Today is our 21st wedding anniversary. When I think about that number it baffles me. How in the world have we already lived 21 YEARS as husband and wife? It just seems like time has passed too quickly. There’s so much we still want to do and yet 21 YEARS have already been checked off. And then, I think about the actual LIFE we’ve lived and I smile. Not because it’s been bliss . . . because marriage, and life, isn’t. We’ve felt devastating grief that rocked our souls. We’ve experienced…
To my sweet boys, Pay attention. Watch how he treats me. See how he looks at me. Listen to how he speaks to me. Take note of how gently he touches me. Remember how he smiles, and laughs, and prays, and cries with me. He’s doing this right. He’s loving me like I want you to love. He’s showing you, so pay attention. You know what he’s really doing? He’s making the effort. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive or elaborate. It needs to be thoughtful…
I remember watching you sleep when you were the tiniest baby. Praying over you and praying for your safety, and hoping I’d know what to do next. Now I’m watching you drive next to me. Praying over you and praying for your safety, still hoping I’ll know what to do next. And while I’m so thankful for your amazing accomplishments and your incredible growth and your stunning mind, I’m also baffled by how it all happened so fast. That baby who changed our lives was JUST IN MY ARMS. How…
I’m not a very good cook. But I will ALWAYS try to put something healthy on your plate, with a little something sweet here and there too. I’m not a great singer. But I will ALWAYS turn up the volume and sing along with you. And I will ALWAYS, ALWAYS think of you when I hear the lullabies I sang to you on so, so many nights as I rocked you to sleep. I’m not so talented in the arts and crafts department. But I will ALWAYS encourage your creativity and give you all…
Life with children is busy, full, exhausting, chaotic. And that’s exactly what we knew our life would become when we prayed so hard for each of our babies. But, somewhere in the middle of the noise and the busyness, there’s still us. The two people who fell in love and filled their house with beautiful, loud chaos. And those two need as much attention as the little, loud crazies running through the kitchen with light sabers and monster trucks. We still need to feel that connection, that romance that pulled us together all those years ago…
Took a walk on the beach with this one today. It wasn’t supposed to be a mushy, heartfelt moment; I just asked if anyone wanted to take one more walk before we checked out and headed home, and he said yes. It was a gorgeous day and the breeze along the water felt amazing. I could have walked for hours. But we only had time for a short walk, so I tried to relish it. The conversation was casual. I just wanted to chat and listen and not let my frantic brain jump ahead to the 518 topics…
I’ve come to realize parenthood means constantly having a knot in your throat. First, it appears because you can’t believe this REAL, completely amazing, tiny person is yours. Then, it creeps up because you’re so exhausted and you don’t know the last time you took a shower. Then, because those big, beautiful eyes lock with yours and you know you’d do anything in the world for this child. Then, because this sweet, sweet child now has teeth, and uses them while nursing. Then, because you are dropping your little one…
I’ll never forget the moment. Every hair on my arm stood up. My face flushed red and my heart pounded so hard I felt it in my throat. It was one of those “Mama Bear” moments we don’t see coming, but hits us hard and fast. It’s instinctual and raw, and there’s not a whole lot you can do but breathe and hope you can defend yourself and your cub without the claws coming out. My two oldest boys were young (and #3 and #4 weren’t on the…
He had no idea where we were going. I’d just told him we were going away for the weekend to celebrate our anniversary. I suggested a few things to pack, but tried to keep it vague so he wouldn’t figure out where I was taking him. I have to say, the surprise element was a fun factor leading up to the weekend. He kept asking for hints, so I gave him a few to mull over. It had something to do with “us.” It was within driving distance. We’d never been there…
“We’ve come a long way And, baby You know I hope and I pray That you believe me When I say this love will never fade away” ~Ray LaMontagne “You Are The Best Thing” It’s hard for me to even imagine what my life would look like without Jeff. He is, without a doubt, THE perfect match for me. Our personalities, our outlooks, our viewpoints, our dispositions, our goals … all mesh so well. I’m not really sure how we got so lucky, and yet at the same time…