December 1st, 2007

Last night as Jesse said goodnight, he asked me what we should do in the morning. He said we could go to IHOP for breakfast, or something like that, just to have a morning where it was just the two of us. I love mornings like that! I suggested doing something cheaper...I love going places with him, but I don't like it when he spends money on us! Next year is going to be an entirely different fruitcake, financially, so saving up now is a good thing. We decided to pick up bagels and Starbucks on the way to the lake, and then just sit there, enjoying the calm morning and our warm, yummy breakfast.

When I woke up this morning, the first thing I thought about was rain! It poured all day yesterday. Before I got out of bed this morning, I just groaned and wondered how we could have forgotten about the weather! But when I got up and looked out the window, I saw that the sky had cleared over night, and that while it was still very cold outside, it was promising to be a beautiful day.

I met him in his room at 10:00, and we drove over to the Alton Marketplace to get our breakfast. With that in hand, we went over to the lake armed with coats and a blanket as well. We also brought our book to read (right now it's The Picture of Dorian Gray) but we never picked it up. We just sat there on the bench at the lake, eating and chatting, and laughing at all the birds that swarmed around us.

It was such a beautiful morning! Crisp and cool (so cold our breath made steam on the wind!) and that vibrant autumn coloring.

I'm so thankful for times like these. When we can just escape for a little while and enjoy being together. I love sharing nature with him, enjoying God's perfect artwork, watching the birds paddle across the lake, and watching the colors change on the trees and water and the sun plays hide-and-seek behind the clouds. I love cuddling up next to Jesse's warmth, his arms and blanket wrapped around me, shielding me from the wind. I love the way our laughter rings out so bright on clear autumn air.

I love talking about houses and children and futures, playing up different scenarios or designing family rooms in our minds. We want a big family room, with a fireplace and lots of couches and blankets. Jesse says that in the winter, we'll all gather there to read together. I imagined watching a family scene--children cuddling up to Daddy while he reads Runny Babbit or the Hobbit, giggling at his voices and falling asleep near the cozy warmth of a crackling fire. I would be crocheting by the lamp in the corner, or baking cookies within hearing distance, popping in every once in a while to smile at the ones I love. Or I'd be cuddling up with the rest of them, holding Baby.

So many happy times ahead! And so many happy times right now. I know we're hitting a busy time right now, with only two weeks left of this semester. That might have been the last chance Jesse and I will have like that until school is out for Christmas, but we'll see. Just push through the next couple weeks, and then it's Christmas Break!

I love him!