Just thought I'd share a close-up of Joel's companion for 2011. We're so glad to leave this piece in last year.
To fully appreciate the intricacy of it's design, click on the pictures and look more closely.
Showing posts with label Joel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joel. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Little Pain in the #@!*%$
Just thought I'd share a close-up of Joel's companion for 2011. We're so glad to leave this piece in last year.To fully appreciate the intricacy of it's design, click on the pictures and look more closely.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
My Handsome Handy Man
There are many reasons I love my husband. Many. Tons!
But, one thing that continually impresses me is my husband's ability to conquer projects around our home.
He likes to learn new things and isn't afraid of tackling projects he's never done before...like wiring the kitchen for lights, putting up drywall, laying ceramic tile, and building a pergola.
Joel started to build our pergola in November. 
The weather and early sunsets extended the project time to about three weeks--though the actual work time wasn't that much. He ran into some snags along the way --like 4 trips to Home Depot the first day he worked on it. But, he did a great job!
Our old pergola was one reason we loved the house. We knew it needed to be replaced, but we didn't know just how badly. We got a new roof (thanks to hail damage) in September and decided to rip off the old pergola at that point. We were glad once it came down, but were excited to get a new one back in place.
The old pergola was falling apart. Visitors always liked it, but they didn't see the little pieces coming off bit by bit like we did.
The old pergola was built with the little crossbeams under the main top. We realized why after we tore it down -- the eave of the house! But, we adjusted the supports on the house to accommodate moving the little pieces to the top, where they belong. On the top of the main beams coming out from the house, the previous homeowner had put a mesh sunscreen. Actually, it had two layers of sunscreen...an older piece on the bottom and a newer piece on top. The bottom-most layer began to dry rot and with strong winds, it was coming through the underside in shreds. Not pretty.
Because the pergola was not really an "open" air structure with that sunscreen in place, leaves and debris were weighting down the top and also providing a nice place for bugs to hide. 
Joel said the wood was splitting apart and lots of little bugs (not termites) were in all the crevices. Eew!
We waited two months between taking the old pergola down and building the new pergola. It took me that long to finally get around to balancing all our books so we'd know exactly how much money we could spend on the project. [I think I was a little afraid the answer would be zilch.]
Joel used pressure-treated wood, which shouldn't be stained for about a year. Aside from that cost later on, the project came in well under our $600 budget.
I'm so glad to have a pergola back in place. This is the blaring sun that would greet me in the morning when that shade structure was no longer in place.
But, one thing that continually impresses me is my husband's ability to conquer projects around our home.
He likes to learn new things and isn't afraid of tackling projects he's never done before...like wiring the kitchen for lights, putting up drywall, laying ceramic tile, and building a pergola.
Joel started to build our pergola in November. 
The weather and early sunsets extended the project time to about three weeks--though the actual work time wasn't that much. He ran into some snags along the way --like 4 trips to Home Depot the first day he worked on it. But, he did a great job!
Our old pergola was one reason we loved the house. We knew it needed to be replaced, but we didn't know just how badly. We got a new roof (thanks to hail damage) in September and decided to rip off the old pergola at that point. We were glad once it came down, but were excited to get a new one back in place.
The old pergola was falling apart. Visitors always liked it, but they didn't see the little pieces coming off bit by bit like we did.
The old pergola was built with the little crossbeams under the main top. We realized why after we tore it down -- the eave of the house! But, we adjusted the supports on the house to accommodate moving the little pieces to the top, where they belong. On the top of the main beams coming out from the house, the previous homeowner had put a mesh sunscreen. Actually, it had two layers of sunscreen...an older piece on the bottom and a newer piece on top. The bottom-most layer began to dry rot and with strong winds, it was coming through the underside in shreds. Not pretty.
Because the pergola was not really an "open" air structure with that sunscreen in place, leaves and debris were weighting down the top and also providing a nice place for bugs to hide. 
Joel said the wood was splitting apart and lots of little bugs (not termites) were in all the crevices. Eew!We waited two months between taking the old pergola down and building the new pergola. It took me that long to finally get around to balancing all our books so we'd know exactly how much money we could spend on the project. [I think I was a little afraid the answer would be zilch.]
Joel used pressure-treated wood, which shouldn't be stained for about a year. Aside from that cost later on, the project came in well under our $600 budget.
I'm so glad to have a pergola back in place. This is the blaring sun that would greet me in the morning when that shade structure was no longer in place.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Nine Years Ago Today...
I married my best friend and began the most wonderful new adventure. It's been full of surprises and excitement. There's no one on this planet I'd rather be enjoying it with than YOU!
Happy 9th Anniversary, Joel! Thank you for adding such joy to my life. I look forward to many more laughs by your side.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Amazing Man
This is long overdue, but life here has been a tad bit busier lately.
We had that HUGE ice storm and then snow the week before last and that left us homebound on a special day...February 4th, the birthday of my amazing husband.
We didn't do much to celebrate on Friday, but Saturday brought warmer temps and melting ice. So, we ventured out as a family and celebrated Joel's birthday with lunch at Applebee's.
It was really nice to be out of the house after 4 days and we were able to run a few much-needed errands before and after lunch.
I will have to come back and write a really decent post about how amazing my husband is, but right now I have a sleeping baby and think it would be best if I tried to sleep as well. (Isn't that what they always tell the mom of newborns "sleep when they're sleeping". It's nearly impossible to do, but it really is the best advice.)
To close I'll just write a few reasons from this last week that I say my hubby is amazing: he loves the Lord and seeks to know Him (even when running on little sleep), he has a servant's heart, he changes the baby's diaper (more than I do), he gets up with Jett when he won't settle in the night, he plays in the snow with our big kids (and has at least as much fun, if not more, than they do!), he cooks, he cleans, he likes to organize, he holds me when I cry (especially important when it's for no reason other than hormones), he reassures me, he encourages me, he is funny, he is a good friend and always wants to help others....
My list could go on forever. Joel really is an amazing man. I'm so blessed he's mine!
We had that HUGE ice storm and then snow the week before last and that left us homebound on a special day...February 4th, the birthday of my amazing husband.
We didn't do much to celebrate on Friday, but Saturday brought warmer temps and melting ice. So, we ventured out as a family and celebrated Joel's birthday with lunch at Applebee's.
It was really nice to be out of the house after 4 days and we were able to run a few much-needed errands before and after lunch.
I will have to come back and write a really decent post about how amazing my husband is, but right now I have a sleeping baby and think it would be best if I tried to sleep as well. (Isn't that what they always tell the mom of newborns "sleep when they're sleeping". It's nearly impossible to do, but it really is the best advice.)
To close I'll just write a few reasons from this last week that I say my hubby is amazing: he loves the Lord and seeks to know Him (even when running on little sleep), he has a servant's heart, he changes the baby's diaper (more than I do), he gets up with Jett when he won't settle in the night, he plays in the snow with our big kids (and has at least as much fun, if not more, than they do!), he cooks, he cleans, he likes to organize, he holds me when I cry (especially important when it's for no reason other than hormones), he reassures me, he encourages me, he is funny, he is a good friend and always wants to help others....
My list could go on forever. Joel really is an amazing man. I'm so blessed he's mine!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Happy Birthday Joel!
What would my life be without this man by my side?
Much less exciting!
Just look at him throwing that hunk of wood! (from our GFA staff retreat last May)
Even as a kid, he was sweet and a little shy, says his mom. He was contemplative and compassionate. I've heard many, many stories of ways he served those around him. We visit many older ladies when we go back to his hometown because they are treasures to Joel and he is adored by them. They tell me what a treasure I have in my husband.
From the moment I met Joel, it was his heart to know and love the Lord that drew me to him. At first, it was friendship. He became my closest friend. He challenged me in my walk with Christ and encouraged me.
When we first met, we served alongside one another in a para-church ministry. One Christmas (before we ever started dating) I was struggling to figure out how I could afford to buy Christmas gifts for my family. I got an envelope on my desk one day that simply read "Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?" Inside were seven $20 bills. It wasn't until we were engaged that I found out Joel had left the envelope on my desk two years earlier. He has always had a generous heart.
Joel is a hard worker. I give his parents full credit for teaching him early the value of working hard. He doesn't quit and gets creative when he needs to. He doesn't like to sit around much. Consequently, our home is more beautiful because of his efforts, our cars stay clean and tidy, and those he works with are grateful to have him on their team.
Prior to coming to serve on staff with GFA, Joel was a youth pastor. He is a great pastor. The students from his ministry still hold him in high regard. He was open and honest about his failures, but very clear about his love for Jesus. His vulnerability endears him to people. Students knew they could trust him and believe him. I watched him baptize new believers, officiate marriages, help with funeral services, counsel kids and adults, sweep floors, preach, study, and countless other tasks--all with humility and while knowing that it was only by God's grace.
I've watched Joel maintain that same attitude as we have adjusted to life here in Texas.
Joel excels as a husband and father. I have the most fun watching him be a dad. Rylee, Jenna, and Asa are exceedingly blessed. From the moment I found out I was pregnant with Rylee, Joel was nothing but supportive and active as a dad. He went to appointments, learned about childbirth, figured out how to fold cloth diapers, and gained baby weight (hey, keeping it real!). He walked miles around our downstairs trying to soothe Rylee when she was an infant. Since he couldn't feed her, he changed her diapers and insisted on burping her.
He is the most hands-on dad I know. He makes our kids laugh like no one else. He plays a great game of monster and delights Asa with his Lego creations.
Joel is my best friend. My life is infinitely more blessed because I have him by my side. I, for one of many, am so grateful the Lord brought us this man 35 years ago today!
Happy birthday Joel!
Much less exciting!
Just look at him throwing that hunk of wood! (from our GFA staff retreat last May)
Even as a kid, he was sweet and a little shy, says his mom. He was contemplative and compassionate. I've heard many, many stories of ways he served those around him. We visit many older ladies when we go back to his hometown because they are treasures to Joel and he is adored by them. They tell me what a treasure I have in my husband.
From the moment I met Joel, it was his heart to know and love the Lord that drew me to him. At first, it was friendship. He became my closest friend. He challenged me in my walk with Christ and encouraged me.When we first met, we served alongside one another in a para-church ministry. One Christmas (before we ever started dating) I was struggling to figure out how I could afford to buy Christmas gifts for my family. I got an envelope on my desk one day that simply read "Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?" Inside were seven $20 bills. It wasn't until we were engaged that I found out Joel had left the envelope on my desk two years earlier. He has always had a generous heart.
Joel is a hard worker. I give his parents full credit for teaching him early the value of working hard. He doesn't quit and gets creative when he needs to. He doesn't like to sit around much. Consequently, our home is more beautiful because of his efforts, our cars stay clean and tidy, and those he works with are grateful to have him on their team.
Prior to coming to serve on staff with GFA, Joel was a youth pastor. He is a great pastor. The students from his ministry still hold him in high regard. He was open and honest about his failures, but very clear about his love for Jesus. His vulnerability endears him to people. Students knew they could trust him and believe him. I watched him baptize new believers, officiate marriages, help with funeral services, counsel kids and adults, sweep floors, preach, study, and countless other tasks--all with humility and while knowing that it was only by God's grace.
I've watched Joel maintain that same attitude as we have adjusted to life here in Texas.
Joel excels as a husband and father. I have the most fun watching him be a dad. Rylee, Jenna, and Asa are exceedingly blessed. From the moment I found out I was pregnant with Rylee, Joel was nothing but supportive and active as a dad. He went to appointments, learned about childbirth, figured out how to fold cloth diapers, and gained baby weight (hey, keeping it real!). He walked miles around our downstairs trying to soothe Rylee when she was an infant. Since he couldn't feed her, he changed her diapers and insisted on burping her.
He is the most hands-on dad I know. He makes our kids laugh like no one else. He plays a great game of monster and delights Asa with his Lego creations.
Joel is my best friend. My life is infinitely more blessed because I have him by my side. I, for one of many, am so grateful the Lord brought us this man 35 years ago today!Happy birthday Joel!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Joel in Years Past
Last November, I asked Joel's mom to bring me some photos from Joel as a kid. I also wanted some photos of Ed and Liz, his parents, from their early married years or them as kids.
She brought me a box of photos and a few news clippings.
That box sat on a shelf.
Then, when I decided to reorganize my desk area, it moved to a closet, which also got reorganized. (Speaking of which, I really need to get Joel to cut my shelf so I can finish the desk area and post "after" pictures. They are way overdue! Here's the original post about organizing.)
I finally pulled out the box of photos this weekend.
I wanted to scan them and dreaded the process.Turns out, I just had to set up the first one and then literally click a button, change photos, click a button, change photos, click a button, ....you get the picture!
Here are a few of the treasures I found.
Just to prove how much Rylee really does look like her dad, I've included a somewhat "weird" photo of her that I snapped in a series while we were visiting my brother this summer. She made this certain face and I immediately thought of this picture of Joel, which I had seen at some point. She really does look like her daddy sometimes!
*By the way, you can see a picture up close by clicking on it. It will open in a new window as a larger image. Really cool way to see the older photos of Joel's parents.
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