I said I would NEVER

My husband has finally done it, this one is pretty big and might take a while for it to really sink in!! There were a lot of things I was willing to do and change, but this wasn't on my list! Jody can be very persuasive and (even though it has never been proven) might have some brainwashing abilities. When I least expect it I am doing something I said I would never do. I am sure you know what I am talking about, it went something like this; "I will marry you, BUT I am not a camping kind of girl. I love being outside, the beach is one of my most favorite places in the world! I can stay in a cabin, even a rustic cabin, but camping is a NO!!" I think his response was something like- I will never make you do something you don't want to do!

So he used his special brainwashing powers and the next thing I knew we were in Dick's sporting goods picking out a tent and camping gear! I am not sure how it happened but it did. I was there (almost like an out of body experience) watching myself help pick out a tent and enjoying it! I don't know what happened next but when I awoke from the trance we were driving to Hannah Park. The trailer was loaded, food packed and camping gear on board.... we were going camping?! I don't understand I thought I made myself clear? How did this happen?? There must have been some break down in communication???

We had a great time camping and I am so glad that I have a husband who is willing to sleep outside in a tent (with a bad back) and expose our kids to things (that for sure! their Mom never would)! I love spending time with my family. I am thankful that my husband is creative and makes sure we do. It wasn't possible for us to go on family vacations when I was a child, so even camping for a day is really important to me.

Jody you have the best ideas and I am so glad that out of all the husband's and daddy's in the world you are ours!

One last note we will not be camping at celebration! Taking a shower and still feeling wet afterwards due to the humidity is not my idea of fun! Jody is letting me have this one, thanks hon!!

I did, I DO and I certainly would again!

ou


On July 24th Jody and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Yep! By the grace of God we have been married 9 years! Most of those years have been wonderful but I can honestly say I made a couple of those years pretty tough for Jody. I loved my husband, but I had some serious independence and trust issues. When Jody and I got married, God (in all of His sovereignty) yanked the rug right out from under me. I gave up my apartment, I was pregnant, Jody decided that I needed to quit my job and my life didn't look anything like I had ever envisioned. We were having conversations about me staying home and raising kids (what in the world was going on)!! It all seemed so crazy. Sadly there were times I wanted to run far away from our marriage, run far away from myself! I was afraid of letting Jody get to know the real me. I was afraid of another man in my life letting me down.

The real difference, the real change was the real man that enter my life, Jesus. He was never going to let me down. He wasn't always going to let me have my way, BUT He was always going to be there for me! He is the one that gave Jody everything he needed in order to lead me (Jody needed lots of God's strength to deal with such a difficult and confused wife). My life, my marriage have never been the same since that day. I am so thankful to God for my husband! God knew what I needed in a husband. He knew the exact person for me. He took something that was ugly and rotten and made it wonderful and so very beautiful! I will be forever grateful to HIM for the love and the sweet sweet marriage to my handsome, sweet, strong and funny husband.


Jody what I love best about you is that you know me, you let me be me, and you still love me. You laugh at all my crazy ways and you are still without a doubt the best friend I have ever had!

The picture is of Jody playing Golf when we went to Panama City Beach for our anniversary. We have gone golfing on our anniversary a couple other times and I think it might be a new tradition for us. It wouldn't be much fun if I did it too often but once a year watching the man I love play a sport he really loves is fun! I enjoy the view and watching Jody make shots that seem impossible (sometimes making them)! I also enjoy adding a little pressure and letting him know how many shots I expect him to get the hole in (regardless of the score sheet- small view into the world of Shawna)! Sorry no pictures of us together on this trip. But it was a wonderful time celebrating the hardest and most rewarding 9 years of my life.