dear hardy boy #1,

when i look back on the last two years of my life, i  have so much to be thankful for and i don't know where to begin.

 i thank God every day for putting you in my life when he did. thank you for sticking around. thank you for always putting up with my bad moods. and thank you for always trying your best to take care of me, even if it's just telling me i need to go to bed, rest, or even just to take my medicine.  i never imagined i could get so lucky in the boyfriend department, but you are above and beyond when it comes to any expectations i could have ever came up with over the years. i don't think you know how amazing you are. thank you for all the unexpected flowers on random days. you are a sweetheart, my sweetheart.

i also want you to know that there's not a thing you do that goes unnoticed. i see you getting up and going to work all day after a not so good night of sleep, a late night out. i know you have a tough job and i know 5:30 comes early and i know how much you love your sleep. and you give it all up just to take care of us. i love you so much.

i see the way you look at brantley, and i know you are a proud daddy and i cannot wait to watch him look up to you and learn from you as he grows up. you are the most amazing daddy and he is so so so so lucky to have you. and so am i.

i just don't feel like these words are enough though.

i'm so glad you were so relentless back in 2011 when you kept wanting to hang out with me. and i'm so glad i chose you to go to the jason aldean concert with me. i have enjoyed every minute with you. these last two years have truly been the best ones of my life, full of fun and adventure and experiences and so many new things. i'm SO happy i have had you by my side, i would never want to spend this life with anyone but you and i look forward to so many more years with you babe.

two years, two places and a baby later and i believe we are happier than ever. i know i am.

faith, hope, love

I have downloaded these two apps onto my ipod for daily inspiration. One is the Word (by PocketFuel) and the other is Devotion. BOTH have really inspired me, and I feel God has really been speaking to me using these over the last week (if not longer.) and I wanted to share.

Here was my verse on September 29th:

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. -- Hebrews 6:19

We were at the beach, so you can see how I was excited and thought this photo/verse were perfect. Plus, I'm a sucker for all things anchor.

As Jake and I were standing in the ocean letting the waves roll into us, he held onto me and even said "glad I can be your anchor."

October 2nd was our last morning at the beach, and it was bittersweet, but we had things to look forward to once we got home. My verse on this day was Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

A few points (taken from the devotion): 1. "Our God is able..." no matter what depth, what distance, what trouble, what pain, or what heartache, the Creator of everything is able. That's a promise! 2. "To do exceedingly abundantly above..." Listen to and absorb those adjectives. They don't represent a little trickle. It's more than a bucket-load. It sounds like more than you or I could ever imagine! Don't limit the promise of God with "well I hope God does something in my life..." NO WAY! Stand on, proclaim, speak out and hang onto the promise of "exceedingly abundantly above!" 3. "All we ask or think..." Don't let your asking or thinking be too small... you're limiting yourself and the blessing God will pour out. Let it be to the outer limits and He'll do even more above that.

I will admit I am guilty of saying things like "I hope (this) or (that) happens." There's that word again, HOPE. 

But God has really blessed us with a great opportunity, and it might be a challenge but I know he's going to be right there helping us through. He wouldn't give us this life if we weren't strong enough to live it.

Yesterday was "day 3" and my verse: For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

We are taking a big leap by going where we're going, but we're believing we can do it. We can't see the future, so we have to go with faith. We have Faith in ourselves and I know God will help us.

"What are you believing for today? Do you just live day by day according to what you can see? Living on the merry go round of the tangible and material? Whatever you hope for for the future, whatever you need, live by believing... add belief to your day... Do you need provision? Believe that God can meet all your needs. Do you need healing? Believe that He rose with healing in His wings. Do you need hope for today and tomorrow? Believe that He has a future and hope for you! Live by faith - not just by what you can see. There is so much more around you and within you than what you can see... Open the eyes of your spirit and heart by activating faith - step out, take courage, believe... Living by faith always leads you to the solid ground of grace."  (taken from the app)

And lastly. Last night. After all of the good things happening for us, Jake took my car to put gas in it and then got in and it wouldn't start. Ain't that how it goes? Seems every car waits to break down after you fill em up. Feeling discouraged, my ipod lit up with my nightly devotion titled "Don't Give Up."

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. - Galatians 6:9

My God is Awesome. Now tell me, how can you not believe?

Faith, Hope, Love. 
The keys.