Wild Man

Yes. Always.

~ ceeceesparkles ~ Leave a comment

Eight years ago this evening, Craig took me to a park, walked me to a picnic table that was underneath an enormous balloon bouquet and handed me an Adventure Book that he’d written and created. We read it together, reminiscing on all of the adventures we’d gone on in our year of dating. At the end of the book, he’d wrote that he loved our adventures and wanted them to continue on forever.

On the last page, he asked me to marry him. YES YES YES. The best, most easy decision I’ve ever made is agreeing to marry my Craig. I am better, happier and lighter because of him.

One Great Guy

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Pregnancy, man. I am only barely exaggerating when I say that EVERYTHING HURTS this time around. Ok, so my arms are fine. But like – thats it. I. hurt.

I try so, so hard not to complain because there are people who would kill for this opportunity and I know what a precious blessing it is, so I really do try to focus on the good ad the amazing and not dwell so much on the less-fun side of pregnancy. But… can I just vent real quick? I promise it’ll be a quick little thing, k?

My pelvic pain is off the charts. I can’t even find words to explain the pain I feel but a good way to try is to say that it makes me cry on a daily basis, it takes me over 15 minutes to get out of bed (no joke) and sometimes it makes my legs/pelvis/hips go numb and tingly. Its quite something. My back always aches and throbs. My belly feels heavy and stretchy. My thighs have this dull, owie pain. Heartburn is of the devil – I despise it. Nausea is exhausting and gross and just gets really old after a while.

Ok. I’ll leave it at that. You get what I’m trying to say.

BUT NOW I have to say this:

I’m so, so, so grateful for Craig. I feel like there’s only so much a husband can do when his wife is pregnant to help her body out – but he helps in every way he can and I’m eternally thankful for him. He encourages me to vent it out and complain when I need to and he lets me talk to him freely about all the stuff happening in my body and how it feels. He is totally the reason I’m able to stay sane. He’s a good, good one.

Mushy Stuff

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Do you like our most recent picture together? 

Craig and I don’t do anything special or fancy for Valentine’s Day, and truthfully that’s exactly what we both want. We like simple. We like home. Also we like not trying to get into a restaurant that the rest of the state is trying to get into at the same time, you know?

I’m very thankful for my every-day-Valentine. People say it a lot about their significant other, but I really did win the lottery when it comes to husbands. Craig is incredibly helpful in all things. He helps with housework, he helps with kids (diaper changes, cleaning up their messes, etc), he helps with my random projects and he helps me feel lighter and more sane and confident each and every day. He is the epitome of a family man. He works hard to support our family and when he’s back from work, he’s 100% dedicated to us. He makes our kids feel important and valued. He makes me feel understood and validated. He puts his little family first and he sees the importance of this little unit we have.

He is the funniest person I have ever met. His sense of humor is something I’ve grown to crave. He has a way of making me laugh harder than I ever have before. He is completely selfless. He takes care of me and our kids so well and he puts us first. He is insanely supportive, too. I feel so lifted up by him because whenever I have a new thing I want to try, endeavor I want to take, etc, he supports me fiercely.

Not a day goes by that I’m not thankful for this man – my best friend.

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone, but especially my Wild Man.

 

Dream Table

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You guys! Look at that beaut! I didn’t even know it was a thing, but I am in table heaven and it’s all thanks to Craig.

When Craig’s grandma Millie passes away, we inherited her kitchen table. It was your average oak table, and though there was nothing wrong with it, we wanted to make it our own. I got a vision and Craig brought it to life. He sanded and stained the top then painted the legs and 6 chairs a pretty farmhouse white that I’m going ga-ga over. Then together we picked fabric for the seats and reupholstered them (they’re a really dark brown – though in the picture they look black).

I knew I’d like it, but I didn’t know just how much I’d love it. It’s given our kitchen a facelift and I’m trying to find every excuse to be in my kitchen now so I can keep staring at it.

Thanks Craig. Love you.

7 Year Engaged-Aversary

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Seven years ago, on this very picnic table, I was asked a very important question and gave a one worded answer that changed my life for the better. I knew it was an incredible decision then, but I had no idea just how great saying ‘yes,’ would be on that day, August 17th, 2012.

Seven years ago today, Craig and I went to the eye doctor together and on our way home he told me he was going to take me back home because he needed to work out. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary so I thought nothing of it. He dropped me off, I chatted with my family and a while later was laying on my couch, talking to my dad when Craig walked into my house and said, “Hey, come with me I want to show you something.”

We walked outside to see his mom on a 4-wheeler with a barrel with wheels attached behind it, the side cut open so Craig and I could ride in it. Craig and I squished into the barrel and his mom took us on a ride. I assumed this is what he was showing me! His family had this barrel/4-wheeler contraption for a while but I’d never been able to ride in it, so I thought he was excited for me to have my chance.

We were driven to a nearby park, we got out and then Craig’s mom drove away. I was a little confused, but I didn’t mind the thought of now being stranded at a park with my boyfriend. We walked around for a minute and then he lead me deeper into the park. Pretty quickly I spotted a picnic table with an enormous bouquet of colorful balloons tied to the middle of it and we kept walking towards it. In all honesty, I thought the balloons were for a kids birthday and I was worried we looked suspicious walking towards some kids awesome birthday setup. But quickly I realized the setup was actually for me.

On the table, there was a blue box with the Up house on it. Craig had me open it up, and inside was our very own Adventure Book (like from the movie, Up – my favorite movie – especially at the time). The book was magical. Craig had made it and highlighted our adventures we’d gone on in our past year of dating with lots of special write-ups and messages to me. The last page is one that still gives me goosebumps. It said we’d been on many adventures together and he didn’t want them to stop. The last line said my name and, “will you marry me?”

“AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Is what I was saying on the inside, but on the outside I just started giggling and hid my face behind the book, trying to sort out if I was going to burst into tears or start screaming. (The tears won).

Craig knelt down in front of me and pulled out a box with a beautiful ring inside and asked me to marry him, to which I very happily said, “YES!!”

Best. Decision. Ever.

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Fathers Day!

~ ceeceesparkles ~ 1 Comment

Sunday we celebrated Fathers Day, and it was giving me all kinds of feelings. I’m pretty outspoken to people close to me that I think fathers are greatly underestimated and not nearly as valued as they should be. Moms get a lot of credit, and rightfully so, but know who else works hard and does awesome? DADS! Especially the dads that I’m surrounded by.

My dad has always been my hero and he still is. He is all things good. He has a heart of gold, he’s humble, he’s very generous, he’s happy, he’s freakishly smart, he’s supportive… just all things good. Being one of his daughters is something I don’t take for granted – I’m fully aware of just how lucky I am.

My father-in-law is incredible. He is hardworking, optimistic, so friendly, helpful and happy. I knew him before I knew Craig and I adored him, so I feel very lucky that somehow I was able to sneak my way into his family. He is a great man I’m lucky to know.

Then there is Craig. The father to my children. I could go on and on, but I’m going to try and keep this brief, especially because I just gushed about him recently on his birthday post. He is the best. I mean that. I spent pretty much my entire life dreaming up my ‘perfect man,’ and as cheesy and cliche as it sounds, Craig easily beat out my dream guy. He is amazing. Celebrating him as a father, will forever be something I love. He is the most amazing dad. He is so hands on, so involved in their lives and best of all, he never ever, ever lets his kids forget or question how valuable, important and capable they are. My heartstrings can hardly handle the love I have for him when I watch him with our boys. He excels at a lot, but nothing will ever surpass the father that he is.

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Happy (late) Fathers Day to all of you men out there! Whether you have kids, want them someday, are trying for one, have fur-babies, or are content being the fun-Uncle, I celebrate you! You’re making a difference in these kids lives and I am grateful for that!

My Wild Man

~ ceeceesparkles ~ 2 Comments

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Today is Craig’s Birthday!! 

I can’t think of anyone who deserves to be celebrated more than this guy. I mean, really, he should be celebrated daily, but I’m glad that today, he’s the center of attention. I love this guy and am truly in awe, quite often, about just how lucky I got in marrying him and living life with him. He is the best of the best. The cream of the crop.

He is the husband of my dreams and then some. He is so supportive, always has my back and understands me in ways I don’t even understand myself. I really think he can read my mind, too. I feel so comfortable with him. He is my safe place. He is my happy place. He makes me laugh harder than anyone else has ever been able to do. He is a great shoulder to cry on. He has amazing advice, a tremendous listening ear and he doesn’t forget things I’ve told him, even if it was years earlier. He has a heart of gold. He is helpful and recognizes that marriage and parenthood is an equal thing. He has never made me feel unimportant, un-special or less valued. In fact, he constantly is building me up. He’s my greatest cheerleader. He makes me believe I can accomplish all my wild dreams I’m too nervous to believe in myself. He calms my anxious heart. He doesn’t judge all my worries. He genuinely cares for me and puts me before himself. He treats me like a queen and loves me fiercely. I’m proud to be his wife. He is the grandest human being earth will ever know.

He is the best dad in the world. Just ask our boys. Our kids will forever know just how valued, important and special they are, because Craig lets them know this daily. He encourages our kids to be exactly who they are and to be proud of it. He is proud of them and never lets them forget. When he’s home and the boys are awake, you better bet that he’s down on the floor playing dinosaurs, Avengers or cars with the boys – just making their day. He is a hands on dad. He changes diapers. He gives baths. He picks good outfits. He knows their schedules. He knows their stats. He knows their favorite foods and the ones they hate. He knows their personalities and how to work with them in the best ways. He loves them and not only tells them that, but he shows them that. He teaches them through example, how to be a good helper, how to be respectful and kind and how to be a friend to everyone – no matter what. He is a super-dad and my kids are the luckiest little ones ever to be his child.

Happy Birthday, Craig! I hope your day is magical and wonderful. I love you to infinity and beyond.

Valentines

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Oh, Valentines Day!

Tomorrow is the big, romantic holiday and…am I a Valentine’s Day Grinch if I say that I am not super in love with this holiday (pun, intended)? Don’t get me wrong, I love love. I’ve got to be one of the cheesiest, hopeless-romantics on earth. Wild Man can attest to how ooey-gooey I can be and how love stuff sucks me in. But I have this problem with thinking this day needs to be special for love. I guess I’m in the group of people that think, shouldn’t we celebrate love like this every day?? However, if you are one of those people who are crazy about Valentine’s Day, then go you! If I’m being honest, I think I’d like to be a Valentine’s Day crazy person. I admire those people. Maybe someday. But not in 2019, at least.

Know what I do love, though? My husband. Since this is the day of love I just feel like I need to say

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY WILD MAN!

He’s great. I’m glad he is my forever Valentine. Even though we keep our Valentine’s Days super low-key and uneventful, he still makes them special for me. I am a lucky lady to have him. Now, in an awkward attempt to wrap up this dull-feeling blog post (does it feel that way to anyone else? yeah, probably), here are some old pictures of the two of us. One from our wedding and two engagements. P.S. I kind of miss my blonde hair.

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Have a happy, happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow – no matter how you celebrate it!

Husband Q&A

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You know those things that are all over Facebook that instruct you to ‘ask these questions to your husband and see how he answers them’?…or something like that? Well, I decided to do that, except theres no way I’m doing that on Facebook, I’m doing that here. I thought Wild Man’s answers were funny and pretty good – so enjoy. Also, just so you know, anything in (____) are my interjections.

What is something I say a lot? I love you

What makes me sad? The babies hurting or in pain

What is my favorite thing to do? Spend time with family, but baths are up there too.

How tall am I? 5 9. I actually don’t know. 5 4. (I’m 5 4, I think. Or 5 5).

Whats my best feature? Boobs. Haha. Kindness. (boys…)

What do I do when you’re not around? Not laundry! (i hate laundry with all my heart) You worry, watch Hulu, write or scrapbook.

Whats my favorite tv show? Master Chef of Amazing Race. No idea actually.

What makes you proud of me? Everything. Your willingness to help and your kindness to everyone.

Where can I most likely be found? Home or Target

What is my favorite restaurant? Chick-fil-a or Costa Vida

Where is one place I don’t like to be? Alone and lost

If I could go anywhere, where would it be? Disneyland. Which is another place you could be found from a previous question.

How do you annoy me? When I grab your love handles (very true)

Who’s my favorite person? Penny (thats our dog and thats absolutely not true – he knows that). Hopefully me but I’m also competing with H and E.

What is my favorite kind of soda? Diet Dr Pepper with half and half in it. Or just plain Diet Dr Pepper.

Whats my favorite kind of food? Pasta

You get a call that I’m in trouble, whats it for? Someone is hurt and in need of medical attention.

If I became famous, what would it be for? Blogging.

Happy Anniversary, Us!

~ ceeceesparkles ~ 3 Comments

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Today is our anniversary! Six whole years of wonderful, exciting marriage! Happy Anniversary to my Wild Man.

We don’t do anything big on anniversaries. We are happiest when we stay in, so tonight we’re planning on just that. We are going to grab food from somewhere yummy then enjoy spending the evening with our boys and each other. It probably sounds like nothing special, but I am so excited.

We were married on November 1st, 2012 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. There was such perfect weather on that day and the whole day was so smooth sailing, lucky and honestly, relaxing. Everything felt right and good and happy. It was an amazing day. I had no idea just how incredible our future would be together. As I look at our life today, with our sweet boys in our cute little home in the little town we hoped we’d move back to someday, I get really excited for that newly married couple I see in that picture up top. Their future is so bright. Our future is still so bright.

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Happy Anniversary, honey buns. I love you to infinity and beyond.