FAMILY SESSION: Grinning Ear to Ear

Marriage and Parenting...

that is some tough stuff...

I didn't know what I didn't know going into it all...

I think we all have visions of what it "will be"...

and what we often forget, is that not only are WE not perfect, but we marry an imperfect person as well...and then we have imperfect little ones...

and then we're all crammed into a house all thinking that our way is the BEST way...we sometimes get in a rut of thinking that "if only _____" (he'd do this or she'd do that)

but, the fact of the matter is that is takes two imperfect people CHOOSING to be 

gracious, 

forgiving, 

committed, 

and honest...

And to find that person that says, "I'm not going anywhere and I'm choosing to love you no matter what..." Oh gracious, that is a GIFT!!!

And then, to have those babies and model for them...

THIS is what LOVE really is...

it's not all about perfection, it's about doing the hard things, because THAT is what produces the AMAZING!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE when I encounter families that have chosen this type of pathway...

They dig in and do the hard groundwork...

I know it's exhausting and sometimes overwhelming and you wonder, "when is this chapter in our story going to be over because I 'd just like some clean clothes, 8 consecutive hours of sleep and to be able to go to the bathroom without someone calling for me!!!"

But with families like the one pictured below, they recognize that life isn't all about the circumstances, it's how you choose to react and love on those that matter the most...

they recognize that tough love and commitment means more than an easy ride...

I am so very privileged to meet families like these every year...

they have found the JOY in the everyday...they model LOVE in the mundane...and they LIVE life in the bigger STORY!!!