4 Years Married

June 26.

Today's date marks the best party I have ever attended, the most fun I have ever had, and the most confident decision I have ever made. In many ways it feels like the time has flown by, but at the same time, it seems like it has always been this way. Haven't I always been doing life married to this remarkable man? I can't imagine things any other way.

It's natural for days like this to cause me to reminisce about the past and dream about the future. Not too long ago, I asked Kevin about the day we first said "I love you" to each other. Where were we? Who said it first? What was the context? Because well...I couldn't remember. Kev did though. I did remember the part about it taking three whole days after we were officially dating for us to drop the "L-bomb" as a sweet friend of mine so affectionately calls it. THREE DAYS. I always say he was so easy to fall in love with. 

And it's the truth.

And he is still so easy to love. Yes. Marriage is the best. And yes. Waking up married to Kevin Dickerson is hands-down my favorite part about my everyday. But marriage is also hard. And it is the most vulnerable thing I have ever been a part of. The more difficult parts only emphasize our need for a Savior. And the more beautiful parts only emphasize just how good He is to us. And there is no one else on the whole planet I would rather be on this sanctifying journey with than the man I call my husband.

So, happy 4 year anniversary, my love. My whole heart is yours, but somehow you find a way to steal it away time and time again. 

You are my best friend. 

I'll love you forever and ever... 

Hometown Hoopla!

I feel like I'm coming out of being the best "good kind of busy" I've been in a while. Our lives have followed a winding road these days full of twists and turns that have pointed us in just about every direction except for the same one. Hopefully, I can shed more light on that later :). But between learning how to manage and pay bills (a baton Kev is officially passing on to me), organizing the mountains of paperwork needing to be filed and shredded in our home office, and washing and categorizing (by size of course) Nolan's new wardrobe and other goodies, I am finally able to sit down and write about where many of the cute baby things that I keep oooo-ing and awww-ing over nowadays came from.

My family threw an incredible baby shower for our boy. A HUGE shoutout to my sister, Shannon, and my cousin, Kristin, for all of their hard work in orchestrating such a celebration. I know there are SO many other people to thank, but it would be impossible to name them all. From the detailed decor to the delicious breakfast food to the manicured lawn to the overwhelming amount of gifts, so many loved ones contributed to the beauty of that Saturday. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. When Shannon asked me where I wanted to have the shower, there was no doubt in my mind of the perfect spot. At the farm where countless family gatherings have taken place and where, now, my own parents and brother reside. I figured, why not add to the memories already there?

Over 30 women (and Clay) gathered together on the morning of Saturday, June 7th. It was all around the most beautiful day. The ladies. The decorations. The weather. Simply beautiful. We had the BEST time. I saw so many faces I haven't seen in practically forever and my soul was so refreshed by the day and time spent with so many people I love. Sometimes words just aren't enough and pictures tell the story best. 

Here are a few of my faves that were captured on my sister's camera:

There are still so many pictures I'd love to post! These are just a taste of the fun that was had. 

I literally cannot thank everyone enough. I love y'all!

So I think that pretty much catches me up on the happenings as of late. I spent this past Friday night and Saturday at Jacksonville (Jax) Beach, Florida cheering Kev on as he competed in his first ever beach volleyball tournament. A few of our friends competed as well. It was HOT. But the weather was absolutely beautiful. Nolan and I hung in there, no sweat (I definitely don't mean that literally). I hope it will be the first of many tourneys Kevin participates in. I REALLY enjoyed watching him play and feel like I learn more and more about the game each time I view it. And I'm his biggest fan...duh. It's fun to imagine Nolan joining us. We're praying he loves the sand as much as Daddy does!

And speaking of my two favorite guys, I'll end with this:

Last night, Kevin was especially exhausted after a long day at work and an evening spent playing sand volleyball at Daffin Park (our Monday night hang-out spot). We were at home laying on the couch watching the Braves game. Kev fell asleep within a few minutes of getting comfy, but not until after he whispered, with his hand resting gently on my belly, "With your two boys." He took the words right out of my mouth. Nolan was wiggling around like crazy as his daddy fell asleep, but just as Kev began to sleep, Nolan stopped moving. I like to think he fell asleep, too. So I wrapped up my Monday with both of my guys snuggled close and sleeping soundly. Perfection.

Ignorance is Bliss?

Well hello there, third trimester.

I can hardly believe we've reached that point already. Tri = 3, which means we're in the third part of three, which means we're in the home stretch! WOW. 

Look at us go, little boy. Look at us go.

And look at me GROW. 

People still think I look "small" for being 7 months along, but most hours of most days I beg to differ. I feel HUGE. Huge...but great. I know, I know. It's still really early in the game, and I'm just barely entering the season of pregnancy that most women dread. But I can honestly say that I am thoroughly enjoying being pregnant. Do I love the lack of sleep because I'm not a very good side sleeper? Of course not. Not to mention the fact that cuddling with my husband is kind of out of the question right now. Do I love how exhausted I feel after I climb the stairs? And the way the balls of my feet and heels hurt from carrying all of this extra weight? Who would? 

Besides all the little woes I experience (that ultimately seem inevitable), I have absolutely no complaints. Yet ;). Talk to me in a handful of weeks, and perhaps I'll sing a different tune. But for now...I'm still infatuated with this bumpity bump and with the crazy dances my belly does (especially at night). I love feeling the hiccups and squirming of our growing, healthy baby. His strength is increasing and his routines are setting in. And the best part? Is that I finally have time during the day to pause and enjoy it all. I can't be anything but thankful. 

And as I enter this last trimester, something dawned on me. I've officially decided that for me, when it comes to this thing called pregnancy, ignorance is most definitely bliss. I have a confession to make: I haven't read the first book about being pregnant, child birthing, or any of those things. I just haven't had any desire to. And I've come to the the realization that for me and for my personality, some things are just better unread, unsaid, and unknown. It keeps me from having unrealistic expectations, especially when things aren't going the way "that book" said they would. I promise I'm not bashing the books, or the blogs, or whatever may suit your fancy. They can be great! And helpful! And most are chalk full of all kinds of useful information. But maybe, just maybe, during this season of my life, I can alleviate some of the fear that I'm so often so prone to give in to. I'll read blogs from time to time and my daily prego update on my handy dandy app (of course), but other than that, in that way, I feel like I have done the bare minimum to prepare. 

My absolute favorite sources from which to glean wisdom and learn are the first-hand experiences in the lives of those nearest and dearest to my heart. Time spent with friends and family who will let me ask a multitude of questions and who will often times gracefully bare their hearts in answering them is priceless. And I need you ladies to know how much I so appreciate your vulnerability, your advice, and your willingness to let me sit at your feet (sometimes literally) and just act like a sponge, soaking it all in. I have gained more from listening to and doing life with each of you than I could ever learn in any birthing book. I pray that throughout my journey, you will remind me that I can't, but God did. And that I'm not (or I am) because of what Jesus has already done. My prayer is that we'll be confident in speaking the Gospel into one another's lives as we journey together. 

p.s. If there ARE any awesome parenting books out there that I should know about...

by all means...tell a sister! :)