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I went on a date with a guy that I'd known for a few years. His name was Curtis. I'd always thought he was cute, but we were just friends. We shot together on the UCDavis Rifle & Pistol Team: he captained the rifle team, and I captained the pistol team. I had to go present a thank you plaque that night to the local Sportsmen's Club for sponsoring our teams. I wanted someone to go with me, because I hate public speaking, and my knight in shining armor volunteered to go and give me moral support.

We had a great time, and talked and talked. He drove me alllll the way back to my apartment before asking if I wanted to go get a beer. I said yes, and we did. I didn't confess until months later that I was terrified that I would get carded and my cover blown because he didn't know I had a fake ID, let alone know that my name was supposed to be "Monique" or something.

That night we made plans to go to the AC/DC concert together. We made a bet on what song they'd open with (I won - it was Back in Black), and ate Subway sandwiches and drank beer in the parking lot. And after that I think we had plans for dinner somewhere on another night. And after that, he invited me to his place for dinner one night because "he had some extra broccoli he had to use up". (No joke, that was his "line" and I bought it.) And after that....we were inseparable. Well - in our hearts anyway. See, we'd known each other for several years before we started dating. And we started dating just 2 months before he left to start active duty...in Missouri. So, we spent the next two years having a long distance relationship...which should never have worked. They never do, do they? But ours did. And when we were finally together again - instead of having all that awkwardness to overcome from have a relationship that had always endured separation...it was just wonderful to be together again.

And now, 11 years layer, we're still living our happily ever after.... Happy "Dating" Anniversary, Sweets. IVU!

The house is taking its toll on our overall health here. We had another trip to the ER today. This time, it was Curtis' turn. He was using 2 wrenches to tighten a fitting and one of them slipped and he wacked himself in the eye with the wrench. It went from a nasty little cut, to a nasty cut with a lump, to a big fat purple swollen shut eye in a matter of hours. Poor baby.

At least we're keeping our sense of humor. They had to close the wound with glue in the ER. I kept muttering, “That’ll teach him to sass ME.” He threatened to confide in the ER nurse about the spousal abuse he suffers. So I asked him why he was flirting with the other girl in the waiting room. He kept WINKING at her. Anyway...it sounds like he’ll live. Unless he loses his voice because Anna and I keep asking him to make pirate noises.

Just after it happened....


30 minutes or so later....


An hour later....


Post ER with superglue attached.....By the way...his eye is OPEN here....

I know we probably should correct these little thing, so that she learns, but what the hell. She'll learn eventually - she's SO bright. And for now, they're just too cute to correct:

Marote: The device used to change the channels on the TV. Example: "Mommy, will you please give me the marote control?"

Our-chothers / Their-chothers: Variations of "each other" combined with "our" and "their". Example: "The brother and sister and helping their-chothers with their chores."

It's moments like these...…that make it all worth it. After hours upon hours of back breaking work on Anna’s birthday Barbie cake…my hands stained hot pink, my hair a wreck, the kitchen demolished and my clothes covered in powdered sugar……I called Anna and said, “OK – come look at your Barbie cake!”

She came into the kitchen, and the expression on her face was priceless., Then she said……

“Well, Mommy, I don’t think you did it right. It doesn’t look at all like the picture.”

And without any further prompting….

“…but I do still love you.”

So much for gratitude. Ha ha ha. She is so funny.

*UPDATE* - This morning she thinks that Barbie is beautiful. A little sleep does a girl wonders, huh? :)

In honor of her fourth birthday today, this is the prayer that Anna "made up" at bedtime:

Dear God,

Thank you for four beautiful years for me. And thank you for making all of the stuff to make cakes and for all of the stuff to make toys and lovies.

Amen.

I second all of the above....