To the Best Fathers I Know

 

 

 

On this Father's Day, it is only appropriate to share photos of the most incredible fathers I know, starting with my own. I cannot find words to describe how amazing my dad is. Being his only daughter is such an honor. My most favorite memories with him include getting up early on a Saturday morning, loading up our fishing gear, driving down to the tackle store, picking out night-crawlers, and snagging a bag of reese's pieces. Or camping in the woods and setting up a baseball field with rocks and tree stumps and playing ball. My dad has always been there for me and my brother. I could not be more thankful to have him in my life.
(August 8, 2008) On the best day of my life, my dad gave me away to my best friend and father to my son.

The first time B held Logan in the NICU.One of my most favorite photos on Ash Wednesday.My dad and his first grandson. Giddy.B's dad and Logan.Rock star-to-be.Such an amazing father, husband and friend.Snuggles with Grandpa on Mackinac Island!Walking the river.Dancing with Daddy.Getting Logan Love.Silly silly silly!

Happy Father's Day. I love you all so much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look Who's Having a Birthday

This handsomely silly man here is 27 today! So happy birthday to my best friend, lover, father to my son and oh so incredible husband! I love you B!!

Happy Easter

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(Logan, one year ago on Easter)

We're not big fans of the bunny in our house. In fact, I did not even decorate this year. Not because I didn't want to, but because everything is packed. Next year, in our new home, will be wayyyy different. But still, we're not fans of the Easter bunny. That is not at all what Easter is about to us. Jesus is Easter. And this year, as every year past, we celebrate his resurrection. I pray blessings to you and your families.

Happy Easter! He IS Risen!!

I've Never Written About this Before

>I have been inspired by Kellie over at It's a Boy! to write a post about one of the most special memories I have of B and I. EVER. Yes, that special. And you'll smile a silly smile when you hear how simple of a moment it was. But first, go check out Kellie. She just had a sweet little boy and her blog and spirit is addictive! I am going to write this as if it just happened in a voice that is not past tense. Also, I am sharing this because I want to always have a place to remember it and I believe that sharing these simple moments are what make us so awesome.

I came home from the hospital, leaving my baby boy in the NICU alone for what I had hoped would just be a few hours, if that. I was discharged, sent home to care for my post labor wounds. The only sign I had given birth not 48 hours ago. My empty arms ached more than the cramps and stitches. B helped me up the stairs--three flights! I made it, but quickly collapsed on the couch. My legs are still shaky from the epidural. I only came home to shower and see the dogs. They were elated! I could tell they knew something fishy was going on and only in a few days would they know for sure. I gave them some love and asked B to help me to the shower. Yesterday, I had a nurse stand outside my hospital room door while I sat on a cold plastic seat and sponged myself. I cried. I hated being alone. I hated the fact that Logan was in the NICU and I could not take him home. None of this was part of our plan. But it was apart of His plan.


I took a percocet before we came home and felt drunk. The pain below was dulled, but the emotional ache in my heart kept on. B was so sweet. He helped me sit down on the bed to take my shoes off, one at a time. Slowly, I undressed. I wanted B to shower with me, but I could not form the words so I asked him to wait outside the curtain. He sat on the toilet. As I stood in the shower, hot water beating down on my back, I felt like I was going to pass out. B climbed in with me. It had been a few weeks since we had been in our small shower together. Me with my big overdue belly. Now, no belly or baby accompanied us. He held me up under my arms and I could not stop the rush of tears. I sobbed over his shoulder for what seemed like hours. The water never seemed to turn cold. B lathered up my luffa and helped bathe me. I washed my hair, rinsed and leaned on B again. The combination of heat, drugs and overwhelming emotions brought us closer together than we had been in a long time. B comforted me in a way that he never has before. He held me up both physically and mentally, caressed my arms and told me countless times that Logan would be just fine, that he would come home soon. I never doubted his words. 


B turned the water off. He never showed disgust over the mess my body was making. I was embarrassed, but had no control over it and he knew that. I know most fathers would probably ignore it the same way B did, but there are a few who would have said horrible things and made the embarrassment even worse. I kept apologizing for the mess, for crying like a crazy lady, for needing him so much. And then he kissed me. Kissed me hard. Kissed me until I forgot what my last thought was. He washed away the worry and held me tight. He told me he loved me more than anything, that none of that stuff mattered and that I could cry all I wanted. It was a great feeling then, knowing that my husband was on my side and would be forever. He helped me dry off and dress. I brushed my hair and we returned to the hospital to see our babe. He was sleeping peacefully. I will never forget this moment with B. Ever.


See? It's the little things. This is one of my top five best moments with B and maybe someday I will share the other four. Have a great day!

Valentine's Day 2011

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I am a terrible wife and blogger in that I completely FORGOT my camera for this oh so amazing evening. At least it will live on in our hearts and minds forever, kind of like our 1st honeymoon (camping without camera).

Anyway, this is quite the special Valentine's Day, but for a long time there I thought it would just be another normal night at home with Logan, which I was somewhat dreading. It is not very often that my hubby and I get a chance to have a night alone to talk about things other than Logan and work. I was craving a night to ourselves even if it meant just a nice dinner for an hour with a babysitter at home.

A few weeks back I told B how much I would love to recreate our first date sometime this year. Our first date anniversary is on February 23rd and being that Valentine's day is just a week prior I am okay with combining both of the celebrations. I enjoy our anniversary more anyway.

On Sunday night I had resolved that we would be taking Logan with us to a nice dinner. I kept asking B if he wanted the sitter's phone number and he kept saying he didn't need it. I was annoyed that of the two or three dates out of the year for us to have an excuse to a nice night out alone he was not taking full advantage of it! B had been very evasive about our plans and was not indicating what or where we would be going. I was okay with a nice surprise, but I was still frustrated that Logan was going to be coming along. Give me a break! I wanted a night ALONE with my hubby!!

So late on Sunday night B offered to give me a back rub, which he rarely ever does. I was elated! As I was laying there we were talking about Valentine's Day and he asked if I would like to know what we were doing. Of course I said yes! He had been stringing me along for two weeks! Tell me already! Then, out of no where, he said that I needed to pack an over night bag for all of us. That we were spending the night with his mom in Denver. That she would be babysitting Logan while we had our night on the town, recreating our first date!! I WAS SO SURPRISED!!! Hence, why we didn't need a sitter! I could not stop smiling and laughing. It is not very often that B surprises me with something like this and it felt so good to feel so loved.

On Valentine's Day, I got us ready to go while B worked. I cleaned up the house and bathed Logan. Packed a light bag and waited for him to come home. We left around 3:30pm and arrived at my mother in laws around 5pm. We quickly changed our clothes, gave Logan a kiss goodbye, and headed for the light rail. Finally, ALONE with B!!

The light rail took us a good half hour to get down town which is really no different than driving. We stepped off on California Street and headed straight for the Tilted Kilt, a better version of Hooters. The food, the service, the drinks were amazing!! Even our server gave us a free app because she was a few minutes late taking our order. We gushed over each other and B broke his no PDA rule countless times. It was so sweet.

Later, we headed over to the movie theater. We had been bowling the night before and while that was apart of our original date night, we both wanted to see a movie instead (which, on our first date we wanted to see a movie but didn't have the time). We saw Just Go With It with Jennifer Anniston and Adam Sandler. It was awesome! So funny and cute. Way better than I was expecting.

By the time we got home it was 11:30pm and we were spent! The night was perfect and having that special time with B was more than needed. Our relationship is renewed, again, and our love is on fire. I love him with every fiber of my being and I am so proud to call him my husband.

that big 'ol news you've been waiting for

>So, I'm sorry lovies that I have been stringing you along for a few weeks. I'm sure that my news has been the only think you could think of alllll week long! Lol. It's something that I need to start writing about, a process if you will.

Our little family is getting ready to make a BIG MOVE! That's right:

WE'RE GOING TO BUY A HOUSE!

We learned we would be embarking on this fun adventure the beginning of December. Our lease on our apartment is not up until June so we have taken our time talking to a lender and choosing a realtor. The entire process, so far, has been quite stressful, no matter how excited we are to actually move into a home we can call our own with a fenced yard for the dogs, man cave for B, and play room for Logan. What does mommy get? A space (room or not) to paint.

I know there are many of you out there who have shed your property virgin card at some time long ago and the idea of us going down that monumental marital road is so invigorating! I will do my best to share details (though not too much) about the process. Already in the short WEEK that we have been out house hunting we have fall in love and had our hearts broken over a house. This is way worse than any middle school romance. Trust me. I think it is fair to say that falling in love with a house literally at first sight is like falling in love with that cute boy in youth group. The shopping process is so stressful and exciting all at once. One minute you're on cloud nine because the house is soooo adorable on the outside and then you walk in and your heart sinks because the carpet is trashed (replaceable), the wallpaper is dated (removable), and there is no closet space (ummmm). 

The biggest lesson I have learned so far is that you can change just about anything. You can knock a wall out if you want a more open floor plan. Painting, new wood floors, new counters...the possibilities are endless! I've also learned that you MUST have a MUST HAVE list, WISH LIST, and DEAL BREAKER list. If you don't, then you might compromise on something you really didn't want and it's not easily changeable (adding a new bathroom to a house with no where to put one).

Over the next several weeks I will keep you posted on what's going on with the house hunt. 

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In other news I found out I might have a stomach ulcer. While I am glad that there has been some progress made in diagnosing the issue, I am fa-reeeking out. I have to have my stomach scoped next week sometime. I'm totally dreading it!!

The Marriage Confessions Day 1 Fighting Fair

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I love the picture above. We took it just a few days before I graduated from college at a school music fest. It was a May day and as you can see the weather was perfect. No, we did not fight on this day. We were simply silly.

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Ask anyone and they will tell you they hate to fight. Whether it is with your husband, your children, or the bitchy lady in the mall who runs her stroller into yours--on purpose. Fighting sucks and I have never been one to fight. BUT. I am one tough cookie. When I feel strongly about something, you better believe I will fight til the end to win. Yes, win. The gratifying feeling of a solid win in an argument is quite the victory for me. Sadly, as soon as I am done doing my happy dance and finally look over to see his sad, defeated face, I feel bad.

I have a very hard time remembering the bad fights B and I have had and I could count them on one hand in the almost 4 years we have been together. I am not saying that to be boastful--it’s true. We hardly ever fight and when we do, it is rather epic. But then we usually drink ourselves into a silly stupor and I beg God to rid my memory of it ever happening. He does a great job doing so.

So how do we fight? I never see B’s stubbornness come out until he is adamant about something. He can be just as stubborn as me, but you’d never guess it with his laid back “whatever” attitude.

Any time a disagreement comes up, we both try to understand and listen to the other persons concerns and go from there. Sometimes I am way out of line and B has to bring me back to earth (thank you anxiety!) and other times I do the same for B. This is why our marriage works. We never want to hurt the other person and even though I said I like to win, I would much rather lose and make my husband happy more than anything else. It’s not worth it to me.

So here are a few principles we practice to keep things fair in our fighting:

1) We NEVER go to bed angry. We resolve whatever it is that is on our minds so that we can give one another a genuine kiss good night and not feel resentful while we try to fall asleep. There have been times (maybe one or two) when we sat across from each other for HOURS without saying anything into the early morning. Finally, someone apologizes or something and we move on. We made this rule within the first few months of dating.

2) We NEVER walk out on each other. We’re allowed to go into another room to cool off or just be alone. But under no circumstances is anyone allowed to walk out that door.

3) We never curse or name call. This is a biggie. Watch Teen Mom and that is all you see Amber do to Gary and it’s no wonder their relationship doesn’t work out. They hate each other! Just because we are fighting, does not mean that all respect and love goes out the window. Sure there may be a few eff bombs, but not like an “eff you” type thing. Saying stuff like that would just make matters worse and it would make us like each other less.

4) We NEVER fight in front of Logan and we ALWAYS make up in front of him. We made this rule early on in my pregnancy. If we begin to get heated about something, we either wait it out until Logan is in bed or we go into another room while Logan is safe in his jumper or swing. We make it quick. I actually think having Logan around makes us want to fight less because we don’t want him to hear our raised voices and angry tones. Secondly, we always kiss and make up in front of him. And we always will. Logan, and all the other children we have someday, need to know that just because mommy and daddy have a disagreement, doesn’t mean we don’t love each other. My parents hardly ever got heated in front of me and they always made up so I could see that they weren’t going anywhere. They’ve been married for 29 years and there is totally something to be said for that.

5) We make up again. Later. You know what I mean. Need I say more?

No one likes to fight, but you do need to know how to do it right so that no one walks out on the other. After just over 2 years of marriage, I can safely say that B and I still have a lot to learn. But the 5 principles we follow above are going to get us through tough times. Being a parent and having been raised differently is going to pose some interesting arguments over the years. Compromise, love and respect are the only way for us to make it through a fight or argument. We even try to figure out the best way so that we both “win” and that is only through discussing ways to compromise.

Now, how do you fight fair?

Day 3: First Love

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Wow, three posts in one day. Survivor is THAT boring tonight. hehe. Wanna link up? Go here.

Day 3. Your First Love

This is a hard one, believe it or not. If you're asking me about the first person I said "I love you" to or the first person I thought I was in love with, then that would be a good guy whom both my husband and I are still friends with.

My freshman year in college I had a friend who happened to live across the street from me in my home town go to the same school. We were fast friends and shared a lot of the same interests including tastes in music, movies, and activities. He's a drummer and I am like a moth to a flame when it comes to musicians. We buddied up and all our friends always asked if there was anything romantic going on and I always denied it. Well, the last day of our freshman year as we were moving out, it all came to a head and we secretly spent the summer dating and surprised our friends with our newfound relationship that fall. It lasted just over a year and when I look back on it, I realize I was not truly in love with him. I loved him, and I still do, as a friend. But it was not until I met B that I learned what true, deep as your soul and ache in your heart love is. So sure, drummer boy was technically my first love, but my first (and LAST) true love is and always will be B. I love you honey!

2 Years of Bliss

>August 8, 2010

I think that possibly, maybe I’m falling for you (the day I came over for a visit, you asked me to coffee, and I drove off with a perma smile)
Yes there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you. (the day you kissed me in ESPN Zone and I beat you bowling)
I’ve seen the paths that your eyes wander down (ha, up and down, my friend!)
I want to come too… (yeah, you’re pretty damn cute too!)

I think that possibly, maybe I’m falling for you (no, I KNOW I’ve fallen for you)

No one understands me quite like you do (no one, no one but you)
Through all of the shadowy corners of me (light and dark, good and bad)

I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew…
Ahh…

I think that possibly, maybe I’m falling for you
Yes there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you.
I’ve seen the waters that make your eyes shine
now I’m shining too

Because, oh because
I’ve fallen quite hard over you (harder than ever, and I keep falling)

If I didn’t know you, I’d rather not know
If I couldn’t have you, I’d rather be alone (I could never live without you in my life)

I never knew just what it was (those eyes, smile, touch, kiss, everything!)
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while, I never knew
I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while, I never knew

All of the while, All of the while it was you
You…
You…
You…

Happy Two Years to my most favorite person in the entire world. You rock it, B, each and every day. Here’s to two-hundred more!

Kisses.

(lyrics by Landon Pigg)