Seated in the gallery of awe

One of my favorite people used this phrase, "seated in the gallery of awe," last week, and I immediately thought, Yes. That's exactly it. As I have reflected over the last year, particularly in the last few weeks, I find myself seated in this gallery, amazed, thankful and excited.

When I sat down to write this post, I initially thought I would just give a little overview of some of the ways that God is moving in our lives. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to savor each of these aspects, that when I print this blog out someday, I will have done each of these justice in talking about… at least as much justice as one can do with words.

Sometimes, there just aren't words, you know? Sometimes, being seated in the gallery of awe means exactly that. Seated, unable to move or speak, just overcome with amazement and thankfulness.

Thinking about this guy definitely puts me in that place. I am overcome with awe when I think about him, when I think about our marriage:

We just celebrated seven years of marriage and are quickly approaching 10 years of togetherness. WOW! Thank you, Lord! Undoubtedly, these have been the best 10 years of my life.

A wise man once said that, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Marriage, perhaps more than any other experience, has shown me how true that statement is.

We have had seasons of challenges and victories, pain and healing, sacrifice and abundance… and through it all, have had the joy of growing together, becoming more and more unified. Truly, I have found him whom my soul loves (Song of Solomon 3:4).

I have the privilege of seeing firsthand what it looks like for a man to be sold out to living a life for Jesus. And the result? The result is an amazing husband and father becoming an even more amazing husband and father.

This man is a passionate visionary. He is loyal and he is true. He serves well, and as a result, leads well.  He loves me and pursues me daily. When I watch the way he loves his son, my heart melts time and time again.

When we were dating, I realized very early on that he was "the one." I gave him a manly ring that said "where you go, I will go" (Ruth 1:16). Now, more than ever before, I renew that promise. Following Jesus together is the most fun adventure I've ever had. I can't imagine doing it with anyone else.

So, is this a sappy love letter made public on my blog? Eh, maybe. Haha! I can't help it. I've been crazy about this guy for as long as I've known him. But, particularly in the last few months, we have embarked on some exciting new things together, and getting to work with him on these opportunities gives me continual revelation that God is so good. He knew what He was doing when He brought us together.

Thinking about GP3 creates in me a thankful heart over and over again. It puts me in that gallery. Thank you, God.

Playing catch up

Can my calendar be correct? Is March 2012 almost halfway over?! I came to the realization last night that it's been about two months since I've written anything longer than a tweet. And while that is indicative of the fast-paced schedule we've been speeding along so far this year, it's also indicative that Team Park has taken some time to step away and just enjoy life. Not a lot of pictures, not a lot of "oh, we have to capture this moment somehow," just enjoying our time together.

But, I would be remiss if I didn't bring this blog up-to-date! Plus, we've had some fun things going on here lately.

So, our little firecracker is now almost 14 months old. That reality is still sinking in! On Levi's actual first birthday weekend, illness hit the Park household. We rang in The Big One Year from bed, all three of us. Yuck. We did manage to make our little dude some birthday pancakes, which he loved, but I was so glad we hadn't scheduled anything big that weekend.

Fortunately, the photo below was snapped the weekend prior to his actual birthday, when we celebrated with both sets of grandparents, and Levi's fun aunts and uncle. Family came in from near and far, and that was a great way to celebrate. The birthday boy had his first taste of sweets in the form of a homemade carrot cupcake, and he thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Our routine has changed a bit, as I have a job! A friend of a friend needed someone to watch her little boy a few days each week, and that someone became me. It's taken some adjustment on everyone's part, but it's been good for both kiddos (and for me!), as they are only two weeks apart in age. I kind of feel like I have twins right now!

So far this year, we've gone to the zoo, welcomed a new baby born to some of our favorite people (with two more babies coming in the next six weeks!), built and destroyed towers, read lots of books, and had lots of playdates. And, someone learned the art of removing his pants!

I completed another graduate class, and Gib surprised me with a fun weekend getaway, where we got to relax, eat some amazing breakfasts (our favorite!) and experience some of our favorite worship leaders.

Already, 2012 has been a fun year for our family!

One year later

Well, folks, we have a one-year-old on our hands:

Talk about a milestone birthday! And not only for our little Deutbug, but for his parents, too. It's hard to believe that this time last year, hitting the one-year mark seemed so very far away.

I'm tempted to use the term "we survived." But that's not accurate, not at all. We didn't just survive. We "thrived." I'm thankful for every bump in the road, for without them, the victories wouldn't be nearly as sweet. And at the end of the day, or the year, our first year of parenthood didn't look like anyone else's. I think for part of the year, that made me unsure, frustrated at times. What I know now is that it was never supposed to. It's our journey as Team Park, and it's what makes our family, well, our family.


I simply cannot imagine life without this little guy!

Those beautiful, curious, spirited blue eyes.

That smile, those dimples and those adorable cheeks.

That laugh and that squeal.

Those arms that reach out for Mama.

One of our friends referred to Levi as our "fiery priest." I love that. It's a pretty literal interpretation of his name, but it's also pretty accurate for his personality so far, at least with the "fiery" part. We believe that the priest part is there, too, being molded day by day.

One year seems like such a milestone, and it is, but it's so much more of a beginning.

January 22, 2011, began a work in me that I couldn't yet understand. With his initial cry, my heart melted, and every day since, it has grown more and more full. My cup overflows.

Levi Blaze, you truly are our little wonder. You made me a mama, and with that title you gave me more satisfaction, more thankfulness and more joy than I ever saw coming. My life will never be the same, and that gives me cause to celebrate!

ONE YEAR OLD!

Happy, happy, happy first birthday to our little wonder, our precious little dude! We love you so much and continue to be amazed at how you have changed our lives for the better. You are absolute proof that God only gives good gifts. We celebrate you today, Levi Blaze!

Baby's Second Christmas

Now that Gib's parents have moved back within a few hours' drive from us, we were able to have an evening of Christmas with them this year, too!

It wasn't supposed to just be an evening, but we found out just before Christmas that SURPRISE! Gib would be having surgery to get his pins removed on the very day the Park clan had planned to unite at Gib's sister's house. So, that morning, Gib and I drove an hour for his surgery, then another two hours for the Park family Christmas, and then another hour and a half back to my parents. It was like a mini-road trip!

Gib was feeling pretty energetic going into the procedure:

And here he is in recovery, drinking "the best Sprite of his life." Neither of us realized that they might knock him completely out for such a procedure, but that they did. I find Gib to be pretty funny ordinarily, but coming out of anesthesia, that man is hilarious.

It was so much fun to see Gib's immediate family, even if for a short period of time. Levi received more fun gifts (including his jersey) and lots of welcome attention!

Baby's First Christmas

Although our baby is looking more and more like a toddler, we thoroughly enjoyed "baby's first Christmas!" He wasn't too impressed with wrapping paper or bows as I'd expected, but the tree captivated him.

This Christmas was so much fun for me. I loved having my sister there. I loved getting to celebrate Leigh's and J.J.'s first Christmas as a married couple. I loved waking up to my main man beside me and my little man bouncing away in the crib across the room. I loved getting to watch Levi Blaze experience the wonder of Christmas. I loved being with my parents. I loved playing Monopoly on an iPad for the first time. I loved spending the holiday all together as a family.

Levi enjoyed being the star of the show, and I love this sequence of him opening his gift from Aunt Leigh and Uncle J.J.

You know what else I love? This guy. In his adult sleeper that his thoughtful son gave him for Christmas. Now they can match!

We had a great time laughing together, playing lots of games and celebrating the Reason for the season. I'm pretty thankful to have such a great family!

Here are some of my favorite shots from Christmas!

Thanksgiving

We had a memorable holiday season filled with family and lots of fun… so much so that I'm just now getting around to write about it!

For Thanksgiving, the three of us took a road trip to Kansas to spend the holiday with Gib's family. Gib's parents bought a new place, and Levi thoroughly enjoyed looking out the front door, trying to get the remote from Uncle Brian, hanging with Aunt Kim and his grandparents, watching Wheel of Fortune, climbing the stairs, climbing people and sportin' a new hat!

I love these mischievous expressions!