Milestones...

Our first summer trip this year was a momentous one. For those of you who do not know we just returned from a five day trip to Ft Lauderdale. It was quite a memorable time...not just for the fun we had but the major steps we took as a family transitioning from being a family with diapers, formula, nursing, and babies to a family with some really "big" kids! I have to admit I do sometimes miss the "idea" of another baby. But right now it is becoming really nice to be able to travel and do some things that although are possible with tiny ones just aren't as enjoyable.

Well...here are some milestones we accomplished with this trip.

1.Traveling 16 hours in a car without having to make frequent stops to "nurse" or feed the baby!
2.Traveling through the night!
3.Traveling with two kids old enough to play video games to occupy their time so they didn't ask a hundred times "are we there yet?" Now it will really be nice when Gracie can do that. For now...we just watch A LOT of Dora!
4.Being able to go down to the beach/pool without anyone in a swimmy diaper! Those things are gross!
5.Being able to go to the beach with three kids and have a enjoyable and somewhat relaxing time!
6.Being able to sleep in a hotel room together without someone waking the other one up! This is huge for us...most of you know what BAD sleepers my kids are. This brings me comfort that this summer in Hilton Head...Brian and I might have a room to ourselves! :)
7.Being able to go out to a relatively nice restaurant at a "normal" eating hour and not feel like the entire restaurant is staring at you...and hoping you are leaving really soon! AND also not nervous that your children will have an emotional meltdown if they are not fed the minute they complain they are hungry!
8.Being able to get home and think about the fun we had...and want to take another trip again! :)

So...all in all it was indeed a fun time. Now don't get me wrong...it was tiring and since Brian had to work a lot of the time we REALLY missed him! But all in all a really memorable time!

Here's some pictures!

ten years

This past weekend Brian and I were able to head out of town to celebrate our tenth anniversary. We went to the mountains near C'ville and a town called Orange County. Having forty eight hours to talk to my husband without any interruptions was my highlight. It's amazing how life with three kids makes it hard for us to really connect sometimes.

The fact it's been ten years really blows my mind. Sometimes I think it has had to be that long to accomplish what we have done in ten years. Other times I am truly amazed that it's been that long. I remember when I first met Brian. I wasn't particularly nice...although I thought he was cute. I had my eyes set on some other boy. 5 months later and three requests for a date later...I finally decided to give it a chance. Truth is...I really liked him all along. Everyone could see it. I just needed the time for God to work in my heart to make me ready for him. Our first date I think we both knew this was headed somewhere. Almost nine months later we were engaged. 5 months later married. And the rest is history.

I just cannot believe I was able to meet someone so supportive, caring, loving, mature, funny, God fearing, sexy, and by far my best friend in the whole world and that he could love me!!!

Thank God that he brought us together and I with only His strength I feel certain it will last forever.

I love that man!!!!