Things I Don't Miss So Much...

In the interest of not being a total "Debbie Downer" with yesterday's post, I have also compiled a list of things that I don't miss that much when Tim is gone. As wonderful as my husband is and as much as I adore him, there's always a silver lining, right? So here's the ever so small one I've found.

1. There are no dirty clothes left on his side of the bed for me to find after I've done the laundry.

2. I can watch "One Tree Hill" and "The Hills" without being mocked. (Except now that I've written it on here I'm sure someone's going to mock me for that!)

3. I can eat cereal for dinner every night for a week and no one complains.

4. I don't have to share the computer or Facebook time.

5. The toilet stays cleaner longer.

6. There's no stubble in the bathroom sink. (Thanks for that one, Meredith!)

7. There's a lot less laundry and none of it smells like the boat.

8. It's much easier to workout, diet and lose weight when Tim's gone

9. The alarm doesn't go off at 5 am.

10. I can rearrange the budget to spend money on shoes instead of food. (See #3.)

Anything else that's an advantage that I've forgotten?

Things I Miss...

By no means is this list exhaustive, but these are a sampling of the things I miss when Tim is at sea, in no particular order.

1. Having someone to cook for

2. Having someone to laugh at all my jokes

3. Sleeping well (that doesn't happen when I sleep alone)

4. Praying with him

5. Someone else getting up in the middle of the night with crying little boys

6. The boat smell (I know it's horribly gross, but I guess that's just how much I love him...)

7. Who I am when I'm with him

8. The way he hugs me

9. His ringtone

10. Not having to finish my own sentences

11. The way the boys scream, "Daddy!" when he walks in the door

12. Foot rubs

13. Going to church as a family

14. The background noise of college football for 12+ hours on Saturdays

15. Spooning

16. His eternal optimism about OU and Cowboy football

17. Having someone to take care of me

18. His grin

Six Blessed Years

Then

I can hardly believe it's been six years since Tim and I married. I still remember so many details of that day. It was such a beautiful wedding and we had an amazing time dancing, laughing and celebrating with our friends at our reception. We had a beautiful honeymoon in San Antonio and headed to Virginia to buy our first dog (Lonestar), buy our first house and weather our first hurricane (Isabelle) - all in a week! Tim left for his first 6 month deployment and "real" life had begun for us. The honeymoon was definitely over!

I had no idea what I was getting into when I married Tim six years ago. I don't think anyone does when they get married. I had no idea how tough life could be in the Navy or simply how hard it is to love someone unselfishly day-in and day-out. But I also had no idea how much fun it would be to be married to my best friend. I couldn't have imagined the simple pleasure from a laugh exchanged over a glance because you know exactly what the other person is thinking. I didn't dream we could become so close over the bond of creating 2 little boys. And I can't even begin to comprehend all the plans the Lord has for us in the coming years of our marriage!

Thank you Tim for 6 beautiful years together and I pray for many more with you!

Now

My Mamma's Boy

People told me that having boys would mean that I would get mamma's boys.  But Mark Garrett has always been the kind of child who wouldn't even sit still long enough to hug you, much less cuddle and be affectionate.  Even in this picture you can see that I'm restraining him to try and take our Christmas photo.  But things seem to be changing around here - and I love it!  He wants to hold my hand everywhere we go.  There's no more running ahead or trying to escape me.  When I leave him at school or church, he wants a full-on hug and kiss before I go.  And in the morning when he wakes up he wants to get in my bed, snuggle and "share Mommy's pillow".  There is no sweeter way to wake up than lying next to your little boy who is giving you kisses on your hair and giggling because they "sound silly".  I'm trying to store up all these moments because I know it won't be too long before he no longer wants me to kiss him at school and he wouldn't be caught dead holding his mother's hand.  But for now, I'll take my mamma's boy.  And all those slobbery, silly kisses he puts in my hair...

The Best Love EVER!

I've had a stomach virus for the last 24 hours. It hasn't been pretty. Not at all.

But that's not what I'm thinking about this evening. Today I was reminded how blessed I am by my two little guys (and my one big guy.) Mark knew I wasn't feeling well and wanted me to feel better. I told him that crackers made me feel better so he decided it was his job to bring me Saltines every so often all afternoon.

At dinner I told him how much I loved him. He smiled and said, "I know." I asked, "Do you love me too?" He laughed and said, "With the best love EVER!"

And I think he just might be right.

25 Things...

If you are on Facebook (also known as the world's worst time waster) you know that a lot of people have been writing a note called "25 Things About Me" or some variation on that theme. It got me thinking that I'd like to write 25 things I love about my husband. After all it is Valentine's Day week and he just got back from sea. I've had over a month to think about and miss all these things about him. So here goes:

1. He laughs all the time.
2. He thinks I'm funny (see #1.)
3. He loves my cooking.
4. He has a giving spirit.
5. He loves playing with his little boys.
6. We could talk for hours about anything.
7. He believe marriage is forever.
8. He is passionate. (OU football, theology, Cowboys football)
9. He is a hard worker.
10. He makes friends easily.
11. He's handsome.
12. And looks great in jeans.
13. And looks great in his uniform.
14. We like the same tv shows. (Well, not The Bachelor, but most other things.)
15. He has godly character.
16. He teaches our children scripture.
17. He prays.
18. He takes good care of me.
19. He's a great kisser.
20. He makes cute babies and even cuter little boys. (Although they seem to turn out somewhat rotten so I might need to look into this one further.)
21. He loves my family.
22. He leads our family spiritually.
23. He disciplines our children in love.
24. He genuinely misses us when he's away at sea.
25. He's my best friend and loves me in spite of all my faults.

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you take the time to tell your spouse some of the reasons you love them this week.

Dinner In...

I mentioned that we aren't going to dine out for Valentine's Day this year. Tim just got home from sea and I wasn't expecting him home in time for celebrating. Since the holiday falls on a Saturday I imagine a call now to reserve a table would be met with a hardy chuckle on the other end of the phone line. And I want to do something special for Tim that I think he will really enjoy. No dressing up. No pressure. Just a romantic dinner in.

Our kids go to bed early and well. (I don't think I'd be a sane person if they didn't!) That means that we will have the television and house to ourselves around 7:30. My plan is to set up a picnic in the living room. I'll be serving Tim's favorite fondue. (Don't worry it's a very manly recipe that he always enjoys.) We'll have lots of bread and Lil' Smokies for dipping, along with some veggies. Then we'll watch our wedding video. I don't know if you have a wedding video, but we love ours. I recommend a videographer to all of our friends getting married. It costs a little extra, but we watch our video at least twice a year.

After the video we'll have chocolate fondue with fruit and angel food cake. It's the perfect plan for an evening in. We don't have to fork out money for the babysitter, drive to Jacksonville to find a nice restaurant or dress up. We can just be together and remember how it all started.

Having Valentine's dinner in works for me and is just one way I'm honoring my husband this week. Read more inspiring stories of loving our husbands at We are THAT family this week.

Love is in the air...

Dad's home! I mentioned it in my post yesterday, but Dad came home last Thursday. I intended to write about it earlier, but we had a whirlwind weekend. For a time we thought Tim was going to be changing boats and leaving again less than 48 hours after arriving home. Needless, to say there wasn't much time for blogging. The boys were thrilled though. This was the scene in Mark's room a couple of hours after he arrived home.

But thankfully he is indeed home for the next month or so until his first full patrol after he relieves and takes over his new job. We are looking forward to spending some time together as a family and as a couple.

I'll be posting several times this week about our Valentine's Day plans. We aren't going out this year because we don't have reservations or a sitter. I wasn't expecting Tim home so I didn't make any plans. And since the holiday falls on a Saturday this year that means we can eat dinner at 3:30 or 10:00 without reservations. (Or go somewhere and wait 3 hours!) No thanks! But more about that later. Today you can read all about our love story at Today's Housewife.

Real Love...

So, I'm going to admit something tonight. I watch "The Bachelor". Not only do I watch it, but I really love watching it. Tim hates it and won't watch it with me. (I don't really blame him for this. He is a guy. ) Since he's at sea I'm actually getting to watch it on the night that it originally airs instead of a few days later from my DVR. And I'm thoroughly enjoying this particular season. So much drama! As far as the show concept goes, I don't know that it's the world's best way to find a mate (especially considering the show's record of long-term matches) but it makes for great television for me.

As much as I love this show though I have to vent. These silly little girls are already talking about how they are falling "in love" with Jason. They gush about how much they care about him and want to spend the rest of their life with him after only knowing him a few weeks. Most of them have only been on group dates! And while I'm sure that riding in a helicopter over LA or Vegas is fun and magical and dancing during a private concert is romantic, it's not love.

What is love then? Love is my Mamaw and Papaw still holding hands 56 years into their marriage. Love is my Grandaddy caring for my Granny as she declines with Alzheimer's. Love is doing Tim's stinky boat laundry. Love is Tim holding my hand as I give birth to our two boys. (Love is also giving birth while watching football because it's Texas/OU weekend.) Love is taking your family to church each week. Love is cooking dinner for your husband. Love is leaving your wife a card for each week you are at sea. Love is caring for your children together. Love is so much more than a romantic kiss or a feeling of butterflies in your stomach. Love is a choice to forgive and see the other person as Jesus does - redeemed.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm still going to be watching The Bachelor every Monday night. I'm not bothered by the misunderstanding of "love" that much! I even have a favorite I'm rooting for. (If you'd like a hint her name rhymes with "Menefanie".) I just wanted to clear a few things up about love...

Anyone else have a favorite?