an anniversary

Someone wrote (on a bridal shower card), "While its fresh in your mind write down why it is so exciting to hear Clint's voice."

While now I think this is a great idea, I didn't do that at the time.  Probably because it was so fresh and why take the time when we simply wanted to be together? :).  I recently come across a box of letters and emails that we exchanged some 10+ years ago.  I think I even blushed a few times while going through them.  I am thankful that I have those reminders of our love when it was new.

Love is an amazing thing.  I am thankful for this husband of mine...the man I married 9 years ago.  Celebrations are to come.  Today, of course, has been full of working and packing and children and loading a truck.  We finished by having dinner with friends, one couple who is also celebrating their love today. 

I realize, though, that in the midst of life, the love can get deeper if we make it so.  Even the busyness that was today I see the beauty of our relationship and what we are together.  Pursuing adventures, deciding that we will not always choose what is comfortable.  Love of relationships and having wonderful friends around us.  Caring for our little ones, side by side, in many respects.

And, what that woman shared on a card...I think only in the last couple years can I really say that I believe at every level who he is.  Even when we are upset or frustrated with each other, I know who he is and I'm thankful for that man...even in the harder moments. 

I'm sure in another nine years I will say the same thing but at even deeper levels...

love, love

Well, my living room has an air mattress and boxes in it plus some leftover furniture.  We have a bed and a crib and some clothes left, though not much else.  We got rid of a lot at our garage sale on Saturday and we move across town this week.  Crazy (!!!). 

Our anniversary is tomorrow.  Nine years.  We'll be going away soon, but not before this week's move...which will be perfect timing. 

As I went through keep sake boxes, I found a group of 3x5 cards from my bridal shower (amongst other things that kept me reading for hours, which was maybe not the best priority, but certainly fun).  People who came to the shower wrote something about me or advice for marriage.  In light of packing and finding these sweet words, and in light of celebrating 9 years together this week, I thought I'd share a few of these words on marriage throughout the week. 

One lady wrote that she'd been married for 52 years (61 this year then, I guess!).  She wrote, "The best advice I can give you is to always put your husband first.  Love him as yourself and he will do the same." 

I'll start with that.  They must have a sweet marriage. 

ballet

Last week was Evee's ballet recital.  Instead of doing the regular recital deal (pay $10 per adult to get in, then watch your child dance for 3 minutes and watch other dancers for the other hour and a half), we did one with just the 4 girls from her class at their last ballet lesson.  It was very sweet.  A few friends and the other parents were there.

The girl is a natural rule follower, so I've found that her love for ballet is wonderfully suited for her personality.  She loves it.

They did their warm up, then their dance and we had treats after.  It was perfect.

summer

Do you remember the summer days growing up?  In my memory, we used to ride bike all day.  Or make pretend shops at the church down the road or roller skate in that same church's parking lot or eat icy pops. 

Today I look outside and that is Evee's life.  The neighbors filled up their good sized "kiddie" pool and a bunch of the kids are hanging out in and around it. 

She has also been riding bike for days straight.  Her and her friend are constantly asking to have picnics on the grass - pretzels and a blanket are usually our contribution.  Ruthie brings the Popsicles.

Last week I heard music as they ate their lunch outside together.  I went out there and asked if Ruthie had a radio.  She smiled and said yes.  Granted, it was an ipod and I sort of feel silly inside for thinking that she'd have a radio (who has those, these days?).

Summer is in swing!  And these distractions are wonderful for packing up our place.  What would I have done if we were moving in winter?!

this week

...in (no more than) 48 words.  A rhythm for the weekend.  Taking time to look back on the week past.  A simple way to remember the weeks, the moments and to stay present.

I would so love to read your words!  If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
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Wishing I had a bit of time to contemplate the everyday, ordinary moments and write here. I know that season will come again soon.  For now - packing, working, spending most nights with friends - and that is wonderful too.  Thankful for warmth and bikes and sweet neighbor girls, all of which are keeping Evee occupied in these long-short days.

(and I know I'm over 48 words, but when I'm only posting one other time each week, what am I to do!?)

the familiar

I sit outside at a coffee shop.  The weather is warm and my skirt floats up a bit with the breeze. 

People come in and out.  There is a man, sitting and reading nearby.  He must have biked a distance.  He drinks water and spits every once in awhile. 

The highway is close and I can see the cars.  Its only a coffee shop in a mall.  I don't know anyone around.  It's is a beautiful day, although I can imagine better moments and places.

But, there is something about it.  It is familiar.  It is known and I'm comfortable.  I can walk here, or ride bike, like I did today.  I remember sitting outside, at this table with a friend just last week.  I can see the restaurants across the parking lot where a friend and I worked the first year here.  I know there's a good happy hour at a place inside.  I know that Evee, on any given day, would love a hot chocolate and then to read books at the kid section of Barnes & Noble. 

Today I had some hours to myself.  I road bike here, went to the book store and looked over books on New Zealand.  Where might we live...  What the feel of the place is...  Sites where we may visit/eat/recreate...

I figure it takes a solid year to get used to a new place, hopefully find new friends.  A place like our seminary community, maybe 3 months since it is transient and we all move in together.  Maybe 2 years for an international move, we'll see. 

I remember the first few months here.  At the beginning, we'd lie in bed at night, half wondering what we were doing and if our decision had been a good one.  I know there will be nights like that to come. 

But, oh, it was.  A perfectly good decision.  And I know that next year at this time, 5 months after arriving, days like this one today might come.  Or perhaps the year after (or the one after that...who knows?), but they will come.  And, that will be good and I am hopeful.

this week

...in (no more than) 48 words.  A rhythm for the weekend.  Taking time to look back on the week past.  A simple way to remember the weeks, the moments and to stay present.

I would so love to read your words!  If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
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Thankful for plans and lists and other people...helps bring the "overwhelmed" feeling of moving (once across town, then across the world) down a bit.  Started packing, going through things.  Looked into shipping, flying, etc.  Outside eating with friends, some who are also leaving soon.  Bittersweet days.

I walked past her desk, saw flowers.  I stopped, asked who they were from.  Her husband.  30 years of marriage today.  She leans back and smiles. 

Were they doing anything special, I asked.  They'd go out tonight, hopefully get away for a couple of days soon.  They are best friends, she tells me.  They love being together and don't get enough of each other.

I think of my parents.  How they used to take walks after we'd gone to bed.  They would be so close to the house, just walk down the street a bit.  I used to stay by the window when I should have been asleep, watching to make sure they returned.  Now I think about how thankful I am that they took those walks, that they love each other.

I used to go to a sweet friend's house in junior high.  I have a picture in my head of her parents, sitting in the sun porch, her mom's feet up on her dad's lap, smiling and talking.  Their six children and I would have been doing random things in the house, but there they were...simply enjoying each others' company.

There is so much that we go through in life.  There are precious moments all the way through, and the painful ones as well.  I'm so thankful to have couples before me who have gone through all of it, life, together so beautifully.  I am thankful that I have the partner I do and all that he adds to my days.

this (last) week & pictures (!)

I'm obviously lacking some words of late (notice, only 1 blog post last week).  I think I'll just share pictures today.  They are fairly recent, though not just from the last week (including graduation, Evee's first "fun" race - 1 mile, time with granda, and then randoms of the girls).

If you'd still like to share your last week, I always love to read it!  Please do so.