He and Me

So, here we are at the lake with my family in Kentucky. It just so happens that tomorrow is Earle and my 10th anniversary. Every year, it seems like we have been on a family trip around this time of the year because it is so near the 4th of July and everyone has an extra day or two off. I am pretty sure that 10 years ago, it sounded like a perfect weekend for our wedding so that people would be off and able to travel.  As a matter of fact I can't remember the last time we did anything just for us on our anniversary. That is okay! We are having a great time with my family! We have plans to go on a trip in November as our 10 year anniversary gift to ourselves. We also decided before we left that we were not going to worry about getting or doing anything for each other this week because of that.
I feel a little bad because after we made this agreement, I did not even get a chance to get out and get a card for him. He always says that the cards and gifts are just for the woman anyway but I don't always agree with that. This is why I hope this post will at least suffice for a card.
Ten years ago, I had dated my then fiance' for three months and been engaged for another three. This was the night before my wedding, and I really had absolutely no cold feet or hesitation before I jumped right in. I did not really know Earle, but I knew that it felt exactly right and that he was the man for me. After we got married, there was a brief period of, "Oh my word, who is this person and what have we gotten ourselves into!" But after the better part of a year or so, this changed and we started to become a little more of one person than of two people.
We lived away from both sets of our parents and I think that was a really good thing for us at first.  It made us learn to communicate with each other instead of through other people.  I remember early on praying that God grow Earle in certain areas that were of interest to me. I was surprised that after a couple of years, God was really growing him into a man who was a great Christian leader for our home.  I am sure that Earle prayed similar prayers for me, but strangely we grew to have more and more in common and with every turn, seemed to have more similar goals and focuses.  After the first five years of our marriage Earle and I started our crazy five years of moving. Earle and I would have major transition obstacles to overcome and though we would be tired and cranky, exhausted and apprehensive, we somehow managed to lean on each other to get through these tough times. After a few years, one day it dawned on me that when I referred to "home" it did not mean in Paducah, with my parents, but it meant that it was anywhere that Earle was that I would rather go home to. I will also say, it was during these same five years that we started our family and I was able to see what a gift that God had given me in Earle as a father to my children. Earle has such a heart for children and is so patient with them, I have learned to really admire that trait in him. He has taken great care of me in times that I have been sick, and he has been so patient with me.
I guess what I am trying to say here is that to me, it is not the day that counts or the event or gift given on this decade anniversary, but it is all of the days in between that count to me. It is the daily life events that proves how much I know that Earle is committed to me and to our boys and to God. Strangely enough, though he and I are so different in so many ways, I have recently realized that we are both better because of the other one. We are much more efficient together rather than individually, and I believe that God has used our collective spiritual "gifts" much more than our separate ones.
Don't get me wrong, we both have our faults, and we have also had hard moments, but I am so glad that God picked him for me to struggle with through some of these areas. I love that Earle is eager to learn and grow from each new perspective and experience, always looking upward.
I have to say, I love him more than I did those ten years ago. Much more actually. He was definitely the one for me. Ten years ago, on this night before my wedding, I did not even know what to hope for in a husband, I mean I could think of a couple of things, but seriously, I did not have a clue what this journey was going to entail. God truly surpassed my expectations of what a spouse should be, and with each turn, I am amazed at this gift God has given me. I love you Earle, thank you for becoming who you are. Thank you not only for being yourself, but letting God mold you with each passing day. Thank you for your mind, thank you for you compassionate heart and thank you for loving me.
CB

To Infinitiy and Beyond....

Well, we are proud to finally announce that we have a big boy now!! We told Collin last Wednesday that on Monday we were going to throw away all of his diapers and pull ups. He was able to pee the potty when he needed to, but had never done a poo. We got down to Sunday afternoon before the big day when we had promised to dump his diapers. He woke up from his nap, came downstairs bare bottomed and announced to me that he had pooed the potty. I walked upstairs and saw this to be true. We were so proud. He then told me that we needed to throw away all of his diapers because he was a big boy now. So we put his undies on, and have not gone back since. Such a control issue for this little stinker. Right down to the last diaper and just to make sure I am not forcing him, he spins the situation. Good for us actually. He has had a couple of accidents, but all and all a pretty easy week. He was ready, I guess we were just babying him a bit. He had asked for a Buzz Light Year for a poop prize when we initially told him about throwing away his diapers. He was so excited on Sunday evening when he got to go pick out his Buzz Light Year! Congratulations Collin, you are a big boy now! We are so proud of you!
`CB

The Three Amigos...

Collin is the sweetest little boy, but his sweetness can be deceitful at times.Don't let him fool you. He has developed quite a sense of humor and also quite a stubborn personality! Nothing gets by this kid, even though he talks so innocently!He is so much fun and he and his brother make a great pair!!

The boys like to take their light sabers into this tunnel by our house and have light saber battles! For some reason it is a special thing to do!! They have a blast! Their cousin Christopher enjoyed it as well!

Below are photos from their first Astros game with Earle. They had a great time!

These next pictures truly depict the many faces of Ben. Sometimes he is a pirate, other times a computer tech, other times he is just a boy who likes to wear a cape, necklace and a walking stick. Bless him!! What an imagination this one has! I told Earle I think we need to get him into some type of acting. He studies people's mannerisms like no child I have ever seen. And of course accessorizing definitely makes one much more cool. The boy is extremely comfortable with himself and what he likes to wear...sometimes Earle and I don't even notice that he has gone with us to a store or out to eat or a Dr.'s office in costume because it is just what he likes. It will be fun to look back and remember these days with him! The pirate is in the blue rubber spider man shoes seems to be the most interesting...but the boy with the cape and walking stick, well, that is just Ben.

I have not been as camera consumed over the past few months...so I have been totally off of my game in that respect! Luckily while I have been sick and recuperating(you know, the fissure:), Earle has taken lots of pics of the boys and what they have been doing together. These are some of the better ones from the past couple of months that I downloaded today from his phone.

I love these three amigos!! They are my favorite!

CB