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Love & Laughter,
abby

Aahhhhh....

This morning I woke with complete peace.

This is huge.

I have been battling with so many emotions since the miscarriage.  So many.  I didn't think "normal" would return, ever.  I've worried about everything.  Stressed about so much.  Cried more than I'd like to admit.  What would "normal" feel like???

I don't think I can even call this normal.  This is peace.  What does peace feel like?  All I can say is it feels like happy.  Like joy and excitement.  Like the truest form of myself.

I have had fleeting moments like this in my life.  Looking forward to a special occasion, or watching my children.  Having proud wife/mother moments can generate this feeling.

This is different.  This is nothing "special" around the corner.  Just me.  Just so happy and so thankful and so much bliss in my life.

Thank you to all who have been there as a shoulder to cry on and your prayer time.  My family and friends are so, so special.  You are all a blessing.

I feel so much joy and I want you all to know you have been instrumental in that!

Blessings, Love & Laughter~
abby

Resting

The last week, or so, I have been trailing my children trying to catch them in moments of rest. 
I got a few...

In the laundry. :)

Feet on the couch.

On my bedroom floor. (One of his favorite sleeping spots!)

After jumping on my bed, had to rest on it as well.

An awesome stretch after a rest.

Caught!

This CRACKED me up.  Usually there are bins of toys
on top of this.  Had to lay down with cousin Riley on it instead.

What is it about children sleeping that makes the world feel more peaceful, more serene?  I love to catch them resting or sleeping.  Beautiful boys.

Love & Laughter,

abby



Boys

Sometimes I feel like parents only talk about the joys of being a parent.  We don't want to admit that being a parent can be really challenging.  It isn't all sunshine and rainbows.  Don't get me wrong, my boys are the joy of my days.  They are incredibly entertaining and generous with their smiles and giggles.  Oh my, are they funny.  Hilarious.  The two of them get along pretty well, and Carter is becoming more and more like his big brother.  You can see him watching... learning... mimicking...  Oh dear.  So at 18 months, he is desperately trying to be JUST LIKE COOPER!

Cooper is the biggest treasure in the world.  He is our first true miracle.  So many things had to align themselves perfectly in order for us to bring this boy home.  So many things could have gone wrong.  It was a journey, a trying, stress-filled, beautiful journey.

Cooper is also our first child, which means I am making all my mistakes with him.  He takes advantage, because that's what children do!  I adore this boy.  He also makes me crazy.  Am I allowed to say that?  His wit and incredible repartee afford him the luxury of keeping up with anything his mommy might have to say.  He has an answer, a solution, a comment, for EVERYTHING.  Everything.  He also has the uncanny ability to push every button I have the the span of 30 seconds.  This is a feat.  I am generally such an easy-going, calm person.  He can also swear like a sailor.  Not something I am proud of, trust me.  We are working on it.  I find myself cringing when we speak to people out and about.  What might he say???  You just never know.

I am not complaining.  I am just reminding myself.  One day, I will look back and it will seem a little hazy.  A little smeared around the edges.  He is 5 already!  It feels so fast.  I can't keep up.  There is not enough time to teach him everything he needs to conquer the world.  I know these boys are going to grow up to be wonders.  I just have to get them there!  But, I forget to enjoy the crazy some days.  I need to absorb as much as I can.  Laugh about it more.  The laundry can wait.  So can the dishes and the cleaning and the organizing.  It will get done.  (I have "control" issues.)  I need to worry less and enjoy more.

Just reminding myself...

Let me know how you deal with your "crazy", will ya?  I would love to know! (It's always nice to know you're not the only one dealing with challenges.)

Love & Laughter,
abby

Milestones

This is a busy month.




Carter 18 Months...

Cooper 5 years...

10 years of married bliss...

My SWEET family...

So nice to have some up-to-date photos of my family!!!!

Love & Laughter,

abby 

Birthday Boy

Our crazy Cooper turned 5 this week!

**GASP**

How did that happen?  5 years should feel longer.

As he was blowing out the candles he whispers...
"I wish for a good family!"
(I don't know how to take that comment.)

We had a smaller, scaled-down version of a birthday this year.  Because, honestly, the big parties are getting to be out of control.  I can't keep it up.  And guess what?  Cooper didn't care.  He was happy to celebrate in our smaller way, and didn't complain a bit.  Whew....!

I have decided there might have been too
much cake consumed over the past few days!

We love this boy so much.  5 years ago, I didn't understand how incredibly our lives would change.  He is so funny.  So sweet, and thoughtful. (Ok... when he wants to be.)  He has blown me away with his vocabulary and language since he started talking, and still does.  He has an incredible imagination.  He has compassion for those in need.  He is so smart and so very witty.  He rarely rests.  I never have enough energy for him.  He adores his brother as well as Cory and I.  He says the sweetest things to his baby brother.  Oh, I could go on and on... 

He got a leopard gecko for his birthday and wanted to pose
in front of the terrarium.  The lizard's name changes every
other day.  Today he decided lizards don't need names because
"They don't come when you call them, anyway!"   Ha! So there!

Some day, this boy is going to be a man.  There are days that process seems daunting...  But, I know he is going to continue to amaze and surprise us.  I have no doubt he will accomplish great things.  I am thankful for the things that make me the craziest right now.  I know someday the determination, strong-will and humor he possesses will serve him well. 

He is a true blessing.  A true miracle. 

A rare moment of rest.  What peace.

Love & Laughter,
abby

Love

10 years ago...  I married the greatest love in my life.  We look like kids in these pictures! 

It is so fun to look back and remember.  I really loved our wedding day.  It was crazy hot, but I remember being so euphoric, the heat didn't bother me.  I can totally remember walking down the aisle.  I was trying to tell myself to wipe the big, cheesey smile off of my face.  I was sure all the eyes on me were wondering what in the world was the matter with my face??!?  I was so happy.  Just perfectly happy.  And I couldn't stop smiling. 

The wedding was perfect, the reception was entertaining and so much fun, and the marriage...  I have no complaints.  Really! 

We are who we are, and we make each other so much more.  I feel a little sappy, going on and on.  We are not perfect.  We disagree.  Get on each other's nerves (on purpose at times!), and our lives are maybe not exactly as we planned.  But, that is the beauty of it.  We love each other, and everything is "going to be ok", as my husband loves to remind me.  It always is. 

This was his first look at me.  He looks happy.

'Lord, but I was a fool for that man.
I couldn't even put one foot in front of the other.
 I just kept thinking, "Oh, preacher, hurry up before he changes his mind!" '
(*Name that movie!)

I still am... a total fool for this man.

Of course, we were married before this whole "digital photography" thing.
So, getting these pictures on here...
Nightmare.  Ridiculous.

This picture has CRACKED me up for 10 years!
Totally me... stuffing my face and Cory, well, he looks hysterical.
Doesn't he??

He is the funniest person I know.  We laugh, every day.  He is the sweetest man.  He is my protector and provider.  He adores me.  His smile makes me melt.  He is such a great daddy.  His children strive to be like him, already.  He is fiercely determined to make my bad days better.  He hates to see me upset about anything.  He a huge light in my life, without which, I would live in so much dark.

I didn't know 10 years ago that it would get more amazing every single year.  And, the love I had for him then seems microscopic compared to how I feel for him now.  And I LOVED him then.  Love grows... amazing, huh?

He and I have had some really amazing moments in our marriage.  We have had some really hard, heart-wrenching ones too.  We lean on each other.  Sometimes we are holding on for dear life.  But, he has always been there.  Always.

I know I am blessed. 

I am thankful he chose me to be his bride.  I am thankful he would still choose me. 

What a life we have.  I love this man, so very much.



(*The movie is Sweet Home Alabama.  LOVE that movie.)

"What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?"
"So I can kiss you anytime I want."

Classic. 


Love & Laughter,
abby



And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13