What Four Years Has Brought Me

      Four years ago I married my best friend of all time.  In four years I've gained a husband, a partner, the greatest love I've ever known, having that love amplified which I never thought was possible, most recently a beautiful daughter who looks like her daddy.  Now that we have our loveable, yet time and energy consuming munchkin, I'm even more appreciative of the years we had to ourselves.  However, with our little addition I also have been able to see my husband become a father and a doting one at that.  I've seen Ty with our nieces and nephews before so I'm not unaware of how good he is with children, but there's something different about it being our child that makes my heart skip a few beats to see him love her.  On top of that he is a wonderful helpmeet.  With my recovery taking it's sweet time, combined with low milk supply, I've had to lean on him for extra support to take Anna when I need to "make milk" for her or actually do something about the state of our house.  I can't forget to mention the support I received from him while I was in labor.   He certainly rose to the occasion.  I lead an incredibly blessed life and a lot of that is due to Ty.

      The last four years seemed to have flown by, but at the same time it seems like forever ago.  We were almost different people then and have grown together since.  Better, stronger and more in love.  I hope my daughter (and any more who decide to join our family in the future) someday finds a husband as wonderful as her daddy.  I love him so much.  He saves me every day from unhappiness.  I lean on him so much for strength and he so willingly gives it.  He's my favorite. 

    Ty, I love you and am so grateful you chose me to be your wife.  That you let me be quirky and weird and strange and love me for it (or despite it, whichever you prefer).  Thank you for always giving me what I need and being my best friend.

Ty Working From Home

     Ty's job has always been flexible enough to let him work from home occasionally.  However, beginning a month and a half ago he's been working from home full time.  I must say, I'm a fan.  I really love being around my husband since he really is my favorite person.  When he is working, and especially in meetings I try not to be in the office or just keep quite so I don't disturb him and take too much advantage of his presence. 

Ty's workspace

     Since he's been home it's proven to be a great situation for both of us.  He can work in his pajamas all day and if I need his help with something quick, he's available.  Laundry for instance yesterday.  Lifting heavy loads isn't exactly on the list of things pregnant ladies should do.  Lucky for me, Ty is always to my rescue.  This arrangement has also saved us on gas.  Not that we lived far from where his office was before, but every little bit helps.  It also allows for me to take the car when needed and not have to worry that he'll need it, or that I'll have to pick him up or drop him off.  (***I should note that I almost never go anywhere with the car on my own, as I hate driving.  Also, the lifting heavy loads at Costco applies here.***)  When the baby comes, I'm looking forward to him being here.  Even if I don't always need him, it's comforting to know that he's not far.  My favorite part of Working From Home is the random kisses I get.  :)  Yup, it's great.

I'm thankful for Ty Working From Home because he's my rock and it's good to have him near me.

"When a wife has a good husband it is easily seen in her face." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

     I think it's extraordinarily safe to say that I LOVE my husband.  I honestly can't imagine a better fit for me.  Who else in this world can understand my crazies, humor, mood swings, and secondary language? 

My HOTT husband in his HOTT new suit.

     Ty is one of the reasons I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and truly knows me.  My husband is the most kind, patient, understanding, smart, and super cute person I know.  Because of him I've been able to go through rough times and he makes the good times that much more enjoyable.  Since becoming pregnant, I've felt even more appreciation for him and all that he does for me.  There have been MANY nights where I'm exhausted from growing a baby inside my body and dinner has gone unplanned and unmade.  Not once has he made me feel like I'm a horrible wife or that I've done something wrong.  Instead, he offers to help, even if it's PB&J for the third night in a row.  (I've been getting better I swear.  I really try not to let my husband or I starve.)  I'm lucky enough that Ty also understands my insane need to feel loved in multiple ways.  According to the Five Love Languages test, I'm trilingual and require Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, & Quality time in equal parts.  Ty understands my neurosis and loves me despite that and gives me each of these things when I need them.  I feel quite privileged to be his wife and that he loves me as much as he does.  Our relationship never seems to fail us and I think we have the stuff to make people jealous.  :)

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and that he is so good to me and good for me.  He really does make me better.

Time to Enjoy My Husband

I'm thankful to for Time to Enjoy My Husband.

Everyone knows that I've always wanted to have children and start our family.  This seems to mean that because I want it so much, it won't come to pass for a long time.  Remember this post where I opened up about the subject.  It's been a struggle to be patient.  Through everything, months of disappointment, a miscarriage, and the time following, my husband has been a true constant light of love for me.

I truly am grateful to have my cute husband all to myself.  In fact, I almost made this month "Reasons Why I'm Thankful to Have Time With Husband."  There are so many things that we are able to do because we don't have little ones on our heels.  Traveling is certainly easier.  There's less to clean up.  I have sleep.  No interruptions.  My husband and I know each other and what we are like without crazy hormone levels or without kids stressing us out.

Even though I probably don't fully appreciate it now, I know someday when I have no time with my husband I'll be looking back on the days when all we had was time.  We're still thoroughly in love with each other and the newlywed phase has continued to linger.  How can I not love a man like Ty?  He's the most amazing, loving, and kind person I've ever known.

I'm thankful to have Time to Enjoy My Husband because when we have kids we won't have this time.

I'm thankful to have Time to Enjoy My Husband because he's the best person to spend time with.

What do you enjoy or miss about having extra time with your spouse?

Two Years This Day

Two years.

Two years this day, I got up (after four hours of sleep) to get ready at 5:00AM so I could make it to the temple by 7:30AM and then be married by 9:00AM.

Two years this day, I walked into the temple and slipped into my wedding dress that I had found only weeks before and stood while my mother tried to remember how to do up the train.

Two years this day, my love and I were surrounded by dearest family and friends in the temple while we promised ourselves to each other for time and all eternity.

Two years this day, we stood outside that temple and attempted to take pictures while facing the freezing winds.

Two years this day, when I didn't know where he was, I would say, "Where's my Husband?", with a glowing smile on my face?

Two years this day, we walked into a beautifully decorated reception area to greet more family and friends as a newly wedded couple.

Two years this day, my husband and I sat down on the floor after it was all over and finally got something to eat.  Rolls, deli meat, and cookies.

Two years this day, we walked out to our car to find it completely decorated by my brothers, sadly to only have it washed away by the snow the next day.

Two years this day, our life began.

In the last year, our life hit a few bumps and we've been a bit bruised.  In spite of it all, we stayed strong together, growing only closer to one another. We truly have been blessed.  Things are never the way we plan or the way we think they are going to be and yet somehow they always work out perfectly.

"The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.  Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.  They're in each other all along."

Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Date Night Camp Out.

I know what you're thinking.

"A Campout in the WINTER! She must be crazy!"

I am, but that's neither here nor there.
Last week, I decided that we needed a fun date night since we hadn't really done anything in quite awhile. Ty hadn't been feeling very well during the week so I thought we should be able to do something relaxing.

So, after dinner, we pulled the mattress off the bed and put in the living room.
Honestly, we could do this permanently and I would be A-OK with it. : )

Since we don't have our regular couch here, this was a nice substitute.
We put all of our pillows out and got comfy.
Snuggled... : )

This is just a really perfect representation of our relationship.

Once we were all comfy-cozy, we busted out with the best desert on the planet.
Scoop Cookies and Cream Ice Cream onto an Oreo and you'll be in HEAVEN.

I had been craving some Apple Pie, so I snagged a Sara Lee miniature one from Safeway.
REALLY YUMMY!!!!

Yes, I know. I'm brilliant for coming up with such an awesome date.

We actually ended up leaving the mattress there until Sunday since it was so comfy....and convenient.

What's the most creative date you've been on with your hubby?

One Year Mark!

Today is Ty and I One year anniversary!

Our wedding so unbelievably cold. We didn't get very many pictures outside because of it.
Notice I'm wearing my coat underneath the blanket as well.


This is my favorite from the DAY.

I can hardly believe the time that has flown by. Last night, Ty and I were talking about it and neither of us feels like it's been that long. Really it seems like only a few months. We've experienced a lot, but at the same time nothing huge has happened. We're excited to see what this next year will bring.

I'm so happy that I found Ty. He really is the man of my dreams!

He is kind, loving. He endures my craziness. He's patient. Not to mention, he's really cute! I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that He sent someone as wonderful as Ty to me. I'm so blessed. So here's to the year past and to many more for us to come!
I LOVE YOU TY!