An Anniversary and 2 Birthdays All Rolled Into One

A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Cartwright and I sneaked away for a long, much overdue, one on one time. We spent 8 days away. All to ourselves. It was fantabulous! Our destination was Savannah, Georgia. Did I say we were all alone? Life issues, heavy burdens and distractions were put behind us for a time and we were able to focus on each other. It was so wonderful. Something we had never done in 20 years of marriage. Did I say we were all alone?

Savannah is a beautiful city; one of many historical sites. We love history and it definitely was the place for us. The downtown historic district is the largest in the United States. It is a 2 mile by 2 mile square of beauty and wonder. Most of the buildings and structures are the originals from the 1700's and 1800's. There were many sites from battles fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

This is the oldest African Baptist Church in the United States. The first all slave church.

The following pictures are all historical landmarks, though some are museums, some are residences and some are businesses.

The hubby and I took one day to endulge his love of golf. He played 18 holes while I drove him to each hole, crocheted a bit and took in the beautiful scenery.

On Saturday, February 14th, we drove 45 minutes to Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was a beautiful drive and we enjoyed more historical sites.

We couldn't resist seeing the Atlantic Ocean.

We sat on a bench behind the following picture and had to take a snapshot to show our little dog lover.

This silly poodle just watched everybody go by. It was so funny.

We then visited Mitchellville, the first town exclusively for freed slaves.

Where this marsh lays was the place of a very important battle in the Civil War.
The people of Mitchellville helped fight against the confederates with the Union Army.

This is the site of Fort Mitchell.

We then had a beautiful Valentine's Day Dinner at Nick's Steak and Seafood. It was precious. We were the youngest couple there. It was beautiful to see the older love birds doting on each other.

We are so thankful we were able to get away from life. It hit us straight on when we got back to the Ponderosa. We are thanking Jesus for the much needed renewal.

Happy 20th Babe

To the Love of my life,

As we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary together, I cannot help but reflect on what God has done and accomplished in our own lives. We have been through so much together and I am so thankful that God saw fit to bring us together 21 years ago. I knew from the moment you visited me in the hospital during my first surgery (of many) and brought me Barney the Dinosaur holding a dozen roses that you were the one for me. (I still have that purple guy too) So many hours you spent reading Scripture to me. That was the best medicine of all.

After our wedding we were deluged by surgeries, miscarriages,  emotional upheavals, failed adoptions, and many more day to day struggles. Yet through it all Christ was our focus and you helped me to keep my eyes on Him. We now have four beautiful children through adoption. Thank you for opening your heart to this ministry. As we continue to add to our "God's Faithfulness Journal", we have been so blessed babe. God provided us this house, a van (though it be almost 16 years old), unexpected monetary blessings, among many more things.

The day after you asked for my hand in marriage you started a new job that would be yours to this day. You are the hardest worker I know. So many wives complain about their husbands coming home from work and sticking the newspaper or T.V. in front of their faces. You have never been one of those. You come home and engage our family. And you keep working at home, taking care of this place God has graciously given us. You have aged and continued to work hard. You have passed down this hard work ethic to our boys. Thank you.

The last five years have been the biggest trial of our marriage. I read and hear about all those couples dealing with struggling teens that break their marriages apart and I know it is by God's grace that we have grown closer. I know God has used this in our own lives to makes us so dependent on Him. I know I love you more than ever! Thank you for all you have helped this family accomplish in these last few years.

We are entering a new time in our lives. We now have our first senior of three consecutive years. We have some decisions to make financially too. I know God will provide and give us wisdom as we age and our lives change with the seasons. We will continue to seek Him and grow closer together as we do. Remember, even if we are in a shack, TOGETHER, I will be forever grateful to have you by my side.

So on this 20th anniversary of our love, the love of becoming man and wife, I am humbled and rejoicing. I am so in love with you. You are my leader, my lover, and my best friend.

I Married My Best Friend

On the night of October 23, 1993, a gentlemen, by the name of "Mr. Cartwright", called me up and asked me out on a date. That was the beginning of the most important friendship of my life. We hit a movie and had dinner, and then talked into the wee hours of the morning.

My health was not that great. I had gone through several years of chronic pain, and two weeks after we met I had my first surgery to diagnose my condition. He was a constant through those times. He read Scripture to me and prayed with me to encourage me. Our love was truly founded on our love for Christ.

Christ was the center of both of our lives, and on May 14, 1994, he asked me to be his wife.

Our wedding was simple, yet, beautiful! The Gospel was proclaimed to all who came, which was the most important thing in this day for both of us.

So today, I repledge my vow to my best friend. The one I wish to share the rest of my life with. The one who is my constant. The one who points me to THE ONE!

"I, "Mrs. Cartwright", by the grace and enablement of our triune God,

do pledge to you, "Mr. Cartwright",

my sustained efforts in assisting you to protect and to nurture our sacred, one-flesh union.

With joyful anticipation, I look forward to the building of our new life together on Christ's foundation.

I promise to love you and to submit to your divinely ordained leadership in our home.

I consecrate to you my fidelity and tender care as long as we both shall live.

My priority on earth shall always be this precious home established by God.

No matter what He, according to His sovereign plan, may bring into our life as one in Him,

I dedicate myself to being a Godly wife at all times for your good and God's glory.

May our gracious God be pleased to fulfill, through this fragile but dependent disciple of His,

my covenant commitments to you and my heart's desire to our new life as one.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!"

(This was my original vow said on this date, 19 years ago.)

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Happy 17th!

On this day, 17 years ago I married my best friend, lover and confidant. We've been through all sorts of trials and struggles, but love and thankfulness wells up in my heart.

"Mr. Cartwright", You are the love of my life. I am blessed to be your wife. I am eternally grateful to the Lord for bringing us together. The years go by; the love gets sweeter.

Thanks for putting up with me and thinking of me more important than yourself. Thank you for loving me despite my selfish heart and whining so often about wanting my way.

We have made some amazing memories.

I am thankful to have you by my side as we do this thing called "life" together. You are mine forever.

My Hero

He is the man I wake up with every morning...but I have the option to go back to sleep for a wee bit longer. He doesn't. The sounds of alarm arouse him before the sun rises.

Ready to work.

Work for his family. Work so I can stay home with my precious children. Work so I can home school.

Today is our 16th Anniversary.

The days slip away. Uninvited events occur. Time gets lost.

But, he remains constant. So many things have happened in the last sixteen years.

Babies are lost. Adoptions are interrupted. Death is awakened. Feelings are hurt. Emotions are raw.

But, he remains constant.

He does this, you see, because he knows the One who upholds him. He is looking to the Wise Leader so he can lead us. He is being herded by the Chief Shepherd, so he can take be the tender guide to his little flock.

"Mr. Cartwright", I love you. You are truly a gift I do not deserve. I am thankful for each day we have together...the hard times and the good. Please know my love is steady and sure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Tree is done, as done as it can be this year. There have been many things we have noted that we are thankful for, yet so many more that we haven't had time to comment on.

This year Thanksgiving falls on a very special day in my life, and because of that I am posting my Happy Thanksgiving to you all a day early so I can dedicate tomorrow to this occasion. "Mr. Cartwright" and I were married 15 years ago. For this I am eternally grateful. More on this tomorrow...

Friends, Happy Thanksgiving.