Happy 15 Years!

Well .... today marks 15 years married to my best friend. I just thought it would be fun to share some wedding pictures and rather than buy a card, write a card :)

I understand that not everyone has a marriage that absolutely makes their life. I recently heard someone say that no man can ever complete a woman.. that's just a line from a movie. I have to say I completely disagree. I guess not everyone finds someone who makes them feel complete, but I did and I'm so thankful.

I've been spending some time looking back at old pictures and remembering all we've been through. You know, pictures seem to always show the smiles and the laughs and the posed moments, but we both can look through the picture and remember the not so happy moments and the times when things weren't just great. The things that only you and I know. The moments that pulled us together and brought us to this place. I'm so thankful that when we had those moments and when we have more of those moments, we'll be together to fight through them as a team.

I had no idea 18 years ago when we met how much that precious moment would impact the rest of my life. I'm so glad I didn't because the surprises along the way have been so much fun.

Thank you for being an awesome best friend, for always supporting and defending me, for forgiving me when needed, for providing for me, for standing next to me and holding me when things hurt, for loving me unconditionally and for having mercy on me:). I love you with all my heart. Happy 15th.. Here's to many more.

Mother/Daughter Weekend

So as the boys were gone camping, the girls and I enjoyed a weekend home together. It was quiet and clean and a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of soccer and football games.



We did lots of shopping, spent too much, and saw a Chick Flick with the sweet Durands. Kate danced at the fair with her dance company, so I thought I'd share some pictures. Caroline tumbles tomorrow night at the fair, so I'll just upload a picture of her then :)

Father/Son Camping Trip

So this weekend was the annual Father/Son Camping Trip that Chad takes the boys on. I thought I'd share some pictures. I don't know that I can write much since I wasn't there, but I understand that they had a great time and truly enjoyed being out together.

They went to Mineral Wells, Tx about 2.5 hrs away. Another Dad brought a huge grill, so they ate in style all weekend. Homeade everything right out in the wilderness. With tents and sleeping bags and all. Chad says the campfire was the favorite.



They also went rock climbing and saw some gorgeous views from very high. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to going again next year.

It's the One on One time

So I'm sitting here writing.. the house is quiet... all except for one little girl sitting behind me in her zebra snuggie reading her library book and eating a spoonful of cookie dough.. I know. It's 10:15pm, but who cares. She's skinny, I've only spent 2 hours in her presence today, and I just don't care if she's up late eating cookie dough. I'm just enjoying being with her.


It's just a reminder to me that the small moments of one on one time are so precious. As a mother of four and the youngest of four,I feel like I am qualified to discuss the signifigance of one on one time in large families.

I can remember times that my mother spent with me away from the others. Time that was JUST the two of us. No fighting for her attention while my sister was yaking or my brother cutting up.. just us. Once I remember my mom rocking me while she watched MASH. I was much too old to be rocked, but I remember loving it and hoping it wouldn't end. I also remember a time or two that she checked me out of school for a dentist appointment. My favorite thing was our lunchtime afterward. Just us!

With four semi little kids, I try so hard to savor those moments. Last week I stole Cort after school and took him to Starbucks. At first he kinda looked at me like I was crazy, but once he got his Chocolate Chippity Frappucino and got involved in talking to me, he was pretty happy with the choice.

Clayton gets his mommy time every Monday and Friday. He's enjoying his last year as a Preschooler. And Kate, well, she kinda gets it often because she comes and finds me and is old enough to enjoy whatever I'm doing. Usually it's an hour of "Say Yes to the Dress". And Caroline, well, we have to work on it. She lives a crazy life with her gym, but somehow we manage to find the time.

Now, I'm not going to lie. There are plenty of moments when I hear "Mommy.. will you read my book... Or Mommy, will you lay with me... Or Mommy will you go for a bike ride" that I just shutter and say "not now"... and I usually regret it later because I know it was important to that child. But, I'm doing my best and pray that they see that.

And last but not least, Daddy gets his one on one time too! It usually is a little harder for him with four needy kids, but we make it all work. All I can do is thank God for the time he multiplies for me and the precious moments as they come.