Sunday Snapshot {Happy Birthday My Jay!}

My post this week is about my favorite guy in the whole world!  I love him so very much, and feel so blessed that God picked him for me. 

Don't think I have ever shared the story of how we started dating, so here goes.  We were in college and both in the top choir.  I was a music major, but Jay was not, he just loved singing.  He was also 2 years behind me in school.  I had "noticed" him when he was a Freshman the year before but the spring of his sophomore year, my senior year we started to hang out.  Our friendship grew and we just had lots of fun together.  Now, I had already realized that he was "the one," but Jay was not just there yet.  I made sure to put myself in situations where we could get to know each other more.  We both attended meetings/dinners at the Wesley Foundation on campus and both decided to go on a mission trip to New York.  If was after that trip, we both finally knew something special was happening.  We started dating, shared a kiss and just days later I lost my dad to a fatal heart attack.  I know WOW, but I know that God brought Jay into my life at just the right time.  He was so good to me during that time, he held me, cried with me, tried to make me smile, went through the funeral with me, everything.  And that was pretty much it, we were never far apart after that.  God had taken one special person out of my life, but he had brought my sweet husband to me at the same time.  About a year and half later we were engaged, and then married. 

Now, let me brag on my sweet guy for just a minute.  He is the BEST DADDY in the whole world. 

He always shares the load with me, cleans up after dinner, and bathes the girls.  He is one of Ethan's soccer coaches, always practices with him, and entertains him on the Wii. 

He loves to play with My Little Pony's and always, always showers me with affection. 

And not only does he give us love, but he also looks out for 700+ kids and staff at his job (he is an assistant pricipal at an elementary school.)  And if that were not enough, he leads worship at our church.  He picks the praise music, practices once and week, and even prepares all the computer stuff for each Sunday.  He is a blessing to so many people and the kids and I are so grateful that he is OURS. 

Have a great birthday sweetie!!

Hop on over to Ni Hao Ya'll and check out some more fabulous Sunday Snapshot posts.

I Heart Faces: Yellow

This is my entry for the I Heart Faces Challenge.  Love the pretty YELLOW daffodils and I used a Lightroom Preset that adds a little more YELLOW to the photo itself.

Sunday Snapshot {Fun Fridays}

Life can be so overwhelming and stressful at times.  I know you have all been there too.  A couple months ago after one of those weeks, I felt like I just needed to get away.  A couple of years ago we would have packed up Ethan (the only one we had at the time.)  And headed off on an overnight adventure somewhere.  But now we have 3, and the funds are not as overflowing either, so instead we headed off to a picnic dinner and the park.  I posted about it here in another {Sunday Snapshot}. 

Then about a month ago, Jay so that Watoto was coming to a town about 2 hours away.  Now, I am a music teacher (children's choir is my passion) and I'm an adoptive momma so this was right up my alley. 

And I knew the kids would love it too.  So we packed up the car and headed out.  We were not disappointed, it was a beautiful concert, filled with beautiful children who have an amazing story to share with the world.  Check them out here, and if they are coming to your area please go and support this incredible ministry.

Now to this week, again it was overwhelming.  And it is not my kids or husband, it is another situation that seems to be never ending.  I know it will resolve eventually, but it is sucking my joy out sometimes.  So it was time again to just "get away."  This Friday we headed down to the beach (we only live about 30-40 minutes away.) 

We took hot dogs to grill out, and toys for the sand.  The beach we go to is so nice, with a bathroom, playground, shelters with grills and easy access to the sand and beautiful water.  It was gorgeous, the kids played at the little park, while daddy cooked up the dogs.  Then we headed down to the sand. 

Charlotte and Ainsley enjoyed the sand and our crazy son went swimming in the 60 degree water! 

It was a fun evening.  Walking back to the car, Ethan said we should call these trips {Fun Fridays}.  So far our trips have all happened on fridays, so seems appropriate to me.  And we are going to keep it up, at least once a month is the goal. 

Go on a little trip as a family, and for not much $$$.  Can't wait for our next Fun Friday!

Just sayin'....

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Sunday Snapshot {Our Soccer Star}

Ethan is a really great athlete.  He loves all kinds of games, and is very motivated to practice them until he is good at it.  He started playing soccer when he was just 3 years old and was so cute to watch back then. 

Ethan at 5.

He was so cute.....

We then took a little detour playing baseball for a while, but are back in soccer world and he, and we, are loving it.  We spent this weekend on the field for our first spring tournament.  We did not make it to the Championship game, but our guys played so hard.  We ended up with 3 ties, so undefeated :)  Ethan usually switches out between goal keeper and right forward. 

We are so proud of his hard work out there on the field.  And especially proud of the great teammate he is.  Always encouraging to his fellow teammates, and doing whatever it takes to help his team win.  He has many battle wounds from this weekend, but he is tough and stayed in the game no matter what. 

Ethan, we are so very proud of you, bud!! 

You had an awesome tournament, and we can't wait for the next one!