The little tale of the polka dot vase

This little polka dot vase has a story, sometimes things or decor in your home do and sometimes they don't; this one does. We and when I say "we" I mean Bryan and I have had this little vase since we were probably seniors in high school ala 2003 or 2004ish. It was the very first thing we bought together as a couple. A pretty BOLD step for a couple of seventeen year olds, especially since we had no idea where life would take us after high school, but something deep down told us that where ever it took us it would be together. We would take turns keeping it in our rooms over the years, it was our love fern, apparently. Until finally we got married and made a home of our own, it doesn't have a lot of monetary value but it sure does have a WHOLE lot of sentimental value. When I look at it, it reminds me that I let my guard down and wore my heart on my sleeve just once and let love creep in and I'm SO SO happy I did!

Do you have any items in your home that have a story?

True love is:

 Let me set up the situation for you...

Date night.

Olive garden.

*A cold that may turn into a sinus infection.

While eating my eggplant parmigiana and simultaneously trying to eat and breath through my mouth. Classy. (my worst nightmare; people think that I'm a mouth breather for realzees).

Where was I, oh right, while eating and chatting with the handsome hubby, mid conversation he said. "um, you have snot that's about to run out of your nose". Without skipping a beat went back to telling me about random things about his week away.

God, I love that man. Thank you for him.

True love is: even when I have snot running out of my nose and I'm a temporary mouth breather, he still thinks I'm the most beautiful woman in the world. How do I know? He tried hitting on me a few seconds after I wiped the snot away with a tissue.

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* I know I should have done the responsible thing and stayed home in my condition. But when someone gives you a free night of babysitting AND a gift card to olive garden. There is only one thing to do, man up and take a Sudafed.

The one where I get all sappy and sentimental

Today is June 7th. Not a very important date to most, but to me it's a day that makes me smile. On this day in 2002 a very handsome and sweet 16 year old boy drove me home from school, parked in front of my families apartment, grabbed my hand and asked: will you be my girlfriend? My answer, was of course, YES! 

From that moment on we've shared 3,653 days, thousands of kisses, hugs, hand holds, and cuddles.

This picture is about 2 years into our relationship, and me getting caught stuffing my face full of KFC and fritos. Classy.

On December 7th 2006, we became man and wife

On January 2nd 2010, we welcomed our first child: Everett Leo

Bought our first home January 21, 2010


Welcomed our second child: Zooey Jane, October 14th 2011

We've spent a decade making memories; laughing, crying, telling each other our secrets, we've experienced loss and triumphs and failures together.
We aren't perfect, we make ALOT of mistakes. But at the end of the day we are still each other's best friends. We try and love each other like 1 corinthians 13: 4-8 and the Song of Solomon teaches, do we succeed? Not all the time, but we are both works in progress, and we know it.

There is something comforting in knowing you can be your absolute self with someone without fear of rejection. We are big dorks and we don't care.  

I love you, my dear. You make me laugh and smile everyday. I'm so proud of the life we've built together thus far. Here's to the many more decades to come!

He done good

This year my husband went above and beyond for mother's day! Not only did he shower me with gifts, he showered me with gifts of service too! I got breakfast in bed; a mother's day staple. I didn't have to change one poopy diaper, and he pretty much took care of the kids all day unless some one needed a hug or fed. I got to bask in the glory of adult conversations, eating first, watching real television shows, peruse the Internet, practice playing the piano, and just relax in an air conditioned house.

 As if my mother's day couldn't have gotten any better than that, he surprised me with gifts he had remembered I mentioned months ago! We usually never get gifts for each other because we feel they just aren't a necessity, with two kiddos 2 and under we try to live by necessity alone! 

He saved his food money from work and ate free crummy hotel breakfasts, packed his own lunches and ate at costco ( hot dog, pep, and a swirl) I think my friend ashley will know what I'm talking about there. Until he secretly saved up enough to buy the wonderful gifts, what a guy! He is terrible at keeping secrets so this was VERY impressive. 

  I got a few new towels, since our old ones are almost six years old and frankly, a little crusty no matter how many times i wash them. A pair of toms, and an original piece of artwork from a local portland artist. He done good alright, very good. I should send out a big thank you to his momma, who raised him right! :)

  

Humbled

Matthew 23:12 - For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Sometimes the Lord moves and directs you when you least expect it. I needed to be humbled today, and the Lord provided. I have taken for granted my role as a mother. I complain, I gnash my teeth when I hear my baby cry, when something gets broken, I step on a toy,or have to listen to my toddler whine. I think; ugh, why me?!? 

WHY ME?

 A pretty selfish state of mind I've been in lately, huh? Whilst in my selfish state of mind, I was casually scrolling through my blog roll, a fellow blogger mentioned this site; http://aniandmatttaylor.blogspot.com/ . 

When I read this families beautiful story, I sobbed. I have been chosen to care and raise up children, what a gift and a blessing I have been given. After wiping my tears, my beautiful baby girl awoke from her nap, it was music to my ears to hear her cry, I scooped up my babies and gave them hugs and kisses.

 I am grateful. 

I am humbled.

 Please read about sweet Ruby Jane, she is changing lives with her story.