I have spent the last week or so reading the book Every Women's Marriage, and it has really challenged me and helped me change my attitude a perspective on my marriage and expectations. I realized that I haven't always taken the time to see how much I have to be grateful for and how much I appreciate Kevin as a person...

On top of seeking to pastor a small, older country church with a desire to see it grow and the vision to know how to help it do so, he also has worked hard to finish his master's degree. He is constantly challenging himself to improve and learn and has at least 3 books he is working through at a time. (this is the guy who when we married...did not enjoy reading).

He has also chosen to be a part of the volunteer fire department in the town, showing his work ethic and desire to build relationships in the community. Beside the fact that it is enjoyable for him, he really seeks to serve.

He has worked so hard to cultivate a huge garden for us and is out there diligently taking care of it and trying to learn how to better help things grow...he even makes his own pickles!

He is also a great father and husband. He has made it a point to make sure we are going on dates every so often, especially before the new baby comes. I so appreciate it! He and Jack have such a special relationship...they have so much fun wrestling around and as soon as Daddy walks into the room, Jack is right there. It melts my heart when I see the two of them sitting together enjoying a book or cartoon.

Most of all I am thankful for him as my best friend who puts up with my pregnant moments, seeks to make me feel special and provide for us, and is willing to share his heart and life with me. He helps me to know my limits and looks out that I don't push myself too much. He is not perfect but through everything God has grown both of us and I am so grateful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful husband.

We had VBS all last week and were gone for a few days for Kevin to attend a conference, so it feels like we have been on the go non-stop. I am looking forward to getting things done this week and spending time as a family on vacation next week.

However, my little man has been giving us a run for our money as the twos loom closer. This was all in the last week:

1. As I carry out stuff to the car and bring him out...he quickly turns and runs toward the road, not stopping as I scream his name...PTL no cars were coming and he only made it to the edge before a pregnant mommy catches him.

2. I walk in to check and see if he was asleep, only to find him not only out of his crib but standing in the 2nd drawer of his dresser, playing with the cd player.

3. One day he determined that he needed to go poopy in the potty. He refused to leave the bathroom but would not keep his diaper on or sit on the potty...he knows the concept but is not aware of the feeling but would not let it go for an hour...

4. I hear him awake from a nap and walk in to the overwhelming smell of poopy, find him without his diaper and then discover his poopy diaper on the floor and his crib a mess. This is just as we were preparing to head out so daddy took jack for a bath while i sanitized the room.

5. He has also hit the parrot stage and I didn't realize how much i said, "oh my gosh" until I started hearing it come out of his mouth. He also repeats "sit down" and other disciplinary words that I use frequently. Definitely a mirror.

However...in spite of all the craziness (which I know is normal toddler actions) there have been so many times that he has come up and given me hugs and kisses or said "i wuv nana, papa, mommy, daddy, or Jesus" and it melts my heart. He also comes up and pats my belly and kisses it while saying "baby sister". I am realizing how fast he is growing and changing and trying to enjoy my time with him.

I am also realizing how much I need the Lord to give me the strength and patience each day, especially the days that I am tired and feeling very pregnant emotionally. I am thankful for God's gift of grace each day and for the blessing of a wonderful husband and precious son.