Dosage of RELAX

We both started new jobs in the same week. Totally different schedule, and we were still getting use to Tage being home during the day. Guess we decided things weren't crazy enough.

I have a certain way I would run the home if I were home and I'm finding it a daily struggle to resist criticizing what's not done. Even when my amazing husband does every stitch of laundry and has the homework and reading done every night, I still find myself overwhelmed by the many tiny things that are undone. I need to relax. My kids are happy and healthy. My husband enjoys his new job. I love my job. We both have jobs and that's more than a lot of others have now. I need to be grateful, and okay that my house isn't going to be immaculate, and homemade meals aren't going to be eloquently presented on the dinner table every night. 

As I settle into a new career, there aren't set hours and it's much different than a job I clocked in and clocked out of and came home. My job now doesn't just stop at 5pm, but I can understand how it's difficult to make the transition when we are use to me simply clocking out and getting home at the same time everyday. For me, wrapping up end of day emails, tying up a few lose ended conversations, making sure everyone I manage is okay for the rest of the day doesn't automatically end at 5pm everyday. 

Sometimes we are both just floundering in getting comfortable, having the faith that we'll make it through. We both feel strongly that we are doing what's best for our family right now. Just because it's right doesn't mean it's easy. (Eating healthy is right, but not always easy or comfortable). 

Probably a big dose of RELAX for the both of us, followed by a tall glass of GRATITUDE could come in handy just about now.

"Real" Life

I never imagined I would use the titles 

"ex-husband"

 "step-kids"

"second marriage"

 "ex-wife"

"Mom's Boyfriend"

"Dad's Girlfriend"

My life is amazing, I am so greatly blessed with a wonderful husband, with incredible in-laws in my life that have embraced me into their family and have loved my children without hesitation. My husband's ex-wife is wonderful and I'm blessed to call her my friend. My children have a great new sibling, and live in a safe, clean, caring neighborhood. My husband builds forts, visits my Mom, hangs out with the kids, helps with homework, is involved and aware of all of our individual lives, and he makes amazing dinners! My life is better than I had imagined, yet completely different than I could've ever believed it would be. 

There are still moments, much fewer and far between than before, but still moments....where it all feels pretend. I find myself waiting for it to all "POOF" and disappear. I find myself hesitant to put my 100% FAITH in this life.  I trust my husband, I trust the Lord. It's those moments of doubt that freak me out.

I wonder if there are moments in everyone's life where it just doesn't feel like "Real Life".

What is "Real Life" anyway?! Anything and everything we do is real, it's not like we are living in the Matrix. Even when bad things happen, even if people come in and out of our lives, it's all REAL! It all adds up to MY life. It all contributes to who I am. 

As Tage and I venture into a new phase, which seems to be the nature of our life...I find myself taking yet, another leap of Faith that makes this life even more concrete, even more tangible, more reliable, more permanent, more REAL!

So, here we go...2 new jobs in the same week. Possibility of a new home, holidays around the corner....

So glad I have a wonderful husband to cling to through the craziness of REAL life!

President of FHE

If you had a meeting at work that was to be the responsibility of the President, how would that go...?

The President doesn't have to be the one talking the whole time, they don't have to be involved in every segment. They can delegate everything if they wanted to. They would have the VP guiding them with suggestions and ideas as to what the company needed. But, in the end if the President doesn't want to have a meeting the meeting doesn't happen. And if the President wants a meeting then it's up to them to implement a meeting.

If a VP asked a president, "How would you like to conduct the meeting?" and the Presidents response was "I don't know." Then what?

I like being in charge. I like running things my way with my ideas. Yet, just like any organization needs specific responsibilities assigned to specific individuals, so does a family. And when people start taking over other peoples assignments it leads to disorganization.

Family Home Evening is our "weekly meeting" for our organization. Tage is "in charge" of the meeting. Of course I want it to go a certain way. But, this is an area that I see an opportunity to gauge how I'm doing in allowing him to take pride in guiding our family, and my ability to support him. So instead of me saying, "Hey everyone we are having FHE! And then asking someone to give the prayer, and having everything already planned...I ask Tage, when will we be having FHE tonight? Anything I can do to help?  I'm very far from being good at this.


As a wife it's easy to fall into "doing it all". But, I feel that it's part of our responsibility to honor our husband by encouraging and reminding him of the responsibilities that are a privilege as the "head of the house."

Just as letting kids take responsibility for their own chores gives them a place in the home. It gives them confidence, it let's them know that they are a part of this family. The same goes for each of us, even the parents. We all need a place. We all need to allow each other to have a place. We need to hold each other to that expectation so that our family functions the best it can. Let your husband take pride in his responsibilities, and take pride in yours.

Work together to create a great organization just as two business partners would.

Making Dinner - FAIL

 

 After an early morning, long day at work, and a long commute home, I'm hungry and excited to spend time with my family. Sometimes spending time in the kitchen making dinner helps me dive into serving my family and feeling "Home." Other times it feels like I went from being stuck at my desk, to being stuck in my car, to being stuck in the Kitchen. 

Monday, I decided to make dinner. I really wanted to sit as a family, and just enjoy being home. We had all been apart all weekend. We were low on meat, but we had Tuna. I like Tuna, and the kids like Tuna. So, I remembered a much loved College Day recipe, that used Tuna but was so yummy. I found the closest recipe I could according to my memory, put it all together, and 40 minutes later, we were all seated at the table enjoying dinner.

Bobo was crying because he wasn't feeling well. He didn't feel like eating. Dooda was voicing his normal rejection of food. Lulu and Tage ate the food, and I was pleased to have magically created a dinner from "nothing" and have Tage even like the ever rejected Tuna!

It wasn't exactly the enjoyable dinner time that I felt I had worked for, but we were together and it was better than nothing. Until...Tage found out that I had put TUNA in the casserole, that I had conveniently titled "Tater Tot Casserole" thinking that he would actually like it, and that his complaints about Tuna have been invalid.

I was so frustrated that I had spent time in the kitchen only to come out a failure and have more dishes to do. I was mad that I didn't work the Tuna Magic that I thought I had. I knew it was NOT worth getting mad over the fact that Tage does not like tuna....OFFICIALLY. And, no one asked me to make dinner, I chose to make dinner. I could've whipped up some Ramen Noodles, or picked up Taco Bell, but I didn't.

Moral of the story is: Accept your loved ones for who they are, even their likes and dislikes. 

Do things out of love and because you choose to, not for praise or with expectation. 

We'll have Cereal next time :)

Team Marriage

In every team there are different responsibilities and contributions. Different strengths and weaknesses. Yet when the team scores a goal, the entire team shares all that it took to make it happen.

Tages "Position": Home Base

Things he gets to do:

• Get the kids up in the morning
• Watch cartoons with Bobo
• See Lulu's new fashion of the day
• Do laundry while watching the morning talk shows
• Arrange play dates
• Do homework with the kids
• See Bobo's face all day
• See Lulu get off the bus (which I've never done)
• Provide service to others in the middle of the day

He's great at all of it. It's a position I use to play, and now he gets to do it. I get jealous. I get frustrated that I don't get to have that "position". I sometimes feel bad that he is better at it than I was. But, when I remember that he's my teammate and needs my encouragement and support, he deserves my respect and admiration for his accomplishments and hard work, it feels much better.

As I pursue a career with many possibilities, I find myself forming a new "position". As exciting as a new career can be, I still have moments of jealousy that I don't get to be "Home Base". I have to remember everything has a time and a purpose.

So, rather than be jealous and resentful...when he gets to serve others in the middle of the day, I remember that we are a team, and because of both of our efforts "WE" get to provide service. And "WE" make a new career successful. And "WE" both contribute to allowing the kids to be home and have Bobo watch morning cartoons, and Lulu get off the bus. And even though I'm not there...both of our efforts have created this lifestyle. Without either of our efforts this wouldn't exist.

The late nights at the office, or the early mornings developing a plan...are all part of having my kids enjoy the wonderful blessings of being home. It contributes to my husband being able to focus on school and create the line of work he chooses.

CHOOSE TO BE A TEAM PLAYER!

Check out my AMAZING Teammate HERE.

Stay Married

A friend of mine shared this GREAT article with me...Thank you Heather!

Lydia Netzer tells it like it is!

- Go to Bed Mad: "Shut up, go to bed, let your husband get some sleep. In the morning, eat some pancakes. Everything will seem better, I swear." 

- Deflect a fight with laughter.

- Don't Criticize EVER: "Whatever critical thing that you are about to say to your wife is already being loudly articulated in her head. And if it's true, she already feels like crap about it."

-  Be the Mirror: "Be a mirror that reflects something positive: you're smart, you're successful, you're fantastic in the sack, you're a great provider, you're the best."

- Get really good at sex.

- Make a husband pact with your friends: "I will nod and furrow my brow and sigh when you describe him as a hideous ogre. Then when your fight is over and love shines again like a beautiful sunbeam in your life, I promise to forget everything you said and regard him as the most charming of princes once more." 

- Trust the person you married: "Love them completely and let them love you. If it all goes to seed, it's going to hurt either way. Better to have gone into it full throttle. Full throttle marriage is a thrilling ride."

Read all 15 Ways to Stay Married

Date Night Ideas

This is a great blog with endless Date Night ideas. 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

 Have fun with your Sweetheart, stay within your means, and enjoy the simple joy of marriage.

 We would love your comments about topics you want to see with Both Sides of the Story... 

Give us something to bicker about...:) 

Bringing Sexy Back!

My husband wrote a reply to this post...I think someone hijacked his blog...he he!

Marriage can get boring and serious really fast.

I use to dream of a particular scenario:

Standing in the kitchen making dinner. My husband walks in the door from work.

Kids are running through the neighborhood.

Husband cuddles up behind, as I finish mixing up dinner. Hands are a mess and I'm helpless to his suggestive compliments. He whispers something sexy in my ear. And before I get a chance to wash my hands we've captivated each others attention as if we were in our first month of dating.

Sounds AMAZING!...right?!

Well, I am very blessed to have a husband that fulfills this dream. Yet, I completely have dismissed his effort.
Instead of being flirty and engaging in the moment, I get bugged by him getting in my way. I say that it's inappropriate to be this way, in case the kids were to run in the house unexpectedly. And to my horror, I suddenly destroy a dream come true. In terror I realize I have become a "boring old maid."

Why would I do this!? I think as mother's and women, we constantly are trying to be better. And when we are focused on being better and better we don't stop and let ourselves just be the GREAT that we already are. And therefore we miss out on being sexy, cute, and confident in the given moment. We may think, not yet just a few more pounds to lose. Or, not today my hair is a mess. I'm just not in the mood the kids have driven me crazy all day.

I say to this, "Be a HOT MESS TODAY, NOW!...RIGHT NOW!" Text your husband something cute and sexy, let your man feel wanted. Let yourself be the Fun, Flirty, Sexy Girl he fell in love with. Don't fall into the "old maid" routine.

Bring your SEXY back!

Wake Up Call for Women

Saturday: His Way or Your Way

We can be so different sometimes, and I find myself totally annoyed when I compromise too much.

He doesn't ask me to compromise, it's my own choice, and that's the most annoying part. 

My perfect Saturday Morning: 

• Wake up about 7:30
• Go for a jog
• Clean the house
• Pack a picnic
• Go hiking
• Run some erands
• Home for an afternoon "nap"
• Then a date

This morning: 

• I wake up about  7:30
• Clean the house
• Then lay back in bed with Tage
• Get the computer to blog
• He turns on his favorite Avatar cartoons
  and here I sit wishing we were out for a jog or an early morning hike.

But, the day is young, we'll see if it ends up being a Tage Saturday or My type of Saturday. 

Hopefully it turns out to be a bit of both. 

What's your Saturday like, does it go your way or his way?

Have a great Saturday! I'm headed out for jog!

Just Bread and Milk

We were out of bread and milk.
It was late, but the kids wanted their regular pre-bed toast snack.
I went to the store and came back with:

• Bread (2 loaves, they were on sale for $1)
• Milk (whole for Tage)
• Almond Milk (for me)
• Non Dairy Milk (for Grant)
• Grapes (thought it would be nice for Tage to have some fresh fruit available for the kids this week)
• Eggs (we were down to 1, and sometimes eggs are all that Tage will make for himself)
• Lettuce (carrots was the only current fresh vegetable we had in the house, and I like salad)
• Onions (onions are a constant necessity, and we were down to 1)

I was proud of myself for only getting necessities.
I thought they would make Tage's new life at home a bit easier...

I walked in the door with my bags of groceries and Tage says, "I thought you were only getting Milk and Bread?"
My first thought...Why doesn't he appreciate me, I went all the way to the grocery store, instead of watching America's Got Talent, and even got a few other necessities so that his life could be easier. Why can't I ever be good enough?

Then, I switched my mind set and thought: I love you, my ungrateful man. When you are eating eggs tomorrow  instead of being sad that there is only 1 egg left, maybe just maybe, you'll be glad I got some extra's. And if not, then sad for you that you can't find gratitude. 

I say (with a smile and a bit of sass): "Yup, just lots of Milk and Bread." 

As woman, it's so so easy for us to assume negative intent. We take everything personally, when most of the time it has nothing to do with us, it's simply a different perspective of the situation.

He was more focused on the money spent, when the expectation I set was that Milk and Bread would be purchased and all he saw was 4 additional grocery bags, of who knows what...

If I had assumed positive intent, then I could think: There is my Hero protecting our family from unnecessary spending. I'm sure glad we help each other stay on track with our finances...(then let  him do all the grocery shopping) :)

Read what Tage had to say about this.

Giving Support vs. Taking Offense

People get frustrated. People have bad days. It's just how life is.

When a child is handed a blue cup rather than a pink cup, they may choose to get frustrated. When a child has a bad day at school and comes home angry or sad...

Do you immediately feel offended?  Run to your room and cry that you aren't good enough? Maybe if you were good enough, or prettier or thinner or wore cuter clothes or cleaned the house better, then they wouldn't be frustrated, angry, or sad.

Obviously that's ridiculous! Their feelings of frustration, anger, or sadness have nothing to do with you.

But, we do this to our spouses all the time...Tage was having such a frustrating time with his school work. I wanted to fix it, but I knew that all he needed from me was, "That sucks. Anything I can do?" What he didn't need from me was; "Why don't you just this or that? Or maybe if you would do this it would work." He is a really smart man that is capable of fixing his problems and even when I might have the answer it's better to give  him my confidence rather than my ingeniousness.:) Read how he was feeling here.

I am learning that when he has a bad day, or a frustrating moment, that it very rarely has to do with me. And, I need to take myself out of the situation in order to be supportive and simply be a friend. 

If you had a bad day you wouldn't want your spouse to be offended by your grumpiness, you would want them to say, "Hey grumpy, you okay? What can I do? I love you. It's going to be okay." 

Toilet Paper Roll Misunderstanding

(Thank you "Pinnedit" for the pic)

My wonderful husband comes up with some great ideas. His latest idea was making "Rocket Pack" for the boys out of recycled soda bottles.
About a month ago he said we should start saving toilet paper rolls to make these...

(Thank you Thrifty Craft Girl for pic)

One morning I say a few empty toilet paper rolls on the back of the tub, I thought, "we must be starting to save for Halloween already." So, every time there is an empty toilet paper roll, I toss it on the pile. Now, reading my Husbands Blog I find out that he doesn't know why there are toilet paper rolls sitting all over the bathrooms. Ha ha ha! I guess I can start throwing them away now, or just leave them on the toilet paper dispenser for him to change, since that's part of his job now...he he :)

I told Dooda to wipe the toothpaste off his mouth with toilet paper. He took a square of toilet paper and wiped his mouth, and Tage said "NO, wipe it on the towel, tp costs money"! I'm sure I suddenly gave him the "death look" and calmly said, "Honey, it's okay, it's toilet paper. I'm okay with him wiping his mouth on it, it's better than on the hand towel or his bath towel." He did not agree, he was determined to save the toilet paper square. Avoiding a fight over a toilet paper square as we sat in the family prayer circle, we silently agreed to disagree.

So glad that he started a blog, I finally have a place to go to understand what the heck he is thinking! I'm glad to know that he was aware of why he freaked out. And most importantly that I WAS RIGHT! ha ha.

I am so impressed at his willingness and ability to do all the Stay-at-home stuff. He asked if I would be willing to do the dishes last night and I really didn't want to, and it crossed my mind, "but you've been home all day." And then I quickly thought about when I was home all day how nice it was that the dishes or laundry or any housework would get done. And I made myself do the dishes.

My husband is doing a wonderful job as a Stay-at-home Dad. Raising step children can not be easy. Raising my own children is not easy. As great as it would be to be home again, I don't know that I would make the drastic change as seemingly easy as he has.

Certified Choc. Milk Maker

(Thank you Brave Tart for the image)

I use to feel like no matter what I did or how I did it, it was never good enough. After my divorce I learned that I like who I am. Now in my second marriage I have had to learn how to be confident in who I am and what I do. And sometimes you have to start with baby steps, I took a step with the chocolate milk.
-------------------------

As I stirred the chocolate milk, my husband states, "That's not how you do it?"

I look at him with confusion and think : Seriously, I think I've made enough chocolate milk in my life to not mess this up completely. Then I think what the heck and I say exactly what I thought...

He comes back with, "No, let me show you and reaches for the glass." 

Um, no. (with all the sass and cute smirk as I could gather, I continue to stand my ground).  I didn't realize that you were a certified Chocolate Milk Maker. 

He rolls his eyes and walks away....VICTORY! I stand tall knowing that I have shown myself and him that I can fend for myself and am his strong equal partner that he can rely on.

-------------------

The old me scenario: (Don't judge, I know I use to be a doormat)

"That's not how you do it?"

My feelings would be hurt... I would think, if he doesn't have confidence in me to make chocolate milk, then he must not have any at all...

I would pathetically change the way I was making the chocolate milk, in hopes that I would become more acceptable to my husband, "Ruler of the Chocolate Milk making."

I would have shown him that I am a weak individual who doesn't demand respect, even over the way I choose to make my chocolate milk, and I would've lost even more confidence he had for me. 

When all it really was, was him being dumb about the chocolate milk not being made his way.
I'm sure Tage will have something to say about this READ HERE.

Doormat to Dreamgirl

After a failed marriage and now a second chance to be a better person and a better wife, I owe a big lesson to this book. Hopefully, it doesn't take a second marriage for you to learn what I've learned.

Scenario:

Your husband starts stomping around the house because he can't find matching socks.

Choice 1: You feel bad about having not matched the socks yet, you drop everything you are doing and dig through the bottom of the laundry basket to find him his desperate pair of socks.

What he learns: That if he stomps around and throws a fit about something, he will get what he wants.

Choice 2: You give him your sexy sassy smile and say, Oh what's wrong you can't find your socks? There is this basket up stairs full of items that appear to be socks. Some people that want to find socks might try looking there...but, you're a big boy, I'm sure you can figure it out. :) Give him a kiss and a smile, and continue doing what you are doing.

What he learns: To find his own socks. And that you aren't his Mom. You are the cute, sassy girl that isn't a door mat.

This book has given me the missing tools I have needed to stand up for myself, and has eliminated several episodes of "hurt feelings". 

We women need to be more bold. We need to teach our children how to stand for who we are and how to boldly and righteously demand the respect we deserve. 

My Side of the Story!

My sweet husband posted "What really happened..."
Here is my side of the story!
BRING IT ON!


When He's Late:

I had put dinner in the crock pot early that morning. It had been a while since I had made dinner and as I drove home I had visions of walking in the door from a long day at work to the whole family setting the table and singing church hymns...only in my dreams!

I had talked to Tage earlier that day and he was headed over to Gma's house to mow her lawn. As I drove home I realized that he was still at Gma's and as I pulled up in anticipation for serving my family a warm meal, he told me that he was eating at Gma's. I shortly replied, "But, I made dinner." He said he would eat twice. I quickly ended the call, attempting to mask my frustration in a busy rushed tone.

I had just worked all day! I had to pick up the kids from Day Care, get them dinner, start homework, when he could've mowed Gma's lawn earlier or even yesterday!


The very next day...

When I'm Late: 

There was an opportunity to get some overtime. Tage said I should take the opportunity. So, on a Friday night I worked an extra 4 hours! I was so proud of myself for staying as long as I did. I thought I would bail after only an hour. I didn't know exactly how long finishing the project would last, so about an hour into it, I estimated to Tage that I would be about another hour and a half.

Working on a Friday night certainly is not what I would choose to do, but under our current circumstances, it was necessary and I was glad to make the sacrifice...until...

I called on my way home and the first thing I got was, "You are 30 minutes late. Why couldn't you just have finished it another day?..."

I freaked out! "Maybe you could just say, thanks for being willing to work such a long day, you must be so tired, I think you are so amazing! What would I ever do with out you?!" He said I should relax on my way home...that just made me more mad!  As if this was my problem!

I just got more and more mad on my commute home, adding every possible thing to my frustration, and the evening evolved from pure silence to an emotional conversation, to a realization that he could've freaked out on me the night before for the exact same thing.

This is Crazy

I lived in Cheyenne, where no one aspires to live. I made  wonderful friends there that I never wanted to leave. When my life was pulled out from under me I had no choice but to move and start over.

I prayed for a miracle; somehow keep these wonderful people in my life.

I met Tage, he had lived in Cheyenne growing up.
Watching a home video at his parents while we were dating, I had been in the house he grew up in.
He had been in the little yellow house that I had rented when I first moved there with my ex-husband.

I was grateful for the connection, but did not yet recognize the magnitude of this miracle.

A few weeks ago, we finally made the trip to Cheyenne. It was a missionary farewell for their family friends son. My ex husband had been this young man's church leader.

The lady we stayed with:
 My dear friend from my old ward, and the mistresses best friend.
To Tage she was a good friend while he lived there after his family moved.

The family friends:
Their Dad served with my ex husband in the church. Their Mom hosted many parties I attended. Their daughter was our babysitter.
To Tage; the family had lived with them when he was little. Tage's Dad had brought their parents to the church while he was on his mission.

Tage and I went to church in "our" old ward. Old to me from 2 years ago, old to him from 10 years ago. My ex-brother-in-law is now the Bishop. I walked in and embraced my old sister-in-law, and sat by her children that were once my nieces and nephews. As I looked around at what was once my old life and the people that surrounded me from my new life I was overwhelmed with this amazing miracle!

Crazy! 

Friends with the Ex Spouse

I don't know what the rule is for being friends with the ex, but it's working well for us. We all sit together at the boy's soccer games. I would prefer this over sitting on separate sides and making the kids run back and forth. She is a wonderful mom and we really enjoy each others company.

There are some uncomfortable times when there are references made about events or people that are from their past. But, it's only as uncomfortable as I allow it to be. No sense in pretending like they didn't have a life together.

She's wonderful! Because of her willingness to walk away from her marriage, Tage learned so many things that he wouldn't have without her sacrifice. I'm so grateful for the man he has become, and he wouldn't have become who he is without her ability to stand up for herself and make the hardest decision a wife ever has to make.

Glad I wasn't a Jerk

It's my 32nd Birthday!

I've been a bit on his case about going on dates. So, when he asked to on a date for Friday I was thrilled.
I instantly thought of getting ready for the date, and having him knock on the door with flowers behind his back and picking me up, just like the dates in the movies. When Friday came and I came to understand that he expected me to meet him at work on my way home from work, without changing or getting ready, I was disappointed and expected this disappointment to set the tone for the rest of the evening.

I took the opportunity to get a new outfit during my lunch break, all the while annoyed that I was spending money and that what I wanted to wear was at home. I was annoyed that I was being inconvenienced while he was the one taking me out on a date. But, I had enough sense to not text him anything too bratty or mean. After telling him that my new outfit cost him more than it would've in gas to come get me, he replied with, "I brought you a change of clothes, but oh well, Happy Birthday!" I was suddenly reminded that my husband is a thoughtful man who thinks of my needs.

I was being selfish and he simply had to work until 5pm. He had made dinner reservations for 5:30 and wanted to be sure that we had all evening. When I arrived at the Hotel (where he works) he greeted me in the lobby and handed me some room keys to go change. He had booked us a room for the night! No wonder he didn't want me to drive all the way home!

We went to a wonderful dinner at Faustina in downtown Salt Lake City. I highly recommend it, it was divine! If all of this wasn't enough, he drove to Red Butte Gardens and we had VIP tickets for the Colbie Callait concert. It was a magical evening, filled with surprise and continual reminders of the wonderful man I am married to.

I'm so glad I didn't freak out about him not picking me up!

Wonderful Wednesday

Sitting in a meeting at work, I got an instant message from the front desk security.
“You have flowers at the front desk”

I couldn’t leave the meeting.
I sat there for another 30 minutes trying to focus, but all I wanted to do was go see my flowers!

I tried to think of what I had done to deserve the flowers, or what he had done wrong to have the need to send them.
I couldn’t think of anything.

Finally, I went down the stairs as fast as I could.
Turned the corner and there it was, almost 4 feet tall!
Gorgeous, the prettiest ones yet.

On the note, “Have a wonderful Wednesday!”

And, just like that, I am reminded that my life is incredible.
That I matter to a man I love, I matter on a random Wednesday, in the middle of work, I matter enough to spend the money and place the order that will show me, (and everyone in my office) that I matter!

In the middle of writing a story from the past, where I had moments that I thought I was invisible, this moment is a dream come true.
My life is a dream come true!

You are a dream!

I LOVE YOU TAGE!

Valentine's Day

After almost a year of marriage, suddenly jumping into a life of 3 kids, 1st grade, daycare, full-time work, and all the bumps and giggles that come with blending a family....

I have found myself falling in love, again, with this wonderful man, Tage!

You amaze me
You ground me
You calm me
You inspire me
You encourage me
You thrill me
You settle me

I love that after such a short time you know who I am. You know my tendancies, habits (good and bad), weaknesses and strengths...and you put up with it all.

I love you!