Monday’s “Makes Me Smile” – Tuesday edition

Yep… This is my story of this Monday and Tuesday! 😉  That’s why this post (which was supposed to go up yesterday didn’t even get written until this morning. haha)

These are some IRL {in real life} things that bring a grateful smile to my face this week.

First of all, my sweet husband and I will have been married 20 years on Wednesday.  20 years.  I both can and can’t believe it.  To you 40 and 50 and 60th year anniversary dear ones out there, I know that 20 doesn’t sound so long… and sometimes, it doesn’t sound so long to me either.  But then I think about life and all that has happened in these 20 years, and I’m so grateful to have spent them with the man God saved and purposed for me.    I made him take this silly picture with me.  We are a lot like Lucy and Ricky… I’m always getting us into silly messes that make him shake his head and say, “Ay yi yi yi yi!” 😉

Some friends rented a condo in Orange Beach, AL for the month and they had other obligations that required them to leave it for a few days, so they loaned it to us for a little anniversary get away.  It was beyond wonderful to get away and do nothing except to relax and enjoy the ocean.  I’m still living on the peace we had while we were there!  It makes me smile!!!!

This picture of my husband having his quiet time makes me smile  I’m so grateful for a man of God who seeks God’s Word and wisdom and conviction and fellowship every morning.

And now, I’m hoping THIS will make YOU smile ~ I recorded one minute of the beach, and posted it to Youtube, so that I could share it with you and so that any time I needed a 60 second vacation, I could just watch this and take one. 🙂

(If you’re reading this from e-mail and don’t see the picture, click here.)

We arrived home on Thursday night and went straight to a surprise birthday party that Abigail had arranged for Nathan at their favorite Mexican food hang-out.

We got there just in time to deliver the cake.  While we were gone, Ab designed the cake and she and my mom ordered it.  It turned out so cute!

(I know… I know… I took the picture with the 6 backwards!  Another Lucy moment – which also makes me smile.)

Friday was a big day – CHS Homecoming!

                Walker 66… that’s my little boy. 😉

Not only that, but my brother Chris and his family came in for the weekend.  There was so much going on during the weekend, and having two teens who aren’t yet driving their own cars made for some crazy hosting.  Sometimes, my brother’s family was left at our house by themselves while we carted people here and there.  On Saturday night, my 10 year old nephew Zach said, “Aunt Jen, you sure do come and go a lot around here.”  That makes me smile. 🙂

Saturday was actually Nathan’s 16th birthday.  Our “little Nate” has turned into “Big Nate”!  That’s what he is now called by many. 🙂

Before he celebrated with his dad and some friends, we had a B-day lunch together and got one good family picture –

which absolutely makes me smile!

I don’t take these blessings for granted.  As long as the Lord allows us to tarry on this earth, I want to treasure every moment with those I love.  These gifts from God always make me smile! 🙂

And one last gift for you  – hopefully to make you smile too… Another minute at the beach at sunset. 🙂

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A blessed Tuesday to you, my friends!