On March 9th, we celebrated 10 years of marriage. 10 years! 8 rentals, 1 mortgage, 10 jobs, 5 cars, 3 moves across states, 2 dogs (only 1 now) and almost 3 kids later .. we’re still at it! And I couldn’t be more thankful for my husband and partner and best friend. He’s the most selfless man I know, and even through the ups and down, the tears of joy and tears of anger, the personal wins and personal failures, we’re still here, together. I can say that with every new chapter or hurdle, we make it through. We know how deep our love runs for each other and for the family we’re creating, how much we want the other to succeed and accomplish their goals, how many more things we still want to do and see together, and when I think about everything we’ve been through my heart wants to burst. I love this kind, imperfect man and I love that we’re both a son and daughter of God. Together. I truly don’t know what I’d do without him. We originally wanted to renew our vows on the beach for our 10 year but with all the change coming with baby #3 we just ran out of time to plan it. But thankfully I found us a babysitter this past weekend, and we took ourselves out for a date with a tax advisor (fun, right?), then to an early dinner to do our favorite thing in the world – eat! But by the time dinner was done, we were itching to see our boys again. But the alone time to celebrate just us was much needed and we still felt giddy and flirty all the same. We talked about our favorite year and our worst in our marriage, the highest points and some of the lows we grew from. But most of all, we still are into each other, a lot .. and I can say that we never not have enough to talk about. Well, Rob. I love you still to this day and more with every new day, and am excited for everything that is still to come! To think, I married the boy I met in high school that wore puka shell and hemp necklaces and you the girl who bleached her hair white and burned her skin until it was black as black tan. And we’re still choosing to love each other! Yay for us. But dang, if life isn’t more fun with you around! And our boys;)
We finally bought another ride, now for Rob’s new commute to work. The 5 months off were nice but the real world was calling, and so were the 80s! We found this little rad thing – an ’87 Toyota Celica up in Milpitas off CL. Only 80,000 miles and purrs like a kitten. No airbags so we drive extra cautiously, ha, but so far so good. I pray God lets us get around it in safely. Even has the old vintage, original plates. You sort of feel like you’re in Back to the Future or some other 80s flick when you drive in it. Let’s see how it does. And also, a big congrats to my main squeeze for landing an Associate Director of Admissions job. Good luck honey! They already love you I’m sure.
One year ago we lost our Lucy, and I’m now just ready to talk about it :(( I’ve never had to put down a dog before; the pain of saying goodbye really shocked me. It changed me. It activated tear ducts I’ve never allowed myself to use before. I wanted more than anything for Lucy to go on her own peacefully. But, so many things started to go downhill with her health, so quickly, that we had to make the decision for her. Which was the worst part I think. I don’t like playing God. Which is why I don’t support the death penalty. The idea of making the decision to end someone’s life, or in my case, my favorite doggy of all time, just rips your heart out. It twists your stomach into knots. It just isn’t right. And then seeing life end. Watching her take her last breath. It’s the absolute worst experience and feeling in the world. You feel like it’s all your fault. If you had only caught the diabetes sooner. Brought her in sooner. If I could only commit to the shots. If I only had the money. If only I made more time for her. But now, a year later, I’m OK with talking about it, and can laugh and rejoice in the 10 years we had with her. The guilt is slowly melting away. She was my first ever dog all to my own (Rob’s, too of course, since he bought her for me). She was my world before Jace and even after, I still loved her so dang much. Even when she growled at me, or nipped or scratched on walls and doors. Or chewed up my underwear or ate her own poop. She had problems from the beginning, but that didn’t phase her. She still survived a pit bull attack, 
We FINALLY found a church. It’s called Redemption, which is basically the same church we used to go to when we lived here before but a different location. I also put Jace in flannel to dress him up a little and at breakfast after I couldn’t help thinking how older he looks. Especially with his watch on, just like Daddy.