My Marky Mark

It isn't often enough that I highlight the person who is patient with impatient me. I love this picture! It was taken after Leah's baby blessing. How preshy is my sweet neice?! I love how she is all curled up, content all in white and snuggled up with Mark! She is our litle Bubby are two weeks apart and we've been so excited for the two of them to have one another. Mark loves children and this picture is such a sweet reminder of the content of his heart and one of the reasons that I love him so much.

When we first met I had zero desire to become involved in anything. I dated for the sake of making myself 'normal'. I forced myself to get out and had some funny rules about the whole process. I would go out but only ONCE with an individual, only in a public place and only for 20-30 minutes. My goal was to appear and hopefully start to feel like a whole person. If I could make it through that short stint of time without feeling broken, I felt like I was less broken. I know it seems silly but I stuck to it for the most part...until I met Mark. He felt safe and had (has) such a strong and pure love for his daughter. We had fun little play dates for the kids, were able to talk about real things and could relate on some difficult levels. There were no expectations or pressure and what seemed unlikely became natural. There is life after divorce!

Mark and I have had our share of challenges but we always push through together. I've learned quite a bit about patience and serving others in a way that I had not previously known. Marriage requires a lot of work and if you think a first marriage is hard, I'm here to tell you that a second marriage makes a first look like a walk in the park! As with all things in this life, if it were easy it would not be a desireable reward. It is worth it and I do so love my Marky Mark!

On the B Side: He is a great Dad and has such a tender and loving heart. It isn't something he strives for, it is just who he is naturally and I do so love that about him! He has a very strong desire to succeed, the intelligence to form a plan and the determination to execute and complete it. He has no idea how much I love and need him. xoxo

Wordless Wednesday: The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

On the B Side: Is there ever anything wordless about my Wednesdays?! Really is there anything wordless about any of my days? I'm sure if Mark had his own Top 5 Pet Peeve list about me, the fact that I talk too much would be upon it!

Et Voila!

Yes! I did it. I still have some polishing to do but it's been crazy here so I will finish the fine tuning later. In the mean time I thought I would share the fruits of my labor. I successfully added a third column to this background! TA DAAA!

It wasn't super complex and probably will go faster in the future. I'm happy to share my knowledge with anyone who is interested! I started here and many tweaks later...I win! Next I will begin working on my own background...much, much later!

On the B Side: I love it when a plan comes together! xoxo

Under Construction

I'm working on adding a third column to this template. I love learning but am already a little frustrated as I just want it to work!!!

On the B Side: I will prevail!

New Monday Meme!

This is a brand new meme. All you have to do is give 5 answers to the question that is asked about yourself every Monday.

Here is the first question: List 5 things that your spouse or significant other does that drives you bananas. Join the fun and tell Jackie that I sent you!

Given that Mark rarely reads my blog I only run a small risk that I will get busted but I'm willing to take it today as I am always in some kind of trouble any way!

1. Um, the ultimate is when he uses the toilet without lifting the seat. Why he doesn't take the time to life the seat but is willing to take the time to wipe it off afterwards is beyond me. This is a nasty, awful and disgusting habit and for this reason I sanction him to his own bathroom. The rest of us do not use it. It's called hygiene. Let's say it together, sanitation. I freak out big time over this one and will never ever complain about the toilet seat being up!

2. He can never find his jacket. This is because I almost always hang it on the coat rack. He still asks every time he is ready to leave. Go figure! I remind myself often that it is good to be needed.

3. Keep in mind that the kids are trained to put away their shoes and they do a mostly splendid job of it. Why can't hubs do it? I do not understand. I've just become accustomed to putting them away myself to avoid potential casualties. Why are mens shoes so big and dumb anyway?

4. Dirty laundry belongs in the hamper. I've often contemplated not washing his clothes (though it seems mean spirited so I haven't and won't do this!) as I do tire of picking up the random piles or digging dirty socks from in between the couch cushions (who does that anyway?!). I thought that if I nagged him enough he might be willing to put them where they belong. No dice. I concede.

5. I couldn't tell you exactly what it is about his driving other than I just don't like it. He contends that it is a control issue I am struggling with and perhaps he is right or maybe I'm just too nervous for my own good. Either way, I don't like to mess around and prefer to be behind the wheel. This really is my problem and not his!

On the B Side: I thought that perhaps getting this out would make me feel better but I actually think I feel worse! Honestly, I could live with #2-5 if we could just clear up #1. Ugh.

Manic Monday: Snow

We had many snow days growing up in PA. We would carefully watch the local news as they announced the delays and cancellations. If we missed the regular announcements we would closely watch the scrolling text and carefully notice all the surrounding areas as to best gauge and guess what our fate would be.

There really was nothing more exciting than a snow day home from school...even knowing that we would have to make it up later in the year! We would continue to monitor the tv, knowing that many times the powers that be would change their minds as the weather changed and with luck on our side...worsen (or at least scare the administrators enough to give us a break!). One time and one time only did Penn State ever declare a snow day (while I was there) and what a wonderful day that was!

On the B Side: Today seemed like another day full of dirty black trapped air here in the valley; however, when we left church the snow was falling in big clean, fresh flakes! The storms lift the inversion and give us clean air once more in Utah and that is the only thing more exciting than a snow day in PA!