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

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

Friday's Fab Five

Yes, it's that time again! Here's this week's highlights dedicated to the ones I love;

1. Adi can roll from her tummy to her back! Yeah, that's right. Cause' that's how my girl rolls...

2. Dayton has been keeping his hands to himself at school and has had 3 great days in a row! It's tough when you're 6. I love seeing that kid put his mind to something and work towards it!

3. Kayla started with her tutor and loves it! This is really going to help her and also help us help her. Nothing feels as satisfying as progress and accomplishment. She's on her way!

4. Ellie's super attentive, independent, secure and passionate side has been ignited by her ballet/tap class. I love to see that girl flourish! The smiles are endless and she just beams.

5. Mark is a kinder, gentler man. No idea what has caused the softening but I did love seeing his tears well up at Glenn Beck's presentation of the Christmas Sweater. Sigh.

On the B Side: A huge storm is blowing in again today. It's Friday with the weekend on it's way in as well. I'm home in my jams with the babe working away. We're snuggled up in warm blankets with German pancakes in the oven with Christmas around the corner. Survey says: Perfection! (spoken with a French accent!)

Friday Fab 5

1. My right and left hands saved my well intentioned day! Remember that time I thought I could pull of hosting a baby shower at the office?! I would never survive without so much support (oh and that yummy salad, the to-die-for treats and built in baby sitters!!!)

2. I filled up my tank for under 45 bucks yesterday. AW YEAH!

3. Marky stepped up to the plate. Swinger, batter, batter, batter, batter, swiiiiing! Thank you, Ba Fark for all of your help.

4. I busted through some serious knowledge objects publication at the office despite the fact that MOS is a POS!

5. The Christmas shopping has begun and I'm sooooo excited!

On the B Side: Life is good!

Just Say No to Poop and Stuff

Not sure how it works in the homes of others (but I'd be happy to hear about it!) but it has been my experience that Dad's typically serve as the 'cool parent'. Yes, Father's seem to be the fun, enjoyable, laughter bearing parent and frankly I think it sucks slightly BUT I did snicker today when Mark told me the following story as it made me feel slightly vindicated!

Mark picked up Kayla and stopped to look at another home on the way home. While they were being shown the home Kayla (who doesn't usually talk to strangers at all) says to the man showing the home, "My Daddy makes me say bad things. Britta is smart"

I snickered my cute litle pregnant head off when Mark relayed this story as he's always the one talking about poop and things of such nature. Needless to say he was thoroughly embarrassed and rightfully so! He's always trying to get Kayla to say something of that nature and I've been trying to help her see past his teasing and make good choices despite his silly promptings. Today was pay day!!!!

On the B Side: I love when kids cross into that zone and are able to think for themselves! I also love feeling like I am doing some good despite the fact that I sometimes merely feel like the cook, the chauffeur, the maid and the babysitter rather than 'the cool parent'.

Birthday Bashing!

Marky had his 26th birthday on Sunday. It was more fun when he was 23 and I could sing, 'Nobody likes you when you're 23'! He has offically entered his late twenties! The kids and I made a heart shaped pizza complete with sparkling cidar. We *tried* to make him a heart shaped double decker cake...um that didn't work so well. I ended up buying a cake with a 'Robots' theme on it. This was the first movie that the 5 of us watched together while we were dating. He had a home theater and the kids would all dance together and have a blast so it seemed like a tender reminder of our beginning.

We had a nice dinner at his Mom's complete his favorite meal. The kids each got to write on the cake and we added some sprinkles. I'm sure the kids won't soon forget this birthday as Rodney Copperbottom caught on fire! They didn't know if they should laugh or if they should be concerned. It actually solved the on going dispute about who was going to get Rodney!

After we ate cake Mark took Rodney and the kids outside to further light him on fire! Kayla had mixed emotions about this. When they were unsuccessful in their adventurous endeavor (complete with all kinds of safety instructions and warnings) Kayla thru Rodney in the creek! They all made sure to say goodbye to him before we left.

On the B Side: Despite the fact that the cake was a huge flop and Rodney caught on fire I love the memory making moments we share together!

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow!

We finally had our first real snow fall during the night! Everything is completely covered and absolutely beautiful! The kids are all sleeping and will be so excited when they wake up. I am actually hearing the first stirrings and when one of them wakes up (doesn't matter which one) they always wake the other two up!

Last night Uncle Jazzy babysat while Mark and I went to see "Dan in Real Life". The beginning was slow but we laughed and of course in the end I cried. It was a brief date night but still a nice chance to spend some time together. Originally Marky was supposed to work so I was excited that he made time to sneak away! Dayton made us promise to bring back some popcorn and Ellie always inquires as to whether or not we will kiss on our dates!

On the B Side: I am grateful for my Marky! He does a fantastic job providing for for us and more importantly tenderfly caring for us. He's so easy to love and has a heart the size of Texas! Life would have so many less giggles without him. I sure do love him and count him among my most special blessings! xoxo