There are TWO of us now

Sigh.

Just saw that my own dirty socks, bra and underwear were left laying on the floor.

Hours earlier, they rested nearby my husband's dirty shirt, pants, socks and underwear. While I applaud his effort to pick up his dirty laundry, placing it into the hamper, a part of me is disappointed that he didn't pick mine up as well.

I'm in a near-constant state of picking up clothes (and toys... and dishes... and garbage... and recyclables, etc.)

When I pour drinks for meals, I pour for everyone, but myself (first) – making sure that there is enough. (I'm secretly sad for all of the times when my husband will pour a glass for himself and leave my glass empty or when he forgets to get glasses out for our kids; his response is normally "What?!?! Sorry, I'm hungry!")

I'm secretly sad when I see that my husband has cleared HIS place from the table, leaving mine there.

I'm secretly sad when I hear him going into the freezer to scoop a bowl of ice cream, but rarely considers getting one for me.

• • •

I'm very thankful for all of the times that he cooks for me/us. My heart melts when I hear him announce "Go tell Mommy that breakfast is ready!"

I'm thankful for his little surprises... like when he bought me a Reeces peanut butter pumpkin or a pack of Dr. Peppers (shortly after I had declared that I was craving them).

I'm thankful for the times when he takes my car and brings it back to me... washed and full of gas.

• • •

Instead of scolding me "You should be in bed!", I would someday like to hear "It was really sweet of you to stay up so that you could say HI to me and hear about my day. THANK YOU!"

I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM IN MY LIFE!!!

This made me giggle: avocados

Saw this online and it made me giggle.... a lot!

QUOTE: resentment vs. forgiveness

QUOTE: When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free. – Katherine Ponder

QUOTE: To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. – Lewis B. Smedes

Touched; not long enough

This morning, I just finished reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. I had ear-marked pages in a few places throughout the book, wanting to go back to re-read a few excerpts. One, in particular, was quite touching (to me).

In Chapter 32, The Beauty of a Tragedy, Miller included an email excerpt from his friend, Jim. (Jim's wife, Janice, was losing her battle with cancer.)

Reading this excerpt, I appreciated the sincerity in Jim's email when he said:

During this morning I have been struck with the reality that my wife is not coming back, She will never again sit up and make one of her wisecracks to put me in my place; never laugh with me or respond when asked how long we have been married by saying, "Not long enough." I will never again share her bed, her body; never attend church with her. fly to some faraway city or sit around a dinner table with her and the boys. Regardless of the time left, these things will never again happen. Today I am very sad. Very, very sad.

The part that really touched me was the response to the question "How long you have been married?"

Not long enough.

(Granted, don't get me wrong, the rest of his realizations are also quite touching and having been diagnosed, myself, with an incurable illness, I can appreciate his heartfelt sincerity in the thoughts of losing his spouse.)

Too often, I feel that the world is missing this sincerity. Too often, jokes of marriage relating to a death sentence are cracked. Too often, we forget to tell our loved ones that we love them.

In my mind, I've always wanted to grow old with someone, loving them until the end. (My heart melts a little bit when I see an elderly couple sitting together on a bench, holding hands.) Ever since I was a child, the fairytale (played out in my mind) included "happily ever after".

Timing is everything. All things happen for a reason. You have to be in the right place at the right time.

These are all things, common clichés that make perfect sense to me.

While marrying young (and learning from that experience), I can't say that I regret it. Without these learning experiences, I wouldn't have met my husband and later had the awe-inspiring opportunity to become a parent. Without a failed marriage under my belt, I wouldn't know how to work hard to make things right this time around. (Although, I'm convinced that picking the perfect partner truly is key here.)

I only wish I would have crossed paths with my (current) husband sooner in life because I feel SO LUCKY to have him in my life. I am constantly reminded what a great fit he is for me and how much I appreciate having him along on my journey. I hope that in the event that I die before he does, that when HE is asked the question "How long were you married?" that his response would be "Not long enough."

Hoping to grow old together. Hoping to occupy a park bench while holding hands. Hoping to inspire a young couple someday to want what WE have. Hoping for my happily ever after...

Anniversary gift

I dropped a not so subtle hint (a printout of exactly what I wanted, as well as another printout of all the places that carry them... along with a note that said OUR ANNIVERSARY IS IN TEN DAYS) into Mike's lap a few days ago. He played dumb, not understanding at all.

I have had his anniversary gift researched and in my possession since April (and am growing excited to give it to him soon!) It was kind of expensive, BUT since we have never exchanged an anniversary gift before and this IS a milestone year, I justified the gift. He's worth it and I hope think he will like it!

I hope he doesn't mind... in case he doesn't get the item that I wanted (a specific scented Yanke candle - now on clearance), "he" may have purchased me a book that I had been wanting.

Thanks for remembering our anniversary, honey... I love my new book and can't wait to read it!


• • • • •

The joke was on me! He had been scheming and planning an anniversary surprise since February and had even gotten my parents in on it.

I was surprised with a sunset dinner cruise on the same boat that married us while my parents watched the boys. It was lovely.

And, for the record, he took Sydney out shopping and they bought my "that silly candle".

:)

Independence Day 2013 invites

Earlier this week, I made our party invites for our annual Independence Day celebration.

Tonight, I printed out the insides of the invite onto paper and adhered it with a simple loop of tape inside.

On the bottom, it says:

NOTE: Card can be re-used to send to our troops by removing this inside sheet.

On the back of the card, I wrote:

– MADE IN THE USA –

DUBUQUE, IA

I'm providing our GUESTS with a blank envelope as well, for mailing of the card to a service man or woman. I'm pretty PROUD to be an American; perhaps, if I time it right, they will get them in the mail before FLAG DAY (June 14, 2013)

Boston

On my Bucket List, I have some RUNNING listed.

110. Train for and run a 5K
111. Train for and run a 10K
112. Train for and run a half-marathon

I wanted to be realistic with my goals and ambitions.
A full marathon? Twenty-six miles?
I don't think so. NO WAY!

Even the half-marathon is pushing it, but I have to set my sights on SOMETHING, right?

Currently, I don't think I could run around the block; however, it IS a very hilly block.

And with my MS diagnosis, I didn't know if running really SHOULD be on my list. (Once again, I have been SO FORTUNATE since my diagnosis.)

When you mention MARATHON, my mind immediately goes to the Boston Marathon. That's the only FAMOUS one I really know of. (That was BEFORE the horrific 2013 explosions at the finish line.)

My heart goes out to all of those victims of that crime.
How terrible. How sad.