Five Years Today

She pulls into the driveway and parks just behind his car. Grabbing the small gift bag on the passenger seat, she makes a dash through the back door and down the stairs to the basement. With a shiver, her coat goes up on the hook and she quickly curls up on the couch next to the young man who lives in the apartment.

“Here. This is for you.” She states, thrusting the bag into his lap.

He opens it, a bit confused as they had previous agreed to not exchange gifts on such a “Hallmark Holiday”. Inside is a small children’s book, which she quickly snatches from his hands and says excitedly, “I’ll read this to you!”

The short story unfolds with two characters guessing how much the other loves them. It’s an obviously simple child’s tale, but the sentiment is clear. When the story ends, she looks at him with a warm smile and says, “I love you.”

He stares into her eyes for a lingering moment, takes her hand into his and says with such warmth, “Dallas Ann, it would mean everything to me if I would be able to wake up every morning next to you, roll over and tell you how much I love you. Will you please marry me?”

A heartbeat passes, then two. The time didn’t pass because she was trying to make up her mind, but because tears of happiness blocked her words.

Soon enough, a choked “Of course!” makes its way out and to this day, neither one can top the other with how much they love each other.

Sleep Shakeup

Last week, I posted a picture of Aaron having put Miles to sleep. Ever since that night, things have been changing in the sleep department here. And for once, it has been for the good!

Now, I put Ella to bed every night and she slips into sleep so quickly. If it’s a rough night, it takes 30 minutes. Folks, I can’t even begin to express what progress this is. Last year at this time? She would wake up every forty minutes, sob and scream for 20, then fall back asleep for another 40. It would take Aaron up to 2 hours for her to go to sleep. Thank God her pediatrician took me seriously and referred us to our sleep specialist.

The best part of this sleep shakeup isn’t how quickly Ella falls asleep. No sir, that’s just the cherry on top. The best part is the bond that has developed between Aaron and Miles.

Ever since that picture was taken, Aaron puts Miles to bed with no assistance from me. Last night, I tried to wake Aaron up three separate times as he lay in bed with Miles. Nothing could rouse him beyond barely coherent.  It wasn’t until I finally came to bed that he woke up completely. I asked him if he felt like he wasted his night, having gone to bed at 6:30. He sat there for a moment, thinking. Then he replied with:

“No. Not at all. It meant I got to connect and snuggle with Miles. He sleeps with his ear over my heart the whole time and that is one of the best things in this world.”

Father’s Day

“Children learn to smile from their parents.” Shinichi Suzuki

25 Again

I hope you all will forgive me while I brag on my husband for a moment. Today is his birthday and I thought I’d take a moment to share different things I love about him.

I couldn’t have asked for a better man to be my husband or daddy for my babies. The look of happiness and joy on his face while he interacted with our daughter confirms that for me.

Even though he hates mornings, he cooks me breakfast without fail every day he doesn’t work.

He’s strong enough to carry both kids.

And strong enough to hold a hand.

He genuinely likes spending time with my family

And is an amazing support when we add to our’s.

He drives me everywhere just because I hate driving.

His multi tasking skills are legendary.

As are his date night planning skills.

He LOVES to clean and tidy up and does it with style, too.

Even after working hard all day, he still has the energy to get down on the floor and play.

And will take time out of his day to snuggle.

Nighttime parenting is a skill he has mastered.

And he has the magic touch with babies during church services.

Really, I could go on and on. He’s a pretty awesome guy and I am truly fortunate that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.

Happy birthday, dear. I hope this year is even better than the last.

xoxo

Family Time

Very few days go by that I do not thank God for Aaron’s job. The bout of unemployment after Miles was born was very hard, scary and a struggle. I have never been so proud of Aaron than when he landed this fabulous job. His schedule is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where he works 12 hour shifts. It’s great because he can go to day classes during the week, spend four days with the family and when he takes his vacation, he’ll get almost a month off (2 weekends plus the weekdays before the vacation and following). Super awesome perks, right?

Things are great until friends want to do stuff with us as a family on the weekends. Or I take the kids to church every Sunday by myself. Or I have to wake up our sleep struggling toddler before the sun is up every weekend to take care of our Sexton duties. Or I realize that almost every major holiday this year is on the weekend.

Sometimes it’s lonely.

Like it is right now.

Prince Phillip

We had to put down our cat, Phillip, yesterday night. Aaron took him to the vet because we thought he had a UTI. Turns out he had crystals blocking his urethra and it would be over $1000.00 to fix it. If left alone, he would die a painful death by the end of the week. It was very unexpected and upsetting since we thought he had a common health problem and would be coming back home.

Obviously, we could not afford the $1000.00, so we had to put him down. Aaron is devastated and Ella is having a hard time grasping the concept of death. I’m doing my best to support both of them, though at times I struggle at being completely sympathetic with Aaron. I am really not an animal person. I’m doing the best I can and not saying a whole lot. Just lots of hugs and “I am so sorry, dear”.

The hardest part for me was this morning when I had to explain what happened to Ella. We snuggled in bed and I explained to her that Phillip had really sick and had super big owies that the “cat doctor” couldn’t fix. So his body stopped working and he died. He won’t be coming home.

Death is such a hard concept for anyone, let alone a 2.5 year old little girl. She understands that Phillip won’t be coming home but is asking if our other cat, Aurora, died even while Ella is petting her. I realize that is completely age appropriate but is still hard. A friend lent us a book titled, When Dinosaurs Die. It is a great resource for kids, though I found it to be a little beyond what we wanted to talk with Ella at this time. I am wanting to add it to our home library, though, because I’m sure we’ll be dealing with death again when she’s older.

Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to take the camera with us when we went back to the vet office to say goodbye.

I named him Phillip because I have a long love affair with the Disney “Sleeping Beauty” movie. Phillip is the name of the prince.

Even in a lot of pain and shedding a ton of fur from stress, Phillip was extraordinarily curious (a constant character trait). He almost squeezed down the trash whole!

What’s Been Going On Here…

On Sunday night, as I was nursing a teething baby while puked my guts up, I was thinking very uncharitable thoughts about my husband. Inbetween heaving sessions, I would glower and whisper between gritted teeth, “I hope you get this. And when you do, I will kill you with kindness. So much so, you will realize what a jerk you’ve been and feel incredible remorse on top of feeling wretched.

Lo and behold, he is now in bed, huddled under blankets and nibbling weakly on a piece of toast. I believe my plan was a success as he just apologized for acting like such a rotten tomato and promised to do better next time.

While I have hope that he’ll be more helpful next time I’m sick, I don’t see the pitiful persona when sick being banished any time soon. That I can deal with, so long as more compassion is directed towards me when I’m ill.

A Title Escapes Me

This morning felt like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Or a Hallmark commercial. Or maybe a Lifetime movie. Pick whichever comparison suits you the best. I simply choose to say it was awesome and made my day.

Today was Aaron’s first day back at work after being laid off for two months! The first day was held at corporate headquarters, where it is expected that everyone wear formal business attire. This morning I stood in my pajamas, with children squawking and running around me, while I straightened Aaron’s tie and fixed his collar. It was a rather surreal and, shall I say, grown up moment.

Everything went smoothly for him. Checked off boxes, signed papers, listened to company policy. Surprisingly, things went smoothly for us at home as well! I wrangled both kids in the FREEZING cold and snow to the chiropractor, all three of us took a two hour nap and Ella even ate her lunch! So far, so good. I’m hoping and praying that our painless adjustment continues.

As a kid side note ~ Poor Miles has his first cold of the season. The little man has a horrible stuffy nose, juicy productive cough, and struggles to sleep unless he’s in a raised position. Which means I don’t get much sleep, but such is the story of a mother. The bitter cold exacerbates his cough, so my goal is to keep us housebound tomorrow and Wednesday. We’ll see how long that lasts before we all go too stir crazy.

edited to add: Things like this encourage me so much! I appreciate each and every prayer offered for us during this crazy time of adjustment. We have two weeks of wonky training schedules then we switch over to his “normal” shift of 5am-5:30pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I’m taking over the weekend Sexton duties, so it’s a double adjustment for everyone. My friend Corey ran a HUGE marathon and included my prayer request for “painless adjustment” to her prayer shawl. Can you find it?

Four Years

Four years ago today, that’s what we were doing.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years. The time has just FLOWN by. When we first got married, I had no clue that today we’d be dancing to a song from the Wiggles in the kitchen while holding both of our kids. Things have changed SO much from when we first were married!

I don’t believe in soulmates, but I do believe in compatibility. We are pretty darn compatible. My weaknesses are complimented by his strengths and vice versa. We’re both flexible people who are willing to grow and change together. Personally, I think that’s key to a positive, health relationship. You know, giving just as much or more than you take. Not staying stagnate and encouraging your partner to grow with you. Working together. Communicating the change you see in your own life and your relationship. I am incredibly blessed with a husband who DOES all of the above and LISTENS to me when I attempt to do the same.

I can’t wait to see what the next year brings together.

Enough with the mushy gooshy! I need to hop in the shower to get ready for our fantastic date to go see Sherlock Holmes with only the baby! Then! Oh then… after both kids go to bed, we have an AMAZING little cake from a local bakery and a nice bottle of wine to share. Can’t wait!

If you’re interested… here’s the rest of the wedding pictures.

!!!!!!!!!

Aaron was offered a job with his DREAM COMPANY today!!!!!!!!!! I can not even BEGIN to express my emotions right now. I’m thrilled, so proud of him, overwhelmed, feeling blessed and so many other indescribable emotions.

I feel like this is light at the end of the tunnel. This is an international company that offers endless opportunities to better yourself, work up the company ladder, move anywhere in the world that they are based, and on and on. This is a career job, something he can retire from. He starts in January. The shift will take some getting use to — it’s 5am to 5pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday. He’ll work 36 hours, but get paid for 40. I’ll have to take over the Sunday sexton duties but THAT’S OKAY.

Aaron is OVER THE MOON with with excitement. I’m so so so proud of him.