It was perfect

He couldn't have done it better. Really, a perfect weekend. A great way to celebrate a great ten years together.

We left Friday afternoon and headed to the island. We were the last car onto the ferry. Enjoyed the views of the west coast on the way over and were both excited about a just us weekend.

When we got the to room, we relaxed before dinner. The rain fell outside, but our cozy log wood room with beautiful views of the beach - there was no need to be outside. Dinner at 7 - our only scheduled event for the weekend.

Dinner was great, the muscles were the best either of us have ever had. We loved them so much we ate them the next night too!! After dinner, we walked back to our room, through the canopy covered surroundings. Such a beautiful spot.

Arriving back in our room, there were candles, rose pedals, roses and champagne, along with strawberries dipped in chocolate waiting for me. So sweet.

But what happened next, well that is what brought tears to my eyes. Before I knew what happened Chris was down on one knee presenting an anniversary diamond ring. Telling me how he loves me, and that while he didn't ask me to marry him (I asked him), he was so happy that we are together and that he is still in love with me and I make him happy. Perfect words, perfect surprise, perfect husband.

Champagne out on the deck. A really perfect night.

Ten Years Strong

Today, Chris and I celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary. And I say that with a lot of pride.

Back in the day...when we first met at the mountain, he was big goof with loud friends and a party lifestyle. He seemed nice enough, but really not my type.

Then, in the late spring of 1999 something made me look at him differently. Still not sure what it was, but all of a sudden instead of our "hey" as we passed each other, it was "hey, how was your weekend". Then I found myself at his baseball games. Then I found myself hanging around the mountain top talking to him.

Then, I found myself on Aug 23 kissing him. After a fun night out with friends, and a conversation about what our pretend future would be like together, the irony of that all just being the beginning has never been lost on me.

We planned our life together that night. Two kids, one boy with the middle name Christopher, one girl with the nickname KJ. We would have animals, in particular a wolf cross dog. We would live on the North Shore, we would get married on a golf course. Even the people we said would be in our wedding party were. Right then, it was like a road map all laid out for us. And that kiss, that kiss made my knees go weak. It made my heart skip a beat. It made me scared, excited, thrilled and full of aniticpation.

Well, the rest pretty much followed suit. I moved in with him at the cabin on the mountain that following January. We were engaged in May, and married the following July. Fast? Nope. Right? Yup.

Of course, first up was Takaya, our sweet wolf cross pup. Then Braydon Christopher and Kaylee Jordan. Within the first five years, we fell in love, moved in, got engaged, married, bought a house, had kid, bought a different house and had another kid.

You would think things have slowed since then, but in truth, they've picked up. All of a sudden, it's ten years since we said "I do". Ten years of growth, opportunity, lessons learned, forgotten and re-learned. Ten years of hugs, kisses, cuddles and the odd disagreement or two. Eight of those years being parents together, including working through a miscarriage and then the blessings of Braydon and Kaylee. Diapers, late nights, no sleep, figuring out all the how tos of a being a Mom and Dad, and still trying to be husband and wife.

As the kids hit a new stage of life, school, sports, play dates and independence, it's another stage for us. Shuttling them to everywhere. Hours at a ball field, or nights at a school music festival. Dinners with four, fast and furious to get out the door. Coaching, leading, less cuddle time, more on the go.

The future sees no slowing of our pace. Busy children = busy parents. But through all of that, I am happy to say that parents are just one roll in our lives. Somewhere we still find time to be Kirsten and Chris. Husband and Wife. Friends. Companions, and yes, some of that other good stuff too.

All too often marriages fail because there is an expectation of perfection. Doesn't exist. Just a willingness to let the little stuff go and appreciate the good stuff as it sometimes happens so fast you may miss it.

The love of my life has surprised me with a trip over to Tigh Na Mara for the weekend, just us adults. I'm so looking forward to our two days together and reviewing the ten years of the past.

I'm lucky to have found this one, even if it took me a few years to really see him.

I love you Chris, Happy 10 Year Anniversary.

His new love

I know he still loves me, but at least for now, this girl just might be his favorite.

He's wanted a new bike for a long time. He's had a stressful year and tried to keep a positive attitude.

He's worked hard and it looks as though his work will still be there for a bit.

So while it wasn't in the plan, sometimes you gotta remember you only have one life to live and you might as well enjoy it while you are here.

A little about KJ

So since I missed a post or two over the summer, I thought it would be good to catch up on things as I go.

I thought I would start with KJ. Hard to believe, but my baby just wrapped up kindergarten. She knows how to read, she writes very well, she can spew off our address and....well here is no surprise.....her social skills are above her grade average. In grade four, that will read "if she spent less time socializing and more time on her work, she would surely improve her grades". Seems vaguely familiar.

KJ is the free spirit in our house. She doesn't over think anything. She acts and enjoys the ride as she goes along. We could all learn a little from her.

She likes to make people laugh, and will strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

Her brother is her idol, she has her father wrapped around her finger, and I, well I am the one that she still crawls into bed with for a cuddle whenever she gets the chance.

If you ask Kaylee what she would like to be when she grows up, she changes her mind daily. Sometimes it's an artist (like me she says, melts my heart!). She also wants to be a baseball coach like her Daddy. She can be whatever she wants, but I'm not in a rush for her to grow up.

We went for a "summer" hair cut today. She cut off about 3 inches. She's adorable (as always) - but that much more big girl and not little girl. The hair dresser asked her how old she was and she said "I'm five, but I'm pretty much six". Guess so.

Back to Blogging - Welcome to Summer 2011

Yes, I'm back. I never meant to leave really, but honestly - I've never had SUCH a busy spring that I needed to drop a few things. This was one. Laundry was the other :)

But now it's the lazy days of summer (so they say) and I thought that I just couldn't let another whole season go without documentation. So I'm back.

Summer here really always starts for me the July long weekend. Mainly because it's the first weekend without school, all the sports are done, it's Canada Day and it's Chris' birthday.

Summer here of course means the pool. Ahhh the pool.

Summer here also means baseball. Yes, the kids have actually finished for the season, but we still take in lots of games. Especially since Chris' roll as the president...and that Brianna is playing in the all stars

Yes, the good old days of summer..........means ice cream

and being creative with our time

and like I said, birthday celebrations

Back to the being creative, I didn't have any wrapping paper for Chris' gifts, so the kids drew on theirs. Braydon took a lot of time on his, pretty proud of what he did (Chris was impressed too)

One other thing that means summer to me are bugs. Now I'm not your typical girl - I kind like bugs. This summer, I've NEVER seen SO many caterpillars. I love caterpillars, always have. Richard and I would hunt and hunt for them, maybe be as so lucky as to find one or two a year. But this year, I see three or four a day!!

They of course turn into butterflies

Braydon thought he found a green lady bug, but apparently it's a spotted cucumber beetle

So now I prepare myself to return to work tomorrow morning. The kids are heading to bike camp which they are excited about. Chris figures that work is over this week, and that he will be laid off for a bit, but we will see.

All in all, glad that summer (and blogging) are back!