Yesterday was our last day on vacation, so we made the most of it.  We got up early and drove an hour to spend the morning playing golf at Topgolf. It was a lot of fun (mostly because I'm a truly terrible golfer with zero experience and few athletic skills in my pocket).  My highest score. Hahahahahahahaha.  The Husband's highest score.  We ate lunch there, and it was super delicious.  The Husband suggested we try to see family and friends while we were in town, so we headed out to visit with my lovely cousin and then on to see my wonderful friend, Tina, who I haven't seen in over a year. On the way, we were able to stop by to see our Hadley Grace, which was tough, emotionally, for both of us.   We loved visiting with our loved ones, and I'm so glad we decided to call them up and visit them before heading to dinner and then back to the hotel.  We ate at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner last night, and it was pretty tasty.  This morning we packed ...

1. Last Friday afternoon, Jack and I did an experiment with beans. He dipped cotton balls into water and put those with five different types of beans in a plastic bag. We hung it on the window to give the beans sunlight.  Here they are four days later! So neat :) Our caterpillar finally formed it's cocoon a few days ago. We check every day to see if anything has changed.  2.  My in-laws have been in town since Sunday, and we've really enjoyed spending time with them.  The kids have LOVED all of the attention. 

Day 24 of Capturing December - Favorite Part of Christmas Eve 

Day 13 of Capturing December - Family I wish I had gotten some pictures of us after church this morning, but I left my phone in the car. Oh well. These are sweeter anyway, and I'll just imagine that I'm in the shots, too. 

It's the last day.  My last blog post of this series.  This month has forced me to find at least one thing I'm thankful for every day. Some days were more challenging than others. Most days, though, I found it easy. I am a lucky and blessed and loved gal. I want to continue being thankful because I realize that expressing gratitude daily makes me more grateful in the long run.  Today, I'm thankful for the following: ~ I was raised by two amazing, loving, thoughtful parents, who continue to be JUST THAT.  ~ I had two sets of PHENOMENAL grandparents, who showered me and all of the other grandkids with adoration and some of the most snuggly hugs. ~ I was lucky to have a sweet and caring sister, who ALWAYS has been there for me.  ~ I have aunts and uncles, who are truly some of the nicest, funniest, warmest people I have EVER known, a few of whom I cannot wait to squeeze oh-so-tightly when we meet up in Heaven.  ~ I have many cousins that I share such wonderful...

I'm tired.  My spirit is worn out.  I've cried more today than I have in a long time.  I'm not going to go into the details, but I will say my faith (which was already on rocky ground) has been shaken. And, I'm angry and disappointed and sad. The emotions have grabbed hold of me, and I'm tired of fighting them off. I won't ask you to pray for me; though I know some of you will because it's in your nature to do so.  ************************* This afternoon we set off on a short trip that had been planned for a while. Nothing big. Just spending time with family and seeing a friend or two while we're in town. No big adventures. No trips to the zoo (I do so hope we make it to the zoo one day with the kids. It's one of my favorite places to go, and it bums me out that we don't have one anywhere around us.).  This is our first "trip" with both kids. We left at nap time with the intention that they'd sleep most of the way.  Then traffic ca...

It's Easter Sunday, and I've been thinking about traditions versus truths and wondering if the two can be mingled. Traditions like egg hunts and baskets full of treats.  Truths like Jesus dying on the cross for you and me and rising from the grave, defeating sin and death.   I want our children to see the joy of this truly remarkable day, and therefore I'm totally into celebrating and giving gifts.  I'm not really a fan of the Easter bunny, but we will definitely take part in hunting for the hidden eggs (they'll have their first (candy-free) Easter egg hunt tomorrow at Nana and Grandpa's!), and maybe we'll start a tradition of finding the "empty tomb egg." I also look forward to making these  with them in a few years and making that an Easter Sunday morning tradition, as well.  I'm thinking the two can be merged beautifully, and Easter is one more day of truths and traditions that I look forward to celebrating with our s...

Today's inspirational quote just stared at me this morning. Really?   Sometimes I think, "If just one more thing hits us…," and then I remember that we'll get through it just like we've done so many times before.   **I do not always remember this truth in the midst of the ordeal.  Just being honest, Folks.** I feel like our marriage as been tested from the very beginning.  Over and over, our resolve and love and determination are put through the ringer.   And each time? We come out stronger.   More devoted.   Loving more fully. Anywho. The latest thing? Friday morning, the Sunday of The Husband's weekend, I woke bright and early to my alarm at 7am.  I got Ella up and fed, got Jack up and fed, got Ella down for a nap, and got Jack squared away in his room for "room time."  The Husband and I sat on the couch, me with a book, him with his phone, and we sat in comfortable silence as our children wer...