Our Home

Well, it is official. The sign is in the yard and we have had our first showing!

I got emotional again today just thinking about some other family living in our house...the place we have called home for 9 years! Our oldest was 2 months old when we moved in. Our little family of 3 is now a family of 6..and as much as we love our house, we are running out of room!!!

I should say, we ran out of room 2 kids ago, but God's timing is perfect. We have been patient and "made do" for the last few years. In June, we purchased some land in the same small town about 2 miles from where we live now. We are so excited. It is the beginning of a dream come true!

But... I am still weepy....I know you moms understand when I say, this is the house full of lots and lots of firsts! The place where I rocked my babies, where I brought three of them home from the hospital, and where I watched them take their first steps.

This is the yard where they had their first Easter Egg hunt and where they learned to ride their bikes and play baseball.

This is the front porch where we snuggled on the swing when as toddlers they had a tough time falling asleep, where we have sat in the rocking chairs enjoying the cool evenings as a family, and where our oldest made the most important decision of her life, to ask Jesus into her heart.

This is the house where so many of our memories have been made. That is why it is not just a house, it is our home.

Our little Squirt

It is hard for me to believe that Squirt will soon be 2. These two years have flown by so quickly....Wasn't it just yesterday we where bringing her home from the hospital?

She has started potty training already and is doing a fantastic job. It was so funny this morning when she had a little accident in her big girl panties. She looked up at me with the sweetest look on her face. She pointed her little fingers at me and said "you sad?" She was so adorable with that cute little face and the sweetest little voice...I reassured it was OK and that I was not sad. I was thinking to myself, how can I be sad when you do something so adorable! I think she knows she has us wrapped around her finger!

Squirt has always been a Momma's girl. But, in the last month or so, she has actually wanted to snuggle with Daddy. This, of course, just melts his heart! His face beams every time she reaches for him. Finally, after almost two years, she wants him!

The other three kids always wanted their Daddy time from the moment he came through the door each night....they still do. Squirt, on the other hand, would yell "My Mommy" if he would even look at her, much less try to kiss her hello! She was always so scared he would take her away from me.

Things are changing...she is coming around. She is starting to become a Daddy's girl - at least some of the time.

Now, when she sees Daddy drive up, she runs and hides like the other kids do. She waits to be found and to be scooped up for lots of hugs and kisses from her Daddy.

Although it gets real noisy when Daddy comes home, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I know these are precious memories we are creating. One day, we will look back with fond memories on this little game they play each night. I also know that all too soon, I will be wishing I could hear those screams of "Daddy's home..Quick hide!"

I am trying to savor every part of their childhood because I know it is slipping away faster than I can imagine. Yes, even these potty training days....because as I am so often reminded, we will never have an almost 2 year old again!

August 3, 1996

Today, Scot and I are celebrating our 12th anniversary. I thought it was appropriate to begin our new blog on the date that our story began.

It is always fun for us to relive special memories from our wedding day....what a beautiful, romantic day it was!

I hold close the precious memories of that day. I never want to forget the way we felt back then....the crazy, passionate, newlywed kind of love...the overwhelming joy of just being together, holding hands, cooking supper or walking on the beach....it was just the total excitement we had of starting our life together. We laugh at how much money we DID NOT have...but it did not matter. We had each other!

Our love is deeper, stronger, and more mature now. At times our life can be crazy, hectic, busy, and stressful. But through it all, I am just so glad that I have him to share it with!

Today, as we celebrate, I am so thankful that God knew who and what I needed, way more than I ever did. He created the perfect husband for me!

Happy Anniversary, my forever love.