Happy Birthday JK!

Today is Josh Kelley’s big 3-2!  I must say I was super disappointed when I thought we were both turning 31 this year and he corrected me.  “What?  32?  Are you sure?”  “Yes, Laura. We’re turning 32.”  Whatevs.

We spent the weekend celebrating.  I managed to send the Kelley kids off to their grandparents house for two nights and wrangled them solo on Saturday while Josh was with his Full Count fall league guys.  How fun was a Friday night/Saturday afternoon/Saturday night with no kids?  Well, super fun.

We got in runs and ate fun dinners without sharing.  We celebrated with Merf and Jake Saturday.  Merf and Josh are practically twins.  True story, but not really.  Birthdays one year and two days apart.  Like I said, practically twins 🙂  Anyways, crazy fun late night.  The best conversations and laughter.  Despite the waiter bringing out banana pudding for their birthday dessert even though neither Josh or Merf or myself are banana people.  Jacob scored.

I picked the kids back up really early Sunday morning for a day of celebrating…just the 6 of us.  I may have forgotten to get up at 3am and start his most loved pot roast, soooooo we went with second best….Krystals.  When you don’t start your crock pot just go with Krystals…and regret it later because that’s just what you do with Krystals.  I laughed because when I realized there would be no pot roast Josh narrowed it down to Krystals or Taco Bell.  And I was not surprised one bit.  It’s how we roll some days.

Today were going to be enjoying some baseball at the ball park, but there will be roast for dinner.  I made sure to stat that thing this morning.  There are no bake cookies too.  And asparagus and broccoli.  And potatoes.  All Josh Kelley inspired.  Ask and you shall receive on your birthday 🙂

This dude is kind of my legit favorite.  I still remember watching him play ball when we were 12.  I remember his glasses and torn up cleats.  His maroon dyed buzz cut and hunter green Jansport backpack with a Metallica patch.  Vans and plaid pants with a chain leading from his belt loop to his wallet.  He’s always been my favorite, but honestly, he’s never been more my favorite than he is today.

Time moves along and change is inevitable.  Our marriage has not been easy.  It takes work.  Good, hard work and lots of it.  But I can say with humble gratitude to God, for the first time in maybe for ever, we are both working like crazy to focus on God and Him alone.  Not each other.  Not the kids.  Not the world.  But God alone.  Everyday He is teaching us that He Is Enough.  Nothing more is required or needed.  And wow, what a drastic difference it is making in our marriage and in our family.

I am so blessed to be on mission with Josh Kelley.  I do not take this for granted because I have seen marriages crumble and fall apart…my own parents included.  Josh is not perfect and neither am I, but it is comforting to be like minded.  To hear his heart for Jesus makes me thank God for His handy work…for the way He created Josh…the way He is moving and working in him.  For the way He brought us together and is allowing us to go on this wild adventure with Him.  What an honor and privilege.

He doesn’t hear it enough, but Josh Kelley I like you!  I’m thankful to God for your life and your heart is still the hottest thing about you.  You challenge me and make me laugh so flippin’ hard.  You tick me off some days too, but you’ll always be my jam.  We’ve spent our last 17 birthdays together and here’s to 1000 more.  Happiest of birthdays and I love you tons.