Little Things

Our 1st wedding anniversary is coming up soon. One year! Rachael and I took a pretty big step last year, and one that was pretty “quick.”

In fact, I’m sure a lot of folks thought we had a shotgun wedding. Which we didn’t, but then sort of kind of did… it’s all a sort of strange, long story that probably isn’t that strange if I put it all out there. We were not pregnant when we got engaged. So there.

But here we are, almost a year into it and with a new member of the family already. So far, I’d say it’s been a pretty rough but pretty fun ride.

We go through all the stuff most marriages go through – financial issues, time issues, closeness, intimacy, all that stuff. Feeling each other out, you know? We’ve not really known each other all that long and didn’t really know each other anywhere near like we do now when we tied the knot. It’s all an adjusted.

Dad always told me that relationships (in this case, particularly marriage) would be the hardest thing I would ever do in my life. He has been right so far. Add an infant to the mix… and it’s been a bumpy, crazy, joyful, stressful first year.

I’ve learned a big, fun lesson, though, and that is that life really is full of little surprises – be it a small kiss here, a funny comment there, a little favor or a simple habit. These things make up the stuff you carry with you in your heart.

Ultimately, that's where you've got to turn, good times and bad - your heart. I remember how passionately I used to pursue that as a personal lifestyle - living from the heart. Seems like now is as good a time as ever to remember that, and sally forth, loving and living from the full joyous heart that God has blessed me with.

Old Man Take A Look At My Life, I'm A Lot Like You

My boy is four months old today. I can’t possibly describe how much I love this boy.

Rachael and I got married in June last year. I didn’t know we were pregnant, and wouldn’t have cared (at least negatively so) if I had known – we were already engaged, and I knew this was the woman I wanted to be with and with whom I wanted to start a family.

I will admit – we were pretty unprepared for parenthood! We got a TON of support from family and friends, especially our parents. I never would have guessed what this would be like. It’s amazing, it’s hard, it’s fun.

Dylan has been such a blessing. Some times I don’t understand him. Other times he does amazing things. But through it all, I love him so very much. When I hold him against me, and feel his warm body move, it fills my heart with joy. When he “talks” at us, I have to smile. When he falls asleep in my arms, all the cares in the world disappear for just a little while.

Rachael and I couldn’t be more happy with our delightful little boy.