Running the Marriage Marathon!

Your in it for the long run. SOme miles are harder than others. You need the support of your friends and family sometimes to get you to the next water stop!

You start off nice and strong, excited, pumped... YOu've been in "training" for some time now... 

This sounds like a marathon right?

Well, it's also a lot like marriage. It's worth it in the end. We all long for it, and to the extent of "need" it... and we prepare for it, make a huge hoopla over it with big weddings... And then it happens. Now what?

I am celebrating my 5 year wedding anniversary tomorrow. I've been thinking a lot about the last 5 years. They started out so exciting, careless, easy- and then reality settles in, and BAHMMMM you all out of energy, and maybe you weren't as prepared as you though you were. Or maybe it's just plain hard! If I'm being completely honest, there were times I didn't know I would be able to make it!

Now with each passing year, and our shares of hardships, I realize that each year will either make you stronger or weaker. The past year has made me so strong. I am enjoying life and marriage so much more now than I had any of the past years. I look forward to doing things as a couple, or as a family. I can't imagine a single day with out my husband. Either of us are perfect, and we have our shares of short comings. But we have been transformed into a new couple with bonds that seem un-breakable now!

Just like when running a marathon ( or in my case a half marathon for now) You get to a certain point when you ask yourself, "am I going to stop" ..." There is the medic,  I can just bow out now, and catch a ride" Or you can say to yourself " If I can just get to the next water stop, I'll get refreshed and keep going"

It's not always easy! It's actually hard work to have a continued relationship. But when you say "I do" that's what you sign up for.......... So stick to it!

Some things we have implemented and will continue to do (and add to) are:

Take one vacation a year alone.
Find one hobby that we can do together.
Try new things together.
Take one marriage seminar a year.
Go to church as a couple/family.
Date night once a week/or biweekly.
Cook one meal a week together- new or old-

These are just some things that we like to do as a couple, that are of our lives. I'm so thankful that we've made it this far. I know that there are so many wonderful years ahead of us! Thank you to all who have helped us along the way! You're support means so much to us. We couldn't have made it with out friends and family.

We're beyond BLESSED!!

Here's to 5 great years, and 55 more!

Vacation does a marriage good.

About a week or so ago, my husband and I decided to take a vacay!.... with out our child.

We've done several small vacations, to Louisiana, Branson, Iowa, Kansas.. But we've taken the kiddo with us. We have had so many changes and loops in the past few weeks, that we took advantage of the opportunity to get away for a few days. Alone.  And did we EVER make the best of it!
We decided to do things that we wouldn't normally do, since we usually have the baby.

So. We did.
We had a BLAST! -- On a budget none the less --

We took of Thursday early morning and headed to Branson. We got a great deal with 2 nights stay, show tickets, and a nifty coupon book. We utilized that coupon book like no ones business! There were TONS of great deals in it. Along with great ideas for what to do.

We started out with a great lunch at a cute little cafe. And still had some time before check in, so we decided to stop by the winery for a tour and free tasting. This was a great experience. Just to see how all the wine is made.

We got some souvenir wine glasses from the Stone Hill Winery to take home. Had a lot of fun learning about the different kinds of wine.

We decided that same day that we wanted to go kayaking. We checked in our hotel, changed in to our swim suits and off we went. We got a double kayak and had a few hours out on the lake. It was so quiet and peaceful!

The next day we went for a VERY HILLY run! But again, it was a change of scenery and very peaceful.

We decided to dedicate this day to shopping, and relaxing by the pool...

We hit the outlets... and hit them hard! With our coupons we got tons of stuff for a great price!! With Scott starting a new job, he needed some new clothes. And since there was a nike outlet there, we decided to stock up on that stuff too. Especially winter running stuff. We found some things for the baby as well! We were sucessful at the shoe stores, Gap, Nike, Old Navy, Disney store, Rue 21, Reebok.... But not the coach store...I was a little dis-appointed at the selection. Of course all the things they have are gorgeous, but I didn't see anything I just absolutely LOVED for me. Except a diaper bag. Which I obviously do not need now! So I decided that it was worth it to just move on to another store and wait to get some coach things when there is something I really want!

We never made it to the pool. We literally shopped ALL day! When we got back to the hotel, we had to get ready for our show (and date!) that night. The Shanghai circus was amazing. We had great seats right in the front! But dinner first!!

Very entertaining acrobats... Very un-natural biologically... And our dinner at WASABI was wonderful of course.

Waiting for the show to start.

On our final day of Branson, we wanted to hit the Ripley's believe it or Not museum. That was awesome, I think I could walk through there a million times and see something new and interesting each time!

This was my favorite.

But before we did that... we HAD to go to the DUNKIN DONUTS coffee shop!!! MMMM...
It was pretty much as amazing as I thought it would be. It was big enough to hold 20 people. And packed full, to where we had to wait outside in line. But we had some yummy donuts and fabulous coffee!!

When we got ready to leave, we were truly ready to come home. We had a very fun filled vacation, but we were ready to come home to our princess! She skyped us while we were there. But it sounds like she had a wonderful and spoiled rotten time with grandma. Thanks to my mom who came down for 3 days to stay at the house and watch her!

Of course she missed us too!
She had fun digging through the disney store bag, and trying on her new NIKE gear!!

A few RANDOM (scott )pics...

Scott was very excited about this large gorilla...He says he's never seen it before! HOW DO YOU MISS THIS??

See the excitement?

had to make a pit stop by Michaels. Scott found this beautiful sun visor?--- And wanted me to take an "action" shot... He's looking at martha stewart stickers.. So much for action.

Look how happy a milky way can make this kid.

Anyways, I am grateful that we had the chance to do this! And it was perfect timing.

Day of Loooooove

 

Today is a day of LOVE. It's so wonderful having a valentine. I know that it's just a silly holiday where men start freaking out last minute, b/c he hasn't gotten anything for his lady. But I think it's the simplicity of the day that makes it so great. Just take a day to remember the one that you love. And if you aren't in a relationship, then love on your family. Send cards out to all of your loved ones. Or surprise your parents with some flowers, and just tell them you love them. 

I'm so thankful that I have my husband to share my life with. I was just telling him, that he really does keep me grounded. And sane. I am a somewhat high strung person, and sometimes get a little over anxious, and he's just calm and laid back. He will just tell me that it's Okay and it will be here tomorrow, and I can always work on it then. 

This is our 7th Valentines to spend together. 

He works so hard during the week and never gets a chance to take time for himself. So I got him a massage with his favorite massage therapist. She quit doing them for a while, and as soon as I heard she was back in action, I got him an appointment with her. He was so thankful for it, since he can't remember the last time that he had an hour to do nothing. ( he got it early) So this morning I just sat out a cute little coffee mug with a frog in it that says " be mine " .... I grabbed a little pink puppy dog for the baby she keeps giving him kisses.

I on the other hand am so excited about my gift!

Since having Anisten,  I've been wanting to start a " charm " bracelet. I think that it's a great way to remember events, occasions and special things. So Scott got me a simple, dainty ( he knows my style) bracelet, and my first charm. A very simple sweet heart. I am sooooo excited about it b/c I'm hoping that each holiday, I will get new ones to add to it, and eventually need to get another bracelet! I'm not a jewelry wearer at all. I guess b/c of my job, it's hard for me to be. But I usually have on my wedding rings and I used to wear my favorite james avery necklace,

but with a small child that's about impossible! That's about it! I think the older I get the more I want permanent reminders of special things.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful DAY OF LOVE and that you are grateful for all those you have to love!