Anniversary . . . and so forth

Geez, how can this blog ever be funny blog or creative blog anymore when there is so much significant and so much to reminisce about at this time of year for me? Can I make those things fun and clever?? I'm thinking . . . I'm not really sure. I can try . . . but . . . well, I'm not really going to try. If it happened all on its own as my fingers hit the keyboard that would be fabulous, but I wouldn't count on it. Don't worry. Plenty of boring old insignificant months are ahead and just think of the fun that will start popping into my head then! Possums and chickens, watermelon and ants. It will be so much fun! But . . . not yet . . . now it is still all thoughtful. Sorry.

l

Thoughtful thought 1: My goodness what a very lot can happen in a year! Last year I was living in a completely different state, my interactions all with completely different people (well, excepting my husband and kids), in a very different but very happy open and clean little home with no idea that might be changing soon. Now, a year later, I am 730 miles removed from that home, living at my parents, surrounded by family, and just about to move into a totally unexpected home and neighborhood. Also, at this time last year I was coping with the trauma of a fairly late miscarriage. Now, exactly one year later, I am snuggling and feeding a tiny newborn boy as I sit here typing!

j

Thoughtful thought 2: Yesterday was my birthday. I am 32. What!!?? I know I shouldn't care, but I don't love to be out of my 20's. Lame of me, I know. Anyway, we like to pack as much craziness into this time of year as possible! Besides all of the usual holiday fun, we celebrate the birth of both of our sons, my dad's birthday, my birthday, and our anniversary! We really ought to spread out some of that excitement! But, because there is so much associated with my birthday time, I always have such fun memories of my birthday -- my birthday spent decorating the stake center for our wedding reception, my birthday with my first newborn, etc.

j

Thoughtful thought 3 (and the highlight thought for the day): Today is our nine year anniversary!! Wowzers, that means next year I can say we've been married for a decade! How can that be? I still think we are newlyweds (newlyweds with five kids???). What can I say that won't just sound trite and typical? Probably I don't have the words to convey the depth of my thoughts on and feelings for Mike. I love that I know him so well. I know what he likes, I know what bothers him, I know what is hard for him and I know how fully he can be trusted. I feel like I truly know all the little ins and outs of his entire soul, and I love love love that I get to have that in my life -- that I get to have and forever associate with this man that I know so well because I love who he is. I love how he treats me. I love that he encourages me to do anything I want to do (like run a marathon -- and his encouragement means a lot of time spent watching kids while I am off training). I love that after nine years of marriage he still pulls me aside when no one is watching or when I am in the middle of trying to pack a diaper bag and get stuff done to kiss me for awhile. I love that he talks some good common sense to me when I am feeling frustrated or overwhelmed (or, if not any good common sense, he at least will make me laugh -- against my will pulling me from grumpy to giggly). I have no idea about the truth of this, it may very well not be so, but when I think of me and Mike and wonder about knowing him before this life, I just have this little image of me watching and listening to him and being so happy and preferring his company so much to that of others and I picture myself not knowing I'd get to be with him forever, but hoping -- just thinking how very happy and lucky we would be if our Father's plan also made allowance for that small detail -- Mike and I being bound for all eternity down here. I love Mike. I love that we get to be married and that we get to experience all this crazy earth business together -- raising a family, struggling with trials, enjoying happy times, etc. Here is a link to one of my favorite posts about him.

j

So, there, the end of all the thoughtful thoughts for now. Was there even one bit of funny? We all love funny. Especially me. But what can a girl do when she is in the midst of celebrating such significant moments and welcoming new tiny spirits to this world and so forth?? What I ask you, but turn a bit sentimental for a season.