Hot Springs 2013

We LOVE going to Hot Springs!  We both grew up going there and, not long after we were married, went there on our first vacation.

We have gone there every few years until about 2007, when we started going yearly.

Our favorite time to go is fall.  It is just so beautiful.  The mountains, the trees wearing their fall colors, the leaves on the sidewalks, the acorns on the ground.  Really...just amazing!

Some photos from this years trip...

Us swinging

Our view from the swing



We went for a ride up West Mountain

There are overlooks where you can stop and take pictures.  It was sprinkling but that didn't stop us from enjoying God's creation.



We have a beautiful view from our condo.  This is from our balcony.

We ate at McClards Bar-B-Q, a well known Hot Springs restaurant, for the first time.  Chad loves barbecue and said the ribs were excellent.

We also visited the hot tub.



The last day it rained cats and dogs but we still enjoyed ourselves.  We watched movies in our condo and took a nap.  Perfect way to spend a vacation, if you ask me.

That night the rain stopped and we went to eat dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse.  It was delicious and a place we never go when we are home.  While we were waiting to be seated they had an Etch-A-Sketch out to be played with.  How fun!  I remember playing with mine a bunch as a kid.  I'm obviously out of practice.

The last morning we woke up to the prettiest weather.  So thankful for the sunshine to make our drive home easier.



Until next time...

I Love Him...

Because he lets me do this kind of stuff. :)



My Valentine

I have once again taken control of Angela's Blog so that I can express to her and to everyone how much she means to me. Let me tell you a little about my Valentine. She has put up with the old me, the one I am not proud of. She inspired me to change my life. She brought out the best in me, a side I didn't even know was there. That was then. She still brings out the best in me. In a world of uncertainty she is the solid ground beneath my feet. She still makes my heart skip a beat even though I don't let her know enough. She is the best mother to Hayden and Parker. She has loads of patience with the boys and yes, even with me. Her loyalty and love are amazing. She is my friend. She knows my hurts and the pain I have experienced. Our nine year anniversary is approaching and I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. She is my Valentine, and for that I thank God! Happy Valentines Day darling! Love, Chad

My Sweetheart

I have taken over Angela's blog once again so I could post this picture of us from 1994. It is one of my favorite pictures of us. She was the Band Sweetheart on the Homecoming Court in 1994. We look so young and innocent back then. And would you believe some said we would never make it...

March 27,1993

I have hijacked Angela's blog to tell her and everyone how thankful I am for this day. I have never been so thankful for a date in history. Sure we are thankful for July 4, 1776. I'm thankful for October 29, 2002 when Hayden was born and September 3, 2004 when Parker came along. There are other dates we celebrate as well. But March 27, 1993 changed my life! She was the one. She was different from every other girl. She was special. Truth be told we were married on March 27th 1993, although it was a fake ceremony performed by a football coach at high school, I knew then God had brought her into my life. I never thought I could love her anymore than I did then. But then on March 11, 2000 she walked down the aisle in her wedding dress and I swear she glowed. I thought surely I can not love any deeper than this. Then she gave birth to Hayden and I watched her hold him in her arms and I thought this is as deep as I can love her. But then came Parker and I felt even more love for her. Through the years my love has grown. I am so thankful for March 27th because it reminds me of the girl who made me complete. Apart from Jesus Christ, nothing has changed my life for the better more than Angela Brooke Pine Mills. I love you Angela.

God knew what was ahead...

When Chad and I were moving we found a letter Chad had typed. I guess it was kind of a diary entry and I want to share a portion of it with you. It is dated March 18, 1993...

"...I've been having alot of fun lately. Met new, and exciting people, that I have really begun to like. We all need change in our lives. It's all a part of the progress. One of the new people that I have met and became close friends with is Angela Pine. She is a very sweet, intelligent, compassionate, understanding person. We have much in common. She brings out the good qualities in me. She brings out a side of me I never really knew I had. She is just what I would want in a girl or companion. She's fun to be around. I could go on forever telling how I feel about her, but let me just close by saying I would say she is my "Dream Girl"- the perfect wife. Maybe I've gone to far."

March 11, 2000, 6 years and 51 weeks later, we became husband and wife.

Thanks to Michelle Jenkins Photography for the beautiful picture of us.

My baby's daddy...

I don't normally write about Chad on here but this was too sweet that I couldn't pass up blogging about it. Wednesday night I played cards with some friends and when I got in, about 12:30am there was an index card stuck to the door handle. It said...

"Angela, There is a message for you on the camera. Love, Chad"

So I go over to the camera to review the pictures and I saw these pictures...

Get it? I love you! It was the sweetest thing ever. He could have spent lots of money to buy me something but that free sign of love meant more to me than anything he could have found at a store. By the way, Hayden helped him take the pictures...what a good boy!