Today I have been married to my best friend for 7 years now. Sometimes it seems like we just got married yesterday, but most times it's hard for me to even remember what it felt like not to have Cody in my life. I thank God each and every day for the amazing gift I have in being Cody's wife. I truly am one lucky girl.
One of the things I love doing each year on our anniversary is watching our wedding dvd. It has become even more special now that we have lost some family members that were there that day. I am so thankful that we both have such amazing, loving families that have taught us how to build a life together.
Yep - that's the song we picked for our wedding video. :)
Cody surprised me with this song on our wedding day. I love that he has still kept the element of surprise in our marriage. Whether it's sending me chocolate covered strawberries to work on a random day, surprising me with trips, or getting all our friends and family together for a take two proposal - that boy has never stopped making me feel special.
That boy also has me so figured out now, and I'm so grateful that he has put up with me for so many years!
He knows me well enough that on Valentine's Day when I'm teaching and everyone is getting flowers, he sends a huge Cherry Dr. Pepper and a purple bag of skittles. ;)
He can end an argument we're having by making me laugh midway and I love him so much for that!
He knows what I truly hate doing (taking the dogs to the vet, getting my car inspected, etc.) and does them for me without complaining.
He actually encourages me to go shopping and spend money on myself.
He winks at me from across the room when we are in a large group because he knows how anxious I can get in big social settings.
He dances with me in our living room in front of our daughter. Sometimes she even gets to cut in. ;)
He listens to endless hours of "teacher talk" and truly knows all my students' names and personalities each year.
He puts up with the "I don't know exactly what I want, but I want it now" theme that continually pops up in my life. (He should seriously get a gold medal for that one folks!)
He knows that my idea of a perfect night is some Taco Bueno and playing board games.
He takes the time each day to hug me for a long time when we finally both get home from work - no matter how tired we are. I look forward to that moment each and every weekday.
We've been through 4 years of long distance dating, a two year engagement (so I could know what it was like to live by myself for a year - again y'all - this man deserves a gold medal), two houses, job changes, parenting, teaching Sunday school together, and so much more. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. I love this man so much and cannot wait for the next 50+ years with him!
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Monday, July 22, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Blast from the Past
Y'all.
Last night was awesome. Seriously. I had so much fun! I woke up this morning and had to remind myself that it actually happened.
Now, I've been to concerts plenty of times, but last night was a concert I have been looking forward to for...oh about 20 years. No lie.
Last night I got to see Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees, and...wait for it...New Kids on the Block.
For real.
When I found out they were coming, it was too late to get floor seats, but goodness knows I would have shelled out the money for them. 20 years people. 20 years I've wanted to see them. They were the first band that I totally loved. I even wrote them a letter when I was in second grade begging them to come perform at my school - complete with the set list I wanted in the order I wanted it in.
Apparently I've been a list girl from a very early age. :)
I just knew back then that if Joey met me, it would have been over. He would instantly fall in love and the rest would be history.
So, yes the floor seats were gone, but I bought two tickets from the seats that were left. When I printed the tickets I was devastated to see the words, "Behind Stage" on them, but they were still in the platinum level of the American Airlines Center, so they were not nosebleed seats. Turns out that behind stage was actually awesome because we could see each band before they came on stage. We saw them pray, jump, high five each other, etc. Y'all - it was so great. The concert also had two stages and the main one was a circle and each member of each band moved around quite a lot, so it's not like we missed anything. So I pouted for nothing, because the seats were great.
Cody and I took the TRE into Dallas so we didn't have to worry about parking and what not. I was happy of course on the ride over there, but as soon as we walked in I got giddy. It was like all of a sudden I was transported back to my elementary and junior high self and finally getting to do what I didn't get to do then.
First up was Boyz II Men. Now, honestly I wasn't expecting a lot out of them. They were of course, down a member, but my goodness it didn't make a difference. They were hands down amazing. The first song they sang was "On Bended Knee."
Whoa. Wow. Hello.
I don't even know what else to say. But it got better y'all. Crazy better. They even sang "Yesterday", "Motown Philly" (I thought my husband was going to cry), and "End of the Road."
Now, "End of the Road" is a song that played in my life soundtrack. You see, my husband has this theory that I've always treated my life as if I was living in a romantic comedy...and I think there is some truth (okay, a lot) to that. So, when I wanted to break up with the guy I was "dating" in 7th grade, I waited until they played this song at the school dance and broke up with him during the talking part of the song.
I'm not kidding. If you didn't think I was a huge dork yet, now you know the ugly truth. ;)
To sum it up: Boyz II Men = Amazing
Then it was 98 Degrees. Two words friends - Nick Lachey.
That's all you need to know. Yes, they sang some weird new songs that nobody really knew. Yes, some of them didn't dance as well as they used to. But they did sing, "The Hardest Thing" and "I Do" so everything was right in the world.
Nick Lachey y'all. Nick Lachey.
Moving on....
They had a break between 98 Degrees and NKOTB. The anticipation was paired with a great selection of awesome 90s music being played where the whole crowd was singing along. Hardly anyone was leaving because nobody wanted to chance missing the start of NKOTB. Cody was singing along to pretty much every song quietly, but then Marky Marky came on and he couldn't contain himself and busted out with every single word.
I married a keeper my friends. ;)
That's when 3 rather intoxicated girls turned around and "woooed" him and then proceeded to ask him when he was going on tour.
I married a keeper and a stud my friends. :) A stud that can croon like nobody's business.
Then it happened. The lights went down and before I knew it my crush from 2nd grade was on stage with the rest of the New Kids and I was 110% silly giddy. Cody remarked he had never seen me like that. Y'all - I didn't know that part of me even existed. Cody took a video of me and I was bouncing. Bouncing and screaming.
Who does that??
It was incredible. Every song they sang was awesome - even some of the new ones I didn't know as well. But they didn't let me down and sang all my favorites:
-Step By Step
-Hanging Tough
-I'll Be Loving You
-Tonight
-Cover Girl
-You've Got It (AKA - The Right Stuff)
(Apparently I lost all my senses including my ability to hit the right notes. I swear I had years of formal vocal training and can actually sing...nobody would know it from this video though.)
But there were two songs that made my life. Not year - life I tell you.
One I honestly hadn't thought about it years, but man, as soon as it started I teared up.
Yep. Didn't think I would, but I did. Not even sure why.
Like I said, I had pretty much forgot about this song, but when Jordan started singing, "Baby, I Believe in You" I almost died. Every word came back instantly and I got goosebumps.
Who knew a song could do that to you? I for sure didn't.
But the highlight of my night was one song. It was my favorite song that NKOTB ever did. I told myself, "Joey is older now. He might not be able to sing it. He might not WANT to sing it."
Y'all, he sang it.
And it was greatness. Pure greatness. I can now die a happy girl.
They'll totally sang, "Please Don't Go Girl." I was putty. Putty I tell you.
It wasn't even the last one, but I could have gone home 100% satisfied with the concert after that moment.
My husband was such a good sport too. I can't imagine too many husbands that would have actually gone last night and not made a huge deal about not wanting to be there. I will say, Cody loved Boyz II Men and had they not been there it might have been a different story for him. I love that man and everything he does for me. I truly am a lucky girl to have a guy that will stick around even when I act like a crazed teeny bopper. ;)
So, I got to relive my youth last night and it was so fun. And in one week and one day I'll be in Disney World with my family.
Pinch me y'all. Pinch me. :)
Last night was awesome. Seriously. I had so much fun! I woke up this morning and had to remind myself that it actually happened.
Now, I've been to concerts plenty of times, but last night was a concert I have been looking forward to for...oh about 20 years. No lie.
Last night I got to see Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees, and...wait for it...New Kids on the Block.
For real.
When I found out they were coming, it was too late to get floor seats, but goodness knows I would have shelled out the money for them. 20 years people. 20 years I've wanted to see them. They were the first band that I totally loved. I even wrote them a letter when I was in second grade begging them to come perform at my school - complete with the set list I wanted in the order I wanted it in.
Apparently I've been a list girl from a very early age. :)
I just knew back then that if Joey met me, it would have been over. He would instantly fall in love and the rest would be history.
So, yes the floor seats were gone, but I bought two tickets from the seats that were left. When I printed the tickets I was devastated to see the words, "Behind Stage" on them, but they were still in the platinum level of the American Airlines Center, so they were not nosebleed seats. Turns out that behind stage was actually awesome because we could see each band before they came on stage. We saw them pray, jump, high five each other, etc. Y'all - it was so great. The concert also had two stages and the main one was a circle and each member of each band moved around quite a lot, so it's not like we missed anything. So I pouted for nothing, because the seats were great.
Cody and I took the TRE into Dallas so we didn't have to worry about parking and what not. I was happy of course on the ride over there, but as soon as we walked in I got giddy. It was like all of a sudden I was transported back to my elementary and junior high self and finally getting to do what I didn't get to do then.
First up was Boyz II Men. Now, honestly I wasn't expecting a lot out of them. They were of course, down a member, but my goodness it didn't make a difference. They were hands down amazing. The first song they sang was "On Bended Knee."
Whoa. Wow. Hello.
I don't even know what else to say. But it got better y'all. Crazy better. They even sang "Yesterday", "Motown Philly" (I thought my husband was going to cry), and "End of the Road."
Now, "End of the Road" is a song that played in my life soundtrack. You see, my husband has this theory that I've always treated my life as if I was living in a romantic comedy...and I think there is some truth (okay, a lot) to that. So, when I wanted to break up with the guy I was "dating" in 7th grade, I waited until they played this song at the school dance and broke up with him during the talking part of the song.
I'm not kidding. If you didn't think I was a huge dork yet, now you know the ugly truth. ;)
To sum it up: Boyz II Men = Amazing
Then it was 98 Degrees. Two words friends - Nick Lachey.
That's all you need to know. Yes, they sang some weird new songs that nobody really knew. Yes, some of them didn't dance as well as they used to. But they did sing, "The Hardest Thing" and "I Do" so everything was right in the world.
They had a break between 98 Degrees and NKOTB. The anticipation was paired with a great selection of awesome 90s music being played where the whole crowd was singing along. Hardly anyone was leaving because nobody wanted to chance missing the start of NKOTB. Cody was singing along to pretty much every song quietly, but then Marky Marky came on and he couldn't contain himself and busted out with every single word.
I married a keeper my friends. ;)
That's when 3 rather intoxicated girls turned around and "woooed" him and then proceeded to ask him when he was going on tour.
I married a keeper and a stud my friends. :) A stud that can croon like nobody's business.
Then it happened. The lights went down and before I knew it my crush from 2nd grade was on stage with the rest of the New Kids and I was 110% silly giddy. Cody remarked he had never seen me like that. Y'all - I didn't know that part of me even existed. Cody took a video of me and I was bouncing. Bouncing and screaming.
Who does that??
It was incredible. Every song they sang was awesome - even some of the new ones I didn't know as well. But they didn't let me down and sang all my favorites:
-Step By Step
-Hanging Tough
-I'll Be Loving You
-Tonight
-Cover Girl
-You've Got It (AKA - The Right Stuff)
(Apparently I lost all my senses including my ability to hit the right notes. I swear I had years of formal vocal training and can actually sing...nobody would know it from this video though.)
But there were two songs that made my life. Not year - life I tell you.
One I honestly hadn't thought about it years, but man, as soon as it started I teared up.
Yep. Didn't think I would, but I did. Not even sure why.
Like I said, I had pretty much forgot about this song, but when Jordan started singing, "Baby, I Believe in You" I almost died. Every word came back instantly and I got goosebumps.
Who knew a song could do that to you? I for sure didn't.
But the highlight of my night was one song. It was my favorite song that NKOTB ever did. I told myself, "Joey is older now. He might not be able to sing it. He might not WANT to sing it."
Y'all, he sang it.
And it was greatness. Pure greatness. I can now die a happy girl.
They'll totally sang, "Please Don't Go Girl." I was putty. Putty I tell you.
It wasn't even the last one, but I could have gone home 100% satisfied with the concert after that moment.
My husband was such a good sport too. I can't imagine too many husbands that would have actually gone last night and not made a huge deal about not wanting to be there. I will say, Cody loved Boyz II Men and had they not been there it might have been a different story for him. I love that man and everything he does for me. I truly am a lucky girl to have a guy that will stick around even when I act like a crazed teeny bopper. ;)
So, I got to relive my youth last night and it was so fun. And in one week and one day I'll be in Disney World with my family.
Pinch me y'all. Pinch me. :)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Proverbs 31 Wife
What woman doesn't want to be a Proverbs 31 wife? We hear it all the time, and it sounds good in theory doesn't it?
But guess what? It's hard. Plain and simple.
Of course trying to be "perfect" at anything is hard. That's why I just can't do it. I've come to accept that.
But just because I can't have perfection doesn't mean I can't give it all I've got. I've read lots of things about being a Proverbs 31 woman, and honestly I didn't like all of them. Some made me feel guilty about what I know is my true calling in life - teaching.
Then I came across this book.
Now this is what I had been looking for!!! I knew after the first few pages this was the book for me. I immediately related to the author, Sara Horn, on so many levels, and I'm convinced we would be great friends if we ever did meet. :)
Here's a passage that literally had me laughing aloud (which also got me a goofy look from the hubs):
Who doesn't want her kids to like her so much they bless her or actually pay her a compliment? Who doesn't want her husband praising her and going on and on about how great the house looks and how good dinner was?
I felt antsy about this topic, so I did what I always do when I'm stressed. I cleaned. The kitchen was a wreck, with papers and odds and ends from my son's first week of the school year all thrown haphazardly onto the counter. The sink sat full of dishes, and the stovetop hadn't been cleaned in days and stains around the burner had lingered for weeks and weeks. My husband is a great cook, much better than I am, but not so great at cleaning. I'm good at cleaning, just not so good at making time for it.
As I put some things away, I noticed the messy pantry, not to be outdone by the similarly disorganized fridge, so I spent about two hours reorganizing everything. I pulled things out, I put things back. I tossed old veggies that were past their prime. I moved cake-and-cookie decorating stuff out of drawers and into a nearby closet, since I don't use them very often.
I cannot tell you the number of times I have done just that when I'm frustrated about the kind of wife and mother I am. My kitchen cabinets have been organized so many times due to that exact stress.
The book goes on about how Horn tries for a year to be the best Proverbs 31 wife she can be. It's funny, sad, and to me - all together amazing. Horn is so real in her experiences and doesn't leave out the hard times.
This was by far the best book I've read in a long time, and one that has honestly changed my life. It's also a quick read, well, for me it was. I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than 12 hours. I've noticed my attitude has changed and I'm more reflective of the type of wife and mother I am. I'm letting some things go and stepping up in other areas - because my family is worth it.
I highly recommend all wives to read this book!
There's also a Proverbs 31 Wife blog that Horn has. Check it out here.
But guess what? It's hard. Plain and simple.
Of course trying to be "perfect" at anything is hard. That's why I just can't do it. I've come to accept that.
But just because I can't have perfection doesn't mean I can't give it all I've got. I've read lots of things about being a Proverbs 31 woman, and honestly I didn't like all of them. Some made me feel guilty about what I know is my true calling in life - teaching.
Then I came across this book.
Now this is what I had been looking for!!! I knew after the first few pages this was the book for me. I immediately related to the author, Sara Horn, on so many levels, and I'm convinced we would be great friends if we ever did meet. :)
Here's a passage that literally had me laughing aloud (which also got me a goofy look from the hubs):
Who doesn't want her kids to like her so much they bless her or actually pay her a compliment? Who doesn't want her husband praising her and going on and on about how great the house looks and how good dinner was?
I felt antsy about this topic, so I did what I always do when I'm stressed. I cleaned. The kitchen was a wreck, with papers and odds and ends from my son's first week of the school year all thrown haphazardly onto the counter. The sink sat full of dishes, and the stovetop hadn't been cleaned in days and stains around the burner had lingered for weeks and weeks. My husband is a great cook, much better than I am, but not so great at cleaning. I'm good at cleaning, just not so good at making time for it.
As I put some things away, I noticed the messy pantry, not to be outdone by the similarly disorganized fridge, so I spent about two hours reorganizing everything. I pulled things out, I put things back. I tossed old veggies that were past their prime. I moved cake-and-cookie decorating stuff out of drawers and into a nearby closet, since I don't use them very often.
I cannot tell you the number of times I have done just that when I'm frustrated about the kind of wife and mother I am. My kitchen cabinets have been organized so many times due to that exact stress.
The book goes on about how Horn tries for a year to be the best Proverbs 31 wife she can be. It's funny, sad, and to me - all together amazing. Horn is so real in her experiences and doesn't leave out the hard times.
This was by far the best book I've read in a long time, and one that has honestly changed my life. It's also a quick read, well, for me it was. I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than 12 hours. I've noticed my attitude has changed and I'm more reflective of the type of wife and mother I am. I'm letting some things go and stepping up in other areas - because my family is worth it.
I highly recommend all wives to read this book!
There's also a Proverbs 31 Wife blog that Horn has. Check it out here.
Friday, June 29, 2012
To See or Not To See...Not Really a Question (Anymore)
Girls' Nights are some of my favorite times - hands down. I have a blast with my girlfriends and we've done everything from traveling to other cities, taking goofy pictures, and having a range of talks about anything and everything. I love my girl time and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Tonight is one of those nights and I'm pumped. The plans are to catch dinner and then a movie. Your pretty basic GNO.
Except I got this really uneasy feeling about this one because of two words:
Magic Mike
Yep - that's the plan. Dinner and then head to a movie - a specific movie. Magic Mike.
For those of you that have been under a rock, this movie is about stripping. Male stripping to be exact.
Honestly when I first saw previews for it my mind went - "Heck yes I'm going to see that! Hello! Matthew McConaughey? Channing Tatum?" What girl wouldn't want to see that on the big screen?
(Hmmm...Proverbs 31 going through anyone else's mind right now?)
So as the plans were made I told Cody that the girls and I were going to catch dinner and a movie. He asked a simple question - "What movie?"
For some reason I didn't want to tell him. (Red flag anyone?) If I was ashamed to tell my husband why should I even be considering it?
So I told him. And as soon as I did I noticed a drop in his face. Not anger- and I'm not even sure it was disappointment. It was just different and it broke my heart. I right away asked him if he was okay with my going. His response was, "Would you want me to go see a movie about girl strippers?"
Ouch.
I wanted to scream, "It's so different! It's guys not girls - they can't show as much with just a R rating." But guess what? It's not different. As much I want it to be it's not.
Can anyone say double standard?
ME! Double standard!
Who am I to say I don't want my husband to watch that type of movie and then turn around and watch it myself? Not cool Heather, not cool.
But, Cody said he was fine with me going and I texted my girlfriends back, said I was in, and then purchased my ticket online because it is, after all, the first day it's been open and I wouldn't want the disappointment of missing out.
But God wrestled with my heart all night and all morning. It just didn't seem alright with me. I even got a text this morning from another girlfriend saying she was in need of a GNO soon and I told her she could join us tonight. My text actually said, "We're going to see an inappropriate movie."
Wait right there. I called it inappropriate and was still okay going to see it?
Is that the kind of woman I want to be? The kind of wife I want to be? The kind of mother I want to be?
No. It's not.
I knew what I had to do. And that is not go. I have every reason in the world to want to go. Great friends, the okay from the hubby, and McConaughey/Tatum. What's not to love?
How about the feeling in my gut that it is just wrong?
Now I realize to some this is going to sound "judgy" and that's not my intention at all. In no way do I think people seeing this movie is going to make people horrible. I just know my own weaknesses and I'm not willing to give myself a foothold.
How can I sit in a Sunday school room and ask girls that are seniors in high school to dress appropriately so the guys aren't tempted, and then turn around and watch something that I know will tempt me?
How can I be a mom trying to raise my daughter to know what a godly woman is and then turn around and act in a way that I know is not godly?
How can I be a wife trying to honor my husband if I'm going to go watch other men take off their clothes?
I know I'm not perfect, and I don't pretend to be. But I do want to be intentional about my choices. It was just Wednesday night when I heard a message about loving Jesus and being a Christian when it's easy and convenient, but being a completely different person the rest of the time. I can't continue to say I'm one way and then act another just because it's fun.
Do I sound like a bible thumping crazy extremist Christian? Probably. And people are probably going to make fun of me. Luckily for me it's not my girlfriends though, because when I told them why I couldn't go to the movie they were all supportive. Told you my friends were awesome. :)
I'm so thankful that they stick with someone as crazy as me!
Tonight is one of those nights and I'm pumped. The plans are to catch dinner and then a movie. Your pretty basic GNO.
Except I got this really uneasy feeling about this one because of two words:
Magic Mike
Yep - that's the plan. Dinner and then head to a movie - a specific movie. Magic Mike.
For those of you that have been under a rock, this movie is about stripping. Male stripping to be exact.
Honestly when I first saw previews for it my mind went - "Heck yes I'm going to see that! Hello! Matthew McConaughey? Channing Tatum?" What girl wouldn't want to see that on the big screen?
(Hmmm...Proverbs 31 going through anyone else's mind right now?)
So as the plans were made I told Cody that the girls and I were going to catch dinner and a movie. He asked a simple question - "What movie?"
For some reason I didn't want to tell him. (Red flag anyone?) If I was ashamed to tell my husband why should I even be considering it?
So I told him. And as soon as I did I noticed a drop in his face. Not anger- and I'm not even sure it was disappointment. It was just different and it broke my heart. I right away asked him if he was okay with my going. His response was, "Would you want me to go see a movie about girl strippers?"
Ouch.
I wanted to scream, "It's so different! It's guys not girls - they can't show as much with just a R rating." But guess what? It's not different. As much I want it to be it's not.
Can anyone say double standard?
ME! Double standard!
Who am I to say I don't want my husband to watch that type of movie and then turn around and watch it myself? Not cool Heather, not cool.
But, Cody said he was fine with me going and I texted my girlfriends back, said I was in, and then purchased my ticket online because it is, after all, the first day it's been open and I wouldn't want the disappointment of missing out.
But God wrestled with my heart all night and all morning. It just didn't seem alright with me. I even got a text this morning from another girlfriend saying she was in need of a GNO soon and I told her she could join us tonight. My text actually said, "We're going to see an inappropriate movie."
Wait right there. I called it inappropriate and was still okay going to see it?
Is that the kind of woman I want to be? The kind of wife I want to be? The kind of mother I want to be?
No. It's not.
I knew what I had to do. And that is not go. I have every reason in the world to want to go. Great friends, the okay from the hubby, and McConaughey/Tatum. What's not to love?
How about the feeling in my gut that it is just wrong?
Now I realize to some this is going to sound "judgy" and that's not my intention at all. In no way do I think people seeing this movie is going to make people horrible. I just know my own weaknesses and I'm not willing to give myself a foothold.
How can I sit in a Sunday school room and ask girls that are seniors in high school to dress appropriately so the guys aren't tempted, and then turn around and watch something that I know will tempt me?
How can I be a mom trying to raise my daughter to know what a godly woman is and then turn around and act in a way that I know is not godly?
How can I be a wife trying to honor my husband if I'm going to go watch other men take off their clothes?
I know I'm not perfect, and I don't pretend to be. But I do want to be intentional about my choices. It was just Wednesday night when I heard a message about loving Jesus and being a Christian when it's easy and convenient, but being a completely different person the rest of the time. I can't continue to say I'm one way and then act another just because it's fun.
Do I sound like a bible thumping crazy extremist Christian? Probably. And people are probably going to make fun of me. Luckily for me it's not my girlfriends though, because when I told them why I couldn't go to the movie they were all supportive. Told you my friends were awesome. :)
I'm so thankful that they stick with someone as crazy as me!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Proposal....again
So I know so many people have been waiting for me to write this entry, and I've waited until over a month after this happened to do so. Sorry. I've been having way too much fun playing with Kaitlyn this summer! :) So here it goes.
For my birthday this year Cody proposed to me. Yes, we're already married, so some people might think we're crazy. But those people don't know the whole story. You know, that story that always comes up when you're friends with girls - the "How did he propose?" story.
Hmmm...how did Cody propose the first time? All you need to know is that it was a foot away from a toilet.
Yep. You read that right the first time. A toilet. No, I wasn't using it (that's beyond gross). If you don't know the full story and want to, read this.
I wrote that a few years ago. At that time I not so jokingly would respond to Cody's, "What do you want for your birthday or Christmas?" questions with, "A new proposal." He never did and I eventually just stopped saying it for fear I was really hurting his feelings.
Then my birthday came this year. I 100% thought we were going to have a normal, yet fun day. When he had asked what I wanted to do I said I wanted more than anything to have a family day - meaning us doing something with Kaitlyn and going out to a nice, oh I don't know, Mexican dinner. That's always a safe bet with me.
So the day of my birthday that's how things started out. Cody went and got us all doughnuts and we had a fun family breakfast. My mom called and asked if K and I wanted to go to lunch later which we did. The rest of the day we played with Kaitlyn and just spent time together as a family. I thought it was perfect and quite honestly one of the best birthdays in a long time. For dinner I thought Cody was going to take us to Joe T Garcia's in Fort Worth, so I was mentally preparing for that.
Later on, a little after 5:00 Cody told me he had to go get my birthday present. In my mind I didn't think anything different was going on. Cody is known to wait until the last minute for gifts so I figured he either had something made or transferred to another store and it wasn't ready until then. So when he left I started to clean the kitchen thinking nothing of it.
And just a side note - I wish I could have a maid that only cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen. My life would be so much easier!
But back to our story....
Soon after Cody left the doorbell rang. I looked through our peephole and saw Cody's parents standing there with a gift. I thought it was weird that they didn't call, but simply thought maybe they had told Cody they were stopping by and he forgot what time or forgot to tell me or something along those lines. Again, I had no idea at this point anything different was going on. I opened the door, complete with dish towel slung across my shoulder, and let them in. Cody's dad had his new video camera on. At this point you would think most people would think something was up, but we had gone over to Cody's parents' house the night before for his mother's birthday. They had just bought the camera that day and were taping lots of things, so in my mind I thought Cody's dad was still having fun playing with his camera.
But then Cody's mother started talking....
She looked at me with this sneaky type smile and said they were here to pick up Kaitlyn and that I need to change into something nice. I told her that I needed to get some things ready for K, but she told me that they already had a packed bag and that everything concerning Kaitlyn was taken care of. She also handed me a clue.
Yep, now I knew something was up. :)
The clue was in a legal size envelope with the clasps and I was told to read it aloud...for the camera of course.
I looked down at the paper and the first thing I read was Clue #3. I told Cody's mother I think I had the wrong clue, but she just smiled and told me to keep reading. Hmmm....
So this is what I read:
First: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you enjoy your birthday gift. You will be given clues throughout the evening to take you to some places. As you can see, my parents will take Kaitlyn. Put on something nice that you have. Call me last resort!!! Jump in your car (PUT NOLAN UP!!!) and see clue below:
Fate is definitely what got us here today
But think really hard about what I am going to say
You said you knew when you heard my name
But don't go to the hall during this part of the game
It's in the same room we would sing in a pack
When you've got it figured out, go to the back
So I knew I was headed to Lamar High School. That's where Cody and I first met and I had a bit of a crush on him.
Okay, so it was a huge crush. :)
So I quickly ran upstairs and changed into something else and applied a bit more makeup and headed to my car. As soon as I turned on the car a cd started up. The first song I heard was "I Can Only Love You Like a Man." Little did I know how perfect this song would be later on....
The whole cd was full of songs that were special to us. I. love. that. cd. And it hasn't left my car since.
So of course at this point I'm thinking he's going to have clues taped up in certain spots and we'll end up at dinner. Seriously, that's what I thought and I was thrilled. But then I pulled into the Lamar parking lot.
That's when I see our friends Kim and Cory. Okay, so Cody planned a bit more than I thought....
Kim and Cory also had a clue and were videoing me. This is what I read in the next clue:
Very good grasshopper! I hope you said hi to the Leman family! I tried to make that clue easy to figure out. I may not be so nice in future clues. If you can't figure out where you are going, I will try to provide you a life line, but try not to use them. That is almost considered cheating!
This place we didn't frequent but the biggest of all
The setting if you remember was some time in the Fall
We were nervous; we were scared at what was to come
All I knew at the time was you made life fun
If we knew at the time this would bring forever bliss
Go to the first place we sealed our love with a kiss
Don't go inside, just look for something familiar to the both of us.
Well, I knew where our first kiss was - I just didn't know how to get there anymore. It was at our friend Melissa McKaime's old house. I looked at Kim and Cory and told them I had no clue where to go and they told me to turn on my GPS when I got in the car. I did only to find out that Cody had programmed the address in the GPS for me. I later found out that he had contacted Melissa, who in turn had to contact her mom, who contacted the new owners of the house to tell them what he was doing. Cody thought this thing through very hard! :)
Before I got to Melissa's old house I got a phone call from Cody telling me I needed to turn around because I had left something with Kim and Cory. I for sure wasn't going to argue with him, so I turned around and basically we killed time until Cody said it was okay. I knew something wasn't ready, but at this point I didn't care. In a few minutes Cory was given the okay that I could leave, so back to Melissa's house I went.
I pulled onto the street and soon saw my precious niece jumping up and down and waving the next clue. My sister-in-law, Candy, and brother-in-law, Casey, were there as well. They had a video camera on me the whole time just like the others.
I was sensing a common theme here.
The clue they gave me read:
That was easy enough, wasn't it? Casey & Candy looked excited didn't they??? At this time, you probably know where you are going next...Be careful not to jump the gun, there's a twist! Keep following the clues and you may find me. I don't know...you may even see me...
This clue is my favorite because of the meaning
When you talk about dating this is the beginning
Sad for the future but happy from the past
No matter what happens our memories will last
You can read by it, see with it, and do many more things
Go to the place that's made of wax and strings
That was an easy one for me - it was Candlelite Inn which is where we had our first real date. We had been pretty bummed to hear that it was closing and that's what all the references to being sad he made were about.
As I drove up there I saw our friends Ben and Cindy. Again with the taping - again with the clue.
You knew that one would be in there right? Did Ben & Cindy tell you GO MAVS?! I hope more than anything Ben didn't say Gig 'em! It pains me to even type that phrase...We are over halfway through this so you can SMELL the prize right now!!!
We go here a lot and this I do mean
I drink lots of water, you steal the caffeine
One glorious day though not done quite right
I asked you for your hand one February night (day, but it rhymed)
You completed my life, how happy we'd be
Go directly to the spot I got on one knee
Next stop - my parents house - specifically my room - more specifically my bathroom suite...yep... by THE toilet. The caffeine reference is something to blog about later...a bit of a family tradition if you will. :)
Now my dad was out of town, but my mom was there and you guessed it - she was filming me as well. But she didn't have a clue. So I went to the spot where Cody had asked and there was my clue.
Your mom knew about this and kept it from you?!? What is going on?!? Before you leave your parents' house, look in your closet....Put that dress on! Just thought it would be something nice!
This place is a LEGEND to me and to you
We had such a blast, hey, Joe Jackson wore that shoe (NOT)
The best night of my life, it was really nice
I can still hear it now, "This is paradise!" (Almost)
I knew from that day you'd fill up my heart
Remember that guy saying, "Don't touch that tarp!"
Again, don't go inside just look for some friends!
That would mean the Ballpark in Arlington. We had our wedding reception there and took pictures on the field. We got in trouble with security for touching the tarp on the pitcher's mound, but since Cody pitched in college and we were down there we just had to. :) But before I went I opened my closet. Cody had actually picked out a nice dress (in my size thankfully!) and even had two shoe options there for me. I married a smart, smart man.
On to the ballpark I went.
After a loopy turning around trip trying to park, I found Rex and Brenda with of course a camera and a clue. I cannot even begin to tell you how precious those two are to us. I just love them! Next clue:
Bet you didn't expect to see that!!! I know how much you love the Schimpfs and I do too! We have so many families to look up to! So close to the end now I bet you can taste it!
This destination is special for not only you and me
We will build the foundation for our family
When I think of this place and that wonderful day
I remember your beauty taking my breath away
Our family is rooted where we'll blossom and grow
To the place with the cross is where you must go!
Next stop - our church. :)
At the church I saw the Cain family with their precious Carson...who if arranged marriages work out might just marry Kaitlyn one day. :) They had the next clue which was finally the last one!
You have made it to the last clue!! The Cains were both excited to do this! I'll show you on facebook later...Well, I hope this has been fun for you! It came together like clockwork...I did all of this to prove to you that you are worth it Heather! Your smile lights up my day! I know I've messed up your birthday in the past and hopefully this makes up for it! Well, here it goes:
I hope you kept each clue that you've received
The last clue will be found in all of thses
Look back through them all and find what I mean
A number, a letter, it's one of these things
Whether C or a L or an I or a Z
A 4 or a 5 or and 8 or a 3.
The three was also written in marker and circled. :) I had noticed that at the top of every clue Cody had typed Clue #3. I honestly thought maybe that was the first clue he had typed and just forgot to change the number as he typed the other ones. Nope - even that was part of his plan. Clue 3 had taken me to Candlelite Inn and that's where I needed to head back to...at least that's what I thought and them Jamie and Aaron told me I was right. :)
So I drove back to Candlelite Inn. Any of you that know Arlington know now that this whole little adventure took me just under two hours! I walked in and there was Cody right at the front. Behind him were all our friends and family that had helped in his plan - and of course there were several video cameras on us! Cody then said some pretty amazing things and got down on his knee and asked me to marry him....again.
SOOOOOO much better than the proposal by the toilet!
He also told me that since he was proposing again we would need something to celebrate. Cody had already contacted our music minister (who just happens to be the coolest!) and had set up for us to renew our vows on our anniversary.
So there you have it. My pretty normally non romantic husband of almost five years did that. All of that. Normally whenever he tries anything romantic I can figure it out and I just try to act surprised. This time I was 100% surprised and had no clue that he was up to anything. He made me feel so special and loved that night and I can honestly say it was the best birthday present I have ever received!
We don't have all of the videos put together yet, but here is the actual reproposal part.
For my birthday this year Cody proposed to me. Yes, we're already married, so some people might think we're crazy. But those people don't know the whole story. You know, that story that always comes up when you're friends with girls - the "How did he propose?" story.
Hmmm...how did Cody propose the first time? All you need to know is that it was a foot away from a toilet.
Yep. You read that right the first time. A toilet. No, I wasn't using it (that's beyond gross). If you don't know the full story and want to, read this.
I wrote that a few years ago. At that time I not so jokingly would respond to Cody's, "What do you want for your birthday or Christmas?" questions with, "A new proposal." He never did and I eventually just stopped saying it for fear I was really hurting his feelings.
Then my birthday came this year. I 100% thought we were going to have a normal, yet fun day. When he had asked what I wanted to do I said I wanted more than anything to have a family day - meaning us doing something with Kaitlyn and going out to a nice, oh I don't know, Mexican dinner. That's always a safe bet with me.
So the day of my birthday that's how things started out. Cody went and got us all doughnuts and we had a fun family breakfast. My mom called and asked if K and I wanted to go to lunch later which we did. The rest of the day we played with Kaitlyn and just spent time together as a family. I thought it was perfect and quite honestly one of the best birthdays in a long time. For dinner I thought Cody was going to take us to Joe T Garcia's in Fort Worth, so I was mentally preparing for that.
Later on, a little after 5:00 Cody told me he had to go get my birthday present. In my mind I didn't think anything different was going on. Cody is known to wait until the last minute for gifts so I figured he either had something made or transferred to another store and it wasn't ready until then. So when he left I started to clean the kitchen thinking nothing of it.
And just a side note - I wish I could have a maid that only cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen. My life would be so much easier!
But back to our story....
Soon after Cody left the doorbell rang. I looked through our peephole and saw Cody's parents standing there with a gift. I thought it was weird that they didn't call, but simply thought maybe they had told Cody they were stopping by and he forgot what time or forgot to tell me or something along those lines. Again, I had no idea at this point anything different was going on. I opened the door, complete with dish towel slung across my shoulder, and let them in. Cody's dad had his new video camera on. At this point you would think most people would think something was up, but we had gone over to Cody's parents' house the night before for his mother's birthday. They had just bought the camera that day and were taping lots of things, so in my mind I thought Cody's dad was still having fun playing with his camera.
But then Cody's mother started talking....
She looked at me with this sneaky type smile and said they were here to pick up Kaitlyn and that I need to change into something nice. I told her that I needed to get some things ready for K, but she told me that they already had a packed bag and that everything concerning Kaitlyn was taken care of. She also handed me a clue.
Yep, now I knew something was up. :)
The clue was in a legal size envelope with the clasps and I was told to read it aloud...for the camera of course.
I looked down at the paper and the first thing I read was Clue #3. I told Cody's mother I think I had the wrong clue, but she just smiled and told me to keep reading. Hmmm....
So this is what I read:
First: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you enjoy your birthday gift. You will be given clues throughout the evening to take you to some places. As you can see, my parents will take Kaitlyn. Put on something nice that you have. Call me last resort!!! Jump in your car (PUT NOLAN UP!!!) and see clue below:
Fate is definitely what got us here today
But think really hard about what I am going to say
You said you knew when you heard my name
But don't go to the hall during this part of the game
It's in the same room we would sing in a pack
When you've got it figured out, go to the back
So I knew I was headed to Lamar High School. That's where Cody and I first met and I had a bit of a crush on him.
Okay, so it was a huge crush. :)
So I quickly ran upstairs and changed into something else and applied a bit more makeup and headed to my car. As soon as I turned on the car a cd started up. The first song I heard was "I Can Only Love You Like a Man." Little did I know how perfect this song would be later on....
The whole cd was full of songs that were special to us. I. love. that. cd. And it hasn't left my car since.
So of course at this point I'm thinking he's going to have clues taped up in certain spots and we'll end up at dinner. Seriously, that's what I thought and I was thrilled. But then I pulled into the Lamar parking lot.
That's when I see our friends Kim and Cory. Okay, so Cody planned a bit more than I thought....
Kim and Cory also had a clue and were videoing me. This is what I read in the next clue:
Very good grasshopper! I hope you said hi to the Leman family! I tried to make that clue easy to figure out. I may not be so nice in future clues. If you can't figure out where you are going, I will try to provide you a life line, but try not to use them. That is almost considered cheating!
This place we didn't frequent but the biggest of all
The setting if you remember was some time in the Fall
We were nervous; we were scared at what was to come
All I knew at the time was you made life fun
If we knew at the time this would bring forever bliss
Go to the first place we sealed our love with a kiss
Don't go inside, just look for something familiar to the both of us.
Well, I knew where our first kiss was - I just didn't know how to get there anymore. It was at our friend Melissa McKaime's old house. I looked at Kim and Cory and told them I had no clue where to go and they told me to turn on my GPS when I got in the car. I did only to find out that Cody had programmed the address in the GPS for me. I later found out that he had contacted Melissa, who in turn had to contact her mom, who contacted the new owners of the house to tell them what he was doing. Cody thought this thing through very hard! :)
Before I got to Melissa's old house I got a phone call from Cody telling me I needed to turn around because I had left something with Kim and Cory. I for sure wasn't going to argue with him, so I turned around and basically we killed time until Cody said it was okay. I knew something wasn't ready, but at this point I didn't care. In a few minutes Cory was given the okay that I could leave, so back to Melissa's house I went.
I pulled onto the street and soon saw my precious niece jumping up and down and waving the next clue. My sister-in-law, Candy, and brother-in-law, Casey, were there as well. They had a video camera on me the whole time just like the others.
I was sensing a common theme here.
The clue they gave me read:
That was easy enough, wasn't it? Casey & Candy looked excited didn't they??? At this time, you probably know where you are going next...Be careful not to jump the gun, there's a twist! Keep following the clues and you may find me. I don't know...you may even see me...
This clue is my favorite because of the meaning
When you talk about dating this is the beginning
Sad for the future but happy from the past
No matter what happens our memories will last
You can read by it, see with it, and do many more things
Go to the place that's made of wax and strings
That was an easy one for me - it was Candlelite Inn which is where we had our first real date. We had been pretty bummed to hear that it was closing and that's what all the references to being sad he made were about.
As I drove up there I saw our friends Ben and Cindy. Again with the taping - again with the clue.
You knew that one would be in there right? Did Ben & Cindy tell you GO MAVS?! I hope more than anything Ben didn't say Gig 'em! It pains me to even type that phrase...We are over halfway through this so you can SMELL the prize right now!!!
We go here a lot and this I do mean
I drink lots of water, you steal the caffeine
One glorious day though not done quite right
I asked you for your hand one February night (day, but it rhymed)
You completed my life, how happy we'd be
Go directly to the spot I got on one knee
Next stop - my parents house - specifically my room - more specifically my bathroom suite...yep... by THE toilet. The caffeine reference is something to blog about later...a bit of a family tradition if you will. :)
Now my dad was out of town, but my mom was there and you guessed it - she was filming me as well. But she didn't have a clue. So I went to the spot where Cody had asked and there was my clue.
Your mom knew about this and kept it from you?!? What is going on?!? Before you leave your parents' house, look in your closet....Put that dress on! Just thought it would be something nice!
This place is a LEGEND to me and to you
We had such a blast, hey, Joe Jackson wore that shoe (NOT)
The best night of my life, it was really nice
I can still hear it now, "This is paradise!" (Almost)
I knew from that day you'd fill up my heart
Remember that guy saying, "Don't touch that tarp!"
Again, don't go inside just look for some friends!
That would mean the Ballpark in Arlington. We had our wedding reception there and took pictures on the field. We got in trouble with security for touching the tarp on the pitcher's mound, but since Cody pitched in college and we were down there we just had to. :) But before I went I opened my closet. Cody had actually picked out a nice dress (in my size thankfully!) and even had two shoe options there for me. I married a smart, smart man.
On to the ballpark I went.
After a loopy turning around trip trying to park, I found Rex and Brenda with of course a camera and a clue. I cannot even begin to tell you how precious those two are to us. I just love them! Next clue:
Bet you didn't expect to see that!!! I know how much you love the Schimpfs and I do too! We have so many families to look up to! So close to the end now I bet you can taste it!
This destination is special for not only you and me
We will build the foundation for our family
When I think of this place and that wonderful day
I remember your beauty taking my breath away
Our family is rooted where we'll blossom and grow
To the place with the cross is where you must go!
Next stop - our church. :)
At the church I saw the Cain family with their precious Carson...who if arranged marriages work out might just marry Kaitlyn one day. :) They had the next clue which was finally the last one!
You have made it to the last clue!! The Cains were both excited to do this! I'll show you on facebook later...Well, I hope this has been fun for you! It came together like clockwork...I did all of this to prove to you that you are worth it Heather! Your smile lights up my day! I know I've messed up your birthday in the past and hopefully this makes up for it! Well, here it goes:
I hope you kept each clue that you've received
The last clue will be found in all of thses
Look back through them all and find what I mean
A number, a letter, it's one of these things
Whether C or a L or an I or a Z
A 4 or a 5 or and 8 or a 3.
The three was also written in marker and circled. :) I had noticed that at the top of every clue Cody had typed Clue #3. I honestly thought maybe that was the first clue he had typed and just forgot to change the number as he typed the other ones. Nope - even that was part of his plan. Clue 3 had taken me to Candlelite Inn and that's where I needed to head back to...at least that's what I thought and them Jamie and Aaron told me I was right. :)
So I drove back to Candlelite Inn. Any of you that know Arlington know now that this whole little adventure took me just under two hours! I walked in and there was Cody right at the front. Behind him were all our friends and family that had helped in his plan - and of course there were several video cameras on us! Cody then said some pretty amazing things and got down on his knee and asked me to marry him....again.
SOOOOOO much better than the proposal by the toilet!
He also told me that since he was proposing again we would need something to celebrate. Cody had already contacted our music minister (who just happens to be the coolest!) and had set up for us to renew our vows on our anniversary.
So there you have it. My pretty normally non romantic husband of almost five years did that. All of that. Normally whenever he tries anything romantic I can figure it out and I just try to act surprised. This time I was 100% surprised and had no clue that he was up to anything. He made me feel so special and loved that night and I can honestly say it was the best birthday present I have ever received!
We don't have all of the videos put together yet, but here is the actual reproposal part.
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