Two of Three

I had to update my “Influential” post because

1. My high school teacher was MRS. Schubert not Mr.

and

2. I forgot a very important person….you’ll have to look at it to see who:)

We were at church yesterday and at the beginning of the sermon the pastor was talking about if you had to write a list of the most influential people in your life who would be on it.  He talked about musicians, actors and even who might be on his list.  It made me think of all the people who have shaped the person I am today.  So I thought it would be fun to write down a few.  The ones I can think of anyway:)  I know that each and every person I have had a relationship with has influenced me and shaped the person I am but here are a few that stick out in my mind.

Mom & Dad Derge: Well of course they have influenced me they are my parents after all!  My parents taught me to love reading, to value education, art and music.  They taught me to have a good work ethic and to take pride in what you do.  They always made me feel that I could be or do anything and they would stick by me.

Patti Minauro: To call her my old babysitter just doesn’t do her justice.  She is my mother, my grandmother, my sister, my friend…she is family.  She took care of me when my parents were working but more than that she for all intensive purposes adopted me in to her wonderful family. She is one reason I love food sooooooo much because she makes the best food around:)  She has always been there for me even when I was a bratty teenager and thought my parents were evil.  She loves me like she birthed me if that makes any sense to you mothers out there.

Leslie Schnieder:What to call her is hard…how about life long friend:)  Leslie was my junior high youth leader and she made me laugh!  She is the best listener and truly cares about what is going on in your life, good or bad.  She taught me how to laugh at myself (falling at the walk-a-thon).  She taught me about Jesus in confirmation class.  Her laugh is so loud and she don’t give a care!  She taught me that its ok to be you.

Mrs. Schubert:She was my 11th grade English teacher.  She may not know it but she is the reason I wanted to become a teacher.  I turned in this awful paper on “the crucible” and she basically said, ” you can do better…do it over.”  She wouldn’t even grade it until I worked harder.  It made me feel important and valued.  She got me excited about the five paragraph essay (weird I know!) and set the stage for me to be helpful and understanding to other students.

Lisa Block: Lisa is one of my dearest friends but maybe not for the reason you expect.  When I was a freshman in college I was miserable. I mean MISERABLE.  Lisa would call me every week to go to small group and large group and church and I would begrudgingly go to all except small group. I was scared.  Some how she broke me down and I finally went and that group changed my life.  I had never studied God’s Word in a way that was applicable to my life. It was amazing.  And all because Lisa wouldn’t leave me alone!  She taught me perseverance and patience.  She also introduced me to my husband so I am just plain old grateful for that:)

Jim Marshall: Jim was one of my fabulous Intervarsity staff workers.  Jim taught me about the scary “C” word….Conflict.  He taught me that there is a good way to deal with conflict and it’s not really to run away from it:)  Our leadership team had conflict up the wazoo and we always dealt with it. It was hard and emotional but I am so glad for that time because I am so much better at saying “no” and voicing my opinions before the conflict even arises.  There are many ways in which that ”conflict training”  helped me through other difficult times.

Terri Norey: She was my mentor teacher when I student taught.  I had heard all these horror stories about awful mentor teachers and then I got this wonderful lady that really cared about me as well as my grade!  She helped me realize that it’s ok if all the students don’t like you but they need to respect you.  And discipline is very important in the classroom.  You can’t make empty threats you need to be able to follow through.  She also taught me to have fun when you teach and try new things.  I never thought I could enjoy a astronomy lesson:)

Dan Marlow: Dan loved me.  He taught me what real love not lust could be.  He loved me even with all my faults.  He loved me even when he met my crazy family.  He liked my crazy family!  He is a man after God’s own heart.  He loves the Lord and will share the Gospel openly and freely even if it is uncomfortable.  He taught me to let my guard down even if I do get hurt sometimes.

Dan’s Family Immediate and Extended: I couldnt’ just say his parents because although they have SO influenced me it’s not just them but Dan’s entire family.  His parents have taught me what true unconditional love looks like in real life.  The whole family has taught me about tradition and the importance of passing that down from generation to generation.  They have taught me about generosity.  They are generous beyond measure.  They have showed me what a really real Christian family looks like.  It’s not perfect but it so has Christ in the center.

Jesse Robert Marlow: He has taught me how to be a mother.  How to love absolutely everything about a person.  I love him when he is happy of course but I love his teary eyed face too.  I am not embarrassed singing in public or dancing because if it makes him happy I am happy.  He has taught me to be unselfish and self sacrificing.  He has taught me that the most difficult things in life are the most rewarding. 

I am sure there are some I am forgetting but for now that’s my list.  What’s yours?  I tag Katie, Amanda, & Lisa.

This is what my nightstand looks like.  It is getting out of control!  I am a bookaholic.  Someone stop me from adding to this pile!  Well since there all there I had better tell you how they are….

In order from bottom of pile to top of pile (which is in order I started reading them)

• When Two Become one: This one is pretty good. I like what it had to say.  It is good for couple reading.  Although Dan finished it in like one evening and I still have like 2 or 3 chapters left. It is nice because it has discussion questions for spouses at the end of each chapter.
• Respectable Sins:  I like the message of this book but the writing is kind of craptastic.  Dan read it in his Bible study class and I was intrigued…did you know anxiety is a sin?  Also not finished with this book.  1 or 2 chapters left to read.
• A Lion Among Men:  I really enjoyed Wicked and Son of a Witch so I got this book (the next in the series) for my birthday expecting nothing but goodness.  But I have had trouble getting too far into it.  About 4 chapters in I started reading something else and haven’t come back to it as of yet.
• Your First Year in Youth Ministry : I have not started this one yet.  Ben gave it to all the volunteers that would be taking over when he left.  I am excited to read it just have a lot of other books on my nightstand:)
• A Swiftly Tilting Planet:  I am loving the Wrinkle in Time saga!  I had never read these books as a kid then someone recommened  them and I cannot get enough.  This book is the third in the series and I am about a third of the way through it.
• The Ultimate Book of Useless Information:  Well if you hadn’t guessed this is Dan’s book.  He got it for Christmas promptly finished it in like a day and now it is on my nightstand.  It’s a good before bed read because you can stop anytime.  I enjoyed reading the Royal useless facts last night:)

Well that’s all for now.  Here’s wishing you all health, happiness and good books  in 2009!

This post was written by my wonderful husband.  It’s our christmas letter because we did not get it out snail mail this year.  Enjoy!

~andrea

Happy Christmas from the Marlows!

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “A web Christmas card? How very ‘New Millennium!’” Or perhaps it’s, “What the heck is this cheap, thoughtless alternative to the traditional exchange of good will?!” (Hopefully, it’s the former as this was the intention.) Actually, after looking at all our friends and family on a big list, factoring in the cost of ink, cards, postage, and time, we determined that we like far too many people. We have decided to convene a committee to review our relationships and determine which ones are REALLY worth the while. We are putting each of you on notice that if you feel that you ought to remain on the list of people we like, you are welcome to present your case at an open public review to be held at a later date, probably early next year.

Well, enough of my tongue-in-cheek sarcasm. There is no way we could ever pare down the list of our loved ones. We will just have to make do with new and unique innovations such as this letter.

This year has been quite exciting for the Marlows. Jesse is now 18 months old, and, like a fine vintage, only gets better with age. He loves to dance and sing and kiss. He is very passionate; the heart of a lover. He has moved from watching the Wiggles to the now ever-present Spongebob Squarepants (whom he refers to loudly as “Pah-Bahb!”); the heart of a couch potato. Doctors, however, are convinced of his health, as we are convinced that he is probably the cutest kid on the face of the planet.

Andrea has been blossoming in her role as mommy. Never has there been a more beautiful and loving mother. And I should know…I’ve seen some winners. To escape the toil of watching “the boy” and to give the grandmas the opportunity to hang out with him too, Andrea is working part-time coordinating an after-school program through the YMCA at a local charter school. Her greatest outside-the-home passion, however, is volunteering with the middle school youth program at church.

How am I doing, you ask? Well, thanks for asking. Work is going well. I’m still at GD. The military contracting industry has not requested a bailout yet from our esteemed government, so we appear to be relatively insulated from the pitfalls of the rest of the local industries. I, for one, couldn’t be happier about that. I’m still having a good time doing what I do, and most of the time, I don’t mind waking up and going to work!  In short…it’s been a year. No babies this year. No new houses this year. No new jobs. Just a relatively quiet year with many ups and a few downs. Praise God for them both, for the ups have taught us to thank God for what He gives us, and the downs teach us to rely on Him. Merry Christmas to all of you and forget that “happy holidays” crap!

Dan, Andrea, and Jesse

So today is my wonderful husbands 31st year of life.  31 years ago today his mother (Dr. Mom) brought him painfully (two weeks late I’m told) into this world. I am very greatful to her and to commemorate this event I would like to write 31 reasons why I love my husband.  (yes I can think of 31…..I hope!)

Here goes….

1. He makes me laugh

2. He has pretty eyelashes

3. He’s a great cook

4. Specifically he makes great scones and potstickers:)

5. The way he is always pushing up his glasses cause they always fall down his nose.

6.  He can fix almost all electronic/technolgical problems

7. He does the bills

8. He gives the best hugs.

9.  He loves star trek almost as much as I do.

10. Simpsons quotes

11.  They way his face lights up when he see’s Jesse

12. He can quote the perfect Bible verse to me when I need it.

13.  The way he keeps me warm.

14.  His hand in mine.

15.  His singing voice at church.

16. He takes care of me.

17. He takes care of Jesse.

18.  His love of movies

19. He loves to eat.

20.  Dancing in the Kitchen

21. His earlobes.

ONLY TEN MORE!!!!

22. He always drives.

23. No matter what I have on he always thinks I am beautiful

24. His love of reading.

25.  He is my own personal Dictionary and Mapquest

26.  His eyes

28. His passion for spreading the gospel.

29. His commitment to teaching the youth at church.

30. His Freshly shaven face.

31. I just can’t imagine life with out this man.  He is a gift from God and I am thankful every day for him. 

I love you Dan…..HAP BDA

Well as you may have noticed I have not posted in forever!  Sorry about that. I forget and then when I do have a free moment I usually don’t want to sit at the computer because then I have to check like 8 different things then respond and catch up on what is going on with everyone.  Sometimes its just easier to read or sit in silence while my baby sleeps…excuse me, apparently he is on the brink of toddler hood but I can’t bring myself to give up his babyhood.  Well instead of blogging this is what I have been up to:

• Have been reading The Twilight Series…SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOD!
• Finished reading Brisinger the new book out in the Inheritance Cycle
• Made some earrings, a neclace and some bracelets out of beads.
• Drew a picture as a gift for a friend
• Watched way too many reruns of Third Rock from the Sun my new favorite 90’s sitcom
• Started going to a womens Bible study on Wednesday mornings…we’re studing Revelation
• Had to buy a bigger size diaper for Jesse…he’s in 5’s now!
• got closer to my 28th b-day…not sure why but I am feeling like this is the one where I am offically old.
• Took Jesse to get his first haircut
• Got told I look pregnant….I AM NOT….thus I took it as an insult and proceeded to sulk and eat kit-kats for the rest of the day
• Finally met my brothers girlfriend….she’s nice

THat’s all I can think of hope that will do for all you people who are dying to know what is going on with me.

I love the cider mill.  I have gone to Yates Cider mill in Rochester almost every fall since I was a little girl.   It is not very big and you can’t pick apples or anything but I love the doughnuts and cider and the short path you can walk along Clinton River.  Last year and this year we have been able to bring Jesse.  This year he ate some of a doughnut, pet a goat and fed a llama! (he laughed so hard when the llama’s toung came out to lick the food!)  It was very exciting and smelly.  Anyway I wanted to post these pictures to show how he’s grown.  There is this giant apple ruler thingy when you get to the cider mill so we held Jesse up to it and now we have 2 years of Apple growth….or something.  Anyway here ya go!

Hopefully we can do this every year and make it a fall tradition.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the cool weather and the leaves changing.  I can wear hoodies and flipflops, my two favorite clothing items, together.  It is just the best.  I may be partial to it because my birthday is in the fall but I think it would be my favorite anyway.  I always wanted to get married in September or October but I was too impatient. Then I thought I might have a baby in the fall, no such luck. I did, however get preggers in the fall:)  There is just something about this season that makes me soooooooooo happy!  It might be the smell….I love the smell of fall.  Its hard to explain but I can smell it coming.  Today it was particularly pungent.  Enjoy the season! It wont last long…before you know it we will have snow…BOOOOO SNOW!

Jesse looking very mischievous at my brother b-day dinner…Happy 19th birthday Max! 

Here’s the poo cake I made him…

I was trying to write Happy Birthday…it came out “HAP B-DA” which actually looks like someone pooped on the cake. (especially the ”D”)  Max picked the color.  The tip in my piping bag was cut too big ok…give me a break! We laughed so hard we cried and I almost wet myself.  Pregnancy does weird things to your bladder.

I have a problem.  The reason I haven’t posted in a while, besides the fact that I was in California for the past week, is that I am addicted to Facebook. I know I know I never thought it would happen to me.  But that is why I have been neglecting my blog.  I blame Kate she showed me her Facebook page and how super fun it was and now I can’t stop!  Anyway, updates from me are that I was in California now I am back. My baby did not start walking while I was away so I am very happy about that.  Charlotte is beautiful you should all go visit Kate and see her baby girl.  (I am sure she would love your company)  I loved taking care of a newborn again it make me want to have another baby ASAP.  Um what else….oh I have not beat Zelda yet. 

p.s. get on facebook you know you want to!