best anniversary gift ever

Sooo we decided to celebrate our anniversary on both days! :-)

Look at how young we were! I had just turned 21 and David was 23. You tell me, what's more shocking-- him having hair or him smiling in a picture? hehehe

See those grins up there?

Well, we're grinning again... and frankly in disbelief...

Nope, not having twins... just felt the need to test twice to be sure!

I still can't believe it.

We truly covet your prayers... prayers for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, prayers that we will not be fearful...

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
-Isaiah 26:4

I am surprised. Are you surprised?

Most of all, I am thankful that the Lord has answered the cries of our heart. He is so good to give us this GIFT!

And we rejoice.

park day and almost anniversary

When you think park day, what picture comes to mind?

Piney woods, playgrounds and maybe a swimming pool is the norm in our corner of Houston.

Here in Guam, however, a homeschool park day looks a little different...

Okay, A LOT different.

{They were spoiled rich kids (L-R, President's son, Bill Gates' son, unnamed, Donald Trump's daughter) stranded on an island for a year, surviving by eating sharks.

Tough and imaginative cookies, aren't they?}

Totally off-topic, this whole time difference poses another interesting question.

[Whoa, this is a BIG picture of us... me with my old hairdo and David looking as handsome, mean and bald as usual! We look like giants!]

Mine and David's 15th wedding anniversary is on June 29th. However, the 29th here is for the most part the 28th in TX, which is where we were married.

Much thought and hem-hawing later... okay, pretty much a quick discussion on the way to Blockbuster led to us deciding to celebrate our anniversary on June 30th.

It's just weird.

Coco brought up a good point. She said that her birthday is on July 14th. She was born in Korea and yet does not celebrate her birthday on the 14th in Korea, but on the 14th in the US.

Bah! I hadn't thought of that point. Either way, maybe it's because we still are conscious of the time difference?

What would y'all do? Celebrate here on the 29th (28th in TX) or on the 30th (29th in TX)?

.

chairs, marriage and a pedi

My mind is still bursting with thoughts and insights from Relevant. It was a phenomenal conference, y'all. Words cannot adequately describe how breathed-of-God the weekend was. I am still trying to process it all.

When my mind cannot fully absorb these BIG experiences, it focuses on the smaller details.

Like these chairs.

David drove to Austin with a friend today. When he saw these two chairs, he immediately thought of me. He texted me a picture and bought them on the spot. Only $35 for the pair!

These chairs are super cute and comfy. But what warms my heart even more than this bargain is that my husband KNEW that this is exactly what I would like.

Forget being newlyweds, marriage just gets better and better with each passing year! I love how David loves me. How he shows me he loves me. And how he often knows me better than I know myself.

Well, there is one thing that happened today that shows he doesn't know me as well as he or I thought.

I had my very first pedicure today.

It tickled.

My feet are happy, soft, scrubbed and polished.

Do you like the color? It looks more pink in person.

David asked me how much it cost. I told him $50, which comes out to $5 a toe.

He about choked.

Then I had to laugh.

Come on, like *I* would pay $50 for someone to paint my toenails!!!

Besides, I already told him that I had it done at *cough* Wal-mart *cough*. The spa pedicure was only $20.

(Don't be hatin' with your horror stories of infections and general grossness. I would have you know that Royal Nails sterilizes their instruments, thankyouverymuch.)

Okay, 'fess up now. Are you proud of me for getting a pedicure? Or do I lose major points for it being at WM?

PS Aren't my chairs cute?! :)

PPS Aren't feet impossible to photograph in any sort of natural stance?

PPPS What does a pedicure go for in your area?

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!

I remember when David turned 23. I thought he was SO mature, a real man.

Now when I look back at those pictures, I think how we were such babies. Look how young we looked!

(We really didn't have red hair back then. The pics just scanned weird, although I think it would be fun if my hair was really that color right now.)

It's hard to believe that was 15 years ago.

While we have always been a rather happily married couple, I sure am glad we aren't newlyweds anymore. I think marriage just gets better and better with each passing year.

This next picture was taken the day after our wedding. David has hair and I think I'm wearing hose. What is up with that? I am very thankful that the last time I wore pantyhose was in 1998!

Happy, happy Birthday, my love!

{I think you look even hotter without that hair. Grrrr baby!}

twue wuv

Especially after 13+ years.

The old ball and chain

Two weeks ago, David and I spent a few days in San Antonio with our good friends Tim and Laura. The Riverwalk area is a romantic place to stroll hand in hand-- interesting people, delicious dining options (well, except for this one Italian place that was super yucky. note to self: stick with Mexican food when visiting SA!), and picturesque areas to sit and relax.

Look! David is smiling in this picture! :) He's not as mean as his bald head makes him look sometimes.

When strolling about hand-in-hand in the aforementioned romantic Riverwalk, people smiled at us and were just super friendly. At first I didn't see the glances and smiles by complete strangers for what they really were.

This one couple laughed and asked David to stop so they could look closer at his shirt-- that's when I KNEW.

Hey, people think we're NEWLYWEDS!!!

It would've been a-okay if this were due to how young or in love we look.

But nope, I knew better than to think that. Wanna see the real reason?!

Yup, the old "Game Over" shirt given to him not by his old buddies back in the day, but from some certain boys at our church who know that David loves him some Xbox 360! How sad is that?

It is kinda funny though. Especially how the groom is frowning and the bride is smiling.

I'm not mad. I'll keep wearing this shirt anyway:

13 Years

Fourteen years and 2 days ago, I walked into the Federal Building in Dallas, TX to take the Air Force Officer Qualification Test. I sat next to this handsome, confident and funny young man. We had lunch that day. A week later, he finally asked me out by saying "So when are you going to let me take you out?"

We were engaged 3 months later. Here's a pic of us at our first Christmas together a la Sears:

Brrrr... doesn't that realistic background give you the chills and make you want to drink some hot chocolate and sing Christmas carols?

Ummm, yah... That's what I thought.

I graduated college in May and we were married in June.

Anyone want to tell me to say Cheese and smile? I was a tulle princess marrying my prince (that looked like he had a mullet in many a wedding photo courtesy of bad lighting and poor photography skillz). Look how young we all look!

David was already working for Continental Express and made Captain that Christmas (way to go, baby!). We honeymooned in Cancun and began our life as Mr. and Mrs. in Cleveland, Ohio.

When we first got married, I would wake up every day and be amazed that this was my life-- how blessed I was! I couldn't believe that I got to spend the rest of my life with this wonderful man. That we could be together all the time.

And you know what? I still feel that way today.

HAPPY 13TH ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE!!!

I love it. I hate it. It's Valentine's Day!

Below is my post for Heart of the Matter Online. Feel free to pop on over there and leave me a comment!

There are many things in which I have a love/hate relationship… my cell phone (chatting with my sister- good, ringing during my nap- bad), our dog (protector- good, poop on my shoe- very bad!), and, dare I say it?… Valentine’s Day!

I love it y’all.

There is something about this day that brings out the best and worst in me. The best in that it forces me to not be my usual self and to just spoil my boys… even if it’s just a little spoiling. For example, giving them a heart shaped box of cheaply made, cheap tasting chocolate and letting them eat it for breakfast. Some mom’s are really good about throwing caution (and health) to the wind by letting their children eat ice cream for supper- just for fun (as in, it’s not just because it’s someone’s birthday!). I, however, am not one of those “fun” mommy’s! I’m a rule making, slightly uptight, bossy, drill-sargeant type of mom. Yes, my children know that I love them, but there’s nothing like V-day to make me purposefully think and do outside my normal box.

I hate it, y’all.

One of the things I despise the most about Valentine’s Day is the tremendous pressure on a man to woo, romance and spoil his wife. There is an over abundance of commercials, music, and movies hounding them (and us) to believe that gifts and glitter are true tokens of love and affection.

In my pre-married days, I would have defined romance as a horse driven carriage, candlelit dinners (prepared by my man, not me of course!), diamonds, roses and poetry. But alas, I did not find such things back then… and I certainly haven’t found them since! Those things can only be found in soap operas and novels! (If I am wrong, please don’t burst my bubble and just count yourself lucky for having found such a romantic mate.)

Such expectations going into marriage… My oh my, I think my dear husband did not have a chance! But even without the outward trappings of overbearing and hit-you-over-the-head “romance”, he wooed me with his handsome self, his sense of humor, his easy-going personality, his purpose and drive, his intelligence and many other fine qualities. Oh wait, he also brought me roses. Back then he did. Now? Not so much. And that’s okay.

I have come to appreciate the other romantic qualities in my Mr. Drews. How is he romantic? He does little things. Many little things.

• Calls me just to tell me he loves me.
• E-mail’s me when he’s on a trip.
• Let’s me sleep in… AND keeps the kids quiet! (which is better than what *I* do for him!)
• Leaves me quick little love notes around the house– in my jewelry box, my purse, the garage door, the closet, on the mirror, on the computer monitor before he leaves on a trip (on Word with the monitor on sleep, waiting for my fingers to touch the keyboard after the kids have gone to bed).
• He opens doors for me– car door, house door, or to any building.
• He makes up songs about how he loves his “wifey” (I hope you’re not embarrassed David, at least I didn’t make a video clip of your song to share with everyone, right?)
• He always thanks me for the meal and compliments my cooking.
• He praises me in front of our children.
• He praises me in front of his parents.
• He even praises me in front of his friends! (and I blush and get embarrassed… but I like it, I really do.)
  

So yes, I suppose my husband is romantic. But not the opera and picnic under the stars kind of romantic. It’s the everyday kind of romantic. It is the loving me even when I am not so loveable kind of romantic. Yup, that’s MY MAN.

How is your husband romantic? Are your expectations unrealistic? Does he show you his love and affection in his own way or are you disappointed because it is not what you imagine it should be like?

Perhaps now would be a good time to make a list of all the things that you do appreciate and adore about your spouse. And ta-da! If you use your best handwriting- or even color ink in the printer- you will find yourself with a mighty fine homemade Valentine’s Day card!

Happy Birthday to my hubsy-wubsy-pookey-bear!

So how many of you really think I call David my hubsy-wubsy-pookey-bear in real life?

Well, I don't! I usually call him David, babe or occasionally Dash's real name if he's frustrating me somehow (which ummm... let's just say does not make him very happy-- although it really is accidentally done-- honest!).

Today, David turned the big 36. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!

David's parents came to visit, we ate a yummy lunch at Chuy's and then came home for birthday cake (with homemade cream cheese frosting). After having this old Kodak camera for years, I finally tried the self-timer button so we could have a picture with everyone in it:

Not too bad, eh? Although I can't for the life of me figure out why David never smiles in pictures. He looks kinda mean, don't ya think? But he really is nice and super fun! Even if he doesn't have a nickname like sugar-baby-fluffy-buttercup.

David has always called me babe. For some reason, he decided earlier this year that he would start calling me Marsha. Marsha! Can you believe it? Not only did it totally freak me out, but I kept feeling like he was mad at me for something. I finally forced him to quit calling me by my real name and asked him to please call me what he always calls me-- which is babe (and most likely more appealing than the alternative which would be "My Queen").

I also promised not to give him a hard time about whether or not if he knew what my real name was-- or if he was scared that he'd accidentally say his girlfriend's name instead of mine.

(Oh I kid! Like he'd have a girlfriend. We are very secure in our relationship and there is no need for anyone to worry. Thankyouverymuch.)

So, do y'all have nicknames for each other? Please share. And be HONEST! I promise I won't laugh. Too hard.

David and I are timeless! :snort:

David and I... we've been married for over 12 years now. We are an institution! There is no just Marsha or just David... It is David and Marsha. Marsha and David.

***cue cheesy music***

No matter the decade, baby... we are SOULMATES!!!

(Love triangle? Hmmm... which one will I choose?! *snort*)

This was from Yearbook Yourself. During the HOTM Conference, I saw Dawn post something similar and it just CRACKED ME UP! I'm going to regret (maybe) staying up until 2:30am doing this... but it was my sister Coco's fault (definitely). It wouldn't have been nearly as funny if we weren't IM'ing and doing this together!

So what do y'all think? Let me know if you do this too!

Hubby Tag

My friend DeeDee tagged me with this one a while back... Since I am a slacker blogger, I am just now getting around to playing along!

1. Who is your man? David

2. How long have you been together? We just celebrated 12 years of marriage! :-) I think I forgot to mention that that was one of the reasons I went on that Cancun trip with him last month. Happy Anniversary, baby!!!

(Ummm... yeah, this is us NOT in Cancun! We are not really beachy people. This was our very cool trip to Beijing that we took a few years ago-- it was cheap, not crowded and WINTER. Worth freezing our butt off, though!)

3. How long dated? We were married one year and 2 days after the day we met.

4. How old is your man? 35

5. Who eats more? Him, although I have been known to be REALLY hungry!!!

6. Who said "I love you" first? He did-- I was determined to not say it first. One of those romantic notions of wanting to be serenaded by words. I even remember where we were, the obnoxious movie that was playing, my little sister asleep on the couch, and that he had this little speech leading up to "...and this is why I LOVE YOU." Be still my pounding heart!

7. Who is taller? He is! He was 6'3" when we got married but is now 6'2". I am still 5'7".

8. Who sings better? I guess I do. He kinda sings really quietly... almost whispering to himself. One day, I know he'll sing with gusto! He does sing a little louder when it's his fav song at church "It is Well with my Soul" or if there is a cheesy 80s song on the radio.

9. Who is smarter? Ahem, actually we are both smart-- smart enough to marry each other! He's very practical and common sensical... I'm a bit more academic. We're smart in different ways and balance each other out perfectly!

10. Whose temper is worse? Mine! Mine! Mine! David is VERY laid back and rarely loses his temper. It's a daily thing for me. Sometimes even hourly, I'm ashamed to say. But I do apologize... in fact, I'm a little too good at it as it is often necessary!

11. Who does the laundry? I do. Although he does carry the heavy laundry baskets for me to the laundry room.

12. Who takes out the garbage? We finally gave that duty to 7yo Tank. I'll take it out of the kitchen trashcan though (since it is often overstuffed and gets stuck). Tank takes it to the big bin outside and drags it all to the street on trash days.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do!

14. Who pays the bills? I do. I'm home all the time and his schedule is wacky... besides, the more I can do myself, the more time he has to spend with his family when he's home!

15. Who is better with the computer? Internet and programs, that would be me. Fixing something that's broken or adding more memory or something technical like that-- that would be him!

16. Who mows the lawn? We all do. :-) I'll usually get on the zero turn riding mower and he'll get on our old fashioned regular riding mower (we have 3.5 acres-- so the addage many hands, make light work is very true). But since the kids are getting bigger, I imagine they'll take it over more and more. I do NOT trust them on the zero turn though-- it is waaaay too fast for them!

17. Who cooks dinner? I love to cook! David's cooking skillz consists of cereal, Kraft mac and cheese (made the wrong way), pb&j's and perhaps Hamburger Helper's Double Cheeseburger Macaroni if he is feeling adventurous in the kitchen.

18. Who drives when you are together? He does! Call me old-fashioned but I can't stand to see a wife in the driver's seat and husband in the passenger seat. It just makes me think that the wife is overbearing and the husband is a pansy (no offense to those who do for medical reasons or whatever-- just being honest here!)

19. Who pays when you go out? It's our money so I'm not sure whatcha mean... David usually physically pays it though. My purse is a cavern and it's so much easier for him to just whip out his wallet. Besides, I think it's the gentlemanly thing to do.

20. Who is most stubborn? Oh, do you even have to ask?! Of course it is ME!!!

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Well, since I am usually in the wrong (see above regarding temper and stubborness), that would be me. But David has no problems admitting he's wrong if that's the case.

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Hard to say, we see both quite often. Maybe we see his more since they live closer and are retired? But we don't really keep count... I think it's pretty even stevens.

23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first.

24. Who asked who out? After talking long-distance on the phone for almost a week, he finally said "So when are you going to let me take you out?" I thought he'd never ask!

25. Who proposed? He did!

26. Who is the most sensitive? Yours truly. (aka emotional)

27. Who has more friends? I've never really counted. We are both very blessed with lots of friends!

28. Who has more siblings? Definitely me! I am one of five children. David is an only child.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? David does, although yes I am the opinionated type and some people might find it hard to believe that I do submit to my husband (and cheerfully-- well, most of the time I'm cheerful about it). He always respects my opinion and seeks my advice, so I definitely cannot complain. I would not want the burden of being the final authority in our family-- I'll let him stand before God on that one! Besides, I completely trust and respect him-- he's wise with money, level headed, has his priorities straight regarding his family/job/friends/etc, and always has our best interests at heart.

30. How did you meet? We met at the federal building in Dallas taking the Air Force Officer Qualification Test. I wanted to be in intel and he wanted to fly the big C-5 transport planes with a reserve unit in San Antonio. We went to lunch that day, dated, were engaged in 3 months and were married 1 year and 2 days after the day we met. We would've gotten married sooner but I needed to graduate college first-- one of those unspoken family rules. We did end up turning down our commissions for the sake of being together. It is probably the only regret we have-- not having served our country. We would still make the same choices about it today, but we are saddened about it nonetheless.

Well, I guess this means I have to tag some peeps. How about I take the pansy way out just leave this open? If you actually read this far down, consider yourself tagged!!! Just be sure to let me know that you are participating so I can be sure to come take a look-see about your other half!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

TWO ice cream cakes!!! Yupperino, I did get me some delicioso ice cream cakes for my birthday. A decadent chocolate one from my friend Suzanne and a yummo cookies and cream one from David and my boys. Mmmmm....

And if that weren't enough, I got to go on another date with the hubs tonight! We actually doubled with another couple that we're really good friends with. So the kids had fun with a babysitter and we got to go play unlimited bowling, lazertag, pool and arcade games. Yeeeeehaw!

I think we might even be inspired to do date night once a month. As in a date that does not include *gasp* Sam's Club! It's hard to believe. I know.

So do y'all do date nights? If so, where do you go and how often?

And in other news, HOTM is having another giveaway-- this time it's Preschool Activities in a Bag. They are also still accepting nominations for their BIG Mother's Day giveaway!

So don't delay, submit today! You may just win if you'd but play. These bad sad rhymes just should not stay... not in this post, there is no way! Please make it stop, it's really horrid. If you're still reading, you must be bore-d.

Okay, I'm really stopping now... it's hard, but I am... You can thank me later.

Or not.

The day before

Did you know that today was the last day of our spring soccer season?! Well, it was and it! is! over! Yeeeeehawwww! I now have 3 weeknights and every Saturday back to myself... er, to family time together to bond and learn and all that family goodness stuff. :-)

And as if that weren't enough, tomorrow is my birthday!

I finally bit the bullet and conceded that my husband cannot read my mind. Oh no he can't.

So this year I clipped a coupon (because I'm frugal like that) and told him flat out:

I would like a birthday cake for my birthday this year. With candles to blow out. And not the cheesy number 33, but 33 blazing candles that will melt that ColdStone ice cream cake that I so desire. [because I'm not that frugal!]

I now sit here at the computer resisting the urge to look in the freezer where I just know that the cookies and cream ice cream cake will be waiting for me tomorrow. Because he really does like to please me but for some reason he can't read my mind and then forces me to tell him exactly what my expectations are.

Marriage tip for all the newlyweds out there: Your husband cannot read your mind. He doesn't love you any less just because he forces you to be clear and vocal about your expectations!

Off soapbox.

I can almost taste that cake now... I wonder if I can have it for breakfast. Mmmm... that would be a great way to start the day.

Look! It's baby Marsha when I was 3 months old!

I think I've come full circle now. Chubby cheeks and chin? Check!