Oh Taste and See the Lord is Good!

Our Katie-girl joined our family on August 30th! She was 7lbs. 2oz. and 20.5 inches long!

Star Wars is the theme of our lives right now!!

Last Family Pic of 2013: Though A Few Weeks Late

Speechless

So this is what happens with Dollar Store toys and most of us getting better after the flu.

Our Family

Day Twenty-eight of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-eight of loving notes on Ryan.
On this last day of February, I want to just say that I love you, Ryan, with all my heart. In the last twenty-seven days, I've shared twenty-seven amazing qualities you possess. I know there are days that I take you for granted and am ungrateful for all that you do: I'm sorry for that. Please forgive me. God blessed me greatly when he gave you to me. I know we've had our share of disagreements and trials in the last few years, but we've also had countless triumphs and joys. I wouldn't want to be married to anyone but you!
Thank you for being you.
I love you now and forever!

Day Twenty-seven of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-seven of loving notes on Ryan.
I love how tech savvy you are! You always help me with coding things for the blog and teach me of "new" features in MS-Word that I wish I'd known before.
Thank you for all your help and guidance when it comes to the computer. Through your teaching, things go a lot faster for me!
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty-six of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-six of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your hypochondria. You always think you have something "wrong" with you and have this worrisome expression. Then, when I tell you you're fine and nothing's wrong, your "relief face" is priceless!
Thank you for always coming to me for medical advice and affirmation that you are just fine!
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty-five of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-five of loving notes on Ryan.
I love how excited you get when we go for a drive and count all the deer. You're so cute trying to make sure both the older boys see each deer.
Thank you for your enthusiasm while creating so many fun memories for the boys and me.
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty-four of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-four of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your role as the spiritual head of our family. You take your role very seriously, which is exactly how God wants you to be. I love that I can read something in the Bible or hear something and come talk to you about it. I've learned many many things through you in the past few years.
Thank you for being my spiritual head. Thank you for pointing me to the Lord and helping me to apply His Word in my life.
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty-three of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-three of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your little-kid side. You can find something funny in almost any situation. You never fail to laugh, even er...especially at yourself.
Thank you for teaching me that you can be an adult and still have fun like a little kid.
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty-two of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-two of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your willingness to change. Sometimes it's overnight...sometimes it's over years. Like with cutting off your ponytail: you weren't ready to change until you started the job with Enwisen. Within a week, you went from not wanting to cut it EVER...to loving the fact that it was gone and you didn't have to spend so much time on it! You've changed over the years in such good ways. I could list several, but one that I am on a daily basis grateful for: you doing the dishes!
Thank you for being willing to change: I get to be the very blessed recipient!
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty-one of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty-one of loving notes on Ryan.
I love that you always call or Skype me when you're away on business.
Thank you for making time for us even when you're thousands of miles away.
I love you now and forever.

Day Twenty of February: the Month of Love

Day twenty of loving notes on Ryan.
I love how you never fail telling me you love me, that I'm beautiful, and very sexy to you.
Thank you for loving curvy me. Thank you for reminding me that I am made in God's image.
I love you now and forever.

Day Nineteen of February: the Month of Love

Day nineteen of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your (sometimes) expanding culinary tastes. I think it's so fun that you now like zucchini, asparagus, fresh green beans, baked sweet potatoes, hamburger gravy, and salad! I look forward to introducing you to more delightful dishes!
Thank you for letting me fix you foods you didn't like and for always at least trying new foods!
I love you now and forever.

Crawling...Sorta

I snapped this the other night. Caleb is trying to crawl so the "boys" tried to help him.

Day Eighteen of February: the Month of Love

Day eighteen of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your gentle rebukes and correction. I know I usually don't immediately show it, but I do take to heart what you are telling me. I know I'm slow on the applying part, but you are always patient and willing to talk it through when I'm not mad.
Thank you for loving me enough to correct me when I am wrong.
I love you now and forever.

Day Seventeen of February: the Month of Love

Day seventeen of loving notes on Ryan.
I love how even-tempered you are. You always complement my "passion" on a topic/issue with calm words, grace, and logic.
Thank you for being the perfect man for me. Thank you for being the calming influence I need from time to time.
I love you now and forever.

Day Sixteen of February: the Month of Love

Day sixteen of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your smile! It lights up your beautiful eyes and makes me smile at you in return!
Thank you for always smiling, even in the trials.
I love you now and forever.

Day Fifteen of February: the Month of Love

Day fifteen of loving notes on Ryan.
I love your desire to show hospitality. You're the first one to invite someone over and love when we have a house full!
Thank you for helping me with serving others in our home!