celebrating 37 years

Today is my parents' 37th wedding anniversary. While they're away celebrating in Hawaii (jealous), I'm dedicating this post to them.

My mom and dad have always been stellar examples of patience, discipline, love, and kindness. They met and got married while they were in college, and since then, they've successfully raised six awesome kids together. They've moved their family across state lines multiple times, and they even lived in France for a year while Dad worked on a Paris-based assignment.

Now they're empty nesters, and they're as happy as ever. They're financially responsible, they love to serve other people, and after 37 years of marriage, they're still very much in love.

On their anniversary in 2010--in France.

One of my favorite things about my parents is that they not only taught us how to work hard, but also how to enjoy life in an active way. And there are pictures to prove it.

Mom and Dad taking a motorcycle ride through the mountains of Virginia. 

Bike ride through the backwoods.

Hanging out by Notre Dame.

They really love their grandkids--they have six now.

Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids in July 2012.

They've started quite a legacy, and they've set a great example for all of us. Let's hope we can all be biking, traveling, and being healthy and happy when we're in our 50s and 60s (and beyond)!

The whole family last summer.

I love my family! Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!

[PS: These pictures are stolen from Facebook, so thanks, everyone's Facebook profiles!]

making time stand still

From the moment Emerson was born, people have been telling me things like "Enjoy every minute, because it goes by so fast!" and "I know it might be hard now, but you'll miss this stage once it's gone!"

That kind of thinking can make me antsy. I hate to dwell on the fact that time passes quickly; I end up worrying about time passing instead of enjoying what I'm doing.

So whenever I find myself thinking I think I'm going to miss this when he's older or even He looks so cute doing that!, I try to take a picture. Even if it's not perfectly posed, or the lighting is kind of bad, I just take a picture (or a few) anyway. My hope is that I can enjoy everything as much as possible without feeling stressed or sad about time passing. Emerson gets more fun every day, and I want to remember everything!

Here are some pictures I've snapped in the past couple months.

Look, I found all my favorite toys!

He was so amused that he rolled all the way down the hall.

See how these pages rip apart so nicely??

Hiding under the comforter.

Hanging out at Costco.

His new favorite face (and noise) to make.

Daddy let me try his sucker.

And then I tried to steal it back.

He tipped over the lamp and was so pleased with himself.

Trying to drink from my water bottle. There was so much slobber...

Mommy, how did I get stuck in here?

Outside enjoying the sunlight. It was quite bright, if you couldn't tell.

Ultimate focus.