Gotta Do It

When we purchased our home we had no idea what we were in for each fall. All of the leaves in the world blow into our yard and stay there. Fact. This year we have all of the small branches left from the tree apocalypse that happened here last month. We got all of the major big branches out, but there are still tons of little branches to deal with. We had every intention of being totally on top of the leaves this year. Then we got hit with a month of unending illness and the leaves just piled up.  We have now become those people on our block, all of the other yards are tidy and ready for winter...then there is ours. Usually our yard is very well maintained, but not this fall. Eric just kind of cleared a path through the leaves for visitors and the mailman.

Sure we had opportunities to rake leaves, those window of free time usually popped up in the hours after the girls went to bed and neither of us felt inclined to rake in the dark. It would have been ultimately weird though and it would almost be worth it to be the weird neighbors who night rake.

Then yesterday we had a window of opportunity to actually do something about it. So Eric and Cordelia set to work. I have to take it easy with my cracked rib and there was no raking for me. I did manage to snap a few photos before I took Elise in for her nap.

















When Eric called it a day he'd made a ton of progress. Six major trash bags full and we still have to do the side and back yards. The back yard is the worst because, in spite of a poop scoop, there is always a threat of a lingering poo underneath a leaf pile. GAAAAG!

Lunchbox

I pack Eric's lunchbox every day. I don't do it to irritate the feminist in me. I do it because I like to do things for Eric. I do it because I know that Eric was up working late the night before and giving him an extra ten minutes of sleep is a kindness that I can spare. I also do it because I am the one who cooks and he will just grab what looks good to eat, not realizing that the fridge is stocked with ingredients for planned meals.

So, before the sun is up I've usually prepared breakfast and Eric's lunch. Several months ago I became super bored with the lunchbox routine and decided to spice it up.

I have started including a piece of paper with a cool quote or a joke or whatever made me laugh. Sometimes I will cut out funny ads from the paper, like this camouflage recliner....



Usually though it is just a piece of paper with a little something I think might inspire him or entertain him.


Then I set it by the front door for him to grab as he heads out for the day.

He is a dad

I have known Eric since he was in full bloom adolescence. I have had the pleasure to watch him grow from a teenager into a man. I have cheered him along with all of his accomplishments and hurt with him through disappointments and hard times.

I have seen how life has impacted him. How he has changed and grown from what he has learned.

I have seen him have every color of hair under the sun. I have watched him go through school and earn degrees. 

I thought I knew this man. Then he became a dad and I now realize that we were just getting started. Watching him become a father is one of my greatest joys.

Happy Birthday Eric!

Today is Eric's birthday!!!! Wahoo! I love any opportunity to celebrate this amazing husband of mine. Here is a little open letter to the love of my life.


photo by Makayla Moore

Dear Eric,

Happy birthday! I love you so very much. I think you have accomplished more in your 33 years than many people do in a lifetime. You are so kind and thoughtful. You always consider how your actions will impact others and you act accordingly. You always work to do the right thing and you do it with integrity.

 



You are freaky talented. Your art, in all of its incarnations, is so good and it comes so naturally to you. Take up printing? You can do it and be selling high quality linocuts in a few weeks time. WHAT?! Who does that? Oh yeah, you do that kind of thing all the time. Painting, drawing, photography, etc. AND you are a scary good musician. Seriously your ability to work a drum set is beyond words. Add to that the fact that you play guitar, bass, piano....whatever. Just another day for you.

Professionally you are brilliant and accomplished and motivated. Your work ethic is amazing. You take great effort to do your work to the best of your ability. We've been together long enough that I've seen you at work in your very first job up to this point and I will say that you bring that same level to everything you've ever done.

You are a great father too. You work to be as involved as a father can be. Our girls are crazy about you! You are firm, but fair. You are loving and affectionate. Our girls will always feel that their father was/is so loving, supportive, and engaged. I couldn't ask for more from you.




You are an amazing husband! Seriously. I couldn't have imagined a better partner if I had tried. You are endlessly supportive and so thoughtful. You are above all kind and loving. I can never express in words how thankful I am that I ran into you when I did so I could lock it in. You're a catch!

I love you and I hope you have an amazing birthday!

Love,
Me

Letter from Cordelia

"Dear Daddy, 

I know you're fun.

 It 's your birthday today and happy birthday, birthday boy! 

We love you so much.
Love, Cordelia"

Da Bomb

 
Photo by Leah Millis of the Star Tribune
We have been shocked by all of the attention Eric has been getting with his new position. While we expect the media blitz is just about done there is one more thing...
Eric just had an amazing article written on him. Check it out here!!!!!!!!

So So Random

HI! How are you? I am well, but I am feeling pretty random today.

First I share these beautiful daughters of mine! Mostly this is for my far away family.




Next, I have a little gift for you! My mother and I are getting ready to roll out a lot of new stuff on our etsy shop. Soooooo, we need to clear out our stock. Last night we decided  to offer our readers a 50% discount to our readers. All you have to do is visit Wyoming Rose Boutique (click the name and it will take you there). Enter the discount code JAZZY at checkout for 50% off.

Eric continues his publicity blitz with yet another article. Read here.

OH AND don't forget that Rooted Vegan is up and running. If you haven't checked it out click here. Please take a moment to like us on Facebook, follow us, Pin a recipe or give us feedback. Thank you so much!!!!

No Shave November

Did you hear about No Shave November? I think it is pretty self-explanatory...no shaving in November. Let's not get caught up in silly questions like WHY?!?! The point is my weird and wonderful husband decided to really apply himself to beard growth last month. The result was a full and thick beard.

When the month reached its conclusion Eric decided to have a little fun as he shaved his beard off in increments.  Here are the results of his effort....



I really love him.

Fifteen

 
Here is a random photo of us from 2004. 

I can tell you exactly what I was wearing 15 years ago on this day. I had on a vintage green flower print dress (which I still have and wear), a shiny leopard print long sleeved shirt worn under the dress (I still have this too, but no longer wear it---you're welcome), neon pink tights, and motorcycle boots that I had purchased from a Delia's catalog. My hair was in two buns and I am sure I was coated in make-up and glitter.
 

Why do I remember this outfit in such detail? Well, that is the day I dressed to impress my good friend Eric. So I donned my best clothes (no, I wasn't homeless I really thought I looked AWESOME) and met up with Eric. I remember the chill air of the New Mexico night. I remember feeling fairly confident in spite of a healthy dose of adolescent acne. We were with a group of friends and I managed to get Eric alone for a moment. I thankfully don't recall what I said, but it was probably right in line with the great Romantic poets. I am not sure what he said in response, but something along the lines of a yes.

We sealed the deal with an outing the next morning....we had breakfast burritos  and went garage sale-ing. Later we attended a wedding together.

Over the course of the last 15 years we have:

Lived in 4 states
Lived at 16 different mailing addresses
Owned 4 vehicles
Adopted 2 cats and a dog
Gotten 4 degrees (two each)
Owned 1 home
Had 2 children

Incidentally we have been very happy together over these past 15 years. Eric is truly my best friend (more on that/ beards tomorrow). I am so thankful to my 16 year old self for being awesome enough to snag this catch and lock it in!My husband is awesome!

Happy 15 years as a couple Eric!

The Ladies Man

He never really stood a chance you see; baby of the family with two older sisters. He was destined for an insider perspective into the mysteries of the feminine mind.  His sisters made sure that he knew how to be a proper gentleman. He opens doors for people---anyone who needs it. He listens. He understands that there are things about ladies that he can't understand. He can handle conversations about the details of womanhood. Yeah, he never really had the option to hide from all that.

Thankfully he also got a full dose of dude. So he has a good balance. He has another side that enjoys watching football, bowling, playing video games, cleaning gutters, etc.  Yes, I know many ladies do too---just not this one, or any that I know. He likes to do manly things and just be a guy as well.  Thank goodness.



Anyway, he found that this feminine trend would continue to the end of his life when he married me and fathered only girls. So, he finds himself in lady territory. His future holds lots of girl talk. An ordinary man might quake with fear about future conversations that will almost certainly include bras, crushes and feminine hygiene products. Thankfully Eric is no ordinary man. He has studied our kind for his entire life. He doesn't even miss a beat when those topics arise. He knows when to be gentle and when to push. He can easily play with dolls, but he also teaches Cordelia (soon Elise too) how to roughhouse and be a little wild.

On the other side our girls are getting quite a lesson in what it means to be a good man. Their father is teaching them what they should expect from the opposite gender and boy has he raised the bar.

Elise

So I thought I'd share a bit of the birth story of Elise with you today...

A week ago this morning I awoke with a feeling that it was nearly time. I thought it would be great to labor through the day and wrap things up before dinner. Perfect...but that isn't how it went. I spent the part of the day feeling certain that it was time, then I spent the rest of the day wondering if my initial feeling had been wrong. Eric and my mother kept checking in, but it seemed as though things were fizzling out.

So when evening rolled around, we ate some dinner and went for a nice leisurely walk. When we made it home I was pretty sure that I was in fact going to have a baby soon. So, I packed some things up, wrote Cordelia a note to be read to her in the morning as I was pretty sure her parents would not be there when she awoke. She and I discussed that it was almost time for her sister to arrive and that her grandma or grandpa would probably be there when she awoke.

Eric and I were able to put Cordelia to bed in a semi-normal fashion. We played some games and counted contractions. Finally I called my family to come over. Eric, my mother and I traveled to the hospital. My father and Sam stayed with Cordelia. All was falling into place. We went to labor and delivery, ready to be admitted.

I was still in early stage labor, but I was sure that it was baby time. So, considering that I'd had some complications last time we assumed that they'd admit me early. Well, they didn't. Ugh!

They sent me home around midnight to wait until later. So we drove back home. Eric and my mother got a little sleep, but I just hung out downstairs and waited until I felt like there was no way they'd turn me away again. Finally around 4am I woke Eric up and we returned to the hospital. They admitted me and things moved along quickly from there.

Elise was born at 9:16am. My mother and husband were there. I can't even begin to express what a great support team they made. Seriously I felt so completely surrounded by love. Couldn't ask for a better experience all around.

Elise was born with a FULL head of dark hair. She cried at first, about the indignity of it all and eventually settled down to take in the brand new world. We all just basked in the glow of new life.


Holding my newly born daughter

My family came in to join the scene. Cordelia was interested and sweet and so happy. I was just so eager to be reunited with my big girl, our family complete. My brother Ben was on the phone right away calling to see how we were and share in the joyful moment.


Cordelia with her Uncle Sam and Grandpa Mike


Eric and the girls


My mother (in work clothes) with her newest granddaughter

We spent a couple of days in the hospital and then made our way home with the newest team member. When I came back in the house I was greeted by an absolutely exuberant basset, my constant companion had missed me. The house was spotless and Eric, remembering my inexplicable pregnancy craving for champagne had flowers and champagne waiting---I later had a few sips of champagne in celebration.


Flowers and champagne

We settled in and have been getting used to this new little life. We are figuring out routines, spending special time with Cordelia and recovering from labor and delivery. We are all so very happy, tired, and full of gratitude.

A Quick Update

I just wanted to pop in with a few photos from our week. We are all still settling into this new life, but it is a joyful settlement for us all. For the record, big sister is doing quite well---more to come on that soon! I will soon tell you a bit about her arrival, about my AMAZING support system/family and of course more about Elise.

For now, just a few photos.



Our beautiful dark haired (for now at least) beauty Elise



Cordelia, Elise and I at the hospital



Doesn't Cordelia suddenly look sooo much bigger? How did that happen?



My absolutely wonderful husband with his daughter and hair twin.

Eleven

What? Who are those two kids? Wait, that is us way back in time----eleven years ago!!


Today is our eleven year wedding anniversary! I can't really even understand how those eleven years have passed, yet time continues to move forward (or sideways or slantways, depending on your perspective). Eric and I had already been a couple for quite some time when we got married, but that was the day we made a very serious commitment (our vows said FOREVER, not 'til death do us part) to each other and probably made the best decision of our lives. Not one single day has passed in those elven years where I didn't feel a deep gratitude for my husband and our marriage. Today is no different. I am so in love with my husband (yeah, yeah, yeah it's my blog I can be sappy) and today is a day to celebrate.

In honor of our 11 years I thought I would paint a little past/present picture for you:

2001
Eric and I were technically homeless. We had left our first college, planning to move to Montana after the wedding. We stayed with family for about a month before the wedding.

Our list of responsibilities included keeping two very independent cats alive. Oh and keeping ourselves alive. We didn't have any bills at all at that point in time. Absolutely 0.

We were in Alamogordo, NM.

We had almost no money and no jobs. Pretty much it was a great time to get married and I say that without any sarcasm, it really was a good time to get married.

We had high school diplomas and a few years of college between the two of us.

We pretty much had it all figured out.

2012
We are no longer semi-homeless. Homeowners instead.

We finished college...at least until I lose my mind and go back for the PhD.

Our list of responsibilities is too extensive to bother listing off. Still included on that list are keeping ourselves and two independent cats alive.

We have jobs and our needs are all met.

We live in Wyoming of all places.

We have a daughter and another soon (very soon) to arrive.

We have nothing figured out and are quite happy with that.

Bonus: If you know/care about This is Spinal Tap then you may appreciate the following link.....11

Happy Birthday Eric

Excuse me, but I need to interrupt this vacation with a little birthday celebration. Today is the anniversary of Eric's birth. The love of my life was born on this day 32 years ago and that is reason to celebrate!



Eric is truly an amazing man. I can never fully express how grateful I am that I get to spend my life with him Each and every day that we get to spend together is a gift and I do not take that for granted.

Since this is his day it only serves to reason that I should tell you a little about him as I have the inside scoop.

Eric is an inspiration. He is one of those freaky people who is always pushing to become a better version of himself. He has, in recent years, taken up Tae Kwon Do (about to get his green belt). He has taken his job so seriously that he is now quite an authority on military history. He has been in a band. He is always continuing his education (because an MA isn't enough). He writes. He makes art. He wrote his first script and is currently in the process of making his first feature length film. I could go on and on.

Eric is such a giving husband. I have never seen any man who is so supportive of his wife. He never limits his willingness to support me, he is always willing to give more of himself and I often find myself asking, "What did I do to deserve this wonderful man as my husband?"

Eric is such a good father. He is so much fun for our girl. He gives her support, encouragement, patience and limitless love. Watching him love his daughter and talk of his daughter to be is something to marvel at, just what fathers and daughters should be.

Eric is hilarious. He makes me, and anyone fortunate enough to know him, laugh and laugh and laugh.

In short I can never fully express how much I love this man and how I am filled to my brim with gratitude for the life we have lived, are living and will live together. He is truly a man worth celebrating.

Happy birthday Eric, you are the love of my life.

Family Fort Night

Oh my, it has been too long since we have had a fort night...but last night we remedied the problem. Eric and Cordelia made a tent together. When I came down into the family room Cordelia was sooooo excited about the tent, so was I.





There were blankets on the floor and a movie (Tangled) was chosen. Cordelia helped me to color a sign to indicate that a fort night was indeed underway. Naturally we all got into our pajamas as well. The whole process of setting up took the better part of an hour as we set a mood and let the anticipation build.



Finally we settled in to watch the movie. We had a mid-movie snack to revive ourselves---Eric may or may not have fallen asleep.



When was the last time you had a fort night?

Sometimes

Sometimes being a parent means teaching your kids things that you will probably regret teaching them later.









Sometimes that is the best part of parenting.

Surprise Date

Yesterday was a lovely day. Cordelia and I spent lunch with my parents and youngest brother. We came home and Cordelia took a nap. While she slept I sipped on my decaf soy latte and did some work, occasionally texting my husband sweet or ridiculous notes (I do this every day--not just on Valentine's Day). Shortly after Cordelia woke up I received a text from Eric suggesting that I get dressed up. I assumed that we'd be having a fun dress up night at home.

So I wandered upstairs and looked down at my burgeoning belly and into my closet filled with adorable fitted dresses and sighed; I'll see those dresses again in the fall. I pulled out my cutest and most comfortable maternity dress. I got dressed and put a red flower in my hair, matched my lipstick and jewelry.

Cordelia realized that I was getting dressed up and wanted to join in the fun. She chose her outfit which mostly worked (see pictures and read about her evening here). Just then we heard the telling sound of the garage door opening as Eric pulled in from work. He came upstairs and revealed that he had a surprise date for us and that we had to hit the road. He had arranged for my mother to watch Cordelia (Don't worry she and my father had pre-celebrated Valentine's Day). Cordelia was thrilled with the arrangement.

We were out of the house in a flurry. We dropped Cordelia off with my kind mother and were out the door and headed to some unknown destination. I had no idea where we were headed or what we would do and I loved it. I so rarely have the opportunity to be surprised by things, so this was quite a treat!



We ended up at a candlelit Italian restaurant downtown. Eric had made reservations in advance and even had them deliver a rose to me at the table...such a romantic!



We had a lovely evening. We talked. We watched the other couples, young and old. We ate too much food. We chuckled about our very overwhelmed waiter. It was wonderful! I was completely caught off guard by his sweet and thoughtful gesture, it made my day!











After dinner we picked up a bouquet of orange tulips for my mother (just her style) and Eric had to get Cordelia a little gift as well and went to pick up our little Valentine. We went home and finished off a relaxing evening. Cordelia snuggled with her father for a bit before bed. Then he and I spent some more time talking before I had to call it a night. Couldn't have asked for a more lovely day!