Daddy

She has her daddy's eyes.

Evelyn loves him so much already, knows and listens for his voice.

Every evening, she gets a little fussy. I actually think she gets tired of me. He walks through the door, scoops her up, and she is instantly soothed. Then he goes to the couch and she snuggles on his chest, they both have their eyes closed. Together, they unwind and decompress from the day.

He puts her down for bed every night. I can't do it - she won't go to sleep for me, only for daddy. 

He graciously changes her diapers, even the poopy ones!

He rocks her and calms her when she's fussy. 

She falls asleep in his arms.

He is jealous for her, and can't stand to let others hold her for too long. 

He takes care of her during church, so I can worship.

He gives her a bottle every night before bed.

Saturday morning snuggle time in our bed is his highlight of the week.

She smiles and "talks" to him.

In the words of a dear friend, it is a "beautiful transformation." I have watched it happen right before my very eyes. From man, to husband, to daddy. It has been incredible to witness, and I have fallen even more in love with him because of it.
There is nothing like a daddy and his daughter - she's changed him, and he would do anything for her. I've seen his heart melt in an instant, and watched his heart explode for her.
Our love for each other has grown to a place like never before, as we together love our little miracle.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

The Season of Singing

Seven years ago, I married my sweetheart, my beloved.

Another year has past. As I reflect back on the last twelve months, and read back over the year's posts, I realize what a year it has been...

There has been pain and heartache. There have been trials. There has been rejoicing. 

Our love has grown to a deeper place that I did not even know existed.  

"I am my beloved's and beloved is mine."

"Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. My beloved spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.'"

What an even more meaningful anniversary, for our love for each other is being fully expressed 

in our growing miracle.

The season of singing has come. 

My Michael

I love the way you look at me from across the room.

I love the way you wink your eye, only at me.

I love the way you know just how to hold my hand.

I love how you make me want to be a better person, to be unselfish, to seek God.

I love how you blow kisses to me every time I have to watch you leave on a plane for work.

I love how I sob when you leave on your business trips, because it reminds me of the treasure that you are, and keeps me thankful for the man that you are.

I love how you gently play with my hair.

I love how you hate touching feet, but will still rub mine, even if I have to beg.

I love how you rub my back every night.

I love how I know exactly what you are thinking just by the glance you give.

I love how you keep me grounded.

I love how you are an incredible guitarist and you don't even realize it.

I love how it drives me crazy that you are musically gifted without the help of any music theory or training.

I love how you worship God with the gifts He's given you.

I love how you lead others by example.

I love how you are a straight-shooter.

I love how you seek God in everything.

I love how happy it makes you to see me happy, even if it means taking me to Sea World and spending an hour at the sting ray tank.

I love how others look to you for advice.

I love how we seem to say the same movie quotes at the same time.

I love your aroma, without cologne.

I love how your quiet presence can fill a room.

I love how you listen and are slow to respond.

I love how you are patient with my shortcomings.

I love when we are leading worship together, I glance over at you, your hands are raised in worship, and you are singing out to God. 

I love how you are like a kid in a candy store when you get a steak.

I love how you kept all hope for God to give us a child, when I had lost all hope.

I love how you reminded me when I needed it most that God still heals, God still performs miracles. 

I love how you just let me cry, without me feeling embarrassed about it.

I love how strong you are.

I love when I can see your emotions, even when you come across emotion-less.

I love how you have been a father to our little friends.

I love how you look when you ride your motorcycle.

I love how you provide for me.

I love how you exemplify Colossians 3:23.

I love how your co-workers, peers, and friends respect and look to you.

I love how you invest in the youth.

I love how you come home from work, give me hugs and kisses, and rub my belly.

I love it when you grow out your beard in the fall.

I love how you kiss me.

I love how people think we are that "cute couple."

I love how my heart still skips a beat when I see you.

I love how we still feel like newlyweds.

I love how you make sure not to miss a single baby appointment, and your willingness to be there in every aspect of this pregnancy.

I love how you put up with my non-stop picture taking.

I love how you sit and watch the Bachelor with me.

I love how you love my parents, and consider them "mom" and "dad."

I love how you have your father's eyes.

I love how Ginger watches and waits for you.

I love how knowing our unborn baby is a girl already melts your heart.

I love how you found some girly baby outfits, and said "I'm getting these. She has to have these."

I love how I love to dress up for you.

I love how you make me feel pretty, seven years later.

I love your laugh.

I love how when you smile really big, you get "smile lines" on the corners of your eyes.

I love how I can always depend on you for wise, thought out advice.

I love how our baby girl kicks like crazy when you poke at my belly. No one else can do that, not even me.

I love how you love her already.

I love how you kiss my belly, and talk to her.

I love how she is going to be "daddy's girl."

I love how you think I am most beautiful now, when I am carrying our baby.

I love how you love me.

I am thankful.

I am blessed.

I love you, my Michael.

Be Mine, Valentine

I remember in high school you could buy a flower and have it delivered to that special someone on Valentine's Day during one of their classes. I always hoped I would receive a flower from that certain guy I "thought" I liked, but throughout my high school years, none came. Every year led to disappointment. But now, looking back on that, I know God was protecting me from those fleeting, frivolous school girl romances, and I was saved for my first love, my husband. Thank you Lord!



Yesterday morning, Michael told me that we were going to spend the day in Destin celebrating Valentine's Day. It was a fabulous surprise! Destin is one of my favorite places to go, with its gorgeous beaches and fun city. I was excited and really wanted to go, but slightly hesitant that we should right now with all of our expenses. But, Michael received some money this week that we forgot about, and so we counted it a blessing and hopped in the car and drove!

We spent some time on the beach. It was a gorgeous, sunny day, with not a cloud in the sky. And the water was several shades of emerald and blue. We laid on the beach and cuddled, and went for a walk along the shore. It was beautiful. We spent some time bumming around the city, with a stop at the outlet mall. While we were in Ralph Lauren, Michael found some shirts and went to try them on. The fitting room happened to be right by the baby and toddler clothes. Of course, I had to take a look at them while he was in the fitting room. As I was looking at little boy clothes, my emotions overtook me and my eyes flooded with tears. I thought "why do I do this to myself?" I think the sales lady thought I was crazy as she came over and asked if I needed anything. I put the little boy outfit down and headed back to the fitting room to wait for Michael. Darn emotions...  We had a wonderful dinner at Carabba's....mmmm. We made our way to the town center - I love going there at night because it is all lit up and is so pretty. After a stop at Starbucks, we made our way home.

It was so nice to have a little valentine's getaway with no expectations and no pressure. With everything going on and all of the different things we face, it was so good to simply be ourselves and spend some much needed time together. We walked, talked, laughed, were silent together, held hands, rested, and just enjoyed each other.



Speaking of everything going on, I feel like my husband is being pulled in so many directions. He is being a great husband. He is being an incredible son as he helps his mother grieve the loss of her husband. He is dealing with my infertility and our tries at having a baby. He is leading youth into worship every week. He is dealing with a lot on our worship team, as a musician and a leader. He is going through a ton at work, a lot I don't even know about. I just know it is a lot.

He is a great and godly man, and is doing a phenomenal job. And I don't tell him that enough.



Tomorrow is a big day for us. We will find out at the RE if my treatments have been doing what they should and if I will ovulate. We find out if we will proceed with the IUI.

A Timely Message From Peter

1 Peter 5:10-11

So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.

I don't know when, but I know this suffering will end. It may end in a few weeks, months, or years. Or it may end when I am standing face to face with my Creator. But I know that these sufferings are for Christ's redemptive purpose. They hold reason and a great purpose. My vision is just too narrow to see it right now. I have seen Christ's strength and support. I eagerly await to see restoration - that may come in the form of a pregnancy on my own, a medically aided pregnancy, or no natural children.

My hubby and I had a great Monday yesterday - we both had the day off. We filled the day with relaxation. At one point while we were snuggling on the couch, I looked over and simply gazed at him. I do this a lot. When Michael notices, he usually says "Why are you staring?" and I reply "because I can." Most times it is because I look at him amazed at his love for me and my love for him, and at the incredible man he is and becoming. But yesterday, a reality hit me as I gazed at him - we are the only ones left to carry on the Swift name. Michael's grandparents only had one miracle baby- Scott, Michael's father, and he died in his 30s. Michael has one sister, with two daughters. That just really struck me yesterday, and I once again felt the weight that I know all too well.

So I cling to 1 Peter 5:10, knowing that this suffering is only temporary, and that God will transform it into something beautiful. I don't know how, I don't know why, but I simply know that He is the Great I AM.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Happy six year anniversary to us!!! We celebrated by going to The Fish House here in Pensacola. It was drizzly, so we couldn't eat out on the patio. It reminded us of the drizzles on our wedding day!

We started out with the volcano roll...and yes, it was awesome. We love sushi!

Main course! I had the mahi mahi with garlic whipped potatoes and cheese grits. I normally don't like grits, but I was told that these are the best in the area. And I am doing my best to be a southern girl! I actually really enjoyed them! Michael had the filet mignon....I'm drooling just looking at these pictures!

He is such a cutie!

I love my hubby!!!

This dessert was phenomenal - triple chocolate cheesecake with oreo cookie crust. We had no problem eating it all. :)

Has it really been six years???

And we ended dinner with the best dessert ever - each other! :)

Six Years!!!

I was looking at the calendar today, and I realized that August 28 is only two weeks away! Hubby and I will be celebrating our six year anniversary. I cannot believe it has been six years. The time has gone by so fast. It doesn't feel that long ago....

It seems like just yesterday I was in high school. I played keys in the youth band, and along came Michael. He was a youth leader and played guitar in the band. Our eyes would meet as we played and led worship, and for weeks I thought that he would never be interested in me. He was seven years older than me and I was still in high school! But, he was interested. After I graduated, we dated. And I just knew. I knew on our first date! I remember thinking "I'm going to marry this man." And two months later, we were engaged. Seven months later, married. He was my first date, my first kiss - my one true only. He was sent from heaven.

I love my husband dearly. As I've stated before, he keeps me grounded. We have grown and changed a lot over the past six years, but we have changed for the better. He has made me a better person. So here's to many more years together, and may God continue to bless us!

XOXO!!!