the year of fruit & flowers.

that's the traditional gift for four years of marriage. FOUR! go us! the trials we've faced, the uphill battles we've climbed, the odds we've beat, the sacrifices we've made... i'm dang proud of the marriage we've built, and the roots we've put down, and our sweet little home we've made.

the love and devotion, the vows we took, they save us when we sabotaged ourselves, heal us when we wound each other, and humble us to forgiveness. it has taught us what trust looks like, how to give grace, communicate the lumps in our throats and live honestly. these bits are the backbone of our day to day, the life to our love. and each day we are learning to care for each other better, to be the best version of ourselves and to hold each other close when we fall short. 

there is no one on this earth i'd rather conquer this world with, wake up to each day, seek new adventures with, or sit on the couch pouting with. no one i'd rather have tickle me until i'm stark mad, chase me around the house or creep me out until i'm crawling with the heebee-jeebees. no one i'd rather raise babies with, belly laugh at, pray alongside or dream big with. 

somehow i knew the moment i met him, that he was my home. and i don't think it coincidence that since the beginning of all things "us", and still today, we sign every love letter "home". and it's true, through and through, no matter the circumstance, he will always be my heart's home. 

happy four years my dear. it's just the start to growing old and the many years to come. a strong steadfast start. i love you. i've always loved you. i'll always love you. 

love, 

home

dear dad.

to my dad,

you may not be a man of many words, but you have never missed an award, a game, or a milestone event. you have always been a quite driving force of support and love in my life. even when disappointment and heartbreak were my anthem (ohh adolescence), you were my constant. when my choices were the direct opposite of your advice, you still stood in my corner, hoping for the best. thank you, for you ever present gentle guidance, treasured words of approval and unwavering love. i'm excited for you to be a new grand-dad all over again. 

to my husband, 

my number one fan, my solid rock i cling to, and the keeper of all the bits and peices that are me - i adore you. you are an amazing, in your face, get on the ground, let your imagination soar, daddy. you have taught me so much about what it means to parent selflessly, to live in the moment (and not the planning), to overcome parent guilt and wake up each morning a better step mom, a better mama bear. it's a gift, the way you take care of us. and it's a joy to parent with you, to watch you thrive as a father. plus, you're just so uber handsome to watch ;). happy father's day my sweet husband, thank you for your unconditional love and support, your steadfast loyalty. you are a blessing, one we get to wake up to and dog pile each morning. we love you, times infinity. 

hope all you dads out there were showered with love and doting from your own sweet babies. happy day to you. 

school's out for summa.

are ya singing? i am. *school's out forrrrr eva*

i can't believe today starts summer vacation. it feels like just yesterday we were shopping for henry's very first school supplies and anticipating kindergarten... and here we are now, ready for second grade. why is time flying at light speed? our boy is growing up far too fast.

makes me extra thankful to have this summer off, to lap up all the fun to be had, and be content in our daily routines. family bed each morning, stories every night, bike rides, swimming pools, park picnics and no alarm clocks (alarm clocks have been traded in for a screaming baby, haha). 

kicking off the holiday with movie night and popcorn and root beer floats. 

in case you were wondering what graduating first grade looks like - it's full of kisses and twirls from dad... he'll never be too big for daddy's affections. 

second grade here we come! but first, some summer shenanigans are in order. 

bath time.

i have sooo many blogs in my head that have yet to be written, but since this is fresh in my head, best to write it out while i have the chance. 

audrey does NOT like bath time. nope. not one bit. well... i take that back, she really enjoys her face and hair washed, but touch any other part of her bod with a wash cloth and it's screaming baby time. 

sponge baths have finally run their course and we got the 'a-okay' at her two week check-up to give her a full fledged bath. and she hated it. wailed through the whole thing, my poor babes. 

a milestone, none the less. a tough and teary one. 

yesterday we decided to try something different, it's all trial and error at this point to find what works. so we took a family shower, and maybe that sounds weird to some of you out there, but it will forever be one of the sweetest intimate moments with our baby girl. and the icing on the cake? she LOVED it. the spraying shower, being held under the warm water... not one tear was shed, nada one! it was pure baby peace as daddy washed her down. a bath time success!!! anything to make the transition to this world easier on our sweet child, count us in. 

a happy, fuzzy haired, sweet smellin' babes. it's my favorite. and now, so is family shower time.