Celebrating 75 years of southern folk

My parents were here for our birthday week. They came to help with Levi and to tend the kids while Braden took me on a birthday trip to Florida. The kids warmed themselves over 75 waxy candles that only slightly ruined Dad's pecan pie. We still ate it because it's not like pecans grow on trees. Actually they do, but they don't grow on my trees, making them a hot commodity. I insisted that we have all 75 candles represented and burning. That's a lot of years and a lot of life experience and the least we can do is be honest about it to honor all that time. 

What I'm really appreciating about my Dad at this season of his life is that he's still improving. In fact, I'd say I've seen more change in him over the last 2 or 3 years than in my lifetime. He's allowed himself to soften, to be humble, to be more flexible and gentle. 75 year old Dad is my favorite Dad of all. He just keeps getting better. I feel that I can still see the gospel working in his life-even though he's known it all his life-he's preached it, read it, studied it, given powerful talks about it- the power of the gospel, the atonement, the ability to keep changing/growing/improving, is actively working in his life. I've loved watching that process in him, and I'm grateful for that example. 

My Mom is the poster girl of gratitude. You could put her in the bleakest of circumstances and she'd find something to be grateful for. She would count herself truly blessed. And she wouldn't just say that- she would feel it and believe it and there would never be a word of complaint. I know, I watched her live through some heavy challenges and that's just what she did. 

I don't love their southern food but I do love their southern souls, and I'm so grateful for their grit.

                                                                                                      

Destin(ed) for a fantastic birthday

Braden did this super cool thing where he arranged to take me to Florida for my birthday weekend. Because the beach is always very healing to my soul but the salt water is also very healing to my postpartum body. Plus super cheap airfare. So it just made sense. And because if Braden doesn't get time away with me he gets little bits of grumpy. Because I never forget to be a mom but I sometimes forget to be a wife.  Stepping out of the trenches of motherhood helps me remember that. My parents agreed to watch the kids. Even though it was their birthdays too. Because I guess that's what parents do- make sacrifices to make their kids happy-no matter how old they are. 

Over the last three weeks, Levi and I have discovered that we have a lot in common: we both like to eat in the middle of the night, we both like to sleep in my bed, and we both have longish fingers. However, on this trip we discovered an unfortunate difference. While I derive great joy out of sitting on the sand, listening to the roar of the ocean, it makes him cry. And after Levi's been crying for a while, it makes me want to cry. I'm not going to say he ruined the trip- because it was still totally a good trip. But he did put a little damper in it. To make up for it, he slept through the night on my birthday! Way to be aware buckaroo. I'm fairly certain that was a result of having cried his face off the whole day before, but still. I obviously couldn't sleep because MILK, but, I did get to sit on the balcony and enjoy an absolutely incredible view of the ocean. 

We had a cool experience while Braden was tracking down the best burger in the area (seriously-he does research). We sat in a bar chatting with our waitress who asked us if we were Mormon-this after she learned that Levi was number six. She told us that she was raised in the church but is inactive and is also dating a guy with the same story. She mentioned that they had discussed going back together. I told her how happy the gospel makes us and said that it was so nice to have a solid foundation. She said that's exactly what her life has lacked- a foundation. As we were tipping her (really well) and paying our bill, I remembered that I had a Book of Mormon in my purse. I had gotten behind in the ward reading challenge when I had Levi and had brought it to catch up while lounging on the beach. I decided that she was probably the real reason I had the thought to bring it. I said to Braden that I wanted to highlight a passage so she had something to draw her in. He suggested 3 Nephi. I was turning to get there when the clear thought came into my mind : "No. 2 Nephi 9". Just as I was about to say this to Braden, he said, "Actually, how about 2 Nephi 9". I highlighted it, wrote my testimony and phone number in the front, and haven't heard from her since. But it was a powerful witness to me of the power of the Holy Ghost to do God's work. 

Loved seeing the ocean, digging for shells, shopping, and eating with Braden. We didn't get to swim as much as we wanted. We didn't get to nap on the beach as much as I wanted. But time away is time away and the beach is always my happy place. And not doing any dishes. But seriously, dishes are the worst. It was an expensive way to get out of doing them for a few days but sometimes you just gotta.

Thanks to Braden for making #34 count.  

The beginnings of his great big body smiles

If every morning started with a walk on the beach at sunrise would I ever lose my patience with the kids? Probably not. I would very likely be the kindest mother in all the world with perfectly folded laundry and timely nutritious meals. Unfortunately for them it doesn't look like we will ever find out. 

I could look at this view alllllllll day. All things that make my heart gooey- beach, baby, Braden.

Fun dinner with the Williams and the Divineys