Love on 5.28

Mikey-love and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary today.  Ahh, 10 years ago on a beautifully sunny day in Denver, CO we said our "I Do's".  What a great day that was.  We're the lucky ones because more days that not, we're still having great days together.  Having reminisced all week over our years together, we've both been pretty emotional and lovey-dovey this week.  Mike made me a lovely photo tribute which made me bawl.  Then went out today and came home with another present.  A permanent one.  He had a wedding ring tattooed on his finger.  Now he can always wear his ring - even at work. I love it.

I got him a box of rocks.  I think we're even.  Actually I had this cool thing custom-made on etsy.  Coincidentally it ties into the modern tenth anniversary gift idea of "Tin/Aluminum".

To top off the night, we enjoyed a nice leisurely, toddler-less, delicious dinner out.  Wonderful!

Happy 10th anniversary, Mike!  Here's to the next 10!

A Joyful Week

I've actually had a great week.  It makes it much easier when you focus on the small things that bring joy into your life. 

I have found joy in letting Nate watch Cars only when I want him to.  That means distracting him by other doings during the day then when I need to relax (FB, eat, veg out), I act like it's a big treat and I'm cool Mommy again because I'm letting him watch "movie Cars, Mama".  I swear he thinks that's the title of that movie.

My sister Michelle's birthday was yesterday.  I find joy that she loves her new purse from Mom and me.  I love that I've talked to her on the phone about 47 times and on Skype a couple times this week.

I love that I got a Lilith Fair 2-for-1 coupon code last night so I finally got off my tush and bought tickets.  IN DENVER.  FOR MICHELLE AND ME.  SISTERS-ONLY TRIP!  My only anxiety is that I've not even been away from Nate for one night in his entire life.  Now I'm going to leave for 4 days.  Happy and nervous.  And definitely excited.

I'm full of joy that I have a great husband who I'm celebrating 10 years of marriage to today!

Thanks Whimsy for the joy challenge this week.  It's been, well, joyful!  Mission accomplished.

Joy on a Tuesday

Keeping up with Whimsy's challenge, I was finding joy all over the place yesterday.  Some of it was truly found in the little things.

Joy #1: Finding and being able to pluck a stubbly chin hair before it had grown to be an inch long crazy black hair.  Woo-hoo!

Joy #2: Hearing Kings of Leon on the radio while driving with the windows down. 

Joy #3: A freshly vacuumed house that I didn't personally vacuum.

Joy #4: Having dinner with Amanda, Matt, Zack, and Skyler.  It's been too long since we've had a big family dinner with all of us together.  It was lovely!

Joy #5: The Biggest Loser finale.  It inspires me.  *SPOILER ALERT*  Michael, who started at 526 lbs, lost 264 lbs (over 50% of his body weight) to win.  It's amazing to watch the transformations on this show.

Joy #6: Alone time with Mike after Nate's bed time.

Joy #7: Nate slept all night with no wake-ups.  It's been an off and on battle over the past 3-4 weeks and it was quite delightful not to be awakened in the middle of the night.

It's starting off to be a good Wednesday.  I already have a few joys on my list for today!  Have a great and joyful day.

Finding Joy

So.  I've been having a rough time lately.  I feel exhausted and frustrated.  The boy-child is doing his best to make me insane and I've gotta be honest - he is, in fact, making me crazy.  It's a whole combination of things.  Too much time together, he's two, I'm PMSing, and did I mention HE'S TWO?

We've been dealing with lots of throwing, hitting (for fun and because he's mad), and just in general just two-year-old-ness.  He likes to say NO to us.  Let me just say the rage I feel makes me see fiery red lightning bolts every time he says it.  GAAHH!!  I'm at my wits end. 

But...never fear.  I'm trying to find joy in each day.  I can't take credit for the idea, but it has come at an ideal time.  My dear whimsy has posted a challenge for us to focus on the joy we find in each day.

Today, unlike yesterday and the day before, I didn't even have to look too hard to find it.

Joy #1: Mike's home from work today.  We met at the mall so Nate could run off some energy on this rainy day.  When we got there, my friend and her boys were there and Mike sent us mommies off to shop without the kids in tow.  I love this man!  The joy of shopping and time alone for me AND my friend.  We giddily browsed a new accessories shop for about 40 minutes.  It was quite blissful.  I've got me a winner in that guy.  BTW, celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss on Friday.

Joy #2:Nate and I were coloring while watching Cars for the trillionth time (don't get me started on THAT).  Nate leaned over my arm to look at my page and said "It's NICE, Mama".  He can be such a sweetie.

Joy #3 and #4: HIMYM and The Big Bang Theory were on tonight.  Woo!  Also, Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara, but I think I'll add those to tomorrow's joys since I'll catch up on those during naptime tomorrow.  Which reminds me -

Joy #5: DVR

Goodnight, y'all. 

Berrylicious

You know why I love May?

Strawberry-picking time!! 

It was overcast and sloshy outside, but we all donned our boots and headed to our favorite strawberry patch.  It was Nate's first time wearing his boots and thankfully Mike was able to get Nate excited for it.  The verdict was in our favor - Nate loved his bug boots.

 Fancy moves went awry

 All set for serious picking

My berry boys

The fruits of our labor (hahahaha!)

 Showing Nate how to truly enjoy a freshly picked berry.  (Don't be jealous of my outfit)

Success!

My favorite part (not including that picture of Nate)