Our Fourth Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday, Jan. 25, we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! I cannot believe that those 4 years already went by.

Most of them were spent apart due to Matt being gone on 3 deployment (all 7 months long in length), and trainings in between deployments. Through it all, we managed to stick together and enjoy the time that we did have. Soon, we won't have to worry about long months apart because he has decided to retire from the military lifestyle and start our new life back in Florida so we can start our family.
Anyways, Matt had to work that day, so when he came home I was already ready to go out on our dinner date to the Cheesecake Factory (Thanks Mom & Dad for the gift card!!) and I had decorated the house a bit for him.

The 4th traditional anniversary gift is flowers and I didn't want to buy him a bouquet of flowers or anything floral print because I knew he wouldn't wear it, so I opt to getting a hyacinth flower plant.. that way it is not too feminine and we can take care of it inside.

Oh yea, and this awesome chalkboard is from a family member - Thanks Danielle!!! You can check out her blog by clicking THIS LINK.

Upstairs on our bed, I placed 4 balloons with a special memory or highlight of our marriage attached to the string in reference to 1 ballon for every year.

Despite the horrible weather that San Diego thought it should bring on this particular weekend, dinner was great! We even had our traditional anniversary shot

Then, while at dinner, I gave him his gift (unfortunately I couldn't take a picture of his reaction or record it because it was too dark in the restaurant… our server actually used her phone to take the photo of us above since my phone doesn't have flash! Lol) But his reaction was just what I'd hoped it would be.

This is what I had in his card:

Eight years ago when we first met,

I didn’t think that I would find my true love yet.

Time went by and I felt it was more than a crush,

due to the insane amount of adrenaline rush!

One year became two, then two became four,

next thing I know, you proposed with your knee on the floor.

My heart was soaring as high as a jet,

without a doubt, I said, “Yes!”

I know our true love can withstand any test.

Only two months passed and we could hardly wait,

so we took that leap of faith and made a quick wedding date.

That next weekend, we said our “I do’s” and read our vows,

we officially became the next newlyweds in town.

Our first year flew by fast, and now at last, we were to be married

in front of family and friends from present and past!

We danced, we ate, and the pictures turned out great. 

I know we will never forget that special date!

Since that day, four years ago,

we’ve both experienced some highs and some lows.

Now here we are, celebrating our marriage, of all that we have done

and all that is yet to come!

So c’mon, get ready......set.....and jump!

Did you figure it out? A clue would be look at the italicized words and the last sentence…. I purchased us skydiving tickets for today! But, due to the weather, it may actually be postponed until next weekend.

2012 Recap + New Years Celebration

Wow, I apologize for the lack of writing the past month. With Matt and I being gone for a week in Florida, to us getting sick, and then NewYears right around the corner from all of that, it became a whirlwind. So, now that I have some down time in between working and doing every day stuff, I thought I would update you all on our trip to Florida, New Years,  our overall year of 2012 and our outlook for 2013.

On the 20th we flew to Florida to spend Christmas with all of our family. Our week went by fast! The 21st we went up to visit Matt's cousin, Michael, and his wife Jessica and their cute two boys! Matt and I met their littlest, Lucas (who is almost 2!) for our first time… and fell in love.

One of those days we went out shopping for Christmas gifts,

another day I went up to visit my grandparents while Matt went golfing with his dad and grandpa.

Then Christmas Eve, I got sick. Yay! It was horrible.. but I managed to just suck it up and take as much medicine I could throughout the rest of our stay(and even back home!) Matt and I attended church and went straight over to his grandparents house for Antipasto and opened gifts. It was such a GREAT time! All the gifts this year seemed to be very creative (Thanks to Pinterest Lol)

On Christmas Day, Matt and I spent the entire day with my family, opening gifts, playing cornhole, xbox, and monopoly (curse that game!). That too was another GREAT day.

 Dad, this picture of you cracks me up! LOL

 His first time ever baking and decorating a cake.. it was so delicious and awesome!

 Matt dancing to my nieces new xbox

 My lovely Molly

 Monopoly late into the morning

My grown up niece!!

The last full day, we hung out with his family during the day and then at night we went over to my parents house to spend time with them. My dad took us to the airport on his way to work bright and early! The flight was horrible due to me feeling like completely and utter crap. I couldn't wait to just be home in bed and fall asleep.

Once we got home, it was still early, so we took it easy and opened up our gifts and went grocery shopping. Then two days later, it was back to the grind and I went to work.

Few days passed, New Years came along. We hung out with our good friends and a lot of other people and had a big celebration! It is sad to think that all of us that were in that same room, are all moving to different states and some are getting out of the military.

So that is a very quick story and pictures of the past events.

2012 was a good year for us:

• Celebrated our 3rd year anniversary
• I got a wonderful job
• Matt came back from his deployment and turned 25
• We went on our belated honeymoon to St. Lucia
• We bought a kayak and took up snorkeling/spearfishing more
• I turned 24
• Celebrated Thanksgiving with close friends
• Went to see a Ravens football game
• Went home to Florida to be with family during Christmas
• Had a big New Years party
• Crossed many items off our baby bucket list: 14 things in total

Our predicted 2013 year for us:

• Celebrate our 4th year anniversary
• House hunting and buying a home in Florida
• Matt turning 26
• Matt getting out of the military and us moving to Florida
• I'm turning 25
• Matt starting college and getting a new job
• I'm returning back to college and hopefully getting an awesome job at the hospital
• Cross more items off our baby bucket list
• Planning the right time to have a baby

I think 2013 will be great!!

Three Year Anniversary

Well, has it been busy around here for me. I started up my school, I have doctor appointments, and tomorrow orientation all day for my job, then start regular working hours for it.  I have to admit, I slacked on the gym this past week.. but I hope to pick it up again really soon. I also am trying to finish up my husband's next care package so I can mail it out this week. They take such a long time for him to get them, this last one has been about 17 days already!
But, enough of this.. onto the post at hand.

It's mine and my husband's 3 year anniversary. I feel like him and I have come so far in these past 3 years. It's our first anniversary that we have had to spend apart and it does break my heart. I woke up in bed this morning, and just wished I could have woke up to him and I telling each other happy anniversary face to face.. instead, I just quietly said "happy anniversary" out-loud to him hoping wherever he is in that great sea out there, that he could hear/feel it.  During these past 3 years, we have dealt with a lot, good and bad, but no matter what -- in the end we truly do love each other more than anything and would do just about anything for each other.

This past week, and especially today, I have been thinking back on the day he asked me to marry him, and then the day we decided we were going to have a small private courthouse wedding at my parents house. It was so sweet to just have his parents, his eldest brother, and my parents to witness something so special. I still remember how nervous I was, but mainly out of excitement and how calm he was. When he recited his vows to me, it brought tears to my eyes because I knew then - we would always be together and he meant every single word being said.

I love his smile you can see off the corner of his mouth..

Then a year later after that, we had our big wedding at the church/reception. It was nice to have a formal wedding where we could share it with friends and family. We had such a blast, that we didn't want it to end.

No matter what life will throw at us, as long as we are in it together, we can take on anything.  I love you so much, Matthew. I hope to hear from you soon.. it feels like it's been too long. Please stay safe out there. I can't wait until we are able to be together again. I miss you and I love you.... always.

 First year anniversary shot

Second year anniversary shot

(It's a tradition that we made up.. each anniversary we take a shot.) So, today I'm going to go buy a shot to carry on that tradition even if we aren't able to do it together.

Lots Of Talk & Pictures

Lent! Ash Wednesday was this week. What to give up, or what to start? (I know that we aren't really suppose to say outloud or share what we decide to do, but I have decided that I am going to share) With that said, I am going to do one of each.

What to give up - over thinking and analyzing. Of course it's good to do sometimes, but I think I do it quite often; while, Matt thinks knows I do it too often.

What to do more of/start - Praying actively for my husband and our marriage. This is also on our list. So, once Lent is over with, I will cross it off and (of course) keep up with it.

What are you giving up or starting for Lent?

Tsunami. It's been on my mind since I first heard of it on the news. I couldn't imagine being in something like that. Matt called me from work early in the morning telling me to wake up and turn the news on so I can get involved in what's going on with the world right now. Well, I did exactly that. I turned on the news and watched all the tragic terrifying clips for 4 hours. FOUR hours. I couldn't stop watching it. Something so scary yet we watch it and search for news article and video clips....because it makes us actually feel alive.

Friday evening I finished a section of our wedding scrapbook. Just one section... and there are at least 11 more sections to go. So below are the pages that are complete (Click to enlarge photo). I must say, I am proud of the way it came out!

Wedding Party section

First page in the section. This is how the two pages look side by side

Left side of page

Up close of left side. The whole idea is suppose to be little picture frames hanging by ribbon and thread

Right side of page

Up close some details on left side

Second page of the section

Left side of page

up close details on left side

Another up close view

Right side of page. Made some black bow ties.

Left side of page

Last page of the section

up close view on some details. I made the names looks like name places.

P.S. Don't forget to change your clocks if you haven't already. Spring ahead!