update

In case you were wondering, we made it safe and sound to Florida. Prayerfully we did not have anything "exciting" happen at the airport like we did last year. So far we have relaxed at the pool, played lots of cards after Ari went to sleep, and had some great home-cookin' from my grandma. We have also managed to pass around a cold between the three of us, so we have taken advantage of naps every day. It took no time for Ari to get used to another set of grandmas and grandpas, of course. He has thoroughly entertained them with his humor, dancing skills, and speech. We are anticipating a very hectic schedule when we come back so we are thankful for this downtime right now (and extra sleep).

just because

...he is precious

...and we are anticipating

...a much needed vacation

...and time spent with just him

the fair

So we managed to make it to the state fair three times this year. The first time was for the Chris Tomlin/Toby Mac concert and we did not get there early enough to do anything else.

But it was a great time with my sister and hubby!

Then we went back with lots of family and friends. Ari had a blast and loved meeting "real" animals, instead of just the ones from his books.

We had a break for dancing, of course. That is always in his schedule. We were at the fair for the free stage concert with Matthew West. I tried to upload a video of Ari dancing but it wouldn't let me. Maybe another time...

This is the greatest statue I have seen! It was new to the fair.

Then for our last visit, you will have to see those pictures here. We had a blast and are so thankful for Heidi's talent. She does a FABULOUS work!

hope

Just something I've been thinking about...

Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."


Psalm 71: 14
"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Year 3

I have been sitting here for a while trying to find the right words to say about this day. As I think back to our dating years, there has been a lot of change in us. We have grown by leaps and bounds in our relationship to Christ. We have grown by leaps and bounds in our relationship towards each other. I'm excited to see what this next year (and many more!) holds for us, as we continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

I married my best friend, my encourager, and my supporter. He is everything to me, and I wouldn't be who I am today without him.

He is always going above and beyond to make me feel special. Last year we ate Qdoba on the eve of our anniversary because that is what we had for our rehearsal dinner. Well, last night as we were about to go to sleep it just came to me that we forgot to get some Qdoba. AJ said I ruined the surprise because he was going to bring me some for breakfast on his way back home from working out. Qdoba doesn't open before 7 so he didn't get to do it anyway. After I dropped Ari off at his grandma's this morning and I was driving to work, AJ told me to pull off at the CVS and he was waiting there to deliver my breakfast burrito from Qdoba. What a guy!

I would stop there, but that's not all. He went to the Farmer's Market downtown to get me flowers on his lunch break, but ran across a few other things instead. I had been wanting to can some green beans for a while but the supply has been short so I have been unable to get my hands on some. He was able to get a bushel (for cheaper than I've found) and carried the 25 lbs in his suit all the way back to his car in the 90 degree heat. It might not seem like a big deal, but it meant the world to me.

Thanks for always loving me. Cheers to year 3!

our little trip

On the 11th, AJ and I will be celebrating our 3rd year of marriage. We decided to take two days and go somewhere quiet, so we visited Madison, IN where Clifty Falls State Park is located.

The first day it was 101 degrees out, the hottest day of the year. I loved every minute of it. (Except when we had to climb that ridiculous tower of stairs.)

We ate dinner at Key West Shrimp House, where Ari got to wear a lobster hat.

We saw some wildlife...and it got AJ pumped up about hunting season this November. Mmmm deer!

We spent lots of time swinging...

hiding...

climbing...

and more swinging...

The view was fabulous.

The next morning was a bit chilly, 30 degrees cooler than the day before!

Ari loved the ride and his view.

The second day we walked around the historic town of Madison. There were lots of cute little houses with inviting porches like this one.

The historic fountain from the 1800's.

One of the many cute houses.

We didn't have a need to entertain our child anymore because he passed out a minute after getting in the car to go home. What a cutie pie.

a walrus in the making

Meet our walrus. He has learned many tricks to keep himself occupied in the car.

Stay tuned to find out where we were the past two days and why I had to endure this!