Happily Ever After

Today marks six years of being married to my hubby. Six years of bliss... Don't we all wish that statement was true? That we had a princess fairytale happily ever after, rainbows and unicorns, perfect life after our I dos?

Truth is, marriage is work. Just like any relationship. We have to work at it and work hard. Most days, things are wonderful. Some days are okay. And some days I want to ignore every last one of his phone calls. Oh yeah, things just got real. Some days, things are not easy.

Wow, what a great anniversary post Kristen, tell us all your marital problems. Just give me a second. I'm going somewhere with this.

 

My husband and I have a great marriage. Like for reals, we are cheesy and cute and all things annoying to most single people. We are happy. We are in love.

My husband and I disagree. We sometimes argue. On occasion there is a slammed door and a "just don't talk to me right now".

The last two statements seem like they came from different people, I know. Here's the thing, we grow up watching Disney movies that portray this magical marriage. We meet our prince and ride off in carriage to live happily ever after.

 

And that's just not how it works. We each have our own opinions. We have our own personalities. Our own strengths and our own weakness. If we were made exactly like our husbands, we wouldn't need them and vice versa.

I look at my husband and at myself and seriously, God could not have designed a better man than Steven for me. Everywhere that I fall short, sure enough that man strives. As annoying as that can be, it really works out to an advantage in our marriage.

 I like to plan, Steven likes spontanaity. I am a worrier and Steven is more carefree. He likes to be early, I run late. We balance eachother out in so many ways.

But we are similar in all the areas that matter. I like to be spoiled and he likes to spoil. Ha. I'm kind of kidding. Joking aside, we are passionate about the same things. We love our kids more than life. We strive to live according to God's plan. We work well together.

What I am saying is this, there's a reason the movies stop as the princess rides off into the sunset. What follows, is not always pretty. But what the film makers don't realize is that in all of that messiness of marriage, something so much more beautiful is born.

Coming together changes you. Usually...at least for us, for the better. Our weakness are altered by the strengths of our spouse. Where we fall short, they pick up the slack. Our love matures. It turns into a love that you don't see in a googley eyed Cinderella.

There is so much more behind it. There is a romance that isn't shown in rose petals and crowns. Marriage is tough but people, our spouses are worth it.

Insta-friday Fun

This past Saturday I celebrated 5 amazing years with my husband. I think I mentioned that a few times already. Sorry, it was very exciting and I can't stop talking about it. This will be the last post about it, promise. I think.

I captured our date with some fun pictures via Instagram. It was a great day!

After 5 years, my man really knows me. So we started our morning the way every morning should begin...with a Venti iced beverage!

Up next was a bike ride on the beach. Unfortunately, my beach cruiser skills aren't advanced enough for me to shoot pics while riding. So, let's skip to lunch.
We parked on Magnolia and rode our way to the pier. Translation for those who are unfamiliar with Huntington, about 2 and a half miles. We shopped on the boardwalk and surronding area and had lunch at BJ's. If there anything better than their avocado egg rolls?

After lunch, we rode back to Magnolia and went down to the water. Hung out on the beach for an hour or so. It was a gorgeous day!

I goofed off on the drive home. We got dolled up and headed out to dinner.

I had the hottest date in the whole place by the way!

Dinner at Ruth's Chris. One word amazing! Okay, a few more words, do not leave there without ordering the Sweet Potatoes.

It was an amazing date. Can you tell?

5 years!!!

Oh. My. Word. Where does time go? Tomorrow will be hubby and I's 5th anniversary! Craziness I tell you.

On Valentines Day, I shared our love story with you. He even shared his side of it. Last year, I talked a little bit about our wedding day. Since 5 years is kind of a big deal, I don't want to do a repeat post, so I thought that I'd doing a wrap up of our first 5 years together.

A lot has happened in these 5 years. I know it is so cliche but I have to say it, It has been quite an adventure. I feel so cheesy saying that but it is so true. Let me take you through a little bit of a time line.

The first year:

Honeymoonin'

We lived for free in an apartment attached to the church where we were youth leaders.
We had lots of health issues only to find our home was poisoning us, ahhh!
Move out of our first home, it gets condemned.
We get pregnant after only months of marriage but miscarry soon after.
Move in with Grandma to try and get out of debt the medical bills brought.
Leave the church we are pastoring at and return to our old home church.
Meet my great aunt's soon to be adopted daughter. Decide she should be ours, adoption doesn't work out. (We are put into 75yo aunts will to take custody if anything happens)


Year Numero Dos:


Move out of grandmas to beautiful Laguna Niguel.
After about 3 months, we find out ON THE NEWS that our apartments are sliding down the hill they are built on. I can't make this stuff up.
Find a home to buy BUT it won't be ready by evac day.
Move in with in laws while we wait in escrow.
Our house is ready.
Remodeling of the money pit begins.
WE ARE PREGO!

Year 3:

Daddy with baby pictures are always my fav

Start working with the Jr. High at our church.

Move into our home completely.
Have baby number 1, a girl. Rhiannon!
Start up a business, Rock-A-Bow is born.

Year 4:

We are pregnant again!!!
Almost lose baby to hemorrhage.
Discover mass on ovary.
Battle with health issues all year long.


Year 5 aka the past year:

Our growing family

Have baby #2, a boy Talon!
Have surgery to remove cyst.
I start working from home. Yay for WAHM's!
Start finally getting our finances on the same page. Thanks Dave Ramsey.
Celebrate 5 years together.

It has been a crazy 5 years. The best 5 years of my life. These 5 years have brought both good and bad times. We have learned the meaning of for better or for worse. Through every second we have been blessed and shared true joy. I cannot see what the next 5, 10, 50 years have to bring!