counts, he excels at.

A phrase that I've heard many times now, especially throughout this past year is "Theresa, your desires are my desires." What he is saying is that my passions become his passions. And he throws his whole self into those desires and just like that there is no his or hers but a big OURS...and it's even better than what little bit I had come up with. He runs with it and makes it better. He does it so completely.  Sure I dream about things, think things, ponder things...but none of those thoughts, dreams, passions would ever amount to anything without my Albert backing me up and throwing himself wholeheartedly into the middle of it. I could never imagine someone that would ever be more supportive of me. He truly makes me a better person. Instead of just thoughts, words etc., he lets me live it out and enables me to do that, because he wants to do it too! I cannot fathom someone wanting to do the things I come up with...but he truly does! I only hope that I can do the same to his passions, dreams and desires as well.

Sometimes when one is a mother, the husband is very much wanting wife to be home always, cleaning, cooking, washing his underwear, teaching the children to behave and clean up after themselves...which is always what I aspire to do, however, it doesn't always happen quite like that. Albert has been known to have an empty underwear drawer...yes very much demonstrating my lack of ability as a housewife...as much as I try hard, I always seem to fail at this...case and point...I should be folding laundry right now. eek. However, my point in all this is, that despite the fact that Albert does very much appreciate always having laundry in his drawer, he still allows me to be me and extends me grace when I fail. He knows I tend to stretch myself thin...and unfortunately in doing that, my house chores are generally the things that suffer....and although I know it drives him crazy....he is still so supportive and understanding. I'm so thankful that he doesn't expect a gourmet chef every night and is thankful for an edible meal :)

He is my helper, my best friend, my supporter, my encourager, my realist, my reliever, my break-giver...He is thoughtful, humble, loyal and hardworking
I love him dearly - we've been married for 6 years, and we've know each other since second term of my first year of university. God has placed Albert in my life for a reason. I couldn't imagine life without him. God clearly knew what He was doing when He caused our paths to cross. I need to remember to thank Him every day for my Albert and all he is to me, and how we continue to grow together more and more through every day. We've been through a lot in our 6 years of marriage. They certainly haven't been easy ones. But through it all, there was never a question in my mind that my Albert would be there for me. He wasn't leaving, he wasn't going anywhere. He is in it for the long haul, through thick and thin...no matter what the circumstance. And he has made that abundantly clear - it isn't just me - he has made it very clear that he won't leave, and he has proved that over and over (I may have had a slight complex about that, coming into marriage (my past, nothing to do with Albert), but Albert has worked very hard to alleviate that fear).
I could go on and on about my Albert, but I'll leave it there for now, but end with the fact that I am so thankful for the day my husband was born. When God created him and gave him life. I'm thankful for the experiences that he has had growing up and for his family who has helped shape him into the man he is. I'm thankful for him and the choices he has made for his life and I'm so grateful that he chose me to share his life with and to commit himself to. And I'm incredibly grateful for his love for God first.

So happy belated birthday Albert. I love you.

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
~Genesis 2:24~

 

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
~Ecclesiastes 4:12~

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
~Jeremiah 29:11~

Little A is two!

So our little A turned two this past week. Can't believe it! It seems so crazy that she is already two and we've only known her for about 3 and a half months of her two year old life. That just blows my mind away.  20 and a half months of her 24 months have been spent living else where. I definitely look forward to the day that she will have lived longer with us than she has in other places. We are almost at the half way mark of our probationary period as well. When a child is adopted, they are placed with a 6 month probation period before the paperwork goes before a judge. If all goes well, hopefully our paperwork will go before a judge early January.

We had A's birthday party over the weekend. It went really well. We just had some close extended family over to celebrate. I think both A and Micah had a great time. A was a little shy after her nap, but then warmed up to everyone who came. It was great. She opened presents, with a little help from Micah, but enjoyed each present that she got. It was great to see how everyone has gotten to know her enough to get her gifts that peeked her interest and that I know she will enjoy.

I just love her interests right now, they are quite funny...coming in at number one....Tractors...yep that's right, we've got a farm girl on our hands! How perfect.....hehehehe. So needless to say her cake was purple and green with a John deer tractor on it. I know, but it was super cute and I think she loved it....she loves playing with the tractor on top anyways. :)

So here we go....with a 2 year old little A. And her first week of being two is full of appointments for her....physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and a visit from the adoption worker. We saw the physical and occupational therapists 2 months ago and they were blown away by her progress from the first time they saw her. My guess is that we will be finished with them after this visit, because I think she is mostly where she should be in her gross motor and fine motor movements. She was a little behind in her fine motor skills 2 months ago, but those have improved. Probably still a bit delayed, but it's coming for sure. I'm looking forward to her speech therapy though. I'm hoping for more strategies to help her with her speech. I think she is quite delayed there, but probably because she put so much focus into her gross motor and fine motor skills. I think she is slowly making the switch to communication now. Even in the past week her vocabulary has grown, so it's coming! So looking forward to communicating better with her. Although, with communication means she can tell us exactly what she wants...even if it isn't something she can have....but at least we'll know. And it would be good if she could tell us if she was in pain or hurting or having issues breathing...now that would be very helpful!

But for now we keep plugging along, still learning things about her everyday. Everyday being a new experience and sometimes it's a great day where we communicate well and anticipate her needs...and other days we seem to fall back 10 steps and it feels like we'll never get it right. On the plus side, only one more tooth to come in. So good.

Well we look forward to knowing our little A more and more and to see her through the rest of her birthdays!

Here's a verse I found this past week and I think it pertains very well. :)

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
~2 Thessalonians 3:5~
Keep persevering my friends, may God be your strength.