Marriage

Before publishing this post, I spent some time trying to think of a creative and catchy title for it and nothing was coming to mind. It is a pretty straightforward post that doesn't need any flashiness, so simply entitling it 'Marriage' seemed fitting.

This coming Friday, the 23rd, Sean and I celebrate 5 years of marriage. As I look back over the past five years I think about who we were when we got married, and who we are now. I think about all that has happened in our lives, and all that will happen in the years to come. I think about how thankful I am that we found each other and get to be life partners. And I think about the vows we took, the commitment we made, and the promise to love, honor, respect, support, encourage and care for each other all our days.

There is a video that has been floating around Facebook for a few days now, maybe even a week, that seemed like something I would like to take a look at. This morning I finally got around to watching it, and I'm pretty sure it changed my life. It is an update on a married couple, Ian and Larissa Murphy, who were in the media a few years back, because people were stunned when Larissa chose to marry Ian, even though he had an accident which resulted in a life altering brain injury.

Here is the link to the video, which I strongly encourage everyone to watch. You will be amazed, touched and changed by this powerful story of love and commitment.

My Favorite Mug

If you are a person who loves mugs, you will totally understand this story. If you aren't, then one thing you have to know about me, before continuing reading, is that I LOVE mugs. Especially big ones that I can wrap my hands around and enjoy a cup of tea out of. I also use mugs for eating cereal or ice cream out of, so they get a lot of use. I have several awesome mugs in my collection, but there is a particular mug that I have had for YEARS that is my favorite. I don't know if I can even articulate why it is my favorite...it just is. 

A few weeks ago we were in the garage, putting the kids in the stroller to go on a walk. Since we are living with my mother-in-law we have been keeping some miscellaneous items in the garage that we didn't want to pack because we wanted to use them while staying with her. Delcan is in this phase where he is touching EVERYTHING, especially things he isn't supposed to be touching. So I guess he thought it would be a great idea to pick up a glass bowl he saw sitting on a table. My favorite mug was inside the bowl, and before I could comprehend what was happening, the bowl slipped out of his hands and whent crashing to the ground, along with my mug, and both items were smashed to pieces. 

I was devastated. Not only about the mug but also about the bowl which was genuine crystal and given to us as a wedding present. I cried. I was so upset, and even a little bit angry, that this beautiful bowl and my favorite mug were completely and utterly ruined. I felt like a part of me had been crushed, just like the mug.

Flash forward to a few weeks after the incident and it's the morning of Mother's Day. I had just woken up and Sean hands me a wrapped package. I open it up and inside is my favorite mug! Obviously not the same one, but one he had found online and ordered for me. I was SO shocked and extremely delighted. He said that I must have had the original mug for a long time because in his search he discovered it was Starbucks' 2004 Christmas Edition!

I am so thankful to my thoughtful husband, and to the internet, for reuniting me with my favorite mug.

Celebrating Inara May

Yesterday we had a barnyard themed party celebrating Inara's first birthday. My family came up from California, Sean's family joined us, as did our close friends...and we had a great time. The weather was a little uncooperative; raining off and on and super windy, but since we were under a covered picnic area, it didn't bother us too much.

I had so much fun planning and preparing for her party and it was a delight to honor such a sweet, precious, chubby baby girl. Below are some pictures highlighting the decor, and some special moments.