Me By The Numbers

Me by the numbers. Me by the numbers. I have never thought about my life in terms of numbers before. I am an “everything happens for a reason” kind of gal, a “there are no coincidences” kind of gal, a “God has foreordained everything that comes to pass” kind of gal. In respect to numbers, which ones could possibly be meaningful to me?

The Number 13

I was 12 here. Not quite 13, but close enough.

 Don't really want to make myself older than I am!

I guess the number with the most significance would have to be 13. Gasp! Good thing I am not the least bit superstitious. For starters, I was an awkward 13-year-old girl when I first had a crush on my older cousin's best friend, Greg. Considering the fact that he is much older than I (5years), he did not notice me at all. Even though we spent many weekends over many summers at the same family campground, to him I was just his best friend's annoying younger cousin. Thankfully, he didn't feel this way forever. This year we celebrate 13th year of marriage!

My church peeps!

2013 - The year I joined the greatest God glorifying church and met my bestest bestie who ever bestied.

My bestest bestie!

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2013 - The year I experienced the joy of amazing grace, and the year that could have ended my marriage. You see, I have a problem. I spend far too much money, and I hide it. I want to be perfect in every single way. I want love and acceptance. I thought that there was no way I could be loved if anyone knew I was anything but perfect. Consequently, the debt kept piling up and piling up until I could no longer hide it. Bills could not be paid. I had to confess to Greg what I had done. Surely, he would be angry. At the very least, he would be frustrated. He wasn't. He was kind and forgiving. Oh, the grace he lavished upon me! When I deserved anger and condemnation, I received none. He cleaned up my mess and loved me anyway.  Because of my husband's mercy, I came to comprehend the grace of God. Oh, the joy made manifest by the amazing grace of God! Oh, to understand my need for a Savior. "Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to the cross I cling!" You can hear more of my testimony here.

The Number 17

2017 marks Greg and my 17th dateversary! Our first date was at a party he threw for the Downriver Cruise. I was still crushing on him. Lucky for him - he finally noticed me!

2017 is also the year I returned to school after a 17-year hiatus. 17 years ago, I dropped out of U of M Dearborn expecting never to return. Today, I am a student at Wayne County Community College. When I grow up, I want to be a Medical Administrative Specialist.

2017 - My biggest baby, Aiden, started middle school (sniffle, sniffle), my middle child, Gavin, started 4th grade (boo hoo), and my littlest man, Connor, started kindergarten (sob, sob).

The Number 5

I grew up in a family of 5. I am the oldest of 3, followed by my brother, Bryan, and my sister, Christine. I was a horrible sister. Just ask my siblings, they'll tell you. Oh my, the stories they would tell you. For example, I once threw scissors at my brother's head. I missed, and the scissors put a hole in the bathroom door. I wasn't a better sister to Christine. I hated finding things to wear, so I would make  pick out my clothes. If I didn't like what she chose, I'd have her pick me out something different to wear. Those were the good old days. I'm not that evil anymore. In fact, I'm the very best big sister. Just ask my siblings, they'll tell you.

Here and now, Greg and I are raising our own family. We have 3 boys making us a family of 5. Aiden, who was 5 when we became a family of 5, is our sweetheart who is also a handful. He is too much like his mother. Gavin, born in the 5th month of the year, is our smart, fun-loving, always smiling goofball. He is just like his dad. He thinks he is hilarious. Connor, who is currently 5, is our sports nut. He will watch and play all the sports. One day, Connor made us watch the Wildcats play the Los Lobos. Yawn! For me, it was torture. For Greg, it was a dream come true.

So, that's it. That's me. I am a student, a wife, a mom of boys, and a Jesus-loving woman trying to glorify God while savoring His grace and His goodness.