Moustapha’s parents took us to Maggiano’s last night on Post Oak. One of Moustapha’s 3 sisters joined us with her family. We had a great time celebrating Moustapha’s birthday. We ended the night with an impromptu dance session. It was fun. We are so thankful for Moustapha. He is a wonderful daddy, husband, friend, attorney and person. He is a genuinely good man with a heart of gold. Today and every day we are thankful for him and love him very much.
El Momma and Leeland
Miss Trinity telling us how to dance
Leeland and Jiddy enjoying the music
more dancing
The “kids” dancing
we came to “dance dance dance”
look at that smile! so happy!
Candles and singing!
Maddux sporting a tie for the occasion
Birthday boy, Maddux, Jiddy, our nephew and Trinity
Six years ago today, I could never have known how you would change my life.
Before you, I thought knew what it meant to be busy, what it meant to be tired, what it meant to be out of my mind with worry. Before you, I thought I knew what it meant to have a mother’s love, to love more than words could express, to be completely unselfish. Before you, I thought I knew how to cry, how to laugh, how to smile from my heart. But, it turns out that I didn’t know much of anything and I’m still learning every single day. I’m learning how to mother you in the way that you need to be mothered. I’m learning how to love you in the way that you need to be loved the most. I’m learning what an amazing boy you truly are. Your love of music, your love of bugs, your love of the astros, your love of fireworks! I love all of these things too, because I love you! You are more than I could have ever hoped for in a son. I wish the world for you, my sweet sweet Bakri. Happy sixth birthday, love!
Bakri!
With Leeland and Momma and Daddy at Leeland’s Baptism
Seven years ago today, as I made that long walk down the beautiful aisle, surrounded by family and many friends, I could have never imagined this.
Our life has exceeded all of my hopes and dreams. You continue to surprise me and, if I’m being honest, frustrate me. And, I know I frustrate you! But, isn’t our life fun!? Your love is amazing. I remember how it felt to fall in love with you. I thought about you and our future all of the time. I loved everything about you and even though I knew you weren’t perfect, you were perfect for me. You were and still are my very best friend. Even more so now. Seven years and four beautiful children. Our relationship has gone through a huge transformation in a relatively short amount of time.
We had a little over a year as a married couple before having our first son. During that first year we found and purchased our home, a home in the heart of Houston, built in 1928. We only had twenty months with our first child until we welcomed our second son. Around that time you finished law school, passed the Bar and began practicing law in Texas. Just after our fourth anniversary, where we returned to the Petroleum Club (the site of our wedding reception) and spent the night at Hotel ZAZA (where we spent our first night married when it was still the Warwick) our kitchen flooded and we began major house renovations and a complete rehaul on our kitchen. We lived through it all and welcomed our baby daughter that year. Shortly after she was born, we moved back home into our “new” old house.
And, we returned to Hawaii with our three children to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. That was insane! You’ve supported me as I’ve made time to write music and lead worship at our church. Your support of God’s calling in both of our lives has been instrumental in the spiritual growth we’ve experienced separately and together.
Our children continue to grow and amaze us. And, during our sixth year of marriage, we had our fourth child, a beautiful baby boy.
We spend our mornings telling children “shhhhh!” “Quiet,” so and so “is sleeping.” “Lay down.” “Good morning.” “How did you sleep?” “Go potty.” “I love you.” “Give me a kiss.” …and so on and so on. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am so tired and wish I could just sleep a little bit longer. And, then I imagine my life without all of this and it’s no life at all. These children, these precious blessings that we’ve been given for such a short amount of time, bring so much joy to our lives. I love that all six of us cuddle up in our queen size bed! You bring joy to my life. I am so thankful for you. You are my husband, my best friend, my love. I love you and wish you a very happy anniversary. Here’s to seven more years of wedded bliss!
This week we made a special visit to our local Houston Fire Station- Station 16. One of the firetrucks from our station was in an accident with a truck from another station on Monday. It was really scary. All of our firemen are doing well, but some of the others suffered broken bones and a woman riding a bicycle is still in the hospital. Please pray for all of them and their families. To show our support and care for them, we made chocolate chip cookies. I explained to the boys (it a simple way) what had happened and Bakri, especially was very interested in helping to make the cookies and was eager to deliver them to the firestation. We made a couple dozen for the firemen and extras for us. They were very excited to receive the cookies and let the boys explore the station and the firetruck. Here is a photo of the boys with one of the firemen.
Maddux checking out the pole.
So, I have to share this funny story about Maddux. To put it in perspective- it is perfectly acceptable kid talk, but not something I would normally write on my blog.
I had shared with the boys about the firemen and the firetrucks being involved in an accident. I thought I explained things without too much detail, but so that they could understand it simply. The morning we were going to head over to the station Maddux looks at me and says “The firemen pee-peed on himself.” I was like, “huh?” ….wait for it…. oh!- The firemen had an accident!- I get it! So, then I explained what an accident is. But, seriously, I don’t think I have laughed that much about something in a long time. It was really cute!
Bakri and Maddux really enjoyed our visit to the firestation.
