Marriage: Delight or Duty

Date Night

Two of the most beautiful words...EVER!

It was our first time out together since the baby was born.

We saw this movie...The Vow.

What a great movie to spark conversations and think through the realities of what we pledged to each other before God on our wedding day.

But it really got me thinking. I remember thinking marriage would be such a golden season of life, but learned from my friends who married first that was the farthest truth. It is definitely a blessing and gift from the Lord. But it was tough... they weren't always happy....they fought ....they didn't "complete each other" as we all hoped after watching Jerry McGuire

and most of all they didn't give up because it was tougher than they thought.

Thankfully, because of them, I went into marriage a little more wise. I knew it was going to be tough and that it was something we'd have to work on the rest of our lives. We would have to kindle the romance, talk through disagreements and forgive grievences.

So what I've realized over my few short years of marriage is that marriage is both delight and duty. It is our duty to cleave to one another as long as we both shall live. When we hit snags or struggle through certain seasons (for us transitioning into being married while parenting has been tough), and stick through it....we'll find delight.

Please know that I understand some marriages are faced with larger trials or more difficult circumstances than we've faced thus far. But I believe in God's Word and how He blesses marriage.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[b] her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[c] 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:25-33

nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. 3You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married”; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married.

5For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:2-5

The biggest delight (though this is sometimes a hard concept to remember and even understand) is that marriage is an example of Christ and the church.

Our marriage can be a light to the world... to share His good news.

He delights in you and will rejoice over you.

What a God we have!

Here is the real couple with the actors who played them in the movie.

They are believers and had more of a spiritual focus on why they stuck through this tragic trial together.

You can read this article by Focus on the Family here. It talks about the real couple and how the movie was changed a bit from the reflection of this true story. They wrote a book and I would be interested in reading it. As Scott and I talked after the movie and tried to imagine one of us forgetting all we've had....I just couldn't wrap my head around it. The thing the hollywood movie missed is that this real life couple NEVER gave up. They did not divorce in real life and kept their vows through a very rough season.

I pray that God gives Scott and I the grace to sustain our marriage until death. That we would be protected from serious trials and that the ones we are dealt would only grow us stronger.

I do know something, dates like last night....

movies that make us talk about our lives and future...

yummy food over long conversations....

laughter that covers pent up frustrations....

hearing your husband tell you sweet nothings all night while holding your hand....

IS REALLY GOOD FOR YOUR MARRIAGE.

Thanks to my sis, bro-in-law and parents for making it possible for us sneak out for a bit!

Feeling a little split today....

We love UK basketball!

My love is passed down from my bleeds blue Daddy who is a life long UK fan.

But today I'm feeling a little split.

Tonight UK plays Scott's and my alma mater...

so we are cheering

GO BIG RED!!!

Sadly, I have a feeling they'll need all the cheering they can get.

T-O-P-S.... TOPS! TOPS! TOPS!

Linking up with Emily for Embrace The Camera

Spring and 40 weeks

Spring has sprung here (at least for now) and we are living it up!!!

It's such a joy to let the kids play outside and run free.

They were playing chalk just an hour ago and now neighbor kids have come to play football in the front yard.

Another big thing about today is it is Livingston's due date : )

She is exactly three weeks old and weighs about 7lbs. and 4 oz.

It's weird to think she could still be in my tummy.

So glad she is here with us.

Here are some pictures of her 3 weeks old on her due date!

We are so in love with our sweet baby!

Happy 3 weeks Liv!

My MEGA amazing shower!!!

So my family and friends through us one amazing shower!

We invited many of friends and all family members so it was a pretty mega shower.

They had it at my parents church fellowship room.

Here are pictures to share how creative and wonderful my friends and family are.

This was in the entrance of the shower and had the games on those cute programs.

The sign was made by my sweet friend, Whitney to use on the hospital door (which we did and got lots of compliments). Isn't it cute?

The dessert table designed, baked and created by my wonderful friend, Rachel.

Seriously, isn't it gorgeous. She made all my favorite things!

Red Velvet truffles dipped in white choc. because I don't like normal choc.

Gooey Butter cake with Strawberry coulis in these cute little cups!

The only kind of choc. I like....little choc. pudding pies.

And look at the sweet filigree hearts on top!

one last shot of how pretty it looked all together.

Another fun thing about the way we do showers that was started by some friends is themed tables. Someone decorates each table with their gifts and it based around a theme. Super cute idea plus you don't waste money on decorations. Here are some of the tables they did....

My sweet friend Haley did the "bath time" table! Isn't it cute?!?!

My sister, Nina, did the "on the go" table. I love the little chest she put it all in. She said "I thought you could use it for newborn pictures". She knows me so well...and I did use it!!!

My sis-in-law, April and nieces, Harley and Emerson, did the "Bedtime" table. I love the little doll and her little pjs!

This was such a cute table idea....done by my other Scott's sister, MaiBeth and mom, Ann. The "Daddy"table had a Daddy Survival kit and you can see more of it near the end of the post where Scott tried some of it on for us. Look at that cute little (BIG) baby...the Man was cute even as a baby!

My sister, Johnah, did the "Sibling" table and she had some neat goodies! She made journals for each kids so I can record the cute things they are doing. You can't see my favorite part which was Big Bro, Big Sis, and Lil Sis shirts for my three cuties. Even matching hairbows for the girls.

My friend, Whit, did the "Feeding" table and made this adorable diaper cake. I love the hungry caterpillar and the cupcake toys for her carrier. Seriously, adorable!!!!

My cousin, Cindy, did the "playtime" table and just as always spoiled my baby girl with lots of goodies. My other two have already enjoyed these toys before baby Liv even arrived. Look at all those onsies too....super cute!

My precious Moma did a table just for me! I loved it because I needed several of the items she had on there...nursing pajamas, house shoes, lotion and a cute Mommy and Me book!

My good friend, Jessica did the "Changing" table and look I had two adorable diaper cakes. This one was adorned with other diapering goodies and a potty book! Look and see my babies name on the little wooden blocks.

This table was done by my friends, Dora and Debbie... they went all out on this "Christmas" table. You should see the sweet smocked dress and winter coat all ready for her first Christmas. There were soo many goodies I couldn't help but get giddy thinking of using all these sweet gifts.

The decorations were so cute and they even used some of our maternity pics.

I was overwhelmed with all the presents and support we got that day and continue to get.

We wanted for nothing with this sweet baby.

Here are the Hudson girls and big ole pregnant me!

It's fun to look back and see all we've through together over the years.

I love it!

My sis and me! One baby birthed and one to go : )

Nana and her soon to be 5th granddaughter!

My m-i-l loves to compare my belly to Grandaddy Herman's!

Everyone said I was finally winning.

I think they are right : )

It's hard to believe I was that big just three weeks ago...whoa!!!

Ok after we got home, Scott's family was there to see him open the Daddy Survival Kit.

Here he is with mask, goggles, tongs, and hazardous waste bag!

I think we were ready for anything!

Thank you Moma, Johnah, Haley, Ann, MaiBeth, Whitney, Dora, April, Harley, Em, Nina, Jessica, Rachel, Cindy, Debbie, Carol for making this shower so special.

And to everyone else for coming to celebrate our sweet baby girl!

Our THREE

We are a family of five, but legally we are only a family of three.

I hate this!

It drives me nuts that when I post pics of our little Liv, that I can't post pics of our other two.

I'm so proud of this family. Proud of my two oldest children.

I want to shout from the roof tops that this is my family and these are the children we've been given.

But I can't right now.

I do want to give an update of sorts. We've gone through another important hearing that went our way. Only one left to go before we can start the actual adoption process. I cannot wait!

The Lord is my portion and my hope. That is what I'm holding to as I continue to wait.

Pray with us for our next court date to happen A.S.A.P. and for the big goal: for us to adopt these precious children that we love soo much.

No matter what they'll always be ours, but we'd love to make that legally official.

Here is the only type of picture I can share of ALL THREE of our blessings...

Holy Hormones Batman

For whatever reason around about college, my hormones must have just leveled out.

I used to be a fairly emotional person. I would have a good cry when I really needed one. Teared up at a good sappy movie. And instead of getting angry and yelling, I usually cried.

But like I said, somewhere after college, I stopped being so emotional.

I hardly ever cry.

Seriously, I might tear up now and then, but not a big crier.

When I got pregnant, I expected the flood gates to open.

Scott said I was a little more emotional, but I still think I was pretty level for a pregnant lady.

But oh my, post pregnancy was my breaking point.

I definitely had a touch of the baby blues.

I cried over everything.

In the hospital, when I didn't feel myself and was extremely tired.

When I couldn't come home to be with my other babies.

Watching tv and seeing a commercial, could totally open the flood gates.

My most heart wrenching moments of being a mother of a newborn for the first time was last Friday. On Thursday I noticed that my baby girl only had two wet diapers the whole day. I knew this wasn't good. We had just been to the hospital to check her jaundice the day before. It came back ok so they wanted us to come in for a weight check.

They set us to come in at 1:30pm on Friday... 30 min. after a HUGE set of storms was supposed to hit our area. I didn't care what I had to get through as long as I could know my baby was ok. Scott's school let out early because of the possible threat of tornado (which was good since their school was hit pretty hard and had damage) so he got to go with me.

We'd already been in for one weight check (two days after getting out of the hospital) and she had gained 5 oz. I had felt pretty confident she was getting what she needed and thought we were on a roll. But then came Friday.

We drove through crazy winds and walked into the dark doctors office lobby (they just opened up from their lunch). We were the only patients there. First thing right off is when you weigh them and she had lost 2 oz. I was upset because it didn't make sense to me. She had been nursing better than ever. Then the doctor came in and talked to us. He was a little concerned with her limited wet diapers, but didn't want us to supplement just yet. He told me to feed her ever 2 hrs. during the day and every 3 hrs. at night. He also wanted us to come back in for a weight check the next morning. If her weight dropped any more he'd need to check her labs and worse case might have to put her in the hospital on fluids. I was just about to flip out when a nurse stuck her head in and said the tornado sirens were going off. They said we'd need to get down in the basement. I called my parents who were watching our other two while they napped to tell them to put them in our closet.

We get into the basement and I'm a little nervous with the storms and not being with all my kids. Then it's time for me to nurse and there is a few men down there so I move to a corner. Dust off a dirty chair and scoot over a few boxes to make room for us. I try to nurse her and nothing I could do would get her to wake up. I call Scott over and he tries to encourage me and help her wake up. I just start bawling....right there... in the basement of our pediatrician...with a possible tornado going on outside.

I couldn't get control. I just cried for like fifteen minutes until someone says we can leave. Thankfully, no one sees me and I dry it up for us to get to the car.

This is tough but I know a lot of it is my hormones.

Thankfully, the next morning she'd gained almost 3 oz. and we had another weight check on Tuesday. She'd gained 5 oz. then and he said we didn't need to come back until her 2 mo. appointment. Praise the Lord.

I feel like I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel a little leveled out emotionally. It's all worth it for this sweet baby girl....

Gymnastics vs. Dance

My girl is super excited about all things dance, flipping and twirling about.

I was in gymnastics for most of my youth and loved every moment of it.

I did however always wanted to try ballet or tap, but never did.

Since E will be 3 this summer, I'm going to put her in some type of class.

I was thinking of starting her in a dance class because she always runs to get her tutu when anyone is dancing on the tv.

But recently, I've let her play on a little mat we have and she is so in love with it.

So now I'm wondering

if maybe she'd rather

be in gymnastics class?

What do you guys think?

Either way, I'm sure she'll love it!