Six Years

Six years. It seems like yesterday and forever all at the same time.

This last year has been deep and real. There's something about a toddler that both brings you together and wears you down. The monotony of life, the routines, the taking of turns for who brushes her teeth and who's lap she sits on during Bible time. It's just a whole different spin on the things that used to make us, 'us'. Add to that several tough career decisions, a miscarriage, another pregnancy, over a year living in limbo and finally beginning the process of having a house built. Our strengths and weaknesses have been tested, magnified and balanced.

As exhausting as life and a two year old can be, mutual adoration of said two year old (and each other) and the mutual investment in our family's future also has a way of bringing you together. I have a deeper love and respect for my sweet husband as I watch him love and parent our daughter. I also need him more and differently than I've needed him before and seeing him selflessly come through for me on a daily basis is humbling and real. Real love, in the trenches. I'm telling you, this man is pure gold. And the value of this gold just keeps increasing, regardless of the market.

This phase of life has it's ups and downs but it's so temporary and we both know it. Babies and toddlers are only such for a little while, and before we know it we'll be knee deep in the next phase. There's so much that is sweet about life right now. So many moments that you try to etch in your mind and hold on to. So many things that change so quickly. It's true that nice dinners, dates, formal wear, adult-only vacations and the like have been put on the back burner for now, but there's so much to absorb as our bab(ies) grow and we know these things don't really make a marriage. That said, we are hoping for a weekend away without our sweet toddler before November. :)

Another fun tidbit. This year marks 20 years of knowing each other! Twenty years ago this summer I met a precocious red head at the fair and had no idea how much he'd change my life eventually. You can read the story here if you haven't heard it before.

And of course, we continue our traditional anniversary photo.. and had some fun while we were there with my parents and Ellie.

And our family..

And a little behind the scenes... this is how Blake really feels about how long it takes to set up a picture ;). I reminded him that this photo means six blessed years of being married to me and this is the face he made...

Meet Us in the Sand

These days a trip to the beach actually includes time on the beach! Funny how babies (toddlers?) change things.

We attempted our annual beach trip with our good friends again this year. Unfortunately, Jason couldn't come because of a new job. Despite missing him, we enjoyed ourselves and mostly took it easy. We did our usual beach things like the farmer's market and Adelaide's coffee to sip a latte and pick out a new book. We took tons of pictures, of course, because babies on the beach is so cute! See for yourself:

These cuties! It cracked me up to see them sitting there, like two old friends :)

Sweet Mr. Lincoln

Sassy Miss Emerson

On our way to the beach. I love her little fist holding the flower.

Still has her flower! 

Hi mom!

Whit and Lincs

Mommas and babies.

The beach was covered in these weird things. Animal? Plant? We're still not sure.

Lincoln takes it all in

Emerson was quite content with playing in the sand.

Lincoln thinks she's funny, and isn't so sure about this.

Emerson is sure. Sand is awesome.

In case you've forgotten how much she loves sand:

Love him!

Our little family

 The next morning we went into Illwaco to check out the farmer's market. It's pretty much the same as always but a few new vendors were there.

We had to go visit Grandpa Scott's boat while we were there :)

Patiently waiting on the dock for Emerson to smile. Seriously, this kid is just so sweet!

And after a nap or two.. we retreated to Adelaide's for coffee (water for Emerson) and a new book.

Thinks she's so cool, drinking from a big glass

Here's the flashback to last year 

After a slow, lazy morning we cleaned the cabin, tidied up and went out to breakfast.

Always so good to spend time with these friends. As life changes and families grow, it's been so fun to share the experience with them. Hopefully Jason can join us next year.. we'll need all the adults we can get for the adult/kid ratio to still be in the adults' favor! (FYI: Not us yet, them!!)

2014 Makes 5

Five

We don't always get our anniversary pictures taken on the day, we just try to plan to do it during the weeks before or after when we're home. This was an unexpected trip and I almost forgot (Blake was the one who remembered that we still needed to take it!) so we had to wear whatever we'd packed. It always works out though and that's part of the story.

In case you forgot...

Four

Three

Two

One