A love song for...

                                                  you. xo

More often than not, he's up by four and out the door to work.

And then after a long hot day at work he goes to work some more, on our work in progress house. 

We just found out today that we have to be out of our rental by the end of this month. 

He so doesn't need all that extra pressure right now. 

But I know he'll make it all happen. 

He carries quite the load on those handsome broad shoulders of him. 

And more than all, I adore him. 

{ catchy }

Today I cannot stop singing/dancing around the kitchen to this song. It's my new favorite.  And it makes me happy from head to toe. And yes, it's a love song.

And this is my favorite line of this very sweet little song..." But I'll take less if more means having less of you..."   

  It makes me think of and so thankful for a good, good husband who works so hard every day to take care of us,  who even shys away from hobbies if it means great amounts of time away from us,  a man who has chosen to prioritize his life + work so that even though in some ways it may look as if we have less...it's because he believes and lives that it's more important to have less (financially speaking) than more at the expense of not being together. And David, from the bottom of our hearts, your little family thanks you so much for that.
In case you haven't noticed lately, we pretty much adore pretty much every single thing about you.

{ the best thing }

Daddy dear, we pretty much think your the best thing since ( thick ) sliced bread  bacon.
Only way better. And we are excited to celebrate you today. And that starts with letting you sleep in, while Mommy is down in the kitchen whipping up a special breakfast. You aren't really into being doted on but we'll see what we can do to make today a little bit extra nice for you. Because you're the best and you deserve it, and not just today either but all the other 364 days of the year too.

( having the three of them in my line of vision, it's my favorite view )

Happy Father's Day to my babies Daddy, to the man of my dreams come true.

XOXO's,
Your little family

{ looking back on 7 years }

     Love, you are lovely

You have put the stars to shame

I have lost my senses and you're the one to blame

Bluer than the sky above, closer than my skin

Tonight our love begins

Now we are dancing

We spin like falling leaves

Hold me tighter darling

I never want to leave

As we move across the floor it starts to sink in

Tonight our love begins

You are mine beloved

I am yours to keep

Take my heart forever

You have captured me

God is singing over us, we hear it in the wind

Tonight our love begins

-J.J. Heller

This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.
C.S. Lewis

  Our anniversary came and went. (insert a nice long sigh of happiness here) And we had a lovely picnic among the lilacs, thanks to the housecleaning/babysitting/ angel/auntie that frequents our home.  Reminiscing over the last seven love-filled years, pouring over the scrapbook that I made for David that included blog posts...pictures...and our notes and cards to each other. We came came home with our heads in the clouds...uncertain how, because it's truly been although not always easy, that sweet...and with a  deep longing to top the last seven years, in the next seven. Our hearts cry, is that You Jesus would continue deepen our love and our marriage and that in our home and that we would daily bring You glory + delight.

  David gave me more of her music as a gift for our anniversary...and this song so perfectly describes what I feel for this man that I am so dearly in love with. 

{ Image by the amazing artist: Nikki McClure }

I am in a little love...

with you, my beautiful, squirmy, more often than not snot-nosed, blue eyed, full of adventure and with a shock of wild blond hair, all-smiles-boy.

  Jack-Jack so many things about you blow me away. Let's start with your grin, it's ear to ear and completely contagious. Then there is your ability to out scream + scream louder than even our girl can. And she's got some good  pipes.

  The way you nestle your little head into my neck to get/show love just melts me. And how you hand me the silverware from the dishwasher...and immitate the tone of of my " thank you's. " That melts me too.

  Jack, you really love it when daddy throws you up in the air. The higher the better. But then you love everything about your daddy. Down to the very ground he walks on.

  And your diapers, oh my your diapers they can + do clear out a room. No joke.

  Your is an outdoorsy sort of baby. And you cry if the door is opened and you can't go out it.  You love to swing. And growl.  I am pretty sure that the combination of the two make for your very own, very favorite guy baby sport.
 
  Your tough in the sense that you can get a really hard bonk or big owe-ie and hardly notice it but you are also tender + sensitive and you do fall apart if you gets his "feelings" hurt.

  You said please ( once ) today at lunch instead of squawking for more. I was so proud.  That's some serious progress people. And my word, child can you  ever eat.  For an hour straight. So you get called " porker".

  You've totally got a crush on this and this pretty girl.

  Did I mention your grin. You've got this grin that never stops. And I am crazy about it.

  You shock us with your physical + verbal abilities for being under one.

  You think big sister is the bees knees. And you are right she is.  There is nothing I like better than the sound of your combined laughter,  race down the stairs and throughout the house.

  Daddy jokes that " Annabelle is going to grow up to be a race car driver " and  that you Jack, are going to be " a comedian. " No one makes us laugh as much or as hard as you do, sweet boy.
 
  Go ahead, call me crazy but I am praying that you'll grow up to be a pastor and have a desire to tell people about Jesus and the Bible. But more than anything I pray that you'll grow to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. How ever that fleshes itself out in your heart and life is okay with me son.
 
 11 months is right around the corner. And except for the hunger pains...err...squawks and the screaming between 2:00-3:30 am this morning and my failed attempt to wean you, cold turkey off your night " feedings  "...you are our 100% pure boy joy.

I love you. A whole, whole lot. I can't help myself.

XO,
Mommy

{ Proof of Play }

{ Celebrating the first day of spring,

with a picnic and egg hunt at the park. }

{the perfect antidote to the craziness that has been our life, was just to be together and do something just the four of us, just for the fun of it}

A Birthday Interview with Annabelle Lucy...

What is your name? Annabelle Lucy, same as my Granniebelle's
What are some of your nicknames? Lucybelle, Sweet Heart, Sugar Plum, Sugar Plum Fairy, Twinkletoes, Beautiful, Sugs, Sparkle Pop, Baby Cakes, LovieHow old are you? today is my last day to be three and the next day is my birthday and I'll be this many on my birthday ( holds up four little fingers )Where do you live? with my brother my Daddy my Mommy, my Uncle
What are your favorite things to do? play dress up, snuggle, have my birthday, and play, to make people laugh by saying silly thingsDo you do them alone or with others? with other one people with my Mommy and Daddy and Audrey sometimesWhat do you like to eat? little cookies, shrimp, sushi, rice, pickled herring, licorice, potatoes, honey mustard dressing, rice
What do you think you will do when you grow up? a mommy to my childrenWhat do you do on your birthday? play with balloons, eat cake, and take candy out of little buckets, have treasure hunts, feed the ducks,
What is your favorite color? pink, green, yellowWhat is your favorite thing to wear? dressesWhat would be the best thing someone could give you? a kitten and a dolly, and a dogWhat do you do all day? play and play and snuggle
What is your favorite toy? the little lamb with a black woolly nose from Aunt LynneyWho loves you the most? Jesus, Mommy + Daddy , Poppy and Nana, Auntie Roo + Uncle Boo, Mor Mor, God my whole family loves me
What is your favorite book? Flicka Ricka and Dicka + Snip Snap and SnurrWhat is something that Mommy always says to you: I love you, good morning sunshine

Where is your favorite place to go? the park, library, pet store
What makes you happy? A big huge lollipop from Auntie Roo, my pink gloves, treasures, thinking about the kitty I am getting tomorrow called Creature.
What was your favorite thing about your 4th birthday? my Daddy-date at the pet store.

{ rainshine + sundrops }

Four beautiful years of you sweet girl. And how it has flown. You came to us on a bright and sunny springlike day in February and ever since then you filled our hearts to the brim with your sweet sugar and spice, deep love, spunk and passion for life, followed up by silly peels of laughter. You are rainshine and sundrops to us.

Anniebelle, as the song says, if God made you then He's in love with me.

I am so happy to get to be at your side as you to discover all the delights of being four years old. I have this little feeling, we'll call it a hunch, that it's going to be a grand year for you.

And can I just say, how very dearly I love being your Mommy.

It is one of my very most favorite things in the whole world.

All my love,
Mommy

{ you are almost there }

Gulp. 25 days from today, will find us living here.

I am really not sure that I think that is humanly possible. But he kisses my forehead and tells me to trust him and not to worry about a thing. It would take me pages and pages to tell you how proud I am of him and all he has accomplished in the last 3 months. For now I will tell you my admiration + respect for him has grown in leaps and bounds as I have watched this great man, take this great big project house we bought, and turn it into a beautiful home.

David, to you see you juggle this crazy life that we call ours...to watch you bravely step outside the comfort zone. Okay, so maybe blasted out would be more accurately describe it. To see you rise to the challenge, every day.

And while it has been far from easy, while it's been on many levels, the most challenging year we have faced together, I only have tears to tell you how thankful I am for all that you do, and for the tender way you have not let my/our hearts + needs be replaced by your massive to-do list.

As you, I , as we, all four of us together... learn, stretch and grow.

And those shoulders of yours, well they only get broader.

I know we've still got a long way to go but I had to stop and thank you today.

For today. And for every day you have loved us, for every day you will love us, loved us so well.

And babes, thanks to you, and the perfect grace of God,

I think we are going to come out shining.

boy oh ( sweet ) boy

Do you even know the sunshine you have brought into our

lives since you came to us, only four short months ago?

With your highly contagious grins.

{ Jack in his most darling wee sweater, knit by this sweet friend }

And that look you have the one that says, “Mommy, I am in love with you.”

And the tender way you peer in to my eyes, that makes my heart melt into a syrupy little puddle. Every single time.

And your pout Jack-Jack, you have the best pouty lip. Your bottom lip turns under in slow motion and starts to quiver when something upsets you . It is hilarious + adorable.

I am crazy about the dimples in your elbows. Crazy I tell you.
And the way you curl your toes.

Jack you are a fusser. Auntie Deb, who you adore, dubbed you " Jack-the-finicky" but she says you make up for it by being so cute. And I concur. Some days are just sad and Mommy has to hold you nonstop and jolly you along. You popped your first tooth a couple of days ago. Teething has been miserable for you. And we all feel so bad for you as you drool like a leaky faucet and try so hard all day long to get both your hands in your mouth so you can chomp down. Mommy’s even started to call you chomper. That and, chubby-wubby-fuzzy-wicks. Because of all the little fuzz that has suddenly sprouted on top of your head.

My wiggle/giggle bit of boy you are such a love. Your laughter comes quick and easily. And you have the most remarkably sweet grin. And you are so quick to smile, even at strangers. I love how your face lights up in response to others. You are in awe of your big sister and think her very funny. And she loves that. And is she ever, ever in love with you. You two started playing your first game in the last couple weeks and it is the sweetest thing in the world to hear your babies giggling together. I am going to post a video of it soon.

Daddy is very proud of how strong and big you are. You can get up on all fours and hold your head way, way up. And you love to stand with help. And always try to pull yourself up. And you are long enough to fill out the striped size 9 months jammies you are wearing today. Daddy also takes great delight in how much you love being outside. You are content for hours to stare wide-eyed from your pouch as the the world goes by. Like this:

{ walking on the beach }

{ the bouquet }

How did he know, it was just the cheering up I needed, after a long fussy/grumpy little day. The kind that leaves the edges of your soul feeling more than a little unraveled, as he me at the door after, his long hard day at work, with a smile and a kiss as he produced with a flourish, from behind his back these glowing roses...

How kind it is that the God of the whole universe, is concerned and about me and how my day plays out and the condition of my heart enough to send along a little pick me up?

And how blessed am I to have a husband who is in tune to the voice of God, down to the smallest details of life. For I am just sure it was God Himself who whispered that taking home roses might be a good idea, in his ear. After all, He is the source of all good things, great or small. And He is the only One who really knew how worn down and discouraged I was feeling at the end of that particular day.

And I wonder, how many times a day do I let His quiet, tender gestures of love slip by unnoticed? Oh Lord forgive me for all the times I have missed the joy you've set before me. And give me eyes that see things through Your heart, so I can thank you for each of these minute to minute, day to day, life-graces you so kindly gift to me.

I have been deeply moved by the writings of this woman, found via this truly beautiful woman...that have fueled my desire to " Take Joy" as I Count Up Blessings. ( from a few years back, where I first blogged.)

Ready to continue and expand the list.

Anyone care to join me?

“ Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God’s version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion.”

— taken from the book ‘Captivating’ by John & Stasi Eldredge

Hook. Line. And Sinker.

Oh my.

I don't even have the words to tell you just how hard I have fallen for this baby.

This is the look he gives me all day long.

.

{ Jack smiling his famous good morning Mommy smiles }

And it melts me.

Every. Single. Time.

Like. Nothing. Else

Can I just say that looks like his handsome Daddy, even though we can't quite put our finger on what it is exactly it is about him that does, especially when he has so many of my features ( chin, mouth, shape of eyes, etc. ) And I pray, oh I pray for him to grow up and have a heart like his Daddy. A Jesus loving heart. A heart that is strong and good. A heart that loves well. And the best ever grin.

{ he's a jolly good baby }

So far he has picked up these endearingly nick-names: Jack-Jack and Jacks and baby lover-boy, by Mommy mostly. Annabelle calls him baby brother and Wiggle Worm and all sorts of different things, most of them silly made up words, never the same thing twice, spoken in her own personal secret language. Daddy always asks, hows the little fellow, or refers to him as my buddy?

{ Jack, 1 month old }

He's growing faster than the weeds in our backyard. Tipping the scale at just under 14 lbs. And he's squishy and chunky and strong but not fat, just built. He seems tall to me. At least he is compared to Annabelle who was always more petite.

{this picture was taken in the middle of packing up our bedroom, around 5 weeks old }

He's quick to smile. And smile and smile... and he loves to talk. Loves to be sung. He laughed for the first time over the 4th of July weekend, while Anniebelle and I were singing this song " Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed...the Lord is good to me..." in the car. He thought it was hilarious. Ever since then when he tries to laugh it gets caught in his throat with a " hhhheeeeeep" and he ends up with the hiccups.

{ This is his bewildered look, we get that a lot...as if he was saying, you guys are cuckoo.

Guilty as charged. }

The poor little guy has struggled with severe cases of the following:
baby acne
cradle cap ( the worst I have ever seen)
heat rash
Hates riding in the car
(he screams...eyes wide open, how could you do this to me sort of screams )
gets the saddest tummy ache attacks ( i.e. colic )
and appears to be teething
everything babies are prone to get
you name it, he's got it.
If any of you Moms know of any miracle cures out there for any or all of these things,
please do speak up.
But he sleeps like a dream at night. He loves his bed and from about 11 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.
We literally do not hear a peep.
So far.
We know better than to think it will always be this way.
If there is one thing, the wild world over that is subject to change,
it is a baby's sleeping patterns.
But for now I enjoying getting to be one of those terribly spoiled Mommy's
who gets plenty of sleep at night.

Annabelle has a hard time containing herself over him.
She the kind of personality that has to have her hands all over you...and squeals very loudly and
jumps up and down as a means of showing her affection. She is very enthusiastic in her loving. She actually shakes with giddiness over her brother. I don't blame her either. I know how she feels. And it's so sweet. Until of course he gets overwhelmed by her very animated attention and needs a break, poor baby. We are working with her on being gentle and quiet with him and trying to teach her how to be a little mother. But you can see it in her eyes, she loves him so much, she could just squeeze him. Which is why, bless her heart, we watch her every move.

{ Annabelle and Jack with and the line-up of friends we
were so blessed with, by some of you dear ones}

Oh and his hair turned red. I am still scratching my head over how that happened. But I love it.
And yes he really is as cheerful in real life as these pictures portray.

{ I adore him in the little Kangaroo outfit that the gorgeous KT made for him }


He is one bright eyed, wide eyed, alert, perky little boy. He has been since day one. Oh and his kisses are amazing...he loves to open his mouth wide when he knows a kiss is coming. Also, I love how his head bobs back and forth as he takes it all in from his perch in the baby bjorn, which he loves to ride in.

My darling baby son,

I cannot wait to watch the coming months and years unfold for you...and see you grow and discover and become...for now just know, you are your Mommy, Daddy's and Sister's absolute delight.

Kiss, kiss baby lover boy!

All my love always,
Mommy

{ Celebrating You }

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Happy 30th Birthday David, from the girl who like the song says...loves you more than she has ever found a way to say to you.