Posted 2 years ago at 9:02 pm.
Yesterday was our 8th anniversary, it’s so hard for me to believe it’s been 8 years already and then it’s so hard to believe we’ve only been married 8 years–it’s hard to explain. I used to tell people that one date with Kelly was like a whole week of dates so even though we only knew each other for 7 months when we got engaged it felt like we knew each other for years. I spent a lot of years screwing my life up and trust me, it takes a lot out of you to make so many bad choices and to live so contrary to God’s will. My dear friend Anita (love you girlfriend!), used to tell me over and over again that God had a better plan for me. See Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I sort of believed her, but my human eyes just weren’t seeing it. That is, until I met Jesus for real, now I’m not saying I never made another bad choice but let’s just say that He cleaned me up, inside and out. Oh, how we can have peace like we’ve never felt before.
So, where am I going with all this? My life was a mess, everything was hard, I met Jesus, everything got easier with Him as the boss. I put together a list of 5 qualities I was looking for if God blessed me with marriage. And, as God often does (when we let Him), He gave me Kelly who had those 5 qualities plus about 1000 more that I hadn’t even asked for. We have lived a lot in 8 years and I’m still madly in love with this man, even more so and I honestly didn’t think that was possible 8 years ago on our wedding day.
I didn’t take any pictures of us on our anniversary (regret, regret) so I’ll share this one from our wedding dance 8 years ago:)
We took the kids to my in-laws and Kelly & I went out to dinner and had a great time. Thanks Dick & Sandy!

Posted 2 years ago at 9:02 pm. 2 comments
Posted 2 years ago at 7:12 pm.
I’m bummed I didn’t take pictures (I got distracted somehow) but Kelly’s sister & brother-in-law were in town for a visit. We had dinner at our house Saturday night with everyone. Kelly grilled steak & lamb chops, they were great (I really have an amazing husband)! They played with the kids, this is the only picture I got of Kim & Pam playing with Tobin in the sandbox, when I headed out with the camera all the kids were in it, missed that photo opp of course! We had lunch after church with everyone again, it’s always great to see them.

Posted 2 years ago at 7:12 pm. Add a comment
Posted 2 years ago at 7:07 pm.
That’s John Deere, my dad’s preferred tractor, who still happens to farm about 950 acres. We received this awesome gift from Jim & Norma, it was their son Caleb’s and he had a hard time giving it up but was quite a bit too big for it this summer. The kids have all been having a great time with it, all 3 of them! Thanks Jim & Norma–it will get lots of use:) And, for those of you who know me well, don’t worry–it’s powered by pedals, not a battery!

Posted 2 years ago at 7:07 pm. Add a comment
Posted 2 years ago at 9:15 am.
So, I’m sure you’ve all been waiting at the edge of your seats for a glimpse of our vacation:) We went to Cincinnati Thursday-Sunday, a very nice city. We visited the Newport Aquarium & got to pet sharks, the Conservatory & saw a chocolate tree, Coney Island where Ez & Mari rode their first roller coaster, the Cincinnati Zoo & Mari got to feed a giraffe, a Cincinnati Reds baseball game where the guy in front of me got a foul ball, ice cream twice at Graeters (claimed to be the best ice cream in the US, I’d have to agree), and finally the Creation Museum on Sunday. It was a fun trip and here are some pictures . . .
Tobin trying to find the otter:

Isn’t this a cool picture of the jelly fish:

and Mari petting a shark:

Riding the coaster, Ez held my hand the whole time and was really brave:

Eating our Graeters ice cream cones, we decided that this would be a new family tradition, whatever city we visit, we would find the best ice cream.

| We went with my sisters family and maybe the best part was watching the cousins hang out and bond with each other, this is all 6 of them, Tobin is a little hard to see behend Mari. And the other is Ez sitting on Brady’s lap during the baseball game, Ez really likes Brady and Brady did a great job keeping Ez with the group and entertained:) Thanks B! |
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The Creation Museum (see blog roll) was really cool and has some beautiful gardens outside:


Posted 2 years ago at 9:15 am. 1 comment
Posted 2 years ago at 8:57 pm.
We went to visit my friend Sofia, she has a new baby girl-very sweet! And, 2 other girls. We were pregnant with our 1st kids together at work. They live about an hour away now and it seems like every time we try to get together one of us has sick kids. It was a bit crazy with 6 kids, Tobin was everywhere and managed to turn on the override switch to start their gas fireplace!
| Here the kids are enjoying a popsicle treat: |
And, this is Isabelle, I couldn’t resist this picture, she is too cute: |
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Posted 2 years ago at 8:57 pm. Add a comment