mushy gushy love and stuff

Prepare yourself.  I'm getting ready to brag about how awesome my husband is.  If you don't care to hear about his awesomeness .. close out of this post now, I promise I won't be offended.  

Actually, I'd be happy if you chose to close out of this now rather than have you read this post and assume that my marriage is great and wonderful all the time.  Let me tell you something, it's not.  No marriage is, all marriages require work (and lots of it!).  Great marriages require great work.

If you're still reading, this post is a bit different than most.  I don't blog about my marriage very often, it's mostly about the kids here.  I've thought about blogging about what Jared and I have been through but I don't think I ever will.  Not because I don't want to share what we've been through, I'll share it all if it helps another couple with their marriage.  I'm not going to share everything here with everyone because our "dirty laundry" doesn't need to be aired out to everyone.  Some things we've been through are sensitive and don't need to be seen by the whole world or even our close friends and family.  :)

now that that's over!

I woke up to an empty bed and the smell of pancakes.

Jared snuck all of the kids out of their beds and downstairs so I could catch a few extra zzz's.

After I got out of bed (feeling rather refreshed), Jared ran to the mini-mall for some milk.

After the milk (and Jared) arrived home I was ushered upstairs with my cup of hot coffee.

Jared said "I think there are videos on youtube for you to watch but you have to find them" "go talk with your sister on facebook" "pin somethings on pinterest" basically, go catch a break for a while.

Yes, please and thank you!

I'm sitting up here (with my coffee!) (in our cozy little bedroom that looks like a cozy vintage bed and breakfast because my wonderful husband let me decorate it how I wanted), listening to Jared and the kids giggling and wrestling around downstairs.  It's nice to be alone and to have a break first thing in the morning (very nice!). 

I hear them laughing, playing and having fun .. without me.  I know they aren't having fun because I'm not there but because daddy is here, he isn't working, he is here and he is in charge and when daddy is in charge that means it's always fun!

I am so thankful for my best friend.  :)

I failed to blog about our recent anniversary (year 6!).  

6 years and 6 days (as of today).  In the past 6 years since being married we have had 3 children, lived in 5 different houses, spent almost an entire year apart (when Jared joined the Air Force), shared 1,000's of laughs and shed even more tears.  The past 6 years have led us to where we are today and for that, every single minute of it (the good and the bad) have been worth it.  

This past year has been wonderful for me (and for my marriage).  I have grown a lot which also means that our marriage has grown a lot.  As the kids get older I find myself with more time to think about my marriage and what I want from it now and in 30 years.  The conclusion is:  whatever the issue is, it will always be worth the work because I am married to my best friend who knows me better than I know myself.  

We each married our best friend. 

Last Sunday night Jared and I were laying in bed discussing the whirlwind of the past 6 years.  Not regretting a single minute of it because it all led us to where we are today and it is preparing us for what's next.  

We didn't exchange cards, we didn't "celebrate" our anniversary in any type of way, other than saying "happy anniversary" to each other.

I mean this with all of my heart, where we are at today in our relationship is far greater than any card, than any dinner, than any surprise gift, where we are at today is the gift and that gift is worth the work.

Jared has taught me that love isn't a feeling, love is a choice and love requires work, work that in the end turns out to be far better than any emotional feeling because feelings change but when you work towards something that you love, it always turns out better than any emotion could ever feel.  

I am so thankful that Jared is my best friend and my husband.

I love you.

Beeeeeest Friends.


Also, I need to give a huge shout out (woot woot!) to my best girlfriend Ann and her wonderful husband Kaleb (and baby girl on the way!).  They truly have had an amazing, indescribable, priceless impact on Jared and I's marriage and in my own life.  I can't thank God enough for friends who aren't afraid to tell us what needs to be told and to teach us what needs to be taught.  We love you guys (and baby girl!!) so much!  Thank you for everything!