What a Difference 30 Seconds Make

The Running Man

Have you ever been so proud of someone that you could burst? Or more accurately burst into tears? That's the way I felt when I saw Jared running towards us this morning as he ran his first ever half marathon. He looked so relaxed. Although later he admitted that he wasn't. :) We camped out on the 11th mile to cheer our Daddy on. When I saw him running towards us I was able to snap some good pictures. He stopped long enough to give me a kiss and then he was off to finish the race.His goal was to finish in under 2 hours. He finished in 2 hours and 33 SECONDS! I am convinced it was that kiss that gained him part of those 33 seconds. :)
I love this man. He sets out to do something and no matter what set backs he encounters he finishes what he sets out to do. He doesn't let his fear of the unknown hold him back. I have learned so much from this man of mine.

Kate wearing her heart's sentiments on her sleeve or posterboard if you will.


Carson loved watching of all the runners go by. "oooooh! Oh!" he would say

run run run

After Jared finished his race I basically tackled him with a big bear hug and then I remembered how I felt after I finished 13.1 miles. Bear hug is no bueno. I was able to restrain myself for this picture. I'm sure Jared was relieved.

We love our Daddy

Jared and his brother Blair dedicated this race to his Dad. So proud of both of them.

A sight for sore eyes. Kate was confused as to why her Daddy was running by on a street and then ran away from her. She cried when he left!

The running man himself

Look on the far right of this picture. It's so easy a caveman can do it!

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

I knew that when these beautiful Birthday flowers arrived from my Dad I had something special but I could have no idea how much I would use this vase!
From gorgeous Birthday flowers to......

Extra ornaments from our tree to celebrate Christmas

Red glitter snowflake ornaments left over from our tree celebrated January

Red and pink Valentine's hearts cut out of construction paper and filled in with left over tinsel from the double Birthday bash.

And in anticipation of Easter colorful Easter eggs

A Picture Full of Blessings

Sweet Hearts

In two short years, Kate and her friend Hudson have gone from this...........












To this................

She's Got the Look!

Two new Kate looks

Classic

I can't be sure of much in this world. But one thing I am quite sure of is that this girl will be a Daddy's girl forever.

The Story of a Crown

Kate made this Valentine's Crown at Mothers Day Out. Carson took a special interest in it.

Hey Kate! Let me try that on!

Ha Ha Ha! Never!!!

A girl and her crown are never parted!

I don't need a stinkin' crown. I've got a bottle! And if that doesn't work.....

Mommy will make it all better!

I'm a Big Boy Now!

Yesterday, Carson got his first haircut. The little blonde scraggles are gone. The shaggy shagginess is a distant memory.I have heard of Moms that cry at this experience. The only thing I can think of is that their little boys have beautiful abundant curls. I did not feel a bit of sentimentality about saying good bye to the stick stright, staticky wisps that were Carson's baby hair. He looks like a little boy now, but still like a baby. Our sweet little boy surprised us all and shed not a single tear. Just sat in his Daddy's lap and was mesmerized by his little transformation.
The before pictures were plenty.



Let the transformation begin!!




A Boy, transformed



Too bad Carson doesn't look like his Dad at all.........nope, not a bit!


So proud of my big boy. This boy is goingto do great things with his big heart.

Come to Jesus

Marriage is not for the faint of heart. It is not alway romantic and it is not always the loving warm picture that is depicted in the movies. Sometimes marriage is about sticking by the one you love when every one else has left you behind. Believing in someone when everyone else has moved on. Marriage teaches you a lot about love. Not fairy tale love. True deep and abiding love. The love that sees you through rocky times. The love that disciplines you. The love that gives you hope that in the end everything is going to turn out fine. As Jared and I celebrate 7 year of marriage I have reflected on how amazing our marriage has been. But it has not been easy. We have encountered our fair share of trials. But what has amazed me is how God constantly leads us to be close to Him. It has become very apparent to us that God wants to be front and center in our marriage. He wants us to cling to Him. When I first got married I thought that my role as a wife was to cling to my husband. I pictured us walking through the hard times with us clinging tightly to each other. Weathering the storm. Walking through the wind with our heads down. And while clinging to each other through difficult times has brought us close together, I had it wrong. God wanted me to cling to Him. My husband is an amazing man but to rest all of my hopes, fears, and dreams at his door was overwhelming to say the least. That is what my heavenly Father is for. I am trying to understand that concept. He is teaching me with love and patience like He always does.
Our song this last year is not romantic in the worldly sense. It is called, "Come to Jesus." It is a song about hope. It is a song about coming to Jesus in all situations. To me, it is a song about marriage. It describes our walk with God together. The chorus walks through the stages of our journey together.
Come to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Fly to Jesus
I first heard this song at my Dad's house. I loved the words. I thought about how much this song described so perfectly how I wanted my relationship with God and Jesus to be. I had put it on a CD so that I could listen to it in the car. One day Jared and I were driving somewhere in the truck and he said, "Here, I want you to listen to my new favorite song." When I heard "Come to Jesus" fill the truck I knew that God was calling us both to Him. I believe that sharing this song is a perfect way to celebrate our 7 years together.This little video I put together shows the only present that Jared and I gave each other this year. We were finally able to go back to the church where we got married to take some pictures. Being there 7 years later brought back so many memories. My feelings and emotions from that day came rushing back. I walked down the aisle just like I did 7 years ago and the same feeling came back to me. I remember that day that I didn't care about the decorations and the pomp and circumstance. I just wanted to marry Jared. Typing those words just now has made me cry with joy. The tears are flowing as I type. The love that I have for Jared has grown so much since that day and our love together has given me such joy. I feel SO blessed to be his wife. And I feel so blessed that God has been leading us through this journey the whole time.My hope for our marriage is this, Jared and I together closely hand in hand with our arms wrapped tightly around our Saviour

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Never in a Million Years

Something happened in our house yesterday that might not happen again so I wanted to document it extensively. Yes, it snowed quite a bit yesterday. Over 8 inches!!! But that's not it! It wasn't even that Jared and I made this in our back yard.....

The big news in our house is............................................................................................














PIG TAILS!!!!!!!!

With the aid of a cherry sucker, I was able to fashion Kate's hair into some adorable little pig tails.She usually protests quite loudly to me even brushing her hair so it was a major Mommy coup that the power of sugar made my little girl sit still long enough for me to pull off the much coveted pig tails(I had dreamed this little dream ever since the moment I first heard the word "girl" in the ultra sound room) Please excuse the numerous pictures. I just couldn't resist. And hey, I know that it may never happen again!