Surprise its your birthday, no surprise that I LOVE you.

A few weeks ago we celebrated Jeff's birthday.

Gifts are a tough one for me.

I like them if they're thoughtful.

I could not figure out a thoughtful gift.

A gift that declares-

I LOVE YOU!

 YOU'RE EVERYTHING TO ME!

 THERE IS NO ONE ELSE LIKE YOU!

 THE WORLD IS BETTER WITH YOU IN IT! 

What to buy to convey all that? 

Things rust.

They get stored and forgotten.

Although,

making things is a whole different story.

A photo book,

a book of all our love letters,

daily [I love you because] written for a year and then bound in a book.

All ideas I thought of a week before his bday.

oops.

So instead.

A surprise open house.

6:30-8:30

Invited 80 on FACEBOOK and some via email.

His mom and I made his favorite desserts.

Cherry Cheesecake.

Lemon Lush.

Better than anything Chocolate Cake.

I also had a stash of his favorite frozen treats.

To make an excuse for my more than normal cleaning frenzy,

I explained that our good friend was coming to stay with us.

He bought it.
So we got ready for her arrival.
We even bought new kitchen chairs.
(The ones we had were cheap and kept breaking.)
At 6:30 he was building them in his Pajama pants.
The guests began arriving at 6:33.
"SURPIRSE!!  
100 people might be coming to our home tonight!"


It was amazing to have so many people help me 
show Jeff just home much he's loved. 
Half way through the party
I stuck some candles in a ice cream sandwich
(all the cakes were nearly gone).
We sang Happy Birthday.
And then I got all emotional and told everyone

 I LOVE YOU!

 YOU'RE EVERYTHING TO ME!

 THERE IS NO ONE ELSE LIKE YOU!

 THE WORLD IS BETTER WITH YOU IN IT!
I also shared how beautiful he makes me feel.
I can't remember what else I said.
I was shaking and crying.
My daughter heard me say it all,
so happy about that.

Wish I could have all our friends over every month.
 The tangibility of acceptance and love
is such a blessing from friends and family.
Relationships are really the richest part of life.
My marriage is one my riches.
My husband is a gem. 
Pretty sure he knows it.

Note to self.
Have my camera around my neck and
take way MORE pictures.
Jeff's dad got a few for me.

 

Happy to be loved.

 

  Jeff has 10 days off!He has been fixing things and helping around the house. He got the kids up at 5:00,he took them exploring: to find owls, and bald eagles.
I love him! Our marriage isn't perfect.I'm late sometimes.He doesn't like that.We get irritated,stressed,overwhelmed.We don't deal with it the way we should. But,we work through it. We both want the same thing.We want to be friends.We want to be together for our kids.We want to retire together,go on missions.We want happiness, we want to be loved.Its awesome to be with someone,who wants what I want.
There's an article that is awesome.

 HereI just read it.We have some things to work on.January is a perfect time to start.
 ♥

Crazy about him.

 

November 21, 2011

Happy Anniversary!!!  So how is my favorite girl doing this morning?  I miss you.  I am exited to see you tonight. 

November 30, 2011

Hi Kimi,

I love you.  I cant wait to see you.  Too bad I have mutual tonight.  I have had the best time with you the last few months and can't wait for the next few.  

13 years so far. The time has flown.We celebrated with a two day break.A little road trip.We snapped pics with two cameras.It was fun.  

   ♥

Email love.

  Emails from my husband:
 6-30-11

I love you so much, cant wait for this weekend.

8-3-11

Just thinking about you.  Cant wait to see you.  I can't wait till I get to talk to you on our drive this weekend. I miss you so bad right now.

8-15-11 

 I feel close to you even though I am not.

9-19-11

I am so exited to be in love with you!

Jeff works an hour away and we can't talk much on the phone while he's at work.

Its sad.

But.

Email love is my one of my favorite things.
It's a sweet reminder that I'm not alone in this world.
When he declares love I feel 
strong,
beautiful,
brave,
happy.

♥

From Jeff Christmas 2006

I found this little note today. Jeff wrote it in the inside of a gift certificate envelope and I've always wanted to record it somewhere else. I thought I had lost is but found it tucked away in a drawer while I was cleaning. It says,
Kimi,
I am crazy about you. I can't believe I have you, and that we have such a great life together. I love the family that you have given me. You are more attractive now than ever before. Its wonderful to call you mine. You're a beautiful person. I long to be in your presence endlessly. I adore you.
Jeffrey

He is on my mind today. I wish he worked closer so I could have lunch with him every once in awhile. He works an hour away and is gone from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. I wish he was home.

I'm married to a romantic, tender, spiritual, man who loves me deeply.
I love him more than ever. We are celebrating our 9th anniversary this year. I can't believe its flown by so quickly. I'm sooooooooo excited that I have him forever.

Croup and my Beautiful Boys

The last few days Mr. E has been very sick with a nasty croup sickness. I just about took him to the ER Thursday night but fortunately I was able to open up is airway on my own. I was so concerned about him and I always feel very motherly when my children are sick. It tends to bring out the best in me. I think it allows me to see into my children's soul a little easier and really see to their needs while I put my own aside.
Even though he was feeling pretty awful I could tell he was enjoying the attention he was getting from both of his parents. Especially the attention he was soaking up from his Dad. Jeff was so loving and gentle with him. He set up a little bed for him and snuggled him while he asked if there was anything else he needed or wanted. I am sooooooo thankful for a LOVING HUSBAND that cares so much about his children and expresses that love to them nearly every day. He truly understands his role in their lives and is a WONDERFUL PARENTING COMPANION. Jeff has changed my life in so many ways. Since the day I met him I've become a better person. He makes me feel like I'm the most beautiful girl in the world. Yesterday I purposely went out of my way to find him and give him a kiss. He looked up at me, and with sincerity in his eyes and love in his voice he said, "You're Pretty". It was totally unexpected and I started to cry. I hope with all my heart that my boys take after their dad and that his BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE will fortify them in times of trial or temptation. This morning I truly feel the Hand of the Lord in my life. I have 3 beautiful boys in my life and its making all the difference in the world.