Poker

My family and I celebrated my brother's 24th birthday on Friday. We played some Texas Hold'em poker. I have to say I am a terrible poker player. I never know if I have anything, and can't seem to keep up with the bets. I did however have a lot of fun playing. I have to say there is something really liberating when you push in all your chips and say "All In" even if you have no idea if you have anything worth saying that.

Pictures of the Past

So I was looking for a picture on the computer and as I was going through them, I was reminded of how much my babies have grown. So I had to share a few of my favorites.

Temper

So I have a tendency to sometimes lose my cool with my little ones. I am going to do better at counting to 10, taking a breather, and staying calm so I can see them for who they really are - a 4 year old and a 2 year old, who are learning and growing everyday soaking up every move I make so that they know how to be adults themselves. I so often feel like I want them to leave behind their baby ways and throw away their plate without being asked, pick up after themselves, and not bother me when I am on a business phone call. However, I think those are unfair expectations of them. They are so young and still learning all that, they will have the rest of their lives to be grown ups. I know I need to relish this baby time, because before I know it they won't be kids anymore and I will want back that snuggle time. I will wish I spent more time cuddling and playing and less time nit picking.

My Title

I am starting this blog to be able to record my thoughts. I have always been an avid journal writer, but blogging vs. writing seemed like fun. I hope to record my thoughts, my struggles, my joys . . . my life as a wife, mom, and business owner. I want to preserve memories of my children, my husband, and of myself.

I chose the title of my blog because it is the philosophy my husband and I have adopted about our family. It was so easy for us to look at our lives as a book and in our book were chapters. Chapters like newlyweds, first jobs, college, first home, children . . . but after realizing what it meant to have children, to be a family, we realized that our family was much more than just chapters in our book, but instead family was the book and the chapters all revolved around it. It was a paradigm shift in our minds and one that has served us well. All our decisions run through the family filter and because of that I think we have a stronger marriage and happier children.

A little about my life thus far:
I love being the wife of Peter my husband. He is a great man and I love him with all my heart. He was the first boy I ever dated that treated my like a girl should be treated. We met when I was 16 while working at Winn-Dixie. He used to give me a hard time and I really do remember disliking him thoroughly. What you ask happened then to change my mind? All I can say is two words: Divine Intervention. Peter was the man that God had for me and he came in and changed my heart to see him as the man he had made hime to be. Two years later we were engaged and 1 more year later we were married.

We were both in school at the time, I working on my teaching degree, and Peter working on his degree. We had no money, but God provided a home for us for $100 that we loved and made our own with finances that just always seemed to be there (thank you God)! I finished school and went on to teach second grade while Peter finished up his master's degree in social work. We moved into our "starter" home in 2002 as they call it.

And a couple years later we started our family with the arrival of our dear daughter Grace in 2004. I was blessed to be able to stay home with her. She was easy to love and a joy to have in our lives. She wrapped her Daddy around her finger in a matter of moments and he remains there still today. She makes each day brighter and her smile is infectious. Then in 2006 Benjamin arrived. He is such a lover. Always ready with a hug and a kiss. He is adorable and has the most beautiful smile that you can't help but stare.

I think families are like snowflakes, no two are alike. Some can be similar but none are the same, and that is no different for the Dell's. We are unique, special and we love each other with our whole hearts and all of beings. We are a family, and family is the essence of life.