Ten Years, One Great Marriage

10 years ago on a wintry day in Ames, Iowa, Ben and I were married. We were young and just out of college, and we had lots of friends and family in attendance. It started snowing during the reception, so when we were ready to leave, all of the "attention" our friends had given Ben's truck was hidden by a couple inches of soft, powdery snow. After a fun week at Disneyworld, we came back, packed up our few belongings and moved to Texas.

In 2002, we moved from an apartment into our house, where we have lived for the past 9 years. (That would be the longest time I have lived in any house by the way.)

For the past ten years, I have written 8 Christmas letters. I skipped 2002 and 2005, thinking I wouldn't do one every year but then I changed my mind. I keep a binder with all our Christmas letters (except for my very first letter - I didn't keep a copy!). It is fun to look back through the years.

We are lucky that Ben hasn't had to travel for work all that often, usually just a couple trips to Germany. On average, his trips last 7 days. Fortunately for us, we can stay in communication through email and an occasional phone call.

Over the years we've had 6 repairs and remodels done in our home (well, 6 that I can think of anyway). Some changes were our choosing - like putting down laminate flooring, buying a front loading washer/dryer and remodeling the 2nd bathroom. Some changes were forced upon us... our microwave going out and having to replace our microwave/oven unit... our water heater rusting out and spraying water all over our laminate flooring... and having our roof reshingled after a hailstorm. 

Since we've been married, we've owned 5 vehicles. We came down to Texas in an old, red pick-up that Ben drove during college. We bought a Dodge Neon which turned out to be not the best car! Ben's truck was rear-ended (and totaled) so we replaced it with a somewhat newer pick-up. We finally got rid of the Neon and bought a Honda Pilot. And when we made the plunge and bought a mini-van, Ben gave up his truck and took over the Pilot. Hopefully we'll have these two vehicles for a little longer, despite having to replace a cracked windshield on both (and my own recent rear-ending of the Pilot).

We've repainted 4 rooms in our house. Well, technically we've repainted one room twice (so a total of five paintings) thanks to my sweet husband who was willing to paint over the green that didn't *quite* match :)

We have three beautiful children: Lila, our craft-loving, my-favorite-color-is-blue girl; Wyatt, our all-energy, repeats everything, puzzle-solving boy; and Piper, our if-I'm-awake-I-must-be-bounced baby (wait, I think that was all of our babies). It is fun to watch their personalities emerge and develop... to see in what ways they take after their Dad and Mom :)

Shortly after we moved into our house, we adopted 2 stray pups and named them Maggie and Kelsey. Some days I really wonder what possessed us to keep that 2nd pup, but they have been good dogs (usually) and tolerated the human additions to our household.

All in all, we've had 1 great decade together.

Happy Anniversary to Us.

Because he loves us

This week Ben went back to work after being home for three weeks. During that time I was reminded what a great husband I have. He cooked, went to the grocery store, put the kids to bed, did laundry... basically ran the house while I recovered and took care of Piper. And he did it all with a great attitude, I might add. Lila has a book called "Because Your Daddy Loves You" that talks about all the things a Dad could say or do, but instead does something else because he loves his daughter. My children are lucky to have just such a father. 

For instance, when it's cold outside and the kids want to go the park, Ben could say, "go play in your room."

But he doesn't.

 Instead, he hooks up the bike trailer and bundles up the kids and takes them to the park. And he doesn't even get upset that they're only there for 15 minutes because Lila announces she has to go to the bathroom.

And when the kids are feeling giggly at the dinner table, Ben could say, "stop making silly faces and be quiet!"

But he doesn't.

Instead, he moves his eyes in such a way that Wyatt says "do that again!" before bursting into laughter.

And when he wants to go for a run in the afternoon, Ben could tell me "I'll be back in 30 minutes. You can handle things while I'm gone, right?"

 But he doesn't.

Instead he searches Craigslist for a deal on a double jogging stroller so he can take Lila and Wyatt with him. AND he runs them to the grocery store while he's out to get a few things we need.

After a long day when the kids want to play with him, Ben could say, "I'm tired. Why don't you go play with your toys?"

But he doesn't.

Instead he lays down on the ground and turns into the best toy ever!

And after taking care of Lila and Wyatt all day, Ben could say, "You can take care of the baby."

But he doesn't.

Instead he takes a turn holding Piper when she's fussy - and it's 2 a.m. - so that I can get some sleep.

Because he loves us.

So thank you to my wonderful husband for taking such good care of your family. We love and appreciate you more than you know.

Taking Pictures

Last year I got a DSLR camera which I have absolutely loved. This year I took a class to learn more about shooting in manual mode. I knew that with my third baby I wanted - and could - take better pictures. She may have less written in her baby book, but her pictures will look better! :) So to that end, I've enjoyed "posing" her and taking pictures in the past couple weeks.

This is Lila's little doll bed. (Like I said, babies are only this little once!)

 After taking some pictures of Piper, Wyatt thought he should have a turn. I had to tickle him to get a smile.

 Trying to get a shot of the three of them together.

 Wyatt and Piper.

Funny thing about this shirt: I got him some Thomas pj's a while ago which he has now outgrown (notice his belly in the picture above). I've managed to get the pants put away, but I haven't been as successful with the shirt. I've tried several times to wash it, but before I can get it put away, he has pulled it out of the laundry basket and put it on! I'm happy to report that I FINALLY got it put away -- and I got him some new Thomas pj's that fit :)

Lila and Piper

Big Sister Lila

This was taken shortly after Wyatt was born.

Big Sister Lila

Two years later with little sister Piper.

And then I gave the camera to Ben to take a picture of me with Piper (since it was a day I'd actually showered, ha!)

Quick Trip

Last week, we got to enjoy a quick visit from Grandma and Grandpa Amey, Aunt Rebecca and cousins Britton and Kaelyn. They came down one day, spent the night, and then returned home the next day. It was fun to get to see them (especially Rebecca and the girls who live in Las Vegas, so we don't see them as often.) Here are a few pictures from our time together.

 Aunt Rebecca reads everyone a bedtime story (it's no surprise that Wyatt wasn't that interested in Alice in Wonderland but he liked sitting with the girls.)

Grandpa gets a turn holding Piper.

The hat Piper is wearing here is actually the hospital hat that Lila was given when she was born! (Yes, I still had it.)

 Wyatt and Grandpa look at a book together (trucks are a better subject choice!)

The girls played some games together. 

Then since it was rainy outside, we decided to go to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch so the kids could run around a bit.

Wyatt was overwhelmed by all the games and rides, but Lila had a fun time!

Here Kaelyn took a turn on a horse ride.

Grandma earned Lila several tickets by catching some bees!

Lila took a turn on the horse ride too. This was her expression right after the horse started to move.

Ben took a turn catching some bees too. Wyatt stayed close to Daddy and watched :)

2011 Christmas Ornament

Every year since Ben and I have been married, I make a Christmas ornament... something that commemorates that year. Last year I made a camera ornament. I was undecided about what to do this year (but leaning towards something that represented our cruise vacation). Well, Piper made the decision easy for me by deciding to be born before Christmas! So, I made a third candy ornament with her picture. 

 I always take the picture of each child AT Christmas, so it shows how old they were at the time. 

Left to right... Lila (5 months), Wyatt (2 months), and Piper (1 week).

Growing Girl

I thought I'd post a little update on Piper. I wish I could say she has been an awesome sleeper at night, but she's been a normal newborn...keeping us awake for a few hours each night. However, she's been a pretty good baby otherwise with only a few bouts of unexplainable fussiness.

 Here she is at 1 week old. 

 And here she is at 2 weeks old.

She has a fairly dark complexion right now. Aunt Janina said the correct term to describe her is "swarthy" but since that brings to mind pirates, I prefer to think of her as my little papoose. :)

She had her 2 week check-up yesterday and weighed in at 7 lbs. 13.5 oz. She measured 20.5 inches. Oh, and yesterday just happened to be her due date too... so possibly what she would have measured if she'd been full term? Who knows, but she's definitely gained back her birth weight and then some!!

Grandma Brandt gave Piper this stuffed turtle for Christmas, so I took a picture of her with it :) Now, I just need to remember to take a picture of them again when Piper turns one... and maybe again when she turns eighteen :)