7 Years and a New Birth

This was us seven years ago, June 9, 2001. Can you believe it? We are having such a good time being married and sharing a life together. We were just talking last night about how after seven years it still feels like it was yesterday. But at the same time it also feels like, "Wow, we've been married for a pretty good chunk of time!" We are still just having a blast.This is us tonight, June 9, 2008. I should have checked the camera before we left the restaurant, because it's not exactly my favorite picture. But it does show that we got to go out for dinner--just the two of us. A friend took Carly and Isaac to a birthday party for us. Our dinner time was a bit short since I waited about an hour for Shawn at the police station. He was in SERT (or SWAT) training and they were held over! Grr to the police department--today was supposed to be my turn with Shawn.
I tried to explain to Carly today that it was our anniversary. I think she finally got it. At first, I explained that this was the day Momma and Daddy got married. Then she said, "Yea, and I was the flower girl." (She was obviously getting confused with Sharon and Eric's wedding when she was the flower girl. Actually now she thinks she's supposed to be the flower girl at every wedding.) Then I showed her our wedding picture on the wall (Shawn calls it out wedding poster) and told her that we got married seven years ago. She said, "Yea, when you got married you were seven and Daddy was eight." Not quiet, but good try. Incidentally, Does this mean she's gonna be surprised when she figures out that Momma is actually older than Daddy?
We had to eat a little quickly for a great reason. Kinsey, a girl in the youth group at church was getting baptized and we were invited to attend. We are so proud of her and her decision to commit her life to Christ. Kinsey has such a great heart. Her lifelong walk with Christ is in our prayers.

After this picture, Kinsey and her dad walked behind the white curtain on the side and she was out of view. At just that moment, she let out a big sigh, which everyone heard. There was pretty much a unison giggle that came out from the audience. I'm sure that Kinsey was just relived to have it done with--especially since she doesn't seem to be the kind that really likes all the attention on her. I also thought how appropriate her sigh was. What a relief to have all your sins washed away and to be clean like fresh snow. I think her sigh was the perfect reaction.