4 Years.

My Sweet Gwenyth Cynthia,

Four years ago, you came into the world and changed so many lives.  Four years ago, you gave your Daddy and I the GREATEST gift we could ever have been given.  You let us be your parents.

You are growing too fast, baby girl.  You're smarter than we can keep up with.  You have a heart of gold.  You radiate unconditional love. Your laugh is infectious.  Your smile melts hearts.  You are, and will always be, our baby girl.

I told you last night, that I was so sad that you were growing up, and without skipping a beat, you told me not to be sad, "be happy, I'm a big girl."  And you're right.  I will be happy.  Because, I could not be prouder to be your mom.  You have taught me so much about life, and made me realize what I was put on this Earth to do.

You are such an amazing little girl.  You mean so much to us.  You are the best big sister to your Addiecakes,  No one makes her laugh and smile like you do.  You are a bright ray of sunshine.

 

We love you more than we could ever put into words.  We love you, through and through...

Happy 4th Birthday to the coolest, silliest, sweetest, most beautiful girl in the whole world... our Gwen-bo-ben.

Love Always,
Mommy, Daddy & Addie Kay

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Four years ago, I made the best decision of my life.  The decision to start a journey.  A journey with my best friend, my partner in crime.  It's been a crazy, fun, beautiful journey so far, and it's only just begun.

Jason, I love you more with each passing day.  I appreciate everything that you do for our family.  I admire and adore the man you have grown to be.  I am in awe of the father that you are.

There's no one in the world more perfect for me.

Happy 4th Anniversary!  I love you more than words could ever say.  Thank you for being the most supportive, caring, and loving husband.  You make me the happiest girl in the world!

Because.

Today is my husband's 35th birthday! 

He's spending the day working, boo, but we are gonna spoil him with love when he gets home.  Today is a day that I think needs to be celebrated by us as a family, because without today, we wouldn't have this amazing man/husband/father in our lives.

Jason, I hope you know just how special you are to us, and how we wouldn't be the family we are without you.  There are so many reasons why I love you.

I love you because...

...you love Gwen more than you love yourself.  And I know so without you even saying the words... I just know.

...you allow me to be me.  In every form.  Which isn't always the prettiest.  And all the while, not loving me any less.

...you have the biggest heart out of any one I have ever known.

...you wear said heart on your sleeve.  Your emotions are not something that one has to "guess" you put it all out there, and I think that is such a strong characteristic.

...you're pretty fearless.  Ok, maybe not always my favorite quality lol, but I love and admire that about you.

...of the man you've become.  Let's face it, we were both somewhat different people when we met, and I can't say that I knew you would evolve into this completely devoted family man, but you are.  You've exceeded my expectations of you... by far.  I am a proud and lucky wife.

...of the way that you love me.  Nothing's perfect, neither are we, but our relationship and love for each other is not one to be messed with.  I AM sure of that.  My hope is that you feel as loved as you make me feel, which is A LOT ;)

So, happy birthday, old man. Your girls are waiting for you to come home and celebrate.

Love you.  

Perfection.

Even though she's toddler, and can tear things apart in seconds, or throw tantrums like someone is paying her to do so, there are so many moments that I look at Gwen and just think...

"She is so perfect."

I do.  Sometimes it is when she is in the middle of a deep belly laugh.  Other times it's while she sleeps in the middle of our big {yet not big enough} bed.  Or especially when she says, "I love you so much."

She's just perfect.

And I always then think, "We made her."  That beautiful little being is here because we created her.

I am the most proud when I talk about her.

She is my biggest accomplishment and my greatest reward all wrapped into one.

It was amazing for me to see my best friend experience this same feeling this past week too.  The funny thing is that she didn't even have to say the words, I saw it on her face.  In her smile as she looked at her perfect little baby boy.  In the way she held him and kissed him so sweetly, like he had been here for years.  And I felt elated that she finally got to feel that feeling, because no one can tell you how wonderful it is with just words.

Being a mom is the craziest, most trying, hardest thing I have ever done.  But, it's also the best.  I wouldn't give up being a mom, especially Gwen's, for all the money in the world.

Happy Father's Day.

There are many men that I would like to wish a Happy Father's Day to... 

Dad.  Thank you for your continued love and support.  It's safe to say that you do not appreciate your parents as much as you do when you are a parent yourself.  Not only are you a great dad, but a wonderful Poppi.  Gwen adores and loves you very much.  I love you.

My father-in-laws.  I was not always a part of your families, but you would never know it by the way that you treat me.  :)  You are both so amazing with Gwen, she is lucky to have you in her life. 

Gwen's Uncles.  Although you are not dads yet yourself {Uncle Phil, you will be soon!}, I know that you will all be great dads some day.  We love you all!  

Pop.  It's hard to not have you here for this Father's Day, but the amazing thing about you is that your life lessons continue to teach and shape the lives of so many.  To say that we miss you is the understatement of a lifetime... but our love and admiration for you is forever strong.

Jason.  My best friend.  I've known that I loved you and wanted you by my side for a very long time, but seeing you as a father, a daddy, makes me fall more and more in love with you each day.  Gwen is so lucky to have a Daddy that loves her SO much.  A daddy who loves to be silly.  Who loves to spoil her.  Who knows just how special each and every hug and kiss is.  Being a dad has brought out a side of you that is one I could have never imagined.  You have a huge heart and our family benefits greatly from all of the love that you give us.  Baby #2 is another lucky kid who gets to have the best daddy in the whole wide world.  

Thank you so much for all that you do for us.  I love you so very much.

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers, Daddies, Uncles, and Grandpas!  Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your loved ones.

Whatever It Is

I don't try to pretend like my marriage is perfect. Lets be honest, none are.  And the one's that say they are?  Are usually the furthest from it.  But, I truly believe I have a great marriage.  That I really married my best friend.  And that what we have is True Love.  The way that he loves me is something that I adore, and am truly grateful for.  He is always making sure that I know he loves me, and here is an example of some of the things he does.

Standing in the middle of the mall Friday, I got this email.

And when I opened it, this is all that it had...



That, my friends, is why I love him.

I am a lucky girl.