October 30th, 1998

So - I know that after being married one should not still count the day of your first date as an anniversary - but today marks 10 years ago that Marcus and I had our first date. 10 years seems like a marker that we're allowed to celebrate!!! Ok, now - if you want to skip the note to Marcus feel free. I hate being cheesy!!! There is more below however.

Marcus,
Can you believe it's been 10 years? Do you remember it? We went to Fazoli's and to see Rush Hour - how romantic! I still remember what I wore! I wore a white Praise Gathering sweatshirt and jeans, because, really - what else would one wear on a date that was just to be two friends hanging out? Who knew that 10 years later we would have:

*A wonderful marriage of 5 1/2 years
*Two awesome little boys Aiden Michael and Logan Brian
*Two houses (had to throw that in)
*The sweetest niece (Payton Lynn) and two of the sweetest nephews (Braydon Glen and Gavin Andrew)
*Sister and brother-in-laws that feel just like part of our own families
*Gone to Jamaica!!!
*Made Christ center of our lives
*Learned to love each others quirks (you have ... right?)
*Our friendship ... you are my best friend and have been for years!
*Our sense of humor - cause you just have to living with me!

And that's just 10 examples!!!! I love you very much and cannot wait to see what the next 10 years hold.

I love you!!!

Ok, so tonight is the night I deliver my final presentation for work. I wasn't feeling good about it yesterday, but after a few more hours of tweaking it I am feeling much better. I don't know that it's "A" material, but hey - all I need is a "C." Way to shoot for mediocre, right? HAHAHA! I was working on the project when the boys went to bed last night and this morning when Aiden woke up. The first thing he said to me was, "Mom, did you even go to bed?" So sweet, and yes, I did. I would appreciate your prayers around 6:45 tonight! I will let you know how it goes. I AM ALMOST DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Carrie

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's 52nd birthday. He is coming up to our place for the weekend. I am very excited. The boys and I are going to make his favorite birthday cake (white cake with milk chocolate icing) and we have some really cool gifts for him.

This birthday seems a bit more special to me this year. On July 17th, dad had a small stroke. Luckily he was only away from work for 6 weeks and seems to have made a full recovery although the dr.'s still are unsure as to why he had the stroke. Anyway, the experience made it all to clear how precious life is and how I should cherish my time with him. So, with all that said, here are 52 that I love most about my dad (or remember doing with him when I was little).

*Sunday afternoon wrestling matches.

*The smell of hamburger and onions (the only thing he can cook).

*The time he warmed up frozen waffles for me ... in the microwave.

*Our phone conversations.

*Watching him play baseball with my boys.

*The way his hands felt when I was little. They were always rough from boxes, but they were still comforting.

*His laugh.

*His baseball card collection.

*The way he loved (and still does) his mom.

*His organizational skills. Seriously, if I had half of them I would be in good shape!

*His work ethic. The man never calls in sick (ok, other than for a stroke or back surgery! HA).

*Playing catch with him in the middle of Chipaway Drive.

*Driving around looking at Christmas lights after he got home from work.

*He was the only one I would go trick-or-treating with.

*Daddy walking me down the isle.

*His face when he held his newborn grandsons.

*He taught me to mow the grass.

*He taught me to change a tire (I do neither of the last two now, but I could at one point in my life).

*The drives to Toledo every third weekend.

*He treated his three daughters as fairly as possible.

*He didn't judge when I brought a drunk friend home.

*The fact that I'll have to print this blog entry off so that he can read it. He's never used a computer!

*He is forgiving.

*He recognizes me for the woman I am today.

*He made it to as many sporting events as he could ... even for cheerleading!

*He's a Detroit Tigers fan.

*He's a Green Bay Packers fan.

*He a Colts fan.

*He's a Pacer's fan.

*He's a Nolan Ryan fan.

*He's a Brett Favre fan.

*He's my fan.

*He's Aiden and Logan's fan.

*He took us sledding ... down the driveway.

*Building snowmen.

*Snowball fights.

*Good's donuts and Sunday night with the Oldies on the radio.

*He's Pepsi addiction. Really ... it's a problem.

*Watching hockey with him when I was little.

*Being his bat girl when he coached the church softball teams.

*His strength.

*His faith.

*Watching him rock with my boys.

*Hearing him try to sing, "My Girl."

*Seeing his face light up when he is singing "My Girl."

*His record and 8 track collection!

*His discipline.

*His sense of humor (well, most of the time).

*The fact that he's proud of me even though I know I didn't make things that easy sometimes.

*He cares about my friends.

*He prays for me and my family.

*Watching him do anything with my boys.

*And the number one reason ... because he's my Daddy and I will always be a Daddy's girl.

I love you Daddy!

Carrie