Thank You God for the Sun

Today, Marin and I took advantage of a gift. The gift of sun.

Despite the many chores I needed to accomplish, instead, I opted for a day out with my girl.

We strolled downtown Grand Haven enjoying the warmth of the sun while we both window shopped. It was so lovely out that I didn't even care that my cofee was spilling all over, nor did I care that the construction downtown made it quite difficult to navigate around. Nope. It was a beautiful day and we were going to swim in it.

After our crisp walk, Marin and I traveled to the State Park where we both rested in the car with the window slightly down; enjoying the cool breeze and the warmth of the sun on our pale winter faces.

While resting, and maybe even more beautiful than the wonderful feeling of the sun's warmth, was the magnificent view of Lake Michigan and the thousands of tiny crystals sprinkled across the entire Lake thanks to the help of the sun. I do believe these crystals, or tiny treasures, may very well be my favorite thing to whitness during the early Spring months. The sun, reuniting with the Lake, in all its glory.

While typically it might have been a bummer to have to leave this fantastic scenery, I was okay with having to say goodbye. Afterall, it was quickly approaching 2:00 PM and Marin would soon be hungry. I can't wait for the day when the sun will be enough to fill her.

Matt is fly fishing today and I'm so thankful that he too, can enjoy the beauty of God's creation at its finest.

I get to live here. What a remarkable feeling.

...so sweet.

A Lot Like Coffee

It's actually quite strange that prior to this week I'd never really given a lot of thought about how I "take" my coffee. Most people I know "take" their coffee a very specific way, and with good reason, I'm sure. I, on the otherhand, am as random as it gets. I will drink my cofee black, just with cream, with cream and sugar (always varying amounts), just with sugar or sometimes the occasional splenda! It truly doesn't matter to me. I just need my coffee.

I got to wondering though, if how we "take" our coffee can say a lot about who we are? Seeing as how my coffee tastes vary so much, does that mean my life is as chaotic as my coffee?

(Thinking...) Yes. It does.

I recently joined a small group Bible study with a couple of my closest girlfriends (shout out to Andrea and Elisabeth!) We're beginning to read "What Every Mom Needs" by Elisa Morgan & Carol Kuykendall. I have to tell you that I am outwardly excited to get this study going! The first chapter focuses on your IDENTITY! Ahh, Identity, that tiny thing I seemed to have lost once Marin was born. Well, maybe not lost, but misplaced somewhere in my new world of mommyhood/wifehood/workhood/familyhood/pet ownerhood/churchhood/youth grouphood/theatrehood/friendhood/bills-hood/schoolhood and all the other "hoods" that remain in my life, but are not listed. Regardless of which "hood" I'm refering to, they all fall under my chaotic coffeehood umbrella.

Right now life seems like one big stir. And like stirring coffee, all of my assumed priorities and responsibilities are in that mess of adding sugar, creamer or having it plain as black. The decisions are endless.

My point (and I'll make this short) is that my life is probably right where it's supposed to be. God only gives us so much and I'm certain that one pot (sugar or not) is enough for any new mom to sort through.

"I'll take a grande decaf white chocolate mocha with skim milk, no whip...and hold the foam."

Life. So sweet...

Giving the Credit to Plumb

If I had the talent to create a song for Marin, this would have been it. Fortunately enough for me, Plumb did it instead. Such a wonderful, beautiful song and the explanation to why this blog is titled how it is. Please enjoy.

I tip toe
Hush hush...
Pitter pat
Goes my heart...
Your beauty
Your innocence

Joy is found
With every kiss

My sweet, my lovely
My sweet, my lovely
So sweet, so lovely

Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Close your eyes

I stare into
The bluest eyes
Time stands still in
Your smile
You weren't there
And now you're here
I dreamed of you
But I never know how...

sweet and lovely
My sweet, my lovely
So sweet, so lovely

Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Close your eyes

My sweet, my lovely
My sweet, my lovely
So sweet, so lovely

Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Close your eyes

Matt and Mandy's Top Five Movies

Nick and Norah had their infinite play list, and in a similar fashion, Matt and Mandy have their top five.

I realize that by writing this, not everyone will agree with our picks for the top five movies of all time; and you're not supposed to agree. And, if you do agree, then we have a lot in common! The great thing about choosing your top five is the promotion of doing something together, for fun!

I am quite certain that over the years, our list will change. That's the point. As our relationship grows, so will our taste for certain things. The fun part is coming to the agreement.

Below are the movies Matt and I consider to be our top 5, and with each, a brief explanation of why they made the list:

Dan In Real Life

Matt and I consider this movie one of the better ones of our generation. There are two parts that we quite often refer to. One of those is when the young daughter screams out "you're a murderer of love"-it reminds us of what we have to look forward to in Marin's teenage years. The other part that typically makes us laugh, even in the midst of an argument, is the wonderful tune, "Ruthie, Pig Face Draper." Seriously, even if this movie hasn't made your top five, the least it can do is make you laugh over and over again.

The Family Man

It has become a tradition for Matt and I to watch this film during the holiday season to help remind us to love what we have just the way it is. Our favorite line in the movie is, "don't screw up the best thing in your life just because you're a little unsure about who you are." It also reminds us that it's God's plan and not our own.

High Fidelity

Matt loved this movie prior to us even meeting. I watched the film with him while we were dating and agreed that it would make the top 5. Besides John Cusack being one of our favorite male actors, we truly admire the complex and intellectual dialogue in this film. A great one to watch over and over again.

The Notebook

I am a Nicholas Sparks fan through and through, but The Notebook is the greatest love story of them all. Matt and I both have had grandparents who have and are struggling with dementia. This film is a true testament to love and sacrifice. It is love at it's best (and worst). Matt also got my nickname from this film and he often refers to me as "birdie". We typically watch this around Valentine's Day and it never gets old.

The Story of Us

This is one of those movies that never gained much publicity during its release, but should have. It is a wonderful love story of a complex nature and a true definition of what most struggles within a marriage are like. Not to mention it has a phenomenal soundtrack!

It Figures

How's this for a first post...I finally got Marin to take a nap, typed the entire thing and then lost it. Breath, it's one of those "small" things.

...so sweet