Six Years

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A beautiful Family.

A loving, supportive husband.

Health.

Great in-laws.

Joy.

We spent the day thanking God for all he has given us over the past six years. We sat together and thought about what we had imagined our family would look like six years ago and what it currently DOES look like. We remembered what we have come through and what God has delivered us from. It was a great day of remembering, thankfulness, contentment and peace. 

What an awesome God we serve.

13 Things I Want To Say To The Hubs on Valentine's Day

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Just gonna do it! Tell him I’ll smoke that cigar on Valentine ’s Day.

Since Valentine's Day is only two weeks away I have been trying to think of something different I can do for The Hubs. He loves to go on a date so we will always do that, but how can I let him know he is in the "AMAZING husband"  category?

I am not a verbally abusive in any way with my compliments. Sometimes I have to be squeezed so hard to say something flattering, having a baby might be easier. Sadly, I know my Hubs likes a good pat on the back on a regular basis and I STILL let them out so sparingly. 

My challenge to myself is to "break out the rain" of compliments to my Hubs for Valentines just to really let him know what a stud he is.

13 Things I should say to my Hubs

1. You Rock. Plan and simple. You are fun to be around and I enjoy your company so much. I would do us all over again.

2. I love who you have become. God has changed you to reflect his image more than the day we said I do and that is a lovely sight to see every morning.

3. You can do it. Whatever you want to do... Do it... because you will  be amazing at it.

4. I would be sad and lonely without you. You spice things up around here.

5. You are sexy. I know you are very aware of that fact and probably don't need your mere wife affirming this quality in you, but you are not the only one who thinks it... I think it too.

6. I like partying with you. I really don't ever want to do anything without you. I would choose you to explore any city , to try any new food, to listen to music in the park, anything fun... I want to do it with you.

7. You have great ideas. I never want to make up my mind about anything until I talk to you. When you have told me what you think everything makes more sense (and there are less tears...thank goodness).

8. It is okay that you are not perfect. Thank you for loving me when I am imperfect. Thank you for helping me see Christ.

9. I am sorry... first. I should say it more... before you can.

10. You are amazing. I love the chances I get to brag about you. 

11. I love sporting your name. I still get excited sending back a wedding invite and writing Mr. and Mrs. Justin Bartlett. It is a honor to be associated with you.

12. I can't wait. I can't wait for you to get home, for our next night out, for the next card game, for all the "next's" to come. I know they will be better with you.

13. I will do something you really want to do. That one thing that you have been trying to peer pressure me into forever. To smoke a cigar with you, go to that "one" movie, or sit in your office with you for 3 hours. I will do that with you.

I also needed to revisit my Valentine thoughts from last year and amp up my prayers for my hubby.

The Hubs

Pin It The Devil Eyes. I tried to talk myself through it, pull myself together, but when my hubs walked threw that door they unexpectedly greeted him.

The Crazy Eyes. Devil Eyes. You know, the kind of look when your eyebrows are trying to slick back your hair. The one where you are sure your eyes are just watering for no reason. The look of your last brain cell, that you had been hanging on to so tightly, just slipped out your mesh strainer of  a brain.

He knew right away. He lovingly sat me down at the table and stroked my hair in an aggressive pat only a man can pull off.

"I am taking the kids on Friday so you can get some work done."

Eyebrows lowering.

 I love that man. 

I am sitting here in a quiet, clean house for one night. I crossed some biggies off my to-do list and I feel like I can breath again.

No two year old pooping on the floor. No four year old stabbing his brothers eye out. No oatmeal in the ears or kids in snowsuits that have to pee. No wiping, feeding, crying, or correcting. Parenting makes cleaning your house and doing your taxes for 10 hours seem like a vacation.

I got rid of the piles, the dust, the clutter and a few scary things that I wasn't sure about.

God knew what he was doing when he created the hubby and wife combo.

Thanking God for husbands today. No matter who they are or what they do or don't do. They add their own special touch to each home.

Now...trying to think of something special I can do for him...

A day away with my hubby

Pin It Justin and I are quite different in many ways... one being, he is sporadic and I am not. He often gets big ideas and wants to do them right way, whereas I want to plan it, stew over it, then analyze it and probably end up coming to the conclusion that we shouldn't do it... for some reason. Thank the good Lord that I have realized this pattern, in our three short years of marriage, and begun see a idea coming and roll with it.
Saturday Justin got one of those ideas and decided we needed to go away for the night and spend some time together before he gets even busier. So... we headed to Traverse City for the night and had a blast just hanging out with each other. We ended up with a beautiful room on the bay, went out for a nice dinner, played games, snuggled and slept in, went shopping, and just enjoyed the fact that God so wisely gave us to each other. I will always smile when I think of this weekend and the fun memories that we made. Thanks babe. You are so fun and my life would be quite boring without you!

We became addicted to Yahtzee

Justin rolled four Yahtzee's in one game... he will never forget it

A perfect spot for some prego pics. 11 weeks to go.