8 years

Eight years ago, this girl joined her life to the sweetest boy she'd ever met, on a perfect summer night.

It was compete with tears, smiles and butterflies...with a kiss we sealed our love surrounded by our family and friends.

As we walked toward a new beginning together, for better or for worse,



we took a deep breath and danced our way into forever. 

I couldn't imagine loving him any more than I did at that moment. But if you ask me today...I only love him more than I did on that summer night, 8 years ago. I am so blessed to have him walking hand in hand with me, every amazing step of the way. God has surely given me an angel in him!

I found the one whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go…

Song of Solomon 3:4

Fathers

God took the strength of a mountain, 

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... "DAD!" 

...Author Unknown

Fathers have a special place in our hearts. They are the leaders of the family providing love, strength, protection, and guidance.  It's a unique and beautiful relationship between a father and a child, one that etches who we are from the very beginning.

Thank you for the wisdom, the love and the Christ-centered example.

My heart loves you more than words can express.

Blake and Don, 1979


Me and my dad, 1979

...and watching your husband become a father is one of the most endearing and beautiful transformations I have ever witnessed.

Thank you for being such an amazing father to our sweet boys.  May they grow to understand and know what love, sacrifice and prayers have followed them throughout their lives, and may they grow to be Godly men, husbands...and one day, fathers too! 

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

Proverbs 24:3,4

Pops & Granddaddy

Our father's day celebrations came a few days before the holiday!  

We were able to visit with each Dad/Granddad during the week, even though we weren't able to be with them on Father's Day.

Each visit was special and the boys just loved seeing their Grandparents. 

Blake, Luke and Granddaddy

 and Grammie too!



The boys and Pops

These pictures speak louder than words...

Happy Father's Day!

Blogger Picnic

Some of my blogging friends decided to get together for a playdate/picnic.  Since, we all stay in touch through our blogs, we thought actually seeing each other in person would be fun for a change!  :) 

It was really a beautiful day, especially in the shade.  We all talked, and ate...and took cute pictures!! (because that's what bloggers do, right?)

At the picnic were precious little boys,

with lots of smiles and big brown eyes,

and pretty little girls,

with sparkling blue eyes

and there were lots of arms to and love on each one. 

As the picnic came to an end, we all said we would do it again very soon!!  

Can't wait girls, who's planning the next one? 

Meeting Brayden

A new baby cousin joined the family.

Little Brayden born on May 6th, 2010, so we traveled to Atlanta so we could finally meet him!

Aunt Joy was so proud!

Brooke and I with our baby boys, Brayden (4 weeks) & Luke (4 months)

We all got together several times while we visited.  It was great to see everyone and celebrate Brayden's arrival! ;)

Jay, Joy and Doug

Doug and Joy meeting Luke for the first time

While we were there, I always get to see my good friend, Kara and her three beautiful kids!  

We have a great time spending the day together, we talked, ate lunch and went swimming:)

Benjamin, Sophia and Layton

It was such a good and relaxing trip.  Grammie even got some good snuggle time:)

And so did Melanie and Ashton!

And Layton enjoyed their amazing pool and...

their super sweet dog, Ellie.  Best dog ever.  They are inseparable the entire time we are there. Remember last year?



Layton wanted to take her home:(
Sorry, buddy...Daddy would definitely not like that idea! 

I'm always thankful to see family.

It was a great trip and we can't wait to do it again in the fall:)

Three Amigos

We traveled to visit Uncle Bryan & Anut Dani this week and spent the day together.  And of course, we got to see Mady also!

It was too hot to do anything outside, so we played, napped and chatted inside.  With the exception of a strange trip to Hobby Lobby where we left empty handed, and a quick dinner at O'Charley's.

the three amigos

Mady didn't know what to think of Layton's hat...
*notice the golf glove - Pops bought it for him and he seriously slept with it on - all night!  

The kids with the kids -- Bryan and I with our babies! 

Then, before we left, it was bath time....

we squeezed them into the rubber ducky bathtub, where Mady checked out Luke's ear...

and Luke squealed and splashed!

Because Luke is still "wobbly" while sitting up, Aunt Dani was on standby ready to catch him if he tumbled over!! 

 Then after their bath, both smelled so good,

and were ready for PJ's and BED! 

The boys slept the entire way home!

It was good day, but any day with family is a good day, right?