25 Letters

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Update…long overdue.

So, after much ado, the save the date cards will be mailed out tomorrow. I'm pumped. Plans are coming along, no big bumps in the road.

We went to look for apartments this weekend…and boy are there options out there. Don't get me wrong, options are nice, but it will be nice to narrow it down. I made a spreadsheet of all the different options (i'm starting to rival Kim on my spreadsheet making i think…) and there were 23 apartments listed. Whew.

So, to make us all feel better, below is a list of all that has been accomplished towards the wedding.

1. We have a date, a place and a pastor. (that means we're getting married…NO MATTER WHAT! 2. Save the date cards go out tomorrow, that means the list is officially done…well, mostly done. I'm sure we've missed someone.
3. I have a dress, the bridesmaids have dresses.
4. We have David's pants, now must find him a shirt.
5. We have started registering, will finish that this week.
6. We have for all intents and purposes, finished our pre-marital counseling. We have the required one last session, but it must wait until right before the wedding.
7. The website is THIS CLOSE to being finished.

What must be done pretty soon:

1. We have to decide where/how honeymoon.
2. We have to pick an apartment.
3. Finish registering.
4. Finish website.
5. Get shower lists together.
6. Pick out flowers, cake, other crazy little details.
7. I'm sure there's more but I can't remember right now.

Ok, there's your update and my reminder of what we need to do soon. Love y'all!

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

What She Said…

We have a Date
We're Engaged

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

WE HAVE A DATE!!!

So after a lot of work and much negotiation, we have settled on January 6, 2007 as our wedding date!!! We're headed to Orange Beach, Alambma to use their beautiful beach for this memorable day!

To see a link of the place we'll be staying click here and to see more about the area, click here.

More details to come, but I had to let you know!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

We’re engaged!!!

The following I wrote at almost 3am on Thurs, September 21st. More pics are coming soon! I've included editorial comments in italics.

It actually happened, and it feels SO surreal! And he did such a good job at surprising me - tonight was the best night…and then he added the proposal.

It's date night, so we started off by eating at Carrabas (one of my favorite restaurants). After dinner, we stopped by his house and then headed off to look for a good place to take a walk. It was really pretty outside, and his allergies had calmed down enough so that he could get out - we definitely weren't going to let this opportunity slip away.

We went down south to this building complex that borders Zilker Park. The parking garages in this complex have a GREAT view of downtown, and we've been trying to get some pics of the skyline for a while. We took pics for a while, hung out and just had a good time. After that, we still wanted a walk, and decided on the Capitol. He hadn't been there since he was little, so I used my ID and got us in (after hours). I showed him my office and we went up to the routunda. We took more pics and while we were taking a picture of the dome, a DPS officer came rushing up to tell us that the Capitol was closed. Then he asked how we got in, and then I told him I was staff and used my badge to get in. After looking at my badge, he told us we could stay. We hung around for a bit longer, and then walked around the Capitol grounds.

One the way back to our car, we stopped at the old oak tree on the east side of the cap - it crazy, knotty and it's branches touch the ground in several spots - and kinda looks like an older version of the oak tree outside our church. It was fun to see the Cap through his eyes, reminds me why I love that building so much. After that we headed back to the car, and I figured at that point we would head to my house.

David headed toward Mopac - I was thinking…I don't live near Mopac anymore…but kept my mouth shut. When he was exiting onto 2222, he was like "we'll take one more picture tonight." I knew he was headed to Mt. Bonnell - a lookout spot where you can see most of the city, downtown and Town Lake. We had stopped by on Sat night but there were a TON of people there and I wasn't feeling great, so we didn't stay (I'm still clueless at this point…yea, I know). Tonight there were several but not tons. We headed up the hill, me in my heels, him in his long sleeved dress shirt. Both of us were out of breath when we got there - and the spot we wanted to view downtown was taken. We headed back up to the area that overlooked Town Lake. I sat down and we just talked and kissed. Then he asked me how much I loved him. I responded with "I love you as much as…" (I'll spare you the mushy details) After we played that game for a while, he asked me, " Do you love me enough to marry me?" I answered "Yes." (At this point, I didn't know what to think, so I laid my head on his chest.) David asked me what I was thinking and my response was "I think I'm a little confused!" His response was "Well, let me clear it up for you." As he said this, he took both my hands and got down on one knee. As he asked me to marry him, he slipped a ring on my finger. I am totally freaking out and can barely breathe.

Let me interupt my story to insert a fact that I have absolutely no recollection of, but that David just told me. Apparently right after he put the ring on my finger, I said "That was smooth." I don't know why I said it, nor what I was talking about. He said it was really random…and it totally was. I seriously don't remember say ANYTHING between the ring being put on my finger and my answer to him.
My answer was "Yeeess…." - very hesitant, I could just barely squeeze air out of my lungs to make any noise. He smiled and asked "Are you sure?"

After a second I finally responded with "I can't talk…" He smiled at me and said "Will you marry me?" I said "Yeah….Yes!"

We hung out took more pics and then headed to the car so i could see the ring. It's beautiful - set so that light comes in from all over and you can see the whole diamond - all the way to the bottom tip. It's incredible. He did SUCH a good job.

It's beautiful, and I'm so thankful for tonight. I woke Steph and Mom up, then called Stephen, who wasn't quite in bed yet. Then I headed inside and proceeded to wake up both roomies who were UBER excited with/for me. I tried to call Dad and Peter, but to no avail. (I finally talked to them both before I went to work on Friday.)

It's now 3am and I have to work tomorrow - well at least show up…don't know how much I'll be able to concentrate on doing. Already people were asking us about a date (Stephen and Tiff) and so after everyone went to bed, we talked and confirmed that January is the target date.

I'm so tired now but I am so thankful that today is here! It seems crazy that I can think about wedding stuff, that I can talk weddings and look at bridal magazines and go to bridal expositions. My brain has been going a hundred miles a minute, and poor David finally asked if we could give it 24 hrs. Good idea. Goodnight!

I hope you enjoyed this account. I'll post more as I know more! Sorry it's so long - I am long winded when telling stories…feel free to comment!

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

My life as I know it

Hello world! I haven't written in a while…in fact, I become quite aware of that everytime someone asks me about that dumb tomato thief. We never did catch him/her. We did catch some squirrels eating the bitty tomatoes - they didn't wait for them to ripen like that other person did…ugh, still is frustrating to think about! Oh well.
Since then, I've coordinated a wedding, shopped with David for a car (which he bought), moved for the third time this year, and left on a business trip. Crazy fun huh? And that was all in a week's time! I know, this surprises none of you…but I've been better about doing less..until the last couple of weeks.

Kim and Amar's wedding was great! Kim and I have been friends for a while, and were roomies for the last six months. I got to coordinate their wedding, and it was a comparative breeze. Everyone who had to be there showed up, mostly on time, Kim was beautiful, and Amar got to leave close to when he wanted to! Everyone was happy, it was elegant and simple and it was fun to be a part of it. A great way to start off my wedding coordinating business. (a shameless plug, yes! hopefully, you will soon be able to go to foreverafterweddings.com and see my site )

Packing began as soon as the wedding was over. I had a week to get packed and moved before I was off to Corpus Christi for the last three days of our lease. I'll miss that little duplex on Taylor Draper…it's a great area and a fun little house. Gone are the days where I could walk to David's or run down the street to HEB or Sonic - and starbucks was even closer! Hmm, might be a good thing that I'm moving a bit further away. If you want my new addy, be sure and email me!

I had SO MUCH help moving on Sunday (Shout out to Daniel, Cari, Trina, Reba, Tim, Kat, Mark and of COURSE David)! It was so smooth and everyone was such a blessing. I think we packed up the majority of my stuff in 2 hrs and then unpacked it in an hour. Now I just have to get it all into my room. My new roomies are being absolute dolls about it all - even though most of my stuff is inhabiting our living room. Oh well, hopefully that will end this Thursday when I load it all into my room.

Speaking of new roomies - I'm so "stoked" about them! (that's totally a Kaitlan word) Tiffany has graciously let Kaitlan and I invade her cute little 3 bedroom house and even let me bring Allie. Tiff is a 4th grade teacher that will CRACK you up with her laugh - it's so infectious. Kaitlan has returned from stints in Kenya (that's in Africa for those of you who don't know) and Philly where she's been ministering however she can. She's so awesome and I'm so excited to share this part of my life with these girls. It will be fun. House rules? "Party all the time (in the Christian way of course), No drama, No issues - all communication!" Love it!

Must tell you…have a really funny story I wish to tell, but then I will steal Kim's thunder. So watch her blog for the best moving story ever. It involves keys. Oh and Tiff has fun moving stuff on her blog as well.

Hope you enjoyed my LONG update!

Monday, August 07, 2006

Tomato thief on the loose!

No, I'm not joking. There is definitely a tomato thief on the loose.

If you're asking if I'm crazy - it's ok, I asked it too.

I have a planter with 4 tomato plants in my back yard. I live in a quiet neighborhood and my house backs up to an old road/alley that is now enclosed with private property on all sides.

Throughout the summer I've been nurturing my 4 plants with the promise of a return. Slowly but surely, my plants have not let me down. And if you are wondering, there is nothing better than a homegrown tomato. Lately however, it seems that the production has slowed down greatly. I couldn't figure it out. I was still watering, I was still seeing green tomatoes on the vine, but they seemed to be disappearing before they got red. I blew it off for a while, thinking that I was just forgetful as usual.

Finally, one of my tomatoes was a day away from being ready to pick. I took careful note of where it was on the plant, just in case I wasn't nuts and the tomatoes were actually disappearing. When I headed out to water the next day, I check on that specific tomato…and it was gone! In it's place was a snipped vine - a snipped vine! Someone had come into my backyard with a pair of sissors to remove this specific tomato! I couldn't believe it!

David didn't believe me at first either, but after further inspection, he found a path of trampled down weeds that led right up to our back gate. He promptly nailed our back gate shut and we both felt better. That would stop him!

…Wrong. Several days later, another tomato disappeared. UGH! What kind of person walks into a random person's backyard and steals tomatoes right off the plant! Someone in my neighborhood apparently…and most likely the tenants of the only occupied house that has access to the dead zone. Grrr.

So we have several solutions options. I have listed several below.

Kim's solution: Make a sign that says - TOMATO STEALERS - STOP! We know who you are, we know were you live and we have pictures. So please leave our tomatoes be. Thanks.

David's solution: Mount web cam, record the offender stealing, and then either 1) file a police report so that we can have a cop bang on their door with a pic, or 2) mount the pic along with Kim's above sign on the tomato plant.

Noell's solution: Bring Allie back from Tim and Kat's and post said sign and web cam pic on the tomato planter. Maybe the combonation will scare them off.

Other options that have been discussed include a close up picture of said tenants in their house to post on the planter, a sign that says "apparently you need these more than I do," or just realizing that for some reason I'm growing a plant that is supplying an unknown person with God's tomatoes.

Crazy I know. But I have some random person hanging out in my BACKyard gleaning the fruits of my labor.

A bit freaky if you ask me.

editors note: Kim has graciously taken pictures of plant, the tracks outside our gate, and the nailed shut gate. I will either post soon or will get her to. Oh, and for those of you who don't know…Kim's my roomie.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Wrist Cysts

I've had a small disturbance in the right wrist lately. It isn't seen unless the wrist is flexed…and when flexed just looks like a bone forgot where it was going and went up instead of over. After discussions with several medically trained specialists (aka friends who "had a friend who had one of those"), I decided it was probably either a calcium deposit or some sort of cyst.

Several suggestions were given. Several were: Have someone flick the protruding bump to burst it, or brace it against a wall and slam a book into it (which I'm sure the wrist didn't mind at all), and yet another favorite - place a quarter on it and slam a bible into it (a new and different use for God's Word…).

While all of these options were interesting, none seemed entirely appealing. I decided, that since I was a dutiful state employee, and was the possessor of the health benefits that is sometimes the ONLY reason you work for the state, I would take advantage of said benefits and let a medical professional take care of the bump.

I headed to the Capitol First Aid station and was told by my friend Tim (who is a nurse practitioner) that I indeed had a cyst. While many called them bible cysts (for the above mentioned method) he had a much more technical name - that I can't remember, and definitely couldn't spell. Wait…it was a ganglion cyst (thanks google!). To see a technical definition, click here. He told me the best option was to go to a doctor and have them remove some of the liquid that was making the cyst. I took his advice.

Yesterday I headed to ARC (Austin Regional Clinic) to the doctor Tim recommended. He agreed with Tim's opinion and told me I had a couple of options. He then proceeded to tell me about the banging methods, which I quickly nixed. He said he could stick me and remove fluid or I could go see a surgion to have them remove it via surgury. My chances of it coming back were 50%-50% if he took fluid and 93%-7% if it was surgically removed. I'll take my chances thanks…I don't want surgury.

After removing what looked like Neosporin from my wrist, he said to keep a pressure dressing on for 2-3 hrs and be nice to it (Tim had told me to elevate for 24hrs, and that typing would hurt. After this post, I'm beginning to believe him).

So, my wrist is close to back to normal. However, there is still a bump, and I definitely am sore in the wrist region. Hopefully I'll be in the top 50% and it will go away on it's own. I'm still grateful that I had topical anesthetic and no bones broken in the quest to remove the bump. I'll keep you updated I'm sure.

I'm headed of to the cool Colorado. Enjoy Texas heat this weekend, and think of me.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Off the charts impulsive…

So I've been a slacker lately when it comes to posting…so I've decided to do an update in a bullet format so that you don't get bored with me droning on and on about what's going on.

1. 4th of July was a lot of fun - went tubing on the Guadalupe on the 3rd with lots of family and friends. Ended up stuck on the Guadalupe with lots of family and friends…the 2 hr float took FIVE hours. We had fun, but forgot to sunscreen after about 3 hrs - so many of us are still peeling the effects of that day.

2. Tons of people have come to visit me! Stephen, Steph and Jovita came for the tubing trip, Spencer (my cuz) spent the weekend, Aunt C came in town for a wedding, Ashley came to hang out for a couple of days (yeah!), and Leighann (my other cuz) is coming this weekend! Tons of fun, but I definitely had to do laundry (I don't have enough towels) and borrow an air mattress!

3. David and I celebrated our 1st Anniversary last month. Can you believe that it's already been a year since we began this relationship? It's crazy to think about, and yet when I try to think about the time before we were dating, it feels like years ago. We are continuing to seek the Lord in our relationship and He's been teaching us (especially me) a lot through this time. Grace (our church) has a pre-engagement mentoring program that we have started and are working through. It's been good so far - we took a personality test to see where our major differences were (and to see how well we knew each other). There weren't many surprises though I did find out that I am pretty much off the charts in the impulsive catagory. Yes, I know that this is a HUGE shocker to many of you - especially since I really like to plan my life out, don't really like surprises or change, and am so self disiplined it's disgusting. (all of course said with sarcasm dripping from each word).

4. David is doing well - he started his new job yesterday! To update that - he got a job at Seton Medical Center as a web developer and has been in transition for the last couple of weeks. He told me that he was excited about it last night. That's really good, he's been so busy trying to finish everything up at Grace that he hasn't been able to even think about being excited. The one big thing that is a bummer…he has to work on a PC. He's in the market for a good Mac laptop as we speak…

5. Work is going well. I'm starting to actually feel like it's interim (for you non-politicos interim is the slow time between legislative sessions…something we haven't felt for 3 or so years). Working on getting out a newsletter and setting up a filing system - whoo hoo!
6. Weddings. Can I say lots of weddings. We're back into the wedding blitz - I was priviledged to go to 3 weddings in a two week span of time! It's fun to see all these lives joined…it's just somewhat comical that they all happen in such a short period of time. There have been 3 weekends this year that I've been invited to multiple weddings - and 2 of the 3 times, I made both! It's a good thing I really enjoy them…now feel sorry for David!
I think I'll end for now. I hope you're all doing well and please do keep in touch!

Live 100%

My son, give me your heart.

"Oh that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!"

Your heart is not right before God - The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

But they gave themselves first to the Lord. - In everything that he [Hezekiah] undertook…he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. - Like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not men.

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

Taken from Daily Light on the Daily Path - a compilation of scripture for daily reading.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

And who does this surprise?

…not that I like dark chocolate - but the description kinda fits…

You are Dark Chocolate

You live your life with intensity, always going full force. You push yourself (and others) to the limit… you want more than you can handle. An extreme person, you challenge and inspire the world!

Monday, June 19, 2006

Gold refined in the fire

Gold refined in the fire.

"No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you…In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart - I have overcome the world."

(scriptures were quoted in the Daily Light - a daily devotional and were originally taken from Revelation 3:18, Mark 10:29-30, 1 Peter 4:12, 1:6-7, 5:10, John 16:44)

Monday, June 12, 2006

Private: Private: hurting

Lord, I don't like this feeling. I don't like crying and I don't like hurting. I know You have a plan and it will be wonderful, no it is wonderful. But it sure hurts right now.

Your love is amazing. You never cease to amaze me. Thank you for my family and the blessing that they are to me. I love them so much. I love You Lord- Your name be praised.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Camp Nikos

As many of you know, David and I have volunteered and served with Mission: Possible! Austin (MPA) - an organization which serves the community in East Austin. Last year was my first year (David�Ŵs been going longer than he remembers) to attend Camp Nikos �Ŭ MPA�Ŵs weeklong summer camp for underprivileged inner city kids. It was incredible �Ŭ watching children's�Ŵ lives be impacted in just 5 days. Their response to the love and attention they receive is amazing. We�Ŵre so excited to be going back this year and can�Ŵt wait until next week�ĶI can�Ŵt believe it �Ŭ we leave on Sunday!

This year�Ŵs theme is �źHeroes and Giants.�Ź These kids face giants on a daily basis, from neglect or abuse at home, trouble with peers at school, or the pressure of drugs and violence that surround them. Our hope is to instill the heart and courage of David into the lives of the children so that they can overcome their own giants. Lessons and regular camp activities such as fishing, swimming, ropes, and crafts will help teach these truths to the campers. Camp Nikos is a safe and loving place where kids can be kids while not fearing the dangers of the inner-city streets. It is a life experience that most will remember for a lifetime.

David and I will both serve as adult staff. David will run the technical side of things (run worship and picture slide shows, take pictures, run the sound, drive around the �źalarm clock�Ź for the camp, and pretty much be the �źgo to�Ź guy), and I will do whatever is needed (for now that means help lead worship, lead games, take pictures, and spell counselors who need a break). This week is truly a week of flexibility for both staff and counselors �Ŭ �źrolling with the punches�Ź has a whole new meaning!

We�Ŵre really looking forward to the week and would be grateful if you supported us in prayer. We are asking for prayer for the camp, the kids, the counselors, and the staff each day next week (Sunday June 4th �Ŭ Sunday June 10th). Pray specifically that each child�Ŵs heart would be open to what they are being taught, that each counselor would rely on God�Ŵs strength instead of their own, and that there would be unity among the counselors and other leaders at camp. We want the kids to see our love for one another, and witness the love that Christ has for all of us through the leadership.

If you feel led to be part of my prayer support team and would like to get the daily updates via email, you can sign up by clicking here to visit the Camp Nikos Blog. A daily report and prayer requests will be sent each night, allowing you to pray for specific needs. Your names and email addresses will be kept confidential, used only for the daily email. The blog will be up and running during camp if you�Ŵd rather read updates online, and for those of you who know what an RSS feed is, there is one that will be attached to the blog.

Because Camp Nikos is free for these underprivileged children, it requires funding from other sources. Counselors and staff have been encouraged to raise camp fees for themselves and for two campers. The cost for each adult/child to attend Camp Nikos is $325. I know that the Lord is gracious and will provide the means necessary to fund camp this summer, and it will be fun to see how He will provide. Will you ask the Lord what your role is in this matter? Would you pray for the Lord�Ŵs provision, and the possibility of being part of that provision? If you are interested in playing a part, you can click here to donate online or send a check to Mission: Possible!, P.O. Box 142076, Austin, TX 78714. If you send a check, please do not put anything in the memo field �Ŭ you can use a sticky note to let them know what you�Ŵre donating for.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Private: Private: most beautiful girl

So last night (written on 5/18) was date night. We went to Shoreline Grill to see the bats (my first time - it's crazy!). During the meal, I was a bit out of it I think - when we were deciding on what to eat, I watched our waiter take the order of the table besides us. 2 min late, i was like "Oh shoot! I forgot to order salad!" David looked at me really weird and then started laughing. "Noell, we haven't even ordered our food yet!" I don't know what I was thinking, but I was convinced we'd just ordered and I'd forgotten to tell him I wanted salad.
After dinner we walked the Congress bridge and looked at the water…and talked about currents. For some reason I thought that when the water is mirror like (because it's so calm) that there isn't a current, at least on the top of the water. Nope, not the case. We're going to have to go back and take a picture from the far side of the bridge into downtown. You get the tall buildings, with the Capitol smack in the middle. It's beautiful.

After that, we went back to the grassy area by the lake and just sat and talked. It was a beautiful night and a lot of fun. Finally, the mosquitos drove us back to my house where we started a movie.

At some point in here, David told me something that I'd never heard. He said that when he was in high school, he and his friends had a conversation. David said that he told them - "When I fall in love, it will be with the most beautiful person I know. Not just outwardly, but inwardly too." He said his friends didnt't believe him, but then he looked at me and said - "It was true. I'm in love with the most beautiful girl I know - both on the inside and out." Wow. How's that for making me feel INCREDIBLY special and extremely loved. How could I find a better love?

Thank you Lord for this opportunity to be so special to someone and feel so much for them. Continue to guide us as we are reaching a crutial time in this relationship - and help both of us rest in the knowledge that You know what You're doing…and You have the timing all ready in place.

1 Year

Today is our 1st anniversary. Crazy. Can you believe it? In some ways it seems like it's been forever, and in others, like it was just the other day.

It's been a fun year - and we've done lots of fun things. A cruise, skydiving, baseball games, scuba diving - and more things that I can count. We've also done a lot of "nothing" - just sitting and talking, taking walks, watching movies, cuddling, and sometimes working (or playing) side by side on our laptops while watching tv (which Debi keeps saying that she's going to take a picture of someday).

He told me he loved me in October. I made him wait to hear those words returned until December. He says it was worth the wait. I'm continually amazed.

We balence each other well - that's code for we're totally different in a lot of ways. Like, I like to be busy - he likes to be still. So, we've done a lot of both in the past year. He thinks things through and makes an informed decision (which usually takes FOREVER) and I'm one to make quick decisions - with the information at hand at that time…which can be good and then not so good.

I love weddings. He's not such a fan. You can feel sorry for him - his wedding attendance has skyrocketed in the past year - including at least one day with 2 weddings attended (and another like it soon to come). Unfortunately for him - considering that I have been in 11, coordinated 5-6 and now run a business coordinating them, I don't know that percentage will drop…

He loves to watch TV. I'm learning to enjoy it. And because he's taught me such an enjoyable pasttime - he gets to watch American Idol religiously.
I love people. I'm happy to be around them most all of the time - with one friend right after another. He would be happy with a select few (including me of course!), so we're all about compromise. I've also learned that I can go do people stuff for a while and he doesn't always have to be with me. He's learned that he can take people stuff more often than he thought he could.

Vunerability. I hate it. But it's so wonderful.

How can you spend so much time with one person and not be tired of them? Don't get me wrong, it's not a storybook and we get quite frustrated with each other at times. But David told me several weeks ago that when he was frustrated with me - in the middle of the frustration he had a thought. "It doesn't matter how frustrated with her I get - I still love her." I feel the same way and to me - that's amazing.

I thank God every night for this relationship. Will it last forever? That's still in God's hands. But has it touched my life? Definitely - and the mark of it will last forever on my heart.

P.S. Just in case you missed it - I love David Alley. (hows that for sappy… )