Overly-emotional.

So, I'm not quite sure where this stems from (yet), but I have been very sensitive lately in the feelings department.  Particularly (and this may have no shock value to some of you) when it comes to the thought of weaning Presley from breastmilk, especially after reading this recent post from The Leaky Boob.

 I have mentioned plenty of times here lately that it will definitely be a bittersweet moment for us, but now I am downright distraught at the thought of it.  I've narrowed it down to a few things that really bums me out when I think about it:

1. Missing out on the few times throughout the day when Presley and I can be quiet together, snuggle, and share those special moments just the two of us.  Will she still want to do that with me at all throughout the day once breastfeeding is out of the picture?  Another underlying (and somewhat irrational) fear here:  Is Presley actually bonded to me or the nourishment I provide her?  How will that bond change after she realizes I'm not specifically providing her nourishment anymore?
2. When I think about the nutrition and immunity benefits that are associated with nursing, it scares me to think of taking that away from her.  Will the immunity benefits I've provided her the first year of her life stay will her even after we're done nursing?
3. Breastfeeding is so SIMPLE once you get the hang of it.  I honestly don't have to measure anything or prepare milk/formula/etc. for Presley - and I can nurse Presley while napping!  My body has really been in control of providing for my daughter, will I be able to do as good of a job once it's just on my shoulders and my body is out of the picture?

The last one might seem silly, but honestly, it is one of the things I do worry about.  Yes, I've been supplementing Presley's breastmilk with solid meals and snacks for the past 6 months - but it has always been so calming and satisfying knowing that IF she's not getting what she needs out of her solid meals that she will (hopefully) get the rest from my breastmilk.

So there's two components here:  the concern if Presley will be okay after our breastfeeding ceases but then there is the second worry that I might not be okay after it's over!

A woman's ability to produce all of the nutrients that her child needs can provide her with a sense of confidence. Researchers have pointed out that the bond of a nursing mother and child is stronger than any other human contact. Holding the child to her breast provides most mothers with a more powerful psychological experience than carrying the fetus inside her uterus. The relationship between mother and child is rooted in the interactions of breastfeeding. This feeling sets the health and psychological foundation for years to come.

NRDC

I realize to some people I must seem so mellow dramatic (fact: Presley and I will survive after all is said and done) and obsessed over this ("Why doesn't she get over this already and suck it up?").  Others may not see the "big deal" or dilemma here... and honestly, I can't particularly explain it any better than I've already tried to here.  And trust me, it is not something I thought I'd ever have a problem giving up!

I also realize that I can't shelter Presley from possible disease/injury/illness for the rest of her life (by always breastfeeding her).  The idea of nursing a five-year-old absolutely still freaks me out.  But where do I draw the line?  At what point does a child become too old for breastfeeding?

And, to further put things into perspective, I realize how fortunate I am.  My family is healthy.  I am sitting here worrying over these minute hurdles and thankfully not worried about bigger, more pressing issues.

I absolutely love this list of 12 Weaning "Ceremonies" - or rather, 12 ways to celebrate that part of your relationship instead of focusing on the void it will (potentially) leave.  Some of these are so fun!  I also love the unique idea of getting a pretty piece of jewelry custom made that actually somehow contains your actual breastmilk, though I know that - again - this isn't everyone's idea of "cool" by any means.  I am curious to hear other mother's opinions on the jewelry, no matter what you fed your children (breastmilk or formula) - so chime in and let me know if you think it's neat or not!  And I am anxious to hear how weaning went for other families, so if you feel apt to share, I would appreciate it very much.

Happy days are ahead and I have very much to look forward to and that's what I need to focus on, especially considering there is no need to wean anytime soon.

Currently.

Loving:  Netflix streaming - and let me tell you why... we have super duper basic cable (as in the major 4 stations and that is it) so it's really nice to be able to have some other options when it comes to watching TV shows or movies.  While we've certainly watched a good amount of movies on there, we primarily use it for TV shows with the top 3 being:  Sesame Street (for Presley in the morning while I'm brushing my teeth and getting dressed), Top Gear (my husband LOVES this show all about cars), and How I Met Your Mother (re-runs!  I watch them just about every night before bed).  I have recently been hooked into watching the show Castle and I'm patiently waiting for Netflix to add the previous seasons of the show... so Netflix, get on it!

Watching:  The Vow.  Well, I'm planning on re-watching it tonight after my husband goes to bed.  I read Ryanne's post today and it absolutely reminded me how fantastic that movie in.  Which reminds me, I need to track down that book at the library and read it.

Reading:  Nothing aside from all the fantastic blogs I keep up with on here.  One blog that I just can't seem to get enough of is Caitlin's "Catholic Cookie Jar" - especially her posts for the Catholic Marriage Series.  I have felt very connected to so many of her posts as well as the fantastic guest posts she features. 

Other than that, I would like to start reading at least one book a month.  I certainly have the downtime at night to get in some reading... and actually my husband was the one to suggest this.  I have become more and more of a night owl and he reminded me not only how much I love reading but also that it tires me at night, which would be fabulous.  So while I have quite a list of books to read, please do put in your suggestions for a book or book series you've enjoyed.

Listening to:  The new Bruno Mars CD - Unorthodox Jukebox.  Honestly, it is so fabulous.  There are 10 songs on the album and I am crazy about 8 of them (I still like the other 2, but not as much).  I've always been more of a mix-tape kind of girl as I get sick of hearing the same artist track after track, but every song is so unique on this album... yet it blends together so great.  I understand, though, that his type of music isn't for everyone - so take this with a grain of salt!

Thinking about:  About my hilarious husband.  I made some seriously delicious brownies last night (from the box - but substituted the oil for butter) and so that's what we had for dessert tonight.  My husband had a few brownies before I did and poured himself a glass of milk.  When I finally got around to getting brownies and milk I pulled out the milk and Tony immediately started to apologize because he literally left me about two tablespoons of milk to drink with my brownies!  It was pathetic... why leave so little milk in the jug instead of drinking it?  And what is even more hilarious - when I was pouring my tiny amount of milk into a cup, we were already laughing about it, and I ended up spilling some of it on the counter!!!!  So I had a few sips of milk tonight but a good amount of laughs over it! 

Anticipating:  Finally making a decision to join a local gym or not.  It's only $10/month (if the promotion is still going on) and I desperately would like a place to workout regularly (I've tried and failed to keep a routine going at home) but I'm afraid I would end up not using my membership enough.  But I'm just having a very hard time being happy with my body in the state it's in right now.

Wishing:  The idiots next door would pick any time to snow blow their driveway and sidewalk OTHER than 9:45 PM while my daughter is sleeping.  The driveway is literally right outside her window.  If and when they wake her up, you beeeeest believe I will be throwing on my jacket and stomping out there to have some words with them!

I took care of the shoveling for Tony this afternoon.  He feels that it is one of the "manly" jobs we have around the house (which includes garbage, mowing, car maintenance, and shoveling) but he works all day at work and then comes home and has to do more manual labor?  I just didn't feel right about it today and offered demanded to do it.  He laughed.  And said I wouldn't last long out there and that I wouldn't finish the entire driveway/sidewalk/walkway.  So I turned to him and said, "You know you just cemented the fact that you won't have to shovel at all today, right?"  :-)  Challenge accepted.  It was not bad at all, but it was every bit as tiring as it looks.  It offered some peace, quiet, and alone time just to think.  It was fabulous.  Not to mention, halfway through, Tony and Presley came out to play in the snow!  Tony is so awesome about turning the mundane into something we can enjoy as a family (reason #1 that I love my husband).

Me and my snow angel :)

Stole this one from my hubby's instagram account ;)

Making me happy:  Desserts, apparently.  A few nights before making brownies, I made my first peach cobbler ever, thanks to Pinterest!  It was a very simple recipe and it was ABSOLUTELY divine.
 


**For those of you who are wanting to participate in the 21st Century Insurance Baby on Board Contest, it is nearing the end - so make sure to get your submissions in while you still can!  You can read about it here which also includes a link to the contest.**

Also, if you start seeing reasons that I love my hubby popping up throughout my blog posts, that is for a reason!  Every few years I've written Tony a huge list of reasons I love him and I'd like to start including them in my posts here in my blog!

Marriage Monday: Surviving the First Year of Marriage

As I have posted before, when it comes to relationship and marriage advice, I enjoy and respect the opinions and advice of Dr. Phil.  Not necessarily the Dr. Phil on his TV show (because I don't regularly watch it), but the Dr. Phil who offers so many helpful and healthy resources for a happy life.  Through reading the various articles and books he has written, I've also come to appreciate his wife, Robin, as well.  I recently came across Robin's Words of Wisdom for Newlyweds and it is way too fantastic not to share!  Of course this is ideal to read before you enter into marriage, but I feel that it is never too late to pick up healthy habits... so whether you've been together 10 years or 10 days, this is worth a second look!

Ask only what you're willing to give. If I ask that he give me and treat me with dignity and respect, then I have to treat him with dignity and respect.

Embrace who your spouse is. Support what is important to him/her. When we first married, I said, "If we're going to do this, and we're going to have fun, you need to lighten up. You are so serious." And I was a big pouter, and the first few times I tried that he said, "If you won't pout, I promise I will discuss anything you want to discuss and we will come to a decision immediately."

Talk about your needs. It would really hurt my feelings if he would walk in the door and not come find me and say, "Hello, I'm home." And so we started what we call the four-minute rule, and the minute he walks in the door, he comes to wherever I am, and says hello, and we visit for at least the first four minutes. That sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

Contribute to your marriage daily. When we were students in college, I would sit at the end of the apartments on the stairs and I always had a glass of iced tea waiting for him. And to this day, as soon as he walks in the door, the first thing I do is hand him a glass of iced tea.

Commit to your marriage. What's important to a marriage is that the commitment you make to each other is something you work on every day for the rest of your life. When a couple gets married sometimes they think, "Is this the one thing that's going to make him leave?" Phillip and I both agreed our first year of marriage that nothing will ever make us leave. This is forever. Divorce is never going to be an option. And that made a huge difference in our marriage.

Found here.

It is after reading things like this that I feel re-energized within my marriage and reflecting upon this prompted me to look for the things that have helped Tony and I survive the first year of our marriage.  (For Tony and I, our first year includes a pregnancy and becoming parents for the first time.)

• Don't do marriage alone.  For some people, that means meeting together regularly with a therapist or your priest for marriage maintenance.  For others that may mean belonging to a marriage bible study or finding a married couple you look up to and having them for support and back-up.  Whatever it means to you, find some support and plan on using them for support in your marriage.
• Don't play the "compare" game.   Every marriage is SO completely different.  I've said this in a blog before, but it is so crucial to highlight it again... 
  

  This means no comparing your wife to your mother.  Maybe your spaghetti will never taste as good as your mother-in-law's spaghetti.  (Find things you CAN make - and make them well!) 
  This means no comparing your spouse to any of your exes.  Maybe you don't make as much as her ex-boyfriend.  Maybe your will never have the curves his ex-girlfriend has.  (Find a trade off - how many things do you do better than that ex?  And think about it, there are so many reasons your spouse isn't with their ex anymore - your spouse is WITH YOU after all, not their ex!)
  This means no comparing your relationship to other couples.  Maybe you don't go out and do as many fun things as your couple friends do.  Maybe you don't have as much money saved up as your married friends do.  (You are seeing that couple from the outside, only.  Try not to be your worst enemy - stop focusing only on your own weaknesses and only on the strength of others.  Instead, focus on all the things you and your spouse LOVE about your relationship.) 
  
  You have to be okay with that and accept yourself for who you are; your spouse for who they are; and your relationship for what it is.  Because at the end of the day, your not going to bed with your mother's spaghetti, either of your exes, or your married friends bank account -- at the end of EVERY day you are ONLY going to bed next to your partner.  
  
  Consolation:  There is always room for improvement and it's never to late to fix the things that need to be fixed.  
  Bottom Line:  But if it ain't broke, don't fix it! 
  

  Taken from here

• Do continue to take care of yourself.  When Tony and I were dating, I had so much fun getting ready for our dates.  I've never been a huge makeup-wearer, but I'd always put a little bit of makeup on, wear something flattering, and make sure I looked my best when we went out.  This is something that I have let go by the wayside and looking to change.  Nowadays, it just feels like a success if I can find a pair of pants that fit me to go out in!  I don't even remember the last time I put on a splash of makeup regularly.  My uncle has always said something along the lines of, "When you look your best, you feel your best & do your best!"  And I always internally rolled my eyes (sorry Uncle Jeff ;) but honestly, I have never appreciated that concept more than now.  When you feel like your best self it does nothing but great things within your marriage!

That's all I've got to add to Robin McGraw's fabulous list of newlywed advice - is there anything else to add that has helped your marriage?  I'd love to hear them... what has helped your marriage could help another marriage, so don't be shy.  Also, if you would like to make a contribution of any type to Marriage Mondays, I would love to hear from you!  All ideas and/or submissions are welcomed - just contact me at 20may2011@gmail.com

Happy FIRST Birthday, my BEAUTIFUL baby!

That is my big, beautiful, 12-month-old girl right there.  She has proved herself to be so tough all while having such a sweet heart.  Presley is so independent and wants to prove she can do things on her these days.  But there are those moments, usually just before bedtime, where she will snuggle into my shoulder as I sing to her and she will let me hold her like the little baby that she still is to me.  I never understood how vulnerable being a parent could make you, but it really is exactly like they say... having a child is like letting your heart walk around outside of your body.  It's terrifying and completely satisfying at the same time.  From the day that we have our babies, we are constantly learning to "let go" a little more by the day (just like my mama friend, Sharon said in one of her blogs months ago, yet is still fresh in my mind) and while each milestone feels like such a momentous experience... it really is just a drop in the bucket (like my mama friend, Sean said in one of her blogs that has really stuck with me)!

I tried to convince myself that this would be nothing but "another day" or "just another experience" but to be honest, Presley celebrating her first birthday has really affected me.  I've been going through tons of pictures from my pregnancy to the day I gave birth to Presley and beyond.  It's all so life altering; I don't think I'll ever view what's happened to us within these last two years as anything short of amazing.

So here we are.  How did we get from here to this point?  All three of us somehow SURVIVED this first year as a family of three!  Not only that, but I feel like we hit our stride and we are in such a great, loving, and comfortable place together with some unbreakable bonds.  I love my little family so much more than I ever imagined possible.  It's the kind of absolute love that you just have to experience and feel first hand to understand and appreciate it's magnitude.  For those of you mamas and dadas out there who know what I mean, bless your heart.  And bless your little family!

Now, let me tell you what Presley has been up to lately...

• We went to the doctor today for her twelve month check-up and shots - and let me just say that this was definitely an emotional experience!  Instead of getting the vaccinations in her legs, they were in her arms this time and boy that must  have really hurt because there was a lot of tears... poor girl.  Presley's height was 28.25 inches (25% for height) and she weighed in at 18 pounds 9 ounces which put her in the 10% for weight... I was a whole POUND off when I weighed her at home last week!  Oh, and her head is staying strong within the 75%!  So far, she's lean like her daddy, about average height like her mama, and a huge ole head like her Uncle Sean.

• Presley is still a great eater and will try anything at least once!  She makes the funniest face while she chews lately... even if it's one of her favorites she will make a face as if you're feeding her lemons!  Carrots and bananas are still her favorites.
• She's standing up on her own and will shuffle-step around her musical activity table, but she's not really doing any walking on her own yet.  Though, she is a super fast crawler... especially if you do the whole "I'm gonna get you!" thing (which she thinks is so hilarious).
• Night-time routine is still the solid "Night Night Little Pookie" followed by tunes from her Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout then she snuggles up with mama and listens to me butcher songs such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Edelweiss" from the Sound of Music (her favorite!).  There is no other place I'd rather be at night than tucking Presley in.  Literally, no where.  It makes me wonder what bedtime in our house would be like if we ever had more than one!
• Last month, I talked about Presley not yet having her first "big" injury.  Well, sad to say, she has had it.  While it shook up the entire house, we all survived and I don't specifically want to talk about it because it still upsets me!  What is truly comforting is reading blogs written by other mommies with kids around Presley's age who are going through the same stuff right now - the first big bumps/bruises/burns/injuries - and knowing we aren't alone!  I'm also very fortunate to have a strong husband and some of the best friends in the world who are always there for me - so thank you guys for helping me see that the things that feel like "BIG" things are actually just small things that are being magnified under a microscope.
• Still making baby wipes at home and that is going very well!  Highly recommend trying it out to see how you like it because it is so simple.
• No imminent end in sight just yet when it comes to breastfeeding.  The plan is to wait for cues from Presley that she is ready to end the breastfeeding relationship.  Until then, we are both content with our extra special bonding time.  What was once something that I once resented is something I will be sad to see go.
• She's saying words all the time - some of which we don't yet understand.  Others are clear as day such as "hi" "dada" and "mama" are the words she says regularly.  Her favorite phrase is "Hi dada" and she says it to Tony all the time.  Melts.  My.  Heart.  She is so sweet to him.
• She responds so well to our cues now... such as "Can I have a kiss?" to which she responds with a kiss; "Can you say YAY?" to which she starts clapping; "Presley, say HI." to which she starts waving and saying "Hiiiii".  There are a few other "tricks" of hers that are so cute, but those are my absolute favorites.  She also kisses her stuffed animals, babies, and even her blankies now.  (I die!!!!)

Here she is giving her puppy a kiss!

•  She's gotten so good about holding her sippy cup herself lately to take a drink.
•  Still has a bit of cradle cap (which isn't noticeable) which we got a great tip from my older sister to try a little of dandruff shampoo when showering her and it has really worked wonders!  Thanks for that tip, Amanda!
• Absolutely refuses bows on her head these days... so we got silly and when she ripped her bow off, Tony put it on Teddy Mosby, to which Presley responded unkindly to Teddy!

Pulling off her bow...

Daddy puts it on Teddy...

So Presley takes back her bow & slams Teddy's face to the ground!  So hilarious.

As you may recall, on Presley's birthday we asked our friends and family to send birthday videos for Presley - we got some really fun videos and I strung them together, check it out (shout out to Sean from A Mad Girl's Lovesong! Loved the video of you & Nat!)



In other news, I'm wanting to get into some sort of regular mommy playgroup so if any of you Quad City moms know of anything or would like to start something up - let me know and we will happily get something going!  (As you could guess we are certainly missing our weekly playdates with Molly, Alli, and Megan!!!!)

And this entry wouldn't be complete without telling you guys how much I love you all... thanks for being a part of our journey.  This year started out to be so tough for me as I battled what I assume was post-partum depression and your support and love and encouragement helped me to move mountains in my life.  I hope that all the struggling new parents who find themselves in a similar boat that I was in are lucky enough to have some real help in the form of family, friends, and even complete strangers!  You guys absolutely rock and I am forever in awe of humanity because of you guys.  Thank you for the jokes, listening ears, and empathy when I needed it most.

All Presley wants is birthday videos!

Hey guys! As you may or may not know by now, today is my daughters FIRST birthday! To celebrate and commemorate, I'm asking that all friends who want to participate send us a birthday message for Presley via video! You can sing her happy birthday, send a birthday message, or just say hi! She will love it! And at the end of the day I will compile the birthday videos together to make one big birthday video for Presley. :-)

You can send them to my phone (if you need the number, let me know) or to my email (20may2011@gmail.com)

Thanks guys!

Family Pictures (February 9, 2013)

A few months ago, a good friend of mine recommended a photographer to me that was just starting out who not only took great family pictures, but did it for a super reasonable price, too.  Isn't that what every woman loves to hear?  Or maybe it's just me!  I saw some of the pictures Lindsay took and decided right away that I would absolutely love for her to take pictures of my family as well as pictures of Presley just before she turned one!  Sometimes, especially as a stay at home mom, you have to sacrifice quality for price - but thankfully, this was not the case at all with Lindsay!  We got phenomenal pictures that I am so proud of.  I can't wait until the next time Lindsay can take some family photos for us and would highly recommend her to anyone in the Quad Cities area.

I'm so excited to share some pictures of our family and of our sweet little princess... Enjoy!

Marriage Monday: Husband vs Wife

Welcome to another Marriage Monday!  I think one of my favorite parts about being with the same guy for so long is to look back on where we've been.  Not to mention, I think reflection is a very healthy thing in a marriage.  I love to talk about the people we were when we first met, the things we spent our time on, and how different we are today; how did we get from there to here?  Sometimes I wonder if we'd still like each other as much if we only met today - it's a crazy thought and I'm so glad we did all that growing together.

So, thanks to another blog I follow, I found You. And. Me. Are. We. and so far I absolutely love her blog.  So I'm linking up to a post of hers which sounds like it will be a lot of fun as today's Marriage Monday entry!  Feel free to join in.

My answers will be in purple and Tony's will be in blue with any commentary from me in green.  We both filled these out separately before we swapped answers!

1. How long have you been married?

A year and a half.

1 yr 10 months

[Actual: A year & 9 months - so I guess neither of us are completely right, but you get the idea!]

2. Where was your first date?

Back Yard Burger & a movie.

First official date…. BYB baby! =)

3. Where was your first kiss?

Right outside the house I grew up in.  And it was so awkward!  We both leaned in for a hug and our faces met by mistake!  We still talk about it and laugh!

In front of her peppermill lane house

4. Who first said, "I love you"?

No clue.  That was at least 9 years ago.  Me?

hmm I’m not positive about this, but I would say me?

5. What were your wedding colors?

Black and Red.

Black and red, black and red, black and red (I'm assuming this answer is to the beat of the song "Black and Yellow" - haha)

6. What is her most commonly used phrase?

I'm sure he'll pick something embarrassing like, "You never be knowing." 

 “Omg tony, you have exceeded my expectations once again!!” or maybe “you know” lol

[He really is such a dork!  But I do say, "You know?" after almost everything I say.]

7. Who is her celebrity crush?

Robert Pattinson or Channing Tatum.  Or Tony Goldwyn, aka, Fitz from Scandal.  I'm sure he'll say one of my girl crushes though. 

Just one? Channing Tatum, The Rock, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Sienna Miller, Sean Connery…just to name a few

[Wow, I'm not sure where Sean Connery came from (he does have a fantastic voice, though) but Tony created a really conclusive list!  Maybe I should spend a little less time talking about my celebrity crushes...]

8. If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get? 

Non-alcoholic: I'd get myself a water & him a coke.  Alcoholic: I'd get myself a margarita and him a Bud Light on tap.

alcoholic- her a margarita, probably on the rocks or a Mojito. Me, a light beer. Non-alcoholic- she would get either a water, coke, or sweet tea half and half. I would get a coke or probably any of the three of hers.

[Very correct & thorough on that one!]

9. What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?

Anything I've made with corn tortillas.  He's so obsessed.

This really is a tough question because she is a great cook! Maybe corn tortilla lasagna? Or enchilada pasta, or baked spaghetti. 

[He's so sweet about anything I make - and very encouraging!  I think that is the reason I've become so much better of a cook over the years.]

10. What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?

I'm sure he won't remember my failed meals, to be honest.  His outlook is so positive! :)

I would say she hasn’t really cooked anything BAD. But I know she really didn’t care for the buffalo chicken soup she made one time, but it was just a bad recipe, the cook was great! =)

[Ew, so true. That buffalo chicken soup was easily the worst thing I've ever made - and we were both SO excited about it.]

11. What is the most-played song on her iPod?

Something from Glee!  Or he might mention the Twilight Soundtracks I can listen to on repeat for weeks at a time.  Or he might say Disney music.  He'd be right with any of them!

Damn I should probably know this. Maybe the Paramore song from Twilight? I’m having a mental block, but I would almost guarantee it’s from a movie soundtrack (mamma mia, twilight, etc.)

12. What would she say is your most annoying habit?

Grinding. His. Teeth.  UGH!!  Oh, and not refilling the Brita filter.

Grinding my teeth at night! Because everything I do while I am awake, she adores! ;-)

13.  What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

Brush my teeth.  Check on Presley.  Check my phone.  Turn off the TV.

Checks on Presley, to make sure she is covered up and not sleeping with her feet hanging out the crib

14.  If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?

My Old Navy sweatpants that I've had since middle school.  :)

I have no idea. Maybe some of her old sweat pants that she has had since she was 7 =)

15. What would you say is your favorite thing about her?

He'd probably choose my silliness/humor.  And maybe that I like sports. :)

Her heart. Because she really cares about me and Presley and it shows! And she has a nice butt =)

16. What's her go-to drink at Starbucks?

He'll definitely say the coffee frappuccino.  I'll be impressed if he remembers it's always "with whip"! 

Coffee frap! (Used to be sweet black tea lemonade)

17. What's her blog's name?!

I think he'll get this right.  Though he might say "Loving Life's Journey" which is what it used to be titled. 

Watching sun rays and dandelions, no that’s not it. Attacking stormtroopers and jedis.  Hmm, Flying airplanes and pigs. Snatchin' husbands and kids.  Chasing moonlight and roses? 

I love being married to such a wonderful man who thinks so much of me and who treats me like his true best friend.  He keeps surprising me throughout our time together and I can't wait to see how we answer these types of questions a year from now! :)  Happy Marriage Monday - I dare you to stop sometime today and just give your significant other a hug; it's surprising how much of an impact something so small yet meaningful can make!

If you would like to contribute to "Marriage Mondays" in any capacity, I welcome you to contact me at 20may2011{at}gmail{dot}com - whether you'd like to guest blog on a topic you feel passionate about, maybe you have a story from your own marriage you wouldn't mind sharing, or if you come across an article you think might be helpful to others... I would be grateful to hear from you!