Happy Anniversary: 11 Years Together Forever

Yet another year has passed, my precious Boy Wonder, and after 11 years,

you still hold my hand.

Some days it seems like yesterday when I first held you in my arms

and other days it seems like a lifetime ago.

I marvel at how you drew me to you

and how my love for you

completely changed my life, our lives,

in one single day;

FOREVER.

I am so incredibly blessed to be your mother;

to spend every day with you,

watching you...

remembering our past,

savoring today

and dreaming of our future.

I love you with every single ounce of my heart.

I wouldn't change one second

of the last 11 years we have shared together.

Thank you for being my son.
Happy Anniversary!

Paradise Found

We're still here (thank goodness!) in Paradise celebrating our 4th anniversary.

I've had my share of internet connectivity problems down here but, in truth, JR and the kids are happy to see that Mama took a computer break this week while we are all enjoying our favorite spot.

The weather has been spectacular, the food, drinks, service and sights...stellar... and we can hardly believe how fast the time is going.

I have lots of pictures to share but they'll have to wait until we're home and this beautiful place is safely tucked into our memories...as we plan our next visit.

For now, I'll leave you with some images of our little gang soaking up the sun and sea.

(to all your photog buffs...no Ps or Lr down here, so these are SOTC...it pained me to do it but I did!)

Lost and Found

Lost and Found on this day 5 years ago.

We had only seen a picture of one another and spoken on the phone a few times.

(He has the best accent!)

He lived a few miles from me.

Ironically, many years before we had gone to different high schools in the same town and even graduated the same year.

We never ran into one another back then.

After chatting on the phone a few times, he asked me to meet him for a drink at a local restaurant.

He knew all about WonderBoy and me and hadn't run for the hills.

This would be the moment of truth because, in my book, you can't fake chemistry.

I pulled into the parking lot like a maniac, running late, as usual.

I was wondering if the man I was about to meet would even come close to living up to the fantasy of the man I had imagined him to be staring at his picture.

I checked my look in my rearview mirror knowing that it was the last time I was going to see myself before I knew the answer to my own question.

I barreled out of the car in my characteristic whirlwind; grabbing my bag, fluffing my hair, while dropping my keys, shifting my clothes and otherwise primping to get my girl on.

Outta my way, PEOPLE, I had a DATE!

As I trotted through the parking lot, looking over my shoulder at the incredibly crooked parking job I had just perpetrated, I took a deep breath and quickly wiped that bead of sweat from my upper lip...

and, that's when I saw him...

He was sitting on the bench outside the restaurant staring right at me.

He had been, characteristically early, and had been watching me the entire time from the moment I flew into the parking lot as if it were a Nas*car pitstop.

He had a grin ear to ear.

His was even more handsome than I had imagined.

I took one look at him and melted into those sparkling, steely blue-green eyes and began to laugh.

We needed no introductions.

Before I took my first sip of my Margarita, I knew I was looking at my husband.

And the rest, as they say....is history!

Thank you for Finding Me!

I love you to pieces.

(Special thanks to WonderBoy for taking these pictures of us!)

Hand in Hand: 10 Years of Forever...Together

To My Boy Wonder:

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the day our lives were inextricably

and miraculously joined together.

We began this journey as you placed your tiny little hand inside mine

and entrusted me with your whole life.

I've spent the last decade playing with you, guiding you, holding you,

comforting you and loving you with these hands.

Your once tiny hands are now the size of mine.

I still marvel at the pleasure of just holding your hand.

I'm honored that you never shy away from holding my hand

and that you even reach for it when I least expect it.

I know exactly how special that is given that you're 10 years old

and holding hands with your mom isn't that cool...

but that doesn't seem to bother you!

So, my amazing son, continue to hold my hand and let us walk through this life

being what we were meant to be...

TOGETHER.

Happy Anniversary!

I love you.

Mama

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary.

JR

Thank you for teaching me that although I CAN do it all;

I don’t HAVE to if I share the load with you.

Thank you for giving me a front row seat, every day, to witness the power of your patience
Thank you for rising to every occasion

Thank you for entering my crazy, wild life and not walking running away
Thank you for greeting me at the door with a kiss every evening when I get home, whether I’m being , ahem, “difficult” or not
Thank you for filling up my gas tank so that its one less thing for me to worry about
Thank you for treating our children as the precious treasures they are
Thank you for not being an “I told you so” even when I deserve it
Thank you for emptying the dishwasher every morning before I get up
Thank you for your smiling face, lively spirit and your funny dancing
Thank you for being open to new things, new people and new experiences

Thank you for putting toothpaste on my toothbrush every night
Thank you for being a gentleman
Thank you for finding humor in the things that I, at first glance, find hopeless…and for showing me that laughter really is the only way out of it

Thank you for dropping whatever you're doing to ride bikes, fly a kite or throw the ball with our son when he asks you to play...no matter how tired you are

Thank you for being so kind to our neighbors, your coworkers, the gas station attendant and everyone you meet
Thank you for your gentle nudging as I learn to loosen the reigns on all that I thought only I could do (right) and slowly allow you to be my partner and do them your (right) way
Thank you for supporting me in each and every endeavor I embark upon

Thank you for telling me that my dreams are important
Thank you for crawling around the floor on your knees and hiding in plain sight just to hear our daughter squeal in delight when she “finds” you
Thank you for making me feel secure that you will always be by my side

Thank you for loving me
Thank you for being a wonderful son-in-law to my parents
Thank you for our daughter and for being the very best father our son could have ever hoped for

Thank you for being so good to your mother
Thank you for letting me love you

Thank you for the honor of being able to call you my husband
Thank you for being my partner

Thank you for sharing our days together
I never knew what equal meant before I met you

I never knew I would love being married.

Happy 3rd Anniversary, JR!