Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Someone stole my spot!

It looks like I'm not the only one that likes to sleep in his arms.....

 

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Toes in the water!

Well, we did it! We went on vacation. Yes, we drove to Myrtle Beach last week. We have gone with our family for the last 3 years, and we just had to try it. Many people said we were crazy. Heck, I thought we were crazy.

Did I mention that Hannah HATES the car! I mean HATE! She usually screams the second she gets in the car. We did everything to get ready for this. We bought a new carseat, a portable DVD player, new toys. Yes, we realize she us already spoiled, and at this point we're alright with that. We live by the strict philosophy that we only get to have our kids for a little while. They grow way too fast, so we make the most of it! Anyway, we did it all, including pray that she would have an uneventful trip and leave at 4:30 in the morning. It all started off on the wrong foot. She screamed from our door to Huntington. Caleb was carsick; I was ready to turn back. However, Jamie stepped in and saved the day. He adjusted her carseat to make it a little more comfortable, gave her some magic Daddy love, and she was nearly perfect the rest of the way. :) the dramamine kicked in for caleb. You can't imagine my relief.

See, I love my kiddos and my life, but we NEEDED a vacation. Even though I would classify this summer as amazing with our new addition, it has been extremely stressful!
I mean:
*We have a new baby.
*Jamie finished his principalship in record time this summer in hopes of getting job this summer. When that didn't work out, we were disappointed to say the least.
*I have not rebounded like I had hoped since having Hannah. Who would have thought that 8 years and 4 kids would take such a toll on a person. I mean, we really needed to relax.
*Did I mention we have 3 rotten boys that keep us on our toes at least 16 of the 24 hours in a day.

So, when we arrived and found a beautiful home, on a private beach with happy kiddos, we were beyond happy.
Hannah in her bikini.  Daddy said it is her first and last trip to the beach in a bikini ;)

The whole gang!

Cuties!

He is so wrapped!

Buddies!


He's still my fave!

Imagine that....wrestling!

Hannah's trip to the ocean.

She really liked it.


We spent the week soaking up some family time, eating too much, laughing, playing cards, and even managed to get some time in with our toes in the sand.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Flutters

Today, I have been married to my amazing husband for 13 wonderful years. So, I must start by saying thank you to the man that has managed to tolerate, love, and even appreciate me all this time. Trust me, I know I'm not all sunshine and lollipops. :) he deserves a medal for living with me and all these rascals.

Today, I was really thinking about the day I was married, and how I felt. I was truly excited to begin a new chapter of my life. I never for one second second-guessed if I was making a good decision. I knew he was the one!!! I was thinking about our love back then, and how it felt, and how it's changed. You know, I used to think it sounded so sappy that love grows over time. I now know what that means.

Back then, I got what I like to call the flutters. You know, the way it feels when you get that first kiss. Your stomach gets tight, and the world seems to tilt slightly off axis as your head swims. I mean this all in a good way for those that have never experienced it. I got the flutters when I heard his voice on my voicemail, the sight of him walking to my dorm room, the feeling of seeing him on one knee at Cave Run Lake. The flutters!

It's a little different now. A friend of mine is going through a difficult time right now in her marriage. She says, "It just feels different now. The excitement is gone." Well, I would agree its not the same now. We've experienced a lot of firsts together, and sometimes we have to work to keep keep excitement in our marriage, but our love has grown beyond that new love and developed into a lasting love!
See, now my flutters are not every time I hear his voice. Sometimes, it's the quiet way I catch him watching me walk through our house; or the caring way he holds our daughter; or the way I see him try to mold my little men into a man or honor. Oh, trust me, I still get the flutters when we stop enough for a kiss, and when I see him emerge from the bathroom cleanly shaven and dressed for church. So, I would say it is different now. It is so much better!

Happy Anniversary! I love you so much!