Happy 5th Anniversary Dan!

5 year! How is that possible? I don't feel old enough to have been married for 5 year let alone have 2 little boys. Although, the time has gone quickly, I can't imagine having spent it with anyone but Dan. We have been through a lot in the 9 years that we have been together (I am in shock as I realize that it has really been that long). A couple break-ups, distance, 2 deployments and a lot of big life changes have only managed to bring us closer together. I remember, like it was yesterday, the first time Dan told me he loved me, New Years 2000! Three short years later we were married.
Having Tyler has changed everything about our relationship. It is the most amazing thing when I get to watch Dan with his child. It feels as if I have fallen in love all over again. I can only imagine what it will be like to see him as "the boys" grow older.
I thank God everyday for the husband that I have in Dan and am eagerly awaiting the next 5 years (and many more) of our lives together. While I know that there are going to be some challenging times however, I know it will be wonderful just having him next to me.

Do we have to go home?

Ok, so where have I been...  I will tell you where I have been.  Thoroughly enjoying 85 degrees weather with 2 of my most favorite gal pals in the world in Ojai, Ca.  And did I tell you that I was childless for 3 days?!  Thanks to Tyler's wonderful grandparents I was able to shop, talk, stay up late, wake up late, go out to dinner, go for a hike and relax 'til my heart was content.  Too often we get caught up in daily life and don't get a chance to stop and enjoy ourselves.  Well, this weekend was all about me... and Kathryn and Margaret.  It was a girls weekend just when I needed it most!  It has been decided that this will be a annual girls weekend from this year forward.

I guess Tyler lucked out to as he was able to hang with his 2 favorite people riding horses, tractors and lawn mowers, finding chicken eggs, swimming in hot tubs (and maybe pooping in them ;) feeding animal galore and most of all being spoiled.  It broke my heart when I came home to hear him say "no mommy, go away".  Guess I see where his loyalty lies!   

But now we are back to grind and counting the days until May 3rd when daddy gets home and the newest member of the family makes his appearance.  Tyler has a special m&m jar to show the days until daddy gets home.  I know we are both wondering if we eat a few extra each day, does that mean daddy will get home faster?  I wish it worked like that.  We miss him like crazy!

Snow again?!

Well, here we are the night before Tyler is supposed to go back to school... and it's snowing.  Go figure!  Let's just hope the weatherman is right when he said it is going to warm up and the snow will be gone by morning.  I have to say, it has been great having him home but I am more than ready to get back into a routine.  Winter break has been full of sleeping in (until 9 am!), spending lazy mornings in our jammies (sometimes all day), lots of fun in the snow, board games and lego building with mom, movies and so much more.   These are the times that I cherish, times that we can never get back.  It kills me to think that Dan is not here to enjoy all of this with us.  I guess that means we will just have to do it all over when he gets home!

For those of you asking for pictures of the belly... here you go!  All 23 2/7 weeks of the little guy.

Tyler: AKA Lego monster.