THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

This past Friday was the first day of Dan's 4 day weekend. Thanks to Columbus Day we had lots of fun and family time this past weekend. ***Columbus Day marks the 7th year to the day that Dan and I first met back in Colorado!!! Friday we decided to keep Ben home from preschool and go on a family hike. This was the first time that all 4 of us went on a hike together. We even brought Wrigley! This bridge called the Hereford Bridge, reminded me of the boys Thomas the train bridge set. Nearing the end we let Wrigley and Ben race back to the car. Tracking our progress.......we walked a mile and a half into the hike. For a round trip total of 3 miles. Pretty good for our first family of "5" hike! By the end we were all ready for some ice cold water. The boys and Wrigley were ready for a nap! All in all this was a good start for family hiking to come. I was surprised at how well Zach and Wrigley did. And I was surprised at how much Ben complained about the pokey bushes getting hi...

Okay, who has seen the movie Cheaper by the Dozen (re-make with Steve Martin?) Dan and I have a quote that we stole from that movie; "6 years together and we still got the heat." I am so grateful that I truly married my best friend. I love Dan with my whole heart. He is both an amazing father and amazing husband. Our communication rocks. There is nothing I can't say to Dan. This has gotten us through our hardest times. He loves me for me. And I feel so blessed to be celebrating our 6th year married. And Columbus Day will mark the 7th year of knowing each other. We were discussing our years of marriage. This is what we came up with...... Years 1 - 2 = honeymoon stage years 2-5 1/2 - our most trying times(Is it coincidence that in these years we experienced births, death, and deployments? I think not.) Years 5 1/2 - now = back to years 1 and 2 We decided that as life has thrown it's curve balls, we both lost focus of what really matters. We focused on our trials rather ...

Five years ago today(Columbus Day) in Fort Carson, Colorado.......at Becky and Joseph's house........ Dan and I met for the first time! Two months later it was the day after Christmas and Dan was proposing in Arizona. And a few months after, we were taking our engagement pictures..........when you know.......you know......... Day of engagement pictures - Garden of the Gods, CO 2004 Love you Dan ~ See you in less than 30 days...........

Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones. But, I am really missing my Dan. Our anniversary month is almost over. Let's hope these next few months fly by quick and we can see you soon! Love you sweetie ~ ENGAGEMENT PICTURES TAKEN AT GARDEN OF THE GODS, COLORADO - 2004

About 5:30pm tonight, more flowers showed up at the door!!! I had no idea who sent them! I finally figured out it was my Mom that sent them from the card. She and Tom nick named Ben, "Ben-Jamin" and that is how the card was signed. :) She said she was worried that Dan's flowers were going to be late, and she wanted to make sure I had a "Happy Anniversary'. I absolutely had a great Anniversary. Thanks to my sneaky flower senders......Dan and my Mom are co-conspirators! Love you Momma. Thank you so much. This was the happiest bouquet. It had a flag and smelled delicious! And I am going to use the vase in the kitchen afterwards! It's a water pitcher and has pieces of fruit on it! SO cute!

I had a wonderful anniversary today. Dan, Ben, and I were able to talk on the web cam for over an hour this afternoon!!! And then a beautiful bouquet of roses were delivered. I still have tears from Dan's message on the card. Thank you so much Dan. You are one sneaky monkey! (For those that don't know) I was being super sad as a present came in the mail for Ben. And Dan had ordered himself a present from online. And at the same time, Dan told me that flowers were too expensive to order online and he didn't have the money. Little did I know, he had ordered the flowers already to be sent today!!!! SO sneaky!!!!! I will definitely be drying these and putting them in a floating frame!!!! I LOVE THEM! And I love the vase! Stopping and smelling the roses...... It was the most wonderful thing to be able to talk to Dan on the web cam. It was like he was here with us. Benjamin was in heaven. We ate lunch together as a family. And Ben was "feeding" his food to Dan throu...

2004 ~ Happily ever after ~ We were married on September 10, 2004. That is the day I married you, my best friend. I am so grateful for you. You are an amazing husband to me and I am amazed at your patience and love as a father. Thank you for making me laugh every day. Let's never stop being mushy............ (I swore I wasn't going to cry!) 2005 ~ Newlyweds playing tourist on the island ~ 2006 ~ We welcome a little miracle into our family. Our love story continues ~ 2007 ~ From ocean to mountains ~ We begin a new adventure ~ 2008 ~ Separated by distance, but not in heart. Even though we are apart this year, you are always in our hearts and minds. We love you so much. We can't wait to talk to you on web cam tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!! Just think.......soon you will be home, and we will be celebrating a new miracle in our family. We love you!