Nine Years later...

And we couldn't be happier!  

Happy Anniversary baby.  We have been through so many things together and it only continues to bring us strength and more in love.  Our journey has brought us so much happiness and joy and I can only imagine what the future holds for us.  I am most thankful for you and our two beautiful children.  Thank you for being the most amazing guy a girl could ask for.  We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

I love you, and us. To the moon and back.   xo, Me

all good

LIfe is sweet.

Life is amazing.

Life is ever changing.

We have one little girl who can pick up a book and READ and one little boy whose vocabulary and questions of the world continue to make us smile on a daily basis.  "I'm going to marry a turkey," he declares yesterday.  "A turkey?".." yes, a big turkey mommy, ok?"  Ok Rylan..whatever makes you happy.  And if that made him happy, so be it.

 She whose social calendar is one already a bit complicated and he who for the first time is asking for a playdate with a friend he made on his own at school.  To watch my children grow and embrace life is one of my biggest blessings.  They remind me how quickly life passes by and at the same time teach me to take hold of today, and live in the moment, embracing the uniqueness and genuinity of the here and now.  All too soon I'll be dropping her off at the mall with her girlfriends and taking him to all day school.

I've been thinking for a while on how to document our lives right now and it is very simple but yet complicated.  We love our little family...the busy, the crazy loud, the energetic clan that we are.  Each day we make decisions in the best interest for the four of us together and individually alike.  We trust our instinct, some things requiring a long range plan while other things are simple in the moment decisions.

Last week Scott celebrated his birthday.  The kids were counting down the days and they couldn't wait to celebrate their Daddy.  They know that birthdays are a big deal around here; celebratory days that are met with rainbows and magic and sweet surprises.  "What are we going to to do for Daddy's birthday mommy?  Are we going to have a big party?"   Although we opted out of the big party we made sure that Daddy knew how much he is loved and treasured.  And oh boy..is he loved.

Scott has a lot to celebrate.  Last month he opened the doors to a new opportunity and started his very own consulting company.  Check him out here...http://www.positionglobal.com  He is loving his new professional life which has already greeted him with success, and I couldn't be more proud of him.  Together we decorated his home office and as a family we have learned how to respect his need for quieter times and honestly, the kids are doing really well with not interrupting his office doors.  I think they are enjoying that he is home at night with a commute of seconds, and one that is not dependent on traffic!  We are loving that the worries and stress of yesterday are promises and hope for tomorrow. And even though we don't have a steady income for right now, we are ok, we are happy and we are oh so good.  Positive energy consumes our every day and it is such an exciting time for us.

On this Thanksgiving week, I couldn't be more thankful for my little family and the story our lives weave.  Our good health and love is one I will never take for granted.  I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you are surrounded by those that love you unconditionally and you enjoy a wonderful holiday.  xo Kelly

A Very Special Day

Nine years and three months ago I met someone who would change the direction of my life.

Someone whom I knew very quickly was the one I was meant to be with. The one who would complete my story. The one who would someday be the daddy to my children. On that day I met Scott, and eight years ago on this day, January 24th, we declared our forever love for one another in front of our loved ones and married.  I remember the details of the day so clearly. Walking down the aisle, whispering to my mom, "oh...i see him..i can see him..."  The magic in the air, the multiple perfect moments, spontaneously dancing the irish jig upon entering our dinner party, the cutting of the cake and softly sharing our first bites together, our first dance to Marc Cohn's song,  True Companion, and thinking that everyone in the room had disappeared for those time.


Life couldn't have been sweeter that day and even though today our lives are much different and full of the realities of life, it is still just as sweet, if not sweeter.  At the end of each day, even though we struggle just like everyone else with the balance of work, raising young children and the demands of bills, house and endless responsibilities, we have each other and we do it together. Always. And for that along with our love for one another, I couldn't be more thankful for finding my perfect true companion.  


I love you Scott, to the moon and back, today and forever. I am so glad you came into my life nine years and three months ago. 

Happy 8th Anniversary my love. 

  

TOT birthday style

Happy, Happy Birthday to you Scott!

 Today it's your special day and we can't wait to spend it with you!  I hope you have a wonderful day full of fun things and a magical year ahead of you.  You are amazing and I am so very lucky to have you by my side.  But before I get carried away, here are 10 things (among many other things) that I treasure in you, babe.

1. You make my coffee for me each and every morning.

2. You are supportive in all my (and sometimes crazy) endeavors..

3. You are just the most amazing father and care for our children so lovingly and deeply.  The way they interact with you and admire you shows it all.

4. You make your health and fitness a priority.

5. You are out there smashing all your athletic goals, taking yourself to new places all the time.

6.  You take care of your friends and family in any way you see possible.

7.  You are a wonderful cook (I am forever so grateful you love to cook!) and a knowledgeable wine connoisseur which has led to my love of good wine.

8.  You help out with things in the house, without any hesitation.

9.  You are all I have ever wished for in a husband and then some.  I am one lucky, lucky girl!!!

10.  You are my soulmate, my best friend, my superhero and my everything.  Thank you for the gift of you and all the blessings you bring to me and all those around you everyday!  Thank you for being a wonderful husband,  even in those moments where I am not so deserving, and for being the great father to our two beautiful children.  My wish for you at this special birthday is that all your desires and wishes come true, one by one, throughout the year.  However, I think you already have a plan for all of them, and you already know what to do to achieve those successes so I am so grateful to be part of your life journey of the next 364 days and then some.  I love you babe...and Happy Birthday!  All my love today and forever...to the moon and back...xo

Run. Bike. Run.

After 3 months of to-the-books training, Scott and I hit the hills of Galena for a Duathlon of 

2 mile RUN, 17 mile BIKE followed by a 4.3 mile RUN.  

Easy, right?  

I can do this..no problem..right?

but the HILLS..those HILLS!  

Oh my!

 It was hard to even imagine what they would be like, until we were actually there.

I did my best to assimilate them in training, but really, there isn't many large hills by us.

Yes, I have been to Galena before and I have also seen this race as a spectator many a times,

 but until I was on those hills myself, I couldn't appreciate the altitude and the strength 

needed to propel myself the next mile.

.... but somehow, somewhere, I found the power.

And this guy had a lot to do with it!  It was great fun to race "with" him.  

And despite the continual rain showers that had me hoping I wouldn't loose control of my bike and left my running shoes and socks (and me!) soaked..I finished the race and couldn't have been prouder.  It was one of the hardest things I have done but the sense of accomplishment and personal strength achieved while doing so is something that so very empowering and powerful.

So much so, that I think I'll do another Duathlon in a couple of weeks (which of course I did!).  :D