Please Tell Me You're Joking...

Those are the words I said when Justin called and said his flight home was cancelled. And I'm sure he wished he was joking! He is stuck overnight in Miami and will be home tomorrow night at 9pm (a 27-hour delay). To ease the disappointment we all felt, I took Trevor and Aila to "Big Pie in the Sky" and we shared a slice of pizza, then I let them light a few sparklers a few days early. I think it helped. Meanwhile, it's another day of missing Justin and him missing us!

Anyway, here's my artsy sparkler photo...

It's Just Not the Same

This is how we celebrated Fathers' Day--minus Justin. It's actually how we've spent the past 14 days. We've gotten to talk for a total of about 6 minutes in those 14 days, and I can really, really feel it. I miss my best friend. I've felt like I've been walking through a fog--I'm not myself at all. It's truly just not the same without him! It's one thing to not have him physically here with us--that's hard enough. But to go day after day--8 days straight, actually--with no contact...just makes me thankful for every day we do have him here. The kids are showing signs of missing him--Trevor is just quieter somehow, and Aila asks over and over for her daddy.

THANKFULLY, later on today we'll head into Atlanta to pick Justin up at the airport. I can hardly stand to wait even a few hours more! We're so thankful God has been using him these last two weeks in the Dominican Republic. But oh, how we long to have him home!

Mischief with Mascara!

As I was racing around trying to gather everything to take the kids to the pool the other day, Trevor was busy doing this:

I think Trevor was trying to turn Aila into a "zeebya."

Doesn't it look like she had some sort of run-in with Zorro? :)

God Gave Us You

I used to pray BIG in regards to my future husband and the man who would be the father of my children. I knew to want for much after watching my own dad and grandfathers as I grew up. And I feel like God really surpassed all those big prayers. Justin's dad is a phenomenal man whose example spilled over onto Justin, and I know Justin's Papa (who I never had the honor of meeting) passed down his love of being a husband and father as well. A big thank you to each one of these men for their commitment to leaving a legacy of faith and love!
Happy Father's Day, Justin. We thank God that He gave us you!

She's Got a Broccoli Craving and It Just Won't Wait!

We went to the grocery store today, and Trevor brought in the bags of food and left them in the foyer while I went to put the milk in the fridge. Once the milk was put away, I came around the corner and found Aila tearing into the broccoli we'd just bought.

Perhaps if I was this passionate about broccoli, there would be a little less jiggle in my jello! Haha...

Blog Tag - The Letter B

My friend Judi tagged me in her blog--she had to find all the LETTER A things on her Ipod and write a commentary. She tagged me for LETTER B. I found just one thing, but here it is:

Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts.

I don't really even listen to too much country music, but I love this song. The song first came out a few years ago, before kids, and it made me think of how some heartaches along the way were all part of what led me to Justin. At the time it may have been tough, but I'm grateful for the ones who passed me up, because I was freed up for the one God held in store for me!

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you.


A few years later, the song also reminds me of Trevor and Aila, and how God brought blessings from brokenness in bringing them into our lives.

I guess this song makes me think of how the Lord gives beauty for our ashes, and the oil of gladness in exchange for mourning! His redemption is so very sweet. He is mighty and good!

Okay, now I tag my blogging small group friends with the LETTER C!

Beach Fun!

This little boy is just full of joy. :)

This was taken before 6am. Read on to find out why.

Trevor looks terrified because he thought a wave was going to hit us as we had this pic taken.

It was beautiful...

Trevor tried to grab the sun before it set...

Justin on the beach

Buried in the sand...

We had the best time together as a family...

Aila searching for seashells

Somebody chucked a bunch of sand into Aila's face...

This little girl absolutely cracks me up...

Trevor was all about jumping from the ottoman to the couch...

I do not know what was going on with Aila Baila down in Florida, but she always woke up REALLY early. She and I took several early morning walks together, and even watched the sun come up as we walked on the beach.

Good thing she always remembered to rinse her feet off after a good beach walk...

She also loved to play in the sprinklers. Also at the crack of dawn!
Notice she's in her jammies.

This was the house. Yeah.

There were 7 children in the house (Ethan-4, Arden-4, Trevor-3, Ella-2, Finn-2, Aila-16 months, Anna-9 months), so things were lively! Here the kids are in the elevator (yes, there was an elevator in the house)...

Krispy Kreme Justin and Krispy Kreme Joe made a special delivery...

Chris, Justin and Joe got to go deep sea fishing and caught 25 pounds of red snapper. So guess what we ate for dinner that night? They really seemed to have a blast--even with a bit of seasickness, they loved being out on the water. I think it was a highlight of the trip!

Aila at Panama City Beach

Gummy worms!

Here's a difference between our two children. Trevor likes to stick one toe in the water, check things out slowly, steer clear of fire...

...and then there's Aila.

What a wonderful time. :)