Monday Me Meme

How dare I almost forget the 2nd installation?! Jackie, my apologies and to the rest of you, come and play already!!!

I Do

How long have you been married? 3 years in April
What makes a happy marriage? Love...the pure kind, honesty (no ifs ands or buts!) a whole bunch of communication, tons of forgiveness and more than enough giggles to go around!

Spousal quirks? Oh the silly boy...he refuses to drink the last sip of anything!
How long were you married before you had children? We were together for 2+ years but we each came with our own and now have yours, mine and ours!

How did you meet your spouse? Ah, the internet. It's totally lame but the only way to go!

On the B Side: Again, props to Mark. He really is an all star and has the most tender heart. Poor guy. He had no idea what he was getting into when he popped the question and dropped the ring! xoxo

Manic Monday: Cloud

Please click here to see what all of the hub bub is about and join Mo's fun!

Many times growing up in the summer we could play in the front yard of my Grandparents home. Given that our home was next to theirs, this was something that Jazz and I (along with cousins and neighbors) did often. Oh how I miss that time and place. I look back fondly and with a heart full of love. It literally brings tears to my eyes as I do so miss PA and it will always be 'home'

I can still see it all so clearly in my mind. The grass was always lush and green. The mountains were always full of greenery and softly rolled across the horizon. We would lay down and roll down the slight decline of a hill laughing all the way. The hill seemed fairly big back then and almost even steep. Having seen it many years later I perceived it so much differently. Growing up tends to do that...some times, it's a good thing. Some times it is a bad thing.

When you got to the bottom of this hilly yard, it was normal to stop and lie on your back waiting for the dizziness to pass as you gained your barrings. Those quiet moments afforded time to study the sky and literally watch the clouds roll by. I loved to indulge cloud gazing and you really could see them moving. I loved to determine what type of clouds were in the sky (and based my analysis Mr. Costello's 4th grade science class!) and find images and shapes in them.

The world really was a simpler place back then. As I think back to this time in my life it almost just feels like a really good dream that leaves you feeling warm and peaceful when you wake. So much has happened since those care free days full of giggles. The word cloud quickly brought me back and if it is one thing that I love, it's a good memory.

On the B Side: I will be traveling to PA in March for work. The only piece of 'home' that really remains constant for me is my Father and he will likely be out west helping to tend the children in my absence. This is a great thing simply because he will get to meet our little Adalie, spend some time with Dayton, Ellie and McKayla and see Jazz and Micci (oh and this time he won't have be ill). I'm happy that things are working out this way (even if I don't get to see him) but that doesn't keep me from missing home and reflecting fondly back upon what made it all so great. Yes, I am wiping away the tears now but these are the good kind of tears. xoxo

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!