Archive for the ‘Pictures’ Category

Our hands intertwined, my large ivory dress, with scarlet trim barely allowing me in the seat as the band started playing. A crumpled damp tissue clenched in my fist, I dabbed my eyes for the hundredth time as I tried to keep the mascara in place. My heart was swollen, still overwhelmed by Brian’s declaration of love. I had cried in front of all of our family and friends, something I never ever would have voluntarily done. Tears were for the shower, when you were alone and the cascading water could drown out the sobs and wash them away down the drain never to be mentioned again. I had been caught off guard, not by the speech, I knew it was planned, what I did not know was the words that would come from deep within his heart, exposed for all to hear, intimate and crafted with care. Never spoken at our first wedding, generic and thrown together within a couple of weeks, filled with regret and sadness. This time, five years later, meaning so much more than our first vows ever would. Our faith came through with every word. God was the center of our marriage now and forever more, the renewal of our vows a testament to what He had done in our lives.  It was important to us, that our girls and our family and friends know our hearts and see the declaration of our souls back to Him, and our love to one another.

You stood before creation

Eternity within Your hand

You spoke the earth into motion

My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure

Carried the Cross for my shame

My sin weighed upon Your shoulders

My soul now to stand

I sang, whisper soft, letting the words wash over me, through me. They penetrated my heart, the events of the day settling in, growing outward in the form of a smile. My hand enclosed in Brian’s, sweaty and familiar.

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation

Your Spirit alive in me

This life to declare Your promise

My soul now to stand

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I'll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I bolted out of my chair, eyes, scrunched shut, the tears streamed. My voice came out loud and strong from deep inside. Our hands no longer clasped, now outstretched upwards toward the heavens. I swayed, cradled by the music, the love I had for Him. He had given me the great gift of Brian I love this man and our two girls Precious beyond belief. I was absolutely in love, filled to the brim with emotions, they churned inside yet with peace and understanding. Thankfulness.

So I'll stand

My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours

Everyone, everything melted completely away.

Just me.

Just Him.

I believe.

Immense joy swelled within my heart.

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

This post was written for the prompt over at The Red Dress Club.

This weekend was MY TIME!

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of joining 13 other women at the Harrison House Bed and Breakfast in downtown Columbus for a Twilight Moms overnight.

We had the most wonderful time, meeting new people and spending time with those we already knew and obsessing over all things Twilight. In fact, I only knew one person before going. My friends and Brian thought I was crazy, but I knew I would have a lot of fun and I did just that!

Lynn, the owner of the B&B, told us the history of the house, that the Anthony Thomas candy family had lived in the home at one time, about the 4 spirits (Cedric, Jakob, Moby and a woman) who currently resided there.  Cedric liked to smoke and occasionally you would walk through the upstairs and smell cigarette smoke briefly. I smelled it a few times in different areas and before I fell asleep, I smelled smoke in our room for about 15 seconds. The woman spirit likes to sit on the beds, leaving behind a butt print. Our linens were smoothed out and there were two butt prints left on my roommate Mandy and I’s bed in the Meadow Room. It was very creepy but cool.

We watched Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. Had oven fried chicken, salad and mushroom ravioli for dinner. Cupcakes, complete with Team Jacob and Team Edward rings in the icing. Lots of wine, though I didn’t have any. I did have some vodka and strawberry banana though!

The coordinators, Kendra and Lori, did an amazing job! They even made sure we had some swag to take home with us. An Eclipse cup, magnets, bookmarks, stickers.Twilight Sweethearts. One girl made chocolate chess pieces in honor of Breaking Dawn. Another girl contributed a Twilight Blend of coffee. And Lori made floral arrangements for all of the rooms and we got to take them home with us.

Sunday came way too quickly and before I knew it, we needed to pack up and go our separate ways. I came away with new friendships and memories.

I look forward to the next Twilight Moms get together.

I also look forward to next weekend when it becomes MY TIME again with a scrapbooking/craft weekend at LCC, Friday night and all day Saturday.

Sometimes it’s nice to take off the Mom hat and take a little break to refresh.

MY TIME was definitely worth it.

This snowy day Alex is getting over being sick.

Poor kiddo had the stomach flu yesterday and is still getting over it.

For a kid who has never thrown up before he did extremely well.

Only getting upset a few times with what was happening to him.

But last week we had a snowy day as well and he excitedly wanted to play with the snow.

We started with a big bowl of it at the kitchen table and lots of measuring spoons.

After 3 bowls of snow, he decided it would be much more fun to go outside and actually play in it.

He got dressed and donned all of his winter weather gear.

He enjoyed traipsing all over the yard, going down the slide but eventually insisted he have his baseball bat.

Even Emma went outside to check out the snow!

Alex made sure she came right back inside.

When he got too cold he came inside and snuggled into the blanket I made with some hot chocolate.

He enjoyed drinking it from a straw and watching his favorite show, Calliou.

Brianna playing Timez Attack Multiplication game on the laptop not wanting me to take her picture.

Katie intently watching and hopefully learning by osmosis!

Want to see more pictures?

Visit 5 Minutes for Mom

or

Seven Clown Circus

Amy from Involuntary Smiles has won that cute little Snowman

I’m a winner too thanks to all of your thoughtful words and encouragement, coupled with an awesome girls night out at Starbucks followed by late night shopping at Walmart as well as a family and friend filled weekend.

My Aunt Jan was in town and the kids had a blast spending time with her. So did I

The kids enjoying the snowfall on Sunday!

I’m a happy camper again!

Which is a huge blessing because Christmas is right around the corner and between babysitting, kid school Christmas parties and getting ready for our trip to PA I have no time to be dragged down into the depths of depression right now.