3 year mark

3 years.

36 months.

156 weeks.

1095 days.

They all add up to the amount of time that T and I have been married.

It's been bliss.  It's been work.  It's been passion and love.  It's been happy summers and long school days.  It's been once a week mac and cheese nights.  It's been first-time gardening.  It's been days of service.  

There have been days of frustration and irritation.  We've learned from our mistakes and moved forward through our weaknesses.  Our strengths have added to our relationship.  "Mine" and "Yours" has been combined to "ours."  

I can honestly say that I've never had more fun than I have being married.  T is my best friend.  He truly is my everything.  He knows exactly what buttons to push to make me irritated, but he also knows exactly what to do to make me feel loved and appreciated.

I love him.   He's my dreamboat.  

Today he surprised me with a beautifully sentimental gift that I will treasure throughout our marriage.

It came in this box...

It's something you can wear around your neck...

It's a gorgeous heart charm.  If you look a little closer you can see a special engraving on the inside of the heart...

{freckle neck}

T had it engraved to say, "T's pretty girl."  It's an adorable endearment that T calls me.  I've always been his "pretty girl."  And for a girl that hasn't always been confident about how she looks, he's the best confidence boost.

T woke up to a special gift, too!  

His very own iPod Nano. He wanted the smaller size to wear in a watchband and to run with.  He was one happy and surprised hubby this morning!

T spoiled me even further with fresh tulips when I got home from S.E.P conferences today!  He has classes until 8:30 tonight and he was so sweet to let me know that he was still thinking of me.  Doesn't get much better than that.

It's been a great 3 years.  

I'm so excited to see what the next 3 years brings us.  It's going to be good.

I just know it.

The True Meaning of Christmas

I thought I'd share with you a beautiful gift we were given this past week.
It's our very first nativity.

This picture is off the internet and ours is similar to this one. Except imagine that ours has every famous nativity figure contained inside and the characters are sharper-rather than smooth. Ours seem to have much more character and detail also.

It is made out of one of the olive branches from when the trees are pruned every two years so they can bear fruit. It's absolutely beautiful and is one of the first things that many of our neighbors see and compliment when they enter our home.

The woman who gave this beautiful gift to us is quite the amazing lady. She is one of the most selfless, giving, and caring people that I know. I have grown up with her in my life and my life would be quite different without her in it. It is because of her that I was able to discover my love for oil-painting. She bought me my very first CTR ring when I was baptized and helped me recognize the blessings that come from choosing the right. She helped make some of my wedding dreams come true. She has always been there if I need a hug and she was one of the ones that always complimented me in my awkward teenage years. She always points out the positive and I don't think I will ever be able to thank her for being a Christlike example and a very dear friend and family member to me.

She has also helped me see the true meaning of Christmas this season amidst independent study classes, gift-giving, and the Christmas sweets. Every time I look at our nativity, I'm reminded of who I need to remember in this season. Christ is my Savior and my Redeemer and without him, I would not be who I am or where I am today.

My heart overflows with love for this incredible woman.

Thank you, Becky.