For those of you that know Shireen know that she consistently gives so much for me. I couldn't ask for a more supportive and complimentary wife. Having said that, many of you know that Shireen has never had much desire to do the whole 'homemaking' thing. Don't get me wrong. We work well together at keeping the house, doing the chores, caring for Rhys, etc. But to decorate, entertain, to hostess fine dining, etc. The whole fru-fru thing is simply not something she has really cared for.
She has always offered to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for me. I nearly always accept. But like many of us we focus on the task, not the presentation, normally opting for the path of least resistance, cutting corners, just accomplishing the task in a nitty-gritty kind of way. Shireen is no different....until now.
She recently borrowed a book by Edith Schaeffer called "The Hidden Art of Homemaking". I'm loving it!! We've gone from breakfast, a simple omelet and toast to this:
This morning I come in from a run and begin loading my car for the day's work. Shireen offers to fix breakfast. I accept. Later she calls me in for breakfast. Instead of the usual omelet and juice there before me is a work of art! She not only went the extra mile to add hash browns (one of my favorites) but cherries too. More than that she intentionally spruced things up with a place mat and candles. Wow, she outdoes herself.
Being raised in south Louisiana I've picked up a few words that are not so common outside that area. One is 'lagniappe'. It simply means something extra. Most people would explain it by saying the 13th donut in a baker's dozen is lagniappe. Offering just a little more, giving an added value above the standard makes all the difference in the world.
Thank you Shireen for giving a little extra! It's great to be so loved!
Take time today to offer lagniappe in whatever it is that you'll do.
Moving on into our week...we had a fun time at our play group yesterday. 
We met a new family...Chrissie and her little ones, Ella & Hudson. Sadie will be here within just a few weeks!! Chrissie will have three babes under three!!!
...and Rollins... :)
Miss Melissa enjoyed holding Rhys for a little while...
And for about a minute, all the kids were out of the main 'play room,' so I couldn't resist taking this picture of what courageous moms get to clean up when all of kiddos leave play group! Jenn, Melissa, Lauren, thank yall for hosting, which includes even more than setting out toys and then cleaning up our messes!
I think Poppa was excited to see Rhys. :)
Definitely Aunt Tami, too! 
Uncle Jimbo seems to be fond of this little fellow, too. :)
It was such a pleasure to watch Krystal love on Rhys!! She's already an amazing mommy to that sweet baby in her tummy! 
What a fun weekend, with lots of fun activities, visits and celebrations!!
Chris & Tara Kear drove all the way from Arkansas...such troopers!! Chris and Russell have known each other for years, have served in ministry together, are adventure racing partners, and Tara is his perfect and sweet mate! Chris even performed our marriage ceremony! So, needless to say, we love this couple {and their coming baby, as they are expecting!! :) Yay!!!}, and we take advantage of any opportunity we can to spend time with them!
We enjoyed some fun fruity drinks...some virgin, some not. :) 
We got to wake up to this each morning...
The weather could not have been more perfect! {Well, maybe 20 degrees cooler. :)}
Rhys got to hang out with his Uncle Chris & Uncle Ryan, whom he evidently loves!! Wouldn't you say from the pics??? :) I didn't get pictures of Rhys with the ladies, but he enjoys their company, too...he sweetly nestles his face in their necks as they hold him. :)
And, last but certainly not least, the boys did great! Yes, both the big boys and the little boys. :)
My man left home without his boonie hat for sun protection, so he scouted through local stores, looking for the perfect straw hat. {
You enjoyed rolling around on our HUGE king-size hotel bed!
You still cuddle with Mommy, which I LOVE!!! {Justin, aka 'straw man', that's your hat! :))
You've been Mr. Social, and everyone wants a chance at holding you, including our sweet neighbor Miss Kate, who adores you and takes such good care of you!
Speaking of social...you just spent a nice, long weekend with two of your good friends, 
How sweet is this!?!?
We love you, big man!! Happy 5 months!!
How do I appreciate you as a father to our child?
Rhys is incredibly blessed to have you as his father, and he will learn much under your guidance…the spiritual things of our Heavenly Father, as you pray with him and teach him all of the wonderful truths of His Word and of Him as our Lord and God. And I know you look forward to teaching him about life through some good application…camping trips, off-roading trips, working on cars/trucks/jeeps together, helping him determine and discern what is right and good so that he can confidently live his life out, hopefully for the Lord.
God has blessed me with you as my husband, Russell, and I am so excited to watch you father our son! He will be so well-rounded, Lord willing, through your patient, tender, yet strong love for him. May our Lord continue to bless your heart and role as father, my love.
We got to try out a new 
We've also gotten to spend a lot of time with our neighbors, Aryvia & Kate, who we also LOVE! Last night, they came over with another set of neighbors, Damon & Heather (below). Aryvia held Rhys for the first time last night, and I had to capture it in the above picture. He's a NATURAL with babies!! :) "Kate, I'm impressed! He will be a wonderful daddy, and it's a 'given' that you'll be an amazing mommy!! We may as well call you guys Uncle Aryvia & Aunt Kate, as much as yall love and take care of him!! Thank you!!!" :)
...And, of course, how do we end an evening in the Wright household? That's a no-brainer...Joker! :)
