6 Years

6 Years.

On April 28th we celebrated 6 years of marraige.

It was our "first" official marraige in NC

We were married after just knowing each other just 8 months.

I flew down when I lived in Ohio to NC on a Friday morning..

we were married by the afternoon...

We didnt tell ANYONE what we were doing, or what we had done for a long time.

Reactions were mixed.
Some people were happy, some people im sure confused, some were very questionning...

But we didnt care. We knew in our hearts it was what we both wanted.

And looking back everyday since then, even now 6 years later.

It was one of the best days of our lives.

I only wish I could re-live it over again.

It was just US.

No family, no friends.

Just us, and a piece of paper that said we were now officially married.

It was a justice of the peace ceremony in Jacksonville, NC.

Mathew left for Iraq 6 months later for 13 months.

So this weekend the in-laws were in town.

We had an amazing dinner at home this year.

We made crablegs, fish, and steak... so so delish!

Then we went on a date!

We both agreed not to buy gifts..but we each got each other mushy cards.. which I loved.

And it was so nice to get away for a few drinks.

We headed a few miles away, and had a few glasses of wine and martinis... oh how I have missed adult conversation and a few drinks... We could have stayed all night talking and laughing!

Papa and Baka kept sending us pictures of what the kids were doing.

Andrew took a bottle and passed out on Baka's shoulder... and Samantha had a nice long bath and enjoyed playing with her Papa..

It was a perfect weekend and anniversary...and not one day that goes by do we ever forget how special this day is. Some people probably doubted and definately questioned our "secret marraige" ... but 6 years later.. we're still going strong, and I thank God for giving us strength, love, patience, understanding and faith in him to guide us through every day.

SUYL - Marriage Advice

SUYL- Marriage Advice

Today over at SUYL Kelly's Korner were giving our best marriage advice.

Since i've only been married 5 years, I still think I have a lot to learn/figure out.

Mathew and I have survived many many large events. Being separated when he was stationed in NC, a 13 month deployment to Iraq, moving all over the place, and now we're finally settled.

It seems that we sometimes stress over the silly small things and forget all the HUGE things we got through as a couple, and this helps me reflect on how blessed we are.

I think its important to remember how you got to where you are in present day as couples.

Day to day things may irritate you, but I've learned to pick your battles, and sit back and sometimes remain quiet, when I could really open my big mouth and start a huge argument... often times it just isnt worth it, and I dont like fighting.
Mathew and I can both be very stubborn, but we try not to let it get the best of us, and we always try to make up after we have a little tiff.. ha!

I think also taking time out for you as a couple is extremely important. Like Kelly said, children are important, but you need to focus on you as a couple.

We're attempting to plan a small getaway in the fall without Samantha.. only 3 days.. Of course we're nervous about leaving our baby behind, but I think it will be the BEST thing for us.

And it may be the first and last getaway we take before baby #2 arrives in February.

So all in all, Im still learning on how to be a good wife and supportive partner. I am interested in reading everyone else's advice and tips for a good marriage!

Happy Friday!

Three Years Ago Today {Iraq Homecoming}

Three Years Ago today.. February 3rd, 2008.

This is where I was. I remember it like it was yesterday. I couldnt sleep ... so I woke up super early, 6:30am. Did my makeup/hair (for about 2 hours) - yea I wasnt nervous or anything, right?ha!, I made the bed, cleaned the condo, and was enjoying the Carolina sunshine warming the bedroom through the french doors.

Mathew was on his way home from a 13 month deployment in Iraq.

I was so nervous...excited, butterfly city! .... I didnt get dressed till I was ready to walk out the door because I was sweating so bad! ...

I took a nice drive along the beach towards the Air Base knowing that on my way home.. he would be in the car... right next to me, and Iraq would finally be a memory.

I arrived on base and met another marine wife, who I hired to take all these beautiful pictures, and it was the best money I ever spent. She did such an awesome job, and I have so many pictures, and 2 CD's full!

I had won the "first kiss" award, which meant that Mathew and I got to "kiss" each other first before ANY of the unit was released.

Apparently this was a BIG DEAL.. so much that I even got interviewed for the local paper, and the marine corps times paper ha!

Knees shaking, biting my lip nervous kinda feeling... plus it was a little cold, but I had to look super cute! He hadnt been home in 13 months!

I had to be "escorted" to the front of the crowd, and wait till mathew was called out of line, then released... All very military like. ha!



We waited and waited... and the person kept announcing over the soundspeaker that they had left Cherry Point and were enroute.. He kept giving us updates, 20 mninutes away, 5, they are at the gate of the base, through the gate.. UGH!!!

Then finally we heard a bunch of busses, and saw them come around the corner..

They all lined up, and he had to be dismissed alone,

so he was called in front by his officer? I cant remember...


and then came running towards me so fast... It was a moment I will never ever forget the rest of my life.

13 months was hard, and military life was not the greatest at times, but homecomings.... they are the BEST!!

This was the beginning of us starting our lives together.. We were already married before Mathew left for Iraq.



And now we would live in our little house by the beach in NC, and we had our church wedding and reception in the Fall of 2008. Great great memories in NC, and also.. just 8 months later, we found out we were pregnant with Samantha!

This day was so memorable, and I am so glad I have a whole CD filled with pictures from the day. It is something that I cherish, and love looking back on from time to time, to remind us of how much we've been through as a married couple and how far we've come together.

We've had quite a busy couple years, married again, had a baby, left the military life and our condo in NC, moved to the North, lived with my mother for 8 months, bought a house, and are settling into life as a family of 3.

{this is the picture that was in the town's newspaper}

So hubby o'mine if you are reading this in your office this morning, I still remember this day like it was yesterday, and it reminds me of how much we went through together, and how much I love you, and would do it all over again for us. I know some days and nights (ha!)arent always easy in a marraige, but if we can get through this memory.. we can get through anything and I couldnt imagine anyone but you by my side through it all.

Date Night Thursday

Yesterday Mathew and I went to Chef's Restaurant downtown. Grammy got us a gift certificate for Christmas, and we had a yummy dinner together just us.

We got hot hot hot peppers for an appetizer and a salad. I only had a few bites, But they were even a little spicy for Mathew too.

I got the Chicken Parm, and Mathew got the Veal Parm. Both came with enormous sides of pasta, and delicious bread, and we ordered a carafe of red wine, and even a cannoli for dessert.. So so good! As we sat there we watched the light HUGE flakes of snow falling, it was so pretty...the kind of snow we like!!

We had so many take home leftovers so this will probably be all of our lunches too!

They have expanded and remodeled Chefs,

This was the original door ... I remember my Grandpa Sam taking me here after he would take us cabbing with him as kids (yes my brother and I went cabbing in downtown Buffalo.. it is just one of the many great memories we have with him)Thats for another post all together..

But I remember as a kiddo this being the door, and Chefs was much smaller... NOw they are big time I guess, with a full bar, banquet rooms but it still has the small Italian restaurant atmosphere, with checkered tablecloths, brick walls, good bread and great food!

It was a great date night!
I gotta start taking more pictures of us together though!

Baka and Pa-Paw Visit from Ohio

The weekend before Labor Day, Baka and Pa-Paw came to visit us at our new house from Ohio!...

We had lots of fun with them, and Samantha warmed up to them almost right away, letting them hold her and play with her; which usually has been taking about a 1/2 day, because she doesnt see them that often.- We havent been back to Ohio since her 1st birthday bash over 4th of July!

The first day/night they were here, I made a big pot of home made chicken soup, so we ate, and just relaxed and Daddy and Pa-Paw worked outside a little on the back sunporch that comes off our dining room.

Saturday Baka made Chili, while Daddy and Paw did more work!.. So Sunday we decided to take a drive to Niagara Falls and walk around.

It was Samantha's first trip to the falls... but certainly not her last. We live only about 20 minutes away from this wonder.

She loved this statue..



Huge teeth showing smile.. ha!



We walked to the end of one side and all along the American Falls.


She was loving getting misted by the falls...





And walking like a big girl with Daddy and Pa-Paw on our way back




I just love the rainbow in the background...



It was such a pretty day, and we had so much fun with Baka and Pa-Paw. We hope they come again soon!

We're Alive... ha!

Its been so long.... Our busy life is to blame, but every day I think to myself, I must get blogging!.. And then the day is over, Samantha is in bed, and I've been tending to close up shop and spend the evenings on the couch with Mathew.

We even saw a couple movies that we both have been wanting to see for a LONG LONG time. So he picked one and I picked one..


Can you guess which one I picked? haha!

Both were great movies, and we got to sit and watch.. uninterrupted, ahhh it was lovely.

Hmm, what else is new? Auntie Shauna left and is back in Seattle... booo!
But we got a great picture from a day of many days that she helped me out with Sam. I love this pic. I should send it to their HQ... She can be the summer baby spokesmodel!

She does love her starbucks. Esp the Strawberries and Cream Fraps!

Update on our house: We moved into our newly painted master bedroom, and the third floor Craft Studio is painted!!!!!!!!AHHH I am just ITCHING to get everything up there.

The new carpet for the Studio comes on Thursday.. then its GO TIME! hah!

This weekend we are going to be shopping for a new box spring for our extra bedroom. Baka and Pa-Paw are coming to visit us hopefully in 2 weeks! yeay!

Thats all for now, but there are many more things to say. I just wanted to write real fast so I dont forget what was on my brain.

I have recipes to post, craft items, pics of Sam, and some other news...
Stay tuned..

Happy 4 Year Wedding Anniversary!

Today is our anniversary! 4 Years ago.. I was on a flight to North Carolina for the weekend to visit Mathew on the Military Base.... knowing that I was on my way to get married.

I told no one, he told no one. We were the two of us, alone, and it was perfect. I re-live that day in my head over and over, it was amazing. We were both so sure of what we were doing, it was the easiest big decision either of us had to make, and what a great memory we have to share...just us.

There's something special about this anniversary. Of course the big Buffalo Wedding after Iraq was great.. but this wedding was so private and special, and the two of us will hold on to this date and this experience forever as something so full of love, and so intimate. (ok i know.. i'll stop) But I seriously get butterflies still when I think about this very day 4 years ago. One of the best days on record of my life.

This weekend we're going to celebrate with a nice date night out. Grammy gave us a nice card and a new King Sheet Set.. which we desperately needed.. She said its for making baby #2... (I cant beleive I just put this in here.. but someday I will thank myself that I did.. ha!)

love you snicky!!

A few photos from memory lane when we would rack up the frequent flyer miles and empty our bank accounts just to see each other for sometimes only 72 hours.





Other than our Anniversary. Today was a very productive day for the workin' Momma.. I should re-phrase that.. for my 2nd job.. as a Recruiter. Sam took a 3 hour nap today.. ahhhhhh (heavenly)... So I got a lot of work done.

In the AM though, she only slept 20 minutes.. that was a new spin on morning naptime, but she made up for it. We ran to Wegmans for a few essentials.. Bread, Goldfish Cookies, their awesome fresh crusty bread... which Miss Janie had to have .... or else it was freak out time in the cart.. so here she is.. my little carb queen:




the girl loves her carbs, just like her momma!

And Im in the middle of about 4 crafty things to post on my other blog. I will be gettin pics up soon. One is a mounted frame with Samantha's Coming Home outfit, another is a Frame for Auntie Shauna, A letter "S" and I'm attempting a canvas bag gift.