A Legacy of Love!

Here I am, thoroughly enjoying a rare moment.  On this unusually cold and brisk Autumn morning, I am sitting with dark roast French press coffee at a local French cafe.  I'm alone at a table for two by the window soaking in beautiful crisp blue sky outside and the ambience of the uptempo classic French music and cozy atmosphere inside.

Sigh... I'm right at home.

My hearty breakfast just arrived and it looks "damazing", as our daughter would say!  Homemade croissant sandwich of ham, Swiss and egg large enough for  two meals.  I discovered soup could be a side at breakfast, so of course I went with that option!  I chose the potato leek, and what a good choice!  Creamy and smooth with a rich depth of flavor makes it delicious.  Next time, I may just get a large bowl for my whole meal!

While this mental image may portray my life as easy-going and glamorous, trust me it is not.  (I know that God has given me a blessed life even on the mundane or crazy busy days that usually fill my week.  Hear me, I'm not complaining!)  A morning savored at a cafe is a treasure that I enjoy from time to time in between my role as a mom and homemaker.  Roles in which I feel so honored to have!  Just two years ago I would always be alone during the day and praying for some noise of children in the house!  (To think of praying for noise...)

It's just that my introverted, introspective soul needs solice and beauty once in a while to refuel.  A good cup of coffee and a sparkling conversation with my husband is my favorite, but while he works and my littles are at preschool, this morning I've decided to make an hour to sit, relax, reflect and write.  

Last week the love of my life and I celebrated 10 years (TEN!) of marriage!  

I'm so proud to say that, especially given the times we live with pre-nups and live-ins, our marriage is becoming a rarity!   I can say that I'm still happily married after a decade, but it is not by our own strength at all.  I can only attribute our successful marriage to the first strand in our three strand cord, and His name is Jesus.

By His love and grace we have persevered in and through some of the lowest lows of our life.  As many of you know, every family is climbing mountains of different kinds behind the closed doors of our homes, but I knew the moment I committed myself to Heath at 17 years old, that we would be together for eternity!  Not every story begins like this, but we believe God placed us together from the start.  Heath knows my very ugliest behaviors and every single fault, yet he chooses me and I him.  

Choosing each other every single day.  That's one of the foundations of a lasting marriage.

The way God created marriage is amazing, because it mirrors Christ Jesus and His relationship with the (us) the church.  How beautiful of a design this is!

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself it's Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wifes should submit in everything to their husbands.  

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he may sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy without blemish.  

In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife lives himself.  For no one ever hated their own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church."...

Ephesians 5:22-30

We've sort of been celebrating this anniversary for months now!  In July Heath surprised me by taking me to a jewelry store to choose a new ring for my solitare diamond.  I was stunned!  I have never been one to want or "need" a large ring.  In fact before our engagement, I remember telling him that a fruit loop would do if it meant we were married for always!  I actually meant that it, too.  (Fortunately he didn't listen!)

This is now what my ring looks like, and I am humbled and grateful to wear it.  It's very unique, and I'm excited to one day pass it down as a family heirloom.  I want our marriage and family to leave a legacy of loving Jesus and each other that will be continued for generations to come!  A legacy of love.

Trust me when I say my wedding ring represents more than just "being married".  No, after 10 years the love in our marriage has already deepened to a new level of strength and commitment. Being married forever and learning to live civilized together isn't always easy, but since I married someone I loved genuinely it's worth every effort.  

Heath is so worth it!!  

It may be cliche, but I married my best friend.  We actually enjoy being together and we still have fun!  Music has drawn us together from the beginning, so that  inspired my gift to him.   I surprised him with a trip to the music store to buy a new mahogany Taylor guitar he's wanted for a long time!  He's been a musician for most of his life but hasn't bought a new guitar since high school so this was such a fun gift to give him.  He was definitely surprised!!  He's now playing every night, and we all love singing together around this beautiful gift we all enjoy.  

We also had some alone time as mom volunteered to keep the kiddos over the weekend so we could celebrate!  (Our parents understand how making quality time for your spouse is so important.) A romantic dinner at a classy restaurant, a trip to the movies, savoring long mornings, and a fall walk we're included in our time together.  It felt almost magical!

I can't imagine sharing my whole heart and life with anyone else in the world!!!

Life is back to normal around here since Monday, and this week is busy.   I've been in over my head sorting clothes I want to sell or give, and I'm switching all our wardrobes from warm weather to cool.  This is a huge project anyways, but especially with kids!  Of course all of those things need to be laundered in addition to our everyday laundry. (Yikes!) Storage bins and clothes piles galore fill the house for days now, as the process is long!  The house is a wreck.  Folding, sorting, selling at consignment, packing up and down stairs, hanging and placing in drawers.  I know it will be worth the effort when it's all organized and I've purged the old stuff before we move next summer, so that's what's pushing me through.  It also makes me realize how much I need to do this more regularly so the unwanted clothes don't get out of hand again.  Thankful for a problem of too much clothes. 

We're preparing for a short visit "back home" over the weekend, and this will be the first visit in almost 4 months for Heath and I!  The Fourth of July was our last time to come home.  There is just something comforting about stepping into your loving parent's home for the night.  We all can't wait to see everyone again!   The 3 1/2 hour drive should be gorgeous as the trees are nearly at their peak of jeweled colors flaming with reds and oranges.  I am thankful we live in such a gorgeous state for fall weather!  

As I sit here reflecting, I'm reminded again just how special even the mundane days of life are.  For it is those days that add up to give me the anniversary of 10 years with my husband, and the home filled with bustling children I adore!  

Sometimes those days give me this...

And this!

And my hilarious wild hair of a baby girl!!!

My mug is empty and left with French press coffee oils (if you drink it you know), and so I should go.  It's been wonderful sharing with you some more, as my cup has been refilled with memories of the life I lead and a legacy in the making.  Only by His goodness and grace! 

~Mommy