Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Marriage

Marraige in all its unions, is a very unquie thing, and a lot of people enter, and mostly people exit.
Its something that people take advantage of, abuse, and neglect.

When I entered mine, I was only  18 years old, I was marrying my best friend, and at the time, was not aware of all the things I had yet to learn, and even all the things we had yet to learn together .

In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage. ~Robert Anderson, Solitaire & Double Solitaire


Women and men will continue to not understand how the other works for many a year to come, long after I have left the earth. But how great is it, to find someone you actually want to do it with for the rest of your life?

Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. ~Katherine Hepburn







Our relationship consists of two completly different people, and yet, in our differences, we have found common ground, and a similar, loving, friendship.



In a time when nothing is more certain than change, the commitment of two people to one another has become difficult and rare. Yet, by its scarcity, the beauty and value of this exchange have only been enhanced. ~Robert Sexton



We are still young, but have made  it thus far, and are each dedicated to making our love grow, making our family stronger, and building a lasting friendship that will outlive this life. To shutting out the negative people and things trying hard to break it apart.
It's easy actually, we have learned ( often the hard way) who cares about us, and our best interest, and who matters to us. The road to this discovery held tears, pain and lots of lessons, but none of which havent made us stronger as a team.


After the chills and fever of love, how nice is the 98.6ยบ of marriage! ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960








I look around and see so many people getting marrried, and beilive me I am happy for them, no one loves weddings as much as I do, however it makes me look at my own marriage: the things I want to change, the things I want to stay the same, and the one thing that I love: We are past the 'getting married' stage, we have been there and done that -  3 and half years ago, and its so nice to just be us..

Looking back, I put so much time and effort into dreaming the perfect wedding, and now, three years later, I see that I should have been planning the perfect marriage.

But see, without trying, I already have that. Through sickness and health, happy sad, rich and poor, are what we said, and that just means, holding on when things get rough, because they always get better after that.

More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse. ~Doug Larson



Im so happy that I am married, and to Keith - my best friend, the father to my child, my forever roomate, and everything else in between...

One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again. ~Judith Viorst



I love my mararige, my husband and my family! - Even when I cant stand them!

There is no substitute for the comfort supplied by the utterly taken-for granted relationship. ~Iris Murdoch

Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century. ~Mark Twain



Never feel remorse for what you have thought about your wife; she has thought much worse things about you. ~Jean Rostand, Le Mariage, 1927


Spouse: someone who'll stand by you through all the trouble you wouldn't have had if you'd stayed single. ~Author Unknown

Monday, June 27, 2011

June-balee

Wow, can you beleive June is almost over? The year is almost half over? ONLY 6 more months till Christmas, Can you belive I am turning into one of those people who say things like that? its funny, I think its parenthood, or maybe just adulthood. sort of like driving through town and comparing gas prices, I use to think that was soooo GAY! But now that it is relevant to my life, hey! I guess Im growing up - who wouldda thunk it?

So. What have I done that is so memorable this month?
To be honest not a hell of a lot, however the small things, which are big to me, mean the most, and really add up

Like hanging out with family, and family is so important to me, and Im not even Italian, Im french, and my husband is Irish... and.. we love our family. But to be honest, I think the french do so more... ( jk)

And this week/end that is just what we did.
We had family over for a little shindig.. And knowing me, I had to name it a schnazy name, because get-to-gethers are way more fun if they have names..
SO, I named it
Margaritas,Meatballs and Apples 2 APPles..
We drank margaritas, ate lots of meatballs, and played Apples to Apples..
It was a lot of fun!

meatballs



frozen jose's
and apples to apples ( a great game)
oh and thanks for noticing, yes my serving plates are apples
Im THAT good!



I think others would say, I am a modern day Martha Stewart, oh wait.. She is still modern. Anyhoo, Im great! At party planning, not so much at changing the oil, or bowling, I mean you win some you lose some, If I was good at everything, my brain would explode Like john travolats did!

Tonight we did some more of the daily stuff we always do...

I didnt see either one of them complaining though...


that is his 'E' Smile..

At any rate, Im not even sure this post made sense, mostly because I just had another margarita, and am in a really great mood. Mix the two.. and seriously! I RANT!!

have a great week y'all!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Happy-Go-Lucky!

More often than not, we go through life, day-to-day not unaware of the things going on around us, but preoccupied being happy, to see how blessed we really are.
And for all the negative things I could label myself or my current situations in life, with careers, friendships, etc. I am often reminded, that I am really very lucky. I have a husband, who loves me, and I mean come on, he aint ugly either! ;)
We have one amazing son, who is just that - AMAZING! he is healthy, he is happy, we are so lucky!
We have so many people, family - friends, who love us.
We are both heatlthy ( if you subtract my over eating habits)
at any rate..

Yea! Happy! Lucky! It is my life!

But believe me - I dont always see the roses, sometimes, like most humans, I forget to see whats right in front of me!

But this week?
oh man - I see it alright. and it aint ugly either!!


my elephant and puppy

catching some shishies



not as comfortable as it looks



daddy got a fish

"sickles"

watter

I can still see you!!
oh and dont forget the...

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Fathers Day

We are so lucky to have so many people in our lives, who love us, who care about us, who would give the sweater off their back for us, We are so lucky! So many father figures, who dont have to be blood to have my whole heart. These men, raised me, taught me, or. Are men I have only known for a matter of years, yet feel so very close to, and wouldnt change our relationship for the WORLD!

I am also truly blessed to have the BEST father for my son, that I would have ever even thought to ask for.
Keith is such a patient, kind and loving father to our son.
And it shows - our son is a mini-daddy and trys to do everything like his daddy, and when I told him he could pick out ANY card for his daddy his eyes lit up in the hallmark aisle. When I told him he could pick out ANY cake, and write ANYTHING he wanted to on it, his chest grew with pride, knowing that his daddy was getting what HE wanted him to get.

It is so great, raising children. You fall in love, you make a baby, and grow it in your belly for 9 months, feeling so much love and life, then you give birth, and think - okay life could not get any better than holding this tiny human in my arms, being his only means of life. But then, life keeps getting better, he grows up, he walks, he talks, he speaks in sentences. And really - it has only jsut begun..

So, thank you Keith, you are such a good man, we have grown so much together, and again, really - it has only just begun.

You are such a good father, and cannot wait to see what kind of man our son turns into!

I LOVE YOU!!

and a few pictures from our fathers day!

austin shaves now - what? you didnt know that?

sitting like daddy

eating popsicle

whoa! big fish!


3 shishes

arent they so cute?

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Leaning in

I'd like to see myself as an active member of humanity, not in the I'm-gonna-win-a-noble-peice-prize sort of ways,but I feel connected to nature, to the splendor of God's earth, and to all his creation. I feel a basic human need to be loved, to be protected and feel safe. I pride myself on being my own person, which makes me a beautiful part of America, which is a pride to be apart of.

And in being, me, and in being, you we all are connected, in a really beautiful way.
We may have anything in common, we may even have clashing personalites, however,
our differences, make us the same.

And after our differences, and learning what equality really means, acceptance, and love for other humans - we must remember to love ourselves, and in being a part of such a beautiful thing - life, really.
We have to know who we are, stand firm in that knowledge, and remain strong, or learn to be, so we can handle what comes, be prepared for the " better or worse, richer or poorer" parts of life we all must do so.

I for one, fall into a peacful ebb and flow.
On the one hand, I love to be active, loud, extravagent, on the other I like to stay in, wear pjs, and watch a movie.

When life changing things come, like having a baby, moving, getting a new job I go through a process
of fear - of the unknown
sadness- of feeling like I am leaving something great behind
However, I also feel excitement, and enegry for what my future holds.

On days like today, when I am inching closer to my new job, where I will no longer get to be with Austin 24/7, when I make plans that go to hell, or when things just dont go my way.
I lean in. I pull myself in. I find myself thinking..

Change is fun, but lets be honest - its scary too.
I balance the pros and cons, but really those all dont matter - because the change is inevitable.

SO.

I am changing, I am now an actibe member of the work force, I am no longer a stay at home mom. Its really bitter- sweet.

Today I am nervous, and hopeful!
Today I love my family, and just want to make sure they know, how much they really mean to me.
I can get preachy or wordy at times, so
since most of my readers are the people whom I care most for - I love you! You are an important part of my life, and I couldnt see it living it the same without you in it.
Just thought you should know!

Much love,

Sunday, June 5, 2011

I.am.a.college.grauate

That's right people, I graduated COLLEGE.

And I am so happy I did, because I was having second thoughts about attending, only because I was sore from my tooth removal.

But at any rate, Im so glad I did.

If I had to picture the PERFECT way to spend a Sunday, it would be exactly what I did today.

Surrounded by the people who love me, love my son, are proud of me, and who will always be there for me.
Not to mention I got to wear a really cute dress.

We went to graduation, which was so fun. I got to meet Bob Crawley, which if you are a survivior fan, you wll really appreciate - he was the keynote speaker,  Igot to shake his hand, talk to him and his wife about the show.. SO COOL!..

anyhoo..

Then we all went to dinner, and Cabelas and Xmas tree shop..

I mean, my son was so well behaved, alll day, it was so nice!

my FAV. pic. before we left ( he  was crying because he wanted to play with Abbys ball)

I guess he fell asleep while waiting

bow-tie Bob


getting my dipolma

my grandparents

happy day!

proud papa!

my 'great' granpa

gram!

my cute little tropper
Such a good day!!
Keith broadened my horizons, by showing me what the true defination of being an outdoorsmen truly means, he taught me to fish, hunt, ski, swim.. and all the things that an otherwise girly-girl would not enjoy.

When we first met, I did it to be with him, not because of some secret passion I always had for it, however  I grew to love it, and love it still. I enjoy bundleing up and ice fishing, or snowmobiling, or aiming a shot-gun into the air and blasting away a clay pigion, It gives me a sense of adventure, and makes me feel like I could really do anything..

However, dont get me wrong, I still love my computer, television and cross-stiching, whereas Keith could live without a tv, or house for that matter..

Our differences balanace perfectly with the things we have in common, for instance watching horr movies on our date nights, or watching our son learn something new.

Last night on our date night, we went fishing, and I usually am the type of fisherman that gives up after not getting a bite for 50 or so casts..
Keith urged me to keep  trying because "they WILL bite"

guess what?

He was right?

And the rush was A-mazing.

This is why he loves the outdoors..

ducks

my hansome hubby

look at that mallard?

one of the not-so fun things God created

Oscray?

Just got a tooth pulled

10 inch small mouth bass

15 inch small mouth bass..
Yes mine was bigger, and YES I am bragging..

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Five Years

It's June first today, and I failed to mention/brag about our anniversary we 'celebrated' on the 17th. It wasnt our wedding anniversary, but still something meaningful to us. 

Remember When?

Five years ago this summer, we met, we went on our first date,
we had our first kiss, we were young and we fell in love,
we moved in together,went to college together, we later got engaged, found out we were pregnant, got married ( three years ago) had a beautiful son, lived and learned, there was joy, there was hurt.

But honestly, throughout my lifetime, and Im not very old yet, in my twenty-two years, I have learned about life, about love, about loss, and my childhood prepared me to be the mother I want to be, to be the wife I want to be, and the friend I want to be.

It prepared me, for my marrige, which in growing up, together, is something that cannot be voided, or exited, although many do, being married is as strong a contract as being siblings, or being parent and child, it's not something that can be throw away.. Its real, and permanent.

And in these five years, from starting out just having fun, to building a life together, it's something I value and something I belive in with my whole  heart.

My marraige, is just that, MINE, it's uniquly built to suit our needs for one another, and that is why ours would not work for anyone else. Beacause of our pesonalitles, our beliefs, and our needs it hass become stronger, and has molded more into what it needs to be, and we have only just begun, we have a lifetime to perfect it, in all the imperfect ways it should be.

There are many more lessons we'll learn, we'll learn them together, when I win, he wins, when he loses I lose, we are team, we work together, we play together, we argue, we hurt, but it makes us stronger.

I am confident in our relationship, and the path that brought us to this very honest and raw place, where being honest is a way of life, where joking and playing is as normal as breathing, where helping and holding, nurturing and kissing is as simple as inhaling..

Our needs are going to change as we get older, our wants, our dreams, but through it all, we will know that the other is there to change too, and to grow into something better.. together..

Now when we met I was 17, he was 19, we were puppies, but boy have we had fun!

our first 250

honey-mooning for five years and counting

Keith taught me to shoot

and fish

Our engagement picture 2007


Our wedding 2008

honeymoon

Keith taught me to sled

OUR grandparents at our engagement party

brother-in-law wedding





 Keith, you are the best father  I would ever want for my children, and for anyone. In being a father you have become so much more, you are the best friend and husband I ever want to know! I love you!
teaching Austin to fish






Our family.
We may not have it all together - but together we have it all..