first anniversary

Three hundred and sixty-five days have passed since I married the man God created for me. And I think we've found 365 new ways to fall in love since then.

We posted a little something about our paper anniversary on the Tin Can blog, but from the photos above and below you can get a glimpse of how our weekend began and ended. (and why we'll need another one of these weekends before April of next year!)

tune my heart

As I look forward to the morning sun, when we shall worship the Savior who rose from the grave, I seem transfixed on these words penned in the 18th century by 22-year-old Robert Robinson. Set to music, it's a beautiful hymn we had played at our wedding, which many of you probably know by memory. But instead of singing by heart first, try taking a look at just the words and see how they work in your heart. I hope you find a beautiful prayer and blessing as I did this evening.

 Come Thou Fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by Thy help I'm come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let that grace now like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

fine day for a float

Ah, the weather is getting warmer and I anticipate that wonderful feeling of the season's first swim. A cool, weightless world of my own to traverse. And yet, what it must feel like to swim for the first time!

Last week we were most thrilled by a surprise that led to a visit from our favOUrite canadiens! Leaving some snow behind, they were excited to pack for the warm Georgia spring; especially Amelia! She got to bring a suitcase of her very own full of spring clothes (showing off those adorable little legs) and her bathing suit! My mom was so excited for the temperatures to hit in the 80s (or 30s, eh), she went out and bought miss ellie a pool! a little fancy something from the local dollar general:)

charting new waters...her first outdoor swim!

a little light kicking with dad

if there's one awesome thing...no, two...about watching kyle and ellie, it's that 1) he's an amazing father and 2) he's still kyle:)

and vanessa is such an outgoing and loving first-time mom. maybe it's the nurse in her. and maybe she's just wonderful like that.

of course, how could anyone resist a bathing beauty like this?

I'm so very thankful for the gifts of time we get to spend with these three! Amelia is becoming quite the seasoned international traveler:)

a surprise and a celebration

Over the weekend we layered doughnut on top of doughnut to make Memaw's 80th birthday cake. What a feat! more hers than ours:)

The best of the celebration was the family getting to gather together. Pawpaw told stories about how they used to gather over meals when he first started dating Memaw. Perhaps that is the destination of this blog. Something more along the lines of "soul food."

In any case, here is the surprise to go with the celebration! The Canadiens came to visit!

This face will steal the show and your heart...and you love both. For the first time, I saw her cute little legs hanging out of some baby bloomers--she got to wear her first summer clothes! 

And speaking of firsts, she also made her first run to the acclaimed summer ice cream truck thanks to her awesome dad! 

Everyone enjoyed eating the chili dogs and pork that was roasted all night long.

The cute factor is a high one when the Harbin clan gets together!

My glowing Saree! (about to have another cute one herself)

The kids loved the big jump...and there was even an adult skate after they were worn out:)

And, of course, no big family gathering is complete without a little singing!

Here's to celebrations! Another happy birthday goes out to my step grandmother, Jo! 

(Hope you get to feeling better soon!)