My Rock...

Gary...my rock!

Today is my hubby's birthday...he's not much into having a big celebration, unlike myself!  He's the most amazing guy I know, next to my dad.  We've been married for 16 years and together for 19 years, yes we are high school sweethearts and still together after all these years.  It's gone by fast in one sense and seems like yesterday when we were in high school.  Time really does go by way too fast.  Sometimes I think we get so wrapped up in the day to day life that we forget about those closest to us or what really, I mean REALLY, matters in this life!  It's funny, what I thought really mattered in life a few months ago couldn't hold a candle in the wind to what matters to me now.

Gary has been amazing these last few months and over these last three years.  When my dad had his heart attack and we were in Oklahoma City at the heart hospital, Gary never left my side!!!  That seems so normal to many people but it speaks unbelievable love to me. Let me just say that my hubby works, and I mean he works hard and all the time.  He rarely takes a day off and is always doing whatever needs to be done.  He works a full time job and operates a full time farm and takes on all my crazy projects and is an awesome daddy to our 4 boys!  So for him to drop everything for me during my dad's hospital stay totally speaks nothing but true love.  I don't remember him worrying about the farm or his job while he was with me, he was just there with me.  At the time I don't remember thinking much about his actions, I was very wrapped up with my dad and my mom at that time, but I think back now and truly realize just how much he loves me and my family.  Let me just say right now that I pray that my boys will be just like their daddy!  So for 10 days, while dad was in the hospital, Gary tended to my every need and still managed to make sure his other responsibilites were covered.  So when it came down to "the nitty gritty" (according to my dad) Gary was my rock!  He's been my rock since I was 16, I just didn't realize it all these years!  What a patient man he is.

I love this picture of Gary for many reasons, it shows so much about him.  I took this picture a few weeks ago when I took him and the big boys a mid afternoon drink.  It was hot and they were putting in fence.  Gary is not afraid to work hard and go after whatever it is he wants in life.  Things appear easy for him but most don't see what he gives of himself to make things happen.  He goes on very little sleep and gets up without complaint.  He'll just dive into a yucky project and get it done in no time.  He's constantly planning and preparing.  Whoever said, "farming is easy hasn't tried it."  Just in the past year and a half, since I quit my job, I'm beginning to understand just a tiny bit of all that he does.  Just a tiny bit, some of it I can't really wrap my mind around.  Do you sell wheat at harvest, wait?  Check the price of wheat and cattle on the markets, hedge?  Look at the weather, trying to decide if it's going to rain, hail, snow, ice, too cold too soon or too late!  Put fertilizer down now or wait because it's not the right temperature or chance of rain or no chance of rain?  Put cattle on this field because the pasture is ready or not because you put down a chemical that can harm the animal or the crop...oh my it's so very confusing and did I mention all the math!?  This is just a little glimpse into the farming side of him and all he thinks about.  So now that I've been helping with the farming operation and trying to understand this life, I realize just how much he loves me and takes such good care of me.  I truly am a spoiled girl and feel very blessed to call him my husband.

 I think my dad saw that (how he'd spoil me and take good care of me) from early on in our relationship.  Isn't that what every dad that has a daughter thinks about when she brings home a guy?  So I got to this point in my life by listening to my dad and now listening to my hubby.  My dad encouraged my to quit my job and take an interest in the farm.  He said if I want to spend any time with Gary or my boys that I'd better learn to like and love the farm.  I'm learning and loving it, more than I ever thought and guess what?  My life is way better than I ever thought it could be!  I'm so blessed and very spoiled...so glad that I listened to my dad and I think I'll start listening to my hubby just a little more!  So back to today being his birthday, what do you get a man that's given you everything?  I'm still at a loss, until I win the lottery.  Then I'd buy him tractors, trucks, implements, and all things farm!  Of course I better start playing if I stand a chance at winning!

Trinity