Our Big Zoo Trip

For our anniversary Jeremy and I decided we would take the girls to the zoo in St. Louis. Actually it was Jeremy's idea and I LOVED it. Now, it might sound like a bummer to take your kids somewhere for your anniversary but it was perfect. What we have really been needing is some family time and I can't think of a more fun day! Not to say that it was perfect (it rained & we got lost!) But, there are lots of memories and seeing the wonder on Grace's face was priceless.

Grace loves animals. She has ever since she was very little. Before she said hardly any words she knew what sound over twenty animals made. She loves animals. So when I told her we were going to see animals like elephants, and camels, and kangaroos she looked at me and said, "On the waubee (her word for tv or movies). When I said, "No, we are going to see them in real life!" She just said, "OH!"

Even in the freezing cold rain we had a lot of fun. It was the perfect example of a trip not going exactly as planned but still being wonderful. A tip for the zoo- get there early. We knew if you get there when it opens you can park in the close free parking. Plus, all the things that cost money are free the first hour it is open. Due to getting lost we did not get to take advantage of the free attractions as planned, but maybe next time. (But we still got free parking!) We will also probably do our next zoo trip in the fall. Lets just say-field trip extravaganza! It was a little busier than we were expecting for a weekday morning. We also packed our lunch so the entire cost of our trip was less than a tank of gas- totally worth it! Due to the rain we ate our "picnic" lunch in the van (as you can see- no Faith isn't riding on her dad's lap)

Grace's favorites were the kangaroos (we went to see them twice, at her request), the camels, and the elephants. I have added a few pictures. If you are interested in a more in depth look at our zoo trip I am in the process of creating a book on shutterfly which I will link from here when I get it finished.

I think its interesting how our zoo trip included a great lesson for our marriage. Sometimes we begin marriage with a picture of perfect bliss (just like when we imagine a trip). And of course as anyone who is actually married knows it is more like our zoo trip- a few unexpected challenges. And yet when it is all said and done I still loved our day together, just like I love my not so picture perfect (yet amazing!) marriage.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day of memories, life lessons, and fun!

Happy Mother's Day!

Since we won't be seeing Grace's Nana on Mother's day I am posting her present here so she can at least see it (it wouldn't exactly go in the mail). We will be delivering it the next time we see her. This was our project for this year.

We took a pot and painted a flower on it. The big petals are Grace's finger prints, the little petals are Faith's finger prints. Grace loved helping paint so there are "polka dots" around the top. I took a picture of the girls with flowers. So in the middle of the pot is the picture and this message-

And we pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, GROWING in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:10
Thanks for helping us grow!
Love, Grace & Faith
Mother’s Day 2008

We dyed clothes pins green to hold the picture/message. The plants are little baby plant starts from a plant in our home. See picture above for this to all make more sense.

Happy Mother's Day!

I LOVE my Husband

On Thursday, Jeremy and I will celebrate our 4 year anniversary. It doesn't seem possible. In some ways it sees like we've always been married I really can barely remember life without him. And in others it seems like I could still slip in that white dress and walk down the aisle like it was yesterday. Recently several families in our church have been walking through chalenges in their marriages and it has reminded us how precious our relationship is and that it must be humbly gaurded and looked after so that Satan cannot gain a foothold.

I feel like we have already lived so much life together. The first year of our marriage was a tough one. Not because we were adjusting to each other but because we were facing some super challenging ministry and life experiences. I am so glad God doesn't ask our opinion when he orchestrates his plan for our life. Becaue even if he had told me all the blessings we would gain from what we went through I'm not sure I could have chosen it for myself. And yet I am so thankful for the way it cemented us together. We survived isolation and uncertainty and came out still liking each other. We have naviagted pregnancy, becoming parents, and becoming a family of four. We have moved five times! God has been so faithful to us.

My husband is wonderful. I have been reminded often lately how much I appreciate him. Some of my favorite things about him are:
-His love for our kids and all his "big" kids
-The way he never complains about how unclean our house is, and even notices when I've managed to get it somewhat under control!
-The way he brings me flowers for no reason at all (yes-he actually does this)
-That he takes walks with me (when we first got married he told me he hated walking and he didn't ever think he would enjoy it)
-the way he constantly reminds me he thinks i'm beautiful

And there are lots more... I want my kids do read this some day and realize how deeply in love with their dad I am. I pray they will always be blessed by the security of our relationship built around Christ.

Jeremy- Happy Anniversary- I love you more today then the day I married you.