An Apartment, 2 Houses, a Dog and 3 Kids Later...

Jason and I are celebrating 11 years of marriage!
I am so thankful that "I have found the one whom my soul loves."
Song of Solomon 3:4.

On July 31, 1999 Jason and I were pronounced man and wife. I count it as an honor to be his wife, he has been so good to me as a husband. I think back to the day we first laid eyes on each other and yes, so much has changed since then, for the better. The best change is the love! We love each other more deeply, more honorably and even more excitedly. We have fallen deeper in love than we were before marriage. After 11 years we've gone through struggles together, hurt together, laughter together and triumphs together. All the while, I have had my best friend along side me and he has been a great partner! I know I can speak for Jason on this as well, that we have grown to honor each in ways that we didn't know how 11 years ago. For me, Jason has been my best friend, my provider and an awesome father to our 3 children. He honors me by being such a hands on dad. There isn't a thing I do w/ the kids that he isn't right there helping. He works all day and when he comes home at night he doesn't sit down until I sit down. What a blessing! He has been an awesome provider for us and he works hard to create a better life for us. He honors me by building me up to others ( I know this becuase they tell me) and by holding my hand when I need an ear to talk to. He is my best friend! The excitement is still there and even more so as we pass each other daily in our mode of survival, knowing that as soon as the kids go to bed we will have each others full attention! I get excited when the phone rings and it's him. I get excited when it's 5:00 and I know he'll come through the door any minute. I get excited when I know we are having a date night!

The best part about being married to Jason is looking forward to the next 11 years, then 22 years and so on... We have so much to be thankful and so much love and excitement ahead!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

We are enjoying our summer!

I love love love being a mom! I know 100% w/o a doubt that God put me on this earth to be a mom! I love my children and I love having them home w/ me during the summer. Sure there are days that I think "when will August get here", but most days, I just love having my kids w/ me! It's what life is all about... the brother/sister arguments, the tattling, but most of all the fun. So here's what we've been up to this summer...

For the most part we've been hanging around the house just enjoying being home and not having anywhere pressing to be, but we've gone a few places too. In June Jason and I took the kids (w/o the baby) to Six Flags. What a fun day!! It was hot, HOT, HOTTT! But, there were no lines and we rode just about everything twice. It was exciting because there were lots of firsts that day, rides the kids weren't tall enough for the last time we went! It was nice to get away w/ Mallory and Mason and focus on them for an entire day since so much of our time the last 8 1/2 months has been on Madelyn.

Shortly after Six Flags the kids and I went to my moms. Yes, I loaded all 3 of my kids in the car and drove 7 hours (more like 8 w/ all the diaper changes, bottle feedings and potty stops) to my moms in Missouri BY MYSELF. We had a great time surprising her at her front door because she had no idea we were coming!! So glad she didn't have a heart attack! We just hung out for about 4 days, did some shopping and went swimming. The best part was that my mom drove back w/ me to hang out for the 4th of July weekend! I miss my Mama!!!

Since then we've just hung around the house, gone to Mimi and Papas to swim, gone to Barnes and Noble storytime and hung around the house some more! It's been nice!! Did I mention that I love my kids and I love being a mom??? I truly do!!! God has blessed me so graciously!

We've got more fun planned for the rest of summer, check back later for more updates...

Arrangements by Amy 3 Year Anniversary SALE!

One of my most favorite pastimes as been creating floral arrangements for home decorating and I have been so fortunate to keep it going for 3 years now! I absolutely love coming up with new designs as custom requests come in or just creating something new for my customers to see! It's amazing how God has blessed my business on the internet and locally! I love doing it and hope and pray to do it for many more years to come...

Please visit my website, http://www.arrangementsbyamy.com/, for my ANNIVERSARY SALE Arrangements! I've taken my most wildy popular arrangements and reduced the pricing! Hurry and order because the prices won't last long!
FREE SHIPPING on ENTIRE PURCHASE if you mention seeing this blog

Happy 6th Birthday, Mason!!

Today Mason is 6! I can hardly believe it. He has almost finished his first year of Kindergarten. He's reading on the 1st Grade level already! We are so proud of him! Yesterday we celebrated Mason turning 6 w/ a backyard Super Mario Birthday Party. He had a so much fun. There were about 14 little friends here and we played Pin the Mustache on the Mario (I made that one up) as well as a Pull String Pinata! The Party would not have been complete w/o the awesome Super Mario Birthday Cake!
Happy Birthday, Mason! Dad and I love you so much!

Madelyn is 6 months old, where does time go?

It's so hard to believe that my baby, my last baby, is already 6 months old!

It seems just like yesterday that I was having preterm contractions and making trips to the hospital sometimes twice a week. This went on for nearly 4 months. It also seems like yesterday that I held Madelyn in my arms, so relieved after my "all natural" experience, yet so amazed at this new baby girl. Her skin was dark, her hair even darker. She would sleep all the time and Mason would always ask me to wake her up. I would tell him you can't just wake up a baby! Mallory and Mason adore their baby sister. From the moment they wake up in the morning they go to her and they kiss her goodnight every night. It has become second nature to them. Even though it all seems like yesterday, Jason and I can barely remember life without her. It seems as though she has always been here with us. She has gone from her dark skin and hair and sleeping all the time to a much lighter complexion and lighter hair, to staying awake much of the day. She is very active, grabbing at things in front of her, chewing on everything as she tries to cut her first tooth, laying on her back and grabbing her feet. Just yesterday she figured out that those can go in her mouth too! She smiles all the time! She can wake up and be fussing in her bed and the minute she sees you it all stops and she smiles and cackles!

All 3 of our children are the light of our world! It's amazing all the blessings we have and that we are blessed enough to know that we have been blessed!

May Specials from Arrangements by Amy

There are 2 NEW Styles coming up on my May Specials! Good now through the end of May save $10 on each of these designs. $34 each! Both are 3-sided and measure approximately 21"Tall x 15"W x 6"D. Email me for accurate measurements.

www.ArrangementsbyAmy.com

Were It Not For Grace..

What a wonderful weekend we had! It started on Friday evening w/ Mallory's 5th Dance Recital. This time she was in in Cheer and she loves it so much and does so well.

But... the biggest thing of the weekend that I wanted to write about was on Sunday. My 2 oldest children made the greatest decision they will ever make in their entire life. About a month ago sitting on our bed on a Saturday evening, Mallory and Mason gave their heart and life to Jesus Christ. This Sunday it was all confirmed with them following in Believers Baptism at our church. It was one of the most special times in my life as I watched them walk into the water, Mason first. He looked up at his dad and me and smiled before being baptized! Tears filled my eyes... Then it was Mallory's turn. Sweet Mallory, so timid at times was shaking, but she walked into the waters, turned and looked up at us and as she went under the water I felt such a peace come over me. There is so much comfort in knowing that Jason and I have fulfilled one of God's greatest commandments as parents; raising them in His truth so that one day they will ask for His salvation. That day finally came and I feel so priveledged to be able to watch them grow further in Christ. I thought it was so appropriate that at church yesterday the song "Were It Not For Grace" was played...

"Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I'd be

Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere

With my salvation up to me

I know how that would go

The battles I would face

Forever running but losing this race

Were it not for grace"