9 years and counting....

Nine years ago today I married the love of my life.  I certainly can't believe we have been married that long and together for almost fourteen years.  Wow!!  Last year, on this very day, I wrote a blog post about our wedding day.  One day when I actually get around to making my blog book, the post from last year will serve as a great reminder of my wedding day.  I am reposting it this year, so I can enjoy the post year after year.  I mean it's only fitting that I remember and relive one of the best days of my life on it's anniversary.  I love you Danny!!!  Thanks for nine-plus wonderful years!!

Repost from April 27, 2010

(8 years and counting....)

*Dates and numbers have been changed to reflect current year

I can't believe that nine years ago today, at this very moment, I had just walked down the aisle for our 6:30 pm wedding, said my vows, kissed my groom, and walked back up the aisle with him as husband and wife.  There are times when it feels like it was yesterday, and then there are times when it feels like it happened light years ago.  I CAN tell you, it was one of the best days of my life, besides the birth of Emerson.  We were very fortunate to have a wonderful and beautiful wedding.  It was so much fun for me to plan and everything turned out better than I could have imagined.  (It won't be hard for some of you to believe that I created 20+ planning word, excel, and publisher documents.)  We had great support from family and friends and were surrounded by love on our wedding day.  It was a heck of a party and we danced until it was time for the band to leave.  It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.  Thanks Mom and Dad for making all my dreams come true...I truly felt like a princess (gown and all)!!!

I don't think Danny or I could have imagined that nine years, 3 houses, 2 new jobs for Brooke, 4 promotions for Danny, 1 major move (that Brooke never made) and one very special little girl later, we would still be just as in love as we were on our wedding day (maybe even more in love).  Don't get me wrong, things are not perfect (they never are) and we, like all couples, have had bumps in the road.  But, I can truly say, we are a team and we really work well together.  We balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses and we certainly are the best of friends.  It brings tears to my eyes to even think about the thought of losing Danny and having to continue in this world without him.  He is a wonderful husband and an even better father.  I love you with all my heart, Danny!!!

Our Wedding Day

a picture journey

The Church

I grew up going to this church, so it was very special for me to get married here. 

The Dress

I loved this dress...I knew the second I put it on, it was the ONE!!!

The Guys

The Bride

The Girls

The Kids

Our Parents

The Flowers

Almost Time

Here We Go...

6:30 pm, the bells chimed and we were off, down the aisle to get married. 

The Ceremony

We were so fortunate to have my late grandfather, Billy Beaver, as one of our officiants. 

He actually read our vows to us...very special!

We're Married!!

Everyone!!

I loved these pictures

The Arrival

We decided to have a Grand Entrance instead of a Grand Exit, especially since after the reception all we had to was walk upstairs to our room. 

The Cake

It looked great and was very yummy too!

The Toasts

The Guests

The Party

The Band

Katie had a great time dancing with the band. 

Sorry Katie, I had to do it, it's one of the best memories of my wedding. 

The End

Our favorite checkerboard hallway...the perfect place for pictures!

A great surprise from all of our attendants....our photographers did this without us knowing.

This was read at our wedding and I thought it would be nice to remember some of the words spoken to us about love.

On Marriage

by Kahlil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

It's BA-AACK!!!

Last night Danny ran to the store for a quick pick-up.  He returned with the items we needed and my ABSOLUTE favorite drink, that coincidentally only comes out this time of year, Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash.  "What a nice little surprise!" I said.  He returned with, "It's the little things, right!!"

Emerson was very intrigued by the fuss I was making over the drink and quickly shot her dad a look and said, "You didn't bring me a surprise!!!"  I told her I would "share and care" (a favorite saying in our house) and give her a few sips of my drink.  It was my secret way of ripping into the package, so I could have a drink right then-and-there.  I crushed up some ice, poured my drink, and threw in a straw.  Heaven in a cup!!!

But as quickly as I poured myself a drink and shared a few sips with Emerson, my drink was taken hostage.  So much for having one to myself...such is life with a toddler who ALWAYS wants what you have.  Good thing I put one in the fridge to cool and enjoyed it (all to myself) after bedtime!!!  Yes, Danny, it is the little things....like the little thing of enjoying an entire 12 ounce can of my favorite soda to myself!!!

Mommy's New Car!!

This past Saturday when I dropped my car off for a service appointment (oil change, tire rotation, recall maintenance), I never thought I would walk away with a new car.  I certainly didn't need a new car, my current car was only 3 years old.  But, when I made my appointment online the Wednesday before, I started receiving emails from salesmen saying they would like to buy my car.  Apparently there is a shortage of pre-owned Acadias in the area and they needed cars to put on their lots.  So, I took the bait and told them they could evaluate my car when it was there Saturday and then let us know if they could work a deal, fully expecting them to come back with something Danny and I wouldn't agree with.  We dropped the car off on Saturday morning for it's scheduled maintenance and headed to dance class.  During dance class Danny kept getting emails from the salesman stating they wanted to buy the car and they could make it work and we wouldn't have to put any money down and our payment would actually be less?!?  What?  Too good to be true, right?  Well, after lunch, the entire family headed over to find out if this was actually going to work and if it wasn't, at least we could pick up my car. We looked around a bit while Danny talked to the salesman and then Danny came out and said, you can basically pick any Acadia on the lot that you want.  Based on the current features of my car, I narrowed it down to a 2010 Pearl White or a 2011 Black....if you know me, you know there was no contest; I went with the black!!!

Emerson checking out the new car!!!

After we decided on the black, Danny had to go in and work the numbers and "wheel and deal" for that specific car.  By this point, it was past nap time, but Emerson was hanging on (by a very short string).  We walked around the lot, played with her new LeapFrog toy, made silly faces, and went to the waiting room play area to keep ourselves (ahem, her) occupied.  But, as good as she was, Mommy was quite sure she needed a nap since there hadn't been one at school the past week.  So, Emerson and I eventually got in Danny's car and headed home, knowing the ride home would put her in a deep sleep.  We left Danny there to make deals, with hopes he would come home with the new car.  

As I predicted, Emerson fell fast asleep on the ride home and I successfully transferred her from the car to her bed (although she is usually pretty good about that).  Emerson took a great 2 hour nap and when she woke up, Danny still wasn't home but had just called and said he was on his way home with the NEW CAR!!  The salesman was right; no money down, and our payment will be $3 less per month for the exact same car that's three years newer!!  That's what I call a NO BRAINER!!!  The bad thing was we actually had to go back to the dealership since the car was going to be in my name.  UGH!!  I got Emerson ready and we jumped right back in the car, grabbed a quick (turned out to be a long) dinner, and then headed to the dealership so I could sign the papers.  I also secretly had to check behind Danny and make sure he got everything out of my old car, not that I don't trust him, I am just that OCD.  When we pulled up, my old car was sitting right there....Emerson insisted that she get out of the car and say goodbye to the old car.  So, she got out and ran through the car saying, "Bye-Bye old car", while I checked to make sure all of my personal belongings were out.  I ran inside to sign the papers and that was that.  As we pulled out of the parking lot, Emerson said "Mommy, I am really going to miss my old car!"  But as you will see from the picture below, it took all of about 5 minutes for her to get acquainted with the new car!!  Welcome to the family CADIE (pronounced Katie)!!!

Sometimes Dogs Aren't Always Man's Best Friend...

Some of you may remember a post I wrote back in November about our wonderful dog, Hogan.  This cutie right here...the angelic, looks-like-he-wouldn't-hurt-a-fly dog.

Well, Friday, Hogan quickly went from lovable dog to not-so lovable dog in a matter of seconds.  I walked in from a nice dinner to find my shoes, my Coach shoes I might add, like this:

Expletives!!! Expletives!!!

Oh Hogan, how fast you went from friend to foe.  My favorite work shoes, you know the ones you can wear all day, the ones I could walk all over NYC in, were ruined.  Unbelievable....guess the only positive is that I get a shoe shopping trip out of it, but I so loved those shoes!  Rats!!

Where did three years go??

It is so hard for me to believe that three years ago today, at this very moment (5:32 pm), my sweet baby girl was born and my life changed forever.  Seriously, where did the three years go??  I think I blinked and missed them. I cannot tell you how wonderful the past three years have been.  Emerson has brought so much joy to my life.  She is huggable, loveable, funny, giggly, inquisitive, bright, TALKATIVE, sweet, sometimes stubborn,full of personality (read: spit fire) and so very special to Danny and I.  Everyday she makes me a better person, and teaches me more about life than she will ever know.  I've grown up with her these past three years, and I hope I am a better person today than I was when she was born.

I've had a very hard time with this birthday.  I think three should be a milestone birthday, you know, like 16 is with driving, 18 is with voting and 21 is with drinking.  I think three should be the year you are officially not a baby anymore; we really have a full-fledged toddler now.  Believe me, I hung onto "baby" as long as I could (we just recently moved to a "Big Girl Bed"), but the time has come to say goodbye to all things baby.  No more diapers, not even pull-ups (except at night), no more bottles, no more crib....and while these are all good things, it makes me a bit sad.  With all these new exciting developments also comes some sad ones in my book, a little less snuggling, a daddy-phase that's gone on for a bit too long (if you ask me!!) and a bit more independence.  Don't get me wrong, I love to see her grow up and I love to see the little girl she is becoming, but I do miss my BABY!

So, as I write this with tears streaming, I just want you to know Emerson, you are the light of your daddy and mines eyes.  We have so much enjoyed the past three years with you.  You make us laugh daily, cry occasionally, sleep less, smile always, frown sometimes, love each other more, giggle uncontrollably, and appreciate everything that surrounds us.  You truly are a blessing to us and we can't imagine our lives without you in it.  We love you so, so much sweet girl and we can't wait to see what the next three years bring!!!

July 9, 2007

Emerson's First Year

Emerson's Second Year

Emerson's Third Year

July 9, 2010

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

8 years and counting....

I can't believe that eight years ago today, at this very moment, I had just walked down the aisle for our 6:30 pm wedding, said my vows, kissed my groom, and walked back up the aisle with him as husband and wife.  There are times when it feels like it was yesterday, and then there are times when it feels like it happened light years ago.  I CAN tell you, it was one of the best days of my life, besides the birth of Emerson.  We were very fortunate to have a wonderful and beautiful wedding.  It was so much fun for me to plan and everything turned out better than I could have imagined.  (It won't be hard for some of you to believe that I created 20+ planning word, excel, and publisher documents.)  We had great support from family and friends and were surrounded by love on our wedding day.  It was a heck of a party and we danced until it was time for the band to leave.  It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.  Thanks Mom and Dad for making all my dreams come true...I truly felt like a princess (gown and all)!!!

I don't think Danny or I could have imagined that eight years, 3 houses, 1 new job for Brooke, 3 promotions for Danny, 1 major move (that Brooke never made) and one very special little girl later, we would still be just as in love as we were on our wedding day (maybe even more in love).  Don't get me wrong, things are not perfect (they never are) and we, like all couples, have had bumps in the road.  But, I can truly say, we are a team and we really work well together.  We balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses and we certainly are the best of friends.  It brings tears to my eyes to even think about the thought of losing Danny and having to continue in this world without him.  He is a wonderful husband and an even better father.  I love you with all my heart, Danny!!!

Our Wedding Day

a picture journey

The Church
I grew up going to this church, so it was very special for me to get married here. 

The Dress
I loved this dress...I knew the second I put it on, it was the ONE!!!

The Guys

The Bride

The Girls

The Kids

Our Parents

The Flowers

Almost Time

Here We Go...
6:30 pm, the bells chimed and we were off, down the aisle to get married. 

The Ceremony
We were so fortunate to have my late grandfather, Billy Beaver, as one of our officiants. 
He actually read our vows to us...very special!

We're Married!!

Everyone!!
I loved these pictures

The Arrival
We decided to have a Grand Entrance instead of a Grand Exit, especially since after the reception all we had to was walk upstairs to our room. 

The Cake
It looked great and was very yummy too!

The Toasts



The Guests

The Party

The Band
Katie had a great time dancing with the band. 
Sorry Katie, I had to do it, it's one of the best memories of my wedding. 

The End
Our favorite checkerboard hallway...the perfect place for pictures!

A great surprise from all of our attendants....our photographers did this without us knowing.

This was read at our wedding and I thought it would be nice to remember some of the words spoken to us about love.

On Marriage

by Kahlil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.