Eric Nordhoff - The Eternal Optimist

Dedication Video for our Daughter

The song was written specifically for our girl, Anthem, and recorded by my wife as a demo. It's called "You Could Only Come From Heaven".

I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way

 

Every good marriage has a time of testing and trials...ours is no different. 

"Any Other Way"
Jill Phillips

Do you remember that Monday when
The world fell out beneath our feet
Both surprised that we had been
So close to losing everything
Putting one foot in front of the other
felt like such a long, hard step to take
We thought about moving and starting again
But it was something we could never outrun so we just stayed
I wouldn’t have it any other way
I wouldn’t have it any other way

Gaining back the trust we lost
Was harder than just losing it
But if we wanted change at all
The pain was a prerequisite
So little by little, a piece at a time
We were putting back together what was left of a broken life
It wasn’t quick, it wasn’t easy
But that kind of change isn’t one that happens overnight
I wouldn’t have it any other way
I wouldn’t have it any other way

When we first met, love was a feeling
But making it last, that’s a decision
A good decision

When we watch the kids run through the yard
Sometimes I just can’t help but think
That every bit of what it cost
Was worth it for this family
‘cause I wouldn’t have it any other way
I wouldn’t have it any other way
I wouldn’t have it any other way

Words and Music by Jill Phillips
From "The Good Things" CD

FranklinMom.com

Lately, I've been helping my wife develop her blog - FranklinMom.com.  We've been encouraged by the early response.  I must say that women really love to socialize.  I can see why MomBloggers are the most powerful bloggers in cyberspace.  We have some big plans for the site and for the community to get involved.  More to come soon.  In the meantime, if you are a mom living in Williamson County, TN, this site would be great for you.  It's jam packed with family fun activity ideas, grocery shopping lists, recipes, events in Franklin, advice and so much more for the Franklin Mom. 

God Hugs

Krissy said to me today that I have changed her view of God.  Now, when she pictures God loving her, she envisions the way I hug her.  We both cried when she shared that with me.      

10 Years Ago

Today, 10 years ago, I joined my heart and life to a beautiful, sincere, honest and compassionate woman - my precious Krissy.  250 family and friends from Germany, New Jersey, Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, Indiana and Nashville came to celebrate our day with us.  I'm so grateful for each of them being there.  I'm grateful for our parents helping to make this day so special for us.  It's hard to believe that was already ten years ago.  To be cliche, it seems like only yesterday.  I remember being emotionally moved looking out over the crowd and seeing 27 years of my life coming together for those few hours. 

It was a beautiful, sunny, late spring day.  I remember it being a bit hot and humid by the time everyone crowded into the little reformed church at 11am.  This was the church Krissy grew up in and it was a special day for her to be with all of her family and friends.  We were blessed that our pastor, Dale Evrist (New Song Christian Fellowship), could fly up for the weekend and marry us.

So much has happened since that day 10 years ago.  We have grown into a family of four and have so many precious memories of our time together - too many to list in one post. 

Tonight, I will be renewing my vows (which we personally wrote to each other) again to my bride.  As I read them, I realize how naive I was about marriage.  I wrote those vows as though I was a knight in shining armor - perfect and strong.  I'm ashamed to say, I haven't always lived up to them.  Over the years, I've fallen short.  I've been selfish.  I've been and said many things that were stupid and weak.  However, through it all, my wife has granted me a beautiful gift of grace.  We've learned God's place in our marriage ("...a threefold cord is not quickly broken..." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).  He has been and always will be our strength.  He alone has been our shield.  Because of His grace, we've been able to grow and flourish together.   

I sit here amazed at how much I've grown deeper in love with the woman I married since that day in May.  Right now, I'm just thankful that God knew what I needed.  He gave me a best friend, lover and companion 10 years ago.  I pray I get thousands more days to love her. 

Happy Anniversary Krissy!  I love you.