35 years!

And just like that, 35 years have flown by!

As I researched a little on how daily life has changed over the last 35 years, I discovered a few interesting facts from 1983:

• The first mobile phones were introduced by the Motorola Company. Remember how big they were, and that they had to be kept plugged-into the car lighter?
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi came out on the big screen.  (Yes, I know...we spent the day after our wedding in the movie theatre watching it. NOT my idea!)
• Emmy 10th Daytime Award presentation - Susan Lucci loses for the 4th time.
• The song "My Love" by Lionel Richie peaked at #5.

• The Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis. Our family got season tickets!
• On a sunny, hot and humid day, 35 years ago a young girl named Jane Story became Mrs. Michael Carroll Carver.

The BIGGEST event in my world that year was becoming a wife. I had NO idea what marriage really involved, even though my parents had been married for 32 years and I'd been in both my sister's weddings. Back then I was focused on planning my storybook wedding and the fact that I really loved this guy named Mike who I'd only known for about six months. 

You can read more about how we met, etc. on a blog post I wrote a few years ago called "He's a Keeper." The restaurant where we met, "DALTS," is now only in the town of Nashville, TN. Glad I snuck this keepsake plate out when I did!

I was a bit disheartened when I read an article written by blogger Julian Abagond, who grouped marriage into a list of other things that are much less common then they were 30+ years ago... He wrote:
"Less common or gone: watches, boom boxes, Walkmans, record players, VCRs, video arcades, Woolworth’s, Jheri curls, Crazy Eddie ads, pay phones, telephone books, writing letters, marriage." 

Really? Apparently, it IS true. Read more here. I personally don't think a covenant relationship should be grouped with material items. 

I am thankful we've hung in there. Together we have celebrated 35 anniversaries including renewing our vows on our 10th (while pregnant with #4), raised 4 incredible kids, owned 4 dogs and 3 cats through the years, 9 homes, had many job changes (and a couple job losses), lots of moves, laughter, lean years, disagreements, tears, Mike's fall off the roof and recovery, surgeries and illnesses, celebrating our sons' weddings, some bad choices, counseling, grace, and through it all we've been hanging on to God and each other. Which brings us to now...

"…a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. "ECCLESIASTES 4:12

We celebrated on Saturday with breakfast out, wine tasting in Woodinville, and a delicious dinner at Morso overlooking our beautiful Harbor. Oh, there was also a surprise gift of sparkle!!

We're excited to see what's next for our marriage adventure!

In His Grip,
xo Jane            Thanks for reading "See Jane Learn!"

What I Learned This Spring (2018)

The months of March, April and May were filled with all kinds of change and excitement.
I learned lots of things, about my family, myself and some random things as always:

1. Empty Nests don't always stay empty.
My youngest daughter who is getting married in a mere 35 days announced that she and her fiance' were expecting AND excited to take us up on our offer to let them bunk in our lower level after the wedding to save money for a few months. I certainly won't be lonely when my husband travels! After six years of being in Spokane, Sarah is ready to return to her childhood hometown as she starts her new life as a wife and mommy.

"In Christ's economy, if He ever sends you back, it's because he's sending you forward."             Beth Moore

2. I have more than one Hollywood connection.

Currently, my daughter-in-law Amy is working hard in L.A. to break into the entertainment business as a writer. Sometime soon you might see "Amy Brown Carver" in the credits.

Growing up, my claim to fame was my Uncle Jim. James Pande' Young was the executive producer of the Soap Opera "General Hospital" from 1963-1975. Before that, he had been an actor. He was in the 1951 movie, "The Thing From Another World" and several other movies. He's the good-looking actor on the left in the photo below.

Uncle Jim's ex-wife Judy, was the stepdaughter of a famous actor named Joseph Cotten. He was in lots of movies back in the day. Do you recognize him?

Photo source: Pinterest

Judy's biological mom was Lenore Kipp LaMont and Judy was two when they married. Lenore was a pianist and died at age 56 in Italy. Perhaps my Allie gets her talent for the piano from her! It took me a while to track down some of this information because I was spelling his last name Cotton instead of Cotten.

3. It's an honor and fun to be on a book launch team.
I was excited to be a part of the team getting the word out about Maria Furlough's book, Breaking the Fear Cycle. I  received the book and some extra surprises early, and we have an encouraging Facebook group. My bible study group is currently reading it together.
It never hurts to ask...you might get chosen!

4. It's never too late to take a road trip with your sisters.
My two older sisters, Ann and Jill, live in Indiana. Due to distance, jobs, kids, money, etc. we have never taken a trip together. Crazy right? So...they flew West to attend my daughter's Bridal showers since they can't be here for the wedding. We spent two and a half days in Oregon. We saw the Multnomah Falls, did Powell's bookstore in Portland, ate like Queens at McCormick and Schmick's at the Marina, hung out near the Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, hit a couple McMenamins (Edgefield and Sand Trap), some boutiques, and generally enjoyed just catching up.

                                                       Why do I always "pop" up my knee in photos?

5. My husband and baby Hazel both LOVE their music.
My husband adores the "Yacht Rock" station.  Baby Hazel loves the "Raffi" Pandora station. Young or old, music makes people calm and happy.

6. In my quest to become more of a minimalist, I am failing in certain areas:
I have never been a light packer for trips, I have a plethora of beauty products and make-up and then there are my dish sets: Fiestaware, plastic bird plates from Anthro, simple white and Dansk white with the blue rim that I received for my wedding. Oh, I also have Christmas Spode China...

7. I love the Ocean, but I prefer the warmer beaches.
I know I live on the rugged Pacific Coast and it's beautiful, but I'd much rather spend time on the beach in Florida or Southern California. 

 PNW-beautiful, but chilly

Anna Maria Island, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico

8. I truly am blessed with the BEST friends
I hope all of you reading this have dear friends who will love your children whether they are still in school or are young adults. My daughter was given two bridal showers by my friends and they were so special!

Every day is an opportunity to learn... What did YOU learn this Spring? I'm linking up with Emily P. Freeman's blog.

In His Grip,
xo Jane