How Did I Get Here?

10 on Tuesday

Oh dear me, has it really been since MARCH 7th that I posted a blog update?

Good. Night. Nurse. 
How am I supposed to get better at this?
Maybe set a schedule?
hmmmmmmm

Ok, to make it easier on myself, I decided to do a 10 on Tuesday post.
10 random thoughts for this day.

1. Harrison now says Hew-wo (hello), aw-wight (alright) and oh noooooo!! daily. It's adorable and I need to get it on video. Post haste. 

2. His current obsession is Wall-E. This is his typical pose while it's on: 
 

3. Jon's been battling a stomach bug. He feels somewhat better tonight. So what did he want for dinner? PIZZA. Go figure. 

4. Connor's been battling allergies. This is our first experience with them... apparently it's one of the worst seasons for allergies - EVER. He's coughing and sneezy and the worst part - has big, puffy, itchy, red eyes.
I took this photo with the camera on my laptop: 
 

Poor pathetic mess. This was last Friday, after he took a shower to alleviate the itchiness in the eyes... the whole time he was in there, he fussed and whined "why did God invent allergies??". I have no idea, sweetie. He's taking zyrtec and has prescription eye drops - they seem to be working right now.  

5. On a high note, Connor jumped on his two-wheeler Saturday night and just took off. This after a good amount of falling off and frustration the week before. He said to me before he hopped on - "Mom, I gotta try, because if I don't I'll never do it". Smart kid. And yet something else I need on video. 

6. Yankee Candle brought back my favorite scent: Storm Watch. This makes me very happy. 

7. The next Sookie Stackhouse book comes out in 2 weeks. This makes me very very happy. 

8. I'm now 4 months in to the "new" job and it's safe to say I made the right choice. I'm very much loving it. The work, the people, everything. And guess what? I'm plenty busy. 

9. We are working on planning a beach vacation with one of my favorite families and this makes me very very very happy. 

10. If you're looking for a good cookbook with tasty, yet healthy meals, Jon and I wholeheartedly suggest: Cooking Light: Fresh Food Fast - we've been using this cookbook since last summer and have not been disappointed by one recipe.

Ok! that's 10 on tuesday.
I hope to be back soon. Like in days... not weeks. 

Us

I saw this on another blog, and thought it would be nice to document here...
for Jon and myself.

What are your middle names?
Ann and Thomas.

How long have you been together?
Since February 1992, so that's a few months shy of 18 years... married for 12 :)

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
not sure... a few weeks? 

Who asked whom out?
Jon asked me. When I said yes he looked relieved... my reply was "oh please, like it would kill you if I had said no"... his reply: "It would"... player. ;)

How old are each of you?
36 and almost 38

Whose siblings do you see the most?
probably mine, because of all the little cousins :) but I'd say it's pretty even.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Right now? time apart. In the past? the miscarriages.

Did you go to the same school?
Same college, that's where we met.

Are you from the same home town?
No way. I'm a city girl. He's a country boy. 

Who is smarter?
Me. Oh really, who knows. Jon's way better at history, geography and of course, street smarts. I'm all about literature, writing/spelling and pop culture. :D

Who is the most sensitive?
We're pretty equal.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
ummm where DON'T we eat?

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
California

Who has the craziest exes?
Neither. Oh... I'll say Jon for that crazy tri-delt who tried to break us up.

Who has the worst temper?
Hands down, Jon. I'm cooooool as a cucumber.

Who does the cooking?
Jon.

Who is the neat-freak?
Me. It takes a lot to force Jon to clean.

Who is more stubborn?
Honestly, I don't think either of us are... we're both pretty good compromisers.

Who hogs the bed?
Neither. 

Who wakes up earlier?
Jon, since he goes to work before me.

Where was your first date?
Street Scene. High Street. We had a pizza and a car pool. nom nom nom.

Who is more jealous?
Jon. I once saw him appear out of thin air next to me in a bar when a guy tried to grab my arm... or maybe that's just protective, not jealousy.

How long did it take to get serious?
Milliseconds. We were engaged after 8 months.

Who eats more?
Jon. By far. The guy's a garbage disposal. But he rides his bike for 34833804834 hours at work.

Who does the laundry?
My fabulous mother-in-law. For serious. She watches the boys one day a week and does our laundry that day. She is a life-saver.

Who's better with the computer?
Me. Me. Me. 

Who drives when you are together?
Mostly Jon... but that's just because I like complete control of the ipod and he doesn't care what music is playing :)

Lucky 12

I consider myself lucky to have married my very best friend 12 years ago today....

wow, we look so young.

I thought I looked like Hope Brady, thanks to my head piece, and the fact that Tina told me I looked like her.

Ok... now let's go waaaaaay back into time.

17 years ago, I was dating this guy:

wowza. 

Loving the scrunchie.

We look like scrubs.

Ah well, scrubs in love.

The good thing is...

we still are.

In love, that is.

Not so much scrubs.

Well, not all the time.

I've kind of made it a tradition to take a self-portrait before we head out to dinner.

Last year I was just a couple of weeks away from giving birth to Harrison...

this year, I got to have wine.

 That was nice :)

So today I say thank you to Jon.

for marrying me...

for asking me to marry you...

how about for asking me out on that first date?

or for being relentless in your pursuit of me (you like that one 10tvers?)

for not running when life got un-fun and tough...

for being the father of our children...

for making me feel beautiful every single day...

for making me laugh... constantly...

for doing the things I hate... like grocery shopping and laundry...

for being an amazingly wonderful father...

for being the cheese to my macaroni...

for being my biggest fan...

for being the push I need when I don't want to continue...

for being you.

I love you.

Happy anniversary.

I hope I have 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 more with you.

I'm Sorry

I've really been a horrible blogger.

Let me make it up to you.

And so... the comparisons continue.

If it weren't for the eye color, I'd swear this was the same baby. 

Well, and if it weren't for the fact that I know better :)

So what has happened in the past month?

Um...

Jon and I went to see The Killers.

Loved them.

Let me repeat that.

Loved. Them.

If I weren't in love with Brandon Flowers before...

I am now head over heels.

This would be Jon and I, tired and waiting for the sun to go down and the band to come out: 

And then... They took the stage, and blew us away: 

I found myself wishing we had brought Connor with us. He really loves The Killers. I'm sure it's my influence, but there were so many moments where I turned to Jon and said "Connor would LOVE this!!"

Especially this part: 

After that...

Jon, Connor and Harrison went to the Blooms & Butterflies exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

And finally, to honor our dear friend, Heather, Jon and I participated in the Race for the Cure this last weekend... and sported our pink wigs as part of Heather's Team: 

And we weren't alone...

Check out our view as we were walking down High Street toward the finish line..

Behind us: 

And in front: 

And here's our official "team photo":

It was so amazing to be part of something so full of hope, and inspiring...

it was such a fitting tribute to Heather, it was hard not to get overwhelmed. 

She is really missed. 

Ok, that's my update for now.

Thanks for reading and sticking around....

Again... I'll try to be better... I promise!

16 Years Ago...

tonight.
16 years ago - TONIGHT.
I had my first date with this guy:

When he asked me out, and I accepted, he looked so relieved, I actually laughed at him (nice move, Missy).
So I replied "oh, like it would have killed you if I said no"
He answered with a straight face "it would have".
I should have known then that every day - he'd have me wondering what I did to deserve such love.

We ate pizza at Street Scene restaurant on high street, right across from the OSU campus.
I remember him making chomping noises as I chewed.
I should have known then that every day - he would keep me laughing.

We went back to his dorm and watched St. Elmo's Fire and Hot Shots.. no joke.
But I think I fell asleep during one of the two.
The rest is history... and none of your business. ;)
I should have known then that every day - he'd make me feel like a princess.

We were never a couple to "break up and make up".
We've been together for 16 straight years.
And he still wows me. every. single. day.

Thank goodness I said yes.

What Was I Thinking??

Last night, Jon and I went to see Linkin Park at Nationwide Arena...
the tickets were a christmas present for Jon... when I ordered them, I assumed he was going to take a buddy to the show... I was wrong. He said I was his concert buddy... and he wanted me to go. Ok fine.
But what tickets did I buy?
FLOOR SEATS.

Oh jeez.
Mosh pit floor seats...
after a long day of work... that included breaking news - a fire at a nursing home for nuns - NOT A JOKE.
Thank goodness Jon's not the mosh pit type, so we stayed by the sound stage, away from the drunken idiots, and just enjoyed the show.
I did manage to take one pic of us - but I was saying "COME ON!!" to the camera when it went off - so I look kind of silly and tired:

And in honor of the concert... and since I want to keep up with the music theme... I will post one of my favorite linkin park songs...crawling:

He Done Good

So I have a few things to share, as promised.
First up, ye olde anniversary gift:

Mr. Gleason has outdone himself. I said no gifts. He agreed. He lied.
Then he says "hey! just imagine what you're going to get for 15 and 20 years!"
He done good.

Next up.
Sir Chevron.
Finally got him blocked this weekend.
So here's your Connor-scale shot:

After blocking, the little sucker stretched to 82 inches. niiiiiiiice.
Now here's your Connor-high-fashion-model-I-won't-look-at-the-camera shot.

And the evil Bellatrix has put a spell on me...
I've been diligently working on this sock for the past two evenings:

It looks crazy cool on. I love it. Can't wait to finish the pair.
I cast on for my second Gabby sock.. but she's patiently waiting for Bellatrix to leave the needles.

Oh!
I almost forgot...
I have to share the day-after-anniversary-dinner-breakfast Jon and I shared:

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

10

10 years ago today, this happened:

nuh uh.
for real?
10 years of marriage?

Jon and I met when I was 18, and he was 20... it was February of 1992.
By October, we were engaged.
No lie.
Our parents thought we were nuts.
5 years later, came our wedding day...

I still get butterflies thinking of his kisses.
I laugh like a goober at his jokes.
He's seen me at my absolute lowest of lows and highest of highs...
and he still loves me.
He tells me I still surprise him.
He is my biggest cheerleader, defender, coach, hero, confidante, friend... and I try my damndest to be the same to him.
We have made a wonderful family.

10 years of marriage has passed by in the blink of an eye.

Thank you, Jon, for being my husband.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Quick Recap

OK... the wedding was beautiful. Jane was gorgeous. Rob was handsome as ever... everything was perfect.... right down to the cocktail napkins.

We were probably the rowdiest table at the wedding. Which is probably why we were seated in a corner ;) .... but oh my, it was fun. Here's the motley crew that we were fortunate enough to be seated with:

Tammy & Chris

Aysu & David

Jay & Irene

Jeanne, Jeff & Chris

Jon and me

Oh look! you can see my new hair now, too :) There are a lot more incriminating photos... but we don't need them splashed all over the internet. And I am so bummed I don't have a good pic of Jane and Rob! The only one I have is way too fuzzy. BUMMER.

The christmas party afterward was a blast too. Andrea had a photo booth... so we got some good pics from that. Of course, there were jello shots upon jello shots... that was interesting. But in the end, it  just was so nice to go out visit with people I usually have very limited time with at work. And we got to celebrate a wonderful event! Congratulations Jane and Rob!!

Today & Tonight...

Today, I get to attend this girl's wedding:

My J-Bo. Jane is getting married today to one of the sweetest guys out there. It's a day I can honestly say I've been waiting years for. And I am so happy she found her match in Rob. We always teased Jane... told her she was the "Carrie" of our Sex in the City foursome... but now she's got her Mr. Big... and I can't wait to celebrate. Especially since most of my favorite work people will be in attendance... and that always means fun.

Connor's at Grandma and Grandpa's. Making them a little crazy. I checked in with my Mom last night and she says, "he just doesn't stop, does he?"... nope. He doesn't. Except when he's asleep. Godspeed, Mom & Rich. :)

Then... after the wedding... we're headed off to a Christmas party. Another celebration with my work crazies. This party is notorious for people misbehaving. Let's just say... there was plenty of gossip flying around after the last one. Jon and I even got so tipsy, we had to hang around later, to sober up so one of us could drive home. But I guess that's what you get when you pass out jello shots like they're appetizers. :) Seriously though. It's a great shindig. Good food and friends and just plain fun. I can't wait.

Then tomorrow, we'll go collect our little Captain Catastrophe... and turn back into the responsible grown ups we are.