August Fields

stretchy bracelets.

these stretchy bracelets.  i really like them!
i typically steer my children away from fads…..because they usually
have something to do with a movie star or book i don’t approve of,
or tv show or even those bakugan (sp?) things….no thanks.
but stretchy bracelets shaped like animals, cars and nature?  yes please!
the girls stay up late trading them.  (the same ones from the night before 🙂 )
some of them even glow in the dark.
and each day after all the school work has been completed each child can 
choose a bracelet (or sticker) from the treasure box.  
even hank is getting in on the action.
they are relatively inexpensive (note, i am buying these at big
box stores not the boutiques), don’t take up a lot of room, and don’t
keep my kiddos from running around.  this is a fad i can live with.

happy anniversary. 11 years on the 11th.

september 11, 1999
i married my best friend.  
11 years ago, a few weeks before our wedding,
 i remember sitting on the shoreline of lake michigan
writing our wedding vows.
going back even further…. i have sooo many wonderful
memories with you stored in my heart.
i remember going to your aunt’s wedding.  my oversized sweater
and the navy skirt i made in home ec.
my highschool prom. 1995.  
my super hunk boyfriend came back from college to go with me. *swoon*
i really like your puffy sleeves (thanks napolean)
this picture is for you moz.  
mr.daddy’s youngest sister (in braids), who is now a sophomore 
in college!  the other little sweetie is my cousin who i babysat all through 
highschool.  later on she was my flower girl and now she babysits OUR kids!
november 27, 1998.  we took a short train ride to chicago for the day
to hit the “day after thanksgiving” sales (or so i thought).
we wanted to check out the sears tower skydeck at some point and
mr. daddy was very much wanting to go right away so we wouldn’t
run out of time.  
we were both leaning over the railing looking over the city of chicago.
he said:  ‘this would be an amazing place to get engaged someday’
i said (kind of rudely):  yeah…someday
at this point i was still thinking about that looking out at the view.  he wasn’t next to me anymore.
i turned around.
he was behind me.  on one knee.
my eyes welled up.  i was NOT expecting this on that day!! 🙂 🙂
he asked me to marry him.  i said yes over and over.
then we asked some man who did not speak english to take our picture.  
this is that picture!
and one more picture that night on our way back to the train station.
‘be joyful always;  pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’  
1 thessalonians  5:16-18
this is the scripture we chose as our “wedding verse”.  
and what a blessing those verses have been.  
we have certainly walked through some rough waters together.
God demands that we pray through them all.  the waters have ebbed and flowed.
they have been smooth and stormy.  
praying together.  giving thanks.  and finding joy.
boy…when things are going good that is so easy to do.  when life throws you a curve ball
those three things can be so so hard. 
they are so important though.  it IS what gets us through.  
i am so thankful for a man who has decided that living for the Lord is THE most important.
he is a leader. confident and driven.  that is for sure.  and i love that.  
my dream was to be married and have children.
i’m living my dream. 
happy anniversary to the man i love.  will always love.  
through good times and difficult times.
through sickness and health.  rich or poor.  
loving God together till death do us part.

friday favorites : keeping it real

do you really want to know my favorites?
this man.
and this man with these kids.
everything else in this world will wilt away and never be seen again.
my husband and children are children of God the Father.
and they will be who i see in heaven one day.
living my life for the Lord means i must keep 
other ‘stuff’ in perspective.  
yes, decorating and new houses and clothes
are enjoyable.  no doubt.
BUT ….would i walk away from it without turning back?
yes. yes. and yes.
thank you LORD for my husband and my children.
my heart is full of Your joy!

the rehearsal.

we had a wedding.  and it was glorious!  remember the shower?  well now
that amazing young woman is my sister in law!!  
i love this shot of pure excitement i got from her the moment i walked in the church for the rehearsal.
everyone practiced walking down the aisle.  figured out where to stand. 
giggled and laughed.
prayed and teared up. 
boone was the ring bearer.  handsome man to the left is mr.daddy’s brother
dancy was one of the flower girls.  she took her postion very seriously 🙂  
i remember being a flower girl when i was her age! 
we had cousins drive up from south carolina.  deanie (on the right) and this cousin 
are 6 months apart and are dear friends.
more cousins! 
the bride and her maids.  is this a gorgeous wedding party or what??
everyone was so happy and excited.
the rehearsal dinner was amazing….my mother in law created these centerpieces!
SO much time, thought and love went into planning this.  
the evening was very memorable.
i even got to get dressed up and got to sit by this handsome man.  🙂