Birthday Celebration Part 2: Floating the River

My husband is one of kind that is for sure. (Those of you who know him are probably shaking your head in agreement.) First, he loves me on a whole other level that I didn't even know was possible. I feel so very blessed by this man each and every day. So, things like my birthday and our anniversary - he seems to take great joy in because it is another opportunity to show me his love. And it really is amazing.

My hubby does not like to do the ordinary. In fact, if it is something that he thinks would be expected he won't do it. For example, roses on Valentine's Day. That would be a big no-no in his world. Instead, this last year he wrote this giant note out on poster board using different kinds of candy.

Back to my birthday.... He always tries to think of creative and original things to do and this year was no different.

This year he announced that he was taking me to float the river on my birthday. It sounded like fun. I love the outdoors just as much as he does. Okay, not in the survivor man, drop me off in the middle of no-where with only a pocket knife and I will walk 20 miles type of way but in the ohhh, isn't that lake so pretty and look at that butterfly type of way. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make myself out to be a girly-girl because that is certainly one thing that I am not. But there is still a bit of an extreme between what my husband enjoys out of the wilderness and what I enjoy out of the wilderness. (As you can probably tell by the photos I take.)

Anyway, so we are on our way to float the river. We get on the river and this transformation began to happen in my heart. First of all, it was so stinking quiet! I don't get quiet. I have four children - quiet does not exist. Then there was the fun of working together rowing, avoiding being sucked under and dying, that kind of thing. Just kidding. There was rowing together but it was all pretty mild and not life threatening in any way.

Then, there was the picnic lunch. He was so sweet. He packed all of our favorites and we sat under a big tree just off the river and actually had adult conversation and, again, we just enjoyed the quiet. It was amazing and truly a moment I will cherish in my heart for the rest of my life.

On the river again, we made our way the rest of the way down. Almost to the end a friend of ours went by with a group of people and they all yelled happy birthday to me. It was sweet.

We finally go to the end and I swam in the river for a few minutes until my mom picked us and the boat up. It was amazing and definitely one of the very best birthday expenses I have had in 33 years. Thank you Jason for arranging it all and to my family for providing all the extra stuff like dropping off, picking up, and babysitting. Love you all!

These were just a few pics I took/had taken. I didn't take my camera with me because I was afraid it would get wet. I really wish I would have once we were on the river because there were some really amazing photo opportunities....maybe next time.

[the.beginning]



[the.end]

Birthday Celebration Part 1: Can You Say Sushi?

I was treated to a birthday lunch this week. It was delightful.

The best part....

I was able to share it with this man. :-) 

Photo of the Day: {daddy & his boy}

[jason.and.creide*july.4.2012]

Happy Birthday Jason!!!

Today is Jason's birthday. We are so grateful to be able to call this man {husband} and {daddy}. :-)

There are no words to describe the {heart} that this man has. If you know him, you just can't help but to want to know him better. If you don't know him, you don't know what you are missing out on.

For those of you who don't know {our} story.... Jason and I actually went to the same daycare together. I was 7 and he was 8. I remember him doing things like bouncing his little brother off of the trampoline and giving him a bloody nose. But I also remember him doing things like taking the food that his brother didn't like so his little brother wouldn't get in trouble for not eating it. (Hey, that is sweet when your 8 years old.)

I remember him in middle school and junior high - he was SOOO much taller than the other boys - how could you miss him! People ask if we dated in high school. The answer... Jason would have had to talk to me in order for us to date. You see, Jason was one of the shyest people I have ever met. He definitely didn't talk to girls and since I was a girl - he didn't talk to me. Although, there is a lovely story about him having to run a lap on the baseball field because of me. :-) (Jason - you should have been paying attention to your coach instead of the track girls running behind the backstop. :-) You all can ask him about that the next time you see him. LOL!

The truth is, I was actually the one that had to ask Jason on our first date. (The one and only time I ever asked a boy on a date, thank goodness - and he really wasn't a boy anymore, we were in our early 20's.) What can I say - desperate times called for desperate measures. (Remember the shyness thing...I always say that if I would have waited for him to ask me out on a date then our children still would not have been born.) :-) Needless to say, things worked out. ;-)

The one thing that you have to know about J is that he has always been a good person. He has always been a gentleman. You never heard him say high school boy things (yeah, we don't even need to go there) and to all the youth group high school boys that happen to be reading this (yes, the 1) I, of course, know that you would never say anything like what I am referring to. ;-)

Anyway, J is the most amazing husband and I should know because I have thoroughly tested him. This past year he has taken amazing care of me and our children when I could not even take care of myself - let alone 4 kids! When I was going through chemo he had to be both mom and dad and thank goodness my chemo didn't last any longer because he did such an amazing job I think I was about ready to lose my job. :-)

Here are just a few things that I will continually be thankful to Jason for....

Thank you, Jason, for saying yes to that nervous phone call all those many years ago. (Heck no, I didn't ask him in person - I am WAY too chicken for that.)
Thank you, Jason, for choosing me.
Thank you, Jason, for the sacrifices you have made for us.
Thank you, Jason, for putting up with me. (That in itself is a full-time job.)
Thank you, Jason, for taking care of me in sickness and in health.
Thank you, Jason, for taking care of my children when I could not.
Thank you, Jason, for being that type of daddy that you are.
Thank you, Jason, for modeling what a Godly man is supposed to be for my boys and what a Godly husband is supposed to look like for my daughter - even though she is never going to find a man that will live up to your standards... it is still a nice "theory".
Thank you, Jason, for loving us the way you do.
Thank you, Jason, for just being you.

We are so grateful for you each and everyday. As I was looking back through the pictures, so many memories came flooding back. I have loved every minute of our life together (even though there were some moments I didn't like so much - namely chemo and radiation). I would redo every second of it all over again just so I could be with you.

South Dakota days.

Alaska days.

Ky turning {one}.

Coming back from our camping trip. Creide sporting his new hat that the sheriff's deputy gave him because he felt bad for pulling us over - falsely suspecting that we had stole our camper. (This stuff only happens to us :-)

Our special day.

{us}

Thank you for the memories. We love you dearly.

Swimming in Ouray.....{Part 1}

A couple of weeks ago Jason took some of the GCC Youth Group kids to Ouray for a fun swim day after a long week of serving at several different locations throughout our community. The kids and I were able to tag along. We enjoyed our time at the Ouray Hot Springs and just feel so blessed that we live in an area that offers so many things to do in such a short distance.

These are just a few pictures I was able to snap of Jason, Creide, and Kearyn playing in the water. Boy, do they love playing in the water - especially Jason, he is like a big fish and you can barely get him out of the water without throwing a fit.  (For those of you who don't know - Jason is the one with the facial hair ;-) I better stop now - he does read the blog. Love you Jason!)

Kearyn says: Check out my new swimming suit! Thank you Miss Jeanette!

Things That Make Me Happy..... Part 5

My husband.... I never knew when we said our wedding vows how literally God would walk us through each of them and the greatest challenge so far...in sickness and in health. This man has stood by me through it all and the most amazing thing is that he does it with his head held high and his eyes focused on the cross. He never complains - not to me anyway. He never makes me feel bad - he just love me... totally and completely... just as God has called him to do.

I pray that my daughter finds a husband like her father - such a Godly man that will cherish and nurture her no matter what she goes through. I pray that my boys become men just like their father. I am so blessed to have this man in my life that does seek God first in all that he does. Yes, it has been quite the journey to get here for both of us but we have done it together - and I can say from the depth of my heart that I wouldn't trade any of it.

During our trip to the mountains this past weekend there was an opportunity that J and I were able to just sneak away - just the 2 of us. I sat on a rock and watched him fly fish and took pictures. It was so peaceful and God's beautiful creation surrounded us. Fly fishing is one of Jason's favorite activities and it was so nice to just watch him do something he loves to do with no interruptions. He gets this quiet contentment about him and I know things are just good.

This man makes me so happy and I love to just be around him.
Thank you Jason for standing by me and loving me like you have. 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Dear Daddy,
The four Gressman kids would sincerely like to wish you a Happy Daddy's Day!
We love you so much and thank God that you are our daddy every day!

We know we can be rowdy and a rambunctious bunch -
We make messes faster than you and mom can clean them up -
We also get into things we are not suppose to from time to time -
But at the end of the day - we know you still love us. :-)
Because honestly, what is not to love!

Here is a message from each of your precious four!

Cale (age 11): Have a Happy Father's Day! Thank you for being our dad. You are a great father to us. You have always been able to get us through hard times. Thank you for being our dad. Happy Father's Day!

Ky (age 5): Happy Father's Day! I want to go camping and swimming. :-)

Creide (age 3): Happy Father's Day! Can you take me fishing? :-)

Kearyn (age 1): Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da! (Screeching noise....) Da-da-da-da-da-da!
(I am sure she was saying something like: Daddy, I love you! Can you take me shopping? - Just a rough interpretation. :-)

From your loving wife:
J - You are the best husband and father a girl can ask for. It is so amazing to watch you each and every day with our children. You are truly raising up our boys to be Godly men and our little girl - well, she will definitely be well protected. I see your love for them each and every moment and that gives my heart so much joy. Thanks for all you do - each and every day for our family and so many others. It is such an honor to be your wife. With all my love, A.

Funny of The Day

So, I don't know exactly what Jason and I were doing to start this little event.... I think we were playfully deciding upon who was going to change a diaper or something because the wet wipe package was actually involved. He tossed it up in the air and it actually hit our ceiling fan and then went flying right by my head. Jason howled with laughter. I immediately went into mom mode...."Jason, what would have happened if that would have poked my eye out?" (Imagine hands on hips giving him my best mom look....) Without skipping a beat he said......"I wouldn't have laughed quite so hard...."

What do you say to that?

You gotta love him! :-)

Kearyn 9: I Love This Surprise!

So, I just had to share. I happened to go on FB (for those of you who aren't up on the lingo FB=Facebook) and found this lovely picture of my hubby and my daughter on there. I love it! One of our youth group kids took it when we just happened to be at the park at the same time a couple of weeks ago and I didn't even know it. It is just so good - they both are so happy! I love it! It gives my heart so much joy. Thanks for taking and sharing this photo Hannah!



Daddy and Kearyn Girl (almost 1 in this photo)

I love this Man!

My hubbie is gone for a few days and I am missing him so dearly.

Don't get me wrong - I am glad that he went. He has been planning this mission trip with this very special group of teenagers for months. He is doing a discipleship program over the summer this year and he has literally been praying and planning this summer of events for so long it is so fun to finally see it here and unfolding so that these young people can continue to grow in Christ.

But I still miss him. He has always has a way of making me feel better.


 

I love you J.

Priceless Moments: Father, Son & the Great Dilemma

When I was going through the pictures from Kearyn's birthday party (don't worry - I will be sharing them as we go along) I found these pictures and just loved them.

It truly is the great dilemma. You can just hear their conversation -

Daddy: So Creide, what do you think - should we go over the shoot and through the windmill or take the safe shot and go around?

Creide: Daddy! Look, there is a bird! Come here birdy, birdy, birdy - I'm gonna catch it.

Daddy: No Creide, we are playing golf here. We need to decide how we are going to play this hole.

Creide: Come here birdy. Awe Daddy! The birdy flew away!

Daddy: We'll just play it safe and go around.

Creide: Okay Daddy - look! A squirrel! 

......or something like that. :-)

~Pictures by Sarah B.~

The Anniversary

Jason and I celebrated our anniversary today. All I can say is that it has been a pure joy to be married to this man. I feel so blessed each and every day that God has blessed me with the love of my life. I cannot imagine walking through what I am walking through right now without him.

When the bible called him to love me as Christ loves the church - he has done just that. Each and every day  as my husband loves me the way he does - I see Christ.

Thanks for loving me as you do Jason - through sickness and in health, until death do us part. 

Day 13: My Husband

Today I did not feel well most of the day. This is very hard for me because I feel like I have so much to do and want to be doing it. I have never been good at "sitting still" and I am the worst patient on the planet. I can't even watch t.v. without doing something else at the same time so I don't feel like I am totally wasting my time.

When my mom offered to watch the kids for us so we could go to dinner or order take-out I really wanted to take advantage so I could do something to celebrate with my hubby. Despite the icky feelings, I willed myself to feel better enough to go. (If you are a mom, you totally know what I am talking about here.) We ended up having a wonderful, quiet time. This was the first "date night" that we had since before Kearyn was born, which was over 8 1/2 months ago. It was really good to have that adult conversation without having a baby meltdown or food thrown at you. Well, there was that one time that Jason got a little rowdy with his dessert but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. (Just kidding.)

I know if it weren't for Jason that I wouldn't be able to deal with any of this. God truly blessed me so greatly when he put him in my life and God continues to bless me daily with Jason's presence. He helps to keep me strong when I am weak. When I sobbed in his arms when I first got the news that I had cancer because I was so scared to die and leave my children, he was there and he reminded me that I couldn't limit God in what He could do. He whispered to me over and over, "Don't limit God, don't limit God...." until my heart heard what he was telling me.

There are no words to express what it is like to have someone like that in your corner, constantly reminding me of my faith. I just hope and pray that I am the same light for him as he has been for me.

I love you Jason, more than you could ever know. Thank you for being my husband. Happy Valentine's Day my love.

Love Always,
Andrea

Happy Birthday Jason.....

Yesterday was Jason's birthday. I have to tell you that I had so much fun planning his special day. I love birthdays so much because it is just a great opportunity to show that person how much they mean to you and this was no exception.

We love Jason dearly as he is the most amazing husband and father that we could have ever asked for. God truly blesses us every day with his presence in our lives and our home. I was just telling Cale the other day as we were having one of our "heart to hearts" that if he grew up to be just like his dad he would be just fine in life. :-)

Jason does an incredible job of modeling to our boys what a Godly man, loving husband, and engaged father is suppose to look like. He is just amazing and there are no words to describe how much we love him.

With that being said I wanted to create a special birthday present for Jason. Something that would combine the things that he loved and most importantly something that couldn't be purchased in a store. So, I put this together in a frame for him that will soon find its home in his office. (If you happen to stop by there you can take a look.)

This is Jason's favorite scripture by the way. If you are one of his youth group kids you already know that! :-)

Jason....the youth pastor

So, I just wanted to post some pictures of Jason to let you know what his job really consists of. It is a lot of really hard work as you will see.....

Free picture collage personalized with Smilebox

Pretty rough I know.....Sometimes I wonder how he makes it through his days. ;-)

This was actually taken on a dodgeball night. (Yes people, and by people I mean adults, do still play dodgeball. And yes, it is a sport!) 

We are the Gressman's.....

We are the Gressman's....Jason-31, Andrea-31, Cale-10, Kylind "Ky"-4, Creide-2, and Kearyn-2 months. Yes, we are a family of 6 which from the reactions I get in the grocery store seems to be something of a rarity these days.

The first thing and most important thing we can say about our family is that we absolutely love the Lord. We do our best to serve as a family whenever we can. Our family motto: "Serve One as one." The story of how God revealed that to us will be told at another time.

Jason is a youth pastor and I work part-time for the church as an event coordinator. We love both positions. The kids that God brings into our lives each week on either a Wednesday or Thursday night for youth group are absolutely amazing. We do our best to love them as Christ loves us. This task is easy and challenging all at the same time but we embrace it as we know God has called us to do this.

Our children are amazing as well. Truly miracles from God and each and everyday I look at them and I am overwhelmed that God would entrust them to me. I am so grateful that God chose me to be their mom. I am truly left speechless and overwhelmed. Each and everyday I feel so blessed to have the husband that I have, the three handsome boys that I call "my sons" and my beautiful baby girl. Yes indeed, I am blessed.

We are the Gressman's.....