happy anniversary

Five years ago today my life was forever changed for the better. I think the thing all guys never quite get over is the fact that she said ‘yes’. It is humbling. This is the feeling I had five years ago as Emily and I exchanged vows before the Lord, family and friends.

Em is so gifted in the way she communicates through writing. It is one of the many things I love about her. While this is not an area I excel in, I wanted to use her (our) blog to share my heart and love for her.

When I look back over the past five years I am amazed by the Lord’s faithfulness. He has grown the two of us together in ways I could never have imagined. Daily I become more acutely aware of how blessed I am in the gift He has given me in Em.

While it might be cliche, she is my best friend. She has been my biggest fan and supporter, loved me when I was unworthy of her love, forgiven me when I was unworthy of her forgiveness, shared in joys and sorrows, been an encourager and unconditionally loved me for who I am.

My love for her continually grows. I love how first and foremost she seeks to know the heart of our Father. How she has been open to His leading in her own life as well as that of our family. I love how she dreams big with me and how she has let go of dreams as she seeks Him. I love how she gives, unconditionally of herself to others, whether it is baking cupcakes to raise money to sponsor children in Africa, loving on the kids at her AWANA table or crying and praying with the girls that come to LifeCenters. I love her heart for adoption, the hurting and the broken and how her heart breaks for those in need. I love how she loves my family and all she has added to it to make it complete. I love her cold hands, feet and nose and how she tries to use me as a heater to get warm. I love her passion for baking and the way she loves me enough to cook things I would like, even at the expense of her not liking it. I love how she cheers Stryder on as he chases squirrels and then says a silent prayer of thanks when they make it up the tree. I love how she creates the perfect voice for both Stryder and Annabelle and that she loves them enough to walk them every day, regardless of the weather.

Thank you Em for the past five years. I am so grateful for them. I think it is only fitting to share with you again the vows I made to you five years ago today. They truly represent my heart, the depth of my love for our Lord, you, and our family. I love you.

Happy Anniversary!

I Brian, choose you Emily, as my best friend, confidant, and lover for life. With the help of our Heavenly Father, I vow to you above all things to be a man who humbly seeks to do the will of our Lord, leading us to Him in every season of life as our source of shelter and strength, petitioning Him for His wisdom and guidance, in times of hardship and prosperity, recognizing true joy is found in Him alone.

I vow to serve and defend you in every circumstance, striving to fulfill my God-given role as your husband and earthly provider. While life will not always be as perfect as it is at this moment, I promise to choose to love and honor you with effort that transcends feelings.

I vow to encourage you constantly as you seek to know the heart of Christ and are conformed to his likeness. I vow to support you always, continually learning to love you in ways that fulfill you and shape you into the woman Christ created you to be.

I vow to remain faithful and true in my love for you in mind, body and emotion, pledging to you alone my fidelity for life, giving you all of myself daily without reservation until I am called home to our Lord.

I recognize it is only with the help of our Heavenly Father that these vows can be fulfilled. So, because of the confidence I have in Christ, I promise I will never forsake you or these vows I have made.

five years

To the glory of God, we're celebrating five years together today.

So thankful. So blessed. So excited for the next five.

Love you B - happy anniversary.

heat

The time we've been dreading anticipating for the past year has arrived.

Our little girl is growing up.

Annabelle's in heat.

The week before Christmas. In the midst of an 11 hour drive to Wichita. In the company of two un-neutered male dogs (Stryder and his brother Junior, my parents' dog).

Truly, this COULD NOT have happened at a more un-opportune time.

My poor parents. Not only did they welcome their four kids back into their home this week, they have also opened their doors to three dogs in addition to the one they already have: my sister's, a diapered Annabelle and an anxious, hormonal Stryder. It has been utter chaos.

Heat lasts around three weeks for most dogs and happens every six months. Days 11-15 are her fertile time, and coincidentally, also the time when Annabelle is most "receptive" to guy dogs. Her hormones turn her into a little flirt and the boys are left drooling. Literally. Drool all over the place. We're on day 15 right now and praying the worst is almost over!

Surely next year, we'll look back on this week and laugh...

Annabelle's chastity belt - the PABS.

Snuggling with Stryder in her fashionable denim diaper. (This pic was taken at the beginning of heat before they both started going crazy.)

chicago

Last weekend, B and I got to make the 2.5 hour trek north to Chicago for a little get away (a la his birthday present from his parents - thanks, Mom and Dad Smith)!

We both really enjoy Chicago and had been trying to go for a visit ever since we moved to Indy, so we were very thankful for this gift that forced us to just go! We rode the megabus (so we didn't have to drive and mess with parking in the city) and it was awesome! We started out watching a movie but both konked out a few minutes in. We're a little behind in our zzz's these days... anyway, it was nice to not have to drive ourselves!

We stayed right on Michigan Ave in a perfect location that was close to everything we wanted to see! Although it snowed almost the whole time we were there, the air wasn't completely frigid and it ended up feeling nice and Christmasy rather than miserable and freezing.

(I just uploaded our pics and realized that they all involve food... does that tell you something about what we find enjoyable when we leave town? Ha ha!)

We got in late Friday night and although we had already eaten dinner, we made a stop at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop for one of their amazing brownie fudge sundaes! Mmmhmm! (Said sundae was long gone before we remembered to take a picture.)

On Saturday, we headed over to Gino's East for lunch. We had to wait about 45 minutes to get inside, but the pizza was well worth the wait! Can't beat Chicago-style pie!

After lunch, we walked over to Sprinkles for a sweet treat. The highlight of my trip may have happened here. I'm a fan of Sprinkles on facebook, so in my daily news feed, I read about their free cupcake deals. Every day they put out a "magic word" on facebook, and the first 25 people to whisper it over the counter get a free cupcake! I tried the magic word at the Dallas Sprinkles, to no avail. Well, it was my lucky day in Chicago - I walked out with a red velvet that I didn't pay for! Not much tops a free cupcake from Sprinkles!!! We also tried their seasonal chocolate peppermint and it was very delicious.

The afternoon held window shopping and marveling at the THRONGS of people that were out on such a wintery day! Our last stop before dinner was the eight-story Macy's/Marshall Field's. We had a great time wandering around the gigantic store, viewing the two-story Christmas tree and just watching all of the shoppers. Oh, and I got 50% off on a down coat that will serve me well during the quickly approaching brutal winter!

Our five-year anniversary is less than a month away (crazy!) so we decided to celebrate during this trip since we won't be able to travel anywhere on Dec. 30 this year. Carmine's, a local Italian favorite, offered the perfect celebratory locale and we spent a great evening enjoying our favorite type of food and toasting to the next five!

And that's it! I warned you... it was pretty much all about food... but that's just us! :)

my favorite commercial

With each year that passes, I realize more and more what an incredibly precious gift it is when families reunite. The togetherness of loved ones far surpasses any material presents given or received.

Maybe it's because I have a brother who spent half of this year in Africa...

... or maybe it's because I am growing sappy in my older age...

... whatever the case, this poignant commercial left me blindly grabbing for Kleenex!

Something pretty close to this scene has played out numerous times in my parents' kitchen. Regardless of whether you live near or far from your family, I bet you'll appreciate the sentiment.