11 Things I Like About You. . .

The day before Oliver turned one, Jarrod and I celebrated our 11th anniversary! Wow! 11 years! It's hard to believe how quickly those years have gone by. And, although I have to admit, that not every year has been easy, they have all been rewarding. We have grown so much over the last 11 years, and I just can't imagine not being married to him. Jarrod is a wonderful husband. My best friend. An amazing father. A Godly man. I am blessed to be his wife. And you can't beat that on top of all that, we actually have fun together. So, I thought that since it was our 11th anniversary, I'd blog about 11 things I admire and adore about my husband. . .



1. He's faithful. Not only to me, but to God. He truly understands what it means to be devoted, and his life reflects that.

2. He's amazingly talented. He is a great artist and can do what seems like anything. He has such a talent for graphic design, especially, and it's cool how he's been using that talent for God. I am so proud of him.

3. He's an awesome dad. I'm mean a really awesome dad! He's hands-on. He's fun and silly and great! He changes diapers, gives baths, cleans up vomit. . . all without complaining. And, he just absolutely adores Oliver. I never get tired of watching them together.

4. He's a wonderful minister. He's fresh and current and he actually cares about moving churches out of their comfort zones so they can accomplish more for God. He's doesn't do things just because "they've always been done that way", and I respect that so much.

5. He works hard to provide for our family. Preachers don't get paid a lot, but he is willing to sub too, if need be, in order for me to be a stay-at-home mom.

6. He's romantic. Our first house was cold and drafty, and when I'd have to be up early to teach school, he'd put my towel in the dryer so it would be warm and toasty when I got out of the shower. He puts notes under my pillow, even nail polishes or gift cards to my favorite salon. He takes me out for coffee and drives me around the countryside so we can talk. To be honest, the list could go on forever. He's that romantic! (In fact, just now, while I am writing this, he texted me saying I was beautiful and thanks for marrying him.) How sweet is he?!!

7. He's likeable. Everybody likes him. He's able to get along with anyone and he makes friends very easily. People are usually drawn to him because he is real and relaxed and approachable. People appreciate his honesty. And, I admire his ability to be himself at all times.

8. He's humble. Maybe one of the most humble people I know. He's been through some tough times where it would have been easy to be prideful because he was in the right. But, he always turns the other cheek. He doesn't repay "evil for evil", and I think that's an awesome quality.

9. He's fun. We laugh a lot. He enjoys life and makes mine more enjoyable too. He's sarcastic and silly and just makes me roll! (sometimes my eyes, but mostly in laughter!)

10. He's my rock. He never made me feel bad that we struggled to have children. When we thought I'd never be able to have a baby, he stood by my side and said he'd choose me all over again.

11. He's supportive. He's supports my passions and dreams. He lets me talk, a lot, about all the things I'd like to do and be. He supported all my efforts to lose weight and get fit. He doesn't roll his eyes when I say that I want to turn the garage into my own home gym or get too disgruntled when everything in the fridge says "light" or "fat-free". He's supports my love of decorating. He shops with me, paints the house with me, and indulges my passion for design by joining in the process with me. He's awesome. Truly, awesome. I'm so glad he's mine!