I got some fun pictures of Collin helping Grandpop and Daddy dig in the dirt.
Until next time,
Kristal
6.27.2013
Saturday digging
We learned pretty quickly that our new home has a drainage problem. Boo! We discovered this during our (ongoing) reno process, but didn't realize how bad it was until after we moved in and found water inside wall. Yikes! Thankfully, our family is incredibly helpful and my father-in-law came down this past weekend to help us address the problem. Robert and Mark worked so hard!! We're pretty sure the problem has been solved and now get to focus on adding landscaping. Yay!! I'm looking forward to that...adding some life to the front of our home.
I got some fun pictures of Collin helping Grandpop and Daddy dig in the dirt.
At this point in my picture taking, because I had quite a few more that I didn't put on here, he was like "Mommy, don't take my picture!". It was funny...and I'm sure foreshadowing. :)
Until next time,
Kristal
I got some fun pictures of Collin helping Grandpop and Daddy dig in the dirt.
Until next time,
Kristal
6.25.2013
7 years and still in love
Yesterday, Robert and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 7 years already! It has gone so fast, yet when I reflect on the last 7 years, I'm amazed at the changes we've experienced in our lives. We started out as two young college graduates and became parents to two beautiful children. I truly find myself loving Robert more and more everyday. Sure, we have bad days...sometimes lots of them in a row. But God has confirmed, in many different ways, through the years that Robert is the perfect man for me. I am so grateful and blessed!
I have found myself reflecting a lot on our marriage and how we have grown together and what we have learned, so far, on this journey. I'm sure if you asked us separately, we'd have different things we have learned. But, I'm sure there would be some of the same, too. I thought I'd take a minute to share some of those things that I have personally learned, and continue to learn, everyday. These are in no particular order....
1. Always give your best. This world is demanding! It wants the best of us all the time. And often, our husbands suffer. They get our leftovers when, really, they should be receiving our best. I'm so thankful I'm able to stay home and raise our children, but let me tell you, there are days I am completely spent. I've reached my limit and just need a break! But, this isn't the fault of my husband. He doesn't deserve to have my stress taken out on him. Sure, we all have off days...that's fine! But as a norm, my husband and family need to receive the best of me.
2. Don't stop dating. It's easy to fall into a routine after your married and stop dating each other. I've learned how important it is to keep dating my husband. When I say dating, I don't solely mean fancy dinners out or Friday night movies. Sure, those have their place and are very important. But, I'm talking about getting to know my husband, his fears, his dreams, etc. Although some aspects of us are the same as the day we got married, we have both grown and changed as individuals and I never want to miss finding out who my husband is becoming just because I've stopped dating him.
3. Give grace. We all mess up. We're going to let each other down. Expectations will not be met. But give grace! And give grace some more when you don't want to or don't think you can. Someday you'll need grace, too.
4. Strive to understand, not be understood. I have learned, and continue to learn everyday, that selfishness has no place in marriage, or any relationship for that matter. The minute I stop trying to "hound my point home" or "make him get it" and try to look at things from his perspective, he gets it. Or at least understands where I'm coming from.
5. Communicate! I cannot read his mind, he cannot read mine. Even when I wish so badly that after all these years he would just know, he doesn't. And neither do I. It is so important to say exactly how you feel or what you mean and not expect him/her to just know. And don't beat around the bush either. Just say it!
6. Ask God to continually make you fall in love with your husband. Satan wants nothing more than to tear family's apart. A form of "insurance" to prevent that from happening is never falling out of love with your husband. Love is a choice. And it's very important not to forget about those little things that brought you together in the first place.
7. Be his biggest fan. The world is rough, harsh, critical, demanding and so many other things. He needs to know I'm in his corner, behind him all the way, no matter what. I might be the only encouragement he receives today or tomorrow or the next day. He needs a cheerleader and I'm just the girl for the job!
So, those are some things I'm learning everyday. I know I have a lot more to learn, too. I'm so thankful for our marriage, imperfections and all. He's a wonderful husband and father and I'm blessed to be his wife!
I have found myself reflecting a lot on our marriage and how we have grown together and what we have learned, so far, on this journey. I'm sure if you asked us separately, we'd have different things we have learned. But, I'm sure there would be some of the same, too. I thought I'd take a minute to share some of those things that I have personally learned, and continue to learn, everyday. These are in no particular order....
1. Always give your best. This world is demanding! It wants the best of us all the time. And often, our husbands suffer. They get our leftovers when, really, they should be receiving our best. I'm so thankful I'm able to stay home and raise our children, but let me tell you, there are days I am completely spent. I've reached my limit and just need a break! But, this isn't the fault of my husband. He doesn't deserve to have my stress taken out on him. Sure, we all have off days...that's fine! But as a norm, my husband and family need to receive the best of me.
2. Don't stop dating. It's easy to fall into a routine after your married and stop dating each other. I've learned how important it is to keep dating my husband. When I say dating, I don't solely mean fancy dinners out or Friday night movies. Sure, those have their place and are very important. But, I'm talking about getting to know my husband, his fears, his dreams, etc. Although some aspects of us are the same as the day we got married, we have both grown and changed as individuals and I never want to miss finding out who my husband is becoming just because I've stopped dating him.
3. Give grace. We all mess up. We're going to let each other down. Expectations will not be met. But give grace! And give grace some more when you don't want to or don't think you can. Someday you'll need grace, too.
4. Strive to understand, not be understood. I have learned, and continue to learn everyday, that selfishness has no place in marriage, or any relationship for that matter. The minute I stop trying to "hound my point home" or "make him get it" and try to look at things from his perspective, he gets it. Or at least understands where I'm coming from.
5. Communicate! I cannot read his mind, he cannot read mine. Even when I wish so badly that after all these years he would just know, he doesn't. And neither do I. It is so important to say exactly how you feel or what you mean and not expect him/her to just know. And don't beat around the bush either. Just say it!
6. Ask God to continually make you fall in love with your husband. Satan wants nothing more than to tear family's apart. A form of "insurance" to prevent that from happening is never falling out of love with your husband. Love is a choice. And it's very important not to forget about those little things that brought you together in the first place.
7. Be his biggest fan. The world is rough, harsh, critical, demanding and so many other things. He needs to know I'm in his corner, behind him all the way, no matter what. I might be the only encouragement he receives today or tomorrow or the next day. He needs a cheerleader and I'm just the girl for the job!
So, those are some things I'm learning everyday. I know I have a lot more to learn, too. I'm so thankful for our marriage, imperfections and all. He's a wonderful husband and father and I'm blessed to be his wife!
Until next time,
Kristal
6.16.2013
Father's Day!
Today we celebrate Father's Day. I have several very special Fathers in my life. First off, I have my dad. He is one of the most loving, caring, generous men, people for that matter, that I know. I am so blessed to be his daughter!
Next, is my Father-in-Law! He is a wonderful man who makes me laugh every time we're together. Although my in-laws live in the Chicago area, I am thankful for the times they visit and for Skype.
Last, but certainly not least, we have my hubby...the father of our children. He is such a good daddy! He loves our kids so very much and works so hard to provide a wonderful life for them, and me. We are blessed and so thankful for him!
6.08.2013
Precious Moments
There are few things sweeter than when Collin or Emma shows me sweet love when they don't realize I'm paying attention. Both of my kiddos love it when I "go night night" with them for a little bit, either before naptime or bedtime. Collin is in a twin bed, so I'm able to lay with him for a little bit in his bed. But Emma is still in a crib, so we'll lay on "mommy and daddy's" bed for a little bit before resting. Two different occasions this week have absolutely melted my heart!
Nearly every night Collin will ask me to lay with him for a little bit. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. On this particular night that he asked me, I hadn't seen Robert all day and it had been a very stressful week at work for him, so I told Collin that I wanted to go out and see daddy, but that I'd lay with him the next day before he laid down to rest in the afternoon. So, that's what I did. The next day came and he hadn't forgotten what I said, so I laid down with him for quite some time. I was pretty tired that day and it felt nice to lay down and close my eyes a bit. Although I was resting my eyes, I didn't actually fall asleep. But while we were laying there, Collin took my arm so that it was laying across his chest and we were cuddling. That alone was precious, but then he completely melted my heart. He spent the next 15 minutes gently tickling/rubbing my arm and my hand. And then he'd stop and just pat my hand. Oh, it was so, so precious!! I kept peeking my eyes open to see if he was awake or asleep and he was awake, but getting so tired. He eventually got so tired he stopped and I quietly left so he could rest. Oh he just blessed my heart so much with his love!!
And tonight, sweet Emma topped it all off! She wanted to "go night night with Mommy", so we went and laid in my bed for awhile. I had the best time laying beside her, just watching her. She was so tired and kept rubbing her eyes. But then she turned to me and gently held my face with her hand and so softly and seriously said something to me. I'm not sure what she said, but I just smiled and said, yes I love you, too, Emma. She would turn her head and close her eyes, then turn back and do it again. She did that 3 or 4 more times and I responded the same way. She would alternate between holding my face and rubbing my arm. Oh, so sweet!!!
Although our days are not always easy or "peaches and cream", I truly find myself thanking God daily for the two sweet blessings who call me mommy. I love being their mommy and can't imagine spending my days doing anything else than raising them.
Nearly every night Collin will ask me to lay with him for a little bit. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. On this particular night that he asked me, I hadn't seen Robert all day and it had been a very stressful week at work for him, so I told Collin that I wanted to go out and see daddy, but that I'd lay with him the next day before he laid down to rest in the afternoon. So, that's what I did. The next day came and he hadn't forgotten what I said, so I laid down with him for quite some time. I was pretty tired that day and it felt nice to lay down and close my eyes a bit. Although I was resting my eyes, I didn't actually fall asleep. But while we were laying there, Collin took my arm so that it was laying across his chest and we were cuddling. That alone was precious, but then he completely melted my heart. He spent the next 15 minutes gently tickling/rubbing my arm and my hand. And then he'd stop and just pat my hand. Oh, it was so, so precious!! I kept peeking my eyes open to see if he was awake or asleep and he was awake, but getting so tired. He eventually got so tired he stopped and I quietly left so he could rest. Oh he just blessed my heart so much with his love!!
And tonight, sweet Emma topped it all off! She wanted to "go night night with Mommy", so we went and laid in my bed for awhile. I had the best time laying beside her, just watching her. She was so tired and kept rubbing her eyes. But then she turned to me and gently held my face with her hand and so softly and seriously said something to me. I'm not sure what she said, but I just smiled and said, yes I love you, too, Emma. She would turn her head and close her eyes, then turn back and do it again. She did that 3 or 4 more times and I responded the same way. She would alternate between holding my face and rubbing my arm. Oh, so sweet!!!
Although our days are not always easy or "peaches and cream", I truly find myself thanking God daily for the two sweet blessings who call me mommy. I love being their mommy and can't imagine spending my days doing anything else than raising them.
6.01.2013
OK Strong
My heart is so heavy for our friends in the OKC area after they have taken such a beating from severe weather and tornadoes. When the Moore tornado struck, we were still in LA. My heart was in Oklahoma with my kids and family, wanting to ensure they were safe. Once I knew they were safe and that no severe weather had really even affected them, my heart broke for those affected by the devastating tornado. Once we got home, life resumed as normal. While I didn't forget about those affected by the tornado, it was almost easy to keep myself removed from the devastation. After last night, though, my heart is breaking in a very personal way for all those in the OKC area affected by more devastating storms.
Thankfully, the Lord kept us safe last night and we experienced no extreme weather. There were a few tornadic storms to the north and west of us, some that even looked as though they were coming our way. However, they did fall apart, sparing us their wrath. Unfortunately, that's not the case for those in OKC.
Knowing how anxious, and down right scared, I was last night, I simply cannot imagine the sheer terror they experienced during the Moore tornado, and again last night. It's just heartbreaking.
So, I've been crying out to God asking how I can help. Of course I'm praying for all of those affected that I likely will never be able to help and serve with my hands and feet, however I know there is something I can do. I just don't know what yet. So, I'm asking Him to reveal that to me.
I do know, though, that I can offer comfort and hope through Him. 1 Corinthians 1:4 says "who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Will you pray with my for all those affected by the devastating weather? Will you pray with me for how I/we can help those in need?
Thankfully, the Lord kept us safe last night and we experienced no extreme weather. There were a few tornadic storms to the north and west of us, some that even looked as though they were coming our way. However, they did fall apart, sparing us their wrath. Unfortunately, that's not the case for those in OKC.
Knowing how anxious, and down right scared, I was last night, I simply cannot imagine the sheer terror they experienced during the Moore tornado, and again last night. It's just heartbreaking.
So, I've been crying out to God asking how I can help. Of course I'm praying for all of those affected that I likely will never be able to help and serve with my hands and feet, however I know there is something I can do. I just don't know what yet. So, I'm asking Him to reveal that to me.
I do know, though, that I can offer comfort and hope through Him. 1 Corinthians 1:4 says "who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Will you pray with my for all those affected by the devastating weather? Will you pray with me for how I/we can help those in need?
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