Happy Birthday Stella Beth!

You are one year old today!  This has been a year filled with an overwhelmingly large amount of joy.  You are a gift from God, and we are very blessed to call you our daughter.  We love you so much!

The Pumpkin Patch

We are winding up our first year of holidays and different seasons.

The first birthday is just around the corner and we've been hard at work to make it a very special day.  For now though--what better way to end an awesome year then to get into some fall festivities!

 It's safe to say that Stella Beth loved the pumpkin patch!

It was fun to see her walk through the pumpkins (hanging on of course) touching each one!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Bye Bye Summer!!

Family Vacation

We enjoyed wrapping up our summer with a little vacation to one of our most favorite and memorable places.  Gatlinburg is where we began our family together over 5 years ago.

 This was right after we got engaged....

And then the years there after....

Wow!!  A lot changes in 5 short years!  We had an absolute blast the entire time.  We enjoyed our time so much with the Mahollands! We are so thankful that they asked us to do this.  We had a gorgeous cabin that was at the top of a very curvy and very tall mountain!  

The days seemed to go by so slow and felt very relaxed and filled with a ton of things that we did! 

 We made sure that Stella got to enjoy every inch of Gatlinburg.  And she sure did!  She was so good the entire trip!

We look forward to making more memories here in years to come!

Red, White, & Blue

 We've had a lot going on these days and we are really enjoying our summer.  We had to say goodbye for a while to my bro-in-law as he is going into the Air Guard.  We sure do miss him a lot already.  We had a going away party for him and got this great picture of all of us!  It's hard for us knowing that we won't get to see him for 5 months.  That sure is a long time!

We enjoyed our first Fourth of July together.

 Yes, out of 5 years married, this was the first one that John hasn't been working!

We spent the day together and then enjoyed the evening at my parents house with grilling out, watermelon, fireworks, and lots of sparklers.

 We hope everyone had a very happy fourth!!!

Five Years

Spending the past 5 years with my best friend has been quite the adventure.

We thank God today for keeping us strong for five years and look forward to many more years ahead!

 ONE

 TWO

 THREE

FOUR

FIVE

Father's

There isn't anything like a Father's love.  I've always been a Daddy's girl and always will be.  I was raised by an incredible man of the Lord.  He taught me many things.  Like how important it is to love others, to serve, how to tie my shoes and blow a bubble.  He taught me that sometimes it's ok to say yes, but sometimes no means no.  When the answer was usually "yes", those "no moments" were a real bear.  He taught me how to come through heartache and to shine no matter what.  He never gave up on me and always told me "as long as I did my very best, that's all that matters".  He loved me big every single day.  He showed me.

He would write us all letters, he would hold my hand--even in front of my friends, he would offer a handkerchief out of his back pocket whenever needed, he would dance me to sleep, and showed me my great desire for music.  He would tell me he loved me before he left and before he went to bed every single day and he'd hug me until I decided it was time to let go. He still does some of these things now.  He is a good Daddy.  The best I could ever ask for.  He taught me to follow my dreams and because of him I'm where I am at today.
I married a man who is now the father to our daughter.  I never knew that a man could love someone so new.  From the moment she arrived, his love for her was abundant.  There are so many days that I stand back in awe of his love and care that he shows her.

 He's a Daddy who loves unconditionally, he will play guitar and sing to her, he reads her stories and even uses the silly voices.  When she's sad, he's patient and calm.  He plays in the floor with her and shows her how to love her toys.  He feeds her, holds her tight, and prays for her now and for her future.  He's the best Daddy that we could have ever asked for.

I can't wait to sit back and watch him teach her how a girl is supposed to be loved, and how to tell others about Christ.
I was told many times while pregnant that you never really understand God's love for us until you have a baby.  That's one of those "advices" that actually is true.  There really isn't anything greater than a Father's love.  I am so grateful to have had a father who loved me unconditionally growing up.  I am thankful to have a husband who is an incredible father and leader in our household.  But, I am even more thankful for our Father's love.  Sacrificing His Son for our sins is the ultimate price and the ultimate act of love.  Many people celebrate Father's Day without fathers and that breaks my heart into 1,000 pieces.  But I find comfort in our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, who brings us Life, who comforts us, and who is always there for us to run to His arms.  And He will never let go!