Seven Years

Boy meets Girl.

(in my defense, this was a very early morning bus ride)

BTW- we were 18... had been dating approximately 1 month.

Yes, this picture was candid, and yes, I do heart the overalls!

Boy marries girl.

                                            

Seven years later...

This post is more than a little late, as I've been busier the last week than I expected. On December 21st, last Monday, Sugarbear and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. We celebrated as we normally do, with a dinner at Johnny Carino's. (The closest of which is an hour away...boo.) Why do we go there you ask? It's not fancy, it's not romantic, it's not even that convenient... but we go there because that is where we had our rehearsal dinner for our wedding, and it has become a tradition for us.

I am so very fortunate to be married to my absolute best friend, and the longer we are married the more I realize how much of  a blessing a happy marriage truly is. It has not always been wonderful, it has not always been roses and kisses and sunshine. We are flawed. We both have to ask for forgiveness from the other on occasion. But, each year gets better and better. Each anniversary brings me a bigger appreciation for all of the things Sugarbear does for me.

Does he shower me with jewelry, roses, and romantic getaways? Not all the time, although I know he would if he could. (Except for the roses... he knows I don't like to get flowers... that I would rather receive a gift that didn't wither and die...) But he does shower me with a selfless attitude, a generous spirit, and a loving heart...not to mention a steady stream of compliments, even when I don't think I deserve them.

He has become a dependable, steady leader... and I have become a person who is willing to accept leadership. He takes care of me emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and I am so thankful that the only relationship that he places above ours is his relationship with the Lord.

From the little things like teaching me how to use the fancy tv remote, to the big things, like managing the finances, Sugarbear makes my life so much easier, so much sweeter than it would be otherwise.

He is the first person I want to spend time with. He makes the most mundane activity an adventure. He makes me laugh every day, which just might be the reason I married him... that and the guitar playing thing.

Happy Anniverary Honey!

The Twelve Days of Christmas?

You know you want to sing along...

The Twelve Days of Christmas Treatment

On the first day of treatment, my RE gave to me...
A progesterone suppository.

On the second day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the third day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the fourth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the fifth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the sixth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the seventh day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
seven sperm a'swimming
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the eighth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
eight vials of blood
seven sperm a'swimming
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the ninth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
nine nurses calling,
eight vials of blood
seven sperm a'swimming
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the tenth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
ten tiny catheters,
nine nurses calling,
eight vials of blood
seven sperm a'swimming
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the eleventh day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
eleven hormonal mood swings,
ten tiny catheters,
nine nurses calling,
eight vials of blood
seven sperm a'swimming
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

On the twelfth day of treatment, my RE gave to me,
twelve daily injections,
eleven hormonal mood swings,
ten tiny catheters,
nine nurses calling,
eight vials of blood
seven sperm a'swimming
six sticks to pee on,
Five Sonograms!
four healthy follicles,
three speculums,
two sore boobs,
and a progesterone suppository.

Merry Christmas!

Frankie the Turkey

Here is a little glimpse into the Nichols Family Funtime Thanksgiving...

Sugarbear decided that this was the year when he was going to flex his meat smoking muscles. He has been telling me for six months that he wanted to buy a smoker, and Thanksgiving seemed like the perfect opportunity. So, off he went to Home Depot a few weeks ago and came home with a shiny red smoker. The test run ham turned out perfectly, so he was sure the Thanksgiving day performance would be just as good. Sugabear was in charge of the shopping for the Thanksgiving feast, and he lovingly selected a smallish turkey and a smallish ham. He meticulously researched the best brines, and concocted the most aromatic rubs. He spent Thanksgiving Eve administering the tasty treatments to the bird he had christented Frankie, massaging and rubbing the spices. He had whole conversations that day with Frankie, reassuring him, lovingly instructing him. He got up before dawn to begin the smoking process.  And I must admit... this was the best turkey we've ever made. Thanks to Frankie.... Frankie the Turkey...

A Man and his Bird

Props also to Thomas the Ham... cause what else do you name a Thanksgiving ham?