It’s been 11 years since I walked down the aisle and married the man of my dreams.  As I walked outside today, I first wondered how I ever decided to get married in June.  I don’t remember it being miserably hot, not like it is today.  Maybe you only remember the good.  Honestly, I don’t think there was an off moment the day I got married.  I take it back…There were those few minutes when Squirt started crying while Lance was moving the last of his things from his apartment.  In the rain.  Two hours before pictures.  There might have been that freak out moment when my hairdresser did my hair wrong and my bridesmaids left the room in search of Paul in hopes he could calm me down.  But really, that’s nothing.

The day I got married was perfect for one reason: Lance~ the man God created just for me.  And I believe that with all my heart.  Lance was the answer that I meet my St. Joseph, the answer to my parent’s prayers that I meet someone not only worthy of their daughter, but who could handle (ahem) her strong personality.  God came through just when I had about given up.  I should have known He had someone perfect for me.

These past years have flown by and so much good has always been present in our life. I’m grateful I can see the good.  I’m grateful for the man I married:

• The man who loves me and lets me know every. single. day.
• The man who pouts when he doesn’t spend enough time with me.
• The man who loves his children and helps with math homework because I am pouting that I’m not homeschooling.
• The man who lights up every time Sunshine walks into the room.
• The man who generally thinks the way I think, but isn’t afraid to disagree with me.  (EVER).
• The man who wants to take me everywhere.
• The man who compliments me on everything from how I look to how I read with the kids.
• The man who is hilarious and smarter than me.
• The man who goes to mass with me and prays with me.
• The man who took the time to get spiritual direction when making a decision.
• The man who puts me first, always.

Eleven years isn’t that long, but in these short years, we’ve built a life that I love more than anything.  I can’t imagine anything being different.  Or better.  Except I know that each year, it does get better.  Better because I am spending my life with the man I love.  With basketball games, parties and a visit to check on a family member, it’s not your typical wedding anniversary.  But it’s okay.  Today is the culmination of our life~ filled to the brim with love and children.

Happy Anniversary, Lance!  I love you!

Sometimes a break is in order.

To see your favorite people.

In your favorite city.

Just hanging out, talking and laughing for hours on end.

And drinking.

And going to eat food that makes your tummy happy.

Just being together.  Being with people who make you happy.

Just adults.

Much needed time with the people you love.

Enjoying the arts

and our friends.

Before the goodbye.

The return is near perfect.

With hugs and smiles.

And always with him.  Always.

For the record, locally grown, it’s not always as tasty as one thinks.  And it’s a lot more expensive than Costco’s organic berries.  But the kids enjoyed it, and recalled last year when they picked strawberries.  Memories are what I want, and that’s just what we’re creating.

I make cookies fairly regularly.  They don’t last long in this house.  All the boys love to help make cookies, and of course, sample cookie dough.

Sunshine was over watching the boys make cookies and decided she wanted in on the action.

She loved every second.

She had no interest in taking turns with Goose.  When she saw me get the mixer, she pulled a white chair over to the counter just like the boys do.

She’s learned well, and I expect we’ll try several new recipes over the next few years.

 The entire time the mixer is running, she gets so excited and shouts, “mommy, I’m watching, I’m watching.”

I could watch this child nonstop every day.

And it appears she’s just like the rest of us…

 Passing the time with books and Pokemon

 Happy Faces

 Trying to find the best family photo…not so easy, will need to have a friend blend these together.

Tonight I was making lunches for two of the boys.  Baby Hulk has decided he is done with school.  Goose was done until he heard they were playing kickball against 4th grade.  Squirt has to finish Senior checkup and pick up his cap and gown.  So despite my desire to be done with making lunches for the year, I was packing lunches one more time.

I made lunches and got out a napkin to write notes for their lunches.

I started writing, but I had to pause.

It’s the last note I’ll put in Squirt’s lunch.

12 years of lunch notes.

That’s a lot of notes.

Sure, I haven’t written as many notes while he’s been in high school, but he loves when I do.  His friends read them.  And just like the younger boys, he brings them home for me to save.

It’s weird to think we’re literally there.

We’ve reached another milestone, ready or not.

I finally mailed the graduation announcements.  I didn’t even purchase enough to save one for me.  I tried really hard to keep the list to a minimum.  Sure, it’s a big deal, but sending a graduation announcement is asking for money or a gift.  I hate to do that to all my friends.  I’ll wait until the kids are getting married.  At least, at that point, the recipients know I’ll be giving them alcohol in return.

I did not send a wallet sized picture with the announcement.

Why?  Because I think it’s just a waste of money and resources.  Who keeps pictures of other people’s kids?  I don’t.  I love pictures.  My house is littered with picture frames.  Of my own kids.  I can safely say this will never change.  I love my extended family, but I don’t frame pics of nieces or other family members.  Heck, they barely make the refrigerator.  I feel bad throwing them away, but in reality that’s what happens.  I don’t have anywhere to keep them, and I don’t need another drawer filled with junk.  Not that pictures of family members are junk, but you know what I mean.

So I got a call asking for the graduation picture.  They were just curious, hadn’t seen Squirt in awhile.  (I directed them to the blog.)  I asked another friend if I committed a sin in announcement etiquette.  She assured me I was fine.  In fact, she said she had just tossed her nephew’s picture in the garbage because she certainly wasn’t going to frame a wallet sized picture.  She felt slightly bad, but it is what it is.  Unless you’re a hoarder, people don’t keep crap like announcements and pictures anymore.

I’ll order a picture for my parents, Lance’s parents and Chelsea.  I’ll post a picture on my blog, but that’s it.  If anyone else wants a photo, I’ll send them an email with the jpeg so they can print it themselves.

It sounds like I may be going digital for next year’s Christmas Card.

Speaking of cards…I’m on a homemade card kick.  Or something written on my personalized stationery.  Actually, you’re lucky if you get a card of any sort from me anymore.  If I know I’m going to see you, the kids will make a card.  If I don’t see you, then it’s nothing.  I’m sure to have offended someone the past few years by not sending cards, but I think after a certain amount of time, it’s okay.  Hallmark can only say the same thing so many different ways.  After a point, it all flows together.  I think my heartfelt “I love you” over the phone should be good.  As with anything, this is just my opinion.

A big Eff off to the person who smashed my window and stole my purse today.

And scared my boys.

And had me sweating in the park, cleaning instead of tending to my boys.

Screw you!

And have fun with a target GC totaling 10 bucks and another for Barnes and Noble…do you even read?

What a great decision you made, thief.

You got a bunch of receipts, sure that bothers me, the person who takes back clothes if they tear within six weeks, but I can’t imagine you have any use for them.  Oh and stool softeners.  Have fucking fun with those.

Yes, you got my Christmas Gucci, but you know what, I can deal with that.  Do I like that my new purse is gone?  Not so much.  But here’s a secret  It was the cheapest purse I own, so yes, in the scheme of things, I’m okay with that purse being stolen.

I talked with the boys tonight, and it saddens me, angers me that they are so concerned with you.  They are mad that someone would break into the car, mad you stole my purse.

I was worried about my license and credit cards.  Too bad, so sad.  They are actually hidden and not in my purse.  You were too lazy to search my car.

And my beloved pictures, the brag book?

That was the ONLY thing I was worried about: not the GC’s  or the checkbook from my savings account.

It was the pictures.  The ones I actually print instead of just keeping on the computer.  Those were what I would miss the most.  I can deal with the bank on Monday, get my window fixed on Monday.  But the pictures…the ones when Goose was a baby, when Squirt looked like a completely different kid, Baby Hulk turning 2, Chel with the Dogs…those all are sacred to me.

The second I walked in the door, I found my other purse.

And there they were.  I hadn’t moved the brag book to my other purse.

I was happy.

Then I remembered, the pictures, they didn’t matter either.  Those are things.  What’s important are the kids:  they had been playing completely unaware until we were leaving.

They matter.

And they are okay.

But still, screw you, asshole, who felt the need to break into my car.

~Today Goose presented his final project.  A research paper for a 3rd grader due May 31.  Not everybody was able to present to the class today, but he did.  Do you know what this means?  WE. ARE. DONE!!!  FINISHED.  We’ll show up for Kinder graduation and 3rd grade awards and that is it!!!  My mind is already spinning with ideas for next week.  Some include slowing the fuck down.

~Today was Baby Hulk’s class party.  A success, I think.  But I am tired as hell.  It’s an interesting group of parents in that class.  Goose’s class was much different and all the parents were really close and helpful.  This one, not quite so much.  Four days before school ends, and people are still introducing themselves.

~Really, Houston, still no Before Midnight????  WTH?

~Speaking of movies, I was talking to a friend who is getting ready to celebrate his significant other’s birthday.  His present (or rather one of them) is to watch The Notebook with the SO.  I can’t think of something that sounds worse right this second.

~Except the fact that it’s Friday after a long week, and I have no alcohol in the house.  Lance is on the air until 7, currently doing the worst hour of radio, so I am screwed until he gets home.