The Good Ol' Days

Currently the extra room in our house, that will be the nursery, is mostly storage. We have keepsakes from childhood, fans we only use in the summer, all kinds of miscellaneous stuff that needs to find a new home. We spent some time going through some old tubs today. Mostly things from J's childhood. It was fun to see old stories he wrote in elementary school, art projects his mom saved, and tons of old toys. His mom saved everything, I swear.

We were able to fill a whole tub with toys to donate, but came across some great stuff! He has a few books and whole set of wooden cars and street signs that match. He saved his favorite matchbox cars, but still had a couple gallon ziplock bags to donate!

What I liked best was reading some of his old stories and the little surveys from school. Stories written by, "The Famous Jeremy S" at age 8. Or this survey, one clearly filled out my a teacher or parent:

At School I like to drink.

Yeah, I think we've all had a day or two like that.

It was a fun look down memory lane. And perhaps a little glimpse at the imagination that our child might have.

Sipping cider, watching the snow fall, and spending an afternoon with my husbands youth. I must say, it is not a bad way to spend the day.

It could be an amazing, amazing, day.

One of my very best friends, in all of the universe, might be blessed with children today.

She and her husband have struggled to make their family. They've said goodbye to two children who were born too soon and we miss those beautiful angels every single day. They are a couple of the bravest people I have ever met. They've faced these unthinkable obstacles and manage to still bring beauty to this crappy world. She's the first person in line to hold my hand when I'm sad. The first person to give an encouraging word to someone in need. To send love and care to everyone else.

They've just recently (as in last week) completed their certification for foster-to-adopt. Guess what call they received? They may have a placement today.

Holy Crap!

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. These two are going to be phenomenal parents. These children they are going to bring into their lives are so incredibly fortunate. I love them with all of my heart and cannot wait to see joy and love fill their home.

This is what I am thankful for today. Hope. Love. And all things completely awesome.

Friends

I have probably said 1000 times here how I have the best friends in all of the universe. Some live just a block away, and others are all across the country. Some I've know since before I could walk and others I've never met in person before. Some are women, others are men, and their ages range pretty dramatically.

I've never been one to have too many close girl friends. I had my close circle (3) in highschool and my other closest friends were guys. I've always had a hard time dealing with the drama that unfortunately accompanies most female personalities. Needless to say, I've chosen my girlfriends very carefully. If you consider yourself one of my close friends (you'll know who you are), just know that you passed a very rigorous test. ;)

It's one of the great perks of blogging and communicating with an online society - if they drive you crazy you just get to delete them from your reader!! I get to be picky with who I communicate with and have found so many awesome women that I may not have met otherwise!

Jeremy and I had an entire conversation about this last night when we were on our way to meet up with some friends. Another friend of ours is pretty newly single. He's starting to date again and sweet baby Jesus in a manger has he already met some serious crazies. Like, multiple cats, couldn't see her floors, car filled with junk, lets get serious on the first date kind of crazy. I feel for him and do not envy his situation. His searching for a mate has had one excellent side affect for me - J is extremely appreciative of me and our relationship. It has been an excellent, and constant, reminder that he hit the jackpot! (Modesty is clearly one of my finer traits.)

Back to last nights conversation. He said that he knew very early on that I was the girl for him because of the people I chose to affiliate with. Three of my closest friends in the world were guys. That can be nerve-wracking to a new boyfriend. It's like he had to meet my three big brothers. But after that initial anxiety he quickly saw that I could hang with the fellas without being one of them. I wasn't scratching myself in sweatpants, but could follow a sporting event. I could also take crap as easily as I could deal it out. His words - "You weren't crazy, over emotional, and too sensitive."

All of this to say, it really made me feel good to hear him affirm that 10 years later he still loves and appreciates these things about me. That even with all that we've been through he doesn't find me crazy, over-emotional (clearly love is BLIND! lol), and too sensitive. That our relationship is strong enough for him to hear me hug one of my best friends on his birthday, tell him that I love him, and not bat an eye. Shoot, more than likely J would jump on us and say, "I love you too, man!"

My friends have succeeded in not just being there for me, cheering on from the sidelines, but have helped to make my relationship even stronger. They're our family. They know us better than anyone and love us despite our faults.

So, when I say I have the best friends in the universe, I know it to be fact. And I'm okay if you need to take a moment to be jealous. I don't often get to have that experience. ;)

2 Years Ago Today

Two years ago this day I married my very best friend. It happened to be the day before our 7th anniversary. Our wedding day was amazing, for a number of reasons...

1) I planned every detail. I made our invitations, our centerpieces, bridesmaid bouquets, programs, favors, guest book (that still isn't done..), planned all the important songs, etc. etc. etc. (with some help from J and my MOH of course) I was extremely happy with the work we'd done and very proud to show it to our family and friends.

2) Pretty much our entire family was there. You know those invites you have to send out to that aunt or uncle you're not extremely close to, but they live 5 states away so you doubt they'd make the trip? They came. J's mom said it was the first time all of her siblings were in one place in years. I was honored that everyone made the sacrifices to come.

3)Our venue was AMAZING. We were married in the country and our reception was in the barn. Before you get images of us sharing our dinner with livestock, this 'barn' was built specifically for receptions and events. Not a single piece of hay to be seen. I mean look at it!Do you see that car? That's what we drove away in. See the upper doors? That's the balcony to the bridal suite. I love this place. On another piece of their property they grow Christmas trees. We get to go back every year and cut ours down. It's an excellent excuse to visit where we were married each year.

4) Last, but certainly not least, J. He showed up that day and married my pesky butt. For that single action (and for another reason or two I suppose...) I will love him unconditionally for the rest of my life and beyond. He is my very best friend. My number one supporter. My partner in crime.

Our wedding was the most amazing I have ever been too. I know I might be a little biased, but I truly believe it. We were original, it was fun, the food and cake were DELICIOUS, the venue was gorgeous, and I feel the day truly represented each of us. We didn't stick to traditional things (like the garter toss), but instead played the shoe and kissing games. Those are decisions I am SO happy we made because it turned just another wedding into something very representative of us as people. It took a LOT of work, but in the end it made all the difference in the world.

I am so grateful to have married such a wonderful man. A man who sticks up for me no matter what, but challenges me when he thinks I'm wrong or could do better for myself. Someone who is loyal and dedicated to our marriage and our family. He tells me like it is, but sprinkles in the occasional thing he knows I just want/need to hear. He puts up with my crap, and after the last two years of IF, that's a lot! We have so much fun together. We laugh daily. We hold hands in the grocery store. Every night we fall asleep snuggled together. He does the laundry, folks. I mean HELLO, he's a keeper. ;)

Happy Anniversary, J. Thank you for everything you do for me, us, our home, our family and future family, and mostly - just for being you. I love you more today than I ever thought possible.

Interwebs, meet Lacey.

I am pleased to introduce to you our new furbaby:

Her name is Lacey and she is an 11 week old yellow lab. She is seriously the cutest, sweetest little thing you ever did see. I constantly am playing with her extra puppy skin. ::swoon::

Lacey, Weigh In, Pills, Etc.

I have had quite a busy weekend!

Firstly, I had my first Biggest Loser weekly weigh in today! According to the 'official' scale I love 5.5lbs!!! (Okay, so according to my home scale, I lost 3, but shhh, I like the other one better!) GO ME!

Second, I GOT A NEW PUPPY!!! I have wanted a second dog since.... well since we got the first one. I've asked over and over and over and each time J has not been on board. Well, guess who finally gave in?? He must really love me. We brought home a 9 1/2 week old purebred yellow lab. Her name is Lacey and she is a-fricken-dorable! She is such a sweet and mellow lover. (remind me of this when she keeps me up again tonight, will you?) Harley is being a good big brother and adjusting to this invasion pretty well. He's done his fair share of moping, but he tolerates her.

The first few days of my Femara are going really well. So far no evil side effects. Fingers crossed that one week from now the doc will give me good news. Our appointment is on Monday.

To sum it all up, I'm getting skinny, I'm medicated, and I fell in love. I'm going to look hot at the dog park this summer. ;)

Without further ado - our new little girl:

Lacey

Don't you want to just want to pet her soft fur, kiss that sweet face, and play with her extra puppy skin? Don't get me started on how I love it when she tries to run... love!

Love.

After what can only be described as a rough week, I had a great weekend.

First of all, I have amazing friends. Both friends I've met online and those I've known from 'real life'. The amount of support that I have received from a group of women that I love and admire means the world to me. I've gotten text messages, emails, comments, phone calls and IM chats all with an outpouring of love, positivity, and support. Knowing that we have so many people in our corner, and not just any 'people', but kick-ass, smart, amazing people, takes a little bit of the weight from my shoulders. You each have contributed so much to our life, in so many different ways. I'm grateful for you. I hope that when you need it I can give you as much love as you have given me.

Saturday was a blast. We spent the day downtown with a couple of friends and then met up with a bigger group for dinner and drinks that night. It was GORGEOUS outside. We shopped, walked around Pike Place Market, and just explored downtown visiting cute boutique stores and undiscovered cafes. A girlfriend of mine got a dslr about the same time I did and it was really fun to rediscover a city we both know and love. Our city through a lens gives such a fun and different perspective. I will have to share a couple of shots once I have a chance to get them off the camera.

At one point it was just J and I walking the streets and chatting and I got all teary eyed (for the 974th time this week). I was just SO happy. I was overcome with this feeling of joy and realization for how lucky I really am. No ones life is perfect. But, other than screwy lady bits I'm getting in better shape, I am healthy, I have a happy family, the best friends a girl could ever ask for, the most amazing partner in the world, a new hobby I enjoy and am actually good at, a beautiful sunny day in a city that makes me feel alive... I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It was a great feeling.

I found a couple of photography classes in the local community college course guide and J is insisting I take them. I am looking forward to learning to use my camera and hone my photography skills. I think I have a decent 'eye', but I've never taken a single class. Oh, and I joined a softball team that starts this weekend! I think it is really going to help to have these fun outlets. Just a little something to distract my body and mind. Who knows, maybe I will fit that cliche 'you'll get pregnant once you stop trying'. It's worth a shot!

Laughter and other child-like behavior.

One of the coolest chicks I know, Isha, inspired this post. Her post was about how 'lame' her and her husband are. I don't think they are lame at all! But that's probably because what she described can commonly be taking place at our house.

Singing Songs
Changing the lyrics to songs to make them silly
Making up our own songs
Dancing
Tickling/poking
Giving the Squish of Death (comes in many forms ranging from bear hug to belly flop)
Having full conversations with Harley (or Harley, or Harlimous, or Mr. Ray, or stinky-stinkerkins --- see the next bullet please!)
And my favorite? Making up new words.

I have made up new words since I was a kid. One day when I was about 8 I said 'ginormous' on accident. My friend and I laughed and laughed because it was a funny slip of the tounge. So, we started using it allll the time. No more 'enormous' or 'giant'. Now, that word is in the dictionary! No joke. Okay, so I may not have actually invented the word, or been the first to use it in print, but the word didn't become popular until the 90's and personally I think you should thank ol' Yours Truly.

I friend of mine accidentely used the word 'contribucations' and I almost peed my pants. Love it!

But I digress. We have tons of silly nicknames for one another. I hardly ever use J's actual name. Usually only if we're around other people that don't know us all that well, or if he's in trouble. lol

I have often said that the secret to our successful relationship is our ability to make each other laugh. That and of course or passion for the game of Slug-Bug. Having a legitamate excuse to slug your spouse is good for your marriage. I promise. We have fun every day. That is how I knew that he was the one for me. He isn't just funny, hes fun!

Have you chuckled with your mate yet today?