Copper and wool

This anniversary marks 7 years that we have been married. Can you believe that? Copper and wool, do you ever wonder who came up with this? Oh well, copper and wool it is. He has copper coming and I have wool....wonder it is?

On this day, 7 years ago we said our I do's amongst our family and friends. And although almost all of our lives have taken turns and we rarely talk to those friends and family, it was truely a blessing to have each and every one of them there with us. Including, Chase. Not only did we take vows as a husband and wife, we took a seperate set of vows as a family with Chase at our sides. 

And 7 years later we have added two of the most precious girls that God ever put on this planet.

We have added a dog, about 3 Betta's, and one ginormous bunny!

We have also added stress, bills, jobs, tough decisions, a house that is midly falling apart with repairs to do, and a crazy sports driven lifestyle. Oh and lets not forget about adding pounds to our waistlines.  Looking back means looking at all the good things we've added but looking at those bad things as well. I am proud to say that we have come so far. In the stress, we have found a new understanding of what true love looks like. It is not the sappy romantic you see in movies. It is the stick by your side, argue with you, take some time to get our thoughts together, and then come back to hash it all out. Then we forgive. 

Forgiving has never been a word I liked. Forgiving felt like I was losing. Like the other person won. I didn't like forgiving. That was 7 years ago. Oh what I have learned about that word now. Forgiving is the basis of every day life, it seems. Forgiving children for their accidents. Forgiving our neighbors for forgetting to water our garden. Forgiving our past for it does not keep hold over our happiness now with each other. Forgiving ourselves for mistakes made. Forgiving each other. Forever. 

On this day, 7 years ago I took vows to love and cherish. I wanted to take today to really think back, to reflect on what that felt like so long ago. I almost laugh at what it means now. Our lives together are so much richer than they ever were apart. I remember when we first met at our friends' wedding. At their reception, we couldn't stay away from each other. We both were smitten. Now is no different. We are still smitten with each. And boy do I love that feeling. I adore my husband. His tenderness and caring heart are the most beautiful things on this side of Heaven. His love for me, even when I am stubborn (I know, can't imagine it right?) , is genuine and never faltering. We are closer today than we ever thought we could be. I can't even begin to comprehend what it will be like in 7 more years. But I can't wait. 

So happy anniversary to my dear husband. You are the reason I smile every day. You make me a better person. You are my happily ever after. You are my love. You are where my heart resides, always and forever.


PS: Sorry for the photos of photos. We don't have digitals of our wedding pics :( but these work just as well. 

Weekend in review

This past weekend was fun and relaxing all at the same time. Ryan went away to a bachelor party - float trip, so I called in the sister to come help me kill the time while he was away. I know I can always tempt her with good food and movies. And boy did we both deliver. Whether it was in depth discussions about 50 shades and "real" men over martinis or having fun with girls in the pool with blackberry crushes in hand....it was awesome. Here are the pics:




Superstar!!


Blackberry Crush....muddled 4 blackberries with about 7 mint leaves with about a tablespoon or two of simple syrup. Added 2 shot glasses of vodka and topped it all off with sparkling lemonade or seltzer water. Refreshing!!




No don't....


spray me!!


This is what everyone else is doing while I was slaving away in the kitchen :)


Yummy roasted chicken, fresh green beans, and stacked fresh from the farmers market potatoes!

Our garden is going strong in some areas and dead in others. The heat is killer this time of year and last I checked, 108 seems to be the magic number for the next seven days. Wow. I am just exhausted from typing that. Anywho, the tomatoes are in full force as are the cucumbers.


And what do you do with all those cukes? Make more pickles!






And a huge thank you to Sue, Larry, and Jackie for coming to visit on Friday morning. It is always nice to have visitors, breaks up our pretty plain days. The peaches that you brought we heavenly and gone. It was so nice to see you all and enjoy some yummy cake! This cake is a keeper and perfect for these summer months with all of the berry goodness going around. It is very dense, think pound cake, but so delish!!



You can find the recipe here : Smitten Kitten Triple Berry Bundt
* I added 4 cups of berries and it turned out delish!! The kids loved this cake for breakfast!
* As you can see from the picture I had a hell of a time getting out of my bundt pan, which normally doesn't happen. Next time I make this, I will be buttering the pan and then sprinkling flour to ensure it comes out. Nothing as depressing as waiting for a beautiful cake to come out of a pan, then it doesn't. Oh well. It was still good :)

Happy week to everyone. Stay cool!!