Thursday, August 19, 2010

Lunches

For four years I have packed my husband a lunch everyday for work. And to be honest I haven't really enjoyed it all that much. I did not complain or vocalize my dislike, it was just "one of my chores" that I have to do. But this summer it hit me, making my husband's lunch is a GREAT way to show him how much I love him, to refresh him with a little bit of home while he is out in the world, and just a great way to surprise him! So I have bought things that are only for Daddy's lunch. For example, plums, cottage cheese, roasted peanuts. If I have made a batch of cookies (which we pretty much always have cookies, because I have a little helper that LOVES to help) he gets cookies, if I have pears he gets a pear, if I made popcorn the night before I save some in a baggie. And the response I have gotten from Clay is hilarious! Yesterday he called me the lunch queen...I have always wanted to achieve that status. :) He has been so blessed by this little adjustment in my attitude, and so have I! It is fun to pack his lunches now because there is an element of creativity and love that wasn't there before. I just wish I would have thought of this a little earlier, but I thank God (and my husband) for His patience with me! So happy lunch packing!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Fourth of July Visit~

We had so much fun with my family at the fourth! We are so thankful for the time with them since it doesn't happen nearly as often as we would all like. This is a little photo shoot Clay did in our upstairs, notice the fresh walls behind everyone! We did a joint birthday party for the kiddos. They are two years and 10 days apart. They are so funny!

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This is the major slip n slide at the 4th picnic! Ellie loved it, we are so thankful Joseph kept taking her down. Thank you Joseph! You really blessed a little three year old. This last picture is after the slide, tired and cold. :) Sorry it took me soooo long to get these up, maybe one day (probably not...) I will be more on top of things. Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Marriage

Clay and I celebrate four years of marriage today! I know, four whole years. It has gone by so quickly. Do you ever look at your life and think "when did all this happen?" Sometimes I think that. I sit back and think, "wow. I have a loving husband, two happy children...but I still feel like a child myself." :) I am so thankful for the husband and friend Clay is and for the life and beauty he gives me. I could get all mushy and embarrass myself, so I will stop. Know that I am a happy woman.

We celebrated by going to Panera (even though I worked there in college I really love it) Clay likes it too but thinks it is more like a snack. :) Then we ran into Target. We live in Springfield but I am amazed how little we go to the south side. Just had to check the clearance. Then off to Redeemed book store. Clay and I love it. We were so excited to go without the kids. :) It is a lot easier to look around. Then we dashed downtown because, of course, we had to end the evening with a little photography. Clay just purchased a new lens, it is a wide angle. I Love it! Maybe I can get the pictures up soon.

Miss Eleanor and Mr. Athanasius spent a very fun evening with close friends. They are an elderly couple and the kids love them. This morning when I got Ellie dressed she asked, "are we ready to go?" I explained that we are going on our date after their afternoon nap. Around 9:30 this morning she asked me if it was time for her nap yet. :) When we picked them up this evening the first thing Ellie said to me was, "Can I stay for one more minute?" :) I am so thankful for these friends! Not having family is hard, in many respects. So, a night like this does not happen for Clay and I very often. I am learning how refreshing a small break like this is and the investment it is in our marriage.

Four years ago today at this time we were in St. Augustine FLA, in a suite on the beach. It was lovely and beautiful. But I would rather be in the midwest, in this little yellow house with my three loves...and how I hope for many more years together.