Happy Birthday to the BEST man I know!

Today I am celebrating my husband's birthday. Did you ever create "a list" of the characteristics your husband would have? Well, I did, and David has every. single. one. of. them.

In celebrating his birthday I want to write 26 reasons why I am so in love with him (although there are many, MANY more!):

1. He is honest with me. He has never done anything to be the least bit dishonest or deceiving with me. I cherish that.
2. He values his family.
3. He makes me laugh. daily.
4. He loves to hang out with just me--something I was not used to in past relationships but always desired.
5. He prays with me.
6. He has the best work ethic and is a great provider.
7. He supports me. I couldn't have started a photography business without his support. He is an amazing backbone of this business I am trying to build. He sits down and looks at the pictures I take with me and that is so special to me.
8. He is a gift from God. Our meeting, our relationship, our marriage..all brought together by God.
9. He constantly tells me he loves me.
10. He is SUCH a man of integrity.
11. He goes out of his way to help people. One time we saw a car broken down in the middle of the road with someone inside and no one was helping the car. David pulled over and pushed the car out of the way. It was an older lady who had no way of getting the car moved out of the way.
12. He's strong. Ohhh his muscles ;) He takes such good care of his body.
13. For the Father he will be. I cannot wait to make babies with this man because I know he's going to be the best Daddy!
14. He's respectful. Not just to me and his family, but everyone he meets.
15. His hugs are the. best. ever. And he never lets go until I'm ready.
16. He protects me.
17. He is so intelligent! Graduated college with a degree in biology and is in the top 15% of his class with his Master's!
18. He kisses me goodbye with an "I love you" every morning before he goes to work.
19. He surprises me with little gifts. He is so thoughtful.
20. He helps with the housework without me asking.
21. He is a good steward of money.
22. His 'down time' includes playing football on his PS3 and not getting drunk with his friends.
23. He is a good listener..and the best secret-keeper ever.
24. He values my input.
25. He is the most unselfish, caring man I know.
26. He is my best friend, my lover, my husband, my everything.

Happy 26th Birthday, David! I love you more than I could ever express through words or silly lists. Today, I am thanking God for you and praying for many more years to be your wife and celebrate who you are.

The 411

Today, I am realizing just how great life is. I mean sure, there are always going to be bumps in the road, but overall..things are good. I am hoping to get back into blogging..I like to keep a record of things and one day I would like to put it all together in a book (at least the funny/exciting posts!)


So here is what has been going on..

• I am still not working other than my photography business, but trust me that has kept me busy enough! October is booked with 3 weddings, a completely filled boudoir marathon, and many portrait sessions. I am truly enjoying every second of it. I could continue on and not get a full time job, but like I've said before I (we) want to save as much as we can for the future (I hear children aren't cheap!) and it'll be nice to be able to have a cushion.
  
  
• There is a plus sign of being home..there are always vacuum lines in my carpet..and I LOVE vacuum lines. :-)
  
  
• Since today was Oct 1 it's officially "Fall" to me. Today consisted of the yummy aroma of pumpkin spice candles lit in various places around the house.
  
  
• Today also marks the first time in our married life that we sat down at the table to eat. Isn't that crazy? We've been married over a year! We like watching our favorite shows and eating at the same time..so the couch is where it happens. It almost felt like we were at a restaurant, except that I had to clean up afterwards! :-) I think we will try and keep that up a few times a week. It's nice to sit there with no distractions and just talk.
  

The BEST thing for runners!

Maybe you have found this website and aren't like me who after a run I hop in the car & track my distance. After my run today (which was GLORIOUS!) I came in and was going to try and mapquest it or something, and instead, I found THIS website!! The link will take you right to a map and you can put in your address and draw out on the map where you ran. Super easy!

Brightened my day..

"Don't worry about where the baby is"

Taken in Richmond, VA

(others can be found by clicking the link)

[un]fashionable

I have always been into fashion..I just have never been "in" fashion. For instance..David & I went to the mall today. To the mall. That has a billion stores. And I only found 1 pair of jeans. There has not been too many times that I have found more than a couple of things at any given shopping trip.

I have a TON of clothes, but the problem is I wear only a few of them. (Too tight, too old, too something!) A lot of the clothes I have were bought in the early college years (and maybe a few from highschool too!) and it's just time for new clothes!

So glad that fall/winter is close. I feel much better "in my skin" with a few layers on. I don't own a pair of shorts, and I have always been one to put a tank top under shirts..so you can see where the summer months make me just a little hot.

..If I ever win the lottery (which is pretty high in VA right now!) I will have a personal stylist.

Things I love..

Things I LOVED this week..

Eating.

Had fresh homemade salsa for lunch

&

Pulled pork BBQ is in the crockpot for dinner as we speak

David.

Celebrating my Birthday with him (this past Sunday)

He took the day off Monday so we could hang out and when I woke up he suprised me with a trip to the waterpark.

Snugglin' up to the him & watching a movie

(There is no hidden message in this post. The big & bold do not go together. For instance do not put "Loved" "Eating" "David" together & call the cops because you think that I have eaten my husband. I have not.)

I . am . done .

My days of being an ungrad are officially over. I have completed my bachelor's degree!

..and now I am going into job search mode. My "plan" is to put the money I make from my "job" into savings so that when we have children if I want to take a litle extra time off (or perhaps then switch to full-time photography!) I will have a nice cushion behind me. Photography money will be used to expand the business and for spending. Because of David's job (he just got a nice raise! and will get another nice raise this time next year!) I do not have to work, but hey, I like the money! Plus, I am excited about savinggg.