Love In The Little Things

This year for Valentine’s Day I’m focusing on the little things.  The Man’s schedule is busy and it’s only going to get worse for the next 18 months.   I like chocolate (maybe too much) and flowers as much as the next lady but I don’t need them.  The Man tells me he loves in thousands of ways all the time. 

Love is in the little things.  It’s in stopping to pick up more dog food on the way home from work.  In the letting the other sleep late even though you’re tired too (someone has to get up with the tired but no longer sleeping toddler!)  It’s in filling up the car and bringing a bowl of ice cream into the living room.  It’s in the kisses, lots and lots of kisses at random times.  It’s in doing his reading homework for his college classes on the loveseat next me.  It’s in cooking on weekends and spending time as a family.  Love is in the surprise texts and late night conversations.

I see his love for me in the snuggling and cuddling of our daughter, in the tickling of her and in the discipline (Yes, there’s love in discipline.)  There’s love in  listening to him getting her dressed and doing her hair.  I love watching them together, enjoying each other.  Daddies and daughters are so special, and my hearts overfills with love as interact and love each other.  

My family overfills my heart.  For today, it’s more than enough for me.

The Difference A Year Makes

Right around this time last year we found out we were pregnant.  I vividly remember the emotions. There was disbelief at first, as I didn’t want to get my hopes up and then be wrong.  Once the pregnancy was confirmed by my doctor, there was excitement and joy at the thought of our baby, relief that I didn’t need any more infertility treatment, nervousness at the thought of actually being parents, some anxiety at the unknown and some sadness that my dad would never hold my baby.  That’s just scratching the surface.  It was the start of an incredible roller coaster ride. 

Now that we have our baby girl and she’s three months old, I can’t imagine life without her!  The Man and I were saying the other night that we weren’t sure what we did before we had her.  She’s amazing and incredible and we are so very much in love with her.  She’s a daddy’s girl and loves it when he holds her.  She loves to watch football with him and life is good when he’s around.  She also love mommy lots.  I love seeing her face light up when I come into the room after being gone for a little bit.  She’ll follow me with her eyes if someone else is holding her.  She also sleeps better when she’s touching me. 

When you’re expecting, you have these images of what motherhood will look like.  For me it was snuggling with a sleepy baby, talking to a smiling baby, watching Munchkin ride her bike for the first time, taking her to Disney.  While I knew that babies cried, sometimes a lot, it was not something I pictured.   There have been nights when she has done nothing but fuss and cry.  Thankfully they are few and far between but the ones we have had have been enough to hurt my mommy heart.  I hate hearing my child cry.  I hate not being able to figure out what’s wrong.  Those times have been enough to make me extremely thankful for my happy baby girl.  The hard times make the other times sweeter.  Without the difficult times I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the good.

We love being parents. Even with the fussiness and exhaustion, it’s wonderful. Well, The Man might not think it’s wonderful when I snap at him because I’m exhausted. It’s been an opportunity for me to grow in asking for and receiving forgiveness. I’m thankful that my husband loves even when I’m cranky! He’s also blessed me by allowing me to sleep in and in allowing me to nap without the baby. He’s a dad that loves his daughter and enjoys spending time with her.

I think I’m rambling now so I’ll leave you with one more adorable photo of Munchkin.  I get to see this cuteness everyday and  I love it!

Love

About three years ago the Man and I stood in front of family and friends. 

He wore his dress blues and looked so handsome.

I wore a white dress and felt beautiful.

We said “I Do.”

Or some version of that.

It was on that day, three years ago, that our family began.

I love this man more today than I did the day I married him.

I wasn’t sure it was possible, but it’s happened.

Now that we’ve added a little one,

our hearts our bursting.

How does it get better than this?

I know it will and

I’m looking forward to it.

I’m so glad it’s you babe, by my side,

especially as we start this adventure

called parenthood.

I can’t imagine sharing this life with anyone else.

I love you.

Lots.

Happy Anniversary!

Three years down and eternity to go.

Out Of The Loop

This post might step on some toes and offend some people.  I’m ok with that.  These are my opinions and if yours are different, cool beans.  One of benefits of living in the USA is that we can all have our own opinions.  If you do disagree, I’d love to hear your comments in a respectful way.

I’ve been feeling a little out of the pop culture loop lately.  I have to admit I’m ok with it.  It’s also nothing new.  I was out of the loop while living in Asia (I had no idea what Survivor or American Idol was, among other things, when I returned home in 2005.)  I’m out of the loop because I don’t watch much TV or listen to the radio.  I only listen to the radio in the car and it’s mostly Spirit 105.3, a local Christian music station or some classic rock.  At home it’s Pandora or my iPod.  It’s not unusual for me to first hear a song a year or two after it has come out.

You might be wondering where I’m going with this.  My Twitter feed and several blogs I read have been full of the book 50 Shades of Gray.  I have absolutely no desire to read this book.  First reason is that it is somehow related to Twilight.  I’m not a Twilight fan.  I haven’t read it either.  I’m ok with missing out on this.  I’ve also heard it’s basically soft porn and I’m ok with missing that too. I could be wrong about that since I haven’t read it but I’ve heard it from enough people that I don’t think I’m too far off.

The other item that has been getting a lot of chatter is the movie Magic Mike.  I had no idea what it was about but everyone was talking about it so I googled it.  It’s about a male stripper.  Right from that I can tell you I’m not interested.

My first thought when I was thinking of all this was ““Why are people surprised that affairs are rampant and the divorce rate is so high?”  I’m not saying that 50 Shades of Gray and Magic Mike are the causes of these things but they certainly are symptoms.  What you put in your body, including your mind, is what you’re doing to get out.  There is enough temptation in my everyday life, why do I want to add more?  Why would I want to put those thoughts and images in my head?  They are nearly impossible to erase.

Our society has traded the truth for a lie.  One of those lies is that sex=love.  Sex does not equal love.  It equals lust.  And lust is perfectly acceptable in our society.  We base our happiness on it.  We base marriages on it.  We base divorces on it.  There are many people who get married not because they are in love but because they are in lust.  When they are no longer in lust, why stay married?  Isn’t the whole point of being married about being happy (and without going into it I say NO, marriage isn’t all about being happy.)

In very, very simple terms (I even might be oversimplifying it but work with me here) lust is what makes me happy.  Love is about what makes you happy.  My favorite definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

⁴ Love is patient,

love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

⁵ It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered,

 it keeps no record of wrongs.

 ⁶ Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

⁷ It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails.

That’s the kind of love I want.  I don’t want lust.  I want love.  Real, time and trial tested love.  The kind that puts the other first, in wanting what is best for them.  It’s still out there though it’s becoming harder and harder to find.

My marriage is not perfect.  We still have a lot of work to do.  I am thankful that The Man and I are both committed to each other and our marriage and a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love.  We love each other and it is work.  It’s hard but it’s rewarding.  It makes me sad that others are missing out on this, that they have traded it in for something that looks good but is unfulfilling. 

So many people are looking for love, real love.  Is it any wonder they have a hard time finding it with all the junk out there?

Lucky

If I believed in luck then I would say that I’m one lucky girl.  I don’t believe in luck.  Instead I believe that I am on blessed girl. 
My husband has been amazing during this pregnancy.  If you could see our house you’d see that the floor is covered in dog hair, the bathroom needs to be cleaned and that laundry desperately needs to be done.  There are dishes in the sink but it’s not overwhelming because that’s the one thing I’ve been trying to keep up with.  The Man sees all of this and says nothing.  Nothing except “Sit, relax!” and “Don’t do anything!”  He not complaining or nagging me to clean the house.  He doesn’t complain when I have no idea what’s for dinner or don’t feel like cooking.  He’s run out for eggs so I could make the Chocolate Lava Cake when I realized the ones we had were bad.  The Man has been going to birthing class and is supportive of my desire for an unmedicated childbirth.  He’s let me cry and has just held me.  He loves feeling munchkin move and we often fall asleep with one of his hands on my belly.  He talks to her and is already an amazing dad.  The Man doesn’t complain when I turn down the heat or turn on the ceiling fan when I’m hot or when I get up for what feels like the 10th time at night to go to the bathroom.  I know I’ve been hormonal and not easy to live with but he just rolls with it.  He tells me I’m beautiful, with stretch marks, a big belly, hormones and everything else.
I came home the other day to find that he had found mirrored doors for our bedroom closet that I’ve been wanting.  He got them at Habitat for Humanity.  He also found a new light for the nursery and has plans to put in stairs by the door to fix the sloping bricks that are slippery.   Anyway, after installing the closet doors he completely cleaned the bedroom.  He got rid of my tissue collection that was overflowing out of the trashcan, got stuff together for Godwill, vacuumed (including getting rid of the cobwebs and dust on the pictures), put clean sheets on the bed…the room looks great.  He has laundry going through all of this and refused to let me help fold it.  He told me to sit down and relax.  He does all of this on top of working full time and being in the middle of a show.
I know he’s not doing this for recognition.  He’s doing it because he loves me and is concerned for Munchkin and I.  How blessed I am by this man.  I am so thankful that he’s my husband and Munchkin’s dad.  I’m thankful he’s the one that will be sharing this adventure known as parenting. 

I love you baby.  Thank you for being you and for taking such great care of us!

How are you blessed?

Love Story

So I’ve seen this meme going around that thought it would be fun to fill it out.  A lot of the info I’ve shared before and can be found in the Our Story section but hopefully there’s something new.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

We met in person for the first time in May 2008 and we’ve been together ever since.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

We met at the Providence Place Mall in Providence, RI.  It was early…about 10 am.  We were going to eat lunch and then see a movie but once we were together, we realized that it was too early to eat lunch.  So we saw the movie first.  We both laughed about how crazy it was to sit in a dark theatre with someone you barely knew but we did it anyway.  After that we had lunch at Dave and Busters.  By the time we were done eating and playing games, we weren’t ready to have our date end.  So we walked around the mall and then we walked around Providence.  And because he had never had Dell’s frozen lemonade we got some.  Our date lasted 6 hours!  He walked me to my car and gave me a big hug after we made plans for the next weekend.  I got in my car and I couldn’t get rid of the smile on my face.  I remember thinking that he might be the one…something I NEVER though or said!  I was smitten and couldn’t wait to talk to him again (which I did later that day!)

3. If married, how long have you been married?

We’ve been married two and half years.  It’s flown by!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?

We got married at a country garden in MA.  It was small; we had about 70 guests.  Even now we say that it was perfect, even with the hitches that happened.  The day WAS perfect and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

We’re boring.  We call each other baby and babe.  We rarely use each other’s first names…in fact, I use his first name when I can’t get his attention!  It just about always works too.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

Only 3?!  Ok…I love how excited he is to be a daddy.  He’s going to be a great one.  He is already taking great care of munchkin and I.  I love how hard he works and how important his sobriety is to him.  I also love how excited he gets when he’s talking theology.  He love C.S. Lewis and loves to talk about what he’s reading.  I’m blessed to be married to a man that hungers after God.

7. Tell us how he proposed?

A friend had won a gift certificate for two for a Sunset Cruise in Newport, RI.  She wasn’t going to use them so she gave them to me.  It was August and the fact that he was moving to WA in less than a month was very much on my mind, as was the fact that a deployment was looming.  I wanted a romantic evening, something to remember while he was gone.  We were unofficially engaged, meaning that we knew we were getting married and we had told other people but I didn’t have my ring yet.  I knew it was coming as he promised to propose before he left.  I wasn’t expecting it this night because I thought it was predictable.  

He drove up from CT to my place in MA.  He was late and when he got there he told me he had news and that I had better sit down.  I remember looking at him and feeling a little panicky.  The thought of “I hope he doesn’t propose to me in my kitchen!” also went through my head.  Thankfully he didn’t propose but he told me he got his orders and that he didn’t get a boomer like we were expecting…instead he was assigned to a fast attack.  I know that that means NOTHING to you non-sub people, but basically each kind of sub had a certain job to do.  The boomer schedule is about 3 months out and month home and is often predictable.  A fast attack schedule is anything but predictable and often have 6-9 month deployments. 

We hopped in the car and discussed what this would mean for us.  It wasn’t the end of the world but it did take up a lot of the conversation.  We walked around Newport and then boarded the ship.  We sailed around the harbor and enjoyed the moment.  As the sun was setting, he got out his phone and started playing with it.  He handed it off to someone, which I thought was weird.  Then he got down on one knee and proposed.  I was in shock said yes.  I was also a little tipsy from the complimentary champagne.  Everyone on the ship clapped and the crew opened another bottle of champagne for us.  They gave us the cork after writing the name of the ship and the date on it.  I have it, along with a picture of us and our tickets in a shadow box in our living room.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

He’s more of a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy and that works for me!  Last year he got me flowers and candy even though I told him he didn’t have too….I just wanted the candy after V-Day when it was 50% off.  What can I say, I like a deal!

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

While I like both, I prefer to pop a movie in and snuggle on the couch.  Unless we’re in Ocean Shores, then there’s nothing better than roasting hot dogs over a beach fire while watching the sun set!

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

I’d love to travel with The Man.  I have a long list of places I’d like to go (we agree on most of them!) and on the top of my list includes Tahiti, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand and China.  Turkey, Greece and Luxemburg are also on the list.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

I think we’re going to go out to dinner.  We normally just stay home but since this is our last Valentine’s Day just the two of us, we’re going to go crazy.  For us, going out to dinner is going crazy!  Well, not really, but it will still be fun.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Time with The Man.  He might get my flowers and/or candy but he doesn’t have to.  I know he loves me.  And he surprises me at random times with flowers.  Not too often…I like the surprise of knowing that he was thinking of me.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Commitment and communication.  I think you need both to have a strong, healthy marriage.  I would also say that you shouldn’t fear the hard stuff.  It’s working through the hard stuff and growing closer that gives depth to a marriage. 

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

For Dads

I don’t think many guys read my blog.  In fact, I’d be surprised if any other man than The Man and an elder from church (Hi T!) stop by on a regular basis.  But I have something I’d like to share with the guys, especially those of you who are dads to daughters.  Wives, if you agree with this, please share it with your husbands.  I belive the message is important.

I read this article that a friend posted on Facebook and it made me cry.  Here’s the article.  Take a minute and go read it.  I’ll wait….

It made me cry because my dad did the things that the author talks about.  After 32 years, with my dad gone for 4 months, I still believe and know the things he often told me.  I know he loved me.  I know he was proud of me.  I know that I’m still his little girl.  And I know that I’m beautiful.  How do I know these things?  My daddy told them to me.  He told them to me often. 

When I got to the hospital and met his doctors for the first time, they told me, “Your dad had talked about you! You lived in Asia for awhile.  How did you like that?  And you’re now living in WA, right?  How do you like the West Coast?”  Even as my daddy lay dying, he was still talking about how proud of me he was.  And they didn’t know these thing because he just told them, they had heard over and over again about me.  At doctor visits, at other hospital visits…he loved to talk about my mom and I.  At the wake, I had people come up to me that I had no idea who they were and they knew about things I had done.  They knew because my daddy talked about me.  He loved me and was proud of me.

What a gift this had been.  There were times growing up that I had heard it so often that I would just say “Yes, dad, I know.  I love you too!” and not think too much about it.  But now, after he’s gone I treasure those words.  I know that they are true, without a doubt.  I can hear him saying them to me in my head…and I’m thankful for that.  So thankful.

I married a man like my daddy. And while my dad could drive me crazy like no one else, He was a good man, a godly man. I married a good man, a godly. A man who loves me, takes care of me, who tells me when I’m wrong, who wants me to grow, who makes me laugh, who drives me crazy and a man who I’m thankful will by munchkin’s daddy. 

So dads, don’t underestimate your influence in your daughter’s life.  Tell your daughter that you love her.  Tell her that you’re proud of her.  Tell her that you think she’s beautiful.  Even when she rolls her eyes, tell her again.  It will sink it.  She hears it.  I promise.

 

*I know nothing about the church or the blog where this article is from.  I don’t know if agree with their beliefs or not.  I am not promoting their church, blog or beliefs and they don’t know I wrote this post.  This article touched me and I wanted to share.

1 Corinthians 13:6

Surprised

Yesterday was kinda a crazy day.  I watched a friend's little girl in the morning and then subbed for the preK class again.  Valentine's Day party + 8 four year olds = craziness.  It was fun though I'm glad their teacher is back!  After that I ran some errands.  Pretty uneventful.

When I got home was spending some time unwinding online before making dinner and straightening the house.  It was raining pretty hard and i was enjoying the sound of it on the roof.  Then the lights flickered.  Then flickered again.  Then they went out.  No power is not fun, especially when it's dark out!  I got some candles lit and then just sat.  No TV, no internet, no computer, no cook so no dinner.  Gr.  I was kinda tired so I decided to take a nap.  I slept from about 5:30 till 8.  By that time I was hungry and we still didn't have power.  After texting with The Man letting him know that there was still no power, I headed to McDonald's for dinner.  Not the same as the Chicken Parm I was going to make for dinner but at least they had power!

The best part of the day?  Pulling into the driveway about 3 minutes after The Man and realizing that we each bought each other something for Valentine's Day even though we said we wouldn't!  I didn't go crazy...he's been eating smarties a lot lately so I decided to enable him.  I bought him two bags as a way to show my love.  The Man got me flowers and candy.  Cliche, yes but I loved them just the same.  It was kinda hard to enjoy them in the dark but I could tell they were beautiful.  I cut off the bottoms and got them in a vase so I could enjoy them today.  I had to put them on top of my dresser otherwise Iggy mans would eat them...and he tried several times last night.

My flowers

 We spent the little time we had together before bed getting a fire started and standing in front of it so we could heat up the house a bit before going to sleep.  Cause no power=no furnace. Not to worry, we were plenty warm!

The Man starting a fire

My Love

Happy Valentine's Day Baby!

I am so blessed by my husband.  He loves me and not only does he tell me this daily, he also shows me in countless ways.  From surprising me with a new light in the sewing room to cooking to doing little things for me, I know I am loved.  Even when I'm whiny, grumpy, cranky and hormonal, he shows me grace and forgiveness. I am blessed.

I have found the one whom my soul loves.
Song of Solomon 3:4

All You Need Is {Love}: Day 6

I know I said I wasn't going to blog on the weekend and yet...here I am.  Does it count that I'm writing it on Friday and not Saturday?  I love that you can schedule posts!  I'm at a business meeting today.  On a Saturday.  It's going to be a great meeting, so I don't mind.  I get to see our new products that are coming out in March and get some training.  Plus, I get to spend the day with some great ladies.  I'll let you know how it goes next week!

I {LOVE} to blog because....

 There are lots of reasons...

1.  It's a creative outlet for me...it's a place for me to vent

2.  I've met some great people...I love my bloggy friends!

3. I'm able to keep friends & family updated on what & how we're going

4.  I love finding new blogs and getting inspired

and I'm sure there are more reasons but it's getting late and my brain isn't working...the 3 hours I spend with eight 4 year olds this afternoon fried my brain (that's a story for another day)...

Why do you love to blog?

All You Need Is {Love}: Day 5

What I {LOVE} about my friends is..

They're cool.   Seriously, how can they not be with me as a friend?

T, Poe, J & Meg

Ok, I'll be serious now.  I love different things about different friends.  For example...with J, it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've talked, it feels like just yesterday.  We can pick up where we left off, fill each other in and have a great time.  We love shopping together and splitting load potato skins and a gooey chocolate dessert...leftovers from our college days!

Then there's Meg, who makes me laugh with her stories...she tells great ones!  She also put up with me during the stressful days leading up to my wedding...and while The Man was deployed.  I love getting her perspective on things.  Or T, who isn't only a friend she's family.  She's supportive and is a prayer warrior.


I have some great friends here in the Pacific Northwest as well.  They are fun to spend time with and are supportive.  Each one has something special, something unique about them.  I'm blessed to have great friends!

All You Need Is {Love}: Day 4

For Valentine's Day I {LOVE} to bake/cook... 

I'm going to be honest, I'm not going to bake anything.  I don't really enjoy baking...that's what I have The Man for!  As for cooking, I'm not sure about that either.  If I'm lucky The Man will cook for me...stuffed pork chops if I have a say in it.  They are amazing!



If I end up cooking dinner, I'll probably make baked chicken.  I like to cover the chicken breast in something wet (pesto, diced tomatoes or ranch dressing all work well) then cover it in bread crumbs.  I bake it in my mini stone baker and cover the chicken breasts in cheese.  After about 30-45 minutes I'll check the temperature.  I take it out once it reaches 165 degrees...it will be nice a moist.  Serve with a baked potato and a veggie...and it's super yummy dinner!

All You Need Is {Love}: Day 3

If I could travel anywhere this snowy February, I would {LOVE} to go...

Thailand.  I LOVE Thailand.  It's one of my favorite places.  When I lived in Asia, I got to go to conference in Chiang Mai every year.  I fell in love with Thailand.  The food is delicious, both Thai and Western.   You can immerse yourself in Thai culture but also enjoy a western culture...something that I had been missing for a few months.  I'd definitely go back to Koh Chang, a small island off the coast near Cambodia.  It's where the Thai people go for vacation.  It's very nice and not totally overrun with rude tourists.   If I got to go to Thailand, I would make sure to hop on over to Viet Nam...it would be really hard to be so close and not go!


Koh Chang:

All You Need Is {Love}: Day 2

When I'm feeling down, to cheer myself up I {LOVE} to..

Have Me time 

Cuddle with The Man (he's my own personal teddy bear)

Not a cuddling picture...

He calls it burrowing.  I call it cuddling...same same.

Sometimes taking a shower and doing my hair and makeup helps, even if I've already done it for the day.  It feels like a fresh new start!

And something that I don't always remember to do when I'm feeling down...pray and read my bible.  It helps change my perspective.

What do you like to do when you're down?

Don't forget to go link up!

All You Need Is {Love}: Day 1

I've seen some of my bloggy friends participating in this challenge and thought it looked like fun.  So here I go!

When I need some me time I {LOVE} to...

Read

Sew

Source

Get some Kitty & Puppy love

Who can resist these cuties?  I can't!

Nap

More sleep is always good!

What do you do for you time?