He could see the answer shining in her eyes

What do you call the person who's at your house more than just babysitter hours but not quite here enough to be called a Nanny? Babynanny? Nannysitter?

I call her MY SANITY and the kids call her Miss Amanda. Several months ago, Miss Amanda got engaged to Nick. It's a close call on who the kids like more, Nick or Amanda. Aaron is crazy about NiCK (emphasis on the CK) and the girls adore Miss Amanda.

Last week I got to pretend to be a photographer for an afternoon. Who were my lab rats subjects? Nick and Amanda, of course! The outcome was some hardly professional, yet super inexpensive engagement photos of them.

Y'all, I'm just so excited about their future. They both love the Lord, Nick will surely prove to be an amazing leader of his home and Amanda is incredibly humble and has the heart of a servant. I couldn't be more ecstatic about what God has in store for them. And my kids are just a teentsy (read: HUMONGOUS) bit excited about their wedding next June.

As I snapped photos of them, I couldn't stop the voices of Wynonna and Naomi Judd from flowing through my mind, hence the title of this post.*




The laughter and smiles were abundant as we strolled around downtown, trying to find interesting places to snap shots. I love this one of them throwing the leaves. And especially the one of them in the doorway. Mercy. So sweet.


It wasn't hard to ask them to lean in closer and give each other tender gazes and small kisses. It took me back to when Luke and I first were engaged and how we just enjoyed each other's company, no matter where we were or what we were doing. Blessedly, that has only continued to grow and I love my man more today than I did nearly 11 years ago, when we first met.

These next 2 are certainly in the top 3 of the whole day. The genuine laughter and the way the sun shines on Amanda's face as she looks into the eyes of her love. Priceless.


I remember being at the wedding of Luke's best friends from high school. We'd only been married 6 or so months ourselves. It was the end of the ceremony. Laughter had abounded, the bride and groom had prayed and they'd just had their first kiss as man and wife. The minister said something to the effect of, "In this ceremony you've done 3 of the most crucial things a husband and wife can do together. Laugh together, pray together and kiss often."


If such is the case, I can't see a reason in the world why Nick and Amanda would ever have reason to struggle. How I already pray that their marriage is one that will they guard with fervent prayer, laugh about each other's flaws daily and share lingering kisses.


Praise God for new love, new seasons and a home that serves Him with abandon.

*The title of this post is from The Judds' song "Young Love."