Little Cleaning Fairy came while I slept

It's Spring Break.

A break from

6:15 am,

hurried breakfast,

catching the bus,

getting ready to go.

 No alarm this morning.

But,

something did wake me.

The clatter of dishes.

Was someone eating breakfast?

No, I heard the dishwasher rack being pulled.

Dishes stacked.

The kitchen faucet is on, then off.

Someone is cleaning!!!

I bet it's my Whiters.

Love her.

She is my little cleaning fairy.

Can't wait until she can make a full meal!!

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.

 

Love should never end.

My dad got married. Gasp? Most are surprised at this. My mom died on August 18th and assured us before she died that she wanted my dad to marry as soon as possible. She even gave suggestions. Sadly, there's been gossip and assumptions. I for one am very happy. His wife's name is Sharon, she's from Michigan and he met in her online. I get along with her very well and think she's a sweetheart. She loves on my kids and has already won their hearts. Whitney is smitten with her. Sharon and I actually have some similarities in our personalities.
They got married for the first part of January in Michigan. They're living in my dad's house, I'm fine with that too. Its funny, I tried to get myself riled up about it, and thought it should ruffle my feathers but it hasn't. I think its because I don't want my heart to hurt anymore. I can't do anything about it and I do want my dad to be happy. It is something else to watch your dad lose the love of his life. The night my mom died, I was there. I watched her take her last breaths and waited for the undertaker to leave with her. I can't even begin to put into words the feelings my heart had to go through, and when I got home I snuggled up to Jeff in bed and cried more than I thought was possible.
My dad went to bed that night and no one was there. The emptiness in that rips my heart out. So yes, I'm okay with him getting married again. If you've really loved in this life it gives you all the more reason to love again. I think my dad is honoring my mom by loving again. If my life was cut short and Jeff was alone, I'd want the same thing for him. I'd like to think that he'd make her a pretty good husband because quite frankly our marriage is, well, I don't know if I can describe it. Maybe I can try.

Yesterday I brought the kids to church by myself because Jeff was already there for meetings he had. As the meeting began there was no sign of Jeff. Every time there was movement in the back of the chapel I glanced back to see if it was him. Finally, about 10 minutes into the meeting I glanced back and there he was. My heart fluttered as he walked to our pew. He pushed the kids aside and took his seat right next to me. He promised me after we got engaged that he would sit right beside me at church, even if we had a quiver full of kids. He's always kept that promise. Sitting in church and holding his hand, while he sweetly whispers in my ear how much he loves me, is one of my most favorite things in all the world. And lately the kids have been so good. All four of them snuggle up to us and for an hour my cup runneth over. My marriage-takes my breath away.
Love in this life should never end when we lose someone we love. We should love even more and build on the that love, and open our hearts again all the more.