Another Father's Day {2013}

Each year that we get to celebrate Patrick is sweet, to me.  As long as I waited to be a momma, he waited to be a daddy.  And Patrick is the kind of guy that kids flock around.  I joyfully watched how his nieces and nephews adored him and surrounded him anytime we were around. That makes a girl fall more in love, I tell you!

But then our own children came along.

Sweet mercy! Patrick is so great with the boys.  They want to be near him constantly and are always asking when he will be home from work.  They adore and treasure their daddy! His relationship with Benjamin and Andrew melts me and I simply cannot wait to watch our little girl fall in love with her daddy.

These little things -- they are beautiful and humbling things! I love having a front row seat.

Patrick disciplines well -- with such humility and integrity and with such a heart to see our boys grow and thrive.

Patrick plays well -- he laughs as hard as the boys sometimes and everyone has fun when they play.  He is so good at including both boys.  And he takes quite a beating from our little guys!

Patrick loves well -- he is constantly telling the boys how much he loves them and how proud he is of them.  He asks questions about their days and gives them kisses and hugs without limit.  Those boys will grow up knowing that their daddy deeply loves them.

Patrick leads well -- my husband is a man of incredible wisdom.  He teaches the boys {and me!} with great joy and fervor and desire to see them grow and be better versions of themselves.  He teaches the word of God to our boys without holding back and leads by example on how to walk in the ways of the Lord.  He also teaches them how to shoot a bow and arrow, how to mow the lawn, how to clean up after themselves, how to serve me and each other.  He includes them in his life and allows them to learn with him and from him!

I long to let Patrick know that he is forever appreciated and loved and thought so highly of in our home.  He is our rock and stability.  He is an incredible decision maker and I rarely disagree with the plans he makes for our family.  I would follow him to the ends of this earth and I know the boys would too.  In fact, they may run to keep up with him!

And as an added bonus, here are some questions Benjamin answered about his daddy :)

My daddy's name is: Patrick McBride
How old is daddy: 5
How big is daddy: as big as a giraffe 
What color is daddy's hair: He has NO hair.
What color are daddy's eyes: Blue

Daddy's favorite drink: Crystal Light
Daddy's favorite food: beef and fried casserole {???}
Daddy's favorite vacation: camping
Daddy's favorite dessert: ice cream
Daddy's favorite restaurant: places at work {restaurants at Chesapeake}
Daddy doesn't like: coffee

Daddy knows how to: hammer stuff and jump in pools good
Daddy lets me: go to the pool and snuggle with him
Daddy likes to: read and shoot bow and arrows
I love daddy because: he snuggles me and takes me to the pool and plays with me


Happy Father's Day to the most incredible man I've ever known.  It's a joy and privilege to be a parent with you and journey together. YOU are my favorite thing, Patrick McBride -- and I know our boys would whole heartedly agree!

A family getaway!

This past weekend we drove down to Dallas and spent the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge.  We all had a lot of fun and we were totally exhausted! This place is not for the weary when you have two little boys!!! 

I also learned a great lesson: Do NOT tell your four year old that you are going to Great Wolf Lodge a month before.  You will be asked several times DAILY when you're leaving.  I think Benjamin and I were equally excited for the day to come :) 

Some highlights: floating in the "lazy river", playing in the wave pool, Patrick pushing Andrew down the slide for the first time {which started a lot of Andrew sliding!!!}, racing Benjamin on the big slides -- he was so scared, but tried them and LOVED it!, story time at the clock, getting "wands", Benjamin extreme excitement -- constantly, Andrew being terrifed of the Rainforest Cafe, SO many laughs.

We also stopped by Legoland before we came home.  It was definitely not for little guys, so Andrew didn't have a lot to do -- but Benjamin LOVED it.  He was all over the place and had such a great time.  And for good measure, at my request, we stopped by Trader Joe's before it was all said and done.  I'm so glad these guys humor me and indulge me in my Trader Joe's obsession!!!

We really do love being together and it's always so hard when our vacation times are over.  God has blessed us so much.  I would spend every waking moment with Patrick and the boys -- and have so much fun! We are better together, as Jack Johnson would say {hee hee}, and trips like this are so good for all of our souls!!!

Bunk beds!

Both boys looking at the camera! What?!!?

typical.

So ready to head to the water park and NOT take pictures!

Lucky us! DFW was just in the distance outside our window.  This provided great entertainment for boy boys!

Andrew thinks there is a baby in his belly, too.

He also likes to have his picture taken.

Isn't he cute?

Two peas in a pod!

Family shot!

One last goodbye.

View of the small child pool and slides.

Wave pool in the back ground.

Main area with two bigger slides. 

Lego land!

With Yoda, of course.

He was not good at driving the cars....

But he was so proud and confident! Such a champ!

Andrew found his own entertainment.

Even sang me a little song.

Typical Benjamin face.

Just eight years...

Who would have thought that this boisterous and wandering little girl would have captured the eye of that talented and quiet man? Who would have thought that two weeks was enough to know what love was and that two months would have brought a ring that meant "will you"?  Who would have thought that five long months of planning and talking and being apart would have lead to a single moment of "I will" and "for always" and would have been the single best decision I've ever made? Who would have thought that of all the things I've been blessed with in my life, he would be my favorite?

I love how the plans and ways of the Lord always outdo me and my finite mind.
I love that, even as my exact opposite, there is no one more perfect for me or that could know me any better.
I love that we laugh together in ways that I can't laugh with anyone else.
I love that we can adventure together and travel together so well and with much ease {and a lot of fun}.
I love that God has allowed us to have two beautiful boys who are such an incredible mix of us that it's scary -- and, honestly, breath-taking and humbling.
I love that we have journeyed through dark and hard years together and have weathered those storms.  We are no worse for the wear and, in fact, we are better and closer for it.
I love that we have journeyed through seasons of joy and laughter and we can recall those to one another well.
I love that God has used us to shape and change and encourage one another.
I love that we are not who we were eight years ago -- we're better, together.
I love that God gave us four years of marriage before having babies so we could learn and grow and change together.
I love being Mrs. Patrick McBride.
I love that this is just the beginning -- even still, eight years later.
I love, love, love that the BEST is yet to come.

He still makes my foot pop and my heart leap.  He still opens doors for me and gives me a kiss when he gets home.  He still gives me weird looks and questions my spontaneity and dramatic emotion.  He still makes me remember that I will never, ever understand guys.  And he still leads me to Jesus and teaches me more than anyone else ever has.  His life, his integrity, his zeal, his big picture mind, his rational, his knowledge, his handiness, his daddy-ness, his wittiness, his crazy side -- all of him makes me all that I am.

Eight years seems so short and so long.  Either way, I'm beyond blessed to be married to the most incredible man, ever.  And I wouldn't trade a single day with him for anything.

Happiest Anniversary to you, Patrick McBride.  YOU are my favorite thing.

Lucky duck.

Last week, before Oklahoma froze, we had a fun evening of playing tag and duck, duck, goose and taking pictures.  

Well, I enjoyed taking the pictures. 

One thing is for sure --  

I'm a lucky, lucky duck.

These guys are too much for me.

I don't deserve the love they give and the joy they bring.

But, by God's grace, here we all are.

Lucky ducks.

You can catch a glimpse into our fun below.

He's my favorite guy.  And incredibly handsome!

Someone should give me a high five or a bonus or something for getting a picture of B!

Um. Benjamin was clearly over me taking pictures.  He loves to be in control, even when I'm not taking pictures of him :)

Oh, how I wish this was not blurry.  There is so much to be said in this picture.  The joy, the love, the father/son bond, the busyness.  Maybe I'm glad it's blurry.

Aaaaaannnnnnd now! The many faces of Andrew! Complete with personality!

You're welcome to come over for dinner and play any time!  See you soon :)

10 things I love about Patrick {right now}

I could go on and on about my sweet husband and the ways I treasure him, but for today you get 10!

1. Despite having a big presentation on Tuesday, he chose to have lunch with us after on Monday instead of getting back to work immediately.

2. He remembers to have "Ashley nights" during this busy season of family/work/seminary/flock.

3. He is great at rationalizing and helping me see the fine print and big picture as we make decisions.

4. He grows a beard out because he knows I like it.

5. He eats whatever I make for dinner and is always thanking me for cooking.  Which makes the boys thank me, too.

6. He frequently feeds my coffee addiction on Sunday mornings.

7. He is great at playing tag and duck duck goose.  Which makes it more fun for me when we all play :)

8. He leaves notes for me on the bathroom mirror.

9. It's always fun to dream and make plans with him.

10. He lets me read my journal to him, and listens the entire time.


*Tell me something you love about your husband!*

Like daddy....

My boys, well, they are daddy's boys.

They LOVE daddy and both of the light up when he gets home.

And mostly prefer to hang out with him on a regular basis.

And let me tell you, they are lucky boys!

I love seeing how Patrick interacts with them, loves them and plays with them.

Like playing with an exercise ball.

Note Andrew "smiling" for the camera!

Andrew lays like this frequently during boys play time.  I'm still trying to figure it out.  But, needless to say, this boy loves his blankies.

As a random side note:  Here are some pictures of Andrew's "cheese" face.  He calls my phone and camera "cheese".  And for now, I'll take as many pictures of him as I can get!

 And here are my boys outside finishing the planter around the deck.  Being in the dirt is a favorite -- of all three of them!

Andrew notices me.  Hence, cheese!