38 reasons.

1. I love that he loves me so well.
2. I love his eyes and how they sparkle.
3. I love that our girl has those same eyes.
4. I love his heart for the Lord.
5. I love when he makes our children laugh.
6. I love when he wears a baseball cap.

7. I love that he makes me happy.
8. I love that I've celebrated birthdays with him since he was 17. 
9. I love when he laughs at movies he's watched a million times.
10. I love that he is wise with money.
11. I love that this family is his top priority.
12. I love when he wrestles with the big boys.

13. I love that we have such a rich history of struggles and triumphs together.
14. I love that I've lived on the other side of the world with him.
15. I love that he is passionate about the local church being on mission.

16. I love that he is well read and always has an answer to my questions.
17. I love that his interests are broad:  from sports to Broadway musicals.  
18. I love that he helps me cook dinner almost every night.
19. I love that he doesn't snore.
20. I love that he likes and appreciates good food.

21. I love that he studies marriage and constantly works on ours.
22. I love that he is a planner and big on punctuality.
23. I love when he holds a baby... particularly ours.

24. I love that he dreams big.
25. I love that he challenges people.
26. I love that he really could have been successful at ANY occupation, but he was chosen for this one.
27. I love that he listens without talking when I've had a long day.
28. I love that he never goes to bed alone.
29. I love that he sits in his chair and reads his Bible before work every morning.
30. I love when his face gets scruffy after a few days of not shaving.
31. I love that he loves traveling and dreams of new adventures.

32. I love that he kisses me every day before he walks out the door.

33. I love that he lays in the floor to play with the babies every afternoon when he returns home.

34. I love that he values my opinion.
35. I love when he asks, "What can I do to help you?"
36. I love that he chose me.
37. I love that he text me during the day.
38. I love that he's the first face and the last face I see each day.

And one to grow on... I love that each birthday with him just gets better and better.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  I hope I make you even one tenth as happy as you make me!  I love you.

lessons on snow from a southern girl.

I anticipated snow.  We knew it happened here, and we knew it was bigger than anything we were accustomed to.  I mean let's be honest- a Southern girl only experiences the white stuff on very rare occasions.  And it doesn't take many flakes to rock our world.  But last night, we prepared to awaken to  our first "real snow."  So in honor of that, here's a list of the lessons I learned today.



1.  It's okay.  Even the Northerners clean out the grocery store prior to a suspected snow event.  Go ahead and buy your milk and bread.  Just to be safe, we hit up Walmart and the grocery store.

2.  If you are considering canceling church, don't ask the Southern preacher.  The predicted flake on the weather report was enough for him!

3.  Remember that snow is very similar to Christmas for your children.  Be ready to drop everything and go outside the second they open their eyes.



4.  Under no circumstances should you ever put your 11-month-old babies on the ground for a picture.  One will most assuredly scream his head off, and the other will look at them with the "what's your problem" look!



5.  If three college kids come by and offer to shovel your driveway, throw hundred dollar bills at them, feed them breakfast, and offer to do their laundry just to be sure they stay and do the job.

6.  If your "other half" should balk at the idea of hiring the young, strong, college guys, ignore him and hire them anyway.

7.  If you find that you've failed on #4 and #5, grab a shovel, but with every scoop of snow, remind "the other half" that three college guys offered to do this horrible, degrading, painful job!





8.  Prior to winter, figure out which of your church members is hiding a machine that shovels snow.  And get to know them REALLY WELL!

9.  Even if a good friend suggest you take your children to sled down a popular hill in town, disregard this idea.  Remember you are a Southerner.  You've never driven over more than frost.  STAY HOME.

10.  If you fail on #9, throw hundred dollar bills at the very kind men that push your vehicle out of the snow so that you can return home, and promise them that you'll never drive in snow again.

11.  Buy kitty litter to keep in your vehicle, just in case you get stuck and there aren't nice people there to help you out! According to the nice man, it makes great gravel when you need some tread!

12.  Definitely make a snow man!



13.  If you went to the grocery store prior to the storm (#1) but somehow forgot your carrot to adorn the snowman, just jump in the car and drive to the grocery store to grab some.  And ask for forgiveness for breaking the promise you made to those very kind men earlier!

14.  As your return from the grocery store, take time to admire the driveway that you JUST shoveled and how it is now covered in fresh snow once again!

15.  But most of all, enjoy all that white stuff!  It's absolutely beautiful, and despite shoveling the driveway and getting stuck in the snow, it made for a pretty fantastic day!  Happy Snow Day, friends!