"Get Your Life Together Week"

Periodically, I declare it "Get Your Life Together Week." When this happens, Chuck and I make lists of all this things we've been wanting or needing to accomplish and give ourselves a week to do it. Whether it's make doctor appointments, finish paperwork, or clean something, we HAVE to do in that week! It makes for an extremely busy week, but it's nice to tie up all the loose ends we've been neglecting. So, here is a SMALL portion of my list:

-Get taxes done
-Clean out clothes- donate to church for the Trunk Show
-Replace Aiden's 3-6 month clothing with 6-9 month clothing
-Wash diaper bag
-Clean car
-Replace light bulbs over dining room table
-Redo budget
-Clean all vents in house
-Clean all fans and lighting fixtures
-Organize garage
-Dust and restring lights in ficus tree
-Go through Micah's toys and donate old toys to church for Trunk Show
-Organize all closets, cabinets, and vanities
-Scrub carpets
-Shave dogs

Ok, I might need to extend this by a week! There is always something to be done!

Happy Valentine's Day

In honor of Valentine's Day, I've decided to list 10 reasons I love my husband:

1. The man is a genius! Seriously, he is one of the smartest people I know. People always say that he has wisdom and knowledge WAY beyond his years, and that is so true!

2. His eyes. I love them! His eyelashes are SO long and gorgeous.

3. His involvement in our family. I think it is so easy for pastors to get caught up in ministry and their family ends up getting short changed. I really appreciate Chuck's commitment to spending quality time with me and the boys. I never doubt that we are his first priority.

4. How easygoing he is. Chuck is so flexible. I've seen marriages where husbands or wives have to walk on eggshells to make sure their spouse doesn't become angry. That is not the case with Chuck. He is so quick to put other's first, and it is rare that he asserts his own desires. He is so relaxed which makes everyone around him relaxed.

5. His commitment to our marriage. Bottom line- marriage takes work and effort, no matter how much you love each other. I am grateful that Chuck puts as much effort into our marriage now as he did 7 years ago. I never doubt that he loves me. I never worry that there are underlying issues that haven't been dealt with. I never go through a day without him telling me that I'm the most beautiful woman in the world. He truly is an awesome husband.

6. He is a blast! I always give him a hard time and tell him that he's a "stick in the mud," but the truth is that there is no one else I'd rather hang out with. I so look forward to going out on dates nights because I love spending time with him. He really is my best friend.

7. He is a Godly man. I live with the guy and know him better than anyone else. I see when he is frustrated, weak, and having bad days. I can say that I've never seen anyone strive so hard to please God. I hear him praying, I see him studying his Bible, and he is constantly reading to grow and become a better person. He is not a pastor that doesn't practice what he preaches. I am thankful to be married to man with integrity who is not fake.

8. Speaking of preaching, Chuck Barrineau is one of the best! We have been senior pastors for 5 of the 7 years we've been married (the other two, we were youth pastors). That means I've heard him preach A LOT. I honestly never get tired of listening to him. Not only that, but I usually hear his messages throughout the week as he develops his thoughts and runs ideas by me. So, by Sunday, I usually have a pretty good idea what the sermon is. Even with that, I enjoy listening to him. I learn so much from him every week, and I think he is hilarious. The only problem is when he uses embarrassing stories about me for illustrations (like me talking in my sleep). Oh, well... I guess it's good that I'm not easily embarrassed.

9. HE CAN COOK!! HALLELUJAH! As everyone pretty much knows, I HATE cooking. I love to clean- it's therapeutic to me, but I despise cooking. I have no desire to learn how to cook... I don't want to be anywhere near the kitchen unless I'm cleaning it. Thankfully, God gave me a man that enjoys cooking and is good at it. I just wish he had more time for it.

10. He puts up with me. That is not an easy task! I am a very quirky, random, hyper person. And I'm noticing how obsessive I can be about things. I will jump from thought to thought and have 10 different conversation in a span of 5 minutes. I will stop in the middle of one conversation and go back to a conversation we had 3 days ago as if we were still talking about it. I have a hard time relaxing if my house is not clean. I am loud. I am emotional. If I get upset, it takes me a while to get over it. Are you worn out yet? Despite all that, Chuck loves me as I am- with no make-up and my hair in an afro! I never feel like I'm not good enough or that he wants me to change. It's nice be able to rest assured that you're loved even with all your flaws.



There are many more reasons, but I'll leave it at 10... I wouldn't want anyone to start gagging! I cannot really do justice to how wonderful Chuck is. I wish everyone could know him like I do. He is amazing.

Happy Valentine's Day, Chuck. I love you infinity times infinity in Jesus' name to the 37th power, and that's the highest you can go in Jesus name!

2009 in Review

It's 3:00 am and I can't sleep; therefore, I blog...

2009 has been a busy year. This is a look back at all the fun things that happened.



In January, Chuck and I, along with Lori, surprised Adam and took him to Gatlinburgh, TN for his birthday/ vacation. The Monday before his birthday, we packed up and went to Myrtle Beach. Lori called Adam at work and told him that she had locked herself and Ethan out of the house. Adam came home, let her in the house, and we surprised him. We told him to pack because we were leaving right then. We had booked a beautiful cabin and Lori had already worked it out with his job. We had a great time! We went to Wonder Works, played in the snow, and played lots of pool and air hockey. Only complaint- I was 1 month pregnant and sick!



Also in January, we were given tickets to see Rascal Flatts when they came to Charleston. It was a great concert! I'm not a fan of country music, but I really like Rascal Flatts.



In April, my family in Pittsburgh, PA threw a birthday for my grandma who turned 80. My mom, Micah, and I flew up for it. My sisters, their husbands, and brother also attended. It was great seeing my grandmother and family that I rarely get to see. I wish they all lived closer... they are all such wonderful people. My grandmother is awesome! She still plays on a bowling league! I really hope that I am as full of energy as she is when I'm 80!



At the beginning of July, we went on another mini vacation for Chuck's birthday. Lori's grandparents own a cottage on Oak Island, so we stayed there for a couple days and just relaxed.



Chuck and I worked at Camp Robinson again this year. Like every year, it has it's ups and downs. I love meeting new people and developing new relationships. We came out this year with some great new friends- Brandon and Megan! And camp would not be camp without the volleyball games. By the end of the three weeks, we are so thankful to be home in our own beds with our own bathrooms.



Micah turned 3!!! I cannot believe how quickly this kid is growing up! How do you make it stop?! We threw him a birthday party at Celebration Town, so we didn't have to do anything for it. Being 8 months pregnant, I did not feel like putting a birthday party together. Celebration Town was a lot of fun!



The most exciting thing happened in August- Aiden's arrival! I still cannot believe that I have two kids! Aiden is such a wonderful, easy baby. He has been a great addition to our family. Chuck, Micah, and I love him so much!!


Our house went through a lot of changes, and I love it. Micah got a new rock star room, and Aiden's room is beautiful- all courtesy of the Seymours. Our kitchen was completely gutted and redone. Our guest bedroom was moved and repainted. Our bedroom was repainted, and we were given a new couch for Pastor Appreciation. AND our carpet downstairs was replaced with hardwood floors. I love, love, LOVE it!

It seems that most of the negative things happened at the end of the year. In November, I had a toenail removed due to a toenail fungus I got at camp two years ago. The whole thing was a fiasco, and I still think I should get some kind of compensation from the IPHC. Worker's Comp? :-)

Another negative is the kidney stone. It is the first, and hopefully the only, kidney stone ever. It was a horrible experience and I am so glad it's over!



Of course Thanksgiving and Christmas were great. We were given a Wii for Christmas! Whoo hoo!!



So, there you have it- 2009 highlights. Overall, it was a really great, busy year. This list doesn't even include all the traveling we did or everything that happened with Restoration Ministries. That alone would be a crazy long blog.



I am so thankful to be where I am in life. I love my husband and kids- they truly are the greatest! On top of that, we are connected with some of the most wonderful people at RM. I can't wait to see what in store for 2010!