Always be best friends with your partner

Lowell & Lorraine Barber

Married: October 23, 1945

Two Buttes, Colorado

Lowell and Lorraine have a knack for keeping friendships in the family. "Two of my good friends married two of his brothers," Lorraine says proudly. Lowell raises exotic chickens, while Lorraine likes to cook- but not his chickens! "That's not allowed," she laughs.

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What is a best friend?

Someone to be there? Acquaintances, even close friends and family members, will walk with you awhile along life's road and then depart, but Proverbs 18:24 says, "A real friend sticks closer than a brother" (NLT). In your spouse, God has blessed you with a friend for life, a traveling companion who will share both panoramic vistas and difficult terrain- and one day celebrate with you the journey's end.

Someone to offer a hand? Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, "If one person falls, the other can reach out and help" (NLT). Your truest friend is the one who offers assistance when you've stumbled into the roadside ditch. A loving spouse will pull you up, affirm your worth, and encourage you to strive ahead.

Someone to talk to? "The pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel" (Proverbs 27:9). Your best friend is the one you want to be with most, the one you choose to talk to first whether the road is smooth or rough, the one with whom you want to share your thoughts and feelings, the one whose opinion and advice you seek.

A best friend is all these. But mostly, according to Proverbs 17:17, it is someone who cares deeply: "A friend loves at all times" (NIV). May your best friend always be your spouse.

This is my lover, this is my friend.

Song of Songs 5:16

My Baby is TWO

Crazy how time flies. My sweet B turned TWO on Friday. Q took the day off, like he did last year, to spend B's birthday together as a family all day. We got to sing happy birthday to him the second he work up, which he just lit up at! After he got a new diaper, we went to the living room for him to find his new toys. He got a new two seater wagon and some power tools! He loves them all! He always gets wagon envy at other people's wagon and is not shy about hopping in a strangers wagon so we decided it was time for him to get one. After breakfast we got dressed and headed to the zoo to break in his new wagon. We had such a good time. We rode the monorail for the first time and it was super cool. Had no idea there were special animals only viewable from the monorail. If you haven't tried it you should. After the monorail we headed to the restaurant that has one wall which is just a giant looking glass into the lion's lair. It was neat eating next to sleeping lions. After lunch we headed over to the Children's area. Of course, B got all wet in the little stream. We wanted to take him in the bird exhibit, because it's always been one of his favorite parts, but it was closed until 1 and we knew we needed to be on the road by one so B could nap. And boy did he nap! He took almost a 3 hour nap, the zoo just wore him out! After nap we played around the house and then got ready for Mi Cocina. He played outside, got his queso fix and was sung to with birthday flan. Afterwards we went down to the Nestle Toll House Store to pickup his cookie cake and get the birthday boy a M&M Chocolate Chip Cookie. It was a great day.

The next morning was his birthday party at Pump It Up, Jr. He had a blast. The turn out wasn't as big as it was supposed to be, but it probably worked out for the best to not have an overwhelming amount of kiddos running around. We had a cookie cake this year since B doesn't care for cake, but loves cookies, we decided to go with that. After the party we went to lunch with Pop Pop (Randall) and Brighton and Chad (Austin did not show up this year, nor call or next or grrr, anyways). Then we got to come home and open a few gifts before nap. I don't know who was more excited about all the new toys, B or daddy!

Can't believe my baby is two! I love him to pieces. So thankful for all that came out to celebrate with us. Had to think that potty training will be in our future soon, ahh! He's becoming a little independent boy. I was watching him yesterday and just can't believe how much he's grown and perfect he is! LOVE MY SWEET B!

Everyone has problems- just stay together and work them out!

John & Clarice Gillespie

Married: March 5, 1945

Phoenix, Arizona

Since John was in the army when he and Clarice met, Clarice had to work. When John got out, she continued working to put him through school. "Our long marriage is just good economics," quips Clarice. "I had to stick around to get my money's worth!"

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God wants to ensure a couple is not alone in their marriage- He wants to be an integral part of their union. He is always present, always available, always ready to help the pair through any difficulty if they will follow His commands.

Inevitable, trouble comes. Often a disagreement will break out, tempers will flare, and soon an impenetrable wall has risen between you. Communication has broken down, leading to isolation, frustration and dispair.

At times like these it's a blessing to know that you have access to a God who is all-wise, all-powerful, and always willing to listen. When you can't talk to your spouse, talk to the Lord. Ask Him to help resolve the situation.

God has unlimited perspective; He can see over the wall. He perceives with utter clarity and can lay bare the root of the problem. Sometimes it is a simple misunderstanding. Sometimes God will provide one of you with insight into the other's deeply felt but unexpressed needs. In any case, God will reveal to each of you your share of the blame and prompt you to humbly seek forgiveness, leading to reconciliation and unity. Then you can rejoice, saying, "He tore down the wall" (Ephesians 2:14 MSG)

Make God a partner in our marriage today, and He will make your marriage stron for all your tomorrows.

I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!

Psalm 121:1-2 NLT

Don't Expect to have everything right at the start.

M.L. "Dutch" & Lula Mae Noah

Married: March 27, 1946

Centerton, Arkansas

Dutch and Lula Mae believe a good marriage grows over time. "Dutch was a milk-hauler for forty-one years," says Lula Mae. "We didn't have much at first, but we had each other." Dutch adds, "Marriage, children, grandchildren- what more could a man want from life?"

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A young couple gets married and immediately begins to accumulate large amounts of debt trying to establish and maintain the lifestyle of their parents, without considering that their folks have worked hard for years to ear their possessions. The couple sails along smoothly for a few years, but then an unexpected event thrusts them into financial difficulty, which causes much stress and threatens to destroy their marriage.

The Bible urges, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5). What a promise! And what more reason for contentment is needed than to be married to one's beloved and to know that the God of the universe is ever present, watching over, guiding, providing, protecting?

Paul claimed to have learned the secrets of contentment. Whatever else this secret may entail, surely it involves a constant awareness of God's goodness and His presence. Such awareness can be fostered by daily Bible reading, spending time talking and listening to God, and spending regular time with people who know God well. Try it. You will be rewarded with more than contentment; you will have God's friendship too!

Godliness with contentment is a great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6

Do Everything Together

Robert & Bette Barto

Married: July 18, 1946

Chicago, Illinois

Robert and Bette are seldom apart and remain very active socially. They're also proud that for more than fifty years, they've spend every Christmas Eve with their sons.

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Families today are pulled apart in so many ways. Busyness keeps everyone on the run, with little time to share a meal or a meaningful conversation. Televisions, computers, video games, and CD players isolate family members within the home; and work, school, sports, and a myraid of entertainment options separate them without.

A husband and wife must intentionally make time to spend together as a couple, and time for everyone to interact as a family. This doesn't preclude the above activities; doing together is more rewarding than just being together! The secret is to resist the pull toward disconnection.

If one family member is involved in a sport, have everyone else attend the games regularly to shout encouragement. Hide the headphones of the CD player and turn on the speakers; take turns playing DJ, and have a dance contest! Host a video game tournament including everyone's favorite games, with a handicap system so anyone can win. If it's just the two of you, try finding a hobby, volunteer activity, or church ministry in which both of you can become involved.

Play about this. It may take some creativity and effort in today's individualistic culture, but with God's help you can keep your marriage and family intact. After all, His promise in Psalm 128 includes the blessing of togetherness.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; Your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.

PSALM 128:3-4

Weekend Wrap-Up

We had a fantastic weekend. After being gone four days, Q was able to take Friday off and hang with me and B. We first had to make a short stop at his office on Friday to pick up the SMU tickets he forgot to get the following Friday before he went out of town. Which was okay because B got to see and hang with his Pop Pop for a little bit. After we left there we headed to Grapevine Mills Mall to take B to LegoLand. It was a really neat place. The only down side is the COST! B was free, but it was close to $40 for me and Q to get in. So ridiculous. We got to ride a cool ride as a family and then later Q took B on the other one. There was only one area B wasn't allowed in. His favorite spot, surprisenly was the MiniWorld. It was displays of Legos that looked like things around the DFW Metroplex. You could press buttons every now and then and make something move, but other than that it was just to look at. It had day and night time lights. It was just really neat. Brendan's favorite display was the DFW Airport display, which he's just now showing an interest in planes. It was cute. After LegoLand we got some quick lunch and then off to home for nap. We later took B to Mi Cocina to get his queso and tortilla fix.

Saturday we ran some errands. We actually went to Toys R Us so we could get B's birthday gifts, figured the boys would play as mama shopped. But, my child is weird and other than playing in the big cars and wagons, he just wanted to play with the automatic door. I don't know, he's weird. After we that we went home to eat lunch and try to get B down for an early nap since the SMU game started at 2:30. Of course he fought nap. His teachers at school can get him down, in fact say he's usually the first one to fall asleep, around 11:45, but we couldn't even get him down around 12:30! Stinker. So we didn't end up leaving the house until around 2:30 and got to the game just after 3. There were some older girls there with their aunt and they loved him and he loved them. They played and kept him occupied almost the entire time. We actually got to stay until the end of the game! After the game was over we picked up a pizza and then watched the Ranger game.

Sunday we went to church and his usual teacher was out so he got to spend time back in the nursery with Miss Penny and Miss Stephanie, who he absolutely loves! He misses them so much. Afterwards we went to my parents for lunch and then back home and played with our neighbors.

Just an overall perfect weekend. I also got some really good news. Something I've been waiting a long time for and while I wished it had happened sooner, I just have to be thankful my prayers have been answered now and everything happens for a reason. Hoping great things coming out of this real soon. We'll see. Until next time......

Love always takes maintenance- kindness is a big part of that!

Merle & Evelyn Lashey

Married December 20, 1946

Marion, Ohion

Merel and Evelyn well remember the moment they first saw each other. Merle was a basketball player, Evelyn a cheerleader for the rival school. Their eyes met, and needless to say, Merle played a great game that night!

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Home maintenance requires a great deal of money, time and effort. A broken shingle must be replaced, a torn screen mended, a squeaky hinge oiled, a leaky tap fixed. Yet how pleasant is it to live in a house where the roof keeps out the rain, the windows keep out the bugs, the doors swing freely- and ne'er the sound of a dripping faucet is heard!

While "love maintenance" may not require as much money, it does take a lot of time and effort, and, of course, kindness. Make a careful inspection of your marriage. Observe the interactions within your home, and then compile a "to do" list (and a "not to do list"). Pay special attention to the little things, which make such a big difference in a relationship.

Do you become exasperated when asked to repeat something? Has sarcasm crept into your vocabulary? Are you harboring a "Do it yourself" attitude insead of a servant's heart? Must you always prove you're right? Do you often say, "I told you so"? Do you fix blame wvery time something goes wrong? Do you maximize your spouse's mistakes?

The Bible says (twice!), "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping" (Proverbs 19:13). It's a warning husbands should heed as well. Get busy on those lists and discover how enjoyable and long-lasting a well maintained marriage can be.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted.

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

Learn to bend and not break

Gerald & Evelyn Smith

Married: May 2, 1946

Oklahoma City, OK

Gerald and Evelyn met soon after Gerald returned from World War II. Evelyn was renting a duplex from his parents, and Gerald came to fix the oven. "He just wouldn't leave, so I asked him to supper," says Evelyn. "He still wouldn't leave- so I married him."

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Life's storms are capable of generating powerful winds. Business layoffs, family illnesses or injuries, financial crises, time pressures, break downs in close relationships, problems at work, misunderstandings at home- all these, and some windstorms far more devasting, threaten to snap a marriage in two and bring it crashing to the ground if a couple is unable to endure the gust.

If your marriage is to survive, you must possess a kind of supple strength. Flexibilty is an important component of this quality; however, the ability to bend under pressure does not come from abandoning principles and convictions. Rather, it comes from trusting God and submitting to His will for your lives. And true strength is found, not by drawing from some inner personal reserve nor by leaning too heavily on each other, but by sinking roots deeper and deeper into your trust in the promises of God, and together relying on Him to come through for you. A marriage thus secured will never be broken apart or uprooted.

Sometimes supple strength involves a willingness to adapt to change. It means letting go of circumstances you are trying to control and leaving the outcome to God. When the storm finally clears, the landscape around you may be drastically altered, but your marriage remains intact, standing firm, and continues to thrive in tis new environment.

Are there places you need to bend in your marriage?

Blessed the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Part of having a happy marriage is developing similar interest

Paul & Gean Young

Married: August 27, 1946

Marion, Ohio

Paul and Gene met at the Highway Rollerina. They enjoy traveling, boating, bike rides and just being together outdoors.

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Friendship is such an integral part of romance. The joy of sharing experiences- sights, tastes, aromas, sensations- will abound as a husband and wife explore and revel in the delights of God's creation. Having fun and enjoying life together is one of the greatest benefits of married life, and it forms a tight bond that can cement a marriage through the years.

Whatever you do, don't neglect this important aspect of marriage. Whether it be traveling to an exotic locale, taking dance lessons, sampling unusal foods at an ethnic restaurant, learning a new sport, doing volunteer work for a local charity, or trying some inexpensive activity that one or both of you have never done before, do it together! It will stimulate conversation, nurture your friendship, promote unity in your marriage, and keep your hearts aglow.

Spouses truly should be best friends. Developing common interests helps ensure that a couple will draw closer together over time rather than slowly drift apart. Best of all, it fosters an intimacy that goes far deeper than friendship, because it involves one of the chief ingredients of a happy, successful union- quality time shared together. In more than one sense, it takes a lot of time for a marriage to last forever.

What can you do today to begin building the friendship part of your relationship?

Come, dear lover- let's tramp through the countryside. Let's sleep at some wayside inn, then rise early and listen to bird-song. Let's look for wildflowers in bloom, blackberry bushes blossoming white, fruit trees festooned with cascading flowers.

Song of Songs 7:11-12 MSG

New Week

Had a great weekend. Friday we went to dinner with our neighbors, and Brendan's future wife, Sophie. I'm so happy that we met them. It was just a year ago this past week that we met at our neighborhood National Night Out. We went to Mi Cocina and then walked over the the live music. I stopped and got cookies as we all went to our cars to get our blankets for the concert. Sophie was too interested in feeding Brendan her cookies than eating them herself! Match made in Heaven or what?! Saturday we just wanted to take it easy. We took B to a pumpkin patch in Flower Mound. Apparently there are two patches right next to each other. I had seen something on the one we were headed to'swebsite about don't turn here, but here, but didn't pay much attention. Found a patch with a person waving us in and went. When they didn't charge for parking I looked just one lot over and knew this wasn't the patch we were aiming for. But in the end, it was great. It had the same stuff the other patch did pretty much, but all free, and I'm all about free. B got in some bounce fun and we took a wagon ride and hay ride and then picked out some pumpkins. I kept looking afar to try and see if I could find a difference, all I say were more cars, probably more pumpkins, but more charges. I hope we got the better end of the deal, but in the end it doesn't matter. B had a great time and we as a family were together. We took B to his favorite, Chick-fil-a, for lunch so he could get some "nugs" and playtime. Afterwards, he napped and then we ordered pizza and wings for game one of the Rangers ALCS. Ended up being a super long game. Two rain delays. Sunday we skipped church and went to the fair. OMG, so many fattening foods. I had a corn dog, and then halved w/ Q deep fried cheesecake, deep fried salsa, buffalo chicken in jalapeno pancake batter and cotton candy! Buffalo chicken was AWESOME!! Of course the cheesecake was and corny dog is just classic like the cotton candy. I was disappointed in the games. I remember when you just walked up to a game and gave them a dollar. Now you have to have a game card!! It cost us $6 to play TWO games!! And the easiest, cheapest games for B. I was so upset by this!! Anyways, today is Monday and Q is out of town. He left the house a little before 6 and isn't scheduled to land at DFW until 8:35 PM on Thursday, which means B hasn't seen him since he went to bed Sunday and won't see him until he wakes up on Friday. I was so upset by this because I knew if B saw him on Friday and Q just left for work it would be meltdown city! Luckily, Q has some time built up and is taking the day off! Good thing because I never sleep well when he's gone. The first night is the worst and then I can't ever get back on track. Maybe things will be different w/ B in school, but I doubt it. Need to get things done while he's in school, so there's no rest for the weary. Well, guess I need to try and start winding myself down. Good night!

Another long hiatus

I am so bad about this blogging biz. Need to try and set some time aside every day to just vent or share. I've been letting a lot of things build up here lately that I just had a complete melt down yesterday and just could not stop crying and feeling so alone. Today's a little better (at least the crying has stopped).

Anyways, today after I took B to school I went and started picking up some party favors for his birthday party. I can't believe my little man is going to be turning TWO soon. I keep looking at baby pictures and just wonder where the time as gone. He is just the sweetest boy. Everyone is always telling me how sweet he is. Even his school teachers say he's just the sweetest in the class and loves to give hugs and flash smiles at them all throughout the morning while he is there. I love that boy so much and so luckly to have such a great kid. Sure, he throws tantrums like any other kid and there are some days we butt heads, but at the end of the day he's always going to flash me a smile, and give me tons of hugs and sugars. He's talking more and more each day. He's recently learned, "thank you" and he just the cutest about it. He now says thank you to everything, which I love. He also has picked up on me saying "Bye, we'll see you later" only he just says "Bye, see you". He is such a precious gift.

That's all for now, just wanted to brag on my sweet boy ;)

Always Treat Your Wife Like a Lady

Don't think any men read my blog, but if so, this one's for you.....

Sol & Edna Weiss

Married: June 16, 1946

New York, New York

Sol and Edna met at a party when he was fourteen and she was thirteen. "We still hold hands,: Sol says. "And I still put up with his sense of humor," Edna laughs.

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Showing a woman honor and respect involves so much more than chivalrous gestures such as holding a door, rising politely at the dinner table, or laying one's coat over a puddle of rainwater. A husband's treatment of his wofe like a lady begins with his attitude toward her. Does he truly value his spouse, or does he take her for granted? Does he view her as a gift from heaven above or as more of a burden, "the ol' ball and chain"? The Bible describes a wife as a noble character as "her husband's crown" (Proverbs 12:4), "worth far more than rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). A godly wife is a treasure to be cherished, deserving her husband's highest compliments and praise.

Honoring his wife begins with his thoughts and feelings towards her, but it doesn't end there. Picture a valiant young knight striving to win his lady's affections, and revealing his heart to her through his words and deeds! He gives her his full attention when she is speaking. He considers her point of view. He respects her opinions and empathizes with her feelings. In addition, he regards the issues that concern her as important.

God is calling wives to be true ladies, kindhearted and worthy of respect; He is calling husbands to be sincere gentlemen, and to give their wives the honor they have earned.

Husbands,...be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect.

1 Peter 3:7

Love Each Other and Share Common Goals

Ray & Florence Borquez

Married: November 23, 1946

Los Angeles, CA

Ray and Florence remains active in church activities. Although he's technically retired, Ray still enjoys the occasional odd job. Florence considers herself lucky to have a spouse who shares her active outlook on life.

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What Better partnership is there than that of a loving husband and wife striving together to achieve common objectives? And who better to join forces with than the on you love, the person with whom you've chosen to share your deepest hopes, your fondest dreams, your very life?

One of the biggest problems marriages face today is that spouses cling to their own individuality rather than fully entering into their new identity as a couple. They hold on to independence at the expense of the unity God intended, maintaining separate checkbooks, separate pursuits, separate vacations, separate friends. Oftentimes they unknowingly have different vvisions for their marriage and their future.

They Bible says, "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor...A triple-braided cord is not easily broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12, NLT). Look closely at a length of a rope; there is individuality still present in the strands, but it disappears into the oneness of the cord. What you hold in your hand is a single, strong rope powerful enough to move heavy loads.

God has designed marriage to make the two of you stronger together than you ever were when you were single. As a result, you don't need to be afraid to set big goals. Why don't you and your spouse talk today about what your life together was meant to accomplish?

This explains why man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

Genesis 2:24 NLT

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So, we've had an amazing weekend. Friday Q had to work late so I took B over to visit Mimi and Pappaw, which he always loves!! Saturday, B had not one, but TWO birthday parties to attend. I love that we are growing up with such fabulous families. B is probably one of the youngest, but boy does he try to hang like he's the oldest.

The last time I wrote I was extremely sad, it's been incredibly hard following Ronan's blog but I don't ever want to forget this sweet soul that I never met. His family is having a service Sunday, low key, Ronan never liked to be the center or attention, so they have invited the public to attend a balloon releasing service at 7:15 Arizona time (8:15 Dallas time) I am planning on picking up a nice Star Wars Balloon to release in his honor. I've never met this boy, but feel so connected through his mothers words. They are such a couragous family to share their journey and can't even imagine nor want to imagine the pain they are going through. Please send a pray out. Sweet Ronan went to Heaven Monday, but he turned 4 here Earth Thursday. Again, the services are Sunday, please keep this family in your prayers and lift a balloon up 8:15 Dallas time if you can.

Grief Stricken

I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I've blogged. Today I blog just to get out emotion. This is a friend of a friend story so I hope not to confuse. A friend of mine a while back changed her Facebook picture to a boy that was not her son and introduced me to her friend's blog, rockstarronan.com. Her friend's son, Ronan, was diagnosed with neurblastoma a rare cancer in children. He was diagnosed last August and since then the family and Ronan fought hard to beat this cancer. Today, this gorgeous blue-eyed 3 year old little boy lost his battle and I can't stop crying. A friend mentioned how they never knew how much you could come to love someone by following them on a blog and I couldn't have put it better myself. I've never met this courageous boy nor his family, but was drawn in to hearing about his life. Yes, I cried with each blog post, but couldn't stop praying and hoping this power of pray would give the miracle this family so desperately wanted. Parent's should NEVER see their children die, God apparently turned away when Jesus was dying on the cross because I suspect it was too hard for him to see and not stop, with this I just don't understand how he could let this happen. I just don't understand, and I don't even know this family, imagine how they are feeling. I've been crying now two hours and I didn't even know him. Trying to console me Quinton said, "we just need to be thankful for what we have and that Brendan is healthy" to which I angrily shot back "what, you don't think these people were thankful for their son and what they had?" He of course said no that's not what he meant by it and I know it, I just feel selfish being thankful for a healthy child and them losing theirs. He was only 3!! Brendan is only 18 months!! I can't even imagine life without him. It's just so scary. Life truly is so fragile and short. I pray that this family can be consoled in their grief always and find some way to carry on. There just are no words....