My little Peach

Life has been wild this summer! So many changes, so much excitement and, as always, so little time!

Paul, Lil' Man and I enjoyed a wonderful couple of months at home in Tennessee. Our family gathered for our annual family reunion, we made trips to the river for kayaking and swimming, friends from all our came to visit and we celebrated my 30th birthday (ahem, I mean the first anniversary of my 29th!)!

The farm was so beautiful this summer. Paul made me the coolest tire swing known to man. I spent hours eating ice pops in my hammock while snuggling with Lil' Man. We rode our horses and chased the baby pigs when they made their escape. We rested.

My sisters were inspired to have a family gathering at our local u-pick orchard. Paul, Lil' Man and I came home with 20 lbs. of fresh, sweet peaches! I made peach ice cream and cobbler. I had planned canning peach butter, but I was short on both time and energy and ended up freezing bags of sliced peaches.

Two of my younger cousins spent about a month with us. Paul created a tent town and we all camped by the spring that runs through our woods. I read Nancy Drew to the girls by the campfire as we ate s'more made with reese's peanut butter cups. In the morning, all of the kids played in the misty stream. It was all very dreamy.

Paul and I took Lil' Man to the drive-in to see Toy Story 3. We rolled out a play mat so he could play with his little cars and Mr. Potato Head while the adults enjoyed the movie.

Time flew by and before we knew it, Paul and I were rushing around the house packing for our move to Wisconsin. I hate packing. I hate the process of moving. I survived!

We left Tennessee and drove through unbearable heat to Illinois. I was driving alone with the baby in a car that was packed well beyond capacity and very much without air conditioning! Paul was leading the way on the motorcycle and pulling a trailer with our kayaks and mountain bikes. People kept pointing as he drove by!

After we made it into Illinois, the sky burst open and poured rain. I was in the middle of changing a very stinky diaper in the grass on the side of a hill. Paul stood over the baby trying to keep him dry, but it didn't work very well. We were a sight!!!

That evening we made it to a dear friend's house. I told Paul I could go no further, for now, so he left the next day to get our house set up while my friend and I visited and our small people played.

By the time I made it to Wisconsin, Paul and my mom ( who had driven out from Ohio), had moved in all our furniture, had Lil' Man's crib and toys waiting and had made my life 10,000 times easier! We spent the next day unpacking dishes and exploring our new town. Paul was excited to begin his new job and we were thrilled to get to know our new community, but God had one last crazy surprise in store for us here in Wisconsin...!

The 1st Anniversary of His 29th Birthday!

My dear, sweet husband has been outside of the womb for 30 years today! We have been teasing each other about our turning 30 this year and Paul has now begun stating that I will be the old one, he is only celebrating the first anniversary of his 29th birthday! Hmmm...



I am so blessed to know and love this man! I could not imagine God having created someone so perfect for me before I met him, but than I met him and was, once again, shown how great and loving God there is. I have been given a husband who is far more perfect than I deserve- all I can do is be eternally grateful!




In honor of this blessed day of my husband birth, I would like to share 30 reasons why I love him.



1. He has eyes that see me the way God sees me and not the way I see myself.




2. He is handsome with a beautiful smile.




3. He loves me and God (not necessarily in that order!).

4. He is an adventurer to the core who loves to travel and experience the wonders of God's creation.

5. He is a gentleman. A man who knows and understands what it means to truly be a man.

6. His dream house is a treehouse (think Swiss Family Robinson)!

7. He keeps me calm when I'm flipping out, but causes me to worry about his neck when he flips out!

8. He's the ONLY person allowed to call me "Bubba" and get away with it!!!!!

9. If he could only eat 3 things for the rest of his life it would be cheese, tuna and flour tortillas.

10. He is a wonderful Godfather and will be an incredible father.

11. He is passionate about teaching kids through camp ministry.

12. He could spend all day flying remote control airplanes and helicopters.

13. He has crazy red curls! I fell in love with him before I ever saw him clean shaven and with out a fro- thats saying something! ;)

14. In college he wore parachute pants!!!! And drove a crazy lifted pickup truck.

15. He is a Brother of the Eternal Song to the core. He loves Our Lady and his Brothers.

16. He won the National Iron Kids Triathalon as a teen.

17. He is willing to try almost anything crazy and adventurous.

18. He owns his own hang glider and was once almost decapitated by a jet ski.

19. He loves training our dogs, horses and pet squirrels. He is a regular Dr. Dolittle.

20. He can consume more candy than anyone I know and he never gains a pound!!!

21. Kids love him! My 9 year old cousin refers to Paul as his best friend. Our neighbors little boy once knocked on our door and asked my dad if Paul could come out and play! :D

22. He inspires and encourages everyone who knows him.

23. He is the silliest person I know!

24. He is adorable when he sings Garth Brooks off key!

25. I love how much he enjoys playing sports, but doesn't need to sit around watching the on tv.

26. He took ballet lessons (and wasn't very good!)!!!!!

27. I love that, though he is cute, he doesn't look good in a dress (see below).

28. As they say in the song, "I love the way he loves me"!
29. I love that he sacraficed by giving up the job he loved, changed careers and left his hometown to move across the country, live in a truck and be with me.
30. I love that he chose me to be his wife!!!!

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with a husband who is so good and loves me so much! Help us to be a blessing to each other.
Happy, happy birthday, baby!!!!!

29 Years- I've Earned 'Em!

Today I turned 29. There are so many wonderful memories to look back on and events to look forward to. I've had to work hard to earn those 29 years. I've lived 29 years loving my God, my family and my friends. I lost loved ones, I've rejoiced at new lives, I've been touched by so many and, God willing, I've touched the lives of many. I've been stupid, stubborn and sinful. I've also used the gifts God has given me, been joyful and been filled with love and happiness. I've had dreams come true and I look forward to seeing my present dreams come true.

One of my best friend's celebrated her birthday last Monday by going to Mass and confession and then visiting people in a retirement home. I think this is just one of the most beautiful ways of celebrating life! She shared herself with others and spent quiet time with our Lord. She was telling me how a friend of hers had spent her birthday by serving others. What a beautiful, beautiful thing!

Paul and I spent the day in the truck, but it was wonderful just being able to spend time with eachother. He bought me a beautiful rose arrangement and let me pick out a very crazy and fun birthday cake. Cherries were a dollar a pounds so hubby bought two big bags and spent half the day lying in the bed (I have HORRIBLE sunburn on my legs!), eating cherries and watching season 2 of Gilmore Girls.

Sunday was the feast of my patron saint, Saint Anne. St. Anne is my role model. The patron of Grandmothers, Mothers and Housewives. I hope to live up to the honor of being named after such a wonderful saint. She already helped me find my man, now we're working on the mom part : )

Thank you, Lord, for my wonderful life!

A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age. - Robert Frost

Happy Birthday, Dearest Diana of the Lake of Shining Waters

Today one of the greatest blessings in my life was born into this world.

We met as young girls on our way to see the play Anne of Green Gables and we knew immediately that we were Kindred Spirits. Together we shared a love for our Catholic Faith, Christian femininity, large families, reading, scrapbooking, tea parties and Anne of Green Gables. This Ann had found her Diana. And my life has never been the same.

We were young girls when we met. Busy being homeschooled and involved with our families and friends. We've shared adventures, roadtrips, picnics, slumber parties, camping trips, summers, "ice cream therapy", microwaved bananas, bad jokes and girlhood secrets. Like our fictional counterparts, we've spent long nights whispering together, sharing dreams, hopes for the future, crying together over life's trials, and dreaming of Gilbert Blythe and Fred Wright coming and sweeping us off our feet.

There is nothing as powerful as a friend who knows what to do and say when you're hurting. Who rejoices in your triumphs as much as, if not more than, you yourself do. That person who is there for you even when they can't physically be by your side. A sister who is always loving you and praying for you. That is my Diana.

A few years ago, Diana found her Fred Wright and I was able to be by her side as she prepared for life by his. Together they are a beautiful example of everything that love and marriage should be. The day that was one of the most wonderful in Diana's life was also one of the most beautiful of mine as well. I was so happy for my best friend who deserves all that is good and beautiful in this world that even thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes. She was the most beautiful of brides. I was honored to be by her side and there to remind her "if he faints, make sure you catch him!"

Diana has become a mother. She has two of the most beautiful angels I have ever seen. She is a model of womanly virtue and a domestic goddess. : ) I know that her life is not perfect or easy, but it is hers and she lives it to the best of her ability. Always striving to be the best wife, mother, friend, teacher and mentor that she can be.

The only thing that breaks my heart is that we can't be by eachothers side to share the ups and downs of life. I wish I could bring her ice cream when she's sick and feeling down. Drink tea by her side while she shares what's on her heart. Or that we could just sit together on a couch and introduce her daughters to the magic of Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austen. I wish we had the same phone plan so we could talk for hours! : ) I know that God has a plan and someday He will allow us more opportunities to spend time together.

As much as I wish life was as simple as it was when we were girls, I am simply happy to know that God brought my Diana into my life when I needed her the most and allowed her to help shape me into who I am. I am eternally thankful. Of course, "True friends are always together in spirit." — L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables), and together in prayer.

Dearest Diana, I love you! I am thankful that God brought you into my life. I have spent today thinking of you, rejoicing in our memories and thanking God and you for all the joy and support you have always given me. I'm praying that you are enjoying this lovely summer day in the company of your amazing and loving husband and daughters. Take a moment to sit by yourself on your porch, surrounded by flowers and blue sky, and remember all the blessings and milestones in your life. Then know that there are so many more wonderful things to come.

Happy Birthday, Diana of the Lake of Shining Waters!!! You are like the sparkle on those waters and in the lives of your loved ones. May your day be filled with joy and the memories of the two giggling girls that we still are! God bless you, Diana! I love you!