Celebrating and Crying...

We woke up on Friday and Mama needed something stronger than her normal cup of coffee. We loaded up in the car and headed to Starbucks. 

We've been known to do this in our pajamas. 

That's what a drive thru is for. 

We had plans of going to dinner for our anniversary on Friday evening.  I'm not even going to lie.  Until Alex told me on Thursday evening that Friday was the 20th...I didn't even realize what day it was.  That's the life of a stay-at-home-mom.  The days run together.  I of course knew it was my anniversary when I knew the date but I felt bad that I hadn't made plans for a sitter.  We decided we would take the girls with us.  A romantic dinner...just the four of us. :)  But then my sister, Joy called and asked if she and my brother-in-law could watch the girls for us!  We said yes.

Amelia told me later that evening, "Mama, I had a great time at Aunt Joy's." :)  

Here we are about to leave for dinner.  16 years together...I sure do love this man. 

We made reservations at YaYa's.  This was our first time to eat there.  We had the Mahi-Mahi and Roasted Chicken.  It was perfect.  We had the creme brulee trio for dessert.  Vanilla, Chocolate, and Maple.  The chocolate and maple were my favorites.

While eating dessert we received a phone call that just broke our hearts.  Alex's friend, Denny passed away unexpectedly.  He had a heat stroke.  We weren't able to finish dessert at that point - we both were having a hard time holding it together in the restaurant.  Denny was only 32.  He leaves behind a wife and 4 young children.  Heartbreaking. We have shed so many tears this weekend.  The thought of this young mother all alone to raise their babies...I start crying again just thinking about it.  I do know this...God is good.  He's good all the time.  And even though I can't see the good right now...I'm trusting Him.  He's my anchor.  And He'll be the anchor for these sweet babies and their Mama too.  Will you please pray for this precious family? 

 Alex went to spend some time with Denny's family on Saturday so the girls and I stayed around the house.  Amelia walked in and asked if Sydney would like to come to a tea party on her bed.  She made cookies and everything.  Sydney of course said, yes.  We would hand Sydney her tea cup and she would take it straight to her mouth.  And chew on it. (LOL)

Alex needed some cheering up on Saturday evening, so he decided to take Amelia on a date.  He let Amelia pick the restaurant for their date.  She chose Big Orange. Shocker. :)  They stayed out until 10:00 P.M. She had a great time and I think it lifted Daddy's spirits too.  Sydney and I hung out at the house and had a little date of our own.  She's so stinkin' sweet.  It's hard for me to put her down these days.  She's laughing and "talking" and just lights up when you look at her.

We love our girls to pieces and spends loads of time with them but after receiving the news about Denny...we found ourselves not wanting to let go of our girls all weekend.  We let Amelia lay in bed with us to fall asleep, we hugged them just a little tighter, and gave more kisses than they could probably stand.  We aren't promised tomorrow, folks.  Make the most of every day.  And know where you're going when this life is over.  I'm thankful we will see Denny again.  He's in a much better place than we are and there's a big part of me that longs to be right there with him. This earth is NOT my home.  

My Uncle sent us these lyrics this morning from Matthew West's song "The Reason":

Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for this strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we can face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home.

Alex gave his message through tears this morning but he made it through.  I was proud of him. The worship time really ministered to our hearts...it was exactly what we needed.  I'm so thankful for our worship leader, Rachel.  We had some sweet visitors that actually came up and prayed over Alex after the service.  They could see his heart was hurting.  Believers coming together to worship, to hear the Word, to encourage each other, to pray for one another...that's what church is all about.  So simple yet so necessary.

We headed to Bravo for brunch afterwards.  Amelia had a great appetite and ate really well.  These days, we just never know if the child is going to eat or not.  Sydney had a bottle before our food came and was all smiles from there on out. Doesn't take much to keep her happy.  Full belly and clean diaper and she's set. :)

We headed to Target after lunch to buy Amelia some new pajamas.  They only had one pair so we'll be heading to Carter's this week.  I can't believe she's wearing a size 4 in pajamas...she's two years old!  She is so tall.  She has been waking up with holes in the toes of her pajamas because she's too long for them.  She had several pairs but we've had to throw out all but one. Here she is in her new pajamas before bed. :)

Well, it's time to give Sydney her next bottle.  She's off her schedule today so we're doing a midnight feeding.  After that - bedtime!

Love to all,