14 Years. Wow.

Fourteen years ago today, this happened:

The most important piece of paper I ever signed.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emmett and I have journeyed together from the north side of Chicago to the west side, from an apartment to an old house to a new house, from Chicago to far south Texas, with brief and precious stops in Hawaii and Mississippi.  We've welcomed a sweet dog and three beautiful children into our family. 

There have been churches and job changes and grad school and family troubles and grief and delight and major life stuff -- so much in the last fourteen years -- that a list wouldn't do them justice.

I'm not the same girl I was when we signed that paper.  And he's not the same guy.  We love each other better now.  God has carried us through a lot.

He's the best partner I could ever have.  I am beyond glad that we are on the same team.
  

Happy Anniversary, Emmett!  I love you.

Post-Thanksgiving Pool Party

What's a girl to do? 

... when she's just arrived at home after a Thanksgiving spent with family?
... when she's spent 7 hours in a car, for 2 days in a row?
... when she's been in cold (ha!) Mississippi for days and has finally returned to warm weather? 

Give a pool party and concert of course!

Corrie drew a big swimming pool on our driveway, put on her swimsuit and rocked out to her version of Barbie's songs from "The Princess and the Pop Star."

Dad was the main audience.  (Although he managed to split his attention between the singing swimmer and throwing a ball back and forth with Evan).

 Corrie's stage by the front door.  :)  Note the star disco light.  I couldn't get a great picture, but it definitely evoked "nightclub."

Corrie thoughtfully gave Ben a floatie so he could be in the swimming pool.

I love her imagination and enthusiasm.  She's quite a character.