11 Years

Happy Anniversary: The 10 years and counting edition

I've been avoiding the blog. Can you tell?  It's mostly because things are busy, it is December after all.  But things feel particularly busy with all that I like to do around the holidays and having my big boy off at school.  I'm also using my aging eyes as an excuse to limit my screen time because I think some of the eye strain I am currently feeling would be resolved with less time on the computer (and more sleep but that a whole other story).  But the truth is, I am still getting plenty of screen time scrolling mindlessly through the apps on my phone, avoiding the blog. So, enough with that.  Here I am, trying to catch up.  It won't be very detailed or eloquent but hopefully I can get back into a groove.

So...  Charlie and I have been married for 10 years!!!  Can you believe it?!?  And get this....  we traveled without the kids... for a week!  What? What?  Yep, Gammie and Pudge came to town and we headed to San Francisco for a week.

How was that you ask?  Luxurious.

Backing up to when I fist brought it up with Freddie and Hans I wasn't so sure about leaving them.  I knew they would be fine.  I actually worried about Gammie and Pudge more than the kids.  But Freddie actually teared up, more than once, when it was discussed.  I get it.  We've never left him, not both of us at the same time anyway.  And we've only ever left them for a date just a handful of times. I felt badly for never having left them, for their not yet having the experience of knowing we will always come back and they'd be fine without us.  And for not having the experience of being spoiled by their grandparents.  I spent a lot of time with my grandmother being fed all of my favorite treats and really, really spoiled and these boys need that experience too!  

Anyway, after leaving a 10 page document with the step by step routine and childcare guide with Gammie and Pudge, Charlie and I got on a direct flight to San Francisco.  Very unlike me, I had made no plans for our stay.  I had hotel reservations and that was pretty much it.  I didn't want to be forced to any schedule and real just wanted to have a leisurely mornings and meals.

We ended up having a good amount of rain, by California standards, during our stay which was a bummer.  Even more of a bummer is I, who never gets sick, was SICK!   While I wasn't completely out of commission, I wanted to spend quite a bit of time doing nothing.  We didn't make it out to dinner once since I was pretty exhausted by 5pm each evening.

Instead of going out for cocktails...

I'm super glad I opted for a nice hotel because we ended up spending quite a bit of time there.

We did wander the city, taking in the sites, people watching, and chatting...mostly about the kids.  Smile.

I have to say San Francisco is a place I could see us living.  The climate is perfect, the people are laid back, there is green everywhere, and I could live in a Victorian house!!

I was struck by how "low" the city was compared to our current home.  It is a big city and goes on and on but everything is so low that you can seem to see beyond and forever.  The hills also help. There is also something very nice about having the mountains and ocean so close.

Charlie even drove in the city so he can attest to the fact that the vibe on the west coast is VERY different that the east coast.  Too bad life there comes with a similarly high price tag.

After spending a few days having long breakfasts and lunches seated at the bar and taking a whole lotta selfies (us-ies?) we headed south on Route 1.  I love a good road trip, although they aren't the same now that we have kids, so I was very much looking forward to making the drive without an agenda and taking in the view.

We spent two nights along the coast driving through Big Sur before turning around in Morro Bay.

Finding jade to bring back to the boys.

The entire drive was gorgeous, and really made us both miss the boys.  These are things we wanted them to see an experience. It was pretty amazing to have sea lions barking in the ocean as the background noise to your conversation and to see otter in the ocean on an even walk.

Sunset view from our hotel room

Charlie taking int he view from our hotel.

We could have sat on the beach in Morro Bay for days just watching surfers and the people walk by wading through the surf.

Otter playing in the water behind me!

My favorite part about our stop on the coast...

Seeing these two guys, finally, on FaceTime.  Hansie's first words to me.. Mamma, I Wuv You.  With the time difference and their busy days it was hard to get in a chat.  I was also worried that talking to them might mean they'd become sad or emotional and I didn't want that.  They seemed happy to see us and everyone seemed to be doing A-ok (even Gammie and Pudge).

Then it was time for a speedy drive back up before our long flight home.  Thank you Gammie and Pudge for making this happen for us.  It was a perfect way to celebrate 10 years of marriage...by having a conversation again!  It's funny to look through these pictures and see so many of us smiling rather than of the boys doing goofy things (or being coerced to smile!)... almost like the old days give or take a few pounds and wrinkles.

Happy anniversary, C-Bear.  I am thankful for you, for these boys, and for this life of ours.  I love you.

The 9th Year of Forever

Happy Anniversary, Charlie.  Thank you for this life.  I love you.

8 Years

Marking this date has certainly evolved from grandiose to simple, but the commitment has never felt more grand.  We've got this life.  Each other.  These babies.  And I am so very thankful for all of it. 

I'm thankful you tell me I'm beautiful even with the crusty snot on my shoulder (and in my hair).  I'm thankful you scrub the booster seats after pasta night.  I'm thankful you send me text messages to let me know you're outside the building, waiting to wave to the me and boys.  I'm thankful you tell me about your day, listen to Freddie yammer on about his, and always remember to ask about mine.

You're a catch, Charlie.  You're mine.  Forever.

7 Years

My, we were cute...

I must say this was one of the best days of my life.  And not just in that trite "it's our wedding day" way.  I really, really loved our evening.

And I loved our day today together too!  We're still pretty cute, right?

Self Portraits are more difficult now but I vow to revive the tradition!

7 years is only the beginning and I can't wait to see what's next.  Thank you, Charlie, for this life.  Thank you for these boys and the laughs and the love.