Tonight we did bath time and bed time without daddy, which was really sad. He starts more night classes for the summer and we will miss him.

But just as the lights went out, and we usually lay in bed and sing songs, Hosea curled right up next to me and put his face on the pillow with mine, facing me. He slung his arm around my neck and pulled me close.  Then he sang the ABC song about 3 times, while I totally melted. His version goes something like this,

"A B C D E F G ee oo oo eee L mm mm P shoo shoo S T U V W X Y Z shoome shoome ee ee A B C's, ee oo ee oo sing with meeee."

Not every day is sunshine and singalong songs, which make moments like those all the more sweeter.

Super grateful for this man today, and all that he does. 

I think it is easy for wives to praise the recognition their husbands get from the public or from their work, but I'm talking about the unseen things that only we see, and that no one ever knows he does. 

The things that amaze me are:

After a 9-10 hour work day, he comes home and immediately fuses into "husband and dad" mode. The minute he walks through the door he sheds "work kevin" and wrestles on the ground with Hosea, cleans up the dishes from dinner, helps Hosea get ready for bed, sings songs, reads books, and gives me all the adult attention I have been craving all day. I don't have to ask him to leave work at work, he joyfully does that. And that is really hard for men, and I am so grateful he values family time us so much that he mentally prepares himself to come home joyful and not exhausted and burnt out. It's a gift.

On weekends, he could be out having alone Kevin time, because he is a super introvert. But after being married to me and having Hosea, he realizes that our needs are that he come home and be present. Our weekends are filled with walks to the park, playing music together, cooking meals together, even -gasp- shopping together if needed. There's this concept called "dying to self" that Jesus teaches. Kevin has so beautifully taken small steps to do that- like being with us instead of playing the drums- and has served his family in amazing ways because of that. *Though this is true, there are still times where Kevin gets alone time. Don't worry. *

Kevin protects our marriage. No matter what, he insists that he and I go to bed together every night. Even though I would always love to play with Hosea longer, Kevin helps us all be more disciplined and has created an atmosphere where we all thrive- (even non structured people like me!) Hosea has a simple nightly routine- eat, bath, bed. Because Kevin set up that expectation in the beginning and helped us follow it, the fruit is precious husband-wife time at the end of every evening. Usually it is just for an hour before we both fall asleep at 9 pm, but it is quality time nonetheless.

Kevin encourages us all to be more active. I'm a creative person, not an athlete. But Kevin has taken many steps to encourage himself and his family to be more active together- biking, walks, hikes. I love this about him, and need it from him.

Kevin has created for us a very simple life, that is so beautiful in its simplicity. We've been a one car family for almost 6 months. It has been difficult at times, but the benefit is being more thoughtful about how we manage our time and resources. Kevin has encouraged me to not work, meaning we are also a one income family, which has caused us to be better stewards with our money. Kevin values a welcoming, peaceful home with less over a busy, chaotic home with more. I just love this about him and his leadership.

Over all these things, the reality is that God has led Kevin and Kevin seeks God in all these things. None of this came easy or natural to Kevin, it was by God's grace and mercy, and 4 years of marriage. It's never ever been easy but on mornings like this, when my perspective is right, I have a full heart of gratefulness for all God has done through Kevin for our family- all the unseen things.

Yesterday's quote of the day:

Mom: The T says....?!
Hosea: Tuh!

Mom: The U says....?!

Hosea: uh!

Mom: The V says....?!

Hosea: Vuh!

Mom: The W says....?!

Hosea: Wuh!

Mom: The X says....?!

Hosea: CHEESE!

A week in review.

1) Bike rides. Some with friends, like Abby, who Hosea tried to kiss in the picture on the right.

2) Animal Farm trips with friends.

3) Kevin kicking me out to have me time. A book, blanket, and sunshine...

4) Mother's day home cooked meal... strawberry daquiries, steak, potatoes, spinach, beet salad... (rum not included.)

5) Maryland for the KC/CJ wedding shower!

up the nose.

6) York River State Park in Williamsburg for a photo shoot which also doubled as a mini reunion with an old college friend.

great week :)

"So what? It's just my butt."

In other news: Next Saturday I move into the second trimester! I've already started feeling SO much better! hallelujah. 

I kept kissing those soft, oh-so-baby-soft cheeks in the darkness. Hosea had been needier this week- wanting momma's arms around him as he falls asleep. When I stopped, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at me, then pointed to his cheek with his fat, pudgy finger. "More, momma." As he lay there in his bed, I kissed him all the more.

I slipped my fingers through his silky soft hair, I felt his chest breathe deeper, heavier, slower. I kissed his neck this time, warmer and warmer. I smelled his sweet, post-baby-bath smell. I took it all in.

And I thought to myself, "I could be traveling the world right now. I could be looking at beautiful gardens in Kirstenbosch, South Africa. I could be looking at the most beautiful waterfall in the world, with a perfect sunset setting behind it and a warm breeze on my face, but nothing- nothing- would be sweeter or more beautiful or more deeply satisfying than watching Hosea fall asleep, safe in this room, safe in my arms."

And it struck me like a lightening bolt. That motherhood has forever changed me, and what I consider important, and what I think is beautiful. The antsy, distracted Krista who used to travel at least every 6 months has been quieted, contented, stilled. The giving over of myself every day has been the greatest adventure, has produced the most beautiful sights.

I've seen many countries and visited many beautiful places, but those things pale in comparison to the true and utter joy of motherhood.

And I am grateful.

Hey there. I have a couple things to say about the below video before you watch it:

1) I wanted to post this to show that no family or child is perfect. And although this is a blog primarily about all our "happy memories", I think it is appropriate to also highlight some of the more authentic happenings in the Jones household. Sorry grandmas if this makes you sad.

2) This tantrum had been going on for at least 20 minutes before I finally got my camera out.

3) He is screaming because he wants to wear footie pajamas, and not "real clothes." However, Hosea has been throw-up-y sick for the last 24 hours, so wearing nasty pajamas in public was not going to happen, and we were headed to Target to get bread, salt, and cooking spray, as well as a new toy for Hosea for making it through a hard weekend. (Oh, the irony!)

4) He absolutely did hurt his head while filming this. He had a little red mark on his forehead where he banged it on the floor.

5) Some battles aren't worth fighting, and to be honest, I probably would not have cared too much about what he was wearing to Target had he not been sick. But I also really think that if a parent says "no" and then backs out after a tantrum, it undermines that parent's authority. I don't know. What do you think? I'm still figuring this all out. :)

6) I probably shouldn't laugh when this happens, but it's really really hard not to.