So this is Love...

(ORIGINALLY POSTED ON MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011)

He was laying in the sand, mostly covered in it from the kids burying their daddy. The kids had lost interest and moved on to something else while I watched them, making sure they didn't wander too far away or go too deep into the water. Most of the morning had been like that and it was fine with me--we brought the kids to the beach for Easter weekend and I was more than happy to focus on them and make sure they were safe and having fun. I couldn't help but think of our honeymoon and the fun we had playing in the waves, his strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me from floating too far away from him. It's different now--we have kids to take care of and can't just leave them to fend for themselves so there was no swimming and playing for us yet.
 But he just looked so handsome and strong and I couldn't resist. I thought of our honeymoon and I didn't want that spark to be any different than it was at this moment.
 I jumped out of my chair, went and leaned over and started making out with my husband.
(Yes, I did. I'm married and we are allowed and as our Pastor says, "Christians should be the most making out couples in the world" :)
 Nate was surprised and laughed as I kissed him for a few more seconds and then ran into the water, squealing because it was so cold. He got out from under the pile of sand and ran after me, his blue eyes twinkling while he smiled and looked and me with so much love in his eyes I felt like my heart could burst. He wrapped his arms around me as he carried me a little deeper in to the water to protect me from floating too far away from him. My sister was with us so she kept an eye on the kids while we played in the the waves, getting sprayed with salt water, flirting, laughing and yes-kissing a little more. It was different than 5 years ago when we did it--my eyes wandered to the kids occasionally, making sure they were OK. We couldn't stay out there as long as we wanted, but the love and the passion between us was just as strong as it was when we were first married. Really, it's much stronger than it was then but sometimes it takes a little moment like that to realize it.
 Our lives get very wrapped up in our kids--feeding, bathing, entertaining, training and loving--but sometimes you just have to get up, realize the kids will be fine and go make out with that handsome man you married. Because he deserves it, you deserve it and your marriage deserves it.

10 years of Valentines Days: Then and Now

Headed to our annual couple's retreat this weekend

Nate and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day together 10 years ago. I remember it like yesterday though. We were in a long-distance relationship and he had sent me a box of presents. We video chatted so we could open our presents in front of each other. The main thing he had gotten me was an adorable little bear from build-a-bear that he had made himself, and put a recording of his voice in it so I could hear him anytime I wanted. It was so romantic and thoughtful and I was over the moon for him. That is exactly what our love looked like back then. It was thoughtful and sweet and romantic, full of hours of words spoken on the phone every day about how we felt about each other. We talked about the future, and we couldn't wait to get married and spend the rest of our lives together.

 I knew he was going to be a great husband. I also was pretty positive that he was going to be an amazing dad. One thing, however, that I didn't really expect was the great team would we would become over the years. A few weeks ago before we left for vacation, we were working together side-by-side without many words being spoken between us. I was lining things up to go out the door, preparing snacks and dinner for when we were in the car, and he was loading everything up. The occasional,  "did you pack this charger? Can you throw this in the blue bag?" was said, but other than that we were all business as we tried to get out the door. The kids and dog were underfoot and the baby was starting to get fussy because he was hungry. 

 To view it  from the outside couldn't have looked any further from romance, but in our hearts we could hear the unspoken words: I love you. You are my best friend and even though we can't say it right now, there is no one I would rather do life with than you. 

 That's what our love looks like now. Yes, we have plenty of romantic moments, but just Less Build-a-bear and more Building-our-marriage on the strongest foundation of all: Jesus Christ. 

 Parenting is no joke. It's completely exhausting and overwhelming a lot of the time. When I'm nursing the baby and he's corralling the other 3, and then without exchanging a word, I hand him the baby and pick up where he's left off with the older kids, I'm so thankful to be doing life as a team with my best friend.

Happy Valentines Day!

That Time I turned 28

It seems kind of strange to blog about my own birthday, but I'm doing it because Nate and the kids made it so, so special for me. No frills, nothing fancy, just a quiet day at home with an amazing dinner that Nate (!!!) made for me. I spent most of the afternoon at home while the babies took naps and the older kids ran errands and did discipleship with Nate. The plan was for them to bring take out home, but I was very surprised when they charged inside with bags from the grocery store and got right to work. "Sit on the couch," he said, "we're making dinner". 30 minutes later, the table was set with an amazing beef and chicken fajita dinner, complete with all the sides. It was honestly one of the most meaningful things anyone has ever done for me.

After dinner, Nate snapped a few pictures of the kids and I. They are far less than perfect, but they are us and I love them.

I actually made my own dessert--a sugar free/low carb turtle cheesecake. Honestly it was the best healthier dessert recipe I've ever tried. If you're interested, Google  "Mrs Criddles turtle cheesecake". It was super easy to make, too!

He is such an involved, helpful, fun dad to our kids. 

A few days later we went out with friends and family for a kid-free dinner and coffee. These people mean so much to me and I'm so thankful for these people in our lives.

This blog post brought to you pool-side, compliments of family vacation. More on that later this week.

Happy Sunday!

Living the Dream

This week, Nate and I celebrated 8 years of marriage.

 8 years! 

 It's hard to believe, but our 3 children bouncing around and my ever-growing belly says it's true. 8 years with my best friend. What a dream! Eight years with someone defintely has it's ups and downs but thankfully, we've had more ups than downs. I'm sure there will be many more downs and significant trials in the coming years but there is no one I would rather face them with than my man!
 When I first found out he liked me, I couldn't believe it. Actually, back up. When I first met him I said to myself "too bad I would never end up with a guy like him." Seriously you guys, this is how infatuated I was with him! I had never met anyone quite like him. So when he chose me?! I actually started crying, because it seemed so unbelievable. Those first few months I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for it all to go wrong because it was too good to be true.
 Well, it turns out that when you live for God many things in your life seem too good to be true. God's hand is on our lives, blessing us at every turn. And no, that doesn't mean we live easy or never have rough times. It just means that we get this amazing life that our Saviour makes worth living--and then Heaven at the end!
 Talk about a dream!

 Happy Anniversary, Babe. I love you!

We are excited about celebrating the fourth this weekend as a family. We tried to make plans with family and friends but they all fell through so we took it as a sign to spend time with just each other, which I'm excited about! A small town parade in the morning, fun patriotic colored foods for dinner, and fireworks at night.

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Rested and Renewed

More than a year ago, we started planning what we called our "big" anniversary trip. I realize that most people rarely get to do something like this, let alone less than 8 years into marriage.
 But we picked the ideal place (for us), planned, saved and made it happen.
 Actually, my husband made it happen, something that I will be forever grateful for. My love language is quality time, which is one of the higher maintenance love languages with a very busy lifestyle. We sit on the couch and talk after the kids go to bed and we make time for date nights, but we don't truly connect as often as we would like. Church ministries, kids, work and responsibilities are all very demanding and don't leave much time for us.
 Well, for 9 whole days, it was just us. We stayed in a tropical paradise--a gorgeous resort right on Daytona Beach with a room that opened just steps from the pool, and the pool just feet from the beach.

 Sharing the first part of our trip in more pictures, less words, because palm trees, water and blue skies speak for themselves.

For the last few days of our trip, we went to Orlando to stay at my grandparents, who let us use their winter place because they had already left to go back to N.Y. for the summer. They live in an over 55 community during the winter and as a kid I loved it because we spent vacations there growing up. Now, I love it because it seems like the most quiet, peaceful place on earth and as a Mom of three loud children, peace is medicinal. 

The big question everyone asks after a vacation is, "so what did you do?" To answer that: nothing. We did nothing. I mean yes, we shopped, we ate, we swam--but a large majority of my time was spent unwinding, talking to my husband and truly connecting with him. Along with a lot of poolside reading, of course.

 When we came home, we couldn't stop squeezing and kissing the kids, so excited to show them their presents and the pictures of the trip. I'm back to the beautiful chaos that is called home, rested and renewed and more in love with my man than ever.

Valentines Weekend 2014

This was the 4th year of our church's Couple's Retreat and each year just gets better and better! This year, I decided to leave my camera home and just focus on enjoying every moment. I did pull my Iphone out a few times (of course), so that's what I'll leave you with here.

 Each year we've seen friends come and go, but God has also given us new friends that have helped challenge us spiritually and also given us the best stomach workouts from laughing so much! We had lunch outside one day, breakfast with Robby and Joanna and one evening we sat at a restaurant for 3 hours, talking and laughing--but mostly laughing. Fellowship with God's children is so sweet!

 As for our alone time, we walked (the weather was perfect), talked, ate, laughed, and listened intently in each session, drinking in the practical messages. We also won the newlywed game! Woo hoo! ;)

 Our marriage was helped this weekend, and I'm so thankful for the time away!

Eating Rainbows and Pooping Butterflies

I’ve been snappy lately.

 I’m easily stressed, overwhelmed and quick to snap yell at the kids for a childish crime they committed that annoyed me immensely. I think in the back of my mind, I want and expect things to run perfectly. I want the kids to get along at all times, I want them to have initiative to clean up after themselves, never do anything they’re not supposed to and wash the toilets while singing a song in 3 part harmony. I also want them to eat rainbows and poop butterflies.

 My ideals and expectations are set way too high, whether I realize it or not. I am robbing motherhood of it’s joy. Should they get along? Yes. Should they clean their rooms and obey? Of course they should. Should they poop butterflies? Obviously! (Diaper changes would be so much nicer!)

 But these 3 little humans living in my house are children. They do childish, dumb things, and it’s my job to guide them, teach them, and mold their hearts and minds with a joyful spirit.

I have been given 3 beautiful gifts, something that many women desire but never receive for many different reasons. I am so lucky that God has made me a Mommy, but sadly I usually take it for granted.

After a few weeks of waiting for this “stage” to pass, I realize that I’m the one who needs to change, not my children. The joy of the Lord is my strength and if I’m weary it’s because my eyes have wandered off of him and onto the daily grind of dishes, laundry, bickering and, lets faces it, some really smelly diapers.

Today I eased up a little and let the kids be kids. I listened to them die laughing over the farting sound on the Operation game even though they pressed it 467 times. I spoke a little kinder and laughed a little more. Motherhood is probably one of the toughest jobs out there, but it’s also the most rewarding--if we let it be.

There will always be the overwhelming moments of exasperation, but I’m learning to focus on the daily rewards of Motherhood instead.  My Mom wisely cautions young Moms to enjoy the little years and not be so overly worried about perfect behavior. Training is an important factor of motherhood—but it’s not the only factor of Motherhood.

Let them be little, and learn to enjoy the ride. It’ll be fun, I promise!