Let the summer begin......

Summer has started off with a BANG!! I didn't expect anything less, it's just getting into a new rhythm. We were at a cottage last week which was extremely good for the kids. We just saw such great things in everyone when we were there. It's a great campground that is a safe environment, so Samara was able to have some freedom on her own. I could tell her she could ride her bike to the park on her own, and she loved her independence. She could play with "her" friend and not always with her siblings. And Aidan.......he loved vacation!! He played and played with his cousin and I just saw a whole new side of him. His confidence in being with a peer instead of older siblings and just being able to play was so good to see.

Among the fun, we started summer tutoring, so that is just another thing we need to fit into our days. It's good for Samara to have this one on one time and I hope she becomes more confident in her education skills too.

Somehow I wanted to get all Dr. appointments finished while everyone was in school, but we seemed to be just on the late edge of doing that. This week Aidan had some man parts surgery. He has been so funny with his surgery. At the dinner table when it was his turn to pray, he said....."Dear Jesus (and he has this sweet little drawn out voice, so it's like dddeeeaaaaarrrrr Jeeeeesssssssuuuuuuussssss..............Aidan ouwwie........Aaaaaaaaamen!" It just made my heart laugh for him. We've just taught him the "dear jesus, thank you for this food, amen" and every once in a while he does his own prayer which I think is really amazing for him to say what he wants in prayer time.

I didn't really spent too much time taking pictures, but most of them were of Aidan. I think the older kids were off and playing and he was around me........so he stole the camera last week!

First comes love........

then came marriage....

then came baby in a baby carriage.

Ah……….. if it were always that easy.

But the truth is…..marriage is work. Continuous work.

Most of what I talk about has to do with our adoption and life with the kids, but I probably don't always give the credit and attention to the man behind the scenes...

My wonderful husband, who is my best friend, and I love doing life with…….

and yet marriage is work.

My amazing husband who one minute can walk into the room and take my breath away...
and in the next minute could walk into the room and annoy me just for breathing my air.

That’s because……it still all takes effort.

Today we celebrate our 15^th anniversary. What a milestone……and yet it seems like just yesterday we were getting married. It's been filled with absolutely wonderful times. I love all the memories we’ve had together. I’m amazed at how love continues to grow, and I love how we have fallen more in love with God together. There are lots of things that could have ended our marriage, yet as I look back….. these are the times that have been adventures as together we sought the Lord for direction. These are times that have been some of the milestones in our life through the trials and triumphs.

But everything hasn’t come without fighting for it. I remember a story the pastor told at our wedding. This is kind of a summary….. About having a list of things you might like to change in your spouse, but having the grace to over look it. So if something is bugging or irritating…………this person would just say…..’oh, it must have been on that list---oh well’. So in reality, you just shrug it off as an area that you would have grace about……. So if I ever think about how I wish I’d like to change such and such……….i’m often reminded that there is no need to keep track of that stuff………….it must have been on that list and no need to think about it again…..

So….. here is to my sweet husband. I am so thankful for you. Thank you for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. Thanks you for always being willing to work at life and forgiving me when I make mistakes. Thank you for believing in me and sharing my passions in life. You are an incredible husband, dad and man of God and look forward to many more years together.

Our life verse…..which happened to be at our wedding……

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

just because......

It's the 'hanging out' moments that are the most fun!!!