3rd Anniversary

I'm temporarily taking over our family website to publicly re-declare my love and appreciation for my wife, Lesli, on this day our third anniversary (it's amazing to consider all that's happened in just three years). I can think of no better way to recount all that my wife is and has been than by remembering the vows and statements from our wedding:

Kevin and Lesli, the marriage ceremony is actually a covenant ceremony. Today you are making a public pledge or commitment. This is not your first public commitment of such magnitude. Previously, you have both announced the commitment of your lives to Jesus Christ. The covenant that you enter into today is also made with the Lord. This is, and should be always, your first and most important commitment.

Kevin and Lesli, will you strive to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength? Do you commit to building a home that is built upon the Lord, His Word, service to others, and prayer? And will you strive to use your lives, talents, time, processions, and marriage for the glory of God?

"We do."

Today you make this covenant with the Lord together, no longer as an individual but as a family. May you never forget that your relationship with God is the most vital thing in your life. You cannot truly love and serve each other if you are not first focused on the Lord. He is your ultimate source of strength and ability.

Now for your covenants with each other. It has been said that "love is as much a matter of the will as it is the emotion." Your marriage mush first be founded on your commitment to the Lord and secondly on your pledge to each other.

The Lord formed us all after His own image. In His wonderful design, God created both man and women of equal honor and value yet different in roles and ability. Therefore your covenants with each other are slightly different.

First to you Kevin for God made the man first and gave him the specific responsibility of leadership. We see the first tragedy of man not following his God given role back in the Garden. Adam remained silent and motionless as Eve took the fruit.

Kevin, do you vow to provide for and graciously lead and care for Lesli all the days that you are able? Will you strive to love her as Christ loved His church and gave His life for her…a love of sacrifice, service, and humility? Will you consider her life more precious and valuable than your own by protecting her physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally?

"I do."

And Lesli, as a woman, God has given you special abilities, desires and roles unlike Kevin's. To use these as instructed by the Lord brings joy and beauty to your marriage and home.

Lesli, will you according to scripture support and affirm Kevin all the days that you are able? That you will creatively, intelligently and sincerely support Kevin's leadership as deeply as obedience to Christ will allows; that you will encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; and that you will influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer.

"I do."

Now, let me charge you with these words you have selected from John Piper:

"Develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people's needs. "

On your rings, you have inscribed as a lasting reminder of your commitment and the Lord's promise from the third chapter of Proverbs:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Lesli, thank you for so faithfully holding to your promises to both me and our Creator. Your are the greatest blessing HE has ever given me for through you HE has made me more than I was before.

ILY
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Our Trip to The Lake!

Last Sunday we went to the lake. Joe Wheeler State Park to be exact. Please forgive me for the number of pictures, but we had a great time!



It was Christians first road trip!



This was the cabin our family stayed in. We had to rent two others to accommodate all of our family.



This was our back porch...where we spent lots of time! It overlooks the lake.



Here is Gi Gi and Papa enjoying their new grandson on a beautiful morning. Some of our mornings were actually chilly.


This is our living room. I told Kevin, this is what I want our house to look like one day.



Here is Emily enjoying the living room and reading her little Bible.



All around the park, you could drive up to deer. They were very people friendly.




Our first morning at the lake, Kevin, Emily, Dad and I decided to go for a hike. But only after we enjoyed our back deck.



Here is Nana Mac who shared a cabin with Mom, Dad, Kevin, Emily, Christian and I. Emily has fondly begun calling her "Mac"!



Aunt Mindy came down for a visit before we set off on our journey.



And we deemed her co-babysitter for baby Christian. Gi Gi, Ty Ty and other cousins helped also. Such a sweet boy needs lots of love!



Emily started off wanting Papa to hold her, but she actually walked quite a bit of the trail. Here we are setting off on our adventure.




This is a family picture. I think Emily really had a good time. Kevin and I also enjoyed the chance to talk and dream in Gods Beautiful Creation.



We actually came up on a deer. You can hardly see him in this shot, but Emily was super excited.



After our hike, we set off to the pool.



There were water guns...


And more water guns!



Christian even joined us for this trip!



And Emily...as usual...enjoyed a "nack" (snack)


Here is Mindy and Dad enjoying the pool.



Here is Mindy and Dad trying to look Buff!




Here is C.S and his Papa


This is a group shot! Aren't we a good looking group!

Check out this video to see Tyler's Amusement!







Here is Christian on his way home. He loves to laugh and smile!



After Dinner, we went to the lake for swimming.



Emily knows no fear!



Here is Dad looking buff again!



The kids had a great time!



And Emily sported a new swimsuit!



Tuesday, we rented a pontoon boat for the day. This picture was taken at the loading dock which was right outside our cabin.



This is my beautiful sister Mindy.



These are the "older cousins". Starting from the left Tyler, Owen, Noah, Olivia, and Caroline. They are the "older cousins" coming from the older brothers and sisters. Emily will be the oldest of the next clan.




This is our pontoon boat taking off into the lake.



Here's our little Emily on her first boat ride.




She even helped her Papa drive the boat!



Here is our handsome Tyler. Everyone (except for me and the old people) jumped off of the pontoon boat into the lake for some good old fashioned lake swimming. (I didn't want to get my hair wet!)




Cute little Owen




Emily and her Daddy had a great time.

Check out this video to see Kevin's handy sportsmanship when it comes to boat activity.









Mommy even joined the trip!



Emily didn't last the whole trip and fell asleep on our way home.



Here is Tyler and Noah. Aren't they handsome!



Here is Owen, Caroline and Olivia after some hard swimming in the lake.


Here is my cousin Alisa and her cute baby Owen.







Here are the two latest additions to the youngest cousins. Christian and Kaitlin enjoying their vacation at the lake.



Here is my cousin Chad and his beautiful wife Chrissy. They are the proud parents of Kaitlin.



Isn't he wonderful! Here is Christian sitting so content in his car seat.



"Ah Mom! Another picture!"




Here is Emily and her new found friend Olivia. Olivia was our flower girl in our wedding. I tried to con her by telling her that flower girls have to change the diapers of the kids that come from the wedding. When she saw Emily's diaper, she said "No Way!"



The kids made hats as an art activity. Christian is borrowing Olivia's here.



Here is Kevin borrowing Emily's hat.



In the evenings each cabin took a turn cooking dinner. We had Mexican, Bar B Q and Spaghetti. Here is Emily enjoying her dinner. I decided to take her shirt off...



I figured things would get pretty messy!



Here is Emily's Papa enjoying ice cream. Kevin and I wanted to keep sweets from Emily until she had a well established diet...




But with my Dads appetite and my Moms cooking ability...



It was hopeless!




Here is a group shot of all of us on our last night there. Can you believe there were this many of us...and we all love each other!



On Thursday we left the cabin and headed for Birmingham. We stopped to visit with my roomate from college Cindy Self. Here she is with her niece Anaka. We went to the Birmingham Zoo and rode the choo choo (as Emily calls it). Cindy became aunt ci ci!




Here is Emily and her Daddy riding the choo choo.




Even Christian had his first choo choo ride!




A group shot. You can see Emily is starting to get a little tired.



Cindy and Baby Anna again.



And another group shot of us at the zoo.



That night we went to The Cheesecake factory. Yummy!






And after dinner we walked an old trail I use to hike when in Birmingham. It was so special to walk the same trail I use to walk as a single and now as a wife and a mom.







Our final stop was in Opelika to visit with our cousins and Aunt Christy and Uncle Allan.





Allan willingly volunteered to hold baby Christian. I think he might want another?



Unfortunately our trip ended with two ear infections, blistered throats and and nebulizer for breathing treatments! Both kids are doing much better now and taking their breathing treatments well and their antibiotics. I am especially proud of my husband who has been super during this time! I just hope we don't get sick next too!

Stay tuned!