Audree Ann. 8 months old

Happy EIGHT months sweet Audree Annie!

The one word that I think about when I think about you is....simple. Of course I think about all the endearing words like precious, sweet....all of those. But I also think of simple. 

Your personality is simple and beautiful. Your little life is simple--you laugh, you sleep, you eat, you are precious, you are simple. You are so easy for me to take care of...you're just simple.....but in the very sweetest way.

Not much has changed this month from last month but I wanted to acknowledge this milestone. 

Everyone always says the same thing when they talk about you....

They say you are so happy. And you are. Nothing could make me feel better inside to know that you are so happy. You are truly one of a kind!

I am so in love with you Audree. 

You will always have my heart, Mommy

Turks & Caicos: Our "Fairy-tale" Moments

I read a few things laying on the beach from the book on raising girls that really stood out to me. I wanted to share one of them today because I feel it is so simple yet so very true.

It was about fairy-tales. Usually the idea of living out a fairy-tale is placed in a girls mind at a very young age. All she has to do is watch her first episode of Cinderella and her eyes are open to what a fairy-tale looks like, what it might feel like, and what it might be like.

Cerly is two and she is already mesmerized by Cinderella. Her eyes are glued to the TV when Cinderella has her magical dress on, when prince charming dances her around, all the way to the very end when they live happily ever after. There is something that happens in young girls hearts when they witness a fairy-tale and there is an immediate desire to "want what Cinderella has."

In the book "Raising Girls" the author talks about the role of fathers and how it is important to teach their daughters that life, and marriage, is not like the fairy-tales that they have watched on TV their whole life. It talked about how dads can use wisdom as they allow their daughters to dream, to experience heart connections with the idea of one day finding a husband, but at the same time helping her create a realistic mindset as she grows older. There is nothing worse than having unrealistic expectations when it comes to love and marriage. This is just my opinion, but I think that is why so many marriages struggle so much that first  year.

Many girls go into it thinking that "this man" is her prince charming and life is going to be as sweet as candy....every single day. But if you have been married for more than a week then I think that you would agree with the fact that it is not always sweet, it is not always perfect, and your prince charming is going to let you down. You can't put two, imperfect people together.....two humans....and expect a fairy-tale like we watched as little girls.

The book was trying to encourage parents, especially dads, to create a healthy idea of love and marriage in your daughters so that they will understand that life has struggles and it will not always be easy. Of course it's ok to let them enjoy fairy-tales, and become giddy when watching them, but as they grow older I think we can help them in other ways so that we set them up to be successful in marriage.

This really made me think and I couldn't help but think about Cerly, and how big her blue eyes get when Cinderella turns into a princess. I desire for Brylee, Cerly and Audree to find their prince charming one day, but I know that their husbands will not be perfect souls. (that is why I am already praying for their husbands now ha!)

With all this being said, as adult women we must be aware of our mindsets when we think that other women around us are living a fairy-tale. I recently read something on a friends blog that said we have to be careful not to read too much into a picture because it is just a picture. So often we let our minds loose when we see a picture and we create something that may or may not be true. We have to remember that it is just a picture and we have no idea what happened before the picture.....or five minutes after. So very true.

I titled this post "our fairy-tale moments" because I look at our marriage like a fairy-tale. BUT it is OUR fairy-tale. It is not Cinderellas fairy-tale, or my best friends fairy-tale....it is ours. And even though I am sure it doesn't fit the definition of a TRUE fairy-tale....it is still ours and I love it. I love what God has done in us and through us as we have walked through marriage together.

I truly believe that everyone can have and embrace their own fairy-tale but I also believe that everyone's looks different. Every has different struggles. Every has different things that hurts their feelings. Everyone has different arguments. But if you continue to love each other, and not give up on each other, I believe that the struggles can bring greater intimacy and love in a home. I know that sometimes it can feel like there is no hope....but I promise there is always hope. Just hang on tight, pray constantly and do everything you can to continue finding love in your heart for the other person. There is always hope.

Brandon and I wanted to take some special pictures on this trip because it meant so much to us. I remember we used to say...."Man, if we ever make it to 10 years then we are having a party!" We decided to hold off on the party until maybe 20 years but it was important to us to get take a few pictures that we would be able to look at and just know the meaning behind them.

When I see these pictures, I see two imperfect people who refused to give up on each other. I see two people who love each other. I see a celebration of two hearts that are thankful for Gods grace and each others grace over the last ten years. I see victory over the devil, who tried very hard to destroy our marriage over and over again. I see a couple who had a big conflict just 24 hours after the picture was taken...because there is conflict in our fairy-tale.....and that is life. I see a family of five....even though three precious faces were missing. I see friendship. I see joy. I see a bond that God has brought together. I see two people who love big and hold on tight when it is time to walk through a valley.

I see our fairy-tale.....the good parts and the hard parts. These are some pictures from our fairy-tale moments!

We wanted to choose one picture to hang in the entry of our bedroom. One picture that would reflect the "ten year mark." We chose this next one.  I pray Brandon always holds me tight, no matter what is to come on our journey. I pray that God will hold us both....as well as our little girls. There is no better place to be than in Gods hands.

One of our favorite things we did was have a romantic dinner on the beach. For a second I felt like I was on The Bachelor ha! I even had a rose! And YES, I accepted his rose!

Just a few more evening pictures. Turks and Caicos is a very quiet, low-key island. We had lots of nice dinners, sweet music, and quiet while we were there....

We are already praying for and looking forward to the next ten years. I hope that God will shine in us and through us so that He will get the glory when we make it to 20 years! 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to two of the best men I know! They are both selfless, loving and so very patient. They love God, they love others, and they would both literally do anything for their family. Feeling extremely grateful today for my dad and my precious husband!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Father's  Day!

Turks & Caicos: The FUN Moments!

One night while we were away Brandon said something that made me smile. We were talking about the last ten years. The ups....the downs...all the parts in between. Somewhere in that conversation he said...."You know, even when we were struggling the most....we seemed to always have fun together."

I couldn't have said it better myself. We always have fun, no matter what heavy weight is upon us. It may only be an hour of fun but we always seem to bring a child-like spirit out in one another. There have been times where I have wondered how this could be, especially knowing all that we have walked through, and I think it comes down to something very simple....

We started out as friends. For many, many years that is all that we knew. Back then we never even thought about dating and friendship is all that we had....and we learned how to do it well. We had innocent fun no matter what we were doing and I think it taught us how to stay friends even after we were married. 

I remember this one time when we were struggling badly years ago. Divorce was in our vocabulary. We honestly did not know how we would ever make it through the valley that we had found ourselves in. At some point, during that time, I remember telling Brandon...."Even if we can't make it in marriage, I hope we can always stay best friends." And I meant it. I remember thinking that if we gave up then I would not only lose my husband but I would loose my person. My best friend. That thought was more than I could take and I believe our deep rooted friendship is what allowed us to hang on. And praise God we did. 

Having fun together is something that comes naturally to us and I am thankful for that gift because I believe it is a true gift. 

You know me, I took tons of pictures. I thought I would post the first set of all the FUN moments we had on the trip! 

This island was the most beautiful island I have ever been to. The waters were crystal clear....I could have sat on that beach forever. This picture is a bit bright but when the sun was out it was just an aqua, bright view!

I love that Brandon isn't afraid to have fun, write silly things in the sand, and take goofy pictures together!

One day we went to the water park there and tried this surfing thing. I was SO bad at it but it was fun while it lasted!!

Then there was the water slide that went into the ocean. So fun! Brandon's picture is so awesome and look at me. What in the heck happened?! Brutal picture!

One day we took a boat to a small little area that was so pretty. We were only there about 30 minutes but we had a good time!

Here we were trying to jump in honor of 10 years!

Several days we laid on the beach and read. Neither of us ever rest like we should. We go non-stop so this was huge for us to do nothing. I thought this was a sweet picture because I was reading "Raising Girls" and he was reading a daddy of girls book called "She calls me Daddy." I am thankful he desires to continue learning how to be an awesome dad of girls! I know we both learned a lot from these books and I actually finished the whole book. That's a first! Brandon looked over at one point and said how weird it was to see me read since I never sit down long enough to do it. 

Well those are just a few of the "FUN" pictures! We definitely had a blast!

We are home!

After six relaxing days away, Brandon and I are finally home!

We had a wonderful time together celebrating ten years. It was a great balance with lots of rest and lots of play. The girls did amazing at home which allowed us to relax even more. Very thankful for the time away.

Lots of pictures to come as soon as I can get unpacked and share lots of hugs with three sweet girls who I missed so very much.

It was a beautiful week in so many ways!

We sure missed the girls!! We are so fortunate that Audra & Ross were able to stay at our house and hold down the fort all week. The grandparents saved the day often to give them relief and we are just so thankful for everyone who helped. I honestly don't think the girls missed a beat because they were loved on constantly. Nothing could make me happier. Thank you to our families!!!

10 Unforgettable Years!

Happy TEN years Brandon!!! Over the last ten years I feel like we have been through so much, the good and the bad, the smiles and the tears, and yet somehow I truly love you more than I did on the day that I married you.

We never thought we would make it to year 10 and we have!!

Earlier this week  I was reminiscing and looking back at our wedding scrapbooks. I came across the letter that you wrote me ten years ago on our wedding day. I remember reading it before I walked down the aisle and my heart literally skipped a beat.

You were always the guy that I wanted to take care of me and that day I knew that God was making all of my dreams come true. I loved your genuine words and your sweet spirit with every line. You sure knew how to love me...and you still do.

I can honestly say that you have remained true to the words on the sheet. You have never lost faith in us, despite our obstacles over the years, and you have made me one happy woman. Thank you for always believing in our love and for always loving me in a way that only you can.

God knew what He was doing when He brought the two of us together and I am so thankful for that. You balance me out constantly, you always make me smile, and you make my life simply amazing by the way that you love me. When you look at me I feel like the only girl for you and nothing is sweeter than knowing that.

I want you to be reminded of some of the reasons that I love you......

I love you.
I love that I have known you over twenty years and I just keep finding myself loving you even more.
I love that you are the Daddy of our girls.
I love that you love the Lord and you desire to be a good man for all of us.
I love that you are sensitive and you care so deeply for me.
I love that you are my teammate and you would do anything to keep our team strong.
I love that you are smart.
I love that you have your priorities straight.
I love that I matter to you.
I love that you always kiss me goodnight and tell me to have sweet dreams. Always.
I love that you look like the little boy I met when I was 12 every time you laugh.
I love that you love me just as much as I love you.
I love that you let me dress you like a city boy in flip flops even though you are a country boy at heart. I love that you have never quit on me no matter what we have been through.
I love that you hug me all the time.
I love that you know how to make me smile and your heart desires to make it happen.
I love that you lead our family wisely in so many areas.
I love that there are so many things I don’t have to worry about because you just take care of them.
I love when you wear a backwards cap.
I love that you are my dentist since I need special attention every single time. I don’t know what I would do without the special kisses at the end of a rough procedure.
I love that you constantly try.
I love that you are a hard worker.
I love that you tell me how you are feeling about me. I never have to wonder.
I love what God has done in our marriage over the last ten years.
I love that nearly every time you walk by me you pat me on the butt or do something to let me know you are there….even after all these years.
I love that you always know the answers to hard questions when I ask. That’s why I call you google.
I love living life with you.
I love that you love me in a way that no one ever has or ever will.
I love that you notice me in a room filled with lots of people.
I love that you still pick on me because I was once told that if a boy picks on you then that means he likes you.
I love to hear you pray.
I love that you are honest.
I love watching you with our beautiful little girls.
I love when you cuddle with me.
I love that we now know how to fight fair when things don’t go right.
I love that you chose me to spend your life with.
I love that you have a playful side because it makes me more fun.
I love that you hold me when I have a bad dream.
I love that you are a gentlemen around me after all these years.
I love that you bring out the best in me.
I love that we still talk like we are friends but yet we kiss like we are in love.
I love that I know you better than I know anyone.
I love that God is the center of our home.
I love that you still want to look cute for me.
I love that you make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world to you.
I love that you are my soul mate and my very best friend.
I love that I love you more today than the day I married you. It really does just keep getting better.

I absolutely cannot wait to watch our little girls grow up with you by my side, to grow old with you, and to just know that you are the one who will hold me each night. You are my one and only. I remember hugging you as we danced to the last song played at our wedding. I remember feeling like the happiest girl in the world. I want you to know that I still feel that way when I think about you, and us, and the precious family we have built together. We have been through thick and thin together and we never gave up on each other....that means something. Thank you for loving me, for never giving up on me, and for always supporting me in the way that you have.

I made a short video for you to watch. I picked this song because it is so simple and it is how I feel. Many days I feel like we are still dating and I am falling in love with you all over again. I hope you enjoy it!

Click HERE to watch the video!

You truly are my very best friend. I will never stop loving you and I can't wait for the next 10 years!

(FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME I AM TAKING A WEEK OFF FROM BLOGGING! WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE 10 YEARS TOGETHER AND I FEEL LIKE WE NEED A TRUE BREAK FROM EVERYTHING AND JUST ENJOY OUR TIME AWAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING AND WRITING AGAIN. THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING US, LOVING OUR GIRLS IN THE WAY THAT YOU DO, AND SHARING OUR JOURNEY WITH US. IT IS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WE GET TO SHARE THIS TIME TOGETHER AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT HE NEVER GAVE UP ON US WHEN WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW WE WOULD MAKE IT ANOTHER DAY....MUCH LESS ANOTHER YEAR. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN AND DOES MAKE ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME....DESPITE OUR DISOBEDIENCE ALONG THE WAY. TODAY MY HEART IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH LOVE AND THANKFULNESS FOR ALL OF YOU WHO PLAYED A ROLE IN HEALING OUR MARRIAGE IN THE EARLY YEARS, PRAYING FOR US WHEN THINGS WERE ROUGH, AND FOR LOVING US THROUGH EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT ALONE! SENDING OUR LOVE AND I CAN'T WAIT TO START WRITING AGAIN ONCE WE RETURN!)

Praying scripture over the girls.

Over the last week I have been inspired, in several different moments, to be more intentional with prayer and scripture over my family. I pray for them often but I want to start praying scripture over them daily. We had a guest Pastor last weekend and he planted the seed in my heart to do this. And then at Mrs. Kay's memorial service on Tuesday I felt sure that God wanted me to be obedient in doing this. Mrs. Kay's son talked about how she would read the same few verses to him each night when he went to bed and my heart has just been clinging to the idea of that ever since. What an amazing gift she gave to her son for to that to be "his story" that he shared at her memorial service. I was in awe.

I have been thinking about what my verses would be for the girls. I wanted to pick something simple, especially while they are little, but at the same time I wanted it to have deep meaning to them. I thought about the one thing that I hope to teach them most before they leave our home one day. I want them to always see themselves how God sees them. I want them to always know the truth and know that God thinks they are beautiful and what He says matters more than what anyone says. I want them to fully understand that He created them exactly how they are and I never want them to feel that they need to be like others in any way. I want them to be comfortable in their skin and to enjoy being who God made them to be. I want them to love what God created....every time they look in the mirror.

I feel like this is so important, for all women, to believe this and if we start instilling this in their hearts at a young age then maybe they will truly believe it as they grow older.

So I am starting simple but yet deep at the same time. Every night when I put each of them to bed I am going to say these sentences over them. Every single night. I pray it softens their hearts and that Gods truth sinks in so deep that they will embrace these words, and this truth, forever.....

Audree Ann,

God formed the way you think and feel.
He put you together in my tummy.
We praise Him because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The person He created in you is amazing and beautiful from the top of your head to your tiny little toes!

Cerly Grace,

God formed the way you think and feel.
He put you together in my tummy.
We praise Him because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The person He created in you is amazing and beautiful from the top of your head to your tiny little toes!

Brylee June, 

God formed the way you think and feel.
He put you together in my tummy.
We praise Him because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The person He created in you is amazing and beautiful from the top of your head to your tiny little toes!

My hope is that I can add onto this as they grow older and can understand even more.

I am thankful for this idea because I know it will matter in their lives. We spend so much of our time doing things that don't matter or things that won't be remembered next week. I want my focus to be on things that matter forever. I have been praying about what my daily words and prayer will be for Brandon. I want to be intentional with him too. We are the glue that holds this family together and we must pray for our spouses in the same way.

Tonight was the first night I did this and Cerly was so cute saying "wonderfully." I had to record her saying a few words, just precious.

First week of JUNE!

June is HERE and we couldn't be more excited! The Horton girls are definitely ready for summer...even if that means 110 degree Texas heat!

Lots of pictures today from our first week of June...

1. Audree is growing and we are in love.  Her quiet nature still seems to be part of personality and she is just precious. I do wonder if she has any kind of "pistol" in her but so far we have not seen it! She is still easy and happy.

2. Brylee and Mrs. Carol painting on the patio. (Brylee's favorite thing to do--projects!)

3. Painting 40 toes is a lot of work! The hardest part was getting them dry without messing them up. Audree even had her toes done this time. I just had them lined up like an assembly line lol.

4. Brylee loves to play tea-party and make believe while the littles nap.

5. Nana Bev came over for a swim date!

 6. Happy baby who loves rolling around on the rug.

7. Audree's favorite way to watch TV while I rub her shoulders lol.

8. Two peas in a pod posing for Mommy.

9. Every night after showers the girls love to brush and play with my hair. I am really liking this game....feels pretty good until Cerly gets the brush all tangled up in my hair.

10. Audra invited B and C over last weekend for their first slumber party ever--I heard it was amazing!

11. Fun day swimming on Sunday!

12. The girls found a froggy pet swimming in the pool and they caught him.

13. Racing the walker with Audree--we take turns pushing her and she just laughs and laughs.

14. I thought this picture was so cute. Cerly loves her taggie blanket. She loves it so much I struggle to find the time to wash it because she gets so sad. I snuck it away this week to wash it and she stood at the washing machine for a while watching it go round and round. I hope we never lose it.

15. Brylee can officially swim!!!! She took a week of lessons and she is now a fish. I can't believe how fast she learned but I am thankful to know she is much safer in the water.

16. I was changing Audree's diaper yesterday and then I went looking for Cerly. We found her strapped in an extra car seat in the garage. I think she does these things just so I will have funny pictures to post--she makes us laugh so much.

17. I love this little lip she gives me.

18. I will end this long and random post with our church play-date we had today. I am not sure who had more fun...the kids or the moms! Great day of fellowship with these ladies--