Happy 10th Anniversary...to us.

I am so so so behind but that's nothing new. I have so much to talk about and don't really know where to begin. I'm just going to skip it all for now. A big date is approaching.

Tomorrow Neil and I will have been married 10 years, together 16 years. It's funny because here we are celebrating our 10th and we should be going on a trip to somewhere tropical (we didn't go on a honeymoon and still haven't been anywhere romantic alone, but one day we will and it will be fantastic) but instead we are painting rooms and moving around furniture to make room for our 3rd sweet baby. So things don't always go as planned. Something I know very very well, so it's not a surprise. I honestly don't think I would want it any other way right now. What a wonderful way to celebrate 10 years, preparing for another little miracle into our family.

Let's see... We were married 10 years ago in Champaign, IL at a beautiful Presbyterian church. 350 guests packed the church on the hottest day of the year. I remember so clearly watching the 10:00 news at mom and dad's the night before seeing the forecast for July 3rd calling for 97 degree temperatures. Unfortunately, they were right on, too. No breeze, just hot and humid. Oh, and I don't think I mentioned that our church didn't have air conditioning. Not something we thought about when booking the church in December. Oops. Lesson learned with that one, and one that we can hopefully pass down to all our kids.

(Neil and I at the church, 9 years later...shot last summer by my friend Erin.)

But it was a beautiful ceremony, I must say. All 6 of my girls looked amazing in their ivory dresses and carrying blue flowers. My flower girls, Ashley and Taylor, the cutest little flower girls ever. My dear friend, Kristin, sang John Denver's Follow Me (one that was sang at my parents' wedding making it extra special) and Bette Midler's Rose. My grandma Libby was at the wedding as she fought off breast cancer, totally exhausted but would never miss my wedding for the world (she passed away 8 months later and I loved her dearly like a best friend). It was the hottest day of the year, and the shortest ceremony ever, but it was still very special, as it should be. I married my first love..my high school sweetheart, and here we are 10 years later reminiscing that day. Wow.

We've had some very challenging times, but I can say they all have only made us stronger. I'd never wish hard times on other couples but I have to say that it's really the only thing in a relationship that will force you to either come closer together or pull you apart. I'm thankful we made the choice for these challenges to bring us closer together. Our infertility, losing babies, and thinking we'd never have a family was a huge obstacle for us to make it through. But we did. I would have picked no one other than Neil to sit with me in the bathroom for hours as I lost a baby, and I wouldn't want anyone other than Neil to say "it's going to be okay". (I told him I didn't believe him, but in my heart, I did.) He's been my lifesaver...my strong tower...holding me up while I know he was dealing with the same intense pain as I.

I lost my two grandmothers and my grandpa during our time together. I held my grandpas hand as he took his last breath, and Neil was there with me during that moment...the hardest moment in my life, I think. Neil lost two of his grandfathers. Those weren't easy times. Parts of both of us suddenly gone, in really, a very short time. And then there was Noah's birth, where I was intibated and put completed under; Neil unable to even be in the room as his son was cut out of my body. And then Maia's labor of 31 hours ending with a c-section, in which of course he was next to my side through every minute of it. God's challenged us with a lot, still is...but He's also proven to us that we can get through just about anything with faith, compassion, patience, and love.

I'm so lucky to have someone who loves me as he does. He does so much for me. So much for our family. So often I think to myself "no one else would do this for me, I'm so lucky to have him" and then I say a prayer thanking God for my wonderful husband. He's the most amazing father taking so much time out to play with them, color with them, teaching Noah how to ride his bike, doing Maia's hair (when I know it isn't something on his "most exciting father moment" list), taking them grocery shopping so mommy can have some time to herself, taking them to the farmer's market to pick out flowers for mommy to plant, taking the kids somewhere while letting mommy sleep in bed all day when she is experiencing aches and pains, and the list goes on and on and on. I am truly truly blessed.

I could go on and on with this blog post, but I won't bore you more since I probably already have. I just wanted to give Neil the recognition he deserves. I love him so much and these 10 years, well, they've truly been the best years of my life.

I love you, Neilly. Happy 10th Anniversary.

Fifeteen & Nine...

I am a day early but that's because I have time right now. The next few days are going to be pretty busy with the 4th, the long weekend and we're going to the water park on Saturday --- woo-hoo! I think I'm looking more forward to that than the kids, but that's probably because I know what a water park is ;c)

Anyway, tomorrow is Neil and my 9th anniversary. 9 years ago we were married in an absolutely beautiful church. It was the hottest day of the year (not kidding when I say that, it was 97 degrees and high humidity) and guess what our church didn't have? Air conditioning. Well, we didn't think of that when we were booking the church in December! (note to file: always think ahead!)

So our wedding day was pretty memorable for all 400 of our guests (saying that with sarcasm). When we mention the day we were married people always say "I remember that! Boy it was hot!" Sometimes I think people forget that the bride (me) was in a big layered tulle dress which felt like it was 50 pounds, especially when you combined the dress itself with all the sweat coming off of my body. Thank goodness for my bridesmaid, Sara, who brought a hand-held fan for me. That fan spent a good majority of the day under my dress to cool my whithering hot body! :c)

But of course that day is also very memorable for us. We were together 6 years before we got married. We had known each other since we were 8. We grew up just a couple miles apart. We rode the same bus to school. But it wasn't till we were in high school that we found a little spark between us that would grow and then carry us through 15 years together. Wow.

While Erin and Jer were visiting we took them to the University of Illinois campus. It's such a beautiful campus. We didn't go to school there, but both our dads did, Neil's brother did, our sister-in-law did, a big handful of my friends, and about a half dozen of my family members. We both grew up on that campus in one way or another, going to basketball and football games or for whatever other reason. So it was fun showing the campus off to E & J. What was even more fun was showing them the church we got married in which is right off of campus. I am so thankful I had my camera with me (and some friends who could help me out!) because we had a picture taken on the steps of that church which I will forever be grateful for. It signifies so much.



This picture contains so much symbolism. Obviously it's the church that we were married in . . .the steps that we both walked down after we were pronounced husband and wife. But this picture, it symbolizes a love that is undying. That has weathered a few storms and is ready to weather more if we need to. It symbolizes two people who will forever be best friends. Who are still in love, but whose love has grown differently from that puppy love in high school to a love that is comfortably happy. It symbolizes that we will always try to stay on the top as long as we do it together . . . two people who can't be strong together if we aren't the people we were made to be individually first. After 15 years together, we've made it through a lot. I think we're ready to take on whatever else life will lead us into.

God has blessed us. Amazingly, we triumphed infertility and loss and are at a point in our lives that I truly never ever thought I would see. This family . . .























So happy anniversary to my forever dear Neilly. I love you so much. Thank you for loving our kids, thank you for loving me. You are the best husband and daddy a woman would ever ever want. I am so thankful for you.

To honeymoon in Mexico? . . . or California?

We got loads and loads of snow last night and into today. 12 inches to be exact. (wowzers!) Every school in the area was canceled, including the universities and government buildings which rarely ever close for anything. My hubby didn't even think twice about driving 30 minutes to work. Our street wasn't even plowed which automatically made a sign flash in front of our eyes that read "Lazy Day Today!".

I really like snow, but after all this, I'm ready for spring and to see some flowers again. The thought of warm weather has made me think of vacations. And my friend, Missy, her post about finding a vacation spot this year made me think about our honeymoon next summer.

Honeymoon??

Yes, honeymoon. Next year will be our 10th anniversary and we have never been on a honeymoon. (Crazy, eh?!) We haven't even ever been anywhere together -- alone -- for over a weekend anyplace. The farthest we've traveled together is Arizona and New Orleans and those trips have just been over long weekends. And Arizona was for our friends' wedding which we just made a day or two longer so we could see some of Arizona.

I'm more than ready to get away with my husband. Finally. I feel like I've known him for ever and ever. Well, because I sort of have. We have been "together" for 15 years and have known each other for 23 years. It's time to get away with this guy . . . my best friend. :c) (Yes, that is cheesy, but nevertheless, it's true.)

I've never been west of Omaha, Nebraska. Well, for the exception of Arizona (Sedona & Phoenix). I've never been to the New England area, either. (How boring am I?!) I've never been to Canada. I've only been out of the country once, and that was to Brazil. I've also been to Hawaii. I've been to a handful of areas within the U.S., just not a lot. But come next week, I will be able to add Oklahoma to my list of places I've been! (Yay!)

So . . . drum roll . . . I think we've narrowed down our place of destination to either Mexico or California.

Why?

Well, because I have a huge passion and love for ancient art and a lot of it resides there in Mexico. I took tons of classes in college on art history and fell in love with the ancient art. One semester I studied the Mayan Culture (the art of) and wrote my term paper on the amazing Mayan Women. They absolutely fascinate me. (They were oh-so-powerful and idolized!) Most of the Mayans resided in Mexico with some residing in Central America and a few in South America. I would absolutely LOVE to see some of the Mayan ruins face-to-face. Love to! And to photograph them. Ooooo . . . what a dream come true that would be.
I would like to stay at a 4 or 5-star resort (why, yes!!), maybe all-inclusive?, and the times we aren't exploring the Mayans, I would want to be on the beach drinking margaritas :c) But another part of me wants to explore wine country of California and make my way to San Fransisco, but that would require a whole lot of driving and not staying put in one place for very long. But that is another thing I would really love to do.

I also really want to travel to Italy and Greece one day. I don't know if I want that to be right now yet or not. I may want to bring my kids with me to see those areas. Or, maybe not? :c)

So I'm posting this just to get some opinions. Have you been to Mexico? What parts? Did you see the Ruins? Did you like Mexico? Did you stay in an all-inclusive resort? (We've never stayed at one, but have heard it's the "route to go".)

(If I had endless money, this is where I would go in a heartbeat!)

What about California? Do you think we should skip Mexico this time around and go to California instead? We're really leaning towards Mexico, so trying to change my mind would take a lot, but if you know me, you know I'm easily swayed.

So please let me know your thoughts! We have to plan this because we have to save save save! (Money does not grow on trees here.) And, we want to do it right. So any advice would be absolutely fantastic and very appreciative!!

This will be my last post before I leave for Oklahoma (well, unless baby A decides to come before I leave, and I can't not tell about that!)! So . . . I'll be seeing you in one week with pictures of a new beautiful baby girl in my family, and hope to return to a lot of great vacationing advice!

Orthopedic Surgeon

Sooooooo . . . today not only was our 8th wedding anniversary (8 years ago we were married on the hottest day of the year in Illinois at 97 degrees and almost 100% humidity, 300 wedding guests and NO AIR CONDITIONING in the church --- groan! --- yep, you got that right!), but it was also Maia's leg appointment with the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. We saw two doctors and we really loved them both. But Dr. G was the BEST. Probably one of the many reasons why people travel from all over to see him and why it takes 2-1/2 months to get in to see him.

Maia did some walking for him. He checked out her feet and legs extensively by touch, and he did lots of leg turning, prodding and twisting. He could tell just by looking at her legs while she was sitting on my lap that her left foot "went in". His diagnosis is, her left leg tibia is growing inward, but only at a 10% difference. Her toes turn inward, but he said that usually isn't a problem like when a person's toes turn outward.

He also said that her hips are a little out-of-whack. She sits in a "W" position all the time. Rarely does she sit like everyone else, with the legs in front or in an Indian-style position.

He called them both problems, but also both things that she will probably forever be able to live with. He said as long as she doesn't seem to be in pain (and she's not), then he isn't concerned at all. He said she might fall more than other kids (because of her tripping over that left leg) but that it doesn't bother him if it doesn't bother her or us. He also said the "W" sitting is something usually inherited from mom or dad - double-jointness or extra flexibility and limberness. If it's a genetic thing, she definitely got it from me and not Neil. Who knows, maybe she'll be the next famous ballet dancer, gymnast or trapeze artist?! HA! (Hoping not the latter!)

So we are happy. Very happy. Last time we were in there, I was standing in tears. Today I was standing in smiles.

And an interesting thing he did point out. He said in the 80's a doctor probably would have put her immediately in leg braces. But through lots of test and evaluations, they have discovered that leg braces do not help any more than no leg braces at all. He said they are basically a thing of the past because they haven't been proven to be any help at all in leg problems like hers (even worser cases).

So, we're home, having had no x-rays, and quite happy. Maia is napping and we're hoping Noah falls asleep too because we're all very tired. I don't think we slept well at all last night and today was just a lonnnng day.

Thanks so much for your prayers. I know that we've had so many. xoxo

Do you have a video camera?

I have to admit that I know nothing about video cameras. I don't even think I know how to work one of the new snazzy ones they have out on the market. I have an old one that is pretty simple. The smaller ones look more complex, but maybe I'm wrong. See, I know nothing! Which is why I need your help.

Tomorrow is Neil and my 8th anniversary. I can't hardly believe it. We've been together 14 years. Each year I think, wow, it doesn't feel like it's been that long and I can't believe it's been that long, but then I count backwards and realize it really has! And then I think how I've absolutely loved every year of it and secretly I'm always thinking about another wedding where we renew our vows. Just a dream, but maybe one day it will happen? I take notes at the weddings I shoot . . . shhhhh!

Anyway, I am completely blessed to have been chosen by Neil. He is quite possibly the best husband ever. (I've even had friends tell me that in a way that I feel like they're saying in a very loving way "don't take him for granted!") And we've never really exchanged nice meaningful gifts before. We're just not all that into that. (Sappy, I know, cuz that's me, but we have each other!) I think I've bought him clothes in the past . . . but nothing that ever pertains to us. So my first thought was, how about a video camera?

So I bought one. I think it's a great gift for him. We'll both use it of course, but this piece of technology he can be in charge of. I'm usually stuck behind my camera (but because I want to be!), so this one he can be stuck behind. I'm just not sure I bought the right one.

I went into Best Buy with having done zero research. But I talked to the sales boy (yes, he was a boy) and he really knew a lot. (You know, we can all tell when they're pulling it out of their butts or out of their heads.) So I think he led me down the right path and didn't talk me out of a medium-priced camera.

So my question is, what do you use? Do you like it? Is it a tape camera, a memory stick camera, a DVD camera or a hard drive camera? Tell me all about it. Then I'll tell you what I got and if I'm keeping it (based on what you tell me --- ha!).