Best Day Ever

We met in July 2013. 

We became exclusive in December 2014. 

We decided to get married on May 6, 2016 just 4 weeks later. 

We had our announcements, rings, engagement pictures all done before we got engage on May 13, 2016. 

We tied the knot on June 9, 2016. 

It took a lot to get us here. It took struggling thru accepting that what I felt is God's plan may be His plan, but sometimes others free agency prevents His desired plan from happening. It took accepting what I'd hope for would not happen. It took being willing to be open to the idea that my ideal was not going to be and allow myself to allow someone else in my life. It took time, it took seeing time and time again that you never spoke hurtful words, you never walked away, and you were a constant.  We were not love at first sight. We are very much love by choice. It took me seeing and realizing that you were a constant and a consistent.  It took recognizing there was no drama, no ups and downs, no threats to leave, no hurtful words and initially it scared me because Id never seen love like this. I have only seen love of having to prove I was worth it, of walking on shells, waiting for the next shoe string to drop, and constantly on edge for the next time I was worthless, replaceable, and begging for another chance.  For the first time, as unnerving as it was at times, my relationship with you was peaceful, consistent, and constant. Slowly, I realized this is what others have and find joy and happiness in. The patience and lack of anger in words and actions shown toward me won me over. The care given to those most precious to me won me over. Our friendship became a beautiful base for our relationship. When uncertainty rocks me, you stand as a rock. We found love right where we were standing. We found love slowly as we gave friendship to the other. Thank you for loving me and walking slowly enough in this process to allow me to work thru all my fears and misconceptions. Thank you for loving me just as I am. Thank you for being my sunshine. 

As the words to our first dance say, 

"Well I've waited so long, so long, so long
For someone like you
And as this morning breaks through the window pane
It reveals the truth

Baby, you're my sunshine, first light
Find your way to places that only know lies
Failed tries and bruised skies
With hardly time to hold on or be strong, now I'm strong
'Cos like the dawn you push it all away." 

Steve Azar - Sunshine Lyrics 

Thank you for pushing away the lies and failed tries. 

We planned our day on record time. It was perfect. It was exactly the perfect blend of the two of us. Now, onto getting our eternity.

Gizzy-isms

This sweet girl cracks me up!! The innocence a she has in her views of the world. 

A month ago, we went out to eat after Kaiya's Orchestra concert. A family of Hispanic decent came and was seated across from us. Kaelani turns and says, 

"Kaiya, you match them. Look you match. Kaiya, you speak Spanish you look like them." 

Poor Kaiya who has always been conscious of her skin tone turned red. She has yet to realize all her pale friends will be spending hours in thebsunnyo get her beautiful natural tan. 

This morning, as we got dressed to go to swim. Kaelani came to me and the following conversation ensued: 

K: Mom, why aren't we brown so we can speak Spnish?

M: Just because someone is brown doesn't mean they speak Spanish. 

K: when are we going to get brown? Am I turning brown? I have freckles. 

I can't help but giggle inside. Her sweet innocence coupled with her very observant perceptions. Love her and her sister. I'm thinking we may need to get one of her not brown Uncles or cousins to speak Spanish for her. That will blow her mind. 

Molly Pitcher Wax Museum 2016

Kaiya chose to do Molly Pitcher for her wax museum. She did everything on her own, save acquire a costume. I am so proud of the awesome job she did managing her time to research, write, memorize, and decorate for the museum.

Molly Pitcher Wax Museum 2016

Kaiya chose to do Molly Pitcher for her wax museum. She did everything on her own, save acquire a costume. I am so proud of the awesome job she did managing her time to research, write, memorize, and decorate for the museum. 

Kaiya Excels

Kaiya has been an awesome student! She excels at nearly everything she does. This year she received awards for: 

All Year Honor Roll

Outstanding Orchestra Student

Math Olympiad 

Scholastic Award

I think what makes me more proud is to watch the girls she chooses to spend time with be onstage too. It eases my mind to see her choosing good friends.

Mrs. McClure and Preschool

We went to deliver Mrs. McClure her teacher gift and apologize for being so disruptive during the program. We are so grateful to have found this sweet teacher. She has been there for mom and Giz on so many occasions. Especially as we went thru the screening process.  She has been the sweetest teacher, and has pushed a little by little to get Giz out of her shell - - regardless of how cute and smiley Giz is when avoiding answering a questions.  After three preschools, we are sure glad we found Mrs. McClure and got to spend 2 years with her.

I cannot believe Giz is a preschool graduate and entering Kindergarten next year.

Archery

It has been a few frustrating weeks at archery club.  Week after week Kaiya's draw length has been off. Week after week we have fixed it only to spend the next week fixing it again. Frustrating to see her frustrated after having such natural abilities displayed during lessons. Finally, we went this week and there were no draw length issues and she was consistently hitting the target again. 

Engaged!!!!

We got engage on Friday, May 13, 2016. It was amazing! Matt went to my dad with a prenup agreement on Friday morning. He invited my family to be part of the engagement. He asked the girls if he may have their permission to marry me. They of course said yes.  He asked me with a beautiful green diamond ring and a shotgun! It was perfect! I've never had a man get down on one knee with so much love and affection. He has tears in his eyes which touched my heart. 

I am so grateful for the man that he is and how he treats the girls and I. I've never had to prove I deserved him I my life. He has never spoken an unkind word or tried to force anything upon me. He is a man of God. I am grateful for his presence in our life the last 3 years. I'm so grateful we reconnected after 21 years. LoL!

Family

This is family. This is unconditional love. These member of this little family will never abandon each other. We may not look like other families, we may be a bit different. However, our love is just as strong. This family is a forever family. 

Sister Forever 

Family is forever