Let's Say "I DO" .....again

I was 20 when Mike and I got married. 

Young. 

In love. 

Crazy. 

Never been to a wedding. 

Had no idea what I was doing........wedding or otherwise!

It's been almost 15 years now, and I want to get married again!  My ideas and tastes have grown and developed so much in that time that I have a new way I want to do it. 

Plus so many of our big wedding gifts have kicked the bucket that it's time to register again! hehehe

But when we do say "I DO!" again, I want Platinum Photography to capture the memories and Deborah Anfuso Giles to do all the food and decorations! 

A girl can dream, right?

2/3 Glowing Reports

And that's only because we haven't received the 3rd one yet.  I'm sure it will be glowing, just as it has been the last 6 grades for Jewelz.  We like to celebrate with each report card.  But I have a feeling it's more for Mike and I than it is for the kids.  They don't seem to even know what an accomplishment a great report card is.  It's like it comes naturally to them, so it's not a huge deal.  For Mike and I, who both wasted away our years in school not demonstrating our capabilities well, we get excited for them.

It's ok to celebrate their successes though, none-the-less! 

Oldie but GOODIE

I came across this tonight and shed a tear. Calvin was 2 here.  I barely remember this stage. I wish my memory was better and could remember all of these moments as the kids grow. It seems that one new memory seems to overshadow the old and then the oldies just fade. Thank goodness for video cameras, I guess!

Baking in the microwave?

I kept seeing these on Pinterest and was dying to try it....

It was a complete HIT!

Ladies Man

While walking home from school with a friend, Cal says, "Would you like me to carry your backpack for you?" 

This is hugely important to me.  We are doing our best to raise a gentleman.  In every way.  He made me very proud when he did this all on his own!

Emotions Run Wild

Excitement.
Joy.
Saddness.
Peace.
Comfort.
Grief stricken.

I feel like a ball of emotions today and I just want to mope.

Early in our marriage, Mike and I joined a small group at our church.  It was lead by an amazing, experienced couple.  Two of the most influential people in my life.  Ever.  A couple who is an example of true dedication to one another.  They had a steadfast love for one another only because of their mutual love of our Lord.  They walked a journey through this earthly life with a companion who drew them closer to the Lord each step.  They had their rough times, but the way they would press on is admirable.
They taught us the joy in marriage.  They taught us the true meaning of Ephesians 6:18.  No matter what, keep on praying.  They are the best role models anyone could have.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

A couple of years ago, Kim and Sharon were going out on a peaceful camping trip to rest in the outdoors which they loved dearly.  They stopped for a night here at our place and we had the most wonderful conversations and times of prayer.  They truly are the easiest and most encouraging people to be around.  It was a great visit.  I wish there were more of those visits because we enjoyed it so much!

Kim had battled cancer for a few years now.  Last night, he went to be with the Lord.  I can imagine what he is doing right now, dancing with his heavenly Father.  When he talked about God, and worshiped Him, the smile on his face was contagious.  I can see it like he's sitting here next to me.  Genuine and full of emotion.  I know, without one ounce of doubt, he's got that smile on his face right at this moment.

Sharon will press on, because that's the type of believer she is.  I wish we lived closer to them now because I need to hug her.

Honestly, our marriage would not be what it is today if it weren't for Kim & Sharon.

We love you two so very much and need you to know again, how much God used you in our lives.

Kim Pick, you are already missed.

Make a Way for...

I have this feeling.

It's been on my heart for a little bit now.  I hate putting my kids into a box on what I think they're going to "be", but sometimes, it just seems so evident.  

Today Calvin and Mike were listening to the newest Newsboys cd.  When we saw them a few months ago, they performed a lot of songs from this album.  This afternoon, this song was on:

Cal says, "Dad, this is the perfect Christmas song.  It's the perfect song because it says 'The King is coming' and Jesus came at Christmastime."  He said it so matter of factually, like....duh.  

His prayers lately have been so powerful.  We should all have such childlike faith as his.  He will move mountains one day.  As a matter of fact, he already is.  God is already equipping him.  :)

A Christmas Pretty

We went to IKEA to get somethings for Cal's room and I came home with my Christmas present! 
I have been wanting a side table for our entry/living room portion of the house for a while now.  I just haven't found the simple one that I like....until we went to IKEA on Christmas Eve!

Isn't it pretty?!

We had Christmas tree issues this year.  The first one we got, just after Thanksgiving like usual, didn't last.  Well, it lasted...a week!  We had lights on it, but no ornaments yet and all the needles began to fall off!  If we had put ornaments on that day, there would not have been any needles remaining on the tree at all!  So we took it back to the lot and brought home a new better one.  And this one was 2 feet taller!

 

The second one was definitely beautiful!  However....about 3 days before Christmas, Zoey broke a strand of lights on the lower portion of the tree and out went the lights!  Granted the lights were about 3 years old, but I think Zoey helped them to go out!  Glad I got this pic when I did cause after this there were no more tree pictures!

My back was hurting a bit on Christmas Eve, so Mike took over the "making cookies for Santa" project. 

They never would have turned out this way had I made them.  The kids were obviously happy to have Daddy helping with this job!

More Christmas pics to come...

More Babies?

Cal: Mom, are you ever going to have any more babies?

Me: Nope 

Cal: Not ever Mom? 

Me: Nope.

We've had this conversation a few times now.  The girls never asked this.  Maybe it's an age thing?  I've never had a 5 year old as my youngest child, so I don't know.  I do know that Cal wants to have another sister.  He's so strange!

Family Photos

We had our family pics taken a month ago.  Katie with Platinum Photography is awesome!  She has an artistic eye that I just love.  Her work is so natural and barely photo-shopped, which seems rare these days.  Here are a few of us. 

So that was more than a few, but I couldn't decide which ones to post!  This was just some of my favs from the 181 pictures she gave me!  Parents....you'll be getting a few of these!  I wish we had waited a few weeks though so we could have added the dogs to the family pics! ;)