Happy 9th

We've come a long way over these past nine years.  It certainly hasn't been the journey we were expecting, at little bit of the "for better and for worse" met us along the way.  As we are at the crossroads of our journey, allowing the dust to finally settle from the past three years, we continue forward together - thankfully under one roof again. I know that I am lucky to live my life next to you.

I love you because. . .

Our girls still flip their lids in excitement whenever you walk through the door.  They love us equally.  A girl's self esteem is built by a father and I would pick no other than you to play that role in these precious girls' lives.

You always put your four girls first, me especially.

You bring me apple juice to my bedside every morning - even if you are running for a 5:00 am flight

You carried golf bags and painted neighbors houses while holding your head high when there was no other source of income.

You find a way to put a positive spin on everything (wait a minute, isn't that what drives me crazy at times)

You fought for Adeline when I had lost hope and couldn't.

You want for nothing.  "My girls are all I want."  No fancy boy toys, no nice cars - you wear ancient clothing and shoes with holes happily and almost with style??

You NEVER complain!

You look as good as the day I married you - (if you don't start aging, people are going to think I am your mother!)

You can run a sub - seven minute mile after drinking countless cokes, eating nothing but chips, and having not exercised in months.  It has to count for something right?

You held me up in the NICU when I couldn't stand balanced on my own two feet.

You do my laundry, pick up the house before you go to bed, and help me load the girls in the car each morning.

I love you because I know you love me!

Here we are nine years later posing for our amazing six year old.  More later on her amazing anniversary celebration for us.

Blowing out our "wish" candles that Savannah provided us.  

Lila's Christmas Program

Our Lila Grace is more musical than any other three year old I know.  She sings - always!  If there is music she hums, if the words are slightly familiar she tries, and if she knows the song she belts it out.  She has favorite parts of movies, favorite adult songs, and favorite children's songs too.  You would really have to see her perform to understand her unique love of music.

We were so excited to watch Lila perform in her Christmas program right before preschool let out for the the holidays.  This was Lila's time to shine, she would be in her element.  Not only would she be singing numerous songs that she knows, Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, and Papa would be there to watch and praise her.

Miss Lila was very cute walking into the sanctuary that morning.  She smiled and waved but was very focused on the job head.  She took her place on the riser and began singing the moment that the music started.  I began to notice that she was crossing her legs and losing her balance over and over again.  She didn't seem to mind because she didn't miss a word or a motion.  Unfortunately, she was so squirmy and off balance, by the crossed legs stance, that she fell off of the riser.  I was heartbroken for her because I thought she would be embarrassed.  I quickly ducked back into the parents and let her teacher come to her aid (I would elicit crying for sure).  In no time, Lila was up and singing again.  By this time, she was looking at her Daddy (avoiding eye contact with me) and whining his name quietly between songs. I knew.  She was doing the potty dance and in pain.  I didn't know what to do.  Take her down off the stage and have her miss the short performance, it is after all her moment?  I ended up leaving her and quickly grabbed her after the last song was sung.  I swept her into the bathroom where she covered her eyes and cried.  She had peed in her pants but avoided opening up the flood gates, thank goodness.  She was so ashamed and upset when I pulled off her tights.  That was it for her mood during the reception too.  I was heartbroken for my little girl.  Instead of feeling proud she felt shame and stayed buried into her Daddy's lap for much of the reception.

A couple of weeks have passed and I am beginning to see the future humor in all of this.  But for now, I am happy to have this clip of her redeeming herself at home with the last couple line of, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (motions and all).

Here is clip of her performance and fall - please excuse my sudden outburst of prayer?? at the end



Here is a clip of a very pained face after the fall while still doing her very best to hold it