Couples Retreat

"Family. Where love begins love never ends."

Tom and I went to a Couple's Retreat this weekend. It was wonderful.

I am a fairly quiet person ( unless I know you really well ) and get uncomfortable around groups of people. But I did a lot of praying about this weekend and hoped I would get through it with an open mind and spirit.

And I did. Tom and I both did.

We have a great relationship, a great marriage. I didn't sign up for this weekend thinking we needed any "help," I just wanted to spend some alone time with my husband focusing on our marriage. With 7 children, and 1 on the way, we don't get to spend a lot of time focusing on us.

We did get a lot out of this retreat. More than I expected to. Who knew we could get any closer? Who knew we would have so much more to learn about each other? Plus, we got to meet a bunch of great couples. And the couples we really got to know told us things that they saw in us that amazed me. Things I don't hear a lot of from "strangers." They pointed out to us that they were inspired by the fact that Tom and I put so much faith in God. We really try to live our lives for Him. We put our trust in Him. I know that we do, but it amazed me to hear someone else say that they could see that we do.

Baby is growing!

Baby is tucking it's little feet, hands, knees, elbows,...anywhere it pleases. I even had Tom put his hand on my belly so he could feel the little knee or elbow. It gets a little uncomfortable sometimes.

Only when I am pregnant do I get into the "baby shows" on tv. There is a new one called One Born Every Minute. I have a love / hate relationship with this show. When the women are screaming and crying during the contractions and birth - I start telling Tom "I can't do this again!"

But then when the Mommies see their babies for the first time and hold their babies - I tell Tom "I can do this again!"

In fact, this weekend at church I saw 2 women with their newborn babies and I started to get all teary-eyed. I can't wait to hold this little one.

Of course, I still have "baby" Jakey to cuddle with me. Jakey gives me lots of kisses and hugs right now. He is the most affectionate child! He has learned well from his siblings. They hug and kiss him all the time. He hugs and kisses them, our pets, and everything else. Yesterday he was kissing the tv remote. He is just the cutest little boy.

Of course, I think all of our children are the cutest, the most handsome, the most beautiful. They are a part of me and my husband, my bestest friend. They are amazing gifts that God has blessed us with.

Tea Party

Princess with her cocoa