This one goes out to the ones I love

I have two great loves (in the photo above),

One great lover (wink),

and roughly 3.58 billion little loves.  

By little loves, I am of course referring to all of those little things that make my life sparkle and cause my heart to swell and burst.

There are far too many to list in a letter to Santa, or even write in a gratitude journal!  I couldn't even begin to shout them from the rooftops, or sing them in an anthem of favorite things.

Life is brimming with love.  Things, people, experiences, places.  God knows how to show me love.  He is the teacher of eternal love, and the giver of every good gift.

I like to picture him smiling down on me as I savor the things that bring me warmth and offer me peace.  I'm sure he is there when I pull my favorite sweater over my head and around my shoulders.  A wool embrace intended to comfort me in my moments of bitter cold.  

I can sense him there as I walk down the quiet roads of my desert home, my eyes lit up by morning sun, my cheeks touched pink by the fading chill.  I am alive and I know my life is due to his undying need to create life and encourage life.  He eagerly seeks to teach me and then send me down the paths of my greatest purpose.

I know he waits patiently as I interact with my many, many loves.  He waits as I lose my patience, my trust, my passion and then he waits as I work to rekindle them over and over again.

I have found when it comes to love, it is difficult for me not to love God above all other things, because, after all, he is the one who makes it possible to love everything else.

Like a Queen

Tiny shoulders wrapped in fairest skin.  The lightest wisps of wavy hair.  Clear eyes and rose bud lips flutter and twist with the wonder of excitement.  There are dreams in these hearts and big ideas in these little heads!

I sit day after day watching this beauty of girlhood whirl all around me, and I hope with great confidence that one day these little infant goddesses will find a man like their father who will recognize who they are and treat them like a Queen!

I remember as a teenager feeling so angry and embarrassed when my dad would give my boyfriends that "disapproving" look.  What I didn't fully grasp at the time was this innate sense of protection and desire for your daughter to have "only the best". 

One of my very fondest, most tender moments with my father was in the Salt Lake Temple after I was sealed to Tyler for eternity.  He took both of us in his arms, and with tears in his eyes, told us how proud he was of us that day.  I could sense the difficult surrender of handing my care over to another man, but I could feel even more, his respect for and confidence in this man who just covenanted with God to treat me like a Queen!

While we were dating, Tyler handed me a note in church one day that said, "If you marry me, I will make all of your wildest dreams come true".  It was a funny note, but I knew he really meant it.

We just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and my sweet husband surprised me with tickets to see Andrea Bocelli in concert!  A dream of mine for 13 years now!  I first heard him sing on a PBS special while I was a nanny in California.  I was 20 years old at the time, and my young adventurous heart was spell bound by the powerful voice of a man who could not see his audience.  The beauty of his performance was not only in his voice, but in his presence.  He is blind, and if you've ever seen him sing, you will know that his disability is a part of what makes him great.  He is not a theatrical performer.  He stands in one place, hands to his sides and simply sings.

Being there in the same space as Andrea Bocelli was exactly the dream I envisioned it to be.  It was an experience, a witnessing of greatness -- something I will never, ever forget.

After the concert, Tyler and I sat in a romantically lit restaurant, surrounded by our fellow concert goers.  There seemed to be a collective reverence and excitement for what we had all just experienced.  I heard a gentleman sitting next to us whisper to his wife, "I hadn't expected to feel the emotion I felt as I heard him sing."

Our perfect evening was punctuated with the most perfectly delicious meal we have ever shared, and I knew, as I looked across the table, that my dad's wishes for his daughter were coming true.  Not just in fancy concerts and fine dining, but in a heart that is willing to give and sacrifice for my happiness.  A heart set on keeping his most sacred promise to love me, protect me, and "make my wildest dreams come true."

Happy Anniversary My Love.

*image*

Fine and Fancy

When I was a little girl, my mom used to tell me I'd need to marry a wealthy man to please my taste for pretty and expensive things!  She used to say it with a tone in her voice that made me feel badly about my love of all things fine and fancy!  

As I've grown into a woman, I realize I don't need a wealthy man, but rather a man who loves the fact that beautiful things speak to my heart and when possible, honors my desire to be surrounded by that beauty.

For quite some time, I have admired a work of art entitled "For This Child I Prayed" by Elspeth Young.  It is a moving depiction of Hannah and the baby Samuel from the bible.  I have always loved the story of this brave woman who longed for the role of motherhood and promised the Lord that the child would be his, if he would just bless her with a son.  What a faithful and beautiful woman Hannah was!  I love a good story of feminine strength!!

This piece of art expresses something I feel deeply as a mother! It warms my heart with all of the joy and gratitude I feel for the babies I love!  It is more than art.  To me it is a masterpiece and whenever something touches me this deeply, I long to have it in my home.

A month or so ago, Tyler surprised me with this very painting and reminded me that enjoying the things that move your heart is an important part of this life.  Wealthy (which he is in so many ways), or not, my sweetheart has blessed me with many beautiful things over the years, and I love him so deeply for that.

I was reading a book about Marjorie Pay Hinckley a short time ago, where she tells a story of one of her travels to a distant and not so prosperous land.  She entered the tiny, modest home of a family and saw up on a high shelf a simple pitcher filled with plastic flowers!!  It put a smile on her face to see a mother doing her part to beautify her home.....even if it is with one vase of fake flowers!

As women, we put the final touch on our home, and creating a place of warmth and beauty is a part of utilizing our creative power!  "Fine and fancy" is in the eye of the beholder.  What is beautiful to me may not be to you.  The point I am trying to make here though,is that it's okay to love something beautiful.....that is what we were created to do!!

A Good Day

Five years ago today I found myself in my cozy bed in a tiny Orem apartment.  I was tired and didn't feel well.  Lying there in the dark I sensed someone enter my room.  It was Tyler, and he softly whispered for me to get up and get dressed and meet him in the living room!

"Whoa, wait......what time is it?", I thought.  "How did you get into my apartment?"  Everything was a swirl of confusion, sickness, and excitement!  It was a Saturday, and not just any Saturday.  It was General Conference Saturday, and I was excited to sleep in, and lazily lounge around the house listening to words of hope and counsel.

I jumped up and dressed in the dark, tried to comb my hair and met Tyler in the living room!  He seemed nervous and excited.  I couldn't say I was unaware of what was going on.  It was a short time before, that I had finally agreed.  It was time for us to be together forever.  We hurried out to his truck and together we started toward the mountains.  He had a back-pack filled with snacks and had even purchased a radio, so we could listen to the first session of conference together on top of squaw peak.  As I mentioned before, I wasn't feeling well, so it didn't take long before I broke down!  I felt horrible.  I knew he had put a lot of thought into his plan and I knew it would all be wonderful, but I just couldn't do it!  The work of hiking and climbing and straining and sweating was more than I could take considering the nausea and headache.  I sobbed, not because of how I was feeling physically, but because of  how I was feeling inside.  The last thing I wanted to do was ruin this important day.

Together we sat on the side of the trail and he held me while I cried.  We went back to the truck and he drove me home.  I remember he was so sweet and so understanding.  The truth was, it didn't matter where it happened.  After our long and emotional journey to this point, it just felt good to have our focus on eternity.

We watched conference together.  I don't really remember all of the details of the day, but I do remember that sometime after 4:00 p.m. we took a drive up Provo canyon and basked in the beauty of a changing season, both literally and figuratively.  This is my favorite time of year and there is nothing like being surrounded by the warmth of Fall kissed mountains!  I was in heaven!

We arrived at Sundance.  We found a place to pull off the road and together we walked up into the trees.  Tyler was nervous and knelt down in the leaves.  A car pulled up a few yards away disturbing our  peace and he quickly jumped to his feet.  We quietly waited until they drove away.  Again he knelt down and took my hands.  He began to speak his emotional request, when quite unexpectedly a man came bursting through the bushes  just a few feet away!  Again Tyler jumped to his feet!  We were both startled and quite surprised and laughed at the timing of the interruptions.  The whole thing was kind of rushed, because Tyler had to be back by 6:00 p.m. for the Priesthood session.

Finally after much distraction and interruption, he asked me the question......and I said YES!

I know his plans for that day included something a little more beautiful and meaningful than what actually transpired, but there is a spot....a beautiful and sacred spot in the golden trees of Sundance where our lives changed, and the days that have passed from that day to this, have brought us more joy and growth than I could have ever hoped for as I stood in that spot.

Today, my heart is filled and bursting with gratitude for a man who has been willing so often to stop on the side of the trail and hold me while I struggle through our journey together.  He has been willing to make alternate plans......plans that have sometimes been different than the original, but more beautiful than either of us could have ever hoped!                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Someone to miss

I am a dreamer. A planner and dreamer.

I love to imagine weekends filled with beautiful places, delicious food, shopping for pretty things, soaking in tubs filled with bubbly water, good entertainment, and of course lots of love.....pure passionate love!

This weekend my plans and dreams became reality, as Tyler and I dropped our girls off (one with each grandma), and headed to Park City for a beautiful weekend together! We enjoyed the leisurely days surrounded by pine covered mountain tops and large piles of clouds. It was perfect and beautiful, but the entire time an ache lingered in the midst of our bliss.

Our babies, our girls. We missed them terribly. We wondered about them and checked in from time to time to make sure they were happy and on their best behavior. We talked about them and wondered what they might be doing and whether or not they even noticed our absence.

It felt so good to getaway and focus on just the two of us, but it felt equally good to know there were two bright lights awaiting and expecting our return. Going away is good, but even better is having someone to miss while you're gone!

This Gorgeous Life

We travel into the city, or "up north", as it is referred to here, about once a month. We usually stay with my family in Springville and hit up Costco, Wal-mart, and any other necessary stops.

It tends to be rushed and filled with the constant predicament of wanting to relax and enjoy family and friends and the need to get all of our errands done before heading back out to the desert.

I love it, and I hate it.

It's a price that we pay living way out in the unknown lands of the west. People think we are crazy, but.....we love it out here. I guess you could say, it is a price we are willing to pay. Besides Tyler and I haven't gone to rehab for our fast food addiction yet, so if it wasn't for our extremely remote location, we'd both weigh 300 lbs.

All that aside, I want to let you in on a little part of why I love Tyler. First of all, he loves his girls. I've mentioned that before, but I don't think you really get it. I mean he really REALLY adores them, and he wants to give them experiences that make them happy. Experiences that give them fond childhood memories. And I love him for that!


Last time we went to town we found a nice spot to stop on our way home. We pulled out our diaper boxes to use as tables, dug through our coolers and pulled out the hot dogs. Our hero daddy built us a fire, and hovered over the open flame roasting hot dogs for his hungry family. Emilee ran wild in the open air. She jumped up and down waiting to eat her hot dog, and then smiled like crazy while she smeared ketchup everywhere! Adeline cooed in the fresh air, and my heart swelled with love and contentment as I observed my little family.


This last trip was long and tiring. I built a cake, there was a wedding, Tyler rafted a river, we shopped and shopped and then finally late Saturday afternoon we set off for home. We were pooped....all of us. As we approached Delta, Tyler mentioned something about an ice cream cone, but I was in no mood to haul the babies out of their slumber, and away from the cool car in order to watch them smear ice cream all over kingdom come. No thank you!!

But, just as my sweet Tyler was about to move on, I had a change of heart......Yes!, I cried out......let's do it! Let's live our lives......let's eat ice cream! He smiled and circled back into the parking lot of the Delta Freeze. Once again our hero daddy saved the day. He reminded mommy that even though life makes us tired, it is still our life.......the only one we have. Today will never come again.



Thank you my love, for showing our girls that it is okay to have fun!!!

Love you a million x a million!

Good Morning Sunshine

Most mornings Tyler gets out of bed first. When the morning cry sounds from the room across the hall, he's the one to rescue our little ladies from their slumber, and whisk them off for some sweet daddy-daughter time before work, which means I usually get to steal a few more minutes of sleep!

Mornings are not my thing.

Before marrying me, Tyler had grand visions of us arising early, me at the stove, preparing a warm breakfast to send him on his way, my face all aglow with love and the warmth of the rising sun.

Boy, did I ever disappoint.

Most mornings you'll find me tossing in our bed, inwardly screaming...nooooooooo! I can't go on!

It is sad....so very, very sad.

I'll admit I had grand visions too! I've always wanted to be a morning person, but I struggle.

I love the comfort of my comforter. I adore the sweetness of my sheets. I long to linger on my pillow. To go on, or not to go on......that is always the question!

This is just another area where I need to change. Uggg! You know that old adage....early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise? Well, I really don't want to be left out of all that sweet action!! Health? Wealth? Wisdom? Yes please!!!

Oh the price! Can I afford it?

Hmmmmm..........it looks like it's time to stop spending my energy account on late night netflix, because, darn it all........It really is leaving me broke in the morning.

Just looking at you

It's impossible to ignore the flutter in my heart when I see you being daddy. You love your girls with everything you have. And I must say there is nothing more beautiful to me than seeing the man I love taking care of the girls I love.

Your manly heart is strong and unfailing. A safe and comfortable home for all of your girls......including me!


Yes, families can be together forever, and I thank you my love, for wanting it all just as much as I do!

Change

A lot of great things have happened in our family this month!

Adeline cut her first tooth on Mother's Day.

I have my first potty trained child! Congratulations Emilee!

I ran a whole mile from start to finish for the first time in my life! I was always that girl in P.E. class who dreaded the day we ran the mile. Oh boy did I dread that day. I have always hated running. The whole gasping for every breath and feeling like your head is going to explode just didn't excite me. As a result, I never pushed myself to get better at it.....until now.

Tyler gave me my first "break" since Addy was born. I spent the weekend with my sister! It was a very much appreciated gift. Thank you my love.

Adeline has started to pull herself into a standing position and started to speak that beautiful baby jibber jabber so fluently!

Things in life seem to change so fast. I saw this photo of Emilee this weekend, and my heart ached. Baby Em has quickly been replaced by a big girl. I feel like time is speeding up and I need it to slow down. I know I'm not soaking everything in fast enough.

The Fairy Blog-Mother

If you have not heard of Stephanie Nielson that probably means you have not read her blog! If you haven't read her blog that might mean you have not been exposed to the beauty that is available to you as a woman.

About a year and a half ago, I was introduced to The NieNie Dialogues. I was smitten. I felt as though I had found a soul sister, someone who shared the dreamy romantic view of life that I held in my heart and soul. I felt freed. I was inspired. I was moved. To focus on the good, and to create the good. That is what NieNie taught me.

I've decided that blogging is powerful and here's why. It is a record of your thoughts, your dreams, your observations. It causes you to focus on the things you desire and the things you believe. You realize your capacity to love, you observe and feel gratitude for the love you receive. It exposes your complexities and simplicities. When you step back and really think about it, your blog is a portrait of yourself...........whoever you are, whatever you are....it is captured and thrown out as a ray of light in the darkness.

Writing is a creation process, but I am starting to believe that it helps in physical creation as well. When you write about life, you allow yourself to imagine something even greater.....as a result greater things come about. I know it has happened in my life. Perhaps it will in yours too!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

Henry David Thoreau

Million x Million

Every day I tell my girls I love them a million x a million, which, come on......that's a million million. Is it even possible to love more than that?

I think not.

Cherry Blossoms

I'll just come out and say it.......I have a cherry blossom crush.

I know that sounds absurd, but....... if you were to experience their sweet blushing petals and intoxicating perfume, I think you'd be smitten too!

When I was 26 years old, I was given the opportunity to work in Japan! Yes, Japan!!! Oh the dreaminess, the independence...the adventure! But it wasn't to be.

Somewhere inside I knew the desire to frolic in my carefree singleness beneath those Japanese cherry trees was not going to happen. Life had something bigger and even more adventurous in store. The closer it got, the more certain I became. I needed to stay home.

A few months later I was engaged!

Someday I will introduce my true love to my crush. Perhaps we'll grow cherry trees in our yard, and every spring I will fill vases with their blooms and fill our home with their glorious aroma. Maybe we'll take an exotic trip to Japan and frolic in our togetherness beneath the Japanese cherry trees. Or.... perhaps both.

If you love cherry blossoms as I do, you must check THIS out! Yum....you won't be sorry!

What's love got to do with it?

We have all heard the old Tina Turner song, "What's love got to do with it". (If not, you can check out the lyrics HERE) It's super sad to think that a lot of people share her sentiments.

I remember when I was in the second grade I had a big ol'crush on Mack Reinwand. Not only was he the cutest boy in class, but also my next door neighbor!

When February came around we made little mailboxes and were instructed by our teacher, Mrs. Wilcox, to write notes to our friends and leave them in their boxes! This was all leading up to the big day.....Valentines day!

I had worked hard for months, acting aloof and completely unfazed by Mack with his blond hair and blue eyes. Being shy, I wasn't about to send him a note.....nuh uh....noooo way.

And then it happened!

There in my box was a note, perfectly folded, with my name written in his perfect second grade penmanship. I opened it and found, to my astonishment, words of unrequited love. Mack had a crush on me too!

Oh my goodness! I was elated, and horrified! Being 7 years old, and painfully shy around boys....I had absolutely no idea what to do! The thing I remember most though, was the wonderful feeling of being loved (or at least liked) by someone I loved (or at least liked)! It felt amazing!

Yes love has a romantic connotation, but love is so much more than romance! Love is a super power! If you possess it in it's truest form, or any form for that matter, you are a better person for it.

I have been learning how to love for 31 1/2 years now, and I think in some miraculous way, I'm starting to get the hang of it. I am having to overcome some obstacles, and learn through some handicaps, just like we all do, but I promise you that a huge part of our purpose and existence here is simply....to love.

Our Savior is the real "love guru". He knows how to heal hearts, and mend fences. He is patient and long suffering. He is quick to forgive and never holds a grudge. With all of my heart I want to be like Him!

When Tyler and I were dating, I began to realize that love is so much more than butterflies in your stomach and long stemmed roses...love is goodness. Love is a heart that is true. Love is recognizing your mistakes and giving them up. It is fighting for what you believe in. Love is having faith in things you cannot see yet.

Tyler...you have helped heal my life and turn it into something beautiful...and love has had EVERYTHING to do with it!

Halo

Beyonce - Halo (Official Music Video) - Click here for funny video clips

I love this song! It makes me feel all lovey-dovey for my manly man!!

Triumphant

Let me share an interesting tidbit of personal information. I have really struggled in my life to do anything hard!

I am certain when I got married back in December of 2005, a self inflicted boundary of difficulty was finally crossed. You see, getting married was a very, very hard step for me! As a little girl and a teenage girl I wasn't aware of my deep lurking fear of marriage. To this day, I'm not entirely sure why I was so afraid of something I really wanted and needed in my life. When Tyler and I were dating, I dreaded the mention of marriage, and it wasn't only with him.....if I dated anyone who seemed interested in marrying me, I would turn ill. Literally.

I would stew and fret, and my stomach would get all tied up in knots. I would have feverish dreams of being married to someone and not be happy about it, and feel trapped and overwhelmed and miserable. I think it came down to trust issues as well as worrying to much about all of the "what if's".

Tyler and I talked about marriage for a long time and to quote myself "I just couldn't do it"!

I was most miserable....loving Tyler and not wanting to lose him, but feeling crippled by my fears and thus stuck in a very sad place.

Not long before I took the plunge, Tyler was talking with his bishop about our predicament. His loving and inspired bishop said that if we know marriage is good and even the right thing for us, we should do it. There are special blessings we receive when we obey this commandment, and then he promised Tyler that someday my fears would go away and would be replaced with love.

Somehow that promise set me free!! Though I was still unsure in many ways, I knew that it was the right thing and I tried so hard to put my trust in the Lord.

On December 17, 2005 with knots in my stomach and a shaky faith, I knelt across the altar in the Salt Lake Temple and made promises to stick with Tyler for eternity!! I was happy....and terrified, but I did it!!!!

Victory!

Victory over my fears. Victory over the nay-sayers. Victory over opposition. Victory over myself!

Now, four years later, my fears of marriage are completely gone and my heart is full of love.

I am teaching myself that hard things are completely possible for me!! I am working on the weakest parts of myself now. Baby steps.

I am a mother now....hard. I am trying to be a good housekeeper.....hard. I am trying not to misjudge people....hard. I am trying to start good habits and get rid of the bad...hard. I am trying not to be so hard on myself....hard.

The point of all this is that I am not so afraid of hard things anymore. I know I can do anything....anything! It feels good.

I feel lucky

This past week Tyler and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! Our usual tradition has been a getaway in SLC for a couple of nights, long baths in jetted tubs, room service and movies in bed!!

I love our traditional getaway, and I must say, I've really been longing for it.

This year we sent the babies to Grandma's house for a few hours. I came home threw myself on a huge pile of pillows and rolled around whining....explaining that I didn't know what to do to make our special day special. I hadn't planned anything....other than sending the children away.

For dinner I ended up eating hummus and carrots and sharp cheddar on toast. While this meal does include some of my favorites, it just didn't seem like an anniversary worthy meal. You know what I mean?

Tyler and I then sat on the couch and watched Bill Engvall's 15 degrees off cool, which I must say gave me a good laugh, and lifted my mood considerably! We called to check on the kiddos and then spent the rest of our time connecting in a more meaningful way. I love it when my sweetheart holds me in his arms and allows me to whine about my frustrations. I know it sounds lame and pathetic, but it means so much to me to have his loving ear, and understanding heart. I love having his warm hands wrapped around my cold, tired, grouchy body! He is a healing influence in my life. I am often too hard on myself and he patiently tries to lift and encourage me. I wish I had been in a better mood on the day we celebrate our wedding!

Our anniversary wasn't the same as years past, but in some ways it was just what I needed. Time. Time with the man I love, to celebrate our accomplishment! 4 years of progression, love and loyalty!!

I figure if he can love a woman who looks like the picture above (no make-up, etc.) And see the beauty that really matters, I've got a lot to celebrate!

Thank you my love! I look forward to every day with you!

Messy House, Bouncy Chair, Wounded Toe, Brain Damage and a Near Death Experience!

I feel like my house is beginning to resemble a junk yard (not a good thing). There are constantly piles of toys, paper, diapers, dishes and other miscellaneous items to trip on. Oh the insanity! It is time for a serious cleaning.

Yesterday I practically broke my toe (slight exaggeration!!) I laid Adeline down to assist Emilee with something....I don't really remember. Adeline became disgruntled and began to beg for my attention with a loud wail. As I hurried back to her side I caught my toe on her bouncy chair. The same bouncy chair that always seems to be awkwardly under foot!! I hopped around in pain for a second then proceeded to console my heartbroken infant.

Hours later I begin to notice an uncomfortable cramp in my toes! What is wrong with my toes? I wondered. What have I done to my toes? They are killing me!! Oh my goodness my toe is purple...what on earth happened? I complain to Tyler and he asks me if I've hit my toe on anything. Not that I can remember!!

Wow!! What is happening to my memory. I'm only in my 30's for heaven's sake!! I need my mind. I need it to last me another 50 or 60 years. Should I be worried?

Finally, while trying to drift off to sleep sometime late in the night, I remembered what happened to my toe!! I blurt it out randomly in the dark!

Me: I hit it on the bouncy chair...my toe, I stubbed it on the bouncy chair!

Tyler: Oh yeah, I almost killed myself today tripping on that dang bouncy chair.

Me: I'm sorry! ..........I love you.

Tyler: I love you too.

Me: snore.

I think the conversation went something like that, but to be completely honest.....I don't really remember.

There is beauty all around....

When there's LOVE at home!

Thank you my love.

Love Him!

Tyler and I have an incredible love story! It includes all of the drama and breath-taking anticipation of any good chick flick, and in the end.....the boy got the girl, or the girl got the boy!! Which ever way it goes, we got each other, and I thank the Lord for my wonderful loving Tyler. He makes me feel safe, loved and valued. And....he makes me laugh! I love you babe!

My Life & My Heart

Hello my sweet handsome husband!! I found this adorable photo of you and Grandma Hess when you were just a tiny tot!!! I am so grateful to your parents and everyone else in your life who influenced you and taught you, and I am grateful to you for all of the good choices you have made in your life! I am so blessed to have a man with such humility, integrity, and a heart that is completely true! Don't worry......I know you aren't perfect, but today I want to honor you for your patience, your example, and all of the things that make me love you!

When I was on my mission I loved to hear the Spanish terms of endearment! They would call their loved ones things like Mi Vida, or Mi Corazon, which interpreted mean My Life or My Heart! Tyler, you are my life and my heart! You lift me up, you make me feel safe, you are teaching me what real love is and I thank you for that with all my heart!! I hope I can show you how valued you really are in my life. I hope I can be better at taking care of you, listening to you, giving back rubs, showing gratitude, and changing the things in me that desperately need changing!

Thank you for taking such good care of me!! Thank you for being super daddy to our Emilee and soon to be baby!!! You have been so patient with me and my constant whining "I don't feel gooooooooood", since I've been pregnant! I'm sure that's got to be so attractive!! I love that you choose to love me everyday!!

I love that you have a magical stash of hidden chocolate, when I feel like I just won't be able to go on without satisfying my craving! I love how you always refill my ice water for me! I love that you watch Emilee when I really need some rest or when I feel horribly sick! I love you for a million more reasons!

Happy Valentine's Day!!