So I didn't die.......

I cannot believe that it has been over a year since I have touched this blog. I have been reading but not posting. So what has been going on in the Upton house?

~Lots of family time. Family reunions, family softball games, trips to the lake, bowling, baby showers, and many, many birthday parties.

~ Visits with friends from Columbia


~ My only living grandparent, Noma Gabel, turned 90. We had a huge celebration for her. Being a legend in this town for running a restaurant for 59 years gets you quite the following.

~ Family medical issues - surgeries, close calls, and casts (more on this to come)

~ We celebrated our first anniversary

~ Chris was baptized

~ Enjoying our beautiful puppies

~ My sister moved to Oklahoma so we went from seeing her and her boys from several times a week to once every 3-4 weeks. What an adjustment. But it makes us cherish our time with them that much more when they visit, even if it means skipping some work to have lunch with them

~ My maid of honor and great friend Maggie got engaged. I will be returning the favor and will be traveling to Texas next April to be a bridesmaid in her wedding

~ Chris bought me a bow and I am learning how to shoot it. Its taking some time, but I hope to get as accurate with the bow as I am with my pistol

~ Work has been busy. Most days I love my job, but there are some times where I hate hearing the stories that I do. Most days my desk looks like this.

~ Loving my life with this wonderful man! I couldn't ask for anything more.

In the short, that is how life is going. My goal is to better at blogging. Often I sit in the house in the evening while Chris watches TV, no reason why I cannot grab the computer to blog a few thoughts.

Five Question Friday

Well, it is finally Friday. It is an office day for me today (yay!) so I have a little bit of free time between projects and appointments. Friday means times for Five Question Friday hosted by My Little Life. If you play along, don't forget to link up.

So, here it goes:

1. What did you wear to prom? Include a picture if possible.
I actually did not go to prom, ever. I love getting dressed up, but I am also cheap. Plus, Chris wasn't really into those kinds of things, so we just never went. Prior to prom our junior year when he asked if we were going, I said I didn't need to go, but would love to share a dance with him. He joked with me for weeks about how he wouldn't dance with me until our wedding. Then one night in a date he parked us in the field behind his house, headlights on and our song playing and danced with me under the stars. Way better than any prom :)


2. Would you rather be on the biggest loser or a food eating challenge?
Right now, I would rather be on the biggest loser. I need someone to force me to exercise and watch the food that I put into my mouth. I eat essentially all day long in my office and on Fridays we get ice cream. Probable doesn't help my need for toning much
3. Done fave sonic drink? Refreshing summer drink? (Hey, Kristina...was that a typo, or some "done good" Southern thing?)
I love raspberry lemonade and it never seems to taste the same as it does in the warm sunny summer
4. What was your first car, and what did you call it?
My first car was secondhand from my sister. It was a 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix coupe. It was and not cool at all. We called it "The Beast from the East"

5. What's one thing your child or spouse does that sends you over the edge?
Chris doesn't always dispose of his soda cans before getting a new soda, especially if I am not up or not home. I have came home before to 4-5 soda cans on the end table. Drives me nuts

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday and weekend!!!

Five Question Friday

Well it is finally Friday. Its rainy and  chilly here this morning. Couple that with a not-so-busy schedule today and I would much rather be at home in the bed or cuddled up on the couch with my pups. Due to my schedule having some free time this morning, I decided I would particpate in 5 Question Friday. If you want to play along, head over to My Little Life and link up.

On to the questions:

1. Groceries are high right now what is easiest way you have found to cut back?
My favorite money saving tip for groceries is menu planning. I plan a menu for a week (sometimes two). I make my grocery list based on that menu. I try (sometimes fail) to only buy the groceries on my list because those are the only things that I positively need

2. What are the top 3 things on your "bucket list"?
- Be a mother
- Make a differnce in the lives of children I am licensed to protect
- Grow old with Christopher
These may be lame, but they are what I find important in life.
3. Would you rather give up AC or heat?
I would give up the AC before I would give up heat. I know logic says you can always add more blankets or clothes, but there are only so many things you can take off, but I still take my heat. I'm cold all the time. I have my heater running under my desk at work year round.

4. What's your favorite cocktail??
This lady doesn't drink so no favorite cocktail

5. What was your first job & how old were you?
I was 13 when I began waitressing at my grandparents resturant - the Ozark Cafe. It was a historic cafe downtown in our small town. I waited tables from 13-18. I quit only to leave town to head off to college. Two weeks after I left, my grandfather passed away and the cafe closed after being open 59 1/2 years. It was a wonderful place. I loved going there as a child and I absolutely loved working there. Our customers still see me around town and always talk to me. I joke that from the years I worked there about 50 people adopted my as a grandchild too. To read some articles about the cafe, see here and here.

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday and weekend!

Forgiveness

One of the hardest things for me to do is forgive someone who hasn't actually asked for forgiveness, especially when the person doesn't even believe they did anything wrong. The worst part - this is the second time dealing with this issue since January. I know that I have to forgive in order to receive forgiveness myself. But its hard. The episode from earlier this year was one of the most difficult things to do, because of the wrong that had been done. This time, wrong isn't so bad, but the person is someone that I trusted deeply.  Its hard to let it go. But I know I will feel better once I do. Guess I'll spend some time with the Bible tonight and my forgiveness worksheets from Brother Spencer.

Lynsie

PS first time blogging from my phone and from the courthouse.

Updating

To say that I have been neglecting my blog would be an understatement. Things have been tremendously busy in the Upton house. But now, finally having a chance to catch my breath (I say that as if it didn't take 3 days to completely type this), I feel I should update you. So what’s been going on ……


~ Many family medical problems but God has been good to us

• Chris’s aunt Laura has been battling gall stones for months now. She had her fourth surgery this morning and they have finally removed the stones. Next step is to remove her gall bladder

• This week Chris’s paternal grandfather was involved in a car accident with a semi truck. Luckily the truck hit the passenger side of Orville’s van and not going at a terribly high rate of speed. Orville needed some stitches in his head and some glue on his other cuts.

~ We purchased me a new car – Ford Edge. I absolutely love it. We have so much more room and can grow as a family in this car (and no, we aren’t having kids right now – a question I get asked daily). I have had the car less than a month and have already put 1500 miles on it from all my court travel.

~ We purchased a new motorcycle. We greatly enjoy riding motorcycles during the warm weather. Chris has been wanting a Harley Davidson for some time now and I consented to letting him get one this year. We found a great deal on a used Fatboy with low miles, so we made the purchase about a week ago. Every day it hasn’t rained or been extremely windy Chris has been on it. The weather this weekend is supposed to be nice so I imagine we will spend some time out of the road

~ My mom has two new puppies which are absolutely adorable. Meet Baxter and Samson.

These two black lab mix pups were found at the gate to the rock quarry Monday of this week. The vet guesses them at 12 weeks. They are a lot of fun. I wish we could have them at our house but Boots isn’t too accommodating to new dogs in the house. We are settled in our family of four and it will probably remain that way for a while. Though we joke if it wasn’t for Boots, we would take in any stay we found. I still say we have the cutest puppies though. These boys bring me joy daily.

~ Work has been tremendously busy for me. I have been gaining new clients almost daily and sometimes numerous clients in one day. My domestic secretary is so overwhelmed that I think we might have to hire a new secretary to help out, at least part time. I enjoy being busy though as I would be bored without my work. Today and most days, my desk looks like this.

~ With the warm weather, we have been working hard outside as we prepare for this year's cattle. Last weekend we completely tore town fencing and cleared brushed as we are building new fence (likely this weekend). It is exhausting work, but I enjoy spending the time with Chris. Plus our field and fence looks so much better. Side note, the best farm tool we have at the house is a Cat 966 front end load. It is so helpful, but we just cannot use it when the ground is soft.

~ We had family pictures taken in February. My mom had been wanting family pictures taken for some time. She contacted our wedding photographer David Coleman of D Coleman Photography. Luckily the weather cooperated and he captured some great pictures of the family around my parents place. Since he came to Pomona, Chris and I thought it would be a great time to have pictures taken with our pups. I won't fill the post with pictures, but will post 2. For more of our teasers, see here.

That is about it on major happenings. Life is busy but at a repetitive schedule. I hope to get better. I have recipes and craft projects to share. I am still finishing my office as it has been the catchall room in the house. I need to file paperwork and get to decorating. Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend.

Love

The topic of love has been weighing on my mind for a while now. I have been observing other people in their relationships and there are a few things that I feel I must get off my chest. Now, I will never claim to be an expert on love and I was not trained in analyzing relationships, but I do see failed relationships on a daily basis and I myself am in love and want to say the following things.

Many people around me are claiming to be in love, but somehow I just don't believe you. I know that love can come in many different forms. Not everyone will have the type of love that I share with Chris. Relationships are not always the same, but I can say a few things that I know are not signs of love.

~ Love doesn't try to control your life or try to tell you what you should do
~ Love doesn't try to change you into something that you are not, rather it encourages you to be the best version of you
~ Love doesn't try to take you away from your family and friends with whom you share a close relationship, rather it should want to be a part of that relationship
~ Love isn't something that you hide from those who care about you, but rather something you want to share with those around you
~ Love isn't physically, verbally or emotionally abusive, EVER
~ Love isn't lying to one another about what you are doing or who you are with
~ Love also isn't encouraging your mate to lie to friends, family or each other
~ Love doesn't cheat nor encourage you to cheat
~ Love isn't disrespectful - to you or others you care about
~ Love doesn't ignore you or your needs
~ Love doesn't care how much money you have nor does it ask others for money

One thing I dislike is when people say "oh, you should support me because I am happy". Most people saying this are reminding me verbally daily about how happy they are without being asked. The more you tell me how happy you are, the more I question whether you truly are happy. I feel more like you are trying to convince yourself that you are happy instead of convincing me. I'm not buying it. Happiness is something that can be shown through your behavior and actions, not always something you have to say.

Lastly, I will leave you with this final thought. There is this great book called the Bible that tells exactly what love is supposed to be like. The following verses are quite commonly spoke, but not everyone actually thinks about the meaning behind it. Although we had read the words many times, Chris and I were tasked to read them during pre-marriage counseling and were read during our wedding ceremony. We were told that anytime we had issues/disagreements, we can go back to these words and help us through whatever troubles we may encounter. We often go back and read these words. They are marked in each of our Bibles and these words are hanging on our bedroom wall as a reminder. So I ask you this, if you think you are really in love, is is the kind of love that God created for you?

Love suffers long and is kind; 

Love does not envy; 

Love does not parade itself;

Is not puffed up; 

Does not behave rudely; 

Does not seek its own;

Is not prevoked;

Thinks no evil; 

Does not rejoice in inequity;

But rejoices in the truth;

Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

And now abide faith, hope and love, these three;

But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8; 13 (NKJV)

You Had Me at Hello

Although we don't celebrate the special holiday of love, this little love survey sounded fun. Head over to From Mrs to Mama to play along.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
Our first night hanging out/date was October 18, 2003. We have been together every since. Crazy how those 8 years have flown by


2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
Chris and I grew up in the same small town, so we knew "of" each other for years before our actual friendship/dating began. During my sophomore year of high school, I had been dating a close friend of Chris. Due to their friendship, Chris and I became friends as well. We were always together, hanging out on weekends all together, double dates, etc. We found out years later that we each developed a crush for each other during that time. After realizing previous boyfriend was bad news, I broke up with him in September 2003. The night of our school's homecoming dance was October 18, 2003. I hadn't felt like going, so I was in town cruising with my sister. Chris was in town with his friend Anthony. After thinking Anthony flipped my sister off, she flagged them down in a parking lot. We all began talking and decided to hang out that night. We cruised town, did some dirt roading, shared our first kiss, etc. At the end of the night as we said our goodbyes, Chris asked if he could call me the next day. He called the next day and has called me every day since!

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}
We recently got married. Our wedding was September 24, 2011 and it was the greatest day of my life. We waited so long because we wanted to wait until I had graduated college and law school and took the bar exam. School was over, long distance was over. We were then ready to actually begin the new chapter of our lives together. He was every bit the man I hoped to marry. He is my soul mate and my perfect match!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?
We were married at the First Baptist Church in West Plains with a reception following at the historic Opera House. Our guest list was around 200, so not too small but not huge either. To us, it was perfect

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
He calls me Linz or Linnie. I occassionally call him Critter. No real nicknames we call each other regularily

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
1. He has always been there to love me and support me through everything and I couldn't ask for a better best friend
2. He makes me want to be a better person
3. He loves his family and mine. He is willing to do anything for anyone

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?
Nothing romantic here. It was August 19, 2005, the day that I left our hometown to attend college 200 miles away. He picked me up to take me to breakfast (having only decided he was going to propose about 1 hour before he left the house). As we were driving to the resturant, he stopped at a car wash to wash his car. I guess he couldn't wait any longer, so as I was getting back into the car, he took my hand told me he loved me and didn't want me to leave for school without knowing how he felt about me. It was adorable.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
We actually do not celebrate Valentine's Day. We are one of those couples who believe that we express love for each other every day of the year and not just one. I prefer the little things all year round that remind me he was thinking about me during the day, like a text, buying my favorite candy while at the mini-mart, etc.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
We are homebodies for sure. Most nights we can be found cuddled up on the couch with a good movie or TV show. We do enjoy the occassional date and time away, but nothing fancy for us.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
This may sound cheesy, but I would just like to raise a family and grow old with Christopher. It wouldn't matter where we went or what we are doing, I am happy so long as he is by my side. We talk about vacations occassionally, but nothing fancy (Chris won't get on an air plane). We talk about long term plans - building houses, having farms, etc. But those are just part of our life together

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.
Again, we don't celebrate, so nothing. We will come home from work, have dinner together and cuddle on the couch with our two pups, Dozer and Boots

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
Nope

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
I am going to give two, just because I feel like being a rebel today.
Thing 1 - One of the things that I think helps us the most is being 100% honest with each other all the time. We never try to hide things or feelings or desires from the other person. This tactic may not work with every relationship, but to us it does. There are days I am being irrational and I need someone to make me see that I am wrong. If I want him to do something or if he has upset me (or vise versa), we are open and honest about it.
Thing 2 - Do things together. At the end of the day, all that will matter is your relationship and the time that you have spent with your mate. We make it a point every night to have dinner together in the kitchen and just talk. Then we have devotional time together. On the weekends, we try to do as much stuff as we can together. Sure sometimes, I don't want to go cut wood, but I enjoy being with Chris and he enjoys the company/help. Don't get me wrong, there are times that we do have apart. We aren't together 24/7. But we are a team and vowed to be as one, therefore we spend the time together.

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Again, I will be a rebel and show several pictures. Love to me means Chris and Lynsie and the life we share together.

Hope you enjoyed learning more about Chris and I!