Far Above Rubies

In November of 2013 Dave and I had the pleasure of taking Isabella, Abigail, Poppie, Mimi and Alisha (my youngest sister) to Disney World.  To say it was "magical" is an understatement.  Disney World is not just for kids, it truly is for everyone.  I was blessed with the opportunity to go twice in high school (one of those trips I got to experience with Becky, my other sister) with our concert chorus.  But, to have now witnessed it through the eyes of my own two littles is simply incredible! The look of love and adoration in Bella and Abbi's eyes when they got to meet their most favorite princesses was so sweet.  They were in their own little piece of heaven. And then, to meet so many other princesses and characters, it left all of us floating through a land of fairy tales and happily ever afters. We stayed on Disney property at The Art of Animation .  They had a family suite large enough to sleep all...

Babe - Today is your 33rd birthday.  I remember when we were first talking, right before we "officially" started dating, and you had just celebrated your 18th birthday.  It's amazing how quickly 15 years goes by... I want to thank you for the incredible person you are.  You lead our family, and do it selflessly.  You love our children unconditionally and, to them, you are a hero.  You are my biggest supporter, while helping to make sure I don't get in over my head.  You are an amazing son and brother, son-in-law and brother-in-law.  Your nieces giggle at you.  Your friends appreciate you.  Your co-workers respect you.  You have an ability to lead complete strangers into worship when you sit behind the drums.  God has used and is using you to touch the lives of so many people! I love how motivated, passionate and driven you are while still kindly dealing with others feelings.  My heart skips a beat when you send me random ...

From the time I found out I was going to be a mom, I began praying fervently for two things... 1.) That my child(ren) would come to know, love and accept Christ at a young age. 2.) That my child(ren) would have a servant heart like Jesus. I grew up in a home where my parents showed my sisters and me what it is like to love God by serving.  They serve together in my childhood home as husband/wife and parents.  They both serve in church ministry.  They serve other people by; opening up their home for counseling, providing meals for families when they are going through an overwhelming life change, speaking words of encouragement during difficult times, supporting their children and grandchildren unconditionally, and the list goes on... We are products of who are parents are.  I had the best role models and now I want my children to see ME serving.  I want to teach them what it means to serve your family inside the home, to volunteer your time and resources a...

I wrote this post in 2015 and thought, at that point, that I had finally found the perfect stroller.  That was... until I discovered the REAL perfect stroller last week!  I. Am. In. LOVE. Here is what our stroller journey has looked like... I have a slight stroller obsession. Since Isabella was born in the summer of 2009 we have officially owned 15 strollers!  It is something that drives my husband crazy, yet he's the reason it's so difficult to find something we love.  At 6 foot tall, pushing strollers is awkward for Dave.  He ends up hunched over or kicking the back with each stride.  It is uncomfortable for him, and he sincerely dislikes the task. Our first stroller was a Graco Travel System, and was a baby shower gift.  It was perfect for our infant and toddler needs with both Bella and Abbi.  However, as the girls got bigger we wanted something that folded more compactly.  When we sold our car seat and bases, the stroller went with...