They broke the mold...

For the one reader who might not be related to me....since this blog has such a whopping following, I'll give you a little back story about my husband, Sid.

My hub and I met in high school, our junior year and we've been together ever since. Our 15 year anniversary is next month, of those years we've been married 9. There were never any "games" between us, we went on our first date and we were boyfriend/girlfriend from that point on. I think love should be easy like that....at first at least. Kids, bills and life complicate even the strongest relationships. All that said, I definitely hit a home run first time at bat.

My husband grew up in an all boy household (asides from mom of course), in a ranching community. As a young boy and throughout his childhood, he was able to raise and care for horses, cows, chickens, pigs...you name it. Tools and work were a mainstay in Sid's life. Both he and his brothers learned how to do more than most at very young ages, because that's just how life is on a "farm". I'm still surprised at my husbands capacity to know how to fix something. I've NEVER met someone with the work ethic that my husband possesses. I just think it's rare these days for anyone to be willing to work as hard as he does without complaint. It seems like the hard-working blue collar worker mold got broken at some point before my generation.
We were both 24 when we had our first daughter and my husband has never complained about the lengths he's had to go to keep me at home with our children. To be able to stay at home is a gift he has given me and the girls that will never be surpassed.
Just about anything you want him to fabricate, he can. Be it building a house, riding a horse, welding a gate, fixing an engine...anything mechanical can be taken apart and put back together, the right way. He works with such linear precision, it's really a trip to watch. I, on the other hand, am NOTHING like that. My process is always messy, I don't have a plan, most of my projects are crap shoots. "Well", I say, "hopefully this turns out OK and if not...oh well." I think that's why we work, opposites do attract.
My hub isn't perfect...he's washed the dishes ONCE, since we moved out at 19. He isn't known for romance or compliments. He told me I looked, "pretty" prom night our senior year, I'm still waiting for him to trump that one liner. I don't get the, "You're so beautiful," or "I'm sooooo in love with you." He doesn't lavish me with surprise gifts or flowers. His love is quiet and devoted. He loves me with his hard work for our family and dedication to our children. I know he's proud of the kind of woman and mother I am. Who could ask for more than that?

Sid, I'm so grateful to be your wife. Happy "early" Anniversary, I can't wait to see what the next 15 years has in store for us!

I thought it would be incredibly hard to upload a photo...it's really not.
On that note, I thought my first photo should be of my beautiful girls.

This photo of my daughters( Kate age 6 and Brooke age 8) is actually a little old. My girls are growing like weeds.

It seems like just recently my Hubby and I crossed that invisible line as parents. The line of not having "babies" anymore, now we have kids.

Kids will let you sleep in a little longer, they'll pour their own bowl of cereal. Kids have LOTS of activities, homework and friends. Kids ask the tough questions, "Mom, how do you make a baby?". Kids surprise you everyday with they're emerging personalities.

I'm most proud when my girls help me around the house. It's in these moments when we're getting ready for a family gathering, working on one of my painting projects, or even just cooking dinner, where I get to see what sort of women they will grow up to be. I think this is when I see the best reflection of myself and what I value, family, friends and creative living.

So it ends up being completely appropriate that my first blog photo is of my girls. Creatively speaking, they're the best thing I've ever made!