8/19/2015

Twenty-four Years since we said I Do ...




And so, the Builder and I have now been married twenty-four years. We celebrated our anniversary last week. He was in Aviemore. I was in Ness. But still .... we celebrated twenty-four years of God's goodness.

Here's a bit of a run down on these years:

1991



We became Mr & Mrs. It had been a long time coming, in some ways. After all, we'd known each other for at least ten years, but I'm slow on the uptake, and I'd only realised the previous year that this guy was a keeper. He would be better as more than 'just good friends', and I'd do well to grab him as a husband and friend.


1992
I can't remember much that happened in this year. Our first full year of marriage must have been really exciting, eh?


1993
I graduated from Glasgow University at week 40+5. 

Thankfully, DR decided to begin a good old Morrison tradition of being late, and stayed safely tucked up until week 40+ 10. 

He's always been a considerate child.


Pictured here a couple of years later, at my brother's wedding. I loved a man in a kilt then, and I still have that love affair going.


1994
We had our car, a Vauxhall Cavalier, stolen from outside church one Friday evening, and the car was written off by the Glasgow neds who stole it.

The silver lining was that we were forced into getting a car that was actually reliable :)


1995
Our first daughter was born on Mothering Sunday of this year. 

Yep, she's a girl. Honest.


1996
I'm drawing a blank on 1996. Life was busy with my 1 year old daughter and 3 year old son, and another baby on her way. Apart from the general fun and games that go along with life in the fast lane as a mother, I cannot think of anything out of the ordinary.

Never mind that he had his own bed, DR as often as not would end up in the cot with Catherine.
Such precious memories


1997
Our second daughter was born on Mothering Sunday of this year. No kidding. Two years apart. Two daughters. Two Mothering Sundays. 

Beat that for Mother's Day gifts!


1998, 1999
There is nothing of significance that I can remember in 1998, nor in 1999. DR would have begun school in Glasgow, and I do remember how I felt about that (in the days when we'd never heard of such a thing as homeschooling! Remember the days before internet? Aye, it's hard to imagine life now without the good ol' World Wide Web!)


2000
This was when the homeschooling journey began for me. I began with trepidation, convinced of my inability, yet knowing this is what God meant for the children He'd given us. This journey is still ongoing. I am still convinced of my inability, and yet God's goodness has been, and still is, overwhelming.


2001
Mum and I visited Canada. Mum wanted to visit some relatives in London, Ontario and in Vancouver. My dad will not fly, so I was landed with the hardship of accompanying Mum to CANADA (sorry, but I love, love, love that country, and it's kinda hard for me just to say the name without squealing excitedly. Very unnerving for those around me.)



Have y'all read the story behind this photo, taken in Stanley Park, Vancouver? No? Oh you must! Read about it here.

Amazing, eh?!


2002
My sister, Marina, married in the Autumn of this year, 


and we all got spruced up for the day. Just one thing to say here: Isn't Katie so cuh-UTE!



2003
We were blessed with our precious Wee Guy.

(ignore the date on the photo: it's wrong!)


2004
We first met our dear friends, Alex and Elsie in the summer of this year. If you haven't read the story of our first meeting, you can read it here.



2005
We moved into our new house in the summer of this year, on the eve of DR's 13th birthday.






2006
We had a wonderfully cold and sunny spell in winter. The kids loved having snow - real snow!




2007
The vegetable growing bug bit. Big style. Do y'all remember my love affair with The Plot? It all began this year, and I hope to resurrect it in the not-too-distant future.







2008
We visited the USA for the first time. It was our first 'real' family holiday, and one we will never forget.

Our adventure began in Ontario. It really was an adventure, and one we will never forget, nor regret.



It was strange for us to realise that people actually knew what Homeschoolers were, far less to have them welcome us!



It was such an amazing experience, creating memories we will never regret making.


2009
We carried on our November 5th tradition of a family bonfire.






This kind of sums up how the cousins felt about the night, and how they feel about each other.


2010


Our garage went on fire, so what could one do but send Calum with some cakes to our lovely, helpful firefighters.



That event resulted in D.R. joining our local Fire Service. As you can see from the photo, it's about slightly more than just cake-eating ...


2011
The difference between my other four kids and Jackson is that with the first four, labour came first and then the babies came. With Jackson .... he came first, and then the labour (of love) began. And continued.



2012
Big Brother celebrated a significant birthday, surrounded by his adoring fan club.



and I visited London for the first time ever and fell completely in love with the city.



D.R. and Catherine also visited Canada and America in 2012, and stayed with this wonderful family in Toronto. Once again, this blog has resulted in us meeting such lovely people.



2013
West Coast Americans visited, and shared the warmest week of our year with us.



2014
Catherine got engaged to 'her John'. This one act, taking place on the last day of 2014, has been what has governed so much of what has happened in our lives this year.



2015

Well, where can I begin with 2015?! 

The Builder began his new work on the mainland.


...and the bike was the most-cared-for item to be packed.


We put our house up for sale, and have recently accepted an offer for the house.




And wedding plans .... are going full pelt.

Here we were, waiting for Catherine to appear in a wedding dress. 

Oh, the anticipation!

And then the delight!

It sure hasn't been a year to dawdle!

~      ~      ~

Thank you, my darling, for saying 'I do', and for being more to me than you'll ever know..... even though I tell you. Frequently.





16 comments:

  1. Congratulations and here's to many more happy years together.

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  2. How lovely.... I can remember DR being born, and then Catherine! You've always seemed like, well, 'friends' and it's such a wonderful example.... I'm glad you've been able to accept an offer on your house (though slightly sad it was before we got round to visiting). And, if you ever want to visit London again we have a nice 'cabin' in our garden which you'd be welcome to use as your hotel room x. Angela x

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    Replies
    1. Yes, there are so many people we'd love to have had in our home, and now we definitely won't! Still .... silver lining.... we'll be closer to y'all, and so it may be easier for you to come and see us :) .
      Now, that 'cabin' sounds interesting ... ;) ;)
      A x

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  3. What a lovely way to remember the major events of your life together! Time goes by so quickly and it's good to have a way to remember these things!

    Deanna

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    1. Time really does pass quickly, Deanna. And yes, I'm so glad I have blogged over these past years, as a kind of living photo album :)

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  4. Congratulations! I love the way that you have documented the years. We celebrated our 25th last year-I'm just thinking that a photo journal would have been a great way to mark this. Perhaps, an idea for next year.
    Hoping that the wedding preparations go smoothly!

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    1. Congratulations, Sarah! You have celebrated a *really* important one! Yes, the blog has been a kind of photo journal - I'm glad I'll have it to look back on in years to come :)
      A x

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  5. Beautiful!! Wow, I just loved reading the highlights for every year. Thank you for the little insight into your fun, intriguing and totally lovable family life!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Susan :) . It's fun thinking back, but finding photos isn't always so easy!
      A x

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  6. Congratulations to you both. What a precious and beautiful couple you are. Loved seeing you years unfold… it is fun to think that I have shared them with you some what….. because of your blog over the years. So excited for you that your house has sold, and now you can be together and complete… we're still trying to sell over here. Look forward to updates of your new home and the wedding.
    Love and blessings,
    Pam

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    Replies
    1. Pam, I was wondering whether your house had sold. I must remember you in prayer regarding that - it'll be such a burden off you once it sells. We are certainly looking forward to being together permanently (well, as 'permanent' as this life gives us! - events of this year remind us, if we needed reminding, that this life is one of constant change. Thankfully, we have One who never changes, and THAT is our constant encouragment and strengthening through these times).
      A x

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  7. Congratulations to you and your sweet husband. 24 years is amazing, especially in these days of easy divorce. My husband and I will celebrate 30 years in October. So hard to believe . . . where have the years gone. Blessings and prayers for many many more years of health and happiness together my friend!

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    1. Thank you, my dear :) . And how lovely for you to be celebrating your *30th*. That's VERY special. Love to you both, and every blessing for your anniversary, and for the years, DV, to come xx

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  8. Congratulations, Anne (and Finlay)!! :) May you have many, many more years ahead filled with the LORD's grace! I enjoyed your summary of the years!!

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    1. Thank you, SJ :) .Your folks are a wee bit ahead of us, but your mum gave me some ideas for our 25th year, if we're spared to see it :)
      A xx

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