I love the way they love.
(A-3 1/2)
(J- 15 months)

Rachel

Running into target in borrowed heels and no tights, a southern girl's bare legs against the Minnesota winter. purchasing her panty hose, wearing the only nice dress she owned, she drove unsure of herself to meet him. He took her to one of her favorite restaurants they sat at a table in the very back, and she thought to herself  "things might be ok, this could work."
It was a leap, maybe more of a push, that we had both taken. Released from positions at a ministry because of misconduct, I followed him to Minnesota because I was to scared to go home, to scared to let him go, to scared to face life. Our first official date, no more sneaking no more secrets, was Valentines day 2008.

I don't even have a picture from that night ( my IPOD had no camera, any one remember that ancient device?) But it's framed in my mind. We were two broken people, clinging to all we felt like we had left, each other and God.
                                       Four months later, he moved to North Carolina to be with me.
                                                Two months later, we were engaged.
                                                         one 1/2 months later, we were married.
    Nine months later, She came.

Oh how we learned, how we grew. How the waves rolled and I wondered if we would make it and tears where shed and make- up kisses given and those evil words never whispered ("divorce," "leave")

No, when we cleaved, we clung.
And now here we are, five years later, in a sweet spot.
So I gush, I overflow, because my heart is. Because like everything else in life, marriage has seasons. Seasons of hardship and seasons of sweetness. Seasons of wonder and seasons of assurance.
                                                          a season of a sweet spot.
Five years later, different little back dress, my heels, same forgotten panty hose. same restaurant, same chicken scampi dinner...
Same man.
I had a elaborate plan for valentines day, since I love to lavish on people. Something for every hour, surprises and " I Love You's". But I burnt the pancakes and lost my list. And this year, I just laughed it off and made cupcakes with my girls instead. Growth.

Growth, though painful is beautiful.

So yesterday, I was celebrating growth. And just letting the mistakes roll and absorb them and release them into something better ( Like a two hour dinner wait into a leisurely relaxing dinner with my husband)
To the man who remembers I love getting gifts, who gets me cozy blankets and candles and thoughtful music, who goes above and beyond and loves on his girls too....

Now instead of one valentine, I have three.

from a full heart, 

                                      Rachel.

Raggedy Ann & Little Red Riding Hood

This was little J's first Halloween and A's fourth- but her first year of grasping the concept. It was hillarious to me to watch her discover the day when everyone dresses up "pretend" and for some reason everyone keeps giving you candy. She was excited, overwhelmed,stressed yet energized. One of the most fun parts of being a parent is discovering all the newness of the world with your children.

Both costumes where handmade and only cost me about five bucks in the end! A's Mamaw made her hood, and colored J's tights. My Friend Abby helped me make J's wig just by hot gluing red yarn to a hat. I sewed J's apron from some scrap fabric and wrote on it. Pretty easy yet pretty darn cute!

Oh yeah, and you can't forget mom.

Green Lantern. 

Good thing my husband is a fan and has a load of super hero shirts!

this costume was pretty last minute and just so I could get Chipotle for $2!

On a more serious note, some view Halloween as a evil holiday we (christians) should hide from. I say, It's a day of the year when your community comes together, all the kids and such and acts neighborly. Why would we, whose light is supposed to shine on a hill, be the only dark house? Get outside and (with discernment) be that light.

Agree or disagree?

Either way, cute kids, candy, being silly, 

I had a blast.

Rachet