My Rye Guy

When I think of my husband, so many thoughts come rushing through my mind. Like the punk rock concerts we used to attend while we were dating in high school, and the youth group retreats, and summer camp...to name a few. Ryan would come to watch all my soccer games, even on rainy days, and even the away games. Our favorite place to grab dinner was Taco Bell. Ryan would pick me up in his little red Geo Tracker, and we'd listen to loud music blaring from his subwoofer while we made a run to Taco Bell. Good times. Good times.


When we first got married, we were like sponges, trying to learn all that we could from other married couples. We realized early on that there is so much to learn! Like how to argue in a way that actually produces positive results. How to honor each other through daily interaction. What each other's needs are. The biggest thing we learned is that we are SO DIFFERENT...but our differences can truly compliment each other.


Then came the birth of our little Marky. When he was born, those first few moments were such a bonding time for Ryan and me. I remember us both crying and holding each other and saying, "We did it! We did it!" That was so amazing!


For our 5 year wedding anniversary, we took our very first cruise! A 5 day cruise to the Bahamas. What an experience for us both! Ryan was working full time plus working his way through college. Phew! My, how we celebrated when he walked across that stage and received his degree! He's the very first in his family lineage to have a college degree. The rest of his family has been built on entrepreneurship and small business. So, we were all so incredibly proud of Ryan! And Ryan knew it was a family effort, to get him to that point.


Now we have 3 kids. Two rambunctious boys, and a little daddy's girl! The dynamics that are at work in our home are unbelievable. I've realized that the intensity of our walk before God has had to increase. Before...our mission field was outside our front door. But...now that we are parents...our mission field is inside our home, living and breathing under our nose at every turn! Soaking in every move and every choice we make.


Ryan turned 30 last summer, and was super excited about that. LOL! He has completed some coursework for his Master's degree, but is being affected by some of the government budget changes regarding nuclear energy research (he has worked for a government nuclear research facility for 9 years). With the proposed budget cuts, things are getting pretty stressful at work. He survived a wave of lay-offs this month, but I am anxious about what may be in store this coming year.


We will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this year (holy moly!), and as I look back, I can say without wavering, that God has had His hand upon our family from the get-go! We were such a young couple, with so much to learn, and so many odds against us, but look how far the Lord has brought us! He has always supplied, always protected, and always sustained. So, what will the next step be?? Well, only God knows. And we will make ourselves available for what He brings next.


Meantime, Ryan is feeling like he's ready for a change of pace. He's tired of the rat race in the business world. Working for the gov't, there is very little movement among the different tiers of administration. He is frustrated that there is little to no room for growth. So, he plans to test for the Wheaton Police Dep't in February. Totally different field, but totally exciting! There are so many different avenues he could pursue in time. It's a long shot. The waiting list is about 2 years. So, there's no guarantee that he will even get hired on. But if it's God's plan, it will happen. And if not, we will be satisfied, and know that God has something else for us. And we are continually grateful for the job He has given Ryan these past 9 years.


So, I'll keep you all updated on the job situation as it unfolds.


Till then, I'm trying to come up with ideas for celebrating our 10th anniversary in August! Of course, I HAVE to make it glamorous!


Love you Rye!
xoxo