My Wedding Day Was NOT the Best Day of My Life

Seven years ago we said "I do" and did all the holy, wonderful things to bind us together as
husband and wife in front of all our family and friends.... but no, I don't think it was the
"best day of our lives".

The "best" has come in all the days after -- in the waking up over and over again in the "real world",
choosing Christ before we choose ourselves, saying "I will, I'm sorry, I'm showing up, I love you."

Sounds all easy peasy, but for anyone that has been married, you know this is HARD and HOLY work --
NOT exactly what you find on a Hallmark greeting card. Ha!

When I was fifteen I wanted to be a nun. Like hardcore. Long story short, God made it pretty clear
that was NOT His will for my life. I stood in front of a statue of the baby Jesus during Christmastime
in Rome, Italy and told Him, hands on my hips, "Well, I offered to be YOUR bride. Marriage is for weaklings."

Basically, "Your loss, Lord."

Oh Brittany. Thank goodness we grow up. And then grow up some more, right?

I think the hardest part of life is trusting God. Like, I know I often think, "I hope YOU
have a plan..." OF COURSE HE HAS A PLAN! I'm basically an annoying 5 year old in the
backseat, "Are we there yet?"

God knew. He knew I was really going to LIKE Nathan. Like.... like-like-looooove!!!!
But seriously, sometimes I pinch myself, is this my real life? I am so blessed. WE are so blessed.

And we think that the "best" has come in the birth of our babies, building a life together,
getting through the hard times to come out stronger, more united, determined to keep working on
heaven together!!! Each year brings us into a deeper, more comfortable kind of love. NOT the kind
made of unicorns and fluffy bunny rabbits, but the kind of love that dares to imitate Calvary.

My life for yours. Laid down. Surrendered.
Easter morning glory kind of love.... and THESE,
these are the best DAYS of our lives!!!

Do we get it right every day? Absolutely not. We are two hopelessly flawed human beings living under
the same roof! We are both firstborns with dominating temperaments.... yea. Imagine. Lol.

Sometimes I joke with Nathan, "I am so proud of myself for marrying you."
Like I did a good job picking out a husband or something?! But the truth is....

ALL JESUS. I'm thankful He didn't want me for a nun....
and that we could celebrate SEVEN YEARS of marriage this month!!!!
SO THANKFUL FOR THIS GOOD LIFE. THIS GOOD VOCATION.

I was going to say "back when we were dating" -- but then I'm like SCRATCH THAT!
We are STILL dating. Married, but dating! Husband and wife, but still very much
"boyfriend and girlfriend" and all that romantic jazz.

For real you guys -- I am HEAD OVER HEELS in love with this man.

But yea back when we were dating... we visited this enchanting place....

And we ran away this past weekend to visit again!!! So much like Pride and Prejudice --
walking the beautiful grounds and stealing a kiss on the wide open front lawn.

Call me Elizabeth Bennet. Call him Mr. Darcy.

6 Years

He taught me to drive his motorcycle on this country road. We caught fireflies and took a walk that night as well. He told me, "Hey, you know you're leading this walk as much as I am, right?" I don't even remember responding. I was willing to walk all night; the night I fell in love with Nathan.





I tried to convince him to date one of my Christian girlfriends. I'm not particularly good at playing matchmaker or anything, I just get a kick out of the imaginary pairings and mock marriages in my brain. Needless to say, he didn't like my idea. And he still doesn't like it when I go playing matchmaker for other people. He calls me "Emma" sometimes. Any Jane Austen fans? It usually means: A.) Badly done, Brittany or B.) Stop it now.

"I've got the perfect gal for you to date," I told him one afternoon while riding on the back of his bike.

"Can you just find me someone... like you?"

He was dead serious. Always so forward. For real- it was a little painful to watch him fall all over himself, making passes at me time and again. It was adorable, but painful. Haha. It was as cheesy as you are imagining. Now Nathan admits to feeling no control over the words that were coming out of his mouth. He's told me that he would say things and then his inner monologue read: "WHAT AM I DOING?!" Love does crazy things to the human heart. Turns people into walking Hallmark cards!

One time I was sitting at the bar at Applebees, where we both worked, waiting on my food, when he just real subtly dropped, "You're really cute!" To offset the awkwardness, I awkwardly replied, "I know." He just pushed further, "No, you are cuter than you know!" Yea, ok, buddy. Ha. I wasn't in a position where I could date him. Heck, I wasn't even sure I wanted to date him! I seriously would get rid of serving shifts when we were scheduled to work together because I just wanted to "be friends".

At least that's what I told myself.

Like the scene from Little Mermaid, when Ariel is in big trouble with her dad, "He's a human! You're a mermaid!" Every girl born in the 80's has this memorized by heart, am I right? But yea, I had something similar reeling through my head, "I'm a Catholic! And he's a Nazarene!" He doesn't like that. He'd tell you, "Christian." Which is true, but he has the vibes of a Nazarene. It paints the picture and adds to the drama here. So I'm gonna leave it.

My mom fell in love with him first. That's not awkward. She MADE me invite him out to this study she was leading called Theology of the Body. Literally, she put the phone book (remember when?) in my hand and told me not to come out of my room until I had called and asked him to attend. Luckily he said "yes" and I got to come out of my room. So basically it was an arranged marriage.

The night of the first meeting he came out on his motorcycle. We sat at the same table together with a bunch of other young adults, including my boyfriend at the time. Afterwards we had a bonfire in my backyard where Nathan shamelessly sang a song that he wrote for me. In front of current boyfriend. I thought nothing of it, but I'm pretty sure my boyfriend told me that he would "rip his face off" if Nathan sang to me again. And my mom was all like, "Oh my gosh! Nathan is wonderful!" #facepalm. I like to think we gave Nicholas Sparks a run for his money.

So after all that, I did the only logical thing to do. I asked him out.

Yup.

The relationship with the boyfriend was rapidly ending anyway and I was hurt, and probably should have waited to officially "break up", but I didn't. And this is exactly why I tell people NOT to date in high school. It just rarely makes for a comfortable story to share. Ha.

Nathan picked me up from my hair appointment that day. And when he dropped me off, he prayed with me. I couldn't see straight between my broken heart and growing fondness for him. I liked this man. A lot. He felt like home. You know what I'm talking about? I just knew, ok?! Cliche of all cliches.

It wasn't a few weeks later, after my previous relationship was officially over, that we stood on my back porch together.

"What am I going to do with this heart?" Nathan asked.

"You're gonna marry it," I prophesied.

Apparently I'm forward too. Match made in heaven.

And just like that, 3 years later, after breaking up and getting back together 3 times, we realized that King Triton was wrong all along. Humans and Mermaids can totally get married if God wants them too.


Celebrating 6 years.
Happy Anniversary to us. XO.


P.S. I'm the mermaid. Nathan is the human. In case anyone was confused.

When Your Spouse Changes

Nathan grabbed a pad of paper and asked me to follow him.
Like an annoying 8 year old I kept asking, "Yea, but what's the paper for?"

"You'll see," he said with a grin.


I think part of the beauty of the human experience is change. From the simple to the complex, we are
not confined to those scrunchy socks we wore in the 90's or the insecure, out-spoken, wild, *insert
adjective* image of ourselves that we are convinced is true. Time, experience, influences have their
way with us, and year after year we morph again and again, in butterfly-like glory.
Stagnancy seems near impossible. We change.

He slowly ripped out two pieces of paper and handed one to me.

"We are both going to write down 5 ways that we have seen each other
CHANGE since we got married," he told me.

My eyes grew wide and I laughed at him; suddenly uncomfortable that I was about to be examined
so closely - fearful that he would see the changes that I don't even want to look at myself.
But I knew it was a good idea, kind of wishing I had come up with it myself, and began to write.

We were both so quiet, so serious - smiling to ourselves occasionally - nodding our heads.

The words we penned were ones of glory, achievement, growth. Written applause laced with
gratitude - we've grown, we've changed - and we were celebrating each other.

I think the pessimist in me was afraid my husband was going to write down, "My wife's stomach now
resembles more of a road map - more stretch marks than ever!" But, no. Ha! The conversation went
well beyond the "5 ways" - leading us both to examine and share what we saw about ourselves too.

It was raw, honest, funny, endearing...
made me love my spouse all the more.

Honestly, even though I think change is beautiful, I'm not a big fan of the idea in general. I prefer
routine, boring, the predictable ebb and flow of day to day life with the people I love. Perhaps that is
why I was uncomfortable at first with the idea of writing it all down. Fearful that it would make me
anxious or sad that time has had its way with us.

I know that the years will hold changes that we love and changes that weigh heavy on our hearts,
but today... today is good. And in writing down the "5 ways" we found much joy - relishing in the
words of encouragement and affirmation we had for each other.

Change is inevitable. I hope we (and you!) find much to celebrate throughout the years!

Go grab a pad of paper?


_________________________________________
The Lily Field doesn't end here... praise the Lord!!!
FACEBOOK. || INSTAGRAM. || TWITTER.

Things You Didn't Say When We Were Dating

This past weekend, while on a romantic golf cart ride with our children and my
grandparents (ok, so it wasn't that romantic), I turned around and asked my husband
if he would have been attracted to me if I looked like THIS all the time:


He shot back with the classic, man answer: "You always look like this!"
Me: "No, I usually have SOME make-up on and actually take a shower AND do my hair!!!"
Nathan: "You just look like you... natural. I've always been attracted to natural-looking girls."
Me: "Girlsssssss?!"
Nathan: "Yea. Girlsssssss!"
Me: "I don't want to hear about this!"
PROOF that love is blind.

Nathan: "You used to use a tiny voice. It was so cute and meek."
Brittany: "What are you talking about!?"
Nathan: "Like when I would call you on the phone!"
Brittany: "Oh. Exactly. When's the last time you just called to "chat" with me on the phone?!"
Nathan:

Brittany: "You better always do romantic things with me."
Nathan: "Are you threatening me?"

He used to be able to blink and I would be impressed...
Nathan: "When I was in grade school, I ate a corn dog off the cafeteria floor."
Brittany: "Really?"
Nathan: "And then one time I was at Steak n' Shake and a bunch of kids paid me to
drink all the hot pepper juice."
Brittany: "Are you trying to impress me? Because it's not working."
Nathan: "When I was in grade school, I ate my MILK CARTON."
Brittany: "NO?!" #officiallyimpressed

Nathan: **winks at me**
Brittany: defensively, "WHAT?!"
Nathan: "Every time I wink at you, you think something is up."

Brittany: "Leave me alone."
Nathan: "Are you perturbed with me?"
Brittany: "No."
Nathan: "I'm sensing some perturbation."
Brittany: "Is that even a word?!
Nathan: **Proceeds to read the DICTIONARY definition aloud**
Brittany: "You're perturbing me now."

Brittany: "You didn't try my soup!"
Nathan: "It's ok."
Brittany: "Yea, but you didn't try it!"
Nathan: "It's ok."
Brittany: "What is that supposed to mean!?"
Nathan: "No harm done?"
Brittany:


Please tell me that we aren't the only ones?!

Things You Didn't Say When We Were Dating

Nathan: "MOVE the chastity pillow, already!"

It's true. I sleep with a body pillow even when I'm not pregnant. It's my necessary +1
when it comes to being unconscious. It DID all begin with pregnancy, this need to be
comforted, held, cradled to sleep, and I never quite broke the habit. Now it's just me,
Nathan, and the "chastity pillow" (Nathan named it that. Not me... obviously!) every night.
Marriage is a big commitment, guys. Make sure you know what you are getting in to!

Nathan: "Come here, I want to cuddle with you!"
Me:
Nathan: "Brittany GraceAnn!"
Me: In my best pathetic voice, "can I bring my body pillow?!"

Nathan: "You know what I'm going to do with you tonight after the kids go to bed?"
Me: "Um what?!"
Nathan: "A puzzle!"
Bet ya didn't see that one coming. Me neither!

Nathan: "All we talk about is health, kids, and bowel movements anymore."

Me: "It would be so fun to see the light show at the arboretum!"
Nathan: "Yea, it would... if we didn't have kids."
Me: "WHAT?!"
Nathan: "They will FREEZE!"
Me: "You would have taken me when we were dating."
Nathan: "Yea, NO KIDS, and you'd be forced to cuddle with me to stay warm.
It would have been to my advantage to take you." #thingschange

Me: "I want to go on a warm, exotic vacation!"
Nathan: "Yea! You can do it... there's this place called the SHOWER.
A FREE, warm, exotic, no-kids-allowed vacation!"
Me:

Me: "I bought you all-natural chapstick. Without petroleum in it."
Nathan: "The first ingredient is - ANNUS - I think I'd rather wipe petroleum on my lips."
Me: "I'm saving your life here, buddy."
My poor husband. I don't think he realized how big of a hippy he was actually marrying.

Nathan: "I love you. Your food gives me gas."
All in one breath, folks. There is STILL such a thing as TMI in marriage!
Me: "I love you... too?"

Nathan: "You are so pretty."
Me: "You're blind."
Nathan: "You're an idiot."
That, my friends, is lovers' banter.

Me: "I want to go away some time this year. Just you and me. Nothing fancy."
Nathan: "Ok, babe."
Me: No, you better woo me and take me away or I'm going to RUN AWAY!"
It has come to this.

Me: Is there anything fun you want to do tonight?
Nathan: I'd love to just sit down and talk with you for a few hours!
Me: *bites bottom lip, shakes head "no"* (I know, what's wrong with me?!)
Don't get me wrong, I love to talk with my husband... in fact I freak out
if too much time goes by without REALLY talking... but sometimes I just want to
do that puzzle! HA!



e n j o y // the weekend!!! XO

The Husband and the Teapot

When a grown man asks you if you want to have a tea party, you just nod your head and smile...
and quickly put that kettle on, woman, before he realizes what he just signed up for!

My boys gifted me this darling, porcelain teapot for Christmas -
and as much fun as it is for me to just LOOK at it - it brings me that much more joy to employ
this gift. All the while imagining that Maggie Smith, in all of her Downton glory, is keeping me
on my toes between sips with her perfect, British wit!

Yes, I have an imagination that can keep up with the best of Anne Shirleys.
No, it has never gotten me into any trouble. Like ever. Maybe once. Or twice!

So the other night, Nathan offered to use my new teapot with me. I chuckled, possibly rolled my eyes...
it's not like there's anything in it for him! I thought he was joking. He obviously bought the gift so
I can use it with my favorite girl friends at play dates or late at night between gasps of laughter
and bags of chocolate.

Not to use with him. Why would he do that?

Who do you turn to for marriage advice? I'm feeling like it's got to be pretty bad for me as I find
myself taking notes from my own husband on how to BE GIFT. When he offers to do puzzles, give massages, talk for hours, or *and this one floored me* watch an episode or two of Parenthood with me...

I feel about ((( this ))) small.

Crushed really. By such detailed love. It's about the beloved. And that's hard for me to swallow.
At one point in my life I bought a lie. It was labeled: "LOVE MUST BE EARNED."

For years I've been rowing this boat, chanting along the way "earn love! earn love!" -
all the while putting on a circus of charades - bending over backwards, swallowing fire,
wrestling tigers with my bare hands all in the name of "LOVE MUST BE EARNED."

Lately, my spiritual director has been encouraging me to let God love me through my husband
(+ my children). To see it. To mark it down. To relish in the fact that LOVE is given in spite
of EVERYTHING: the messy hair, the burnt pancakes, dirty bathrooms, or the fact that I stayed
in my pajamas ALL day long.

Just you. He loves just you.

My husband could not care less about my teapot. I mean this man could drink his tea out
of recycled aluminum cans and not bat an eye. But he DOES care about me. The little things.

Our God is a God of disguises. Putting on the face, hands, clothing of those around us -
loving us in the little things, the details that seem so insignificant, but are NOTED,
TREASURED, REMEMBERED by a LOVER.

Be loved today.

"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work, my feet to follow
your path, my eyes to see as you see, my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my heart so you can love through me - so that it is YOU
Christ who lives, works, and prays through me. Amen."

Let's raise our pinkies to that!

Date Night || Romeo O Romeo

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, I grabbed a rose andhopped on the back of Nathan's motorcycle. It was a warm, summer night - the kind of night that makes you think you are in heaven.
Twinkling stars,shadows dancing in the moonlight,the sweet air kissing suntanned skin.
He drove us over to this grotto.I'm sure we prayed together, as we did often,but I also remember making him stand at the head of the aisleas I waltzed down the cobbly, old stones with that said rose in hand.
Here comes the bride.Such silly, romantic moments fill our arsenal.
I kind of like it that way.We all do this kind of stuff, right?!
It was so still. So quiet.We exchanged some made up vows, kissed, then sped off...to our separate homes. Wishing it had all been real!
We went back and did a little reenactment this past weekend, and it was specialand different to have our kids running around! It's like the fairy tale just keepsgetting better. Miss Kay would be proud. Memory lane is so much fun, huh Phil?!Duck Dynasty, anyone? Do I hear *crickets chirping*?
It's special, crazy, ridiculous, over the top, weird, sappy, lovey dovey, etc.BUT IT'S AWESOME to reach out and touch those moments that built "him and her" into "us."
When's the last time you revisited a place that holds memories for you and yours?You should do it! *Nudge, nudge!* I want to hear all about that memory!!!
*Sigh.* I love L O V E.

Things You Didn't Say When We Were Dating

I'm not going to sugar-coat it for you... marriage changes things.
I mean it's nothing to write home about, but it's something you might want
to mention to your brain. One day you don't care if you both just ate
a minced garlic pizza, you're gonna make-out... next thing you know
you're passing out Orbit and asking him not to put his arm around you
because oh. my. gosh. you're messing up my hair!

Each passing year brings us to a whole new level of comfortable.
We do and say things that would shock and appall our "dating" selves,
and I love it. Our relationship becomes more transparent, more authentic,
more worn, warm, tried, and true as the days slip into years and the years
weave together the tapestry of a lifetime.

Here's to being more open about bodily functions,
telling each other what we really think,
and brushing our teeth before anything goes down!



"Please take your hand off my back. It's sticking to me."

"I love it when you fall asleep in the kids' room
so that I can have our queen-size bed all to myself."

"Brush your teeth. I want to kiss you."

"Do you like these skinny jeans on me?"
"I like YOU."
"Yea, but the skinny jeans?"
"I like YOU."

"Let's play masseuse. I'll be your customer."
"I'm tired and have to work in the morning."
"I wish I was still your GIRLFRIEND."

"You look pretty when you sleep. Except when you fall asleep sitting up.
Then it's all ugly - weird eye movement - and drooling with your mouth open."

"You make that ZIT look beautiful."

"Ok. Don't kiss me anymore. You taste like turkey."

"I don't want to hold your hand on the carousel,
it's sweaty and people will think we're weird."

"Don't go to sleep. Stay up with me and work... and eat apple pie!"
"I'm sooooo tired."
"If we were dating you would NOT be sleeping."
"If we were dating I would NOT be getting up for work at 5:30AM."



And they all said, "Amen."

A Tapas {NOT topless} Date

It was either my mom or my grandma. My memory fails me now.
But I KNOW that I had a conversation with one of them many
years ago now that went something like...

"We are going to a tapas restaurant."
"Why would you go to a topless restaurant?!" *shocked face*

Like an adult version of "telephone".

Many moons later, Nathan and I still LOVE going to tapas restaurants...
but sometimes the lack of a babysitter or funds leads us to creating fantastic in-home dates!
Last weekend I brought the magical land of Spanish small bites to our home to celebrate date night!
*gives self a high five* - it was AWESOME you guys!!!


::: on the menu :::

fresh bread + olive oil + parmesan + havarti
antipasti salad
peach + cilantro bruschetta
bacon wrapped shrimp + almond stuffed dates
patatas bravas with aioli


I am inspired by things we have tried at various restaurants and
by pouring over cookbooks that I get from the library!

But here are some legit sources for TAPAS that may inspire you...

Martha Stewart

BBC Good Food

Food & Wine

What are you all up to this weekend?!

Will you take up Pope Francis' call with me and my family to
fast and pray for Syria and our own nation?

Also - if you follow on Instagram { @thelilyfield } I'm going to be
selling off a handful of my gently worn, brand name, clothing items!!!
Will be taking payment via PayPal || FREE SHIPPING! Be there.
STARTS SATURDAY {9/7} NIGHT - runs through MONDAY {9/9} evening!!!

We are also looking forward to celebrating Mary's (Jesus' momma!) birthday
on Sunday with a cook-out with friends! Stay tuned for all the details concerning
why we as Catholics DO NOT worship Mary. It's gonna be a good time!!!

Peace out.

Reliving Our First Date

Labor Day, 7 years ago... Nathan and I had our first official date!
I grew up in a small town. If you blinked while driving by, you'd miss it.
Every year, for 93 years now, they throw a Labor Day celebration -
complete with a good 'ole down-home parade of mostly tractors,
bingo, music, ball games, food, etc!!!

This year we went back with both our kids for the first time!
It was different... mainly because we couldn't stare longingly into each other's
eyes or have a deep heart-to-heart conversation for longer than 10 seconds
before one of our children was trying to join the parade or get run over by
a passing tractor. Kids! We're trying to re-live some memories here...
memories that are the foundation of your very lives! No. Big. Deal.

We also camped out for the weekend at this place we like to call "the club."
Another place that's like home to me - another place that we spent a lot of time when dating!
Just an old beach and park club that we visit to escape the world. It's wonderful.
Full of cottonwood trees and good-hearted people that wave and say "hi" whether
they know you or not. It's like the South... but totally located in the North.

WE HAD A THE BEST TIME. And seriously, our kids made it that much better.
So special to share such happy memories - and the old haunts with them!


Anyone watch Parenthood the series?! My family SO reminds me of the Braverman clan here... all the aunts and uncles, cousins, grandma and grandpagathered to cheer on one of our own in the Teen Idol competition!!!He took 2nd place!


Walking down memory lane all day is exhausting! Wonderful, but exhausting!

The Anniversary of Wedges

You know as a kid... when you have your sibling strap on a pair of rollerblades
and hold on to a jump rope so that you can pull them around the neighborhood on your bike?
Yea, hold that image. That's exactly what our anniversary looked like this year!
It was a wild ride as usual!!!

"Go with the flow" sounds so fresh and hippy, but throw some kids
in the mix and instead of "Relax! Party! Do whatever!" it looks more like...

Snag a babysitter for ANY POINT during the anniversary MONTH
and run out the door as soon as she gets there just in case your children pull
out their bag of circus tricks and start crying an ocean of tears because
you even THOUGHT about leaving them with her.

Sick kid? Well sure, queen size beds can technically hold THREE people.
The more the merrier. On a serious note, it seriously melts my heart to look over
at Nathan, with our wedges (I mean children!) in between us, and see him smiling
back at me. This is love, people.

The three year old is having heart palpitations during your romantic dinner at home
for two... no problem! We've had chaperones before, we can have them again!

Oh you can imagine. Our actual anniversary is August 14th, but that whole
day was spent cleaning, working, and taking care of a sick child! And honestly -
I wouldn't have had it any other way. We STILL celebrated... twice actually!
But since our LOVE has grown beyond us and has taken on the form of an Isaiah
and Judah... we have to bend, grow, roll with the punches! This is my party.
And it's pretty fantastic, awesome!



I made up this box of Trader Joe almond windmill cookies for Nathan!
I can hear my little sister in my head as I type this: "Vomit."
Hey! The tiny sentiments, the smallest details are where the L-O-V-E is at!
Am I right?! Can I get an "amen"?!

Nathan surprised me and got us tickets for Six Flags! We hadn't been since before
we were married! We now understand why the park is full of 16 year olds.
Their bodies can handle it!

We made one of our favorite Cheesecake Factory dishes AT HOME
so that we both could enjoy it and not suffer the consequences of our allergies.
I don't have exact details on this recipe - I just wing it every time...

But you can't go wrong with pecan crusted chicken over homemade pesto and rice pasta -
topped with proscuitto, fresh parmesan shavings, arugula, and garden tomato!




Fun fact: Nathan and I basically eloped. We got married in a small town in West Virginia -
where neither of us (or our families) is from. 110 guests. We served Pillsbury funfetti cake
at our reception that I made with my sister the day before! So it's tradition.
Funfetti cake every year. With sprinkles. Still makes my heart happy.



So yes, it was an anniversary of wedges - cute, little wedges -
but we let go and focused on what really matters... celebrating LIFE together.
And that's what it's all about!

Date Night | the "with kids" edition

Kids! What kids?! I was busy staring deeply into the eyes of my lover...

Date night for us sometimes includes Brother & Brother INC. A professional, little chaperone
gig that comes with two, not one, but TWO pairs of eyes to witness the whole shindig!
And they are cute. So we don't mind employing them.

...here's what went down...
We jumped in the car and drove to a town we have never explored.
Found a non-commercial restaurant to try - to satisfy the little foodies inside of us.
Walked with the kids in the double stroller - holding hands, soaking up summertime.
We were WOWED... when we found a river walk, covered bridges, fountains, and live music!

No real plans - we just WENT on the adventure and let it happen! Pretty cool.
I came up with this genius of a spontaneous idea... and I'm SOOOOOO thankful that it wasn't a total flop!
That would have been embarrassing. I like to prove to my husband that I can step away from being
"Perfectly Planned Patsy" and turn into "Super Spontaneous Sally" every now and then.

Look at that face?! VOTED cutest chaperone EVER.


Sometimes I wonder if my kids know how much I love them. Like - do they reeeeaaaally know?
With each child we have my heart expands. I just love DEEPER. HARDER. MORE. Parents, relate?
It has also created a whole new level of "ferocious" in me. Momma moose. Don't mess with my
child or you will regret it *smiles + straightens skirt*... ahem. That is another story though.

Every morning we pretty much work the same routine of hugging Nathan out the door...
then rushing to the window to remind him that HE WILL be home after naptime and WILL BE
eating dinner with us. 3 year olds can be very bossy.

Many mornings I'll go to kiss my man and Isaiah will run up and wedge his little self
between us and look up... with beaming, chocolate-brown eyes and a smile to beat all.

I wonder what he's thinking. What he's feeling. All I know is he is HAPPY to be there with us.
And we are happy to have him there. Some people seem to think that children get in the way
of a marriage. I'm hear to say that you may have been misinformed. Sure, they change things.
But from my end of the field they bring me and my husband CLOSER together - binding us in this
super crazy, God-like way to each other for the sake and joy of our children.



I think that our children NEED - maybe even LONG - to see their parents love each other.
And that's why they went on this little field trip with us. We called it "date night" - and
according to Nathan it was "the most romantic date night WITH kids EVER!"
It is ok, I'd say HEALTHY, for our kids to see us romance each other. Security, anyone?
Mom loves dad and dad loves mom and all is well with the world.
Amen. The end. True story.

Man, I hope they know how much I love their father... and both of them!!!
Because I'm bending over backwards to prove it!



Go love up the people in your life and have a happy weekend!!!