6 Years

So it wasn't the weekend we had planned for, but since when does life turn out exactly (or even close to!) what one has 'planned'? As is the case in many instances, what was was 'unplanned' turned out to be even sweeter in hindsight. (Plus we saved much-needed money for the diaper fund! See? There is always a silver...er, elastic, lining!)

The Anniversary Dinner: The table reserved just for us at the ultra-exclusive Home Di'La Sweet Home. My husband was able to watch the 'chef' create his favorite meal right before his very eyes! (And no, Aunt Lou, I am not writing metaphorically here!!) In other words, we dined at our favorite spot on earth.

We do not have an anniversary day to celebrate this year, as it only occurs once every four years. We were married February 29, 2004. My soon-to-be husband thought it was a brilliant way out of needing to remember every year, but thankfully was wise enough to reconsider that particular 'brilliant' idea. We almost always make each other cards, and in my humble thinking, those are always the best.

Leisurely moments in the morning + A productive afternoon + Little interruption = A Good Day!

A Good Day...that it was! After dropping our little twin treasures off at their grandparent's, joining their siblings who had spent the night, my husband and I headed to one of my very favorite breakfast places. (I say "one", only because there is another special place near and dear to my heart that I love to enjoy the first meal of the day at!).

If this picture weren't so blurry, you would see cozy lighting, adorable curtains, coffee cups lining the windows...all beckoning the early riser to come in and take a load off...

(and in the summer, those window boxes are overflowing with bright bursts of color).

Well, a cheery Good Morning to you too!
Oh that my staff here at home would write so charmingly on our black dry erase board, and provide such savory selections for breakfast.
As the tired old cliche goes, it's so hard to find good help.

(Especially when you're all that you've got!!)

I found it fitting, this mug's mantra sitting next to me (especially the first part).

Any place that serves 1.) Kona Coffee as their 'standard' cup and 2.) provides flavored creamers along with the plain is my 'favorite place'.

My husband just LOVES pictures, estatic when he's in them...and especially so when i impose upon perfect strangers to take them.

Ok, maybe not. Definitely not.

But he sure does love me...And that is why he is sitting there at the boutique breakfast nook (which he did honestly enjoy), smiling at the camera...knowing full well this would probably end up on The Coffee Cottage.


On our way home, we stopped by the venue that held our elegant wedding reception. We climbed the winding stairs to the entrance of the banquet room, the same crystal chandelier overhead and the scenes of a special evening flitting through our minds...

....Introducing, for the first time in public, Mr. and Mrs....

And there we stood again today. Only today we were standing at the threshold of the local GOODWILL store. Yup, they turned that gorgeous place into a massive maize of used-treasures. Curt offered to dance with me on the dance floor, but we would have bumped into too many coat racks. Thankfully, we both enjoy searching for treasures at Goodwill and we found some great stuff! (I'll share that with you in another post).

When I picked up the children at my parents this afternoon, I could almost hear their exhausted sighs as I pulled out of the development. ONLY grandparents (or kind aunties) would volunteer to take 5 children under age 3 for a weekend...and I am quite certain they are on their knees thanking the good Lord above for the snow that kept the weekend shorter than it might have been! {*I guess I should wait to ask them about the couple's month-long African safari that we're about to book.} Bless their hearts...the children love them so much, and I am so grateful for them! *in case you don't know me, this occurring would be as likely as the sun rising in the west.

I would like to end with this one last public declaration, if I may (& if you would rather not read, you are dismissed! This is really for my husband anyway!):

February 29, 2004, for all the festivities and fun it held, was the day in my personal history in which I made the BEST decision I have ever made. I am deeply grateful to God for this man who, the longer I live with, the more I admire, the more I respect and the more I love.

You have my heart, my love, my loyalty.

You are my hero.

Cira 2004