Going to the Chapel and I'm... gonna get MARRIED!

Big changes in my life happening!  First and foremost, I'm getting MARRIED!

EEEEE!

Shocked are we?  If you had asked me three years ago if I would be engaged to the man of my dreams I wouldn't have believed it.  I just never factored it in for me.  What they say is true, when you stop looking for love it will find you.  I'm so lucky to have found happiness and someone to share it with.

I knew he was going to ask me eventually but I didn't know when.  I figured it would be on our upcoming cruise or for my birthday.  If my birthday next month passed without him asking I would have asked him, and told him so.  So I knew that it was going to happen but I pretty much thought it would happen in April.  That's why I was so surprised when he asked me to marry him on Sunday, right in our kitchen.

Sunday he went to the track to ride his motorcycle.  I decided that I was going to make clam chowder from scratch that night.  It turned out amazing by the way.  Very yummy.  Anyway, he got home while I was cooking and we had a nice meal and then we cleaned up.  It was a nice normal night, one of my favorite kinds where we just hang out together at home quietly enjoying each other's company.  I am so in love with this man that just being with him makes me happy.

So after cleaning the kitchen I was standing at the table with my hot chocolate.  My mind was already into the next day thinking about what I had going on.  When Jake came up and hugged me from behind, it was very nice but I wasn't expecting what happened next.  He kissed me and asked me how much I loved him.  I held my hands out to show him how much I love him.  He took my hand, twirled me around and went down on one knee asking "Do you love me enough to be my wife?"

I was so surprised that I was a little behind.  I saw him down on one knee and I heard him but I wasn't quite sure what was happening.  I said "Are you serious?"  Then I saw he was holding a little box and I knew what was happening.  He told me I couldn't see the box until I gave him an answer and, of course, my answer was yes and I kissed and hugged him.  That was the happiest moment of my life.  I just couldn't believe that it was happening right then.  I kept asking him if he was serious.  I'm pretty sure he's serious now.

He stood up and put a GORGEOUS ring on my finger.  I was worried for him because when I got my ring finger sized I looked around at the rings they had and I didn't like very many of them.  Some of the engagement rings out there are so ugly.  So, although I knew he was looking at my Pinterest account, I was a little worried my tastes were too picky.  But nope.  He got me the most beautiful ring that I could have imagined.  I would have said yes if he'd put a cheesy plastic ring on my finger but he did very good and it makes me feel very special.

I am so in love and so happy that anything else happening in my life right now is chump change.  These are the things that are important.  Finding someone that you love so much and you want to commit to having a life with is so much more important than the little things that no one will remember in 10 years.  I can't wait to see where my life goes with Jake.  We're going to have quite and adventure together and I know, I'm going to be happy.

Merry Christmas!

Okay so this is a little late but I haven't felt like sitting down on the computer to type it out for a while.  So anyway, I hope you all had a great Christmas.

We spent Christmas Eve having dinner with my family.  That was really nice.  My mom is an amazing cook and I just love the warm comfort of a family dinner.  That is one of my favorite things in the world.  We got out of there rather late, for us anyway (Jake has transformed me into an old person who wants to go to bed at nine).  While we drove home I just kept thinking about how all the kids were warm in their beds waiting with such excitement for what Santa was bringing them.  That was one of my favorite memories of childhood.

Christmas morning we packed up all the presents and headed back to my parents' house for Christmas morning.  Coffee, breakfast, family and presents.  You really can't complain about that.  We did stockings and Jake has his own stocking now.  My parents also got him quite a few presents.  I don't think he realizes it but it really warms my heart to see him coming into the fold of my family and accepting the fact that we're close and do things that he probably hasn't done before.  He's such a good sport and I love him all the more for it.  I also love that my family has accepted him.  He's my  heart and I so wanted him to be a part of my family.

I have to brag more on what I got for other people than what I got from them.  I got my mom little bird Christmas figurines to add to her bird theme.  I got my dad a Broncos blanket and coffee mug.  I got my sister two books of needlework she wanted for the baby's room.  She has a lot of work to do!  I got Jak a shirt that says "Keep Calm and Nerf On" for his obsession with Dart Warz.  I got my older brother a really nice handmade wooden coin holder for his military coins with the Air Force insignia and his name on it.  Though that was the package that the post office lost/stole.  Jerks.  So it didn't get here until after Christmas.  I got my younger brother a bag of coffee which is supposed to be the strongest coffee in the world.  I got Jake a coin holder for his military coins too only with United States Army on it.  One of his presents is still coming so I can't say anything about it.

Amongst many things I got a paw washer for the dogs, a tablet, a sonic toothbrush (which sounds weird but I would have never bought it for myself and I actually love it), some books from my brother, money for office furniture, a fitbit to track fitness, and other bits and pieces.  It was really great.  Jake got me a penguin onesie and seat warmers for my car.  Awesome!

After Christmas with my family we went home and Jake got Samuel.  We had a small present opening with him and that was a lot of fun.  Kids on Christmas are SO much fun.  The excitement is infectious.  I got him Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone and a customized ornament for his aikido orange belt.  I want him to get an ornament every year like my mom did for me.  I also want to read to him so hence the book.  Sure, he wasn't thrilled with them but at least they weren't a video game or something.  We went out to play with two of his presents, a pogo stick and a little jump rocket launcher thing.  I'm telling you, kids on Christmas.

We finished up with dinner, peppermint ice cream and watching the Muppets Christmas Carol.  I read Samuel Harry Potter until he fell alseep and it was just a wonderful Christmas.  I couldn't have asked for more.

I am more and more in love with my life day by day.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Give Thanks - My Someone

I am attempting banana bread from scratch today.  I also have to do laundry and clean the house.  Look at me... all domesticated.  When did this happen?

I think my outlook has shifted in the past year.  I think I got really comfortable with myself and now I want to share my life with someone.  I've never wanted to take care of someone before.

I found my someone.

Happy Birthday Love

Happy birthday to the man I love.  I know you hate being the center of attention but you're quite often the center of mine so I hope that will do!

MUAH!

One Year Down!

I can't believe it has been a whole year with my love!  Happy One Year Jake!

Before you, I never thought there was anyone out there for me.  I didn't believe in love and I was gearing up to face a lifetime being that independent girl making her way on her own.  I was okay with that.  But now I can't imagine making this journey alone.  You've taught me never to give up on love because it will find you when you're ready.  Thank you for loving me and being the man I love.  You make me laugh, we're stupid together and you make me feel safe.  I couldn't ask for more!

I look forward to years in the future with you more and more everyday!

Oh and I hope we don't kill each other now that I'm living with you!  MUAH!

My Love Returns!

Jake has been in Indiana for the past week.  He's finally back in town and I'm so happy.  I missed him.  I don't like sleeping alone anymore.  I love my snuggles with my love.

Got me thinking how hard it is going to be on his future deployments.  This was just for a week and I missed him.  I've never missed anyone before.  I've always been somewhat self contained and independent.  Emotionally, I suppose I've been closed off before.  I truly never though I would fall in love.  Then BAM!  Here he is.  And had to be an army guy.  Never thought that I would mind being with someone who was gone a lot but now I realize that it is going to be hard.

I guess I just have to keep in mind that as much as I miss him when he's gone, the home comings will be all the sweeter.  And I have to keep myself busy.  I went to the Ren Fest today to keep my mind busy because I was so excited he was coming home.

Muah to my love.  Promise to wait for you and be here when you get back.  I also promise to be independent and strong enough to maintain myself through as well as supporting you.

He makes me smile

I have to share two things that my baby sent to me that made me smile!  I love him!

This is a video Jake sent me a while back that I want to remember!

Warning: Mushy post

Jake has friends in town from his homeland, Portland!  We went out a lot this weekend between playing darts and pool and generally just drinking.  I didn't drink as much as I have in the past because I learned my lesson on Thursday.  I am sucky at pool, just as I remember.  But I am actually decent at darts, first time I've played.  I would have done anything just to go out with them of course.

Anyway, I was tickled to meet Jake's best friend, also Jake.  I want so much to share with him and be a big part of his life like he is for me.

I'll never forget it.  He told me he loved me and I know I've found something special.

Only in the movies

I've been on a Grey's Anatomy kick lately.  I used to love the show before it got all weird and they started killing people off right and left, or so I hear.  Anyway, wanted to see if it was back to being good so I had to watch it from the beginning.

Anyway, I was just sitting here watching and I got to thinking about love stories.  I love movies or shows with good love stories.  And if there isn't a good one often times I'll make one up in my head.  I love good love stories.  In the movies...

In the movies no matter how messed up are you personally, someone loves you dearly.  That person finds all your quirks and hang ups endearing and they enrich your relationship instead of driving the other person absolutely crazy.  That person is your partner and absolute match.  In the movies you break up and everyone is incredibly hurt until someone makes a grand gesture.  Someone holds a boombox outside your window or builds a house out of candles.  Love conquers all.

I just don't know if those love stories exist outside of the movies.

I have many more cynical things to say but I don't feel like it.

Bah!