Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my Best Friend,

There is no way I can find the words to explain how thankful I am to have you in my life. Thank you not only for the last two years of marriage but for the last 8 years of being a part of my life. You are amazing and I could not ask for anything more. You are kind, compassionate, caring, funny, honest, easy-going, and so much more. I never thought I could love someone so much and you proved me wrong (yes, I said I was wrong!). I never thought I could open myself up to someone and share all of my thoughts and dreams and you proved me wrong yet again. I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. You are so determined to help others and make things better that you don't let anything stand in your way. My love for you seems get stronger and stronger every day and just when I think I couldn't possible love you any more than I do already, some struggle or joyful experience makes it way into our life and whether it is good or bad, just experiencing those times with you by my side makes me love you even more the next day.

I am thrilled to be starting a family with you and take on the next adventure of our life. You have been an amazing husband and I can't wait to see you share that compassion and kindness with our child. Thank you for being such a great husband and my best friend. I can not wait to experience the rest of our lives together. I love you!

Don't take life forgranted

Tommy's brother and his girlfriend are 22 weeks pregnant and are in need of some prayers. Last week she lost a bunch of her amniotic fluid. I don't know all of the details yet but they don't think the baby will survive with the little amount of fluid that is left. She will stay in the hospital until 24 weeks (viability) and then deliver. Hopefully the baby has a chance at life. Please pray for the baby, the mom & dad, and the doctors.

Ironically, I found this video from another blog that I follow and it really hit home. You really can not take life forgranted. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToNWquoXqJI. What a beautiful and strong little boy.

Firefighter's Wife

It takes a special kind of man to do what our husbands do,

But if you think about the way we live, you'll see we're pretty special too.

With 24 hour shifts, investigations and all calls

We've learned to fix our own cars, build bikes and patch the walls.

We calm the children's fears at night. Battle gremlins, ghosts and gnomes.

Dad would be here to do it, but he's saving lives and homes.

Now please don't get me started on what it takes to raise our kids.

I get enough advise from mom on do's and don'ts and did's.

But all the parenting tips and tricks she used when I was small
I've had to learn, in my case, don't really work at all.

I mean, really, what kind of threat is this for a kid who's being bad:
"It might be a couple of day's from now, but just wait 'til I tell your dad!"

We communicate by pagers, sticky notes and voice mail.

On Valentine's Day he e-mails virtual roses without fail.

Interrupted family dinners, he's working Christmas Day.

You sigh as you think of all the years that things will be this way.

Mom's got the kids, your coats are on, you're almost out the door.

This time you're really going out, unlike all the years before.
You think of all the fun you'll have when from his hip you hear a tone
Oh, well. Maybe next year. Another birthday spent alone.
You wave and yell, "I love you" as he rushes past.

Memorizing the smile he gives you for you fear it just might be your last.

You smile until he's out of sight before you let the teardrops pour,

Because even on this special night, there's folks who need him more.

You're our heroes and we love you, never get us wrong.

We know your days are rough, they're challenging and long.
But it takes a different kind of woman to marry this way of life.
You think it's tough to be a fireman? Try being a fireman's wife!

I found this poem on another blog and I really hit home. I can’t tell you how many times Tommy and I have argued over his job as a firefighter and everything he will miss because he will be working. I can’t help to think of when we have kids and if he will miss their birthday or their first Christmas or their first school play, etc, etc. I hate it, I really do. But I realize that he is doing something very special and something that not many people would risk their lives to do. And that makes me proud. Even though I don’t think I’ve ever said it to him I am proud to be a fireman’s wife. It’s hard, it’s lonely at times, it’s unpredictable but it’s my life and it’s my husband so I wouldn’t change a thing.

Top 8 of 2008

1. Celebrating our 1st year anniversary. We had a wonderful first year and I can’t wait to celebrate many many more. I am so thankful to have such a loving husband and best friend!
2. Watching Cajun grow up. It’s actually been pretty amazing to watch him go from an 8 lbs little puppy to a 90 lbs HUGE dog that can knock me over when he tries to give me a hug. I love him to death and I don’t know what we would do without him (probably have some landscaping in the back yard) :-)
3. Celebrating weddings, birthdays, child births and holidays with family and friends. We have some the best family and friends and it has been awesome to celebrate life events with everyone this year. We’re so thankful to have such close-knit families.
4. Tennessee. Tommy and I had an amazing time together touring the state and just spending some one on one time with each other. It’s definitely a trip I will never forget.
5. LSU National Championship game (1/7/08). I know that seems like such a long time ago but it actually was in 2008 and I love it!!! Geaux Tigers! We had a great time celebrating in New Orleans with hundreds of thousands of Tiger fans.
6. Crystal Beach. Another vacation that I will probably never forget. It was a great relaxing time with lots of friends that hopefully we can make a tradition. Although, since Ike destroyed Crystal Beach we will have to find a different location.
7. Cruise. Yet another vacation (wow we traveled a lot this year). It was fun to experience Tommy’s first cruise and certainly fun to experience repelling for the first time.
8. Job stability, house, car. I am so thankful that we have not been greatly affected by the economic turndown. I’m grateful to still have my job and still be able to pay our mortgage and both have good vehicles to get us to and from work. Everyday it seems like the economy just gets worse and worse so we are so appreciative to still have everything we’ve ever wanted!

I hope your 2008 was great and that 2009 only brings even more happiness!