DRY Ink

This week Jeff and I begin a march towards our 10 year anniversary on Thursday. This march involves ballet classes, football practice, early dismissal and work for Jeff. (Don’t hate our glamorous life.) But while all that must be endured, we will be leaving Wednesday for a 4 star hotel in New Orleans and a Trash the Dress photo session in the Quarter. There are other details too, that I won’t bore you with. Just suffice it to say it is everything that I want. I am so excited about this extravaganza that I can hardly breathe. In fact I am completely unsure how I will survive until Wednesday, when we leave. (That would be my luck, to die before any of this actually happens.)

Again, I’m going to spare you the I’m having my hair done, shopping and over all being indulged details, but what I do want you to know is that I know how truly blessed I am. That I have gotten to spend the last 10 years with a man that would agree to put on a suit he wore 10 years ago and spend tons of money to make my dreams come true. To a man that always puts me first no. matter. what. To a man that I have experienced some of the roughest times of my life, but with him by my side, I not only survived, I have prospered. He has my made my life better. Period. He not only blesses my life and my family’s, (he didn’t have to accept Jacob, he didn’t have to work 2 and 3 jobs so that I could stay home with the cherubs) but he blessed the lives of so many others. He makes me a better person, and through that I am able to help others. He is the man behind the curtain. The machine that makes all this run.

So I guess what I want Jeff to know is, thanks for the last 10 years. I hope you know what you have done and how much I appreciate you. Thanks for being my best friend.

Here’s to the next 10 years and some great pictures to remember it all.

I’ve decided to dedicate July, or what’s left of it, to truth. I really like this idea, especially because there is a lot of truths I’m having to learn in my life right now. Don’t get me wrong, things are great, I mean REALLY great. It’s just that they are completely different from how I thought my life would look at this point. Or even look if it was really great. And that’s okay, as I’m now learning.

Take work for example. I’ve repetitively said I would quit when I became licensed. That’s just not happening, even if I wanted to. Between shortages, schedules and hiring freezes, there is no way in hell I’m leaving my office high and dry right now. But here’s the truth of it: I don’t want to. Since starting the application process and becoming licensed, I find myself much more energized. I no longer feel like a second class citizen, doing the same things as everyone else and getting over looked and paid half. Mostly because, well, I’m not any more. That’s helped, I have to admit, but there’s more. Somewhere in this process I have found my bliss again. I have relearned why I do this. Part of this is due to some successes I’ve had and part of it is just really being needed. But what ever it is, it’s working. At least for now. I’m not saying I’m now immune to burn out. It is still there, I feel it below the surface, but for now it is staying below and as long as it does, I’m going to keep my head down and keep working. And hopefully helping and making a difference for some people.

So this is where I sit today, as I try to wrap up some projects around the house before heading out to Beach Week ’09. Which is no easy task, because I’ve recently discovered decorating blogs. (I know, as usual, I’m really late to the party.) I started building a new bench for the mud room at eight o’clock last night. Jeff has threaten to put parental control software on my laptop to monitor the use of my newly discovered porn. (Yes, it is that bad. How did I not know this stuff was out there people? I blame you.)

But I’m gonna keep sitting, and working and killing Jeff with my late night/heel wearing projects, because I’m liking where I’m sitting right now. It’s different, but it’s really comfortable.

Now let’s get packed people, ’cause we head out early in the morning. No pushing or shoving and last one on the beach is a rotten egg.

*Completely stolen from Rae, who stole it from her nephew.

Dear Intrawebs,
Sometimes, when Jeff plays golf alone?
Yeah, then?
He cheats.
Yep, now just go and wrap your mind around that.
Hugs and Kisses,
Erika

Does any one know who this guy is?

Yeah, me neither.

And Bunny thought the beard was bad.

*I was going to post these tomorrow, so as not to double post, but I just can’t wait. We make this look good.*

Saturday, we headed out to the State Capitol for a family photo shoot. Our photographer took some fantastic pictures. Becky treated me to a sneak preview, and now you get to see them too. Lucky you!

Look at that crowd. You do not want to meet them in a dark alley.

Hard core cherubs. Do not make any sudden movements.

Oh look, the gangs all here.

Becky kept saying “She has so much personality!” Were looking into where that came from.

Dance baby, dance.

Awww, look what we made honey.

My monkey. I love that buck toothed boy. Even if he is the world’s youngest teenager. And yes, I am running his life.

How did he get bigger than me. I did not approve this people.

Really, I’m the only one who committed here. Work with me people.

My stair steps. Sorta.

A big thank you to Becky Thalgott Photography for her amazing pictures. You can see more a few more here. You know you want to!

BTW Becky has a guest post up over at Lexi’s blog (which is how I found her), where she gives some fantastic basic photography tips.