As Long as We're Together

One year ago today, we were away from screaming kids, laundry, work, and all stress in general. One year ago today we celebrated our 10th anniversary in Jamaica. And it was wonderful.

One year ago today, we had a candlelight dinner on the beach. Doesn't that look fabulous?

ELEVEN years ago today I had the best night of my life -- saying I do -- and celebrating with family at the best wedding I have ever been to. So many people turned out ... and everyone let loose and had fun. I wish there was another event like that that would bring all those people together again. Eleven years ago we had no idea what the future would hold -- but knew as long as we were together, it wouldn't matter. And that is still very true. I've got it good.

Blog Challenge

Remember those "choose your own adventure" books from when we were kids? One decision takes you one direction...another decision and you end up somewhere completely different...That's the basis of this challenge:You didn't meet your husband. You didn't have kids. What would you be doing? What kind of life would you be living? Mention some of the PROS....and the easy to list cons.

My life had a couple different paths it could have gone. The first thing I wonder is if I ever would've gotten into Journalism school without Ryan helping me get through Econ and Statistics.
Then...there's a pretty good chance I would have stayed on track to be an anchor/reporter. (And much thinner and prettier! I don't blame him for that - that's on me!) I was doing both at KOMU in Columbia...but the job opened for producer at the station where Ryan was in Iowa. I remember my news director telling me: "You leave now to be a producer, you'll never pick up a microphone again." Yep. That turned out to be true. Can't help but wonder "what if."

I also think I would be living in a big city somewhere ... because I was a ladder climber. I wanted to see how far I could go .. and how fast. I changed that when we decided to have children. Which, before Ryan, I never wanted. He's a man who SHOULD be the father of children -- and he helped grow that part of my heart.

I'd be a meaner person. (Insert jokes here about how that can't be possible.) I may not have picked up scrapbooking. I can't imagine I'd have found a husband or "boyfriend" who could have put up with me or "get" me the way Ryan does.

Pros: hip living. Selfish living. No mini-van. Everything clean all the time.

Cons: well, duh! No Ryan. No Jack, Kyle, Nick. No extended family. Perhaps a wayward career -- I believe I am designed to be a producer-type.

God takes us down weird paths ... but there's always a direction. And I'm thankful the adventure I chose took me to where I am now.

He Loves Me.

Look at what my Valentine got me! Isn't it great? Isn't it thoughtful? Aren't I a lucky gal???? I mean -- he bought the basket on his own. He hung the pretty heart from it -- on his own. Picked out all the cute scrappy stuff and chocolates and stamps and cute hand towels...all by himself. Isn't it put together so pretty?? I was so impressed and touched! Pretty darn awesome. Oh oh -- and he got a babysitter for Saturday for us to go out for dinner -- on his own, I didn't have to nag.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

The Five:

1. Loved

2. Happy

3. Spoiled

4. Special

5. Relieved: it's almost Friday, LOST is on tonight, my kids' V-Day party is over, and things are "letting up."

Happy 35 Love of My Life!

Happy Birthday to the man who's been my best friend for 16 years ... a dedicated husband for 10... a patient (more than me) father for 8 ... and the person I like to hang out with most.  Even if you keep beating my Wii records.  I love you.

(Visitors:  hey, this is the Kelly site...so yeah, it could be more mushy/intimate than the family site.  Get over it.)