Day 5 - Your siblings...
Well let's see, I am happy to be the youngest child of 7.
My siblings in birth order are:
Ronnie (52)
Rick (51)
Debbie (50)
Roland (I believe he would be around 49 but he passed away at the age of 47)
Terry (47)
Rhonda (46)
Me (40)
So obviously the saddest thing regarding my siblings is that my brother Roland passed away suddenly due to a massive heart attack. Or something like that. It wasn't completely clear to me what happened. It was a very shocking and sad thing. He had been battling mental illness for several years and we didn't have much contact with him due to his illness. What I choose to remember about him though is the brother I knew before his mental illness turned him into a stranger. One thing I am looking forward to is spending eternity with him once Jesus comes back for us. And Roland will be whole again.
My siblings are very unique and different and I love each and every single one of them! With the exception of Terry, I don't spend nearly enough time with any of them and I wish I could change that. They are here and alive and I should make more of an effort. We all should make more of an effort to be together!
One really funny thing about my brothers and sisters... when I look at myself, I don't see an individual, I see all my brothers and sisters wrapped up together in me. It sounds weird but it's so true. I remind myself of each one of them at different times. I'll make a certain comment and say, "Oh I just sounded like Rhonda." Or I'll smile a certain way and think, "Wow, I just looked exactly like Rick." My personality is alot like Ronnie's. And if I were thin, Debbie and I would look like twins. But I also look alot like Terry too. It's such a strange thing to feel like I am a little of each one of them!
We have a huge and functioning dysfunctional family... if that makes any sense! I love them so much!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Day 4 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge
Day 4 - Your parents...
My Mom and Dad on their wedding day in 1957
My Mom and Dad in 2007!
My Mom and Dad (Bob and Ginny!) have now been married 53 years. That is one, among many, of the greatest gifts they have given me... their long lasting marriage.
My parents have taught me so much. They are loving, they are kind, they are generous, they love the Lord and brought us up to know Him. My Mom and Dad are one of my greatest sources of peace and security. Even now, at the age of 40, I depend on them in so many ways.
It's funny to me to hear others talk about how miserable they would be if they had to live at home with their parents. Because Dwayne and I (and Gracyn) do live at home with my parents! That's how much we love them! (We live in our own apartment in their basement.) And every night, when I say bedtime prayers with Gracyn, we thank God for the privilege to be here with them.
And although I've always loved and respected them both, the longer I know them, the more I realize how amazing they are! And how absolutely blessed I am that God gave them to ME!!!
My Mom and Dad on their wedding day in 1957
My Mom and Dad in 2007!
My Mom and Dad (Bob and Ginny!) have now been married 53 years. That is one, among many, of the greatest gifts they have given me... their long lasting marriage.
My parents have taught me so much. They are loving, they are kind, they are generous, they love the Lord and brought us up to know Him. My Mom and Dad are one of my greatest sources of peace and security. Even now, at the age of 40, I depend on them in so many ways.
It's funny to me to hear others talk about how miserable they would be if they had to live at home with their parents. Because Dwayne and I (and Gracyn) do live at home with my parents! That's how much we love them! (We live in our own apartment in their basement.) And every night, when I say bedtime prayers with Gracyn, we thank God for the privilege to be here with them.
And although I've always loved and respected them both, the longer I know them, the more I realize how amazing they are! And how absolutely blessed I am that God gave them to ME!!!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Day 3 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge!
Day 3 - Your first love...
I was 21 years old and had never had a boyfriend before. I hadn't even been on a date before. You know, sweet 16 and never been kissed is a lovely thing. Sweet 21 and never been kissed is down right embarrassing! But because God has been orchestrating my life since the womb, I don't argue with His methods.
Anyways, I was 21 years old. At church I noticed a young man sitting next to my father in the choir. My father informed me that his name was Dwayne. I asked my Dad how old he was because he looked young enough to be in our youth group, which I was very involved in. Everything happened very fast after that. Talking with Dwayne for the first time, he expressed an interest in helping out with the youth group, so the following week my friend Melissa (Hi Melissa!) and I met with him.
That meeting was amazing, I will never forget it. We laughed until we cried, about silly things. And I had no attraction to Dwayne in that moment except for the fact that he seemed to be everything I ever thought a husband of mine would be. He played the guitar, I was learning to play the guitar. He sang, I sang. He played the flute, I played the flute. He had 5 younger brothers and sisters, two of them babies at the time, and he took care of them for his parents all the time. To me that was one of the greatest qualities a young man could have. And he had a really nice bum. Sorry but I noticed that right away.
Anyways... this entry could get very long if I shared all the details, so long story short:
In March of 1991 I met Dwayne
In June of 1991 we started dating
In October of 1991 he asked me to marry him
And in February of 1992 we became one...
I hadn't even known him an entire year yet.
We have now been married for 18 years, 8 months and 5 days. And marriage has been the biggest challange of my life. It's hard work. And we have been through alot together. But he truly is half of me in another body. I would not be whole without him. He is my first and last love.
I was 21 years old and had never had a boyfriend before. I hadn't even been on a date before. You know, sweet 16 and never been kissed is a lovely thing. Sweet 21 and never been kissed is down right embarrassing! But because God has been orchestrating my life since the womb, I don't argue with His methods.
Anyways, I was 21 years old. At church I noticed a young man sitting next to my father in the choir. My father informed me that his name was Dwayne. I asked my Dad how old he was because he looked young enough to be in our youth group, which I was very involved in. Everything happened very fast after that. Talking with Dwayne for the first time, he expressed an interest in helping out with the youth group, so the following week my friend Melissa (Hi Melissa!) and I met with him.
That meeting was amazing, I will never forget it. We laughed until we cried, about silly things. And I had no attraction to Dwayne in that moment except for the fact that he seemed to be everything I ever thought a husband of mine would be. He played the guitar, I was learning to play the guitar. He sang, I sang. He played the flute, I played the flute. He had 5 younger brothers and sisters, two of them babies at the time, and he took care of them for his parents all the time. To me that was one of the greatest qualities a young man could have. And he had a really nice bum. Sorry but I noticed that right away.
Anyways... this entry could get very long if I shared all the details, so long story short:
In March of 1991 I met Dwayne
In June of 1991 we started dating
In October of 1991 he asked me to marry him
And in February of 1992 we became one...
I hadn't even known him an entire year yet.
We have now been married for 18 years, 8 months and 5 days. And marriage has been the biggest challange of my life. It's hard work. And we have been through alot together. But he truly is half of me in another body. I would not be whole without him. He is my first and last love.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Day 2 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge!
Day 2 - Meaning behind your blog name...
Okay this one is easy, which is going to make for a very short and boring entry. I am not creative with coming up with witty names so I decided to just use my plain old regular name. Apparently there are other people using MY name. So then I had to add something to my plain old regular name. And I came up with Bethany speaks up. It's not new or unusual. I have always been pretty outspoken about things.
Years ago before I had Gracyn I used to keep an online journal and even purchased a domain name. It was called Almost Me. That title meant alot to me because I always felt like I wasn't complete yet as a person. I was almost who I was supposed to be, but not quite there yet. But then I got pregnant with Gracyn and that feeling melted away. I truly feel complete now.
So yeah...
Bethany speaks up...
Okay this one is easy, which is going to make for a very short and boring entry. I am not creative with coming up with witty names so I decided to just use my plain old regular name. Apparently there are other people using MY name. So then I had to add something to my plain old regular name. And I came up with Bethany speaks up. It's not new or unusual. I have always been pretty outspoken about things.
Years ago before I had Gracyn I used to keep an online journal and even purchased a domain name. It was called Almost Me. That title meant alot to me because I always felt like I wasn't complete yet as a person. I was almost who I was supposed to be, but not quite there yet. But then I got pregnant with Gracyn and that feeling melted away. I truly feel complete now.
So yeah...
Bethany speaks up...
Monday, October 18, 2010
Day 1 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge!
Day 1 - Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts...
I'm Bethany, 40 years old (but much younger in my own mind!) married for 18 years to my husband, Dwayne. We have one sweet little girl, Gracyn who just turned 6! I'm a stay at home Mom, homeschooling Gracyn which I completely love! I am a Christian and so thankful for all the blessings God has given to me!
I'm Bethany, 40 years old (but much younger in my own mind!) married for 18 years to my husband, Dwayne. We have one sweet little girl, Gracyn who just turned 6! I'm a stay at home Mom, homeschooling Gracyn which I completely love! I am a Christian and so thankful for all the blessings God has given to me!
Fact #1: My hubby and I tried for 12 years before I finally became pregnant with Gracyn! She is for sure a miracle child!
Fact #2: I was diagnosed with Diabetes about 10 years ago... it's a bit annoying.
Fact #3: I am the baby in my family, 3 older brothers and 3 older sisters.
Fact #4: I really enjoy chopping onions.
Fact #5: I truly am my mom's baby... I can not handle being away from her. So it's a good thing we live in their basement!
Fact #6: My hubby, who is a carpenter, built a basement apartment at my parents house so that we can help them as they grow older. However they do as much helping as we do!!!
Fact #7: We attend a non-denominational church which simply teaches the word of God. It is refreshing and we are as close to our church family as our blood family!
Fact #8: I have to sleep with a fan running. I like the noise and the air flow!
Fact #9: I only get about 4 or 5 hours of sleep per night. And yes, I am tired. Most days I try to take a short nap.
Fact #10: The dishes must be stacked neatly and the sink scrubbed clean before I can even consider doing the dishes! (I am slightly anal retentive.)
Fact #11: I wish there was a better term for being anal retentive.
Fact #12: I love old things... old houses, old books... that sort of thing.
Fact #13: I enjoy songwriting and singing. This past summer I wrote 4 children's songs for our Vacation Bible School. That was so much fun!
Fact #14: My guilty pleasure is reality tv.
Fact #15: My middle name is Lynn.
Yay! I'm done... goodnight!
P.S. Thank you Melissa for suggesting this! :o)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
It's late again. I feel like writing but I'm not sure about what. I remember I used to write all the time in my old journal. Now it feels like I'm all talked out. Where are all those thoughts that just flowed out of my brain so effortlessly? I'm not empty, or depressed, or lonely, or any of those other bad things that no one wants to be.
I read an article a while back that said once a woman becomes a mother her whole way of thinking changes. There is now so much to think about and remember that I no longer have time to focus on myself and my own dreams and my own wishes. Now the one and only thing that I am passionate about is my little girl. She is my entire reason for existing right now. In some ways that's healthy and in other ways maybe not so much. But I keep telling myself that I had many many years of "me time" before she arrived in my tummy. Dwayne and I had many many years of "couple time" as well. Shouldn't it be okay to give her my all now?
I don't know if writing so late is such a great idea for me. I spill my guts and then want to erase it all. But what's the point in writing in a journal if you can't be honest about how you feel and just speak what's on your mind? So I resist the urge to erase!
But I do need to get some sleep now! goodnight...
I read an article a while back that said once a woman becomes a mother her whole way of thinking changes. There is now so much to think about and remember that I no longer have time to focus on myself and my own dreams and my own wishes. Now the one and only thing that I am passionate about is my little girl. She is my entire reason for existing right now. In some ways that's healthy and in other ways maybe not so much. But I keep telling myself that I had many many years of "me time" before she arrived in my tummy. Dwayne and I had many many years of "couple time" as well. Shouldn't it be okay to give her my all now?
I don't know if writing so late is such a great idea for me. I spill my guts and then want to erase it all. But what's the point in writing in a journal if you can't be honest about how you feel and just speak what's on your mind? So I resist the urge to erase!
But I do need to get some sleep now! goodnight...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)