What If My Husband Doesn't Fit Into My Mold?

This picture made me scratch my head....

Till I read this...

The night before the burial of her husband 2nd Lt. James Cathey of the United States Marine Corps, killed in Iraq, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of him, and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it" she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted".
-Not sure what is more honorable: Being married to this faithful wife to the end or the Marine standing next to the casket watching over them both.

Gosh, this picture breaks my heart.  I can't imagine what that would be like, the pain... What would it be like thinking that there is another day to say goodbye, another day to say I Love You?  Yet, that next day never came for her.  

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One of my favorite pictures of all time

With Valentines coming up I've been thinking a lot about unconditional love.  What is love?  Is love wishing my spouse would change habits that drive me crazy?  Dumb ones that don't matter a whole lot?  I look back and my expectations of my husband were of a fairy tale sort the first years of our marriage.  I figured I could tweak a few things that I didn't like eventually and would just worry about it later.  As time went on, I started to wonder what was taking him so long to change those things.  Then came annoyance, frustration, anger, hostility...  Till a year ago I realize that those annoying things may never go away.  Can I love him anyway?  Could I stay quiet about it and just let it go INCLUDING not harboring bad feelings about it?  Yep.  Because I'm pretty sure (100% sure) I have plenty of annoying things that he just lets slip on by.  Even if he didn't...  I'm learning LOVE is loving someone regardless if they never fit into the mold we want them in.  I married him just as he was.  I didn't marry Gumby who I could shape into whatever I wanted.  Women are so funny that way.  So what if he walks out of the house in an outfit we think isn't so nice?  If he likes it, isn't that what matters?  I'm learning all those little dumb battles aren't so worth fighting and I've let them go loooong ago.  Instead, I count the good.... and there are lots.  

Men marry thinking their pretty little (sweet) brides will never change and women marry figuring they'll change the guy.  Ha.  

heh heh.... this cracks me up

5 Perks to Eating Outside When Dining Out with Kids

1.  I love how we don't have to worry about inside voices.  The more people you have in your party, the more noise there is.  When you dine on the patio of a restaurant, you don't have to keep saying "shhhh" every minute.  Then there is the other side of the coin. Sometimes it's so loud in a restaurant you have to yell to hear each other. It can be very unromantic.  
"Hey baby, I love how your shirt looks on you tonight."
"What?  You think I'm acting like a jerk tonight?!"  
See what I mean?  
2. If a kid falls off a chair you don't have all the stares from the tables of people around you. Outdoors and kids falling just seem to go together so no one really notices.
3. Less claustrophobic.  There is way more space, air to breathe, and the only thing you have to worry about is earth's gravity ceasing to exist.  
4. If a kid farts, it just doesn't seem as rude.  Plus, the smell goes away quickly.
5. It's so romantic under the stars and especially when they've included a fireplace and music.  Sigh.  

The band was set up under that white
canopy in the background

Ashley coloring her kids menu

The other night my husband took me out (with 6 kids in tow) on a date.  We went to an outside mall.  That wasn't my first choice.  I wanted to go camping by a lake but his city ways made him suggest an outdoors mall instead.  Okay, not NEARLY the same as being by the lake but I'll take it. Heh heh.



We went inside of California Pizza Kitchen and waited about 15 minutes for a table.  It was completely packed!  The restaurant was super loud and people crammed too close together.  Charles and I were not too excited about that so we jumped at the opportunity to sit on the patio where we could see all the shops around us and people walking by.  Way more interesting.  

After we were sat down outside we begin looking around at the scenery and it was so romantic.  The trees were laced with pretty white lights, a band had just started to play in the background, and there was a gentle wind blowing ever so slightly.  It was just awesome.  The kids were more relaxed and less bored.  The band wasn't loud since it was at somewhat of a distance.  We had such a good time and the waitress commented on how good they were.  We had such a good time.

As we walked by the outdoor shops I spotted Motherhood.  I love and hate that store for how beautiful their clothes are but their crazy prices.  After looking at some of the pants offered and high prices I decided on just getting The Tummy Sleeve.  It makes it to where you can wear all your non maternity pants, shorts, and skirts even while pregnant.  You just keep the zipper down and then place The Tummy Sleeve over it to hide it.  Then you can wear them throughout your pregnancy and afterwards!  Even for postpartum.  This is gonna save me some big bucks because I won't have to purchase any new pants or church skirts.  

Anyway, what a great night out!  Every woman has just gotta have it.  When you're inside all the time cleaning, homeschooling, cooking, etc... it feels so good to just get out and do some exploring.  Even thought I didn't get my lake and camping, I'll take the wildness of outdoor malls and patios. Tee hee.

*Even without homeschool, we women still need our breaks.

Ohhh, this is the perfect time to mention I still have a contest running for a $25 gift certificate to the online Bloom Maternity store.  Whether you are pregnant or nursing I'm sure you can find something you love!  Click HERE to enter.