oak island 2013

vacation could not have come at a more perfect time this year. we loaded up and headed up and over to the north carolina coast at oak island to spend a few days, just the five of us. 

first off, it is such an incredible blessing to be able to do this. the Lord continues to provide above and beyond what we could ever imagine and this little vacation was nothing short of that in every single way. the time together, the amazing home we get to stay in, the time together, an awesome place to explore, the time together, getting away from the busyness, the time together. that's the picture i have and remain thankful for all of it. 

beach time this year was super awesome because the fisherman beside us caught a baby shark. and of course tuck held it and got to let it go.

will was the sand castle destroyer and digger hunter extraordinaire.

we fished at the waterway and explored in wide open spaces. this area continues to be our favorite. we found crabs and shells and dug in the sand for hours.

we spent lots of time on the porch playing hide and seek, eating breakfast and lunch, reading books, talking. it was perfect.

i grabbed a few silly shots of the boys one morning before hitting the beach. they are characters.

and grey read lots to tuck.

one evening we got ice cream and took it to the rooftop deck. we laughed until our sides hurt and the boys sang and danced for us.

we took many bike rides together. we loaded will and tuck in the back of my bike and road until grey got too tired. it was awesome and riding a bike made me giddy. i couldn't quit smiling when i got on. and i loved hearing tuck and will's conversation behind me each trip.

we ended the trip with a ghost crab hunt in which matthew actually got pinched by one which terrified grey of coming within yards of a crab ever again.

we value this special time more and more as the boys grow. we hold these days and memories so close as i know the Lord is using them to shape our family and all of our hearts.

TEC . 4 years

tucker man. we continue to burst at the seams each day with the laughter that you bring. you really do keep us rolling. you are just the cutest thing and have so much life in you.

you are bright. your mind is constantly working and we hear all about it. along with your mind always working, your body is ALWAYS moving. you are so very physical. you like to be as close to us as physically possible. (right now you are curled up to me in the crook of my leg while occasionally snuggling in a little closer and kissing me on my cheek). you love kisses, bear hugs, crashing, flipping, running, digging, wiggling. anything that requires movement! 

you still hum while you eat which is simply just one of your endearing qualities. you love to sing and have been known to dance while no one or everyone is watching. your prayers are precious and i hear you talk to God throughout your day. what an example you are to mommy. 

 we call you hawk eye because you can see ANY living creature from anywhere and identify it in seconds. if you don't get it exactly right, you get pretty darn close. you know the names of each bird that frequents our feeders. you have overturned every rock, pot, or brick that you can get your hands on and bring me handfuls of slugs and worms and snails and frogs each and every day.

what you see is what you get with you. there are no facades. you are 100% at all times whether that's good or not so good. your laugh is genuine and you pout like a pro. 

you always have dirt under your fingernails and toenails. it's permanent i think. you prefer to wear no underwear and drop your pants ANYWHERE to use the potty. you always keep life interesting. 

we can find you carrying a bug house, a gun, or a bow and arrow. adventure is constantly around every turn for you. 

you are not the least bit shy. you make friends wherever you go. 

you trust and follow grey but mostly you march to the beat of your own drum. you are tender and loving towards will and he looks up to you more than you know. you are smack in the middle of your brothers but God planned it that way and we can see so clearly why.

you love love love your daddy. it may be that you are still a lot like your mommy and we need someone just like daddy. oh man do we need him. you want to be just like him and you tell me that all the time.

your lifelong aspirations are set high. you want to grow up to be big like daddy and preach. but on the side you would like to be a worker that builds tree houses. 

you have grown so much from three to four. i have sure enjoyed this year with you watching you front and center. we are so privileged to guide you in these years praying for your heart. 

we love recalling things about you at the end of every day. you bring us so much joy that we never imagined. the Lord has so many great things in store for your life. happy four years young man. 

the homefront

{because i can't post without a picture. me and these sweet things. mothers day 2013}

the past few weeks have been quite a whirlwind. matthew finished up his seminary class, we took a little vacation, continued to show our house non-stop, sold our house, bought a new one, went camping, and carried on everyday life. 

whew. 

we are so so so grateful that our house sold in 22 days. with 45 showings at that point, i didn't know how much longer i could keep it up. we are on the hunt now for a rental while our new home is being built. it's quite the challenge that i didn't anticipate. 

i always love looking back over time and seeing things so clearly. matthew and i sat down the other night to process all that has been happening. and as we were recalling ALL of the events of the past six months, it was incredible to see the way God, in his sovereignty, is orchestrating all of these seemingly small (to us) details to weave and work in His big design. we've had prayers with clear answers and job changes and very distinct vision for our family. and as i look ahead and start to feel anxious about what is to come, i turn around and look back again and remember all of His faithfulness to us. i then start marching forward once again in confidence and truth that He has it all under control. 

our new home is just across the river and we could not be more excited about this next chapter in our lives. though i am extremely emotional, EXTREMELY, i am thrilled for what the Lord has in store for us in our next home. 

we have learned so so so much in the five years we have lived in this house. we brought two of our boys home here. we moved in when grey was just a year old. we really grew as a family here. it is so very sentimental to me. i am here with these boys day in and day out. their first memories are here inside these walls. it's our home. we have made it ours and welcomed others in. the Lord has used it and we are so thankful to have lived here. 

and i know when we move into our new home those memories are just waiting to be made, but i'm not there yet. i'm not ready to leave all of this here. 

we have a couple more weeks here and we are planning on enjoying our home to the fullest!