Boys

Boys are a rare breed. They stink all kinds of stinks. They are loud. They are rough. They love to throw their bodies into things and fall on purpose. They get their thrill by throwing things and catching things. They love a challenge. Make anything a game and they are in! They smell. They eat a lot. They like dirt. They love to sweat. They like to wrestle. They like to pretend they are superheroes or "bad men". They are strong. They are daring. They aren't afraid of a little scrape if that's what it takes to ride a bike or try a new trick on the scooter.

As a little girl, I never really liked anything outside. I don't like to sweat or smell. I don't like to be outside. I don't like to be dirty. I don't like to be rough and I don't like loud noises.

I guess God knew what he was doing when he gave me two boys and a husband who is all man. I've done things that I normally wouldn't have done if left to myself. I've laughed more with them in my life. I've loved more, and yes, smelled more! (them, not me!)

All that to say, as much as I have a loud crazy house sometimes, with two little boys running around and being rough, and at times it makes me cringe, I'm thankful for it! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Boys are...well, fun!

You Don't See This Every Day...

Ed and I can't ever seem to get a picture of just the two of us! Our last one was probably our wedding! We just don't take the time or don't have anyone to take it! How sad, I know! The funny thing is that even this picture is blurry, so it's really not a good one! Oh well!

Anyway, my amazing husband took me out this weekend to celebrate our 8 year anniversary, which was in June. We went out to Texas De Brazil Steakhouse, a favorite of ours! We went on our 2 year anniversary in Memphis and so he decided to take me there again this year! We had such a sweet time being able to talk for several hours with no "MOOOOOMMMMYYYY!" or "DAAAAADDDDYYYYYY!" Not to mention the food is AMAZING! Can you say filet mignon that melts in your mouth?! It was a sweet night to celebrate just being us!

8 Months

So I am a little late on this, but I wanted to give updates on the "girl" as Caleb calls her! She turned 8 months on July 4th and seems like she has really hit many milestones at this point!

-She is now into EVERYTHING! She can scoot all over the floor on her belly. She looks for the tiniest pieces in the carpet to pick up and put in her mouth. So it has made for constant vacuuming and a panicky mommy.-She is trying to crawl. She does this hop thing that brings both legs under her so she is on all fours but then falls to her tummy. Only to try it again. She is very strong and determined!
-She has eaten rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, peaches, pears, and prunes. Up next - squash!-She has cut three teeth all on the bottom and just this week all four up on top have decided to cut through at the exact same time! My poor baby, but she is tough! She really isn't that fussy!
-She and Caleb are developing quite the relationship. He always checks on her and she loves to watch him!
-Micah's "thing" with Haleigh is to kiss her on her nose! It's adorable!
-Baths are now sitting up in her baby bathtub, which is good, except all she does is splash and so the bather is soaking wet!

Who's awesome?

Quick post from dad.

This week I finally took Micah to some empty basketball courts and took the training wheels off his bike. Micah has been begging for about a month to take them off so he could try the real deal. As a parent, you just kinda know when you kid is ready (kinda like potty training) and I knew Micah was ripe for the two wheeler.
We took off the training wheels and Micah and I kicked them across the asphalt yelling "get outta here!" Micah was about to get on his bike and then one of those divinely inspired moments hit me (which is incredibly rare even though I am paid to be divinely inspired at all times :). I stopped him and said, Micah, why don't we pray and ask God to help you ride your bike and to give you patience. So Micah stood there with his little helmet and knee pads on and prayed that God would help him. Simple, to the point, less than 10 seconds, amen.
He mounted his red, $5 yard sale bike and said in a giddy and nervous voice, "here we go dad!". I walked along side holding him as he peddled and then I realized that I was basically doing nothing. Then, like Nemo's dad in Finding Nemo, I realized it was time to let go. I gave him a little push and off he went! First try and he was riding his bike! Still not sure who was more excited, him or me.
Here's the kicker and the point of the blog post. My 4 year old gets off his bike and says, "Dad! God is awesome!" Then it hit me. This is parenting in a nutshell: showing my kids that they are a vital character in a much bigger Story. Micah could have very easily stepped off the bike and said "Dad! Did you see me!? I was amazing! I am awesome!" (which he is). Instead, that short innocent prayer allowed him to see that God is the one who deserves the glory. He is the one who is more important than bikes and homeruns and three-pointers. It's amazing how much a tiny, divinely inspired moment can do for the worldview of a 4 year old. I hope that I can get over myself and have the awareness to focus on what really matters with my kids in the 10 second moments.
He is awesome.

So You Think You Can Dance!

This is a rarity for me. I don't usually post about tv, but this time I wanted to share this with you. I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance, and last night, a ballet dancer was paired not only with another guy, but had to do hip hop. For those of you who dance is just a foreign language, this is crazy! Ballet and hip hop are so opposite and to see someone who is SO well trained in his area, and then have to leave all that at the door and do hip hop REALLY WELL is amazing! So if you are interested watch this video...if you don't like rap music, don't watch it!



Here's the link if it keeps freezing up on you!

The Love of My Life

8 years ago today, I married the most amazing man in the world! That's right ladies, he is TAKEN! I can honestly say, I am more in love with him than ever. God continues to amaze me in the "grace upon grace" that He is just pouring out on us everyday! There is no absolute way our marriage would be this strong without the Lord! So to God we give the glory for 8 amazing years and many more to come! Love you Babe!

80's Night at youth retreat -
and our really cool youth in the background!

My Husband

Yesterday I shared about my dad, today I want to celebrate my husband, who also happens to be the father of my children!

This man means the world to me! I admire him more and more as I watch him be a father. He inspires me to love better, be more patient, and savor the moment. His unending love for our kids is a joy to watch.

He loves to wrestle with Micah or play virtually any sport. He has turned into his coach. Their favorite moments right now are to play one-on-one basketball, or just yesterday I watched them take turns at the slip n slide! I think it hurt Ed more! Right now he is also just stealing moments with Micah to teach him who God is. One of them is that God is Mighty. To be married to a man that values the things that will stand forever, is invaluable!Caleb has captured both of our hearts right now with his humor and dynamic personality. Ed loves to wrestle with Caleb as well, but Caleb is also very different from Micah and so his relationship with his dad is different as well. I love to watch Caleb crawl up in his lap and ask his daddy to "read". With Caleb now picking up new words all the time, it is precious to hear him yell "Daaaaddddyyyyy!" when he wakes up in the morning. Ed knows just how to make Caleb giggle, which brings us all to laughter at the sound of his little laugh!Haleigh, well this is a new experience for him. She has captured his heart from day one as I've said many times before! The way she lights up when she sees him is ADORABLE! He loves to just sit in the chair in her room and stare at her as he holds her. Or sometimes, he'll read her a story. I know that her addition to our family has changed the dynamic forever! I LOVE the relationship that they will have!
To my dear husband, I love you and am so grateful to walk through this thing called life with you! I cannot imagine doing it without you! The joy that you bring to our lives is indescribable and for that I am so thankful for you today!