25 Years

 Today is my 25th wedding anniversary!  Time has truly flown over these 25 years.  Mike and I have lived in two homes together, one of which he built (our current home).  We've been in the trenches of parenting together for 21 years.  We sure love our boys and they have helped mold us into who we are today. We've endured a job loss, the start up of a new business, the death of family members and illnesses of family members.  We've had good times and challenging times but mostly good.  The older I get and the longer I'm married the more appreciative I am of my husband and our marriage.  In true Siebert fashion tonight we aren't doing anything special, just making dinner together and we'll enjoy a glass of whiskey before bed.  Cheers to another 25 years! 

My Walk

 This post isn't about my daily walks but about my spiritual walk.  Several weeks ago I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts (Susie Larson) and her guest was Jeff Kinley.  Jeff studies bible prophecy.  He and Susie discussed end times duirng that podcast and I was riveted.  I accepted Jesus when I was 9 years old and I know Jesus is coming back but I didn't truly understand what that all looked like and certainly there will always be an element of mystery because we're human.  I have devoured so much information on bible prophecy the last two weeks.  I'm embarassed by what little I knew and amazed once again by the God I love and worship.  Sure there are parts of end times that are hard to wrap my head around.  I heard someone say once that if our God was small enough to understand then He wouldn't be big enough to worship.  The more I study bible prophecy the more I long for my eternal destiny.  It also lights a fire in me to spread the gospel.  I don't want anyone that I love to be left behind.  God's love is like no other but so will be His wrath.  Reading about God's love for mankind feels good.  Understanding what it is to fear God and His wrath is often uncomfortable but cannot be ignored.  As believers we know in the end who wins.  Living in these uncertain times and studying bible prophecy has given me abundant peace.  

The Big M

 Well friends I'm afraid I'm in the early phases of menopause.  Not to be T.M.I. but I haven't had a period since December.  Apparently one is considered in menopause once they haven't had a period for over a year so clearly I don't fit into the "official" category but nonetheless I'm 48 and I've always had regular periods.  My biggest challenge right now is my night sweats (Gross) which is the only issue I'm having but it's a big issue.  It's affecting my sleep and as we all know, sleep is vital, especially to middle aged women.  I can almost set a clock at night.  I wake up every 2 hours practically on fire.  Like the hell kind of fire.  I change positions and then I have to pee so I'm up about 3 times a night.  It's super fun.  Poor Mike.  We are soon approaching 25 years of marriage and he's really gotten the bad end of the deal as far as sleeping arrangements.  He's dealt with my snoring for years.  However, in the last year I found a product that stops my snoring.  Who knew?  It's a cheap $20 snore stopper and according to Mike it really works.  I only look like a bull with a hook up my nose when I go to bed but at this point neither of us care.  Just when my snoring gets under control and Mike thinks he can finally start to sleep peacefully I change the sheets on him.  I bought cooling sheets which are bone thin.  I love them.  Mike, not so much.  I also got a fan that sits right by my side of the bed.  Mike says our bedroom at night sounds like a wind tunnel between our ceiling fan and the extra circulating fan by my bedside.  Last night I just had to laugh at this season of life I'm in.  My routine at bedtime now consists of making sure I have a full glass of ice water that sits by my bed, taking my vitamins, putting my sleep mask on, sticking my snore stopper up my nose and starting up all my fans.  I'm not loving all this but I'm finding the humor in it.    

Worrying

 I gave up worrying for Lent.  I think if God were to give me a grade for how I did, I'm afraid I'd get a D.  The only reason I don't think I failed is because I did have my mind on placing my worries at the cross.  I also recited bible verses in my head everytime I started to worry about something.  Today I could quickly point to the verses that provided comfort for me during Lent so all is not lost after all.  That being said I worried about stupid/worldly things.  As I always say I know nothing and I fall short everyday.  My sister would say I worried the most about Jay's apprenticeship.  It's true.  When it comes to my boys, I worry.  As I know now everything worked out for Jay.  I should have trusted God's plan - even if that plan meant Jay didn't get the apprenticeship.  I've learned that when things don't quite work out the way you want them to there is always another door that opens.  You just have to be patient and wait.  

Our Easter Weekend

 What a glorious weekend we have had!  The weather has been beautiful, sunny and 70!  On Friday night we had family pictures taken to celebrate our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary.  My family compares professional pictures to torture but we got them done.  I haven't seen Nick "cleaned up" in months so it was an added bonus to see him put on nice jeans and a shirt.  We took a few pictures with the dogs also.  I'll post more pictures soon.  I just love this picture.  First off Jay's smile is just heartwarming.  Nick is officially taller than Mike.  Mike is laughing at who knows what.  I'm thankful that at age 50 his sense of humor is still intact.  My smile reflects a woman who is on the cusp of being 50 and in full blown menopause (that's another blog) but in my smile I see wisdom, strength and happiness.  What a blessing my family is to me.  

On Saturday I had brunch with Mary and Sarah to celebrate Sarah's birthday.  I know I say it all the time but seriously I have the absolute best girlfriends.  Today was lovely as well.  Mike and I and our boys went to the home of our pastor to hear him preach his sermon.  Our pastor was having an early sunrise service at 7:30 am.  It was intimate and quaint and we loved it.  The service reminded me of the services I attended in my youth. Afterwards we picked mom up and brought her out to my house where we had brunch together.  It was just the five of us this year.  Mom loves coming to my house and today was no different.  She enjoyed her time here and every time she can get in and out of my house and enjoy herself I am thankful.  

Most importantly today is Resurrection Sunday.  The day that I give thanks to Jesus for his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.  The older I get the more excited I get about heaven, knowing this earth is not my home.  Mom mentioned today that she was sad that Grandma and Grandpa can no longer be in church on Easter Sunday. I reminded her that Grandma and Grandpa are in church everyday, worshipping God and singing His praises everyday.  What a gift!  

Mike - 50

Me - 48 

Jay - 21 

Nick - 16 

Grandparents Day

 There is a saying the days are long but the years are short.  It's so true.  My mom attended her last Grandparents day with her youngest grand.  She has been going to grandparents day since Jay was in elementary school.  She has loved every one of them.  What a blessing it has been for our four kids to have a nana like my mom.  She loves each of her grandchildren fiercely.  I had the honor of taking mom to Luke's grandparents day yeterday.  I was so happy I was able to take mom.  I loved getting to spend time with mom, Luke and Kim's in-laws.  Plus I got to tour the school and meet Luke's teacher.  What a great start to a beautiful Easter weekend.  

Celebrating with Jay

 On Friday night Mike and I took the boys out to eat at a restaurant they had been wanting to try.  Despite the fact we were in the middle of tornado warnings we went anyway.  After all getting all 4 of us out together is almost impossible, mostly because of Nick's schedule.  It had been years since the 4 of us went out to eat together.  My momma's heart was full!  The main reason in going out was to celebrate Jay's acceptance into the apprenticeship.  I am truly so excited for him!