A boys' shelf-lining

As bedtime presented itself a few nights ago, I found myself lying atop the Star Wars comforter next to my youngest handsome gent, who was all snuggled in for a deep sleep, as we talked through the highs and lows of the day, reflected on a variety of learning moments, and eventually prayed together. However, as we began winding down our conversation something caught my attention more aggressively that particular night than it ever has before. It was the descending line of a variety of sports trophies on the shelf next to Mason's bottom bunk bed. I was taken aback for a few moments, but then as he began to drift away to dreamland, I paused to really look at what they were and why they were aligning themselves there as something he obviously prided himself in receiving. Those soccer, basketball, and baseball trophies I realized, are actually statues of something that represented a deeper sportsmanlike heart and hopefully, a more meaningful lesson on life. 

Joyful Noise 2019--Let's do this!!! 

I will admit that it shocks me to some degree, that in nearly everything a child does, he/she are given a trophy just for participating in a sport. And not just a sport, but in anything that may be considered extracurricular! To me, in all honesty, participating in the sport is a given. Not sure why there needs to be some sort of special recognition of it. As a parent, you are the one who signed up your child after all. And as a player/participant, you give it your all. You are a team player no matter the cost, but if you exceed the expectations and are above the norm, then that trophy is well worth being given! Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I feel like that has all been lost. 

So much fun with friends at Joyful Noise!!

Crowder...singing "Red Letters"...stage side!

These guys! 

"Land Of Color"....they were awesome! Mason got a signature of course ;) 

As I momentarily pondered on those trophies lining the shelf of my athletic little that night, I could only pray that these mortal representations of a "champion" would give way to something deeper. Something more eternal. The Eternal Life that is found in Jesus and HIS crowns (trophies) that are Heaven-awaiting. And that are SO worth the wait!!

...& Carson ready to listen to awesome music!

Mason....

Austin & mama up to the stage to worship with "I Am They"! 

"Store up for yourselves, treasures in Heaven...."


Standing amidst the crowd of thousands on the turf of the National Sports Center, my hubby and I, along with those who share in our generational love of the Newsboys/DC Talk, were vaulted back to our teenage years as the Newsboys music filled and overwhelmed the open-air arena. But I think one of the most telling moments of the night, perhaps even beyond the lifted side-spinning drum set during "Jesus Freak", was just a small snipet of one of Michael Tait's (lead singer) 2-minute talk inbetween songs. Walking down the charcoal black center aisle of the stage, he humbly and unashamedly declared into the microphone that "We freaking love what we get to do!! It doesn't matter how many Billboard awards, Grammy's, how many Dove awards we get. This is all so much more than that! It's about sharing His love to you people, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ here and out there.........."


Clearly. It's not about the shiny statues for them. 

Meeting the NEWSBOYS!!!!!

Newsboys!!!! Yep...blessed by a 'meet and greet' with one of our favorite bands!
As we walked away, Carson says "Michael Tait smells good....and it's now on my shoulder." ;) 

Legacy guys/friends---and ultimately men of God

Thankful for these beautiful ladies! 

I pray that all of us, especially our handsome & beautiful sweet littles, are beyond getting some sort of earthly participation trophy. But rather, that as we continually travel the pain-staking challenges, the deep hurts & heartbreaks, the heartfelt questioning, the utmost joys & the hardest sorrows, we anxiously await the Heavenly jeweled crown that will only be adorned by His utmost Majesty. 

My Favorite :) 

And I can't even begin to fathom a more perfectly glorious, beautiful, undeserving, humbled, perfected Trophy. 

To God be the Glory!

Togetherness...question marks or exclamation points?!

The things that can cause a married couple to either draw closer to one another or pull away from each other are limitless.  And boundless. 

Even timeless.

And those very said things that face couples these days could very well be bigger than the glorious endless mountain ranges that are standing firm, or smaller than just one of the hundreds of minnows finding their way in a nearby flowing creek-side.        

This man of mine.... #favoriteartist #wifelypride

In the (soon-to-be) 17 years that Andy and I have been married, we have never shied away from working on house projects together. And we have definitely had our share of them! Renovating bathrooms, laundry rooms, painting bedrooms, landscaping reworkings, painting the exterior of one of our homes, entryway makeovers, etc.  Maybe I'm just biased because we've recently completed another small 'house reno' in a matter of 6 days, but I think I can confidently say that as a married couple, one of the things that says a rather deeper "I Do" to the one you love, even though there are many things, would be house projects. Working side by side with your spouse in situations such as these will be the best of times....or perhaps the worst of times. 

But you're in those times....for better or worse. 

*Paint spilled on the upper stairway carpet not by one of your hardworking handsome gents, but your lifelong partner lends itself to a cry for forgiveness & patience. 

*Having to re-cut every slice of shiplap that was previously "professionally" cut but then finding the two of you standing in the driveway with table-saw in place when tiredness is beginning to settle in can either cause a smile or a raised brow. 

*Giggling moments as evening gives way to late night, suddenly turned early morning....and you're still giggling. Priceless. 

These handsome gents-they were 'all in'! 

Tirelessly trimming!! But loving it...working alongside my fam is the best!

Mason couldn't wait to grip the roller :) 

Carson was all about the painting! 

Austin took the lead a variety of times.... Godly-leader-in-the-making

This guy!

...sometimes I have no words....

But no matter the "better or worse", at the close of each day, let's hope a little dirt & grime and plans gone haywire will cause a couple to lean in a bit closer to one another. 

Lean in to listen. Lean in to forgive. Lean in to learn a new skill. And lean in to smooch here & there. 

It's totally worth it. 

A stolen kiss seconds before realizing you might be 1/8 of an inch off measuring that soon-to-be beautiful purely white painted shiplap is 100% worth it. 

Kiss away girl! Shiplap will always be there. Your hottie-hubs may not be. 

Surprise her with a little spin around the living room before that lighting changes. The music can always be heard but your wife's fast feet will someday slow down. 

Recessed lights....let's do this!

Cheer each other on when a new skill is learned and is defined by hard work and a little (or big) step out of the comfort zone. 

Andy DOMINATED putting in these lights!! So proud!

Marriage is all about the "together." And that comes in all forms & sizes. You could literally add that word "together" behind everything the two of you face. Together.

Parenting.

Arguing.

Forgiving.
Praying.

Traveling.

Loving.
Scared.

Building.

Moving.

Growing.

Being stretched.

Faithful.

Laughing.

Facing hardships.

Making memories.
Stepping out in faith. 

Because it should never be a solo duo. You are indeed, partners for life. 

There's something satisfying about taking a step back, pausing for as many moments as you dare with your arms gathered around the waist of your spouse and realizing that together "we did this". With God's provision, we transformed what once was, into something that now is. And it was a team effort. It took a together-effort. And stemming from that united togetherness, a full family-of-five effort. 

Before...

After!!

Before...

After!!!

Building your marriage stronger, closer, tougher, lovelier, deeper....together. Are you putting question marks(?) or exclamation points(!) at the end of the day regarding the best friend that you're married to.  Yes.   Married to. Not just sharing a home with. 

 **A few random snapshots of the most recent "together" marriage moments for this duo to keep you caught up. ;) ** 

So fun to have family at Art-A-Whirl!!

So much friend support for Anderson Clayworks!!! 

Parenting these 3 handsome gents of ours....

....together. :) 

Mason's "fan club" for one of his tournament games!!

This kid--triples, homers, pitching strike-outs, and a TEAM player! Proud of you #7

Way to go Gold!! 2nd place in the tournament--what a weekend!

Hanging out with my man....baseball bleachers, backyard, etc. It's the two of us. Together. 

Keep on building couples! Your marriage is worth it. 

Keep Christ at the center and watch Him throw some crazy exclamation points at the end of where you may instead have put a question mark, and in what you may have even thought was just ordinary. Your marriage deserves those exclamation points as you point back to the One who unites. 



"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them"  1 John 4:16



(** and because I know the question will be asked....it was yours truly that spilled the paint on the carpet. Thankful for a patient and forgiving hubs. And a spot-free stairway that leaves no trace of said spill....)