Couple time

Well, we're in the midst of our wedding weekend marathon. Two down, one more to go! Yesterday we attended one of Jeff's friend's wedding. It was kind of an all day affair, and my mom (being the most wonderful person that she is! You too dad...)took Caleb to stay overnight at their house. It was a beautiful wedding and reception, and so refreshing for me to have some time with Jeff and our friends. We even got to sleep in this morning and have a leisure time like we used to. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom, but I also love reconnecting with Jeff and having time with our friends. I'm also so thankful to have such a caring and considerate mom, who knows the value of couple time. I always know Caleb is in good hands when I leave him there, and she always encourages us to enjoy our 'time away'.

All of these weddings have been a good reminder of the value of marriage. It's so fun to see the happy couples, friends and family gathered together, and the start of a new life for each couple. I wish them all the best! Next weekend I will be a part of my friend Rachel's wedding. I'm sure it will a grand event, and I'm excited and hopeful for a happy life for her and her husband.

By the way, wedding festivities are exhausting. I am getting old you know....

"A successful marriage invloves falling in love multiple times, always with the same person."

Just a quickie....

Phew...I've been so busy it seems like. I opened my email and found just what I needed for today. Thought I would share it with you.

"So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time."

This is really hard for me to do....but definetly something I need a daily reminder of!

Fairs are fun!

Tonight Jeff ran out of work a little early and we took off for the Hudsonville Fair. It was a beautiful night, and we were excited to see how Caleb would react to his first fair. (ok, it's not his first. He went to the Kent County Fair last year, but was only 3 months old!) Jeff grew up going to the Hudsonville Fair, and I've come to love it over the past few years.

As we all know, Caleb is obsessed with tractors, trucks, and cows. I'm starting to think that farming is genetic..... Anyways, tonight was the antique tractor pull. Not only did Jeff think it was great, Caleb did too. What a joy it was to see his eyes light up! We walked through the animal barns, and watched as Caleb pointed and talked to the cows and horses. He doesn't seem to be afraid of big animals. This could be good or bad. As we walked through the fair, not only was I brought back to my days of competing at the fair, but I hope that one day Caleb will want to participate in fair. There's just something to be said about the hard work, competition, and diligence that kids go through to show their animal or craft at the fair. I think it teaches good life lessons, while providing simple fun at the same time.

Life is far too busy and technological these days. Going to the fair just brings me back to the simple things. What a perfect summer night.

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

Long time friends

This morning Jen and I took Aly and Caleb to the Children's Museum. It's just so fun to get out and do things with another mom and baby. Someone who can appreciate what you're going through and laugh along with you. Well, I get to share that with my best friend Jen, and that makes it even better! We have been friends for about 10 years and been though so much together. We got a little wild in our teen years, got married and worked, and even had our first child at the same time. Aly and Caleb were born only 1 day apart! And what a joy it has been to go through pregnancy and motherhood with Jen. We always have such a great time together, and it's so easy for us to talk and laugh. In each stage of motherhood, we've shared countless texts, phone calls, and get togethers that covered every emotion and subject in the book.

It is a great thing to watch our kids grow up together, as I'm sure they will. I'm so proud and happy to have such a lasting and special friendship with Jen. I love you Jen! Your friendship is one of the most meaningful relationships in my life.

P.S. This picture is for you Jen! Those were the days, huh? :)

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."

Patience is a virtue

I'm very much enjoying this Sunday night. Why you may ask? Well, because Caleb is sleeping, Jeff is home, and I can just sit and stare at the tv or computer. This past week and weekend was a test of my patience. If you don't know me very well, I'm not a very patient person. Ok, I may have gained a little bit more since having Caleb, but it's still thin at times.

Jeff is always working late, so it's Caleb and I most of the day. It's suprisingly hard to keep a 15 month old busy. Caleb is also in the stage where when he doesn't get what he wants, he sobs. Usually, I just try to ignore it, but after a full day of it, I'm ready for him to go to bed. Jeff also had an all-day bachelor party yesterday, so I got to enjoy a particularly challenging day of whining and crying. To top that off, I will admit- I was jealous that Jeff got to spend a whole day having fun with his friends.

I shouldn't feel like I do, but patience runs thin sometimes. And even though I wouldn't change my life for the world right now, I sometimes miss those freedoms of hanging out with friends on a Saturday. (and having adult conversations which don't include crying.) Ok, that's my dose of honesty for the week!

"Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off."

All because two people fell in love

There's a Brad Paisley song that I'm reminded of when I look at a recent picture of my family. It goes something like this:

"There ain't nothing not affected
when two hearts get connected.
All that will be or ever was
every single choice we make,
every breath we get to take,
is all because two people fell in love."

This past weekend my Dad took some great family pictures of me, Jeff, and Caleb. I thought about this song because we wouldn't be here if our parents didn't fall in love. Ok, this isn't true for all cases, but in the case of my family it is. Families are born out of love, and generations continue through the strength of love. In fact, I think love is one of the most powerful emotions. I always felt love from my family, and that love expanded when I met Jeff. Nothing feels better than being in love! But I have to say the greatest and most powerful love I have ever felt, is for my child. I want to protect him, guide him, and help him become the best he can be. I would even lay down my own life for him. I often look at Caleb and feel so amazed and proud. He is the product of love! Family is at the heart of love, and nothing is more important than that.

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."

Sweet innocence

Caleb and I were playing outside today, and I took the chance to shoot some photos of him. Lucky for me he's photogenic! What sweet, incredible innocence I see in him. Isn't it amazing? That look in a baby or child's eyes; it just captures me because it's something tangible and real. And it's also something that fades away with time and knowledge. It's certainly inevitable that that expression will change, but oh, how I love it right now. I feel like I can look straight in to his heart and see it's as pure as snow.

I wish we could remember how it felt to be purely joyful and innocent. I guess that's why God blesses us with children.

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."

Busy weekend!

I'm still trying to unwind from a super busy weekend. I do love having something to do, but it's a lot harder doing it with a 14 month old baby! Friday morning Jen and I met at Holland beach with Aly and Caleb and spent the morning there. Both kids had so much fun, and it's great to see them interact. I mean, they are future husband and wife...;) The rest of the day I had to tend to the farmer's market. Friday night I had my good friend Rachel's bachelorette party. It was pretty low key, so I was able to get up Saturday morning and take Caleb to his first parade. Jen and I took Aly and Caleb to the Byron Days Parade. I think I was just as excited to see the fire trucks and horses as Caleb was. It brought me back to my days of sitting on the curb in Kentwood, watching all the shenanigans that go on with a parade. Saturday afternoon I quickly stopped in at my other friend's bachelorette pool party. Then, it was off to the Whitecaps game to watch my nephew, Andrew sign the National Anthem. He did such a great job, and I was a very proud Aunt! He's growing up right before our eyes, and every time I see him I think he's gotten just a little bit older. Then, lastly, we drove up to Big Rapids Sunday morning to eat dinner with the Miedema family at Cran Hill Ranch camprground. It was a particularly exhausting weekend for Caleb, and I'm hoping he'll catch up on his sleep today.

This is probably just the beginning of many busy weekends to come. Even though we get worn out, it's a great time, and I'm glad we have all of these opportunities to hang out with family and friends.

I'll leave you with this quote to get your week going;

"The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose."