40th Anniversary Recap

Last month was my parents' 40th anniversary. That's so unheard of these days, and I am so proud of them for 40 years of what I describe as a true love miracle. They met when they were 8 years old, became best friends in middle school/high school, and have been together since their junior year of high school. Isn't that amazing? 

To celebrate such a huge accomplishment, my sister and I threw them a small surprise dinner party with 50 of their closest friends and family. Despite the brief monsoon that took over the park for about an house before the party started, it turned out beautifully and my parents were more than surprised. 

Here they are walking up to a packed picnic area full of familiar face. Very different from what they expected, which was my sister and brother in law were in town and taking them out to a simple dinner. 

SURPRISE! 

Everyone's in town! 

Aren't the centerpieces gorgeous? Daisies- just like in their wedding.

How cute are they? I'm so blessed.

Well done Auntie T! We pulled it off and somehow everyone kept it a surprise! Here's to never throwing a big surprise party from out of state again! :)

T.R.O.U.B.L.E. and a few celebrations

Yeah... a rocking chair is not a good place to start learning to pull up. My little trouble girl.

 

She didn't get far this time, but I'll be keeping a close eye on her.

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And, in other news, I have to leave a big ol' shout out to a very special woman in my life who's celebrating a very special day today! OK, two women actually.

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Mom! I can never thank you enough for being the strong, loving, and all-around greatest mother to, well, ever exist. I don't say it enough, but Mom you are such a shining light in our family and I am blessed to be your daughter. You make every single day better, not just for me, but for everyone that knows you. You are a one-of-a-kind. Happy birthday!

And second, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my rockin' sister and brother-in-law. The big TEN! You two never cease to amaze me. The love and commitment you have to each other is rare and so special. Thank you for continuing to be amazing role models of what true love is. Congratulations!!

I missed it

Dang it! I can't believe I missed it. My blogiversary. One year anniversary with my blog came and went on Thursday. I started planning last month for some big grand anniversary post, something one of a kind, something to retrace memory lane, something spectacular. But, then I just got lazy busy.

Its been such a helluva year, I don't even know where to begin. I could chose a few of my favorite posts and share. Like how about this big announcement of our sweet Peapod. Or, there's this one of my favorite up and coming singers, I never get tired of hearing this song of his. Or, then there is the post where I finally saw a picture of myself and thought "Crap I'm huge!" Of course this big one when trumpets were sounding and angels singing and God smiling down on earth. Then there is the post that as I read it my heart pounds with the same excitement it did on that very day of my first phone call from my military Hubs. You see where this is going... lots of posts to chose from. 215 to be exact. That's a lot of writing.

Within these 215 posts, I have gained 18 admitted loyal followers (shout out to my Mom who finally figured out how to follow- Holla!) , dozens of unadmitted loyal followers (yes I know you're out there and I'm talking to you), and lots of passerbyers (thanks for stopping by- be sure to come again). You've sent me encouraging words, answered many of my new momma questions, laughed at my sometimes-not-so-funny antics, and overall inspired me to just be a better person. For those of you who blog, you know the feeling of opening your email and seeing you have a new comment on your blog, that quick excitement that rushes through you. I love that feeling! That split second thought of "Thank God I'm not talking to myself here!" Reading your comments is always uplifting and brightens my darkest days.

I've loved every minute of the last 365 days of blogging. I want to take a second and say thanks. Thank you Team 18. 18 is a good starter number, I think. Most of you I personally know, some of you I don't. Thank you for sticking with me as I figure out this whole blogging world. I will try and make the next 365 days even better in This Wood House. I appreciate you so much and love having this extended family.

To the many of you who read but haven't come out of the shadows yet and secretly follow on, thank you too. (Don't be ashamed, I know for a fact that my husband is a daily devout reader and even HE is still blurking in the dark...hint hint Giant Hubs). I love hearing from random people that I run into, "I love keeping up with your blog." Really? I had no idea you did! How fantastic?! But, I really want to know its you. So, go on, hit that follow button to the right or on top. I see big things for This Wood House, things are achangin' and I'd love for you to be a part of that. So, go on, follow me. I'll wait a minute...

OK, are you with me now? Anyways, thanks for caring and being a part of This Wood House. On to another year of this blogventure that I love so much. Cheers to another 365 days with you and hopefully many more!

If you have a blog that you would like me to follow, please just leave me a comment or send it to me private and I'd love to check out what I've been missing.

Special Day

This day will always be a special day for me (and the Giant as well). On January 10, 2010, we found out we were expecting the sweetest surprise of our lives.

Our first picture of little Peapod

My how a year changes us.

My Sweet Peapod

I am so blessed to have this sweet little girl in my life.

Lead By Example

So I didn't forget! I promise!! And better late than never right? One day late... not too bad

Yesterday was a day that I know we can all learn a little something from. Yesterday was my parents' 38th wedding anniversary! 38 YEARS! Together! Him and her. As husband and wife. HOLY COW! How often does that truly happen anymore? What an example they have set.

They've been together so much longer than 38 years though. Have I ever told you that they were high school sweethearts? Not only that. They have known each other since the age of 8. Best friends since their early teens. They even used to set each other up on double dates. How freakin cute is that? I love them.

Short story. My parents were in high school selecting their colleges to go to. They had been dating exclusively since junior year. My granddaddy (my mom's dad) had warned them both, "Do not go to the same college." Him being quite the protective daddy was not a fan of the idea of his baby girl settling down so young. My dad was under strict instructions to go somewhere OTHER than Virginia Tech which is where my mom had decided to go. Hmm... as you probably know by now, we're a Hokie family, which means obviously that little rule didn't last long. So, first couple months of college, ok, Dad went to Appalachian State. Yeah that didn't last long. He secretly enrolled at VT, without Granddaddy knowing, cause he could not stay away from his girl that long. Needless to say, Granddaddy found out, things changed, and that pretty much concreted the Dwarf family future. They were destined. And I am beyond grateful for my daddy's sneaky ways 40 some odd years ago.

Happy Anniversary Weekend Mom and Dad!!! I love you! I am grateful for the example of love and partnership you have set for me and my husband. I can only hope and pray to one day be celebrating our 38th wedding anniversary too and reflect on how it all came to be- by you two.

Traditional Anniversary Gifts

A very random post. Especially since my anniversary isn't until October 4th, but thought maybe you might find it interesting or save it for future use :)

Does anyone pay attention to the wedding anniversary traditional gift list anymore? I did give Hubs a card last year on our first anniversary. That's paper so it counts right?! I did not however get him a clock for our anniversary- I gave him a watch for Valentines. I found this list of the "official" tradition list and thought I'd share in case anyone felt like throwing out their creative ideas. So it goes traditional/ modern gift tradition...


1st- Paper (Clocks)

2nd- Cotton (China)

3rd- Leather (Crystal, Glass)

4th- Linen, Silk (Electrical Appliances)

5th- Wood (Silverware)

6th- Iron (Wood)

7th- Wool, Copper (Desk Sets- Pens, Pencils Sets)

8th- Bronze (Linens, Laces)

9th- Pottery, China (Leather)

10th- Tin, Aluminum (Diamond Jewelry)

11th- Steel (Fashion Jewelry, Accessories)

12th- Silk (Pearls, Colored Gems)

13th- Lace (Textiles, Furs)

14th- Ivory (Gold Jewelry)

15th- Crystal (Watches)

20th- China (Platinum)

25th- Silver (Sterling Silver)

30th- Pearl (Diamond)

35th- Coral (Jade)

40th- Ruby

45th- Sapphire

50th- Gold

55th- Emerald

60th- Diamond


* 2nd anniversary- Hubs, is a baby wrapped in a cotton blanket a good enough 2nd anniversary gift? Just thinkin' out loud.

** T, your big 1-0 anniversary is next year. I string of aluminum cans will not cut it. FYI. However, Jonny, a diamond anything just might (just a sister helping out a sister).

*** Even though their anniversary isn't one of these big milestone ones this year, my parents have been married for 38 years this August! Is that not amazing? High school sweethearts. Does that ever happen anymore? I just had to share that and how proud I am to have such amazing and loving people that willingly claim me.

Great Things Come in Twos

Today is a celebration day!!! Happy Anniversary T & Jonny!!!! AND Happy Birthday MOM!!!!

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Some reasons why I love my sister and my brother-in-law:

1. I've loved Jon since the first time I met him years and years and years ago, even though I can't remember that exact day because he's been in my family far longer than he's actually been in my family.

2. T & Jonny are my advice givers. Many people can give advice, but few people give trustworthy advice.

3. T is just simply one of my best friends.

4. T & Jonny have always been a couple I admire and look up to. They beat the odds together time and time again, even on seperate continents.

5. Countless times, I have said to myself (and others at times) "If T & Jonny can do it, then I can do it too." I think that will again be coming in handy very shortly.

6. They concreted my love of country music :) Thank you Jon for introducing George Strait into my life.

7. They rock! Nuff said.




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Some reasons why I love my mom:

1. She's still sane after raising me and my siblings- me who left home to live in a 99% Muslim country on the other side of the world in the Middle East for 6 months to experience the world knowing no one and not a word of the language but determined I could do it, my brother who drove her car into a pond at age 2, and my sister who went away for a summer to jump out of airplanes like its nothing.

2. She's the sweetest natured person anyone could ever meet.

3. You ever heard the saying by Eleanor Roosevelt "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water."? I think Eleanor knew my mom.

4. She is 95% of the time the first person I call to talk to when I need a familiar voice.

5. She makes me want to be a better person, for me and for my child.

6. She taught me love unconditionally and unwaveringly.

7. She's not just my mom, but she's my best friend.

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And absolutely not to leave my cousin Adam out! His birthday is shared with my mom too! SO happy birthday ADAM! Hope to get together soon!