"We Still Do"

So it's been a while.

I took about 3 weeks off from blogging, and most things social, but I've missed you.  I've missed sharing the exciting and crazie happenings of my day. I just wanted to come back and tell you everything that was going on, but I really craved some time to organize my thoughts.  I just needed to focus. Focus on the boys, focus on the two of us and just enjoy some of the wonderful, major events going on in our life.

For one, we had our ten year anniversary this past friday.

Ten years ago, on August 10, 2002, we were married just outside of philadelphia on a sweaty, summer day {I know this because perspiration was our arch-nemesis and reared its ugly head in most of my pictures}.  This past Saturday, we got to celebrate our anniversary with a few friends and family and we said our vows to each other, yet again.

But this time it was very different.

On August 11, 2012 at a small restaurant down the street from our house, a small group of our family and friends gathered informally and watched as we renewed our vows...vows that were once said, but not completely understood at that time.  Vows that we wanted to keep, but were now spoken with intention and purpose; to proclaim and promise our lives to the other, and even after everything we know...

...we choose to still do.

It's been a very full decade. Full of love, full of hurt, full of excitement, full of pain, full of adventure, full of passion, full of emotion. What a sweet time it was just to celebrate what God has done...

and He's done a lot...

...and is still doing more.

Second Child Syndrome

Oh the second-handed treatment. Second borns just get the short hand of the stick, and the parental guilt can be overwhelming. Try as I might, I just can't keep up...

See what had happened was....
My husband, Justin, is a second born. When we found out about Travis, his only wish was that we would love him and treat him exactly the same way we did/ would with Colin. I get that. I mean, I may be a first born, but I remember the complaints my brother would give about being "Sherry's brother" {though that has COMPLETELY flipped now to me being "Mikey's sister} or even Jus' infamous story that there remain albums and albums of his older brother and yet a little envelope tucked on the bottom shelf with the words "Justin - birth to present" written on the front {of course many of you know him and his stories, and they are fully saturated with exaggeration} In any case, we both really wanted to make sure he would get the same pictures and the same attention and love we provided Colin.

Unfortunately, he came in second which means, he's second to arrive at everything else, well at least for a while. Oh don't get me wrong, we LOVE him {have you seen the little guy? I mean, how could we not?!} but there just has been another who has already captivated us in all things 'new'. What, Travis is gonna roll over? Been there. Wait he's starting to sit up on his own? Yah, show me something we haven't seen already. He's about to eat with a spoon? Well, guess who just started eating with a fork?

And to be honest, our first born is still young enough that there are still "firsts" still happening with him.

Poor Travis.

However, Jus {in all his infinite wisdom} did voice a important reminder about just how much we get to enjoy all those "firsts" again. Those special moments which HAD come and gone with Colin. We get baby feet again. There are those heart-melting smiles showcasing just how happy he is to be alive.  Everything is so new and exciting to him. His laughs. Dirty diapers are just not as nasty.

 ...and he's just the sweetest thing.

It'll be a wonderful "new" experience for both my husband and I just to see who these little men become and in the process, seeing each of them for who they are and appreciating them in that.  Travis is already showing how different he is from his brother and I'm so excited to see what comes next.

Second born DOES not mean second best and I love that.

{see, Jus, you are just as cool as me!}

Happy Happy Valentine's Day!

Just  wanted to wish everyone a very happy happy valentine's day!!

We don't usually do too much for valentine's day - I mean, like getting exorbitant gifts or something. Maybe a nice little dinner by candlelight after the boys go to sleep or breakfast in bed or something. Especially since we went out for Jus' birthday just a week ago, we sort of called that a birthday-valentine'sday mashup. So now that Valentine’s Day is out of the way, I’ll just put the boys to bed early and maybe make a quick dinner by the time Jus gets home. Cheap. Peaceful. No Stress.

Plus, I'm not usually one for flowers or even chocolates on valentine's day (I know, it's hard to believe since I love dark chocolate soo much. But you know... counting the calories and all...) HOWEVER, it is always nice to see SOMETHING unexpected. Perhaps someone'll buy me some valentine's day shoes to show how much said someone loves me. (hint hint)

Happy Birthday Husband!

Today is my husband’s birthday – not a milestone one, but still one that is very special, because he was born 34 years ago, today! I love celebrating birthdays. It’s a brilliant excuse to indulge without getting accused of being outlandish. I mean, it’s your day! Take off from work. Go do something you have never done. Dance in the Rain. Enjoy some extra calories (ok, ok, but don't take it too far). I firmly believe we get to make one day of the year an exceptional personal day. Also, since I am quite a diva when it comes to my own, I require it to be a big-deal-kind-of-birthday.

But with that said, it is hard for me not to think like that for the people that I care about, and most especially for my favorite-est person in the world. With all that we have been through, he deserves more than just a day dedicated to commemorate his entrance into existence. I truly do wake up sometimes in utter disbelief that I am married to someone as wonderful as him. I hope a day does not go by without him knowing by my actions and words just how much he means to me. So in this effort, today I just want to profess a true admiration for my husband.

He’s a man among men, and truly deserves having it shouted from the treetops (I would say mountain tops but we don’t have any mountains in long island). I was drawn to him in the past, not only because he is tall, dark and handsome (which he really is!) but because of who he is. His character is captivating and as a lawyer, he has stood out in a culture that often lacks integrity.  He continues to mature and today he is man that is intelligent, but compassionate, tender and yet so strong. He has convictions which he will not compromise but somehow does so with such gentleness and grace. His confidence blends well with humility and is so damn appealing. To top it off, he makes everyone laugh.

We will have been married ten years this August, (we've been married almost a decade!! ahhhh!) and to say that I have been a handful to deal with, well that would be an understatement, and yet even through all of that PLUS the erratic-pregnant-hormonal-waves over the last several months, he continues to stick by me. I haven’t seen him throw his hands in the air (maybe he does behind closed doors!) and he still likes me for whatever mysterious reason that may be. And you should see the way he adores our boys. I am so in love with the fact that he is so in love with our little guys. I don’t often hear many promising statements about husbands & their children, but Jus, he can’t get enough of them. He has transitioned into fatherhood so effortlessly, I am truly blessed. He is a good, good man.

Jus, you are my partner, my soulmate, my best friend ...you are so smart, so hardworking, so gifted and soo hott. Love you babe. “You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words!” SoS 1:16a

Happy Birthday Husband!