The sound of little feet.

There is a beautiful country song that plays in my head all the time. We danced to it at our wedding, and I strum it out on my guitar from time to time. The words are sweet and humble, a melody of remembrance and celebration for a lifetime together...

Remember when I was young and so were you
and time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when

Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now looking back it's just a stepping stone
To where we are,
Where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when

Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when
(Alan Jackson)

The lyrics tell a story, some of which mirrors ours, some of which differs. There are lines that resonate strongly with me now that I am a mom. On days where toys are scattered around the floor and my head is fuzzy from not getting enough sleep the night before, days where the unexpected happens and threatens to undo me... it think of the line "Remember when the sound of little feet was the music we danced to week to week", and I remember that those little feet slapping across the hardwood and creaking the floorboards above my head while I am making dinner... they are music, pure music.

And I would venture to say that the sweet sound of a toddler running around in complete abandon brings sheer joy to our Creator's ears, and in His infinite love and kindness, He allows us to have those precious moments as parents to savor and reflect on His goodness to us.

This summer has been full of those sweet, simple, good moments, both as parents and as a couple... so many refreshing times when God pulled back the heavens and we were privileged to bask in the warmth of His glorious sunshine.

I know that the soundtrack to our lives right now, baby coos and little boy laughter, will eventually run out...the needle on the record player will run off the edge and God will gently place a new vinyl on the turntable and set it in motion. It will contain excited chatter, and big kid laughter, and heavier sets of feet bounding down the stairs in the morning... and that will be glorious too, because isn't that what makes the mundane so magical? that seasons of life are ever changing, evolving, growing? And isn't that what makes God so special? because He always was, always is, and always will be the same?

What a beautiful dichotomy this life is...

Today I am enjoying the changes that this season of life has ushered in, and the constancy of a God that is always good, all the time, without fail.

Coming back.

The day after your baby is born, when you are holding that snugly little bundle in your arms, you start to forget all the tough that got you there. The forgetting begins with labor...that goes first...you know it was painful, long, soul-stretching, and back-breaking, but beyond that knowledge, the rest is history. Give it a few weeks and those nine long months of pregnancy seem like figment of your imagination. Fast forward 8 months and your love tank is so full that only the great and none of the tough even remains in your memory.

 

It's the middle of the summer and you are feeling alive with the arrival of things like vacation, ice cream cones, trips to the beach, and sunshine. You look lovingly at your little boy and husband and think, "I am so ready for another one". Hubby is feeling the same way so you take the plunge. You grab hold of the big present labeled "Pregnancy" and tear the paper off. You are elated that the gift is yours. You fail to read, or even notice the fine print that reads, "Excessive sleepiness and insomnia may ensue upon the opening of this gift. You will feel like getting out of bed in the morning requires Everest-climbing strength, and changing a dirty diaper will make you weak in the knees. You will be so thrilled to be carrying life and yet all you will be able to think about is the warm comfort of your bed and when is naptime anyway?"

A few weeks go by and the fine print proves more than accurate. Laundry piles up, dinner comes from the freezer or better yet from the Chinese restaurant down the street, and dust bunnies grow so big they blow across your living room like tumbleweeds. You become a "napper", that dreaded thing you swore you would never be.

Somethings don't change during this time...that little boy of yours? still makes your heart smile so big you think it will burst...and that hubby of yours? he takes little boy with him to go pick up the Chinese food, which makes you swoon because you can stay on the couch 10 more minutes.

Then something glorious happens. You open your inbox and get an email titled, "Week 13 of your Pregnancy". You read about how baby is growing and how he/she now has fingerprints and weighs an ounce. You read that you are entering your second trimester and you should start to feel better soon. You think to yourself, "Yeah, I do feel a little better today." And whether it is real or the placebo affect you do not know, nor do you care...because you skip your nap that afternoon and make dinner. You can't explain it but you just feel whole again. Your head descends gracefully out of the clouds where it has been hiding for the last few months, and you re-secure it tightly onto your body, because lets face it, you need your head back.

All the while the world has been changing outside your window. The leaves on the trees glow orange, yellow, and red, and the cool air that greets you at the door holds the crisp scent of Autumn. Pumpkin pie cans have been added to the end caps at your grocery store, and pretty fall decorations grace the homes of the people you love.

The fog lifts and you are left in a wonderful season called "fall". You venture out for the first time in weeks with one goal, to buy a pumpkin scented candle. You quickly bring it home and light it. You squeeze your squishy little boy and tell him you love him. You greet your husband with a smile and a kiss when he comes home from work, and tell him, "I'm back babe, I'm back!"

And he smiles and gives a sign of relief because he has missed you.

a conversation about dinner in the park

him: lets grab some hot dogs and a bag of caesar salad and have a picnic at the park.
me: eh, I have lots to do here at home.
him: cooome onnnn...I never suggest things like this, and now I do and you don wanna go?
me: I want to, but I'm kinda tired and have laundry to do and dishes to wash.
him: So what? Lets go anyway.
me: ::sigh:: ok, let's go...

One stop at the store, drive to the park, twisted tea from a solo cup, cheese-filled hot dog, salad from a bag, setting sun, contented little boy, happy dog, and grinning husband later...I was so glad we went.

















Our little excursion tonight made me think, why don't we drop everything for family nights in the park more often? What is is about house work that draws me in like a vortex and holds me against my will? Where are my priorities anyway??

So here's to more evenings in the park, just the four of us...laughing together and loving each other... here's to one more month of summer, and drinking it in for all its worth.

four Julys ago.

Four years ago this month, I met my husband. We akwardly shook hands for the first time, knowing that our friends ( who had just introduced us) were grinning at us both, eager to see our initial glances at one another...hopeful we would hit it off. We did hit it off, and by the end of the night, our one friend grabbed one of our cell phones and said, "Hey kids, get around Mike and A for a picture!".  I had their baby in my arms, and their three other kiddos pressed in around us. Jody snapped the picture and excitedly turned the phone around to show us the shot...he said, "You guys look perfect together, I can just see it now...give it a few years and you will be a family, and the kids around you will be yours." We smiled shyly at each other, both silently hoping he was right.

The following July we were the epitome of "young and in love". The one after that we were sharing our first dance under a big white tent containing all our friends and family. The one after that, we were doting over our little puppy, Sadie, gently rubbing my growing belly and dreaming about our sweet baby growing inside.

This July, we coax giggles out of our little boy, and cheer for him as he crawls across the living room, and hold him high over our heads to make him smile. We grin at each other from across the room when our eyes meet, and I know our thoughts are the same...we love this life we share together, built together. What were once two individuals, became one, and resulted in three.

Happy Anniversary, My Love....God has blessed me immensely by giving me you.

(the pictures above were from the day after we got engaged, in October 2009...they are some of my all time favorites...Mike used carved pumpkins as part of his proposal...=)


(To read more about our love story, click here, here, here, and here)

Sharing with: Bits of Splendor

To the man who makes me smile...

Four summers ago, I met my husband when some mutual friends of ours invited us both to their house for a cookout. He didn't arrive in a car or truck. He came riding up on a four-wheeler. He had on camo shorts and a baseball cap. He shook my hand and introduced himself. He swung our friend's kiddos off their feet to hug them, resulting in happy squeals and giggles. I was a goner.

A few months later, we became an "official" couple. A few weeks after that, we were "in love". A few weeks after that, his sister gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy, who they named Michael. I remember the night we went to meet the new little guy. Love was written all over Mike's face. He carefully cradled his little nephew in his arms and stared into his tiny face. He adjusted his little hospital cap and rocked him gently.

I took this picture that night:

The next Sunday while sitting next to my mom in church, I opened my Bible to reveal the little wallet size copy I had made.

She stared at it for a minute and whispered in my ear, "He's going to make the best father someday." 

"I know", I replied, glowing at the thought of it.

I remember silently praying that God would let him be mine. That he would become my hubby and the father of my children.

And here we are three and a half years later, and he is mine, and the father of my son. Just as my mom predicted, he is a natural. He is so in love with his little boy, and so intentional about being a good dad. He makes him smile and daydreams constantly of all the fun adventures he has planned for their future. He craves time with him and leans on the edge of the crib late at night, just to watch him sleep.

Motherhood, for me, has been made sweeter by watching the man I love experience fatherhood. I am beyond blessed by God for the blue-eyed, blond haired boy playing at my feet, and his brown-eyed, brunette of a father who just called from work to check on his wife and son.

so one day late,

Happy Father's Day Babe! 

Your son and I adore you;) 

Sharing with:
Bits of Splendor 

Baseball and Fatherhood...

Yesterday we took Hunter to his first baseball game...(this week has been full of lots of firsts;) along with Hunter's Mom-mom, Grammy and Pappy, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins...

Growing up in a house with all girls, we never really got into sports that much...so for me, a baseball game is all about the sights, sounds, and smells. I thoroughly enjoyed the smell of french fries and hot dogs cooking, the taste of nachos drenched in cheese whiz, and the sounds of people yelling at bad calls, missed catches, and the little men running around the bases...hehe

For my hubby, who grew up playing baseball...yesterday held more significance. He was thrilled to take his little man to a ball game, just like his dad used to take him. He repeated multiple times throughout the day, "oh man, I miss this game". He cannot wait until Hunter is old enough to play catch in the backyard and join a community league with him...just like he did with his dad.

It makes me so proud and thankful when I hear about all the things my hubby wants to teach and pass on to his son, and all the memories he plans to make. It makes me SO grateful for his wonderful Dad and Pop-pop, who took the time to do these things with him...teaching him the value of father-son time and a good 'ol game of ball...but mostly? It makes me fall even more in love with my hubby as I see what an amazing dad he is:) He genuinely cares and is intentional about fatherhood...

On the way to the field yesterday, Mike and I were laughing about a little argument we got in before we left the house and I said, "do you think Pop-pop is in heaven laughing at us when we fight and make up...amused at how young we are?" 


"Absolutely", Mike said, "we probably sound just like him and Mom-mom sixty years ago..." 


We both smiled as we linked hands....


"One thing is for sure", Mike continued, 


"Pop-pop would have loved going to the game with us today...he wouldn't have missed it for the world..."


we both fell silent for a minute...


"Oh, I'm sure he will be there", I replied.


and I am certain that he was...probably grinning from ear to ear watching his grandson hold his baby in his lap and tell him about the game.

After the game everyone headed back to our house for some hot roast beef sandwiches, baked beans, and this awesome baseball cake that my sister-in-law whipped up for the occasion (we were celebrating multiple birthdays).


Then my hubby brought out his 4-wheeler to give all the kids rides, which they loved;)

All in all it was a great weekend:) 


And guess what?? Next weekend is Mother's day already!! Come back later this week, I have some gift and wrapping ideas coming!!!

Weekend Romping...

On Friday night, Mike and I went on our first date since Hunter was born. Just us. No baby in the back seat. No schedule to concern ourselves with. 

It was wonderful on multiple levels...we drank sangrias and ate spicy shrimp at the bar and conversed with each other like we were on a first date... we intentionally directed the conversation away from our kids (Sadie included, you would be surprised how much we talk about her, ha) our finances, and our house and focused on talking about us as a couple:)

We bought overpriced coffee drinks at the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble, and perused the rows and rows of books like intellectual impostors...we laughed. we held hands. we ended up in the kids book department, of course. We went home with the Jungle book and the Berenstien Bears.

On the ride home we found an old cd and belted out "Wide Open Spaces" with the Dixie Chics and "You Had Me At Hello" with Kenny Chesney...

It was so refreshing. The best part? Coming home and saying hello to Hunter, hugging and kissing him with renewed vigor, knowing that we (mom & dad) had some much needed alone time to reconnect and remember just how much we loved each other.

We woke up on Saturday to snow, which made the finale of our weekend even better. On Sunday we loaded up our snowmobile headed to our friend's place to go riding after church. (Hunter was warm and snug at Grammy and Pappy's house for a few hours). 

 Me. hehe.

 Good friends!

 Good friends!

 Mike and I.

Mike and I.

As we flew through the snow covered fields, I grinned from ear to ear under my helmet. It reminded me of the early days of our relationship where we spent every weekend romping around on 4-wheelers and snowmobiles...and just like our Friday night date, it was so refreshing for me as a wife and mom...


Anyone else have a great weekend? Anyone else know what I mean when I talk about needing refreshing dates with my hubby?

Exciting news!!

Hello everyone...

It is a beauuuutiful fall morning here in Pa, just the kind of day for some great news!!!

Great news #1:

We have a winner for the mymemories scrapbook software!! 

Kelly, it's you!! Whoohoo!!

I will send you an email today on how to redeem your package=)

Thank you everyone who participated!!

Great news #2:

Ok...I'm about to get a bit wordy so bear with me...

I have always been one of those people who takes pictures everywhere they go...

When Mike and I were dating(and he was still trying to win my little heart over) he humored me on every date by smiling for yet another picture...I have archives FULL of them, much to my delight=)

Then when we got engaged...and he still put up with the incessant picture taking...just casting the occasional eye-roll in my direction...hehe

Then we got married and jetted off to our dreamy honeymoon destination, on a trip that we knew we would never be able to duplicate...

And right around the halfway point on our trip, something horrible/tragic/inconceivable happened...

my trusty camera which took stellar pictures DIED. Just like that. 

I remember the day well...we had just rented a motorbike to tour up and down the coast of Belize and I was so thrilled at the idea of snapping pictures of the countryside, villages, and people from the backseat of our bike...

It never happened. 

we got a few good shots thanks to an emergency disposable camera back up...

but other than that...the things that we experienced and saw that day, as well as the rest of our trip, remain only in our memories.

When we got home, my dad lovingly got me another camera for my birthday...it was the same make, same model... 

but took very different pictures. 

And so for the last year of our lives, this former picture-taking fanatic has left my camera home on most adventures we have taken and dates we have gone on... so.sad.i.know.

The camera is so difficult, that I have been using my camera phone for all of the pictures that I have posted on this blog...

But now, its all about to change=)))

I am pleased to announce that I am now the proud owner of this beautiful camera:

source

I have been pretty much drooling over this beauty since I first started researching entry-level photography cameras...

And now its mine...just in time for all the fall goodness, and the arrival of our baby...woohoo!

So...I'm back...look out cuz' I have a wicked cool camera again, and a vengeance to make up for the last year of photo barrenness...

hehe.

p.s. if you read this whole post and are still reading, you are a true friend...I probably would have stopped a while back;)

Anniversary trip...take two...

Just wanted to share with you all a few more moments from our trip this past weekend...

We stayed at this fabulous bed and breakfast called The Nest.

The owners, Marc and Sally, did a wonderful job combining the luxury and convenience of a modern, sleek hotel, with the charm and uniqueness of a bed and breakfast...check out their website and you will see what I mean=)



On our Saturday adventures, Mike and I visited this quaint little mountain town called Milford. A place where the streets were lined with beautiful antique shoppes, bakeries, restaurants, and local historic sites...

It was lovely...

Mike even reluctantly agreed to have lunch at this little place called The Patisserie, where my construction working, hunting loving, pick-up truck driving husband ate a bowl of soup out of a delicate flower-printed bowl...

After which he sheepishly smiled at me and said, "honey, are you trying to broaden my horizons?"

I laughed out loud...

I just love him, he makes me smile everyday without even trying =)

While we were in town we decided to visit a local landmark called The Grey Towers, a historic mansion nestled  in the mountains that boasted old world architecture and sprawling gardens...

Gorgeous, huh?

We happened to pick a good day for an impromptu visit, since the mansions grounds were buzzing with vendors and local craftsman, congregating to celebrate an event called the "Festival of Wood".

Here were some of our favorite handmade items for sale that day: 



Doesn't this little family of s'more making bears make you grin=)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!