We're Hoos...How 'Bout You?

Do you have a special date night splurge with your husband? Is there something out of the ordinary (other than your home, children and family life) that you two share?

A hobby, sport, activity or passion that brings the two of you together...not the run-of-the-mill normal "living" kind of things.


For us, it's football. More specifically, college football.


You see, we've grown up in a college town.

Charlottesville, Virginia...home to The University of Virginia

We are Virginia Cavaliers fans, through and through.

We've known how to "paint the town orange" since we can remember. Well, It probably took a little longer for my country boy to come around as a Wahoo fan, seeing he spent so much of his childhood in the country, chasing fireflies and playing in the creek beds. ;)

Nevertheless, he is a HUGE fan, now!


I grew up watching UVA football games and I even had the privilege of going the women's basketball games with my dad.

My childhood dream was to play college basketball for UVA and attend the UVA Law School.

Twenty plus years later, I am an even bigger fan. My husband and I have found out that we enjoy watching the games TOGETHER. (If you run to the TV to catch the game when your man is not even home, you are, without a doubt a football fan! Yep, that's me!)


What we love even more than watching the game on TV is going TO THE GAMES...oh, my!

It's our "splurge".

A seemingly frivolous thing that brings us together...cheering on the home team, jumping with excitement when they score a touchdown and singing the "Good Ole' Song".

Whatever your splurge is with your "love" make sure that you don't get so busy living life, raising a family and paying the bills that you forget to do that special thing. Take the time to work on and build a strong marriage...one day those kids are going to be "raised" and on their own and you'll be left staring into the eyes of a stranger if you don't build your relationship now.

If you don't have something special, then make up something that can be your own...it doesn't even have to be expensive as long as it's just the two of you, together and enjoying your special friendship.

We even enjoy going for a drive on a pretty day or a warm evening, winding our way along back country roads, taking advantage of an occasional stop sign to lean over a sneak a passionate kiss or two...Or three. ;). It's those kind of things that will bind your hearts together and strengthen your marriage.

Living purposefully goes beyond raising your children...it's also what will make a fulfilling, lasting marriage.

A Little Drive and Memory or Two

We took a bit of some time away and enjoyed family time in Williamsburg.

My little soldiers trying on military uniforms.

Elaina and Her Daddy stopping for a quick shot in one of the houses as we toured the Jamestown Settlement.

True Treasure

Some women find happiness in their work, some in their social status, some find their happiness in the things they own. But for me, I could not ask for anything more than what God has given me. Above all else in this life of mine, I adore my family. They are my greatest blessing and my most valued treasure. If you knew them the way I know them, you would know why! As I think about each of them, a few things come to mind.

There are so many reasons why I love them but here are a few.

My husband…

The way his eyes still sparkle sometimes when he looks at me

The way that he keeps me grounded- things are black and white to him and me, well not so much

His playful spirit

The way he takes care of me- there are so many ways, but one that especially warms my heart is the way that he wakes me up every morning. He comes into the bedroom, with a cup of hot coffee and my medicine, gently helping me sit up in the bed with a warm hug and a kiss. Then he gives me my medicine. I can’t think of many better ways to be woken up!

Brittany, my 20 year old…

Her smile and playful spirit.

She has such a friendly personality, a “people person”.

Her creativity- I LOVE reading her blog. She has a wonderful way of writing and makes even the most boring things interesting.

She’s so good with children and they love her. She’s going to make a good mommy, she already understands the principles and ways of training. It warms my heart to see her working with them and guiding them in right.

McKenna, my 16 year old…

Her smile and crazy sense of humor.

Her servant’s heart- she’s a worker.

The sound of her piano playing in the background as I work around the house.

She is very good with children and I notice the way she sets her plans aside so she can read a book, jump on the trampoline or play with them.

Elaina, my 14 year old

Her smile and quick wit.

She has the most gentle spirit & tender heart.

She is such a worker- and if I want it done “right” she can handle it without a problem.

She has a submissive attitude and will do whatever I ask without complaint.

Abigail, my 11 year old…

Her compassionate heart & warm spirit

Her love language is definitely touch & needs lots of hugs and encouragement

She is one who will be sure to make an elderly person in the church feel loved & special

She loves animals and babies. I’m sure she will make a good mommy one day!

Samuel, my 8 year old…

His tender heart, he tells me twenty times a day, “Mommy, I love you.” He always has and I hope he always will

The way he loves his little beagle, Copper.

The way he is so sweet to his little brother & takes care of him.

His sense of humor- he is always trying to come up with something funny to do.

He loves to “organize” things either to make his mommy happy or “just because”

Joshua, my 7 year old

His sunshine personality and dimpled smile. Nothing melts mine and his sister’s hearts more than that little smile

His tenderness, he loves any kind of animal. He loves to bring his little treasures to me. There have been many times he has come in from outside with a handful of something, be it lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, you name it. It’s always interesting, I promise you!

He doesn’t mind being the baby of the family. Only sometimes, he will get on his sisters for calling him, “Baby” other times, he quite enjoys it.

I could go on forever but I won’t. Overall, I love my family, I love being with them, I am overwhelmed at times that God has given me such wonders. There is no one on this rich green earth that I would rather be with. I cannot understand the woman that wants to be anywhere but home. My home is my haven. It is the place where I find peace, joy, love, laughter, acceptance, encouragement and comfort. And for this I am most grateful.