11 Years...feels like 1 year!

(Please forgive the quality of the pictures but I took a picture of a picture because we don't have a scanner)


I cheated....I copied most of this from my 2006 post on our Anniversary but it says everything I want to say.

Eleven years ago today was a wild and crazy day for us. In all the business, Brian's main concern was to find my pantyhose before I stroked out (although I was willing to go down the aisle barefoot). He was successful in doing so and I have loved him ever since. That night was so great (even though it was 100 degrees in the church because we (Alice) didn't want the AC to blow out the candles). Another great memory from our wedding day was me screaming as I frolicked around (sisters and best friend trailing with my train) as I run from a wasp. Dad was trying to kill it (he is allergic). I was worried about him getting stung and swelling up so I was screaming about the wasp and screaming at my dad to leave it alone. He was just trying to protect me (I understand now that I am a mommy). My wedding coordinator (one of my best friends) busts out of the door of the church saying "shhhhhhh" they can hear you in the church. What a great day. Wow....time has gone by so fast.

We have had such a great time growing together. We got our first dose of reality when we were kicked out of our rental home six months after being married (not for anything we had done, the landlord was getting a divorce and needed her place back to live in). We didn't have the money to move and our only dependable car was in the shop. This chaos happened during our first Christmas (all decorations had just gone up and then we had to take them back down). Brian and I grew so much during this time in our lives and I would not change it for the world. It all worked out for the best in the long run. We got to move during Christmas break (we were both full time college students when we got married). We moved to Benton and later I would be five minutes from my job as a public school interpreter (can't get any better than that).

We have supported each other through many things such as our first experience flying (to San Francisco of all places, talking about a culture shock), moving several times, graduating college (and PhD), several job changes, separation from our family and friends, traveling many miles from home to find a home for us with a ten week old baby, finding a new church (something we have never had to do in all our lives) and most importantly the birth of Mili. Now going through another pregnancy and another birth. When we are together we are unstoppable. There is nothing we can't do when we stand side by side (with God, of course). I would follow Brian anywhere, even to Africa (inside joke for those of you that know) and live in a tent if I had to.

After Mili was born I realized I loved Brian even more (I didn't think that was possible). When I look at Mili I see part of Brian and I love that. It is like having part of Brian home with me all day (I am sure when she starts to act up like Brian, I will think twice about that statement...just kidding sweetie).

This morning I woke up to the smell of pancakes. Brian brought me pancakes in bed and did everything for Mili this morning. The top pancake was smaller than the others and was hand made into a heart. It was perfect. Then I received this wonderful poem from him as well......

Merely A Moon
The moon on it own is void of light
Yet it glimmers through the depths of the night
People remark of its greatness and often forget
There is a torch much greater from which it is lit
The giver of life, a glorious globe of flame
Powerful and mighty, yet willing to share its flame
Much like you a wonderful mother and amazing wife
In great love through much pain a great giver of life
Beautiful and talented you are much greater than me
For I am just a reflection of your magnificent glory
So today I thank you for always burning so bright
For I am merely a moon dependent on your light

The tears were flowing by the time I finished this masterpiece. I love Brian so much and can't even remember much of my life without him. September 4th we will be together for 19 years. I am glad God picked Brian for me. I don't deserve such a great guy who is always thinking of his family first. He is a great provider, husband, father, and my best friend. It helps that he has these cute dimples and great big brown eyes with long black eyelashes.

I also got strict instructions to go get my Manicure and Pedicure. Yippee, happy hands and feet.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of me and Brian. We are determined to enjoy the beach in the rain with a tarp over our heads (we could still hear the ocean, if we couldn't see it). See...everything is fun with Brian...even rain at the beach.

The second one is before we went out to eat seafood(my favorite). We took both of these pictures ourselves.