Seven Years in San Diego

Last weekend, Nick and I decided to head down to San Diego.  The Giants were playing the Padres, and we hadn't celebrated our seven year anniversary yet, so we decided to make a weekend out of it.

Sadly, the game was not too terribly exciting, as evidenced by the score...

It probably would have been more enjoyable had the score been flipped around.

As we were leaving, we happened upon this fun Christian concert, which included Tenth Avenue North and a couple of baseball players from the Padres and the Giants.

That night, we headed out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary...

The next day, we went out to breakfast, hung out at the beach, grabbed some smoothies, and headed home.

And that, my friends, is seven years. Go us!

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The Fourth

Let's see if I can catch up this little blog on some of our life lately.  The next several blog posts are going to come at you in no particular order.  They will certainly not be in chronological order.  Seeing as how I am quite dependent on other people to get the pictures I need for a lot of blog worthy events, I'll be posting as they come.  First up is the Fourth of July, which also happens to be our anniversary.

 Seven Years

We decided to forego our usual party (see here, here and here).  Instead, we spent the day working on wedding stuff, since it was the day before my sister's wedding and we had already hosted 2 large parties at our house that week (the rehearsal dinner and our adoption fundraiser...coming to the blog soon).  Then we spent the evening on the roof for our traditional firework watching with these foolios....

and some high quality fireworks photos...

There you go. Fourth of July 2013. Done.

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Ten Years

Ten years ago today, Nick and I took a walk to the top of a hill in Fullerton, where we had the conversation that made us a couple.  We also had this thing where we would tell each other 5 things we liked about the other person.  The only one I remember from that night was Nick saying that he liked that I was quiet....mwahahahaha.....he had a lot to learn still.

{On the phone with Nick while he asking me out on our first date....so glad my roommates thought to capture it.}

It makes me happy and proud and awed and OLD to think about how much life we've lived together.  To see how our love has grown and changed and carried us through this process of becoming one.

We had no clue what we were in for ten years ago.  No clue about the good and the bad, the bitter and the sweet that would come our way.  We were happy and we loved each other, more because we loved how we felt with each other than because we actually, truly loved each other.

In ten years, I've learned a lot.  I've learned that Nick likes to leave cupboards open and doesn't like to throw his floss in the trash.  I've learned that he is smart and thoughtful.  That he loves to read almost as much as he loves me and could write his own books if he really wanted to.  That, if he had the chance, he'd drop everything right now and go learn how to farm from Wendell Berry.  I've learned to love road trips and camping and big dopey dogs.  I've learned what humility is by watching him live it every day.  I've learned that he is passionate about knowing Jesus and becoming like Him, and that being married to Nick makes me a better person.  I've learned that he can hold the broken pieces of my heart.  That we're stronger because we've struggled, more united because we've been broken together.  I've learned that becoming one doesn't happen overnight.  That it's a process of joy and pain and happiness and heartbreak.  That it's taking these broken pieces of our lives and rebuilding them into one life together.  And I love our life together.

I've learned that God is good.  That marriage is a gift.  That I am blessed to have found the one my soul loves.

So, how are we celebrating?  Well, this morning I yelled at him for leaving his orange peel on the counter instead of throwing it in the trash, then I wished him a Happy Anniversary.  But tonight!  Tonight was the real celebration....Gelato Paradiso...and now we are catching up on our new favorite show, The Americans.  

FYI:  We don't typically celebrate this anniversary.  But, come on....ten years!  That's kind of a big deal.  And I will use any excuse to go out for gelato.

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The First Date of Christmas

About 13 days before Christmas, I had the brilliant thought to give Nick "12 Dates of Christmas".  Except, it's really not that brilliant when you only have 12 days to get those 12 dates in.  So, it will probably end up being more like 6 dates of Christmas, since we have already opted out of some of the dates, due to me hastily planning some pretty lame ones. 

These dates are coming at a much needed time for us.  We realized that we have been desperately lacking quality time together that does not revolve around talking through, crying about, and making decisions about infertility crap.

So, here is our first date....

It feels weird to post and not mention anything about the shooting last week.  But, really I can't think of anything to say that hasn't already been said a million times better by other people.  It was horrific and tragic and I really can't wrap my mind around it.  All I can say is that this world is not as it was created to be, and thank God that He will make all things new.

This was a really beautiful tribute.

Winner of the etsy giveaway is Hilary!

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Anniversary Day

Happy Anniversary Nick!

I love you. I love our marriage. I love the life we have together.

You are all that I need.

(well, besides Jesus that is)

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A Little Valentine's Day Recap

I got home from work and admired my heart garland.

Then we walked the poochies.

FYI: These pictures are totally NOT from Valentine's Day.  But, I didn't take any pictures of our V-day walk, so these here pictures are going to represent that part of our day instead.  The rest are from the actual day, I promise.

After the walk, Nick put dinner on the grill and we relaxed while we waited.

And then after a while, we were still waiting.  Dinner was taking a bit longer than expected.  I suggested we watch something on Netflix while we waited, but Nick said that did not seem romantic enough.

So, we played cards instead.  The epitome of romance.

 And finally, dinner was served.

That little chicken was delicious and organic.  So organic that he even had a name....Henry.  When I found that out, I didn't want to eat him anymore. For a little ambiance, we had some Valentine's Day candles thanks to a couple of my fourth graders.

And just when I thought the evening was over and was washing my face, Nick came into the bathroom, opened up the drawer and pulled these suckers out.

 Ummm, WHOA!  Totally not expecting that, best husband ever.  And what did I get him?  Nothing.  Hello crappy wife!

I did, however, make him a focal point of my instagram for the day.

So, I would say
It was a good, good day.
YAY!
(i love rhyming)

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