Marriage with a Force...

I did not want the month of love to end without sharing something from the heart...

This morning, I woke up early thinking about the word 'force.' God has been using this word lately to describe the relationship that I have with Jeremy. It's a force. What do I mean? Well, I'll explain...

I can't help but think about magnets when it comes to force. I loved playing with them when I was little. I noticed that when magnets are aligned correctly, they create a force that attracts them to connect. However, if you flip one magnet over, you can still feel the force between them but it's a force that is working against the other. The magnets are repelling one another.

Jeremy and I both experience a strong relationship with God individually. We both are putting out a force, which is God flowing through us. However, in order for us to be successful in marriage, we must align so that our forces can connect, creating a strong bond. A force to be reckoned with.

However, if one of us chooses to turn our back on the other, the forces will repel. Even in the simplest ways... like choosing not to communicate during a disagreement, or asserting that MY way is the ONLY way.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

I feel that Jeremy and I are a force in marriage. We use that force to parent, which creates a united front for our boys. We use that force to work out life’s' busy details so that each day is as productive as possible. And I can see God using us more and more in the future because our force (which is God) is strong and powerful. God has the ability to propel us through life and use us to help others along the way because we are aligned. Imagine how much more we can do together as a force than wasting our energy repelling forces.

I can think of many successful ministries where God has done amazing acts through people. And in most cases, a strong marriage can be found somewhere in the mix. Marriage can be such a force. It's up to you to decide if the force will attract or repel.

A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do...

So.... three days ago, I dropped my coffee pot while washing it and it broke into a million pieces. I stood in shock for a minute. Seriously? My coffee pot?

I did without coffee yesterday but this morning, I woke up determined. Either Starbucks was going to be getting a visit from me or I would show up at Target in my robe to buy a new coffee maker.

Instead, I decided to make due with some packing tape and a glass bowl.

This either falls in the category of MacGyver or You Might Be A Redneck If....

Regardless of how it looks, I did enjoy a hot cup of Hawaiian Hazelnut, my favorite. And all was right with the world. :)

P.S. Jeremy says I'm only a redneck if I drink from the glass bowl. ;)

Time for 2!

It seems 2 fast 2 be celebrating Brody turning 2. I feel like I just got done cleaning up the green icing from Brody's frog prince cake he had last year. But, it's true. My baby is now two. And although he is super independent and opinionated, I still want to hold him and try to keep him little. I know that it won't stop the process, but I am sure going to try!

Brody came running into our bedroom this morning and climbed up in his usual fashion. Jeremy and I, after the realization that sleep was now over, started to sing him Happy Birthday. To which he threw up his hands in the middle of our serenade and said "No! Want Moo Moo There!" ('Moo Moo There' is his name for "Old MacDonald Had A Farm")

Talk about a 2 year old response to the Happy Birthday song. Here come the twos. Buckle up. ;)

Happy Birthday Brody!!!! You're 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4th Annual Valentine's Party...

A party for the girls...

With all the testosterone swarming around in my household, Sportscenter and male bonding, this party is my way to celebrate being a girl. I am a girly girl and proud of it! We had a great time last night diving into heart-shaped EVERYTHING!

For those of you who love love like I do, I invite you to check out all the heart shaped treats that adorned the counters. Eat your heart out!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

A huge thanks to my husband who put up with my powdered sugar explosions and helped me endlessly and to my parents who are always willing to lend a hand!

Cream filled sugar cookies

Heart-shaped chocolate lasagna

Chocolate covered strawberry tuxedos

Heart-shaped love cupcakes


Heart shaped enchilada ring (before baking)


Heart-shaped strawberry shortcake

Heart-shaped vegetable spread

Sour cream


Red velvet cupcakes



Pink sugared glasses with heart-shaped ice


Chips and fresh salsa


Heart-shaped brownie lollipops



Great Friends:

The Belly :)

Planning Postponed...

On Veteran’s Day of last year, the doctor scanned over the ultrasound screen to give us the big news: Pink or Blue. There was one catch: only one of us would find out.

Why? Well... this is my third pregnancy... and for the first two, I begged for us to wait and find out so it would be a surprise. But, with no luck convincing Jeremy, I gave in and found out. So, we decided to come up with a compromise for #3. The doctor would write the sex of the baby on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. Jeremy would open it at his discretion and then keep it a secret. And that is what we did.

It seems like EVERYONE has asked questions about how in the world we are managing this secret. And how can I NOT know? And how can Jeremy NOT tell? Well, for those of you who think I have nerves of steal, I will burst the bubble and share how Day 1 played out...

As we walked out of the doctor’s office that morning, we both knew it would be a long day. Jeremy had the day off which meant we would be together on the first day that he found out. So, he said he wanted to wait and open it until I was not around. Day 1 was probably the only EXTREMELY difficult day. I could not stand that the envelope was in his pocket, unopened. I must have asked 1000 times: Did you open it yet? Nope.

Finally, that evening at around 10pm, I was about to turn in for the night and Jeremy was getting ready to watch the Tarheels play in the living room. So, I called out from the bedroom... "Will you just open it already!?!?!?!?!?" And he said, "Alright, but don't come out here."

I heard the envelope ripping open. AGONY!!!!!!!!!!!!

And then he said, "Did you hear that?" And I said, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!" And he said, "Alright, I'm gonna watch the game," in the most nonchalant way you could ever imagine.

I lay there in silence. In absolute agony. I was thinking: He really wants a girl, if it was a girl, I would have heard some sort of celebration. It must be a boy. Another boy. Two boys, a husband, a boy dog and now another boy. I am completely out numbered!

It didn't take long before I couldn't stand it anymore. I got up and walked into the living room backwards so that I would not see his face and try and read it. He laughed at me as I cried over my boy theory. But we talked and by the end, I was COMPLETELY confused. I went to bed with no theory. And the next day, I woke up and just didn't care either way. I am not going to lie and say I haven't had a couple of weak days since then. But, because so many people think one of us will crack, I am DETERMINED to make it to delivery day.

Why do I want to be surprised when I am such a PLANNER? Well, I do love planning. Planning everything! But, I love surprises just a little bit more. There are not many in life and I feel like this is one I can give to myself. So, YES, I want to know which color to paint the room and YES, I want to be able to shop like crazy if it is a girl. But, more than that, I want to experience the anticipation of a great surprise in the end.

Although I haven't met this new addition yet, I plan to love him or her with everything I have. And that is really all the planning I can do.