Happy Anniversary

Wow! I can't believe it has been eight years. In some ways it feels like it has been a lot longer and in other ways it doesn't seem like it has been nearly that long. Eight years ago today my husband and I were married. What a lucky girl I am to be married to such a wonderful man for eight years!

Eight years ago I made the craziest decision I have ever made I jumped into a car with this wonderful boy that I was completely head over heels in love with. He took me back to Seattle with him. I had no place to live, no job, pretty much no money but, I had him and I was beyond happy with that. Some friends of ours let me stay with them (thank you!). It was barely two weeks later (12 days to be exact) and we were saying our "i dos". It all happened so fast! People all around us were saying it would never last, that we were being too crazy and impulsive. The funny thing is, though, that it didn't seem like it was happening so fast to us. In fact, it was like time slowed down and I am still amazed when I think about how it was only 12 days later that we were married. It feels like it was at least a month! We spent hours and hours discussing the possibility of our getting married and what that would mean and if it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing and I don't regret it for a second. I would married him again in an instant. Wouldn't change it for the world. You get the point. :)

There are regrets about the fact that certain people were left out of the ceremony and even the decision to get married. We deeply regret and are so sorry that those people were hurt by our actions. If we could go back and do that part of it over again we absolutely would. But, the part where we ended up as husband and wife, there are no regrets there.

My husband is a wonderful person and the perfect man for me. I love him very much and appreciate every little thing he does for me more than he knows. He is incredibly intelligent and loving and sweet and a wonderful father. He makes me want to be a better person, to be the best wife and mother that I can be. He is the greatest gift from God. I am so very grateful that he is my husband and I look toward our future with great anticipation.

I love you, husband.

What Was He Thinking?!

I sit down at the computer. The house is quiet. The two little ones are napping and the two bigger ones are outside jumping on the trampoline. Suddenly, the peacefulness is shattered by the screaming cries of kiddo number 2. My heart races as I jump up to run outside expecting to find blood and or broken bones. Kiddo number one gives kiddo number 2 a hug and says she's sorry before beginning to help him climb down from the trampoline. Aside from his screaming, everything seems okay. No blood, no obvious broken bones, no big bumps or bruises forming on his head, he's walking just fine. But, he is holding his mouth and screaming something about a lose tooth.
"What on earth happened here?" I must hollar to be heard over kiddo number 2's screaming.
"Mom! I kept telling him no but, he kept telling me to do it so, finally I did!" was kiddo number 1's cryptic reply.
"What is it that he wanted you to do?" I was completely perplexed.
"Swing at him, punch him in the face." she replied, hanging her head.
Oh my goodness! Why would he want her to do that?! I never did get an answer to that question.
Well, once he was calmed down and assured that he was in no immediate danger of losing any teeth I asked him, "So, do you think it was a good idea to have her punch you?"
"Noooo!!!" was the sniffly answer.

I am sure there was some sort of lesson learned. But, even if there wasn't, it sure did give the mom and dad a big laugh! :)

She's Mobile!

Oh my! Over the last week the baby has begun crawling. Not only does she crawl but, she also pulls herself up to stand using anything she can get her hands on; this includes people, toys and furniture. I think that what she really wants is to walk and it won't be incredibly long until she figures out how that works. She's a fairly determined little girl!

So, now she is crawling around. Everywhere. All over the house.

We are now presented with a host of new challenges. We must baby proof, we must make sure the older kiddos keep their small toys out of the baby's reach, we must keep the poor thing from getting stepped on.

Some new challenges but, oh my goodness is it ever a cute sight to see her crawling along, following her big brothers and sister wherever they go. :)