Someone's A Year Older....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZING HUSBAND!

You are an amazing husband and father. I love that we have this word all to ourselves, well besides the people that invented it and shared it with us :) SHMILY.

I love that you're always asking about the kids and your parents and the church...everyone...we're supposed to be worrying about you, not the other way around.

You have the most incredible smile. It's probably the thing I first fell in love with and it can instantly make me feel better.

I absolutely love the way that I fit right in that nook in your arm...like it was made just for
me...I miss that spot.

I giggle when I think about you talking to yourself...quizzing me on the latest movie...& even your snoring...because they are all things that make you..you.

I love that in just a few weeks, I will get to see you and celebrate you...we don't need a birthday for that...it's been way too long since I've seen your face and heard your voice and just got to snuggle up on the couch with you.

I love you!

And I hope that even though you're in the middle of Afghanistan that you'll still find a way to celebrate and know that I'm thinking of you today....

and always!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I LOVE YOU!

SHMILY :)

Random Acts Of Kindness

I know you're probably thinking that this is a strange and random picture, but let me tell you the story behind it. This huge plant I inherited from my great-grandmother has needed re-potting for...like ever...I've whined about it. Complained about it. Pondered it. Well, today when I got home....hubby had bought a new planter and re-potted it HIMSELF! I hadn't even mentioned it in quite a while...so yeah...I'm impressed....can you tell that "acts of service" is his love language??

Love, Unconditionally

**disclaimer; no wedding photos :( scanner down, so I had to use what I had in the laptop.

**ok, felt guilty...so I took a picture of my wedding pictures to put on this blog...they are super poor quality, but maybe you can see how young and naive' we were!! LOL!

Our love story begins nearly 17 years ago....back when it was the "cool" thing to do to cruise town on Friday and Saturday night and burn a tank of gas or two. That's when Quentin first laid eyes on me. I was 17, he was 23. He was cruising town with one of his buds (who I happened to know) and I was walking into Dodge's Chicken Store to get some gum...isn't this romantic?? He told the guy I was pretty and that he was going to marry me someday...his buddy politely informed him that I was a little young. End of story.

Enter his ex-girlfriend's mother. Friend of my family for a long time, but oddly enough, Quentin and I had never met. Our paths had somehow never crossed. She decides to set us up...I'm not sure of her logic, afterall, this was her daughter's former beau. I stood him up 3 times before I finally went out with him. I still can't believe my parents even let me, but they did. He was so nice and polite....I wish I could say that I fell in love then, but I didn't. I did however, fall in lust. Which is how Mallorye came along.

I thought my life had ended, but man oh man...it had really just begun. From the beginning Quentin has loved me. And loved me unconditionally. Even when I didn't love him. Even when I wasn't loveable. Even when I was downright mean. We had Mallorye. Married. And began the trials of marriage. I had alot to learn! I failed on almost every test, but he just kept on loving me. Mallorye may have taught me what love was...but Quentin has taught me HOW to love. He does it so well, that I sometimes take it for granted.

Quentin supports me in everything that I venture out to do....whether it be singing on our Praise Team or competing for Mrs. Arkansas...he's always my #1 fan. He helps me around the house...much more than I give him credit for...but he doesn't mind washing dishes, laundry, or even scrubbing floors. He understand that I need girlfriend time and he makes a way for that to happen. We may not have alot of money, but we are rich in love....all because I have a husband that refused to give up on me. Quentin fought for us, even when he was the only warrior. I'm so thankful!

He's a wonderful father and I love seeing him interact with his kids. That's something I missed dearly while he was in Iraq....having him beside me at the ballgames...cheering the kids on. He has such a playful side with them (and brings that out in me).

On August 8th we'll celebrate 16 years. The first 10 were ....nearly impossible...it's a wonder any of us made it out alive. The next 3 were hard. The last 2 have been wonderful!! I finally know how to love and can accept the love that Quentin has been trying to show me for so long.

Happy Valentine's baby....I love you to the very depth of my soul!

Check out Andrea's blog for more love stories and while you're there...write your own!