Freeze Dance

As the kids and I danced a jig during one of our favorite shows, we paused with every mention of the word freeze.  As we moved and laughed, I took a mental snap shot.  You know the moments; full of laughter and playing and then the thought occurs that this instance cannot be repeated.  That particular moment... once in a lifetime.  The only condolence is to take a mental snapshot and store it in the file of Things to Recall Often. 

As I twirl and dip and stagger in my life's dance, I can't forget to freeze.


I'll do it in order to take a mental snapshot. And remember.


If I could, I would freeze the days when my laundry basket is filled with princess dresses, footed pajamas, and baseball socks.  And the days when a blanket solves the world's troubles.

I would freeze the days when more tears are shed over the mention of unwanted nap times and bedtimes than over broken hearts, failed reports or hurt feelings. Or the days when everyone in our family could pile comfortably into one bed.

I would freeze the day that Kayt decided that if she couldn't marry Daddy, she would marry Bubba.
And the days when I brushed tangles out of matted, dark hair only to brush new tangles out minutes later.

I would freeze the days when riding a bike on two wheels was deserving of a family celebration, when the sidewalk was covered with chalk, and the yard colored by Play-Do. And the ones when my throat felt sore from all the books read aloud.

I would freeze the days when sippie cups filled the top drawer of my dishwasher and colorful spoons my silverware slots.  And the days when talk of 'school adventures' was merely talk, not a reality.

I would freeze the days when dirty feet clouded the bath water as all three of my lil' loves easily fit into one tub.  And especially the days when the sight of my face made little legs run to my arms.


If I could pause the music, just for awhile, I would include a day just like today.  Ordinary, simple and special.  I would freeze the giggles that are common sounds, the footsteps that still pitter-patter, and the messes that are strewn with adventure and imagination.

But as we danced that fun day, I realized that the song built with each new note.  The frozen poses became funnier and the excitement grew.  The final freeze was better than the first.

And for that reason, I'll let that time go by knowing that each day and month and year will build upon the last.  The memories will grow and the mental snapshots will accumulate.


But while we dance our lives away, I'll continue to take moments to freeze.

Because if we are going to dance, we might as well Freeze Dance!

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us

and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

And from his fullness we have received grace upon grace.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of John

Chapter One

Verses one through eighteen

My prayer is that you would acknowledge the grace upon grace that you have received; the grace that comes only from His fullness, the same fullness that became flesh and dwelt among us so that we might become his children, his heir.

Merry Christmas.

Lots of love now and throughout the year, 

The Ingram Gang

Are you fancied?

Since I've been a bore lately, I thought I would fancy you with these...

Noah is potty trained!

I am so proud of him. He was such an easy subject to work with. I couldn't believe how simple the entire potty training process was for us. He and his daddy are at Jump-N-Jive as we speak celebrating his accomplishments!

The birthday boy and his his mini-me

Good morning my loves!

In the mornings we usually spend some time reading books, this particular morning Noah told me I could 'go cook in the kitchen because he and his KK needed to talk.'

When Kayt was born, Noah started calling her She-tah because that was the closest thing to sister that his 17 month old mouth could conjure up.  

Shortly after, she became Shetah to everyone. 

But now he's stopped calling her Shetah; now she is KK .

I have a feeling that she will always have a nickname from her big brother, but I have to admit that I was a little sad to have seen the first one come and go. 

Shetah-(n) a non-sense word that holds a very special place in my heart!

The 'almost birthday girl'!  

Isn't her bubba's hand on her leg sweet?

My girl.

A Mom

I mentioned earlier in the week that my mom is moving.

She is leaving today and the reality is starting to set in.

I lived away from my mom for several years, but since we have moved 'home' I have had the honor of spending a lot of time with my beautiful mother. 

I remember growing up my mom would tell me she loved me so, so much. She would end the statement with you just cannot understand, but someday you will.

And now is my someday.

I didn't understand the unexplainable love for a child. It is an all-consuming, responsible type of love; one that sees a child's needs far above your own and exudes protection that knows no boundary. It is  not a foolish love or a fleeting love, but one that will last forever. 

I love my mom so much and I am so thankful that she loved me as a mother should. She protected me, nurtured me, taught me, trusted me, disciplined me, provided for me but mostly...she loved me.  

And loved me well. 

A mom is...

A back tickler

A nose picker

A boo boo kisser

An ear nibbler

A lullaby singer

A puppet on the finger

A book reader

A belly feeder

A drink fetcher

A baseball catcher

A hair fixer

A yogurt mixer

A bow maker

A gun-wound faker

An early riser

A late nighter

A paper grader

A bedroom raider

A wise word

A goodnight kiss

All the things that I would miss

If I wern't a mom.

I love my mom and I love being a mom.

Now, I understand!

-Please know that each time I write about my children or being a mom that I think of all the people who do not yet have children or would like to have children but are not yet able to. I never mean anything I write or say to be insensitive to anyone. This is the reality of where my life is right now.-

For my handsome hubby:

My husband is very like-able. 

Before I knew Brad well, I was so drawn to the fact that everyone liked him. Young and old alike enjoyed being around this guy. 

After I began to get to know him, I started to understand why his presence was so attractive. 

He is laid back and funny.  

He is optimistic and humble. 

He is approachable and loyal.

He does not seek the praises of people, he really strives to be honorable before the Lord. 

He is giving and genuine.

He is forgiving and spontaneous.

When I watch Brad interact with high-schoolers, joke with his friends or have so much compassion for a stranger I am so so thankful for him.  His perspective is steady and he is full of wisdom. He hears from the Lord often and clearly. He knows what is best for me long before I can accept it.  He encourages me in my gifts and always makes me feel so loved. 

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of the day I would marry the man of my dreams. Only I never knew the goodness the Lord had in store for me in Brad. He is more than I asked for. He meets my standard and then some. I have so much love for my husband. He is God's tangible evidence of his love for me. 

On his special day, I wanted to tell you how special my husband is to me. He isn't loved by just me, but by countless people. If all of my children turned out to be just like their daddy, I would be so thrilled. I want to be like him when I grow up too!

Happy Birthday Love!

p.s. My friend Magen is also having her baby girl, Anna Grace today. Please keep the Robersons in your prayers as they welcome Brad's little birthday buddy.

Good for my heart

Last night after Brad and I got in bed, we had a conversation that sounded something like this:

B: I'm so glad you are home. We missed you a lot.

A: Thanks! I'm so glad to be home, I think I missed y'all more.

B: And I just wanted to tell you that I really respect all you do. 

A: Thank you.

B: I mean, I've always respected it, it's just that you do a lot. It's non-stop.

A: Thanks for saying that. Yeah, non-stop would be a great way to describe it.

B: Oh, and I think Kayt is really going to like me.

A: (smile) goodnight

#1-There are times when a person speaks a few words that rest in your heart and mind for a long time.  These words are that for me.

#2-Brad tells me a lot how thankful he is for me and all that I do for him and the kids, but it's nice to know that when you are away, you're missed. And needed. 

#3-I think Kayt is really going to like her daddy too. She already likes him so much. It's pretty fun to watch this little girl steal her daddy's heart one smile at a time. 

#4-Brad summed motherhood up so well: Non-Stop

Our week at 7000 feet

The pictures are really out of order, but it's late, I'm tired, and I don't think anyone minds too much. 

A secret about me: I am a HORRIBLE picture taker. I'm the mom who takes silly pictures all week and then forgets to take them on Easter morning, or before the birthday cake is served. I miss all the climaxes. I have good intentions. Really, I do. 

About half-way through our week in Colorado my battery died. I just didn't ever feel like taking the time to go and purchase a new one. My silly camera only takes this expensive battery that does not come in re-chargable form. It's a pain.

I am also the person who always opts not to be in the picture because I am terribly unphotogenic, and then wonders why there are NO pictures of me on our computer. Hmmm. 

I am also the person who never thinks to take a family picture.

Durango has the terrific Community Center with an indoor kids water play area. I was unprepared and did not pack bathing suits. I thought about it. Then I thought, where would we swim? So I didn't pack them and of course we needed them. The kids didn't mind though. Noah swam in a swim diaper and basketball shorts and Kayt sported only the swim diaper. I decided buying new suits wasn't worth it, besides those people will never see us again!

Beautiful Downtown. The shades are a new thing for Brad. He's never worn sunglasses before. He found them in our car and decided he would sport them for a while. You like?

chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo

Noah LOVED the horse statues. He's got a bit of an animal phobia. The only animals he likes are those made of steel, bronze or wood. He actually thought they were the horses from the nursery rhyme "giddy up horsey go to town....giddy up horsey all fall down"...or at least thats how he sang it.

Best buddies.

I'll Just Read Me

I am currently re-reading and fully engrossed in every discipline book I own, all two of them!

I've read these books in the past and at that time I implemented tid-bits of their wisdom, but honestly they gave me an undeserved sense of pride.  My thoughts sounded something like this: "My child obeys. He responds well to our requests. We must have been doing things right...right? He has been such an easy child."

And then...he turned TWO! 

My child has gone missing. Where is he? And who is the strong-willed, defiant dude in his shoes? The same boy that has charmed his way into the depths of my soul has now made me want to pluck my eyebrows out.

I've said "No" and "Don't" about a plethrazillion times over the past few weeks.

And coming from a person who has always been very reserved to say the N (no) word, this is quite trying. 

I do the church thing alone. 

On Sunday mornings my husband leaves for church a little after  7am so I get both of the kids up, fed, dressed to impress, and to church on time. Well, kind of on time. I consider all start times to have a  5   15 minute grace period.   All the while, I cannot go in my pajamas so somewhere in the chaos joy of Sunday mornings I get myself dolled up as well. One particular Sunday morning closer to the beginning of May, I was less than thrilled to drrraaaggg my son into church. I'm sure I was quite a sight carrying a seven month old, 2 over-stuffed diaper bags (since they each have to have one in the nursery), a Bible and a journal while dragging a whailing 2 year old in a tie across the walkway.  I know his shoes must have left skid marks on the pavement. He was refusing to go to "this church" because he wanted to go to the "basketball church". Seeing as though there is no such thing, this made perfect sense to me. 

Recently at dinner, this same tot shoved his plate of food back at me just as I was placing it in front of him. 

There has also been a very recent hand-washing meltdown involving this same subject. 

You get the picture?

A few weeks ago on a Sunday morning we allowed him to watch the band during the praise time. My son, the music lover, delights in this.  When we chose to do this, my worship may not be with hands lifted high, but it is truly a place that my spirit finds worship. The only difference between this week and the others is that this time I carried him out of the sanctuary screaming as the worship set wrapped up. I mean the "hand over the mouth, straight-jacket wrapped, running up the aisle" type of carried.

And at that moment, I became "that lady". You know who that lady is.  

Why in the world did that lady bring her son into the service?

Did you see that lady's screaming child?

Who in the world is that lady?

What is that lady's deal?

Is that lady hurting that poor child?

Doesn't that lady know better?

I'll never be like that lady!

You know you've thought it. I know I have, and now I am her! 

That's the problem though. It's not about me. It isn't about how I look. My children's behavior doesn't determine my honor. I forget that. I forget that it's about the Lord and the heart of my two year old son. My children will sin. I know this, but sometimes I forget it and then I'm blind-sided by blatant acts of disobedience.  

I sin. In all of my diligence and my overwhelming love for the Lord, I still sin. Although the Lord is not blind-sided by my choice to sin, I have to believe that it still hurts him. I know this because my son's sin hurts my heart. 

It hurts me because I can see that training is for his benefit. I can see the bigger picture, not just the moment he is living in. I know that often we withhold something from him in order to give him something better in the future. I know that in gaining self-control, character is built.  I know that just because something seems appealing, it may not be the best thing for him.

You get the picture? 

Recently as Noah was sleeping peacefully, I laid my hand on his back and prayed over him. As I was praying, the Lord began to speak to my heart.  

"Pray for you," he told me. Pray for guidance. Pray for forgiveness from letting up on training your son and giving into his charm. 

Tonight I was given a sweet reminder. It is not about me, yet it is. 

I am to "train my children up in the way they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it."  I am to love them unconditionally. I am to exercise patience beyond what seems acceptable. 

I am to cast all limits aside. What seems like a reasonable limit for patience is nothing in comparison to the patience the Lord pours out over my trying soul. 

When I can take a step back and see how the Lord views my sin, and how he responds to me with discipline, pruning my growing soul, loving me beyond measure and using each of my falls as a chance for growth I can do the same for my children.

When I do this, I don't grow weary in the midst of trials. When I do this, I exercise love and patience beyond what comes naturally.

Thank you Jesus for writing a discipline book with my life. I love that I can open the pages of my life and read a book with all the scenarios already played out. I've tried and tested the Lord, yet he has proven faithful and true.

Jesus I ask for strength to be proven faithful and true as well.

If anyone would like to purchase the book of discipline written by my poor choices, it will go on sale very soon!

A Journal. A Treasure.

 Journaling.

One of my favorite past times.

I delight in curling up on the couch, or sprawling out on the grass with my Bible, my journal and a mound of thoughts.

I can write and write and never tire of the feel of ink flowing freely from my pen as the words pour forth onto the page. I am sure journaling is pertinent in my love affair with the Lord, it's vital to the well-being of my soul.  I encounter the Lord on a blank sheet of paper. He speaks to me through words that don't even resonate in my mind until I step back and look at what has been written.

This very reason is why I journal for my children. A love for writing and a love for capturing memories, has spurred this urgency in me.

I do it for myself, to be reminded of all of the firsts, all of the milestones, and all of the small moments that bring me so much joy.  Even now as I look back, I am so thankful for the reminder of their beautiful development. I have already forgotten so much and if not for the words, I may not have so much detail to spark my remembrance of phases that are long past. 

I do it also for them. There will be a day when they will read the words and I pray they will paint a picture of who they were from birth. Maybe as they read their journals at a young age they will laugh at all of the silly things they have done. And as they mature, possibly they will read them as words far removed. They will not remember the moments I've written about and almost feel as though it is another child I wrote about. But as a parent, someday when they have children of their own, I pray that as they read the journals they will have a tender heart for who they were as a child, understanding who they are as adults. As they experience loving their own child, that they would have a tender heart for me and see that I loved them far beyond words. I loved them with my heart. I loved them deep in my soul. My prayer is that instead of looking at their life and seeing the mistakes I made, they would understand that their dad and I loved them the best we could.  We sought the Lord in cultivating their spirits. I pray that they will see similarities between themselves and their own offsprings. Through that, they will see the Lord's beauty in the passing on of traits. 

I do it for the Lord. I am being obedient in his calling of this from me. A friend told me of this habbit long before I even had children. She told me she felt as though the Lord asked her to share this with me, and I am forever thankful for her obedience. I do it to remind myself each time I write that my children are not mine. They are gifts. Gifts the Lord has entrusted into my care. It is a simple reminder for me to lay them at his feet, give them into his care and pray for them. Pray for their life. Pray for their health. Pray for obedience. Pray for salvation. Pray for their future. Pray for protection. Pray for provision. Pray for all of the things that I so desperately want to give them out of my strength, but know that I cannot. I don't have those things to give. Not to them, not to anyone. 

The way I have chosen to take up journaling for my children is not on a daily basis. It's not even on a weekly basis. I journal as the Lord leads. Often it's a time or two a month. Sometimes I miss a month...or two. I let Noah scribble on the pages when he wishes to. I simply date his artwork and go on with my writing. I let Kayt drool on the pages and I circle it and put a simple note of "sweet slobber" and her age.  I write what I feel. I write about how I feel towards them at that specific moment. I write down favorite words, phrases, toys, songs, activities and past times. I write down the dates of milestones. Often I write prayers, but more often I just let my words flow. 

In my life, these 2 books of paper and ink are treasures. In my husbands life, they are important. In my children's lives, they my be silly or meaningful. That isn't for me to determine. But someday, when I place them in their care, I will hand them over as precious jewels, worth more than all the money in the world.  I will tenderly and lovingly place them in their arms, knowing they actually belong to them. Though they are my words, they are their stories. 

When I do this, I will have much practice handing treasures over. I practice everyday.

I hand my family over to Jesus. My precious jewels, worth more than all the wealth this world could buy...they are His. Though they may be my children, they are His creation.  Though I may orchestrate their daily schedule, He orchestrates their lives...they are his story.  I tenderly and lovingly place them into His hands, thankful that he as allowed me to journey as their mother. 

And someday when I'm gone...I pray that the mere sight of my handwriting makes their heart leap. I pray they know that their daddy and I loved them as much as a parent could. 

I would like to know how other parents document their children's lives. Many people journal, I know I'm not alone, but are there other ideas? What has the Lord put on your heart? I would love to hear from you and possibly adopt your ideas. 

5.7.05

It was a fun morning to wake up to anniversary memories. With thunder rolling in the distance and raining heavily falling to the ground, I was able to lay in bed and reminisce over the past three years of being Mrs. Ingram.

What a ride it has been (some pun intended)!  From the threshold of our first apartment to the nurseries in our current home, our journey has been action packed and full of love. 

We've owned 2 homes, moved 5 times, spent 6 months my in-laws, and loved it all. 

I've been pregnant for almost 2/3 of our marriage. 

I have spent all but 3 months of the past three years either pregnant or nursing. 

On our first anniversary, we had a 3 week old.

On our second anniversary, I was 20 weeks pregnant. 

On our third anniversary, we have an energetic two year old and a giggly 7 1/2 month old. And no changes in the near future :)

My favorite things about being married are:

-having someone come home at the end of each day

-getting to pick up the phone any time of the day just to call and say hi

-sharing things. our closet, bathroom shelves, loofas, toothpaste

-lounging in his large, comfortable t-shirts

-mail that has both of our names on it

-carrying his last name

-having his babies

-watching him mow the lawn

-knowing the no matter what time it is, if I use my sweet voice, he will get out of bed to get me a drink of water

-watching my husband be a daddy

-learning to balance finances together

-having someone to cook breakfast for 

-having someone make me coffee

-knowing his s.s. number

-being told dinner was so great

-taking walks

-talking in bed till wee hours of the morning

-getting a goodbye kiss on the forehead each morning while I lay sleeping

These are simple and silly, yet they are great delights in my marriage. 

So many of you know what it is like to be married to a godly, loving, strong, humble man.  It's so important for me not to forget the gift I have been given in my husband. The petty things don't matter. Loving my husband does.

Happy Anniversary My Love!

~Happy Birthday Noah~

I must give a quick shout out to my daughter for her sweet gesture in waking me up at 5:30am so that I am able to celebrate Noah's actual birthday. 

He was born at exactly 5:30am on April 16th. 

Twenty-four things I love about my 24 month old:

24. You make me laugh everyday. 

23. You always wake up with a smile on your face and an energy that I long for in the mornings.

22. You are the biggest sports fan I know.

21. You are a great eater, never picky.

20. You are so sweet to your sister. I love how you read her stories and talk to her in a sweet voice and always strive to make her laugh.

19. I love the way your hair will NOT lay down. You've always had your own 'style'. 

18. Your little hands. They are so chubby and sweet, and they working so hard at all they do.

17.  I love how you want to wear your slip-on shoes like daddys everyday, even to church. Anything to be more like daddy!

16. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I felt a part of my heart come alive that I never knew existed.  Thank you for letting me love you in a adventurous, new way.  A way that wanted to protect you and give you all the best and didn't know how to settle for less. A love that has challenged me to depend more on the Lord than ever before and has shown me the unthinkable love my father has for me, his own child. 

15. You are so smart and your memory amazes me. I love watching you learn new things every single day.

14. The sweet, sweet nature you were given. You interact so well, you play so well and I love how you already have compassion for others.

13. Thank you for always watching out for me. You take such good care of me and I love the protective instinct you have for your family.

12. You are great at brushing your teeth. I'm sure the Elmo toothbrush helps!

11. Thank you for being my trash nazi.  You are my little helper. You always clean up after yourself and especially after mommy and daddy. 

10. I love how you can hardly stay indoors. You have been an outdoorsman from birth, it's so fun! 

9. Your love for music is something I prayed for in you. You are such a great musician. I cherish that you have a music preference, it's cute. Thankfully, you have great taste; Lifehouse and Maroon 5.

8. I love the way you stop what you are doing each time an airplane flies over head. They way you listen with your mouth opened in awe reminds me to enjoy the simple things in life.

7. You sweet voice makes my heart smile. You sing your ABC's and Jesus Loves (You and) Me so well, like an angel.

6. I could kiss you and kiss  you and kiss you and kiss you. I never get tired of those sweet kisses.

5. You are such a great big brother. I pray that you and Kayt still light up when the other enters  the room, even in 20 years. 

4. You are so brave! I feel so sad each time I see your little lip tremble while trying to hold back tears. I love that you have such a gentle, yet strong spirit. 

3. You are a phenomenal basketball player. That form...it's pretty incredible.

2. I love the way you know the arrangement of our kitchen better than your daddy. You help him find the utensils he needs and unload the dishwasher so well.

1. How do I love you? It's impossible to say. For if I had a million days, and time enough for all the praise, I could not tell you all the ways...I LOVE YOU!

~From one of our favorite books How Do I Love You by P.K. Hallinan~

Happy Birthday Noah Hudson! 

Thank You for Loving

We are home!

I did not read a book this week like I had originally thought, but I made up for my reading in better ways.

I spent many minutes with Noah watching the squirrel chase one another up and down the trees through the living room wall-of-windows that overlook the golf course. We fed the ducks bread and more bread and more bread. We drove the golf cart around numerous times in the hopes of spotting dear. Several times, we watched them stare fondly at us from only a few feet away. I watched Noah follow my brothers and cousins around like he, too, was a college students. I also witnessed his love affair with Coke (or Toke, as he calls it) begin.  I looked at old photographs with my great-grandma as we talked about her 3 younger sisters who have all gone to be with Jesus.  I listened to my great-grandpa tell stories of the pranks he and his friends pulled off during WWII.  I also sat silently and listened as my Pa (great-grandpa) held Kayt in front of the bathroom mirror and talked to her. He told her just how much he loved her, and how she would always be 'his girl'.  He could not get enough of my sweet girl.  He hardly let her out of his sight.  I tear up just thinking of the beautiful picture that paints in my mind. A 90 year old great-great-grandfather loving on his 6 month old great-great granddaughter.  

How blessed I am to live in the presence of so many generations.  

We laughed a lot. 

We played a lot.

We ate a lot. 

I enjoyed my week A LOT!

 

One of my favorite aspects of having kids has been watching other people love my kids. 

I knew I would love them. 

I knew Brad would love them.

I also knew my parents would.  

But, there are so so many more people that truly love my kids. I'm not just talking about tolerating them, or even enjoying them from time to time, I mean really truly loving them.  My brothers loved Noah and Kayt this week. They always do!  They are fun uncles. But that is not all. They are patient and kind and sensitive and head-over-heels for my kids.  They change dirty diapers, give baths, hug, kiss and give their undivided attention even when it is apparent they could be focusing on many other things. I have always adored my brothers, but my love for them has deepened over the past two years. 

The same goes for my parents. After Noah was born, my mom told me she never thought she would feel the same encompassing love for a child that she felt for my brothers and I. That was before she had a grandchild. She swore she loved my kids from the moment they entered the world, just as she had loved her own. For a mother, that is a great feat. 

The rest of my family is no different. My aunts and uncles and grandparents and great-grandparents love my kids. My cousins even adore them. They scoop Noah up in their strong arms and care for him as their own. They love to kiss on Kayt and make her laugh and stare into her beautiful, big, blue eyes. 

Not only does my family love them, buy my husbands as well. I am still overcome with joy as I watch Brad's parents, grandparents and siblings delight in my babies.  I knew they loved me when I married Brad. They have always taken me in and loved me as their own, but they have shown that to me most through my children. To have someone be so crazy about something that is a part of you is beyond words.  I am so blessed by the family I married into, God gave me many wonderful things in them. 

It is amazing to me that (two) people who have captured my heart so fully can also capture the hearts of so many others. 

To my family and friends who love my kids, thank you! 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Through loving them, you are loving me better than I could have ever asked. You are loving the things I am most proud of.  And because of that, I love you more than ever!

Side Note:

My husband and the 70+ others that went to Mexico this week are on their way home. Eight or so students woke up early this morning throwing up violently. As the day went on, many more have fallen to sickness. They crossed the border and took many of them to the ER.  After leaving El Paso, they had a blow out on one vehicle.  Not long after being on the road, one sweet girl had a terrible asthma attack.  They spent many more hours at another hospital.  I say that to ask for those of you who read this while they are still on the road to pray for them. Getting home has been hard. Had things gone according to planed, they would have been home around 5 pm.  Now, they are hoping to be home by 2am.  I know satan is attacking since they had such a wonderful week of ministering. Please pray for them. I am so anxious to see my husband. I can't wait to kiss that sweet, sunburned face!

To our Valentine!

I yuv you Da-eee!

I yuv you because you are really tall and you put me high on your shoulders. I yuv you because you are good at every sport and you throw the fu-ball hiiiigh. I yuv you because you always have time to play catch with me. I yuv you because you watch me build really tall Lego towers. I yuv you because give me a bath and 'wash my booty clean'. I yuv you because you eat oranges with me and let me stay up extra late when football games are on t.v. I yuv you because you watch youtube videos with me over and over and over. I yuv you because you take me outside in the middle of the night when my hurting lungs need cold air. I yuv you because you pray with me and for me, even when I'm not around. I yuv you because we have so much fun together and I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Doe Da-eee Doe!

Eeeeeeeeeeee!

(translated: I love you daddy!)

Eeeeee because your big hands hold my little body and make me feel so safe. Eeeeee because you make funny faces just to see me laugh. Eeeeee because you tickle my belly. Eeeeee because you tell me I'm beautiful everyday. Eeeeee because you will always make me see how beautiful I am to Jesus and remind me of how much my Jesus loves me.

Eeeeeeeeee!

I love you babe!

I love you because you are such a great leader for our family. I love you because you pray for me more than I pray for myself. I love you because you provide for our family. I love you for being such a great daddy to our beautiful children. I love to spend time with you. I love you because you love to spend time with me. I love you because you are so funny. I love you because you don't take life too seriously. I love you because you teach me not to be too hard on myself. I love you because you are so special to so many people in this world. I love you because you are great at your job. I love you because so many people entrust you with their secrets. I love you because you rarely finish a book you start. I love you because you take out the trash. I love you because you wash my car. I love you because make me coffee. I love you because I could write forever and never run out of reasons why

I LOVE YOU!