It only gets better with age.

One reoccurring lesson that I keep learning from my 

Grandma&Bompa is this:

It only gets better with age. 

Life. 

Love.

Marriage.

Family.

Adventure.

The week my grandparents visited was completely amazing 

and worth a million lasting memories---

a couples trip that Scott and I will never forget. 

One week, five different cities.

 We learned so much about my Grandpa and Grandma, 

from stories told and just by observation. 

They are the most kind, generous, humble, and loving couple I know. 

Making friends and lasting impressions wherever they go.


Thank you Bompa&Grandma for gracing us with your presence and filling our home and hearts with your love! 

Thank you for constantly spoiling my baby dog. 

Thank you for being such a great example to Scott and I! 

Thank you for exploring new places with us 

and laughing hysterically. 

Thank you for just being so great! 

Tryon Palace. New Bern.

Feeding the goats at Mike's Farm.

Showing Bompa the tractor graveyard.

Horse carriage tour.

We all LOVE desserts way too much.

"Best shrimp&grits."

They had to document this moment when I ordered sea food for dinner.

The gorgeous Boone Hall Plantation.

This is the lake where Allie&Noah jump in!

And this is where Ryan Reynolds&Blake Lively were married.

This is where Noah eats dinner with Allie's family in their backyard.

The Angle Tree.

My dream home!!!

Margaritaville. Myrtle Beach.

They love the beach.

There you have it,

It only gets better with age.

I vowed...

I vowed to love you through the best of times 

 &

the worst of times...

On our drive home from Maryland in April I felt as if I needed to write all my emotions down...

Yesterday I truly understood more of what living out our marriage vows mean and the effect of Genesis 2:24, "This is why a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh." When Scott is broken, I'm broken. 

This week has definitely been the hardest week of our lives, but this, this image of my strong Husband in his dress whites completely heartbroken, saluting his best friend completely shattered my heart and took my breath away. I always knew that this part of being a military wife would someday come, but I've never felt more helpless than that patriotic moment when I had to stand on the sidelines watching him say goodbye to a man he considered more than a brother. And then watching sixty other men in uniform do the exact same thing, over and over again. I've also never felt so proud. 

It's not about the quantity of life, but about the quality. And being around so many people who were touched by Jacob was unexplainable. Jacob's family lost their son and brother, but gained a new family. So many new sons and daughters that will always be there for them. 

Rest easy, Jacob. Your memory will live forever through the hearts of so many, the smile my Husband shows me daily, the stories I will always be happy to hear the millionth time, our future children as they hear their Daddy explain why they should be happy every day because his best friend taught him that. Through the silly faces Scott tries to do that you mastered, through the letters your dad will start sending us, and the memorial that your closest friends will always wear on their wrists. 

We love you and will be seeing you again!

Rest easy, Jacob.

Again, thank you everyone for the prayers during this time&the continued prayers. We very much appreciate each and every one of you!

When we see you again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgKAFK5djSk

S E V E N T E E N.

Happy GOLDEN birthday to my baby sister!

S E V E N T E E N.

Seriously, how is that even possible.

My baby sister is growing up&I can't do anything about it but smile at the way she is growing into such a godly young woman.

For her golden birthday I told her I was going write seventeen reasons why I love her or what I love about her...

So enjoy these reasons Kenzi---YOU are AMAZING!

Oh, and the adorable pictures of us from the last few years.

1} I love having you as my little sister. 

I love teaching you the little & big. 

I love having a "mini me". 

I love that you are growing up to be one of my best friends.

2. I love the way you love Jesus.

You are such a gorgeous young woman that loves living out God's word. You have amazing friends that you have grown up with and they are such an encouragement to your faith walk. 

I love hearing you talk about the serious matters, and giggle because you don't care about what normal teenagers care about.

3) I love your natural beauty. 

From day one, being a seven year old sister, 

I have always thought you were flawless.

 You, my dear, are so beautiful. 

Your natural beauty is only emphasized by your inner beauty.

4- I love the way you look up to me.

I love having a little sister watching me, learning from me.

It makes me a better person, for you.  

5] I love helping you experiences your firsts. 

I love being the one who can help you experience the joys in this life, but also be the one there for the heartaches. 

6} I LOVE our sleepovers.

The end.

7- I love that when I have blonde hair, we are blonde and brunette partners in crime.

I love that when I have dark hair, we definitely look related.

8| I have loved being able to share clothes finally.

You have such a cute style, half thanks to meh... ;)

It's always fun to swap outfits and shoes!

9] I love how much you and Scott love each other.

I love you being his younger sister, and you having another big brother. I love the silly relationship that you guys have!

10> I love that we are getting to the ages of being able to share friends. Most of the time. Hahaha.

11. I love that I was able to help name you.

More like I really did name you.

Thanks Mom&Dad for taking a seven year old's suggestion and naming my sweet baby sister MaKenzi! 

12| I love that you were my Maid of Honor.

I love how excited you were for me.

I love how you shared the experience with me.

I love that you were able to stand right next to me on my special day and I can't wait to repay the favor... MANY years from now!;)

13) I love that you love adventures.

Whether it be your spring breaks with me at college, spending summers together, Sno Biz, hanging out with my friends, Lucee drives, our Pirates of the Caribbean marathons&our Pirate dinner in Myrtle Beach, and the many more to come. 

14- I love your simplicity. 

Our mother probably loves it even more because her older daughter was not very simple. But the beauty of being opposites, is that I can learn from you as well! 

15\ I love our Cafè Rio & Sno Biz dates! 

I love our traditions and our sister dates.

Moments that will forever be cherished.

16. I love being an aunt with you.

It has been such a fun experience to share loving our Kohen Bug together. That boy definitely has crazy loving aunts.. Skye Lee included! 

17] I have loved watching you grow up.

I loved having a baby sister, probably playing with you as a doll.

I loved having you a little older and probably bossing you around.

I loved having you turn a teenager, being able to teach you 'the ropes'. 

I loved having you turn fifteen&sixteen to help you learn how to drive and actually being able to have you drive me around for a change.

I have loved the high school experience with you so far.

And now having you turn seventeen, I love that you are growing up to be such an amazing young lady. 

Someone who I look up to, learn from, and call a best friend.

Someone that travels with me, trusts me with secrets, and goes along with my crazy ideas.

I have loved you your whole life---

and I can say that I have never been so proud of you! 

I love you, Sister Sue, to Heaven and back!!

HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!