Christmas Presents for Kids

If your kids are anything like mine- they have lots of loving family- which means that lots of loving family loves to love on them at Christmas time. I'm not complaining. I love to give gifts too. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming. I love to give gifts to my kids. Its one way I like to show my love too. But I have wondered many times how to approach this at Christmas time- when I don't want a house overflowing with gifts and I want to maintain the focus on Jesus- the birth of our Savior (you know, the whole reason for the season thing!). I want my kids to first think of Christmas as a time to be joyful and thankful that God gave us the best gift ever in Jesus- and secondly to show our love like God did by giving gifts to others. After much debate my husband and I have (hopefully) come up with a 'tradition' that will allow us to maintain that focus, allow me to express my love by giving gifts, and to avoid over gifting.

I don't remember where I heard the idea in the first place, but there is gobs of stories online about this same topic- Giving the Gifts Jesus Got. Jesus got three special gifts to celebrate his birth (Christmas). Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. The idea is to give each child three gifts based on what Jesus was given.

The Gold Gift- Gold is something valuable and treasured. This is a great way to give a gift of something the child wants, treasures, and desires more than anything else. The item they keep circling in the catalogs or eyeing in the store.

Frankincense- this is an incense that was burned and the smoke would billow up into the heavens. It often represents our prayers going up to God. So this gift should be something that would bring the child closer to God. Maybe a bible, book, dvd, or christian summer camp. Our kids will be getting the fisher price nativity set this year- a way for them to interact and get to know God's story better.

Myrrh- this is a precious oil that was rubbed on the body (often after death, but ewe, leave that part out!). So the Myrrh gift is an item that goes on the body. Ideas include clothing, shoes, coats, lotions.

What I love about this set-up is that there isn't a dollar amount affixed so I can go big or little depending on the year and our ability to give or it leaves room for the really really special 'gold' years of the 'wow' item. It is also meaningful and gives us a chance to reflect the whole experience and holiday right back on Christ. I still get to give, they get to receive, but it is not an overwhelming amount.

And after our sharing of gifts, we're hoping to throw Jesus a birthday party :) Cake and all.

So, if you are struggling with the idea of getting your kids presents this Christmas without overwhelming them- consider giving them the same as Jesus received!

Robert Morgan 1924-2009

As Izzy said this morning, "the angels are having a party!"

Our loss is his gain. Grandpa Morgan went to be with his Savior this morning, November 24.

After a short, but well fought battle with a terminal, incurable brain tumor he found his way Home.

We will miss you Grandpa.

3 year pictures, a big birthday, december 30, a new home, and fleas

How is that for a random title? Well, its because so much is going on- I can't help but be random. Izzy (finally) had her 3 year pictures taken. My awesome friend Nikki is hoping to start a photography business- so we are happy to help build her portfolio and I am sooo glad I'm getting some fun, creative shots taken of my baby girl (well not baby for too much longer!). Here was one she sent me as a teaser/preview. Ah, I'm in love. This picture sums up my daughter's personality to the tea! While izzy is fun loving and does smile and laugh a lot- you can often find her in an serious, observing stance. She is not a risk taker- and would much rather be watching others take the plunge than actually do so herself. She is kind of shy and unsure about change. She is more introverted than extroverted. She is all girl. She can look and act so grown up (especially in the face) but I hope she keeps her tiny, chubby hands forever! I still can't believe she is three!

Its been birthday week in our house. Paul's grandfather (who has been recently diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor) celebrated his 85th birthday. Paul happens to share a birthday with his grandpa so that makes it extra special. We had a huge party that night! My hubby got toys: grown up toys, and not so grown up ones! He got tools and tool storage from both parents and brothers and sisters (the big kid toys!). He got wii resort from me (big boy toy- but he giggles like a little boy while playing). And his favorite gift? A nerf gun that Izzy unprompted picked out for her daddy- yes a little boy toy for my big boy hubby. He couldn't be happier- and he is cute when he is giddy!

Speaking of birthday's. Baby Girl has hers already picked out (unless she decides to make it early!). December 30 at 8:30 am. Yikes. That's not too far off now is it?

We're house hunting. We need more space. Izzy needs a yard (she yearns for her own 'playground' that she could play on every day!). We need to not live where Paul works. We've looked at a few. We put an offer in on one today. We'll wait and see. Lots to look at. Never know what will pop up. We're trying to be patient. It sure would be nice to move before baby girl makes her entrance, but we are on no strict timeline.


One of the houses we looked at was occupied. Not by humans. But by fleas. Said fleas are now in our dwelling (and car). Said fleas are accused of making a midnight snack out of my ankles and feet and a midday snack out of my back and belly. They couldn't get their fill on me, so have started feeding on my daughter. Itchy mommy + itchy preschooler + live bugs in my house = a not so great situation. We have tried the carpet powder. I have washed and washed and washed all of the linens. No such luck. We bug bombed the place today. Fleas be gone or I swear I just might....well never mind. They better move on to a home with pets or else! My parents suggested adopting a cat to help get rid of the fleas- too bad I couldn't convice my hubby (especially since he would be on litter box duty until baby girl is born!).

Thats our life for ya. I can't wait until what next week will bring. It better not be lice.

A Princess Party

Wow its been a long time! Life has been so crazy lately- and doesn't show signs of slowing down. Here is a quick recap of our happenings:

Izzy had her 3rd birthday last week with a princess party at the park. The weather was perfect, the company was better! We had 20 family members from both sides join us to celebrate. Even Grandpa and Grandma Morgan were able to join us!

Izzy received some wonderful gifts- lots of princess and dora items.

This is what happens when you put the daddy and the sister in charge of photography...

A princess for sure!

Izzy with her castle cake- it turned out pretty well (word to the wise: don't use extra moist cake mix...it gets really heavy outside and doesn't decorate the easiest!)

Among the birthday celebration we have spent time up at the cottage with the Morgan family, done some shopping and food prep for different get togethers, had a family reunion, and tried (and failed) to keep up with houswork. But, Paul has had two closings in the past week- so we are truly blessed.

In the next week we have:

• church
• out of town family to meet, greet, and have fun with
• meet a new babysitter
• move mom and dad spica
• go to birch run and a tiger's game
• close on mom and dad's house
• have a bridal shower
• possibly host another out of town cousin
• finish moving mom and dad spica

Whew! I'm exhausted thinking about it! I just hope summer weather comes back (was it ever here?) so we get a few more beach days in before its fall.

Shock and Awe

I remember sitting in my dorm room sophmore year of college with then President Bush ordered the attack on Iraq with the now infamous "shock and awe" approach. It was something to behold. I remember mourning the fact that we were entering a state of war, that lives of those living in that region would forever be changed (in some ways for good, in others for bad). I'm not going to get into whether or not this war was a good choice- its not the point (and any comment left pertaining to such will be deleted).

The point is that with something so sad, yet exciting came exactly what it was named- shock and awe. Shock of the power of our forces. Shock at the power of our weapons. Shock at the humanity that had been lost under such a terrible dictator. Shock that life as we knew as Americans and Iraqi's had changed forever. But at the same time Awe. Awe in the power. Awe in the amazing commitment of our armed forces as a whole and as individuals. Awe in the unity of our country (at the time).

Strangely enough, I approach today with many of the same feelings. Shock. Awe. Life as I have known it has forever changed. Life as my husband's family has known has forever changed.

On Friday, my husband's maternal grandfather- Grandpa Morgan was rushed to the hospital with what appeared to be a stroke. We were all concerned and knew life would change- but knew that there was recovery. Stroke symptoms can be reconciled. Things can get better. Things change- but there is hope.

By Saturday morning, hope seemed to have faded. Grandpa did not have a stroke. Grandpa had a brain tumor. The worst kind of cancer you can have. The tumor is covering half of his brain. This tumor has grown fast. It was not present less than a year ago when he had a cat scan after falling last september. Surgery is not an option. Chemo and Radiation would not extend his life much, if at all, and without much quality. Grandpa has cancer. Grandpa is dying.

Thats the first time I have written or said these words since we found out. Its hard to accept. Its hard to move on.

Shock.

Awe.

Shock at what will now be a hard, uknown road. We don't know how long. None of us know the number of our days- only our God, our Creator knows- but the wisdom and experience of doctors tell us it will be months, and perhaps not many, 3-4 is what I'm hearing often.

Shock as to what is to happen next. How do we cope? How do we function? How do we care for him? How do we care for his wife- dear Grandma? How do we explain to the many little great grandchildren all under the age of 10 or so- most of them 5 and under? Shock as to why this is happening. Cancer. Out of no where. No warning. No symptoms. Shock.

As I lay in bed early this morning, unable to sleep- I suddenly felt a sense of awe. Awe in the fact that we serve an Amazing God!!! A God who is not surprised. A God who is all knowing. A God who is in control. A God we can count on. A God who mourns with us. A God who grieves with us. A God who rejoices with us.

Awe.

God loves us so much that He hurts when we hurt.

God enjoyes us so much as His children that He is glad when we our glad.

A God of emotion.

But yet, a God that is not surprised. As shocked as we are all feeling at this moment, I find comfort in the fact that God is not surprised. God is not shocked. God knew. God cares.

God knows. God cares.

God Loves.

I pray this is the catalyst for something great. This is what was needed to do something big, something unexpected. I'm not sure what it will look like. God does.

Please pray for our family. Pray for Grandpa and Grandma as they face the coming days- that clarity of what is happening comes. Pray for their children. Pray for their grandchildren. Pray for their great grandchildren.

I've lost one grandfather to cancer. I didn't think I would be asked to walk this road again. But I am. Pray for my husband. He has rarely walked the road of loss. Pray for me as I help him on this journey. Pray for us as we try to explain what is going on to our 3 year old. Give us comfort as we come to grips that our grandfather will most likely not meet the little one that is moving inside me at this moment.

Shock. Awe.

Shocked by circumstance. Awed by God.

Parade, Grease Stains, and Pina Colada's

How's that for a random title post?

Parade of Homes is over for the fall. Fall parade was much slower than the spring, but we kind of expected that. We still had a little over 200 people through the spec model. Hey- if each person told one person, just think of the word of mouth publicity! Haha. Yesterday I most certaintly did not forget to set my alarm for church, therefore we all slept in past the first service and past the point of being able to get out the door before the second service. I would never do that! Ha! Because that series of unfortunate events, we were blessed with a little extra time to tear down all the decor and furniture in the parade model and move it back to Paul's office/sales model and other furnished condos currently for sale. The tear down went great, Izzy watched Elmo on a 56 inch plasma tv screen while we loaded our pacifica with all the goods. 4 trips later, it was done, or at least half way done.

We took a short break to have lunch with family who just came home from their vacation in Mexico, and then for Izzy to come back and have an afternoon nap. After only an hour, she awoke, much to my dismay, but again, it blessed us with more time to finish setting up the sales model again.

Much to our horror, when we arrived back at the sales model, we realized that a black, greasy substance had been tracked all over the carpet. (alas, it was from the bottom of my shoe, but we still do not know the source!) Enter state of panic and frazzle as we figure out how to solve the grease stain dillema. Mom Spica came to our rescue and took Izzy off our hands as we got on our hands and knees using my Mom's miracle product Greased Lightning. It took the spots right up! (I also use this stuff when normal stain removers don't work and it gets spots right out!). A few hours later, the sales model is furnished and cleaned, and we're off to drop our Pacifica off to the car doctor. Its getting new brakes while we're away.

Now, we hit the waiting game before I get to sip my first Pina colada of my vacation. Bags are packed, house is cleaned, list of things to buy before we leave is made, and we wait! Sometime around noon Paul and I will drop off Izzy (already choking up!) and then make our way to Detroit to fly out really early Wednesday morning. And get this (I do have the greatest husband in the world!), PAUL suggested we stop at the outlet mall in Howell on our way!!!! Whoot!!!! Bargain shopping will help hurry the wait for that first glorious sip of pineapple coconut goodness.

So, if I fail to find internet or find other things to do :) Have a great week, and hopefully I'll be back tanner and not too much heavier than when I left.

xoxoxoxoxox
Peace out yo!

Busy Two Weeks

Not this is that exciting to any of you out there...

The parade home is staged and ready to open today. I'm glad its almost over with. The place turned out really well. There are some really neat features. Minus the square cabinet knobs. Those are really cool looking, but man are they sharp!!! I have three huge bruises from being punctured as I decorated the kitchen last night. Note to self: Don't have sharp cabinet knobs, danger to self and kiddos.

So as the hubby gets busy with the parade hours, I'm off to the north to spend some time with the parentals and the lil sis. If I don't go now, it would be early november before I see them!

I've got Bible study, Discovery Village, a lot of birthdays and more in the next couple of weeks.

But, the most exciting thing is that two weeks from right now, "I'm leavin' on a Jet plane!!!!" to the warm, sunny, relaxing venue of Mexico!!! Two weeks from now Paul and I are headed on our "honeymoon". We are super excited and can't wait for the next two weeks to fly by.

Exchange Student

Well, my parent's life just got a lot more interesting. In a tragic accident, the mother of one of my Dad's friends and an elder at their church was killed in a car accident. Eric and his wife were preparing to take a foreign exhange student from Korea. Because of this accident, my parents have stepped in to house and take care of the young man until they can get back on their feet.

So, tomorrow they pick him up from the airport in GR, fresh from his flight from Korea. They don't know much about him, I don't even know his name. It will be an adjustment having a teenage boy live with them.

Please pray that as they take care of this student they just shine the love of Jesus on him. They do not know his spiritual background, but he must attend their church as part of his exchange requirements. Please pray that he will adapt well to his new surroundings and school. Hopefully I'll have more information to come!

I'm Going!!!!

It's finally happenning. It seems surreal. Something I've been wanting to do since 2001 is finally going to be a reality!

What is that you ask?

I get to fly half way around the world to visit Dhaka, Bangladesh. What's there? Only about 400 children. Only about 400 orphans or abandoned children. Only 400 pairs of big brown eyes to see. Only about 400 cutie pies to hug. I'm going to the H.E.L.P Bangladesh Samaratain Children's Home. Back when I first started to date Paul, his family had recently started to get involved with a man named David Halder who was starting to build a Christian Children's Home in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It had started out with 20 street kids or orphans in his own home, and has now grown to about 400 kids. In the middle of this Muslim city where the call to prayer sounds multiple times a day live 400 kids who are being fed and nurtured spiritually, emotionally, and physically with Christ-centered principles. Most children leave with an education, a future, and most importantly a relationship with Jesus Christ. My husband got to go visit this home back in 2001, and I've been itching to go ever since. First it was college that was inhibiting a trip. You can really only travel between Sept. and April, because Late April-Early September is monsoon season. Then, we were planning to go the fall/spring after we were married in 2005, but I became pregnant with Izzy and we decided it was not wise to travel while pregnant. Then, Izzy tied me down for about 12-15 months. But, she is now weaned....I'm not pregnant.....my schedule is free....and so I'm going!!!!

I am so pumped. I'm going to be traveling with my husband which is icing on the cake and with his parents. We are going to witness a marriage ceremony for two young adults who grew up in the children's home. I am going to meet our sponsored kids Robin and Monie!!!! I cry each time I think about meeting Robin- he is such a handsome little boy and growing so tall! I get teary thinking about holding our little girl Monie- she is the littlest girl there. She just had to have her head shaved for lice- poor thing. She is so tiny- she'll be my Izzy fix. We'll get to bless these children with lots of love and attention. I'll be able to help the teachers with some of their lesson plans. I'm going to teach the kids some songs and help them practice their English! Whohooo!!!

Then, to top it off, we're going to detour through China on our way home. No, I don't get to visit the site of the 2008 Olympics (which would be awesome!). No, we're headed to Kunming, China where Steve and Chris Weber minister through Bless China. They have long been family friends and we've supported them for a few years. (come to find out recently that our church supports them as well!).

Tickets have yet to be purchased, but tentative dates are mid to late November departure and being gone about 10 days. I'm so excited for this opportunity!!!!!!!

Not quite the day I imagined....

Well, today is not panning out quite as I had hoped. Got a call in the middle of the night that Paul's grandpa Morgan fell at the cottage and was being sent to Butterworth downtown with what appears to be a fractured neck. We'll know more later- scary nonetheless. Since Paul's mom has been at the hospital all night, she won't be able to watch my nieces this afternoon, so I'm going to be a mom of three girls under the age of four today. Should be interesting. On top of that, I had already scheduled my carpets to get cleaned today...so we'll be stuck in the basement for awhile I think.

I'm really enjoying my new car. I've only driven it a few times, and it will take some getting used to. I love not having to bend over to put Izzy in her carseat. I love that I can offer to be a carpooler for other passengers too!!! We'll be taking it on our first road trip Monday when we go down to Mishawaka, IN to help my sister set up her first classroom! Should be fun!

Hope your day Glorifies our Lord today!

Cars, Elmowear, Wedding, and Pictures

Well, we sold our Passat! I didn't think we would be able to because there was so much wrong with it- but we put it on craigs.list at about 10 pm Monday and had three emails by 9 am Tuesday, and it was signed off by noon! What a blessing! But, now comes the rush to find me a car! Paul is heading to the auto auction with a dealer friend to hopefully get us a Chrylser Pacifica! Otherwise I may choose a minivan...still not sure what we can get for our penny!

Izzy wants to know if everyone has clean elmowear on. All underwear is pronounced elmowear- very cute indeed! I'm proud to say I have clean elmowear on today! Though, I'll have to do some laundry to be able to say the same thing tomorrow!

I'm heading up to Pentwater tomorrow to help with last minute decorating and plans. Rehearsal dinner is Friday night, hair gets done at 7 am on Saturday, pictures at 9:30 (on the beach, please don't rain!!!) and the ceremony starts at noon. Reception at 1:30/2ish. Clean up, then present opening the next morning after church. Yikes. I can't believe my dad is still going to preach Sunday morning!

Here are some pictures from last week- we had a great time with the Session gang! Bubbles, sand box fun, egg hunt, crafts, and the beach were all a hit! At one point we had 8 kids up there under the age of 10!

A list

So much has happened, is going on, and is about to come forth that I decided to make this post a list to make my life (and your reading) a lot easier!

• My car is officially sick and not worth us fixing, thus we are now shopping for a new vehicle.
• Unplanned purchase of new vehicle this year may have to cancel plans to take a vacation with my hubby- this makes me very sad.
• Potty training is going well- accidents occur once every few days, she still only really goes when I tell her its time. She has told me in Meijer and TJMaxx that she has to go potty though.
• My sister got a job teaching 1st grade in Indiana. The didn't even do a second interview and she had two elementaries fighting over her! She ended up in the best elementary in the district!
• My sister also gets married on Saturday! This is super exciting and has made life quite busy. I've been making lots of trips up north to help out. All three of us are in the wedding party- boy, does that get expensive!
• I have an opportunity to maybe go on a missions trip to Bangladesh in November!!!!
• I may officially have the baby bug- but maybe only a slight case....I'll try to ease my axiousness for baby number two by enjoying other people's babies!

Maybe there will be more to come- I have to go give my hubby a hair cut.

• Izzy and I spent 5 days up at Paul's parent's cottage on Silver Lake while some out of state cousins were vacationing. We had a great time. I'll try and post pictures another day.
• I have not spent more than like 4 or 5 days in one place all month. I'm getting really tired of living out of suitcase and only coming home long enough to do laundry and repack.
• I REALLY want to go on vacation with Paul- we never really had a honeymoon- we need this...hopefully some good deals will come up.
• Praise the Lord for 3 condos closing in the next two weeks!
• Is anyone else having a hard time (near impossible) sticking to your grocery budget? Yikes!
• Is July 4 really right around the corner? Isn't that like the halfway through summer point? Can't be possible- I'm just getting used to this weather!

Well thats all for now- enjoy your day- for it is one the Lord has made! Rejoice in it!

Brain Surgery and Potty Training

You wouldn't think the two would go together..but alas they do!

Dad Spica's brain surgery (the first of two surgeries for his parkinson's" was a success yesterday. While we ourselves won't see the success for about 6 weeks- the doctor said that as soon as they put the probes into the left side of his brain, his right and foot immediately relaxed and stopped shaking. These probes were inserted on either side of his brain and then turned off until pacemakers are put in place.

We have been praying very specifically as a family that these surgeries would be so successful that the doctors could only explain it by a supernatural power. We got a huge answer to that yesterday. The doctors have warned mom and dad that the only parkinson's symptom that does NOT go away after this surgery is the slurred speech. Well, wouldn't you know that as they put the probes in yesterday dad's speech immediately cleared up! Doctors were pretty baffled from what I've heard! We are anxious and excited to see these results for ourselves in about 6 weeks. Thank you for your prayers- his next surgery is June 13 to put in the pacemakers and connect them to the probes. They will then be turned on in the doctor's office on July 10th.

So what does Brian Surgery have to do with Potty training? Well, for two reasons I decided to start potty training Izzy yesterday. 1) She has been very curious about the potty and she seems ready and 2) I'm stuck at home until Saturday morning for the most part. First and foremost I have not at all been motivated to this part of child rearing. I don't mind diapers, I like the freedom that diapers bring. Not a big deal! Well, I know it has to be done sometime, and she did seem interested so I thought it might go better. Let's just say I think we had a very successful first day. Izzy went on the potty 3 times! One time was unprompted by me. She only had one accident all day, and it was my fault because I was talking to Paul at the dinner table and didn't hear her say "Pa" aka Potty. I would be so blessed if she continues on this path! Whohoo!!! Maybe I'll have potty trained girl by the wedding (my sister gets married the 28th). We'll see what happens- one step at a time!

What a week

What a crazy week and a half it has been. Last Saturday, the 17th, my Uncle Steve went home to be with his new found Lord and Savior. It was somewhat unexpected to come so soon. He had finished the last radiation on the 15th, then that night suddenly stopped talking and eating. Friday afternoon he went home from the hospital and by 6:30 the next morning he was gone. It was a shock to us all, as we thought the treatments would be giving him more time. Then came the visitation on Monday the 19th and the funeral on the 20th (our anniversary). The funeral, visitation, and burial went great. My dad did the service and clearly gave the salvation message to the room full of unsaved family and tons of kids from the local high school. My mom gave a family memories eulogy and held it together nicely. Steve was more like a father figure to her, moving in when her father left the family, buying her first car and walking her down the aisle. My dad had planned on attending the pastor's conference at Moody Bible Insititute that week, he was able to work it out anyways despite missing the first day and a half. So, I took my mom and sister home from the funeral and stayed with them for a few days up in Pentwater so my mom wouldn't be alone

Izzy and I had a great time up north. We went to Sara's soccer game, shopped, kept mom company, and relaxed. I actually got to read for fun for the first time in a long time! Friday afternoon I left my parent's house and went to Paul's family's cottage which is only about 15 minutes from Pentwater on Silver Lake. I was there with his parents and his oldest sister's family. Then, he and his younger sister came on Sunday. It was soooo good to see him after being apart for nearly a week. We had a great time at the cottage. Sunday was Dad Spica's birthday- we celebrated with a great cookout and a trip to Craig's Cruisers. The boys went on the slick track and it was so fun to watch. I even got in on the go cart action.

We came home Monday morning and it was sooo good to be home! I did 7 loads of laundry (thats a lot for our small family of 3) and grocery shopping yesterday. Paul is a selling agent for a Parade Home- so he has been working everyday until 9pm. It is sad not to see him much- but it has been very productive. He has had nearly 300 people through since Wednesday, and the parade of homes continues through this Saturday- great exposure for the development! Hopefully we'll get at least one sale out of it.

I'm still trying to climb my way out of being away from home for so long. I'm still in somewhat of a grieving stage. It could be a long week- hopefully the weather warms up so Izzy and I can enjoy some outside play time.

On a random note- if you could please be in prayer for my father in law- paul's dad (Fred). Dad S. has parkinson's diesease. He has been diagnosed for about 12 years. He is quite slow at progressing, but has seen considerable change in his speech, sleep, and overall quality of life in the past year or two. He and Mom (Julie) have decided to go ahead with DBS (deep brain stimulation) surgery. It is a two step surgery. The first surgery is Tuesday, June 3rd. It is outpatient and he will be awake. The doctors will be drilling holes in his skull and then stimulating areas of the brain with a probe. Once they find the areas they are looking for they will insert some wires. These wires will then be hooked up to pacemaker type objects in the second surgery on June 13th. These pacemakers will send electrical impusles to the brain. This will hopefully decrease or elimate the symptoms caused by Parkinson's and hopefully eliminate his need for medicines that in their own right have many side effects. While this surgery is not dangerous- it is still brain surgery and has its risks. Dad is ready and excited- while Mom is a little more nervous. We are all hopeful that this will provide dad with a greater quality of life and better relationships with his grandkids. He's hoping it will improve his golf game-haha. We would all covet your prayers.

Well, this post got kind of long and boring- I'll try to add some pictures from the weekend soon.

Wedded Bliss

Three years ago today....



I got all dressed up. Smiled a lot for pictures. Saw a lot of people. Said hello to the man I loved without having to say goodbye (we had spent 4 years apart). Cried a lot. Laughed even more. Married my best friend.

Highlights of our wedding day:

• Saying hello
• Pictures on the beach
• Being married by my dad
• Our moms singing a duet
• Family
• Friends
• Stinkin' hot groom
• I looked pretty good myself :)
• Having his dad cut in on our dance
• Chasing each other with frosting
• Not saying goodbye at the end of the night :)

In the past three years of wedded bliss we have:

• Finished building a condo
• Traveled to Mackinac Island twice
• Traveled to Traverse City twice
• Vacationed in Mexico with his family
• Picnicked in the park
• Stayed up really really late having pillow talk
• Had a baby
• Found a church home
• Fallen in love more and more
• Fought over toothpaste and toothbrush placement
• Changed jobs
• Been in sickness and health
• Been in plenty and in want
• Spent the night in front of the fireplace
• Dreamed
• Cried
• Laughed
• Tickled each other silly
• Never had to say goodbye (for too long anyways)
  

Happy Anniversary my love. XOXOXOXOX

Graduation

Here come Andi (she didn't trip!!!)








Oh so happy to be done...now on to the wedding!!!





Just another aisle to walk.




Izzy and her uncle to be

Izzy to Andi "hat, hat"







Is this day over yet???

Museum Fun

I'm so glad I live in an area that has a great (and cheap) children's museum- what a treasure we have. Izzy is starting to enjoy it more each time we visit. Today we traveled there with my niece's preschool class. As you can see, we had fun!