Nick

As we were driving down our street yesterday, Nick suddenly said, "Should I help that guy?"

I had been looking down at my nails or something, so I had no idea what he was talking about.

He quickly pulled to the side of the road and said, "I'm going to see if I can help him." Just like that, he jumped out of the car and was gone.

I craned my neck to look out the back window of the van, and could not believe what I saw.

There was a man wearing sunglasses and a backpack, half on the sidewalk and half in someone's yard, flopping around wildly like a fish out of water. It was one of those horrible sights that just take your breath away.

What really took my breath away was to see Nick crouch down beside the man, talk to him gently, try to help him up to his feet, and then kneel in the grass with empathy as the man writhed violently again and again. During one seizure, the man's nose was broken as he helplessly banged his face into the ground.

Nick took the time to comfort the man and hear his story (homeless, no money for epilepsy medication). He was able to offer assistance while also giving the man dignity. He was there when the ambulance answered the call and took the man to get help at the hospital.

It was one of the proudest moments of my life to watch this scene unfold with our children. They watched their dad help someone in need while others just drove past. I hope this memory becomes a permanent part of them...a way of life they embrace for themselves.

#6 Nick

The most meaningful person in my life is my husband Nick.

We met when we were 20 and started hanging out together about a year later. We'd spend hours mountain biking, hiking or just talking...and then a wonderful friendship turned into something more. He was my first kiss, we shared dreams of travel and adventure, and we made each other laugh.

Married when we were 24 (while Nick was a full-time college student), moved 3 times, enjoyed vacations in the snow and in the sun, went through several job changes and will have had 4 children in about 5 years...whew! It is unbelievable to think about the many major life changes, joys and hardships that have been crammed into our 6 years of married life.

What is even more unbelievable to me is the fact that we are better friends and more in love than we were at the beginning. He is the dreamer to my practicality. The free spirit to my planning...the optimist to my reality. He challenges me to see the adventure in change, to enjoy the journey instead of just waiting to arrive at our destination. He helps me look for something good in everyone. He reminds me that everything will work out...and it does.

This final note is not a typical story of romance, but this weekend, I was extremely sick. As in, vomiting all over the bed. And the floor. And my hair. Sick. It was a blur, but through my groggy eyes, all I could see was Nick as he leaped out of bed (several times), cleaned up the floor, tossed the bedding in the washing machine, wiped my face and made me comfortable.

"In sickness and in health..."
That's love.

Providence

Sometimes I just have to laugh at the way things work out.

As many of you know, Nick's job was filled by a tenured teacher, and in spite of putting in applications and going to several interviews over the summer, the competition for the few available jobs was so stiff that he was still unemployed five days ago.

To put things into perspective, school begins tomorrow.

So, we were resigned to the fact that Nick would somehow be able to find enough remodeling/carpentry work to pay the bills this school year, and he would try to find a teaching job again next fall.

On Tuesday, Nick received a call from the principal at his former school. The principal informed him that the woman who had filled Nick's job had decided to go back to her previous job in administration, which left Nick's job open for his return! The principal is a wonderful man who has been so supportive of Nick, always holding out hope that he could somehow find a place for Nick to teach at his school. He said, "I give you permission for this phone call to make your day!" Did it EVER!

So, Nick begins the school year tomorrow. Look out kids, Mr. Hausam is baaaaaaack!!!

Overwhelmed

It's been a busy summer. Things have been happening left and right, leaving me feeling quite a bit overwhelmed.

I found myself sitting in church on Sunday, listening to my pastor talk about seasons of life, and I decided to give up. To stop whining internally about the crazy life of self-denial that is the life of a mom. To accept the way things are now and be willing to wait on some of my dreams. A specific dream I let go of was that of going on a trip with Nick...just the two of us. "Hopefully we'll get to go on a trip for our 10th anniversary (4 years from now)," is the literal decision I came to.

Fast forward thirty minutes. The church service is complete, and I'm sitting with my kids at a table as they munch on donuts. Nick and I are suddenly surrounded by friends and a gift is placed in our hands. As I realized what they'd given us, I couldn't help but cry.

Our amazing friends had joined together to send Nick and I on a trip for 3 nights. They'd arranged accomidations, planned activities and provided loving places for our children to stay. I was (and still am) overwhelmed.

Only now, instead of being overwhelmed by fatigue, self-pity or discouragement, I am overwhelmed by the love of the incredible people in my life. I feel their arms around me and am lifted and encouraged in this season I'm in.

And I can't wait to escape for a few days!

Lucky Me

Nick called me on his way home from work last night to say he'd seen a woman stranded by the side of the road, and he was going to turn around to help her.

Typical Nick. He is energized by helping those in need, no matter the weather (cold and dark), place (busy intersection) or time (dinner). What a guy.

Thirty minutes later , he calls me, and he's laughing.

"It's been so long since I've been hit on that I didn't understand what she meant when she offered me her phone number!"

It seems that this damsel in distress was out of gas, so Nick towed her with his Blazer to the nearest gas station. Apon her safe arrival, the girl thanks Nick for being such a wonderful guy, and says she's been hard pressed to find good guys in Peoria. Then she asks if she could give him her number.

I feel bad for her! It takes guts to put yourself out there...

Nick is thinking, "Hmmm, is she offering to return the favor if I ever get stranded?"

And then he realizes. OH.

So he quickly thanks her, but informs her that he's married and has three kids waiting for him at home. So, he gets back in his car and drives home to ME!!! The luckiest girl in the world.

Sorry, damsel in distress. Someday your prince will come.