five faves: May 13th

Dr Daddy's birthday is later this week and so I'm feature some of my favorite things he introduced me to:

1. My Cousin Vinny ~ and I'll admit I didn't get it the first time he showed me the movie but I now think it is one of the funniest movies and fully understand why Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for her performance.
2. Silly Sister: Maggie Prior and June Tabor ~ amazing harmonies on beautiful hymns and songs of olde.  Proven through many a late night drive to family to be the perfect companion ~ soft enough sleep thru but with very witty lyrics for the driver to listen to.
3. Kielbasa; cold kielbasa that is, growing up I had always had (and liked) it grilled and served hot. Charlie introduced me the joy of eating it sliced and served cold. This was actually an even exchange as we also occasionally grill it up for dinner.
4. Calvin & Hobbes: well I did already like the comic but since Charlie really likes it we have most of the books and can enjoy throughly whenever.
5. Him ~ in truth the best thing Charlie brought into my life is him and his example of faith, service and the ability to take great joy in simply being alive.

Please now head over to Sometimes Martha Always Mary for more favorites.

Why I Love My Husband Vol 10

So in honor of St Valentine's Day and

our host Kaitlin's new little love 

another installment of seeing the grace amidst the crazies

1. Seeing the coats, snowpants and bags pile-up in the new house with no good place to go, he built one ~ with routed edges and everything!!
2. Takes his half and then some of the middle of the night: need a cuddle, need some water, need help finding the bathroom calls.
3. His determination, when escaping the ties and commitments of work, to focus on building a strong foundation with his kids.

Why I Love My Husband Vol 9

Started by Kaitlin of More like Mary; More like Me ~ another edition of seeing the blessings amidst the crazy.

1. Every time he makes bacon on the weekend for breakfast he cooks a little extra so I can have BLTs during the week; my favorite summertime sandwich.
2. While away on vacation Shutterfly was having one of their great sales on prints. I mentioned that I was bummed to be away from our home computer and iPhoto library. He worked his mad computer skills and got me remote access so that I could take advantage of the sale.
3. Also while on vacation when the seafood place we went to for lunch turned-out to not have good lobster rolls; he upped the ante by treating me to a lobster tail.

Always with the helping hand

Why I Love My Husband Vol 8

     Back from a wonderful, exhausting and crazy weekend where we packed as much family time and memory lane visiting as we could given sold-out hotels, rainstorms and 3 small children ~ and the requirement that it begin after a workday (shorten) on Friday and end in time for Mass back in PA on Sunday evening.  Some of the ways my guy made it all work:

1. He insisted that we take time for cards & presents before we left because he didn't want my actual birthday to get lost in the packing/getting on the road craziness ~ and he thought (correctly) that I might want to take one of my presents, a book I wanted, with us.
2. In addition to wanting to attend the graduation of a young cousin the other reason for the trip was to mark a milestone birthday.  When I was twenty my mom and I journeyed back to Rhode Island where she married and I was born; and in the waters off Point Judith is also where we released my dad's ashes.  The graduation celebrations were wonderful but more time consuming than either of us had anticipated but Charlie would not let me back out of going to a Galilee Beach or Point Judith.  We first opted for the lighthouse because it was already growing dark but when we learned that it won't be lit due to repairs, to the beach we went ~ so glad, so grateful.
3. He suggested we find a morning Mass by our hotel so I could attend in relative peace ( I had Caitlin who is generally low-key) since he wouldn't be able to help me much at our home parish given his music commitment this week ~ and while I was at Mass he made good on our beach promise to Lisbeth who had been asleep the night before when we finally made it to the beach.
4. Did the majority of the driving on Sunday in the oh-so-fun stop & go traffic getting home.

Looking to make the trip better.

Why I love my husband Vol 7

In honor of St Valentine's Day ~ another installment of:

1. Dr Daddy was on clinical service last week, and so not wanting to pass any of the lovely germs he might have brought home to Newborn Caitlin he wasn't holding her, but rather talking sweet nothings from a safe distance.
2. His great patience while cooking with the kids
3. His loving and funny texts to me when work keeps him there late.
4. For agreeing to come to my roommates party twenty years ago ~ and becoming one of God's greatest blessings in my life.

Inspired by Kaitlin of More like Mary, More like Me

Ten years later..

you are still who I most want to enjoy the dance of life with!

Happy Anniversary!

Why I love my husband: Vol 6

    Usually I have no problem coming up with an anniversary gift for my Hubby even with our anniversary coming three days after Christmas.  I'll pull from the traditional gift suggestions for the given year or give something referencing something that happened in the the marriage in the past year.
   This year however I'm struggling, between preparing for Christmas, the coming baby and trying to be intentional about Advent activities with the kids.  Plus I'm currently uninspired by the traditional gift suggestion of tin (really 10 years should be represented by something tin!).
   Mentioning this to my husband, he laughed and pointed out that as I had spent the last several months growing and nurturing within a child of the marriage I could have an extension until the right gift came to mind.

Perhaps he is right.


Inspired by Kaitlin of More like Mary ~ More like Me

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: A great gift of God to Me!

Happy Birthday Love!

Thankful Thursday: February 9th

In honor of National Marrriage Week; things about Dr. Daddy for which I'm thankful

1. his strength of character
2. his cooking, especially his baking
3. his wisdom 
4. his wonderful sense of fun
5. his commitment to caring for others
6. the way he can smile at me after a very long day ~ and amazingly I find the energy for 'one more' book, snuggle, etc

Please visit The Road Home, hosted by the wonderful Rebecca and sharing what you are thankful for:

Happy 9th!

Thru all the ups and downs ~ sickness & health, richer, poorer and everything in between ~ I love you and being loved by you!

 Happy Anniversary!!

Why I love My Husband: Vol 5

1. He brings me chocolate when he returns from business trips
2. His faces absolutely lights up when the kids run/crawl to him at the end of the day
3. His commitment to our church home/family

Inspired by Kaitlin of More like Mary ~ More like Me

Why I Love My Husband Vol. 4

1. He happily grills for us, and rarely teases me about being afraid of our grill ~ 3 years later
2. His willingness to take his turn with wide-awake children at 3 am
3. His amusing text hugs when my day needs a pick-me-up
4. His laughter

My thanks again to Kaitlin of More like Mary for inspiring this meme

Happy Birthday Honey!

Wishing you another wonderful trip around the seasons

Thank you for sharing your life and love with me.

Happy Birthday!