Man of the Year

Time Magazine named President Obama.

People Magazine claimed it is Channing Tatum (Their claim, he is the sexiest man alive right now.)

I am sure there are many choices and many votes cast for each of these men, and probably for good reasons.

However, I have to disagree with with both magazines, at least partially. There is one in my book that rates a little higher in both categories. This man goes above and beyond the call of duty for his role in life. If one were to ask him how high to jump, he would be in the air before asking how high. He puts others before himself every day. He is supportive and encouraging. He loves like no other can. He knows what is needed and is there before the question can even be asked.

It is probably no surprise to you who my choice for Man of the Year is. He has been my best friend for seventeen years now. He is my husband, and the father of our two wonderful children.

I was telling the kids this morning as we were all getting shoes on to head out the door that they were so lucky to have such a great dad for Man of the Year. I couldn't help but brag about how I was so fortunate to catch the Man of the Year as a life partner.

And he continues to prove why he deserves this title. On my break at work, I receive a text asking me on a date on March 23rd to a meet and greet with David Crowder! My husband is so amazing!! I am excited beyond words!

Last March I had the opportunity to meet one musician who has greatly touched my life. The concert with Shaun Groves was truly a gift, and something I will never forget. Just one year later I am going to a meet and greet with another musician who has had a huge impact in my life.

What a gift Mark has given me today.

 Time Magazine and People's Magazine, while I respect your choices, I have to disagree with you to some degree as in my opinion, the Man of the Year is living in my house, doing life with me day in and day out. He is my husband.

For the Love of Music

There is a new obsession in our house. Well, to say new, I should say that it is new within the past year. When the obsession first popped up, I wondered if this was another passing fad, but alas, it is not a fad.   It doesn't surprise me, as he is following in his Father's footsteps.

I knew from the first day that I met Mark that the love of music ran deep. I first met him at a music event at work, and the first time we worked together, he was playing air guitar to Jars of Clay. Who could deny ,that this guy, who ran the music department at the store we worked at knew his music. I was always amazed when customers would walk in and the following conversation would happen:

Customer: "I heard a song on the radio and I would like to buy the CD with that song on it."
Mark: "Sure, do you know the name of the song or the band?"
Customer: "No.... But one of the lines was ....(insert random line from a chorus here)."

This conversation happened many times and almost always Mark would help a satisfied customer walk out of the store with the song they had heard on the radio. His music knowledge to this day still amazes me.

While he has a love of music, and when I say he can listen to most anything, he truly can. His music collection carries a little something in each genre. But his ultimate love, when it comes to music is a band he has followed since he was a young adult. He knows the band members, their likes/dislikes, and the story behind each person. He knows the stories behind the songs, the meanings of the lyrics, why the song was written, etc. He has seen them in concert two times, one of which I was lucky enough to attend with him. The band: U2.

E, following in similar footsteps has introduced another band into our house. He is learning the stories, the songs, the band members. There is a small picture of the band on the wall by his bed, and he is anxiously anticipating the release of their new album later this year. This is not a new band, I know some of their songs from when I was in school growing up.

I heard one of their songs on the radio one day last week. I quickly quizzed E on the song, playing him just a short clip from the song, which was released in 1994. Within just a moment, he had the band and the name of the song in just five short seconds... Basket Case by Green Day. Just like his dad.

On any given day when E thinks I am not within earshot he has Green Day music blaring from his iPod. If he is sitting in his room playing music, it is Green Day. While listening to music at top volumes is not always my favorite thing to do, and I often ask him to turn it down or grab earbuds, I know that he honestly can't help it, the love of music runs deep.

For E's birthday he received drumsticks with Tre Cool's signature on them.
(For those who don't know, he is the drummer for Green Day.)

The Gift of Time

Today Mark and I celebrate thirteen years of marriage.  To celebrate, we did something a little different than in years past. While the kids were away at camp, Mark took some time off of work and we spent seven days together, without kids. There was no schedule, we got to choose what we wanted to do each day. We played card games, went shopping for the kids' birthday presents, went to a party with friends, and watched movies.

The one constant this week was conversation.  We spent a lot of time just talking, connecting, and enjoying each others company without a lot of distractions. In a way, it was like a second honeymoon for us. 

This year our gift to each other was not something that was purchased or even made. I have a feeling though that it will be one of my favorite gifts we gave each other, the gift of time. 

 Happy Anniversary, My Love.   My life is so much better because of you.

A Night Out

Being sick over the weekend leaves my energy reserves a little low.   It was so tempting, after the day of work, to want to put on pajamas and cuddle in on the couch with a book.  However, we had put it on the calendar, so I slipped into a nice outfit and head out for an evening with him.   Instead of our usual places to grab something to eat, we try something a little different. 

We sit across from each other with nothing to distract us, nothing between us but the small table.   We are not here because of disaster control or to fix anything, rather here to just be together.   We don't have anything that needs to be discussed which feels good.   Too often, we let the busyness of life get in the way of time together.  Now, we have time.  Time to sit, talk, and share.   We discuss the events of our day, the books we are reading, and the people we have talked to that day.     

Dinner is finished and I can't help but smile.   I am deeply content.   I want to linger at the table longer, not wanting the time to end.  While I know that evenings like these won't become a routine event in our schedule, I am looking forward to the next time the opportunity presents itself.   In the meantime, I am grateful for the night that we had, because nights like these cannot be made, they just happen.  
 

Happy Birthday

I remember it like it was yesterday.   It was the first time we celebrated his birthday together.  We met for lunch which was one of our first dates outside of seeing each other at work.   He walked into the restaurant carrying a GAP bag with his "birthday gift to himself."   Besides liking him a great deal, I had no idea at the time how much I would come to love the person who was sitting across the table from me that day.  

Fifteen years later, on this day that celebrates him, I have so many things to be grateful for in this man.   As is the case with any relationship that spans the years, we have been through many ups and downs on this journey we call life.   Through it all, he has been a constant source of support, encouragement, strength, love, friendship, and joy, not only to me but also to our children.  

Happy Birthday to my Love.   As we celebrate you today, know that our lives are so much more rich and full because of who you are.  

Five Minute Friday: Remember

 I am linking up with Lisa Jo for Five Minute Friday.   Join me here. 

 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing! OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

 REMEMBER......

Start.

Remember when we said "I do."   Standing in front of our friends and family, we had no idea what we would happen in our lives.   

 Remember the birth of our children, and how you didn't leave my side for a moment during labor and delivery?    

Remember the times where we sat and talked long into the night and cried because of the difficult situations that we were going thought, the times that I wondered what the next day would look like?  

Remember when I was struggling and didn't think I could make it one more step, you were there encouraging me, telling me I could do it? 

Remember the times you would come home tired from work and ready for some down time, but you spent time helping the kids with their projects and talking to them about their day? 

I remember each of these moments, the joys and the sorrows, and what I remember about each of them is that we did them together.  

I am who I am today because you have been by my side for over twelve years, and I am so thankful that we do life together everyday.   What a gift you are in my life and I thank God for you every day.

I don't know what our future will hold, but I do know that we will do it together. 

I love you. 

STOP.

Five Minute Friday: Ordinary

Five Minute Friday, a time where we can blog without having to worry about edits or over thinking.   If you would like to join me here if you would like to participate. 

Ordinary. 

Start. 

Ordinary in my mind closely parralles routine.   While routine or ordinary are can be comforting, there are times that I long to break out of the ordinary and do something different, something I have not done before.   This is usually when I find myself on a new adventure of which my whole family is sometimes drawn into. 

Eleven months ago, I decided to join the health club.   I was tired of the way I was feeling and just changing my eating wasn't working for me.   I also did not want to stay home through the holidays baking and then eating everything I had made.   So, I joined the health club.

In the year that I have been there, our lives have looked very different.  I have trained and completed a half marathon.  The training was intense and time consuming, and it affected family plans as we always had to plan activities around my running schedule.  Most mornings, he had coffee waiting when I came home and listened as I was getting into shape and the bumps and bruises along the way.  On the Sunday morning of the half-marathon, he got up early and took me to the starting line.  Never once did he complain, rather he was always there with a word of encouragement and support. 

Now that the health club has become a regular part of my routine, I still continue to receive support from Mark.   That is something in the ordinary and routine that I do not take for granted.

Stop.  

An Amazing Man

Yesterday was Mark's birthday.   I cannot tell you how much this man means to me.   I know his presence in my life is not an accident, or just a chance, rather he is in my life because God brought him here.   Our lives would not have crossed paths otherwise I am pretty sure.   Through the years, I have grown to love Mark even more than I could possibly have known.   He is my biggest fan in life no matter what I am working on or trying to achieve.  Right beside me encouraging me and loving me through each success and failure that we have encountered, I have found self-confidence in life.  I love the conversations we have and the laughter we share. 

He is a great father to our children.  His first question upon entering the house every night is to ask the kids how their day at school was.  The requests to play games and spend time with him are not ignored even when he is tired from a long day at work.   Mark encourages the kids' interests and helps fulfill the desire to learn and find the information that they are looking for.  

Mark, I love you more than I can ever put into words.   On a day that celebrates you, know that you are loved and cherished, not only on your birthday but every day of every year.  Thank you for your constant love and support.   Our lives are definitely better because of you. 

Unexpected Moments

My phone is ringing, and I am running out the door.  While sliding into the car, I see that it is Mark calling.   Accustomed to quick conversations while he is running between meetings, I pick up the phone to see how his morning has been.   A meeting has canceled, and Mark is calling to see if I have some time to grab some lunch with him.   While Mondays are the busiest day of the week for both of us, today it just happens that our schedules work and we are able to meet.  What a gift in my day. 

When I processed the kids going to school and both being gone all day, I had no idea that there would be rare moments that our schedules would jive and we could sneak in some time together.  Somehow, these unexpected moments have become moments I look forward to, even though I don't know when they will happen. 

Just Because

Just because he is so wonderful, he left work early to spend the afternoon with me.    

It was just what I needed today.  I love him so much! 

Why I Love Him So

There are many things I love about Mark.   This man that I love can read books at speeds that make me dizzy.   The craziest part of it all is the recall that he has after reading.   If you ask him about a book that he read five years ago, chances are pretty good that he can remember the book and tell you quite a bit about it.   His love for music, all genres, boarders on obscene.  (In a good way.)   If you mention an artist or group that you like, he can usually mention two or three others that you might like that are similar.   Always perusing newspapers, news sites, and blogs, he can have a conversation on almost any topic brought up. 

As a great problem solver, he is successful in his career and makes life easier at home when I have something that I just can't get resolved.  He is a great father and husband.   He is great with the kids, always encouraging their interests.   He is always patient with the many questions that come when E is learning about new technology or talking about sports.   He is ready to listen to a new song that Addy has written or look at the new masterpieces she has created with her art supplies.   Mark is a very helpful and supportive husband.   Whenever I get a whim to try or do something new, he is right along side me.  

Another thing I love about my husband is his willingness to keep after a project.   Upon moving into our house four years ago, we found out that our master bath was in desperate need of a re-do.  There was no option, it had to be fixed.   Since then we have repaired and replaced most of the plumbing in this house.   My dear husband who is not at all a fan of plumbing has been constantly working on replacing leaky pipes, toilets, and faucets.   You name it, he has either fixed it or given it a good attempt.  Last night our toilet started to leak, this being the third toilet in our three bathroom house that has needed to be repaired.   As I attempt to help by handing tools, keeping dry towels on hand, and keeping the kids busy and out of the way, I am so thankful for this man who goes into these projects with a sense of dread, but usually comes through them successful. 

Recipes

Always needing something to do to occupy my free minutes, I am usually either working on a project or finding out what the next one will be.  Just because I am in the middle of a project, it doesn't mean that I have a lot of free time on my hands.  Actually a it will often happen when I am balancing many things and have very little free time.   Possibly it is because at these times I need something else to think about rather than the busyness going on around me, or possibly it is my way of accomplishing something when there is not much that can be "completed."   Whatever the reason, I am now in the middle of a project.   I knew it would be a lot of work, but I think today I realized how much work this project really is going to be. 

If you haven't guessed from this blog, or as a friend on Facebook, I love to bake.   Cooking brings a great deal of pleasure as well, but not like baking.   However due to the fact that I cannot eat everything I bake and maintain some semblance of a diet, cooking is a close second.   Cooking is also something I can do with Mark.   He and I love to be in the kitchen together creating a meal.   The satisfaction that comes when the meal is on the table is something we both enjoy.   Being that we both love to create things, we are always on the look out for new recipes.   Mark is always bringing home new cookbooks to peruse from the library and also watches the newspaper and magazines.   I get my resources from blogs and the internet.  In addition, there are always the family favorite recipes from when we were growing up that get mixed in as well.  

What has occurred as a result of these means of acquiring recipes is that we now have what feels like a multitude of cookbooks and a stack of papers that we never go through. Once we find a recipe we like, we will often say, "We need to make that again."   But, because of our current method of keeping recipes, it tends to fall to the bottom of the stack and never to be made again.  Another problem is sharing recipes.   If a friend or relative asks for a recipe, I have to search for the recipe and type it up, and often I never get around to this.   It is not intentional to forget, it just happens. 

My project is that I am going to create an online database of recipes that are all filed and organized so that I can access them more conveniently, and when someone wants a copy of the recipe, I can e-mail it right from the database.   (I love it!) 

With a couple of days already invested in the project, I now have these

and these

to go through which will be the most time intensive part of the project.  

Does It Get Any Better?

Summer.   You will hear many times over how much I love summer.    The sun shining in the bright blue sky, green grass, warmer temps.   These are just a few of the reasons.   Today being Friday brings around another reason I love summer.  

Grilling.  We grill for two or three nights in a row, and I love it.   Mark has been working on his grilling techniques over the past few years, and if I can brag about his grilling for a minute, let me tell you, he is getting really good at it.   A couple of years ago he moved from the gas grill to a charcoal grill, a change I was not excited about and did not totally understand at the time.   In those three years, Mark has worked on his grilling skills, read cookbooks, and practiced.   He is pulling some amazing meats off the grill now, and I am enjoying every time he cooks.

Tonight we are having BBQ chicken.   We had it a couple of weeks ago because I had some chicken in the fridge that needed to be used up and a half bottle of BBQ sauce, so why not.   I am here to tell you that he pulled off some of the most amazing chicken I have ever had!   It was moist and the BBQ sauce was thick and not charred around the edges.   It was as if we had gone to a BBQ joint and we were eating their house special.   I cannot wait for dinner tonight.

The chicken is only part of the meal.   Summer means fresh fruit.   I could eat fresh fruit for every meal and never get tired of it.    Right now the berries and melons are amazing, and when you mix them all together in a fresh fruit salad, it just doesn't get any better than that.