Relentless Love

Photo by: Ian Aberle

Humbled by all that He has done and continues to do.

Thankful for His story that will always save mine.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:10-12

Unfathomable Love

Photo Source

Extremely thankful for the Greatest Love.

In awe of the most Amazing Sacrifice.

Hopeful that what emanates from me is a reflection of Him.

Eleven Years

Happy Anniversary to my most favorite one of all!

He knows my highs, and he knows my lows - and yet he still loves me more than anyone else on the planet.  He deserves way more than I could give him, but he chose me for this journey.

For eleven years, we've trudged on loving each other the best we know how.  I have moments where I'm fantastic at being his wife.  At other times (most times), he's ridiculously good at being my husband.  When we're on the same page, it's nearly perfect.

Just a few footprints along the way...

2001 - And So It Begins

2001 - Road Trip (PA/WV)

March 24, 2002

2002 - Wedding Kisses

2003 - Teaching/Coaching Days

2004 - Two Become Three

2004 - Christmas at NeNe's

2005 - Espy Turns One

2006 - Three Become Four

2006 - Merry Christmas!

2007 - California Trip

2007 - Token Family Picture

2008 - Four Become Five

2008 - Christmas

2009 - Thanksgiving

2010 - Thanksgiving

2010 - Five Become Six

2011 - Dodgeball Tourney

2012 - Date Night

2012 - Handforth/Esperanza Wedding

2012

2012

2012

Looking forward to the rest of CrazyTown with you by my side, Babe - I love you forever.

I Might Throw Up

always a party in Isabella-land 

Even though they're sisters, each of the girls have such unique and different personalities.  With one phrase or gesture, I can see myself in an instant.  In the very next moment, they are clearly their father's daughters.  On the way home from preschool today, Isabella simultaneously displayed her flair for dramatics (her mother) while fully utilizing her bathroom words (her father).

We had the windows down because it was a nice spring-like day.  (Apparently no one told tomorrow's forecast that because it's supposed to snow - crazy Virginia weather.)  A few landscapers were doing some work near Isabella's preschool.  

All of a sudden from the back of the van - I hear,

MOM!  What is that smell?  Change their diapers!  I think I'm going to throw up.  I think I really am!

I responded with,

It's mulch, honey.  It helps keep plants healthy and yards looking nice.

It smells like poo.  I think it really smells like poo (covers face with shirt).
Does it turn into poo, Mom?  Do you think someone pooted?  Are you sure it's not somebody's diaper?

I'm pretty sure it's the mulch outside.

Is it gone yet?  (takes a big sniff).
Oh, thank goodness.  That was horrible.

I was having a meeting at church.  Isabella decided to join us and started conversing with a couple:

How old are you Isabella?

Four.  I just had a birthday.

(Her birthday was seven months ago.)

Did you do anything special for your birthday?

Yes! (pause) I blew out candles!

Some friends of ours watched our two little ones while we went to a wedding:
Do you know my name?

Isabella, duh!

No, it's Isabella.  You almost got it!

This is why it's hard for me to discipline our third child (usually).  Don't worry, Bill and I are fully capable and typically do - but oftentimes we need to leave the room first to get
our poker faces on so that she'll take us seriously.

I love you forever, Isabella.

18 Years In 35 Minutes Or Less - And Go

I knew my friend was going to be in the area (via social media - of course).  I had a fleeting thought to try and connect with her, but like most of my thoughts - it was interrupted by a dirty diaper, a ToDo list, a math problem, dinner prep, or all of the above.

I got all sorts of excited when I found this in my inbox:

Hey...I'm [in town] for a couple of days...alone, no babies :)  where are u?  Wanna grab coffee?

I enthusiastically responded with:

I would LOVE that!  ...  I keep children during the day, and our evenings are crazy - but, do you think you could sneak away "early" tomorrow morning?  I plan on running an errand or two and would love to grab coffee before or after it if works with your schedule!!

Give me a time...after 9am works well.  Nephew will be gone to school then  :)

I was thinking 6/7ish AM - too early??  I'm crazy - I know.  I have to be back to get the bigger ones ready for school and home for our little ones and the little boy I take care of...

lawd... I think I can make it... lemme check...  

Our conversation continued with the logistics of where and when,

and I was so excited to wake up and get to see her this morning!

The last time Na'imah and I were in real life together was probably at our high school graduation.

In 1995.  Almost 18 years ago!  Seriously?  The last time I saw her I wasn't even 18 yet - that's a little bit ridiculous and hard to wrap my brain around.  Although it's been that long since we've physically been with one another, I feel like we've been able to see each other grow and change because we live in such a crazy technological age (one of the positives of this
thing called the internet).

I'm so happy we got to spend those moments together at Starbucks this morning.  It felt like time never passed, and we were in high school again - but not really.  You know what I mean.  She's still the same girl I knew - just more beautiful and grown up and and all that good stuff.  We picked up right were we left off updating each other on life, the men, our babies and anything and everything in between.  Our lives couldn't be more different yet our personalities so much alike -

inside twins if you will.

God carved out that special time with an extraordinary woman just for me, and I'm so thankful.

Until next time, friend - big hugs and blessings.

Maybe our next coffee date will be in Barbados?

I'll talk to Bill about that.