More Than...

Ephesians 3:20

Now glory be to God!

By His might power at work within us,

He is able to accomplish infinitely MORE THAN

we would ever dare to ask or hope.

Yesterday afternoon, Marky and I were floating in the ocean and I was overcome with the emotion of gratitude.  Gratitude to the Lord for His blessings and His provision and His love for me.  Ten years ago, I would have never even thought about going on a vacation.  Much less an enjoyable one. Eight years ago, drowning in fear and sadness, there was never a thought of a vacation.  I was raising my two daughters alone and taking life one day at a time.  It was a good life, getting better day by day, but it wasn't a "going on vacation" life.  Then, the Lord brought Patrick into our lives, and brought us into his.  Patrick was God's MORE THAN for me, for Marky and Maddie.  And shortly there after, God brought another two MORE THANS in the people of Meredith and Michael.  He made the 6 of us a family.  A very happy family who is on a vacation together, experiencing MORE THAN 

I would have ever thought was possible in the form of a relaxing, fun, adventurous, luxurious, happy time away from home. 

We are making memories, we are having fun, we are enjoying life together.  

It's MORE THAN I could have ever dared to ask or hope for.  

Praise you, Father,

I give YOU glory for all of this.   

June 3

Our little Meredith Grace turned 6 today.  She has had the best day ever, celebrating in many ways.  She has been sung to a few times, opened some gifts, eaten yummy treats, played hard, and been loved on by her family.  My birthday is also in June, and as a kid (AND as an adult!) I had many birthdays while the family was on vacation.  So, I learned from my mom (the queen of all things celebratory) the art of making sure that your daughter feels special and celebrated on her birthday, even while not at home.  Meredith was pretty surprised when I pulled out gifts that I had wrapped (thank you Sarah!) and stowed away in my suitcase.  We had her birthday dinner at Chili's to ensure a noisy, racous, off-key birthday song to end the meal.  Following the song, she got a yummy birthday browie, which we all helped her devour.  Add to this fun day swimming, and more Disney channel, and you have one happy six year old. 

Tonight,  I asked Daddy what he remembered about the day that Meredith was born.  We both recalled eating blueberries while I was in labor, my mom and our doula being at the delivery, he remembered the warm blankets that the nurses kept bringing him (huh?!). We talked about the head of black hair that Meredith was born with, her dark skin, but most memorable of all, the look on her face as she stared up at him, her daddy, when she graced the world with her adorable presence.  This is a look that marks her sweet little face on a daily basis.  She was literally born with it.   

Happy Birthday, dear girl.

You are one of a kind

and we are blessed by you every day. 

Day 1

After a long day of travel, Florida has welcomed us with it's hot temperatures and sticky climate.  Even though our travel day was long, it was really good.  Every leg of the trip was smooth and predictable.  After much fun on the plane, crazy-people-watching in the airports, and 200 snacks and drinks later we arrived.  The kids travel so well.  They really are experts at it, and I am always so proud of them when we travel.  Usually,  I am the one who needs a time-out some time during the day, impatient with typical airline annoyances and tired from long day/ late-night preparations for the trip. But with 1700 miles behind us, exciting days ahead of us, we are quite happy to be here.  

Last night, we went swimming, ordered yummy Italian take-out from  Carrabbas, jumped on the beds, watched the Disney channel, annoyed each other, and went to sleep faster than we ever have. 

We have woken up with have dewy skin and curly hair, and we are anticipating what our first day will bring us. The most exciting thing about today, June 3rd, is that it's Meredith's birthday!  She is 6 today, and is as cute as ever.  She told me this morning that she feels taller because she is 6.  Patrick is an amazing trip planner and has fun things in store for us each day.  In a minute we will begin re-packing up our 13 pieces of luggage, loading our red rental van, and heading further south.  It's going to be a great day!!!  I can feel it... along with the HOT temps.  This Colorado girl, cold from our long winter and wet spring, is inviting the HEAT to warm my insides up!!!