so true...

"If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway."

~Mother Teresa

kids say the darndest things...

I just love how kids say exactly what is on their minds. Last night, I was snuggling with our little lady when she analyzes my face and sweetly states: "Mom, your face is spotted and mine is normal." {side note... those "spots" are freckles.} Though, I have to say that one didn't make me laugh nearly as hard as when we went jeans shopping for her some time ago. As she was pulling a pair up over her legs, she honestly and innocently said, "Mom, the tops of my legs are chunky, just like yours!" Oh my goodness... how can you not burst out into laughter?! But honestly, if such a comment can be sweet or endearing, it was. At 5 and 6, little girls adore their mommies, and she saw nothing wrong with it. It was an observation all her own, and she was just saying it as she saw it.:)

I guess we'll see what lines this little guy comes up with in the next few years... right now it's "ME TOO!" in response to anything and everything we say.

I simply adore these two.:)

has it been 10 years...

I know, it's kinda mushy, but I've had an old, old Alan Jackson song in my head all week...

"Has it been 10 years since we said 'I do'

I'd always heard marriage made one seem like two

But you're looking better than you did back then

You still make this old heart give in...

And if I had it to do all over

I'd do it

All over again

If tomorrow I found one more chance to begin

I'd love you all over again..."

I seriously can't believe that we have been married for 10 years tomorrow! I have truly enjoyed married life more with each passing year... it's pretty amazing that he knows me a whole lot better than he did back then and still loves me!:)

I'm so thankful for a husband where God is #1, and family comes next.

He works incredibly hard so I can stay home with our kids.

He not only puts up with my horsey hobby, but enjoys riding with with me:).

The 10:1 shoe ratio he and I have seems to be ok with him...

He has a kind, humble spirit that I so admire and desire to have more of myself.

And last but NOT least, he loves me in spite of the fact that I pick the cookie dough/chocolate chunks out of almost every carton of ice cream we buy. *(i didn't say that he likes this particular quirk, but i know he still loves me!:)

Being married to your best friend is such an amazing blessing and I could not be more thankful for the past 10 years. I know I didn't know what I was doing at 19 years old, but I'm so thankful for God's gracious, loving hand in putting the two of us together!

this-n-that

One of the things we L.O.V.E. as a family are spontaneous camping trips. And if you live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, you know that summer has been a bit late in coming. Anyways, all of this to say that we finally got our first miniature camping trip of the year in. My hubby got an unexpected day off on Friday; and so Thursday night, he suggested that we head over the mountains. (What a fabulous hubby/dad!:) He hooked up the trailer and we packed til the wee hours and left first thing Friday morning. Even though the campground that we were supposed to go to was closed and we ended up driving for an extra two hours, we had such a wonderful time! It's amazing how getting away for a couple of days and being removed from work and distractions at home truly rejuvenates a person. It also makes me realize how amazingly fast our kids are growing up and how important it is to take time and just enjoy them. We are beyond blessed to have these two little ones and can't believe they're 6 and 2 already!
And back to our little lady's birthday... We had a barbecue with one side of our family (for all of the July birthdays), on the other side, my mom lets everyone pick what they want for their 'birthday dinner.' And dessert, actually. Are we spoiled or what?!

(My mom is a blessing and someone I look up to so very much. She is always giving, thoughtful, and truly selfless. I aspire to be half the lady she is someday!)

Anyway, back to the birthday dinner: It's a dearly beloved tradition and one that we think about all year long when looking forward to our own birthdays. Our little girl's pick was lasagna, salad, green beans, and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. She absolutely loved it and so did the rest of us! (Nana was very much relieved she didn't pick mac 'n cheese again!:)

She got her ears pierced and was so excited!

Little blue flowers were the pick. Such cuteness!:)

And then there's Mr. Mischievous at her birthday dinner. This little guy makes me laugh on a daily basis! He so often has this 'I have something up my sleeve' look.












He loved his sister's new chaps and insisted on wearing them...

As always... I'm just so thankful for family. We are truly blessed beyond measure!

happy birthday, little lady!

Where has the time gone? I cannot believe that our little girl is turning ((( 6 ))) this week! I know most every parent would say this, but I truly can't remember or imagine what life was like before she came into the world.

She loves her little brother, Boosky (her pony), Flopsy (the bunny), riding her bike, Carly (the doll she's had since her 3rd birthday), and she currently can't wait to start school. (Is this our daughter?!:) She is sweet and soft-hearted, yet strong. I sometimes still can't believe that we have the priviledge of being parents to such a special little girl. It is our prayer that she grows to love the Lord more and more each day... and we thank Him for her!

They melt my heart...

I just adore these two and am so blessed and thankful to be their momma!

(...and Miss Madelyn's auntie!:)

oh, what a beautiful morning...

It was a gorgeous morning! The sun was bringht, and the kids were itching to get outside and run off some excess energy. So my sister and I decided to pack them up and head on out to the park. A lovely time was had by all... on days like these I cannot imagine living anywhere else! ~~~

We also have a new addition to our little funny farm in town... Meet "Flopsy". My hubby has been working long and hard on the bunny hutch; it's finally done and the bunny is here! The little lady is oh so proud of her little pet, which she bought with her very own Christmas money. She makes sure that Flopsy has plenty of food and water several times a day, holds her so she doesn't get lonely, and carefully protects her from Ziggy (the miniature daschund who would love nothing more than a taste of that rabbit.) She's even excited about cleaning the cage! Who knows how long that will last, but we'll definitely enjoy it for now! :)