Love Your Spouse Challenge

(Reposted from FaceBook)

I have been asked to post one picture of Chad and I each day for seven days as part of the "Love Your Spouse Challenge." I never do this stuff, but as a hopeless romantic how can I refuse? Besides the goals of "celebrating love and promoting marriage" trump most other things I see on FB these days!

So - this picture is circa 1992, we were 17 and had been dating about 10 months at the time this picture was taken. Chad was the best boyfriend. He was always leaving little notes in my locker or under the windshield wiper of my car. He brought me a single red rose on the 29th day of each month (our "anniversary") without fail, always opened my door, and called to talk on the telephone (remember landlines) every evening. It was such a wonderful time.

Day 2 

First came love, then came marriage! We were married August 6, 1994 - which means I have been Mrs. Dietrich for 22 years this weekend! I have said many times that marrying Chad was the best choice I have ever made. And many times I have told my girls, "marry someone just like your dad!" That said, we are just like every other couple. Last night after I posted what a great guy Chad is, we had a silly misunderstanding, which hurt my feelings. Ha! Marriage is GOOD, but it is not magical. It definitely takes patience, hard work, and deep commitment! 

(On a different note, did we not have the cutest flower girl and ring bearers?!? I have always loved being surrounded by kids!)

Day 3

Although some moments were long, it seemed that in a blink we were surrounded by four amazing kids.  Children were (and are) a dream come true to me.  Before we were married, Chad always told me that we could have as many children as we could afford. . . as long as they were all boys.  And then he would laugh and laugh.  However, as we considered the addition of each of our children, his thought process changed.  When a baby (or an adoption) came up, he would say, "We will never regret another child.  Never."  Of all the gifts the Lord has allowed my husband to give me, our children are by far the most precious.  I am so very thankful for each of them.

I am equally thankful for the amazing father Chad is.  He is gentle, fun, wise, thoughtful, goofy, fair, compassionate, and always full of surprises.  He lives to please us, often going out of his way to make us feel special.  He commonly comes home with a bag of groceries that contains treats the kids love but I refuse to buy.  He makes sure we have fresh oil in our cars and that the tires are rotated on time.  He goes out of his way to rent movies we will enjoy.  He traded his handgun shooting career for camping with his family, and he traded his fishing boat for a family size "party" boat.  He is the real deal, and I am beyond grateful.

Day 4

One of the things I most admire about Chad is that he is faithfully fearless.  He lives a life of faith-filled character - his word is his bond and The Word is his guide, yet he is decisive and bold.  He does not let fear take a grip - but moves forward with decisions he feels are correct with Holy confidence.  This is a quality that has served him well both as a business owner and as a husband and father. 

 I used this picture of Joshua's homecoming to demonstrate this quality because to many people adoption is just too risky.  It is true, few things about adoption are easy.  It was costly - both financially and emotionally.  But, just as he has done time and time again during our marriage, when Chad knew adopting our precious boy was right - he never wavered.  And in the hardest of moments, he consistently held our family together as only a fearless leader can.  Six years later we would both tell you that the "risk" of adopting Joshua has held the most incredible rewards.  Joshua is every fifth beat of our heart, and he is so much like Chad that we often shake our heads.  God sent us all the way to Ethiopia to discover the son that would share his daddy's sense of humor, love of construction, work-ethic, and adoration of all things motorized.  In fact, Joshua is more like Chad than any of our bio kids are!

I am not fearless, I tend to over-think and doubt.  I am so very thankful that the Lord matched me with a decisive man who would fearlessly and selflessly lead our family.  We balance each other well.

Day 5

Although Chad is one of the hardest working people I know, he is also the one who has taught me to value fun and relaxation! (You can laugh - but I was raised in a very task-oriented family.) Chad values fun, down-time, and relaxation, and so it has become a priority to me as well. Some of our best memories have taken place while sitting on a beach, in a boat, or next to a campfire. Slowing me down was not easy, but I am certainly thankful for his success. In those quiet, peaceful moments I have not only drawn nearer to my husband, I have also drawn nearer to the Lord. "Be still" is a skill He desires us to learn!

(This picture was taken during a hike in Hawaii in 2012.)

Day 6

True Confession: On the day this lovey-dovey photo was taken (approx. Aug 2014) I was furious with my husband. He had made a purchase that I did not agree was necessary, and I was NOT happy. . . at all. And as the saying goes, "if momma's not happy, nobody is happy!" When the photographer asked him to kiss me, we both paused wondering if we could stomach it. (Sure it is hilarious now, but that day it was awkward!)

Chad and I have a strong relationship, but there are those days. . . And on those days, I remember some advice we were given during marriage counseling. Pastor Don told us, "Always remember that marriage is not a feeling, it is a choice. Some days, hopefully most days, you will feel totally crazy about your spouse. However, there will be other days, sometimes weeks and months, when the feelings are not so wonderful. Remember your promises no matter how you are feeling. Feelings are always changing, it is your commitment that will hold you together."

I have this photo up on our bedroom wall to remind me that disagreements are temporary, but our marriage is forever.

Day 7

This is us. The ordinary, everyday us. Lake hair, no make-up, kids all around us. Our life is far from perfect. It is rarely quiet. There is always one more task to complete. And yet, this, this beautiful chaos IS my happy place. Thank you, Jesus.

Lake Days

It was a delightful weekend.  Chad took Friday off, and it just happened to be a perfectly perfect weather day.  Not too hot.  Not a bit cold or cloudy or windy.  It was truly the most perfect day we have had at the lake in a long time.  It was also unique.  The only kids that "had time" to camp with us were Joshua and Mataya.  It was really fun to have time with the two of them.  Different.  But fun!

Joshua enjoyed being the oldest, strongest, and wisest for sure! 

He is getting more and more skilled with his kneeboard.  He learned to cut this weekend and was able to cross the wake a few times.  He was one proud boy!

There he is. . . crossing the wake with a big smile!

 Chad was feeling extra goofy.  He decided to do a backward flip off the back of the boat.  He had never done a flip in his life, so I am not sure what made him decide to try it at 41 - but he did.  And he delighted the kids.  Joshua is still talking about it.

 Mataya was so inspired, that she decided to try jumping off the boat into the lake.

 She ended up being quite the water beetle.  She jumped off the boat and into her daddy's arms about 200 hundred time, giggling and yelling "again" as soon as she was floating.

I even got in the water!! (That only happens a few times each summer.  I love to be on the water - but not in the water.  In fact it is so "historic" that sneaky Joshua snapped a picture!)

 To top off an amazing, "I'm a big kid now" day, Daddy let Joshua drive the boat.

 When Joshua asks for a picture, you know it is a HUGE deal!

 Poor little TayTay was so tired from all her jumping that she fell asleep while eating lunch.  That has NEVER happened.  She woke up mad and wondering who took her food!

 She also demanded we head back out onto the water right away!

 The day ended with steaks made over the fire.

The next morning the kids were tired, and happily watched Zootopia for about the 400th time on our bed while Chad and I sipped coffee in the kitchen.  Zootopia is Mataya's go to movie in the camper.  She watches it at least once a day.  

 Sierra and Brenna arrived mid day.  It was not as perfect as the day before, unfortunately, but it was still a water worthy day.  

 Daddy spoiled the kids and drove around the lake in the boat allowing them to jump our wake with the jetski.  They had so much fun.

 We found a quiet bay to anchor and let the kids jump and swim.

 "I believe I can fly!" was Joshua's battle cry.

 And our littlest water beetle discovered she could swim in her pink life jacket!

 Can you say delighted?

And gutsy?!?

And of course, cute!!

The day ended with a delicious supper made by chef Chad, a visit from Grammy and Dave, and a cruise around the lake.  

I think we were all fast asleep by 10:30, which means it was a really good lake day!

Heart Disease

I have not blogged much this summer.

In truth I have not known how to post cute pictures of my kids doing all our normal summer activities in light of all that is happening in our country.  And at the same time, I have not wanted to address all that is happening in our country.  It's a messy place in which we live.  People are killing cops.  Cops are killing people.  Both sides say they are justified.  There is enough finger-pointing and blaming and shaming in my news feed each day to make my stomach sick and my heart ache deep and raw.

What I see is a nation suffering from heart disease.  Where we are called by Jesus to love our neighbor as ourselves, we are living instead in fear, anger, retaliation, confusion, and sadness.  The answer is simple, and yet so incredibly difficult - simply love.

The Bible describes love brilliantly in 1 Corinthians.

And that love, Jesus' brand of love, can solve any problem.

It is my deepest prayer that love will win, and that there will be a day when I do not have to fear for my son because of the color of his skin OR for my brother-in-law because of the uniform he wears.  

Come, Lord Jesus.  Purge our hearts of all but Your perfect, unfailing love.

Now because I know you all don't care much about my political or social opinions, I'll give you what you really want to see - pics of my kids enjoying summer.  Prepare to be underwhelmed by the quality, most of them come from my phone, which is always a signal that BOTH my hands and heart are full, and overwhelmed by the quantity!  (Just because I have not been blogging does not mean I have quit taking photos.)  

 Mataya is now in a "big girl bed."  She is thrilled, proud, and has been sleeping like an angel.

 Humidity makes her curls even cuter!

Brenna snapped this group selfie (if there is such a thing) while we cheered for Joshua at baseball one day.

 She is reppin her daddy's business.

Very well!

 I'm not sure which of which of us likes lake time more - myself or Mataya?!?  I spent a few days at the lake with the kids this week, and when Chad drove out to join us, Mataya ran to him and said, "I having fun Daddy!!!!" with absolute joy.

 At the lake my very soul relaxes.

 Jamison has been working a ton - but he has joined us once or twice to play in the water.

 Snuggles on the camper couch.

 Mataya and Wyatt have come a long way.  They play nicely together, for at least four minutes every time they are together!  Okay - seriously, they are beginning to have fun together, and it makes my heart very happy.  BUT - there are still those moments in which sharing is a struggle.  Last week at the park they both wanted to swing.  Since there was only one swing, THIS was the answer.  Believe it or not, they both giggled the entire time.

 Wyatt has only been to the lake once.  He is not as big a fan of outdoors and heat as his Lala is, so I would be lying if I said he loved every minute.  BUT, he did have a bit of fun splashing with Mataya in the floaty.  Maybe next year he will love it?!?

 Silent moments paddling all by myself have been some of my favorite moments this summer.  I adore the silence and the beauty combined with the exercise.

 Mataya is always as close to her kids as they allow.  She is a lucky little sis because they are very indulgent.

TayTay's "park" 

 Wy-guy!!!

 Sierra has been incredibly busy this summer.  She goes to school, works, plays volleyball, and volunteers at church.  We have not seen much of her, but when she is home she is sharing the love - big time.  (Or sleeping!!)

Sadly, this may have been the first time Jamison held Wyatt.  Wyatt is walking some these days, which makes him about the size that Jamison starts to feel comfortable around.  Ha!

When Daddy/Grandpa is home, he has shadows.  These two "help" him with everything they can.

Hunter's 17th birthday

 Wyatt's first birthday

 Leaving Brenna at Music Camp

 Jamison had his wisdom teeth removed

Picking up Brenna from Music Camp

 

 Concert at the conclusion of Music Camp

 Wyatt adores Joshua.

Adores. Him.

In fact, Wyatt is a man of few words - but Joshua is one of his words.

Lala, grandma, or anything of the sort is not. . .

 More lake athletics. . .

 Jamison makes everything look easy.

 This is Mataya's favorite seat.  And if you try to sit there, she will be sure to tell you that it is HER spot.  She may just run the world some day.  Ha!

Joshua has wanted to wakeboard or waterski for years.  He has tried and tried - but he is just not able.  Chad bought him a kneeboard, and he popped right up.  As you can see from his grin, he was beyond excited!!

 I'm not sure they look alike beyond the fact that they both have blonde curls, but they are pretty cute together.

 Joshua is awesome at entertaining this duo while I make supper.  I so appreciate it!

 Ready to explore!

Wyatt is always on his feet - but when he is going after something super fast, he still drops to his knees and crawls.

I love that mischievous twinkle!

 In this photo Wyatt was standing at the fence yelling for "oshaaa" and crying because he could not have his uncle.

Yep. For real.

And for the record, it is cuter on paper than in real life!

 Batter UP!

He connects!

 And makes it to first base!

 Mataya is very detailed in her play.  She nearly always has a baby with her, and that baby needs all the things a real baby needs.  If you see me holding and bouncing a "fussy" doll, you now know why.  I'm simply being a "good helper."

 Zoo time with Brenna!

How precious are they?

Joshua hates the zoo.  He hates all the walking.  Mataya LOVES the zoo, and she begs to go often.   Whenever possible I take Mataya to the zoo when Joshua can be elsewhere - because when Joshua is not happy, NO ONE is happy.  But the last time we went to the zoo, Joshua HAD to come along. So,  I told Joshua he could ride in the stroller if he got tired, thinking he would be embarrassed to ACTUALLY ride in a stroller in public. . . As you can see, he was not embarrassed but thrilled!  

Silly boy!

So there you have it - a glimpse into BOTH my heart and my life.

Love well, my friends.  Please, oh, please, love well.

Nothing else matters.

And I am certain that love alone can change our world.