sweet sixteen

Allen and I celebrated 16 years of marriage last month. Thanks to Grammy and Grandpa we went to Atlanta and indulged ourselves in massages and a musical. Two of our favorite things.

A few thoughts about the man I married long ago...

I know him better than anyone in the world and yet I continue to learn new things about him.

If he is teasing you, he loves you. He teases me a lot.

I love that we have been together long enough that I can remember when he only shaved once a week and when there wasn't a wrinkle where his dimple is.

When my back goes out, he enjoys taking care of me. This speaks volumes to me.

He does the majority of the grocery shopping and always brings me a treat that he saw and thought I would like.

His smile still melts my heart. Especially when it is given across a crowded room.

He often says, "I can't believe I got to marry Julie Barber"

I am so glad he did.

Father's Day

Allen looks forward to Father's Day. He looks forward to his kids giving him a back rub/scratch the most. They love to play "guess what I am using to scratch/rub your back" and Allen is happy to play along. Things like magazines, picture frames, belts have been used. A few years ago we had to set some rule when the game went on too long and the kids used a toothbrush and Carter's tongue.

This year Carter and Jared wanted to give Allen a Wii video game, Punch Out. I told them that the game cost too much money for them to spend on a gift. Allen had mentioned how he wanted to get the game and so the boys couldn't get this off their minds. I told them to try to think of something else. As the weeks went on they said they really wanted to get this for him and were ok spending the money. I was touched by how much they were willing to sacrifice for their dad since I know how much they value money and are always saving money to buy something for themselves. We ended up all giving him the game. Last year they wanted to give Allen an iphone for his birthday and were prepared to save all their money and spend it all on the phone for their dad. Luckily Allen bought one the month before his birthday because they were so determined it would have been hard to say no. I am proud of my boys who love their dad so much that they are willing to sacrifice for him.

I enjoy watching the kids come in and wake Allen up with breakfast in bed. I enjoy watching them climb in bed with him and cuddle up with him as he reads their homemade cards. The pride on their faces as he reads and compliments their cards is priceless.

storms

I LOVE thunderstorms. And we have had some monster storms these past few weeks. For as long as long as I can remember I have loved to watch them. First the sky turns dark and the wind starts to pick up. And then the extra large rain drops start to fall randomly. Then the bottom drops out and you can't see an inch in front of you. The lighting and thunder get going and the whole house shakes. I have fond memories of working at the pool in Sugarwood and watching the thunderstorms roll in. We would clear the pool and huddle under the shelter and watch the magnificent show. I have been know to gather my kids on the screened in porch or stop reading to them and have us all look out the window and watch for awhile.

The other night Allen was taking the boat to help out with a youth activity on the lake. He had to drive the boat about 20 minutes away to a dock. They were calling for possible storms that night, but the sky was blue. Allen went ahead because the night before he had been out on the boat when they were calling for storms and they had all gone around the area. He got to the dock ok, and then a storm hit. They all went up to the house to wait it out and enjoyed the hail that came along with this one. There was a break and he decided to try to make it back to our dock(after he dumped all the water that had gotten into the boat). He and a friend took off and about half way back they could see dark behind them and dark in front of them. They were stuck and had to go on. They drove through the second storm and made it back safely. Allen said driving through a thunder storm in a boat was not something he would ever like to repeat. During all this, I was home with the kids. I wasn't enjoying the storm like I usually did. During the first one I called him and was happy to hear he was already there and on land. During the second one I was sure he was caught in the middle of it and wouldn't be able to hear my call. So I paced the house and was short with the kids. As I was tucking them in I was saying the family prayer and asked that Allen would make it home safely and the moment the words came out of my mouth my phone rang. It was Allen saying they made it ok to the dock.

I still love storms. But only when my family is not out in them.

all in pieces

While I was out Jared knocked over this shell by accident and broke it into pieces. It is a special shell that Allen and I brought home from our trip to a private island a few years back. It was big and all in one piece and reminded us of one of our favorite trips together. Allen said that when it happened Jared fell to pieces, crying and crying. Allen comforted him and said I wouldn't be mad. I came home and saw the pieces and Jared came and explained what happened. As he was talking and choking back tears I felt my own come to the surface. Was it wrong that I was touched that he felt so bad? We hugged and I told him that I loved him a lot more than some shell. Later that night I found this note tucked half way under my pillow. So sweet. Maybe I am doing something right with these kids.

growing up too fast

Some things the kids have said that makes me think they are growing up too fast:

-After pulling out a receipt from her happy meal, Claire says, "Um, I think I got a text message"

-After being offered the spatula to lick after making blonde brownies, Jared said, "No that's OK. I think I have had enough sugar for today"

But then this conversation happens and I feel better:
me: Claire, you are my princess.
Claire: Mom, you are my...um, mom, are queens mommies?
me: yes
Claire: Ok, then Mommy, you are my queen.

and so it begins

Four and a half years after we bought our piece of land on the lake we are finally building. It will take approximately 13 months to build our house. It took us almost a year to design the house. I loved every minute. I will occasionally post some pictures showing the progress. We are excited. We are nervous. But we are more excited. I think I am going to love every minute.

swim bike run

This past Saturday Carter and Jared did their first kid triathlon. The lucky kids got to slide down this cool slide to start it off. The boys agreed that the biking was lots of fun and the running was a lot harder then they thought it would be. Is this the first or last triathlon they participate in? That is yet to be determined. I hope it is just their first. I am again so proud of my boys.