Va Va Va Valentine

Yes, today is a consumer holiday and we love each other every day not just today. That said, I can’t lie and say that I don’t like seeing my husband walk into my work with red roses and a sweet card professing his love. He’s done this for my birthday and another day just because, but today he gave in to tradition and showed me some love. Happy wife over here!

My daughter had her first Valentine’s Day party today. When I picked her up she was very excited to show me all of the cards she received. She also had smudges of red frosting all over her face and hands from a cupcake. She gave me her Valentine from Lily because it was Harry Potter and said “Here mom, this is for you because it’s your favorite movie. Maybe you can hang it up at work and show your friends.” Of course I did what she suggested. :) I gave her a red rose from Garrick, her step-dad and she beamed at it. “Why did he give me this, because he loves me?” Well of course he does.

Today, my friend’s infant son Mason is recovering from a successful catheter surgery on his heart. At eight days old he is proving to be a tough guy just like his momma. He will need to see a cardiologist as he grows and have another surgery as an adult, but thanks to amazing technology, doctors, and research, he is going to lead a strong and healthy life. We are so grateful he received such top notch care. Mason’s life could not have been saved without the knowledge gained from research foundations like The Children’s Heart Foundation.
Join me today in supporting further research and saving more children’s lives. Every 15 minutes, a child is born with a heart defect. It takes less than 15 minutes donate to the cause that saves their lives.
http://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/donate-now

Hide and Seek

Where did I go? Where have I been? I left the blogging world in the dust. I wanted to track wedding planning on my blog but… well… I didn’t. It was all I could think about or work on for a whole year and it took every ounce of creative juice that I had. I enjoyed the process but I am so glad it’s behind me. Our wedding day was flawless. It felt ten times better than I had imagined. That happy elated feeling leaves tingles in your body the whole day. We have survived some pretty serious challenges together since the day after our return from our honeymoon. The roller coaster ride hasn’t stopped since.

We are 64 days away from our one year anniversary. 65 days from the anniversary of our first meeting. I look forward to the future year for us.

I Will Remember You

The sadness and anger that I feel today is only a small shadow compared to the feelings of my aunt on this day. I see pictures today of my Uncle George and cry at the unfairness of it all. No one should leave their life in pain. We all deserve to age and die peacefully in our sleep. As I wipe my tears today I remind myself to be grateful for the good in my life and do all in my power to keep me and my loved ones healthy.

Where's the Sunshine and Roses?

The NW hasn’t been blessed with good summer weather as of yet. It’s amazing how much the weather can affect the flow of my day. But hey, I don’t live in Miami so I know not to count on sunshine out here. But it’s JUNE!

We are 300 days away from our wedding. Go ahead and use the math skills to find out what day I become a wife (April 17th, 2011). I think about the wedding all the time, often in my dreams too. I’m most anxious for the days beyond our wedding. The everyday life of our family is where the bliss is.
 Just last week Garrick finished his Associates Degree at Clark College. I hope to accomplish the same one day. It’s difficult trying to work, finish a degree so I’ll never be under qualified for a job, and yet still have time for our kids. I’m learning to be patient in life. I’ve got the time to make the right moves. I know that no one is guaranteed tomorrow, but life is also not a race. I’m very fortunate to be where I am, and have such loving supportive family members. I couldn’t ask for more. Well maybe a winning lottery ticket but then I couldn’t ask for more.

Soon to be Mrs. Ashenfelter!

May 7^th 2010, Garrick and I were celebrating our one year anniversary (for the third time). We had a beautiful hotel room at The Vintage in Portland and a delicious dinner at The Macaroni Grill. (I love Italian food!) After our dinner the sun was almost completely down and we decided to go for a walk down the waterfront. He told me he wanted to see the boats go by.  I was oblivious to how nervous he was that whole walk after our dinner. He kept looking at the benches trying to find the perfect spot to sit or stand. To me I assumed he just wanted a romantic setting for our night. Well after we settled at a bench he began telling me about how wonderful I am which still wasn’t a clue to a proposal for me. He’s told me things like that many times. He makes it a point to remind me of how much he loves me so it just seemed appropriate on our anniversary. We cuddled and exchanged our sappy emotions of how wonderfully happy we are with each other and with our kids. Eventually Garrick got very cold which I now sum up to his nerves. He wanted to say something but couldn’t get it out and with his chills it seemed appropriate to walk back.


On our walk to our room I had a suspicion that maybe he wanted to propose but then I pushed the idea away. I was afraid of getting my hopes up for it and I didn’t want to ruin whatever it was that he did have planned. I sat at the foot of the bed and he sat next to me while I cuddled up to help warm him. Next thing I know he takes a deep breath and slides off the bed onto one knee in front of me. What exactly did I say at that point?

First was “Oh my god” then I looked away crying instantly. I’m not sure why but I had to look away. I think to grasp reality. I look back with blurry eyes and he’s holding a black box with my ring in it. Princess cut diamonds, my favorite! Then I realize I hadn’t said an answer and told him of course yes. I believe several times I repeated that I couldn’t believe this was happening. I babbled a lot out loud in that moment. I thought I knew how I would react and feel in that moment of my life but I realize I had NO idea. It was amazing, it was perfect, it was one of the happiest moments of my life.