6th Wedding Anniversary!

This day EXACTLY I married my husband.

6 years ago today was a Monday.  He took off school and I took off work and we headed down to the local judge's office.  The building was next to the bowling alley I went to as a teen.  It was next to the movie theater where I had my first job (aside from babysitting).  The building also used to be a little ice cream shop where my camp (then high school) friend Rifka used to work.

Stepping into this building, holding my soon to be husband's hand was nothing but WEIRD!  We signed in, handed the clerk our paperwork, and waited for our turn to enter the judge's chambers (really, just a small room with some chairs!).  While we waited a large man with a loud voice barged into the waiting room and announced "I WANT TO SUE SOMEBODY!" We were called back to the judge's chambers before we could hear who was being sued and why. 

It is amazing that one small, hidden space, among many other small businesses, can hold so much energy, memories, and emotions.  Every time I go back home and am driving around the city I grew up in, I always find myself driving by that building at least once.  I wonder if that person actually sued another person.  I wonder if the Polaroid the judge snapped is still hanging on the wall of other eloped couples.  I wonder how many of those couples made it to 6 years like I have. 

One question I NEVER ask myself is "did I make the right decision".  I have no doubt in my mind that walking into that building was the best decision I have ever made.  I am looking at my husband right now, sitting in silence while the children are sleeping (hopefully), and I don't have negative thought about that man running through my mind.  I'm not saying he's perfect, I am not delusional (much...) but I know that we are a prefect fit!

I hope the next year is just as amazing as this past one!

Snippet From Memorial Day Parade

Chicago Memorial Day Parade ... Go to time stamp 3:49 to see Navy Band Great Lakes... Good closeups of my husband (the tuba player with a blue mouthpiece!).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone out there in blogland!!

I have so much to be thankful for- my family (immediate and extended), friends (online and "real life" both of which help hold me together!!), my kitties, my husband's job, our amazing house we got in August, the fact that we are able to afford to send our daughter to preschool this year, my children growing up and becoming friends and playing nice together (sometimes), we can afford food, nice phones, Starbucks... (no , seriously).

Of course not everything is perfect, my sister moved farther away. But at least she is still a short plane-ride away should we be able to afford to visit. My job isn't exactly secure, but I know there will be other opportunities out there when the kids are in school full time and I can dedicate more time to working. My mom had back surgery in February, but I am so thankful she has been recovering well and will finally be able to visit us tomorrow. She has not been to see us since September 2009. I am thankful my aunt was able to move closer to my mom and not be so lonely anymore.

I wish we had more "extra" money so that we can help others. I would love to be able to buy a toy (or many) for every Toys For Tots I see. I would love to be able to volunteer or give more than we do. One day, perhaps, when we are a bit more secure and not living paycheck to paycheck I can do that. For now, we do our best to support those we know and those we don't. I am so thankful for our friends here in Great Lakes and being able to help each other out when we need it. I hope we are able to find such great friends each time we move.

Anyway.. I'm rambling on and I have baking to do!

GOBBLE GOBBLE!

5 Years

Today is my five year marriage anniversary. Five years ago, I pledged to be the wife, best friend, confidant, companion, and provide unconditional support for my husband. I couldn't have picked a better man to want to spend the rest of my life with.

Our lives have been filled with a lot, it has not been particularly easy, emotionally or financially. But what marriage is perfect? Despite our disagreements, our hardships, our disappointments, we have found unconditional love, we have created two beautiful children, we have found rainbows in the storms.

I know that with my husband by my side, I can be anything and do anything I put my heart to. I know he will support my decisions in regards to our children, our household, my life. I know that when I am being ridiculous and irrational he will tell me, not because he thinks I am in the wrong, but because he cares.

We have grown from geeky band members in high school to lovers in college to best friends and partners in our later 20s. We have learned how to tolerate each others's little annoyances, how to share our spaces, what each other likes to eat, drink, listen to, what clothes we prefer to wear. We have been blessed with two children who continue to fill our hearts with more joy than we could have ever imagined.

I know we still have bumpy roads ahead of us. Many more stressful moves, more losses, more heartache. But there is always a flip side. Each move brings us another chance at rebuilding what we leave behind, chances to fix our mistakes. Each loss and heartache strengthens our bonds, reminds us what love is and why it is so important.

I love my husband. I would chose him again and again to be with me. Thank you, husband, for choosing me. I will continue to ensure you made a good choice too!

Mocha Latte

My mother in law recently sent us an espresso machine for christmas. We wanted one to try and break our Starbucks habit (spending more money than we should have... evil drive thrus!!). I think I am drinking more lattes than EVER now that my husband has perfected his technique and the recipe he found. He's almost at barista competition level, in my opinion.

Tonight he bought the peppermint syrup from Starbucks... heaven!

I would post more but I'm too hyped up on caffeine.... =)

Happy 3rd Anniversary To Me and Dave =)

On September 19, 2005 I married the Tubist of my dreams... oh and I guess the boy of my dreams too.

They had known each other since that fateful day in August 1997 when Dave moved to Pittsburgh and joined the high school marching band. Who knew way back then that he would fall in love with that skinny, awkward, loud, obnoxious, but fun piccolo player who had a knack for having asthma attacks on the bus when people sprayed perfume, or after band shows. Who knew that she would fall in love with that short, cute, crude on occassion, tuba player who happened to think her curves and boobs were smokin hot. It seemed obvious to them that they were not meant to be high school sweethearts when they had a typical one week relationship and things just didn't pan out. Then, in September 2002, just a year after Kate moved back to town, she and Dave met again when Kate went to hear her roommate, and best friend, play in her college wind ensemble. Dave wasn't playing the first half of the concert and sat with Kate. They held hands as they listened to the students play. After the concert the three reunited friends went out for dessert and Kate realized that she was going to marry this boy. One month later, they started dating. December 2002 Dave proposed in a very silly way (while driving in the car). Many ups and downs, 2 engagement rings, and 2 cats later, they were married. Wedding planning was driving both of them bonkers, so they went to the local court office one Monday afternoon. Ironically the judge had a daughter Kate's age and a son Dave's age who had gone to the same high school. While telling us about marriage, having us sign forms, and us saying that we do, we discussed teachers we liked, didn't like, people we knew... it was certainly a day to remember.

June 2006 the happy couple found out they were expecting their first child. Oh my... how was a research associate and a full time grad student going to raise a child?? Somehow it all worked out and their first child was born, the most gorgeous girl anyone could ever ask for. After deciding to wait awhile before having another, to ensure financial stability and pay off some college loans, the couple found out they were pregnant AGAIN. Thankfully Dave had graduated and had a secure job lined up as a member of the Navy band program. Now the couple is enduring the most trying time in their relationship. Hopefully to come out of it with newfound respect and love for each other, as well as 2 amazing children, 2 cats, and supportive friends and family.

Who could ask for anything more? I couldn't... well, maybe to hear my husband's voice or feel his touch.

Kate and Dave at the Flemington house, New Years eve, 2004. (Obviously slightly drunk as Dave seems to be mesmerized by the flashing device taking our photo).

The polaroid picture the judge took when we got married. I wonder if we are still on the wall in the office. I also wonder how many of those couples are still married...

Dave and Kate on their honeymoon, February 14th 2006. We rented a cabin in West Virginia and nearly got snowed in. It was fun. I also learned that I did not marry Dave for his fire making skills.

December 2006, 7 months pregnant with Jordan.

Last family photo we had taken, Pittsburgh Zoo, August 2008. I am 3 months pregnant with Benjamin.

You can't teach a man new tricks, but you sure can try!

I am a full time working mom. My husband is a student who often keeps late hours. Ie... I do not get out much.

Last Saturday some friends invited me out. Nothing major, just going to a local cupcake shop to hang out for a few hours (drool...). Hubby said yes, but I had to go after he got home, around 8pm. Baby tucked nicely into bed, sound asleep, I bolt out the door at precisely 8pm. I pick up my girlfriends, get a nice chocolate cupcake, and proceed to talk about things NOT work or family. 10 pm rolls around and I glance at my phone. Missed phone calls too numerous to count plus text messages from Hubby.

BABY IS AWAKE! COME HOME NOW! He exclaims.

We pack up, I drop my friends off at their houses and head on home. Hubby is FURIOUS at me... Baby is chewing on iPod. I get baby back into bed and hubby is giving me the silent treatment. WTF!!

We "discuss" the situation (we all know what that means... I yell and he sits there with his face all tensed up). Hubby does not get the fact that he can come and go as he pleases and nothing going on at home affects him. But God forbid I leave the house for a moment because the baby might wake up and want to nurse. Baby could scream, cry, avoid sleep, avoid food, what have you, and he can go on his merry way. I don't get that luxury (as we all know!!) so what am I supposed to do? Stay at the house 24/7 for fear of baby waking up?

Hubby apologized. Did he mean it? Maybe, maybe not.

Following evening, I am invited out to see a movie. More specifically, a CHICK FLICK that Hubby would not want to see. I turn down the offer. Hubby says call your friend back. You can go!

Have I mentioned yet that I love my husband?

You can teach a man new tricks!