5 Years (and a tearful "goodbye")

I'm writing this extremely sleep deprived... due to having a newborn (yes, I know where are the photos?!) but I wanted to focus on myself and Quinn... on our relationship.

Today marks five years of marriage, five years doesn't sound like a long time or too hard of a goal to accomplish, however if you look at the divorce rate in the US (40-50%) and the divorce rate in the military (1 in 4 married couples) I am proud of us.

I know that there is no way we could be where we are in our marriage without God, our faith, our loyalty to each other, our families, our friends, and the churches we have been a part of. Marriage doesn't just happen, it takes work. Love isn't a feeling it's a conscious choice we must make EVERY morning we wake up. My parents had a saying that we've adopted: "I love you, but I don't like you right now." We always love, but that doesn't mean we don't argue, fight, get mad at each other, etc. Over the years we've done devotionals together, made sure we had just couples date nights, and attended a marriage retreat, as well as some marriage courses... Now that we have a little one, I know it's going to be even more imperative that I am still a WIFE and not just a MOMMY. 

I found these quotes on marriage (if you know the author of the 1st quote let me know) that I really like:

“Success in marriage is less about doing the big things than it is about doing those little things day after day.”

“Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.”

-Fawn Weaver

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”-Mignon McLaughlin

“Marriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse. Millions of tiny moments that create your love story.”

-Jennifer Smith

“A long-lasting marriage is built by two people who believe in -and live by- the solemn promise they made.”

-Darlene Schacht

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As happy as this day normally is for Quinn and I, we received a phone call around 1pm with the extremely devastating news that little Lucy had lost her fight to Leukemia. I cried uncontrollably for about an hour, and after that I didn't want to put my baby down... Praying for the Bradford family as they prepare a memorial service for their darling little lady. Don't ever take your life and those you love for granted, you never know when you'll have to say "goodbye."

Hawaii Pumpkins & 32-37wks

Today we headed down to our "traditional" fall spot, Waimanalo Country Farm, to pick out our pumpkin and enjoy the scenery and tasty treats. I really wanted the "belly-to-pumpkin" picture taken, so I'm glad Littlest decided to keep "cooking" through the weekend:

After the farm, we headed back into town for the Cool Kailua Nights Block Party, we walked around all the vendors, grabbed some actual dinner, and enjoyed the evening. I finally got my "sunnies" (sunrise shells) too... The girls and I talked story with the owners of "Sunrise Shells Hawaii" and ended up getting an amazing deal ($60 is UNHEARD OF!). Kevin is the actual diver who hand selects each shell from the ocean and his mom does all of the intricate jewelry pieces, it was really cool to meet them and have a personal experience rather than just picking jewelry out of a display case at a store.

Update In my world of doctors vs. the midwives - - - since I have so far been successful "controlling" my glucose numbers, I have been given a note allowing the midwives to deliver me after all! YAY!

Here are my belly shots from weeks 32 through 37, not much longer now!

Hawaii Baby Shower!

Oh my goodness Brittany, Aubrey, and Lauren did a fantastic job putting together my "Storybook Shower." Instead of cards guests were told to bring a children's book with a note to us/Littlest in the front cover... I loved it!

Here are a look at some of the details:

Everything down to the names of the dishes were themed with a book, even the party favors were "book worms!"

I received so many amazing gifts the only things I actually had to purchase after the shower were some lightweight swaddle blankets (it hit 100*...yes, 100* here last week!), a nursing cover, a boppy, and some more newborn outfits since everyone got 0-3mo/3-6mo for us. The beauty of these purchases were that it was leftover money from the Arizona shower. We are so blessed!

 Thank you everyone for coming out to celebrate with us!

Joint Spouses Conference & My Birthday!

On Saturday the 27th I was able to attend the Joint Spouses Conference here on base, it was my 4th and final one and I am so glad I was able to get in (it sold out in 17min!).

I met up with these beautiful ladies:

Together we enjoyed the breakfast, lunch, and expo social.

My classes were:
1) Cake Decorating - I don't think I did too bad of a job! Quinn said it tasted delicious anyway...

2) Mini Surfboard Painting with CeCe Caldwell's & Dear Olympia (aka: my buddy Taylor!). I love how mine turned out after all the layering.

3) Modern Beauty- the make up was really expensive but didn't make my face feel any better than the stuff I already use. I was most interested in seeing if they did my eye make up any different that I do... and they didn't, which means I actually know how to "accentuate" my eyes properly!

4) Mai Tai's & Monet (minus the Mai Tai's for this momma)- I love my little pineapple "Welcome, My House is Your House."

I even won a raffle prize at the end of the day - a bottle of wine (post baby celebration anyone?!) and some Tamura's Liquor Store paraphernalia. My feet swelled up after being on them from 6am-6pm, but it was a great way to start my birthday weekend off right!

My actual birthday I "splurged" with a huge slice of Boston's Pizza for dinner and ice cream at home for dessert... and my glucose numbers were fine, hahaha....! I had lots of wonderful cards come my way as well as some fun little gifts and hubby bought me pretty flowers and a book I've been wanting. It was a nice way to turn 28 (28!?!?!?!).