I can't say I love him as much as on our wedding day...

How's that for an anniversary declaration?  "Hey babe!  Happy anniversary!  I can't believe it has been four years... I absolutely do not love you as much as I did on our wedding day."

Well, anyone who knows Alex and me can figure out where this is going.  No, I most certainly do not love my husband less than I did when we said "I do" four amazing years ago.  But I don't love him "just as much" as I did on that day, either.  In fact, I find the "I'm just as much in love with you as I was back then" sentiment (taken literally) to be a profoundly sad one.  If I haven't learned to grow in my love for my husband in these last four years, then I have seriously been slacking.  I mean, it would take a conscious effort to not love him more as I've gotten to know him even better and have seen what an amazing husband and father he is.  I loved him an awful lot when he proposed to me with candles and music and roses and champagne.  I love him so much more as he's daily dying to self to care for a feisty toddler, an energetic preschooler, and an overly emotional pregnant wife!  And I trust that by the grace of the sacrament of our marriage I will continue to love him more and better until, God willing, we are perfectly united in loving God in heaven.

maybe a little ways to go before perfect union...

It reminds me of what St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13: "But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away... For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood" (vv. 10 and 12).  The more I understand, and the more fully I am understood, the more I love.  When I married Alex I certainly knew enough to know I loved him; every day I learn a little bit more and love a little bit more.  I knew he would be a great father from watching him interact with his niece; now I marvel over and over at what an incredible father he is every time I see him interact with our boys.  And so on and so forth :)

Happy anniversary my love--here's to many more years of learning to love!

Theme Thursday: Lights

One of my favorite things about Advent and Christmas is the lights.  Lying on the floor under the Christmas tree watching the lights and the shadows they cast, driving around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, candles (okay, that's a year-round thing with me), etc.  In fact, tonight I really wanted to bundle us all up and hop in the van for a neighborhood Christmas lights tour.  I would have, too, if it were above zero.  Instead, I'm enjoying the virtual our over at Clan Donaldson tonight!

Alex got me this statue of the Holy Family for Christmas last year, and the infinity candle was a gift from my mother-in-law a couple years ago.  Obviously, great taste in gifts runs in that family (lucky me!).  Please ignore the fingerprints and dust on the glass--was not expecting the camera to pick that up.

So, that's it!  Happy Thursday of the first week of Advent, and head over to Clan Donaldson to look at the lights!

Quick, before it's too late...

Winter is rolling down from the mountains.  According to the local news, we hit a high of 54 (pretty typical for the gorgeous fall with which we've been spoiled) around 11:30, and the temperature has been plummeting ever since.  Depending on whom you ask, we're expecting anywhere from 3 to 24 inches of snow in the next 24 hours.  In addition to that, we're looking for highs (yes, highs) in the low teens through the weekend.  I'm chilled just thinking about it.

So, before winter descends in all its frigidness (frigidity?), here are some last glimpses of our glorious fall.

I don't think Michael is ever happier than when he is "helping" Daddy around the house or yard--be it mowing the lawn, hammering nails, raking leaves, grilling dinner, etc.

Happy birthday, Liam!

Linking up with Cari at Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Shaming because I'm waaaay ashamed that it took me almost three weeks to post about Liam's birthday.  I don't even have a good excuse...

I think Liam is ashamed that he has a mother who insisted on stuffing his poor one-year-old head into the same hat
he was forced to wear for Christmas pictures at 7 weeks old

It was a day of profile shots--all the pictures of Liam actually looking at the camera came out blurry

The last in the series.  At this point he finally decided that the playground mulch
looked too delicious to be ignored any longer.  Also, those are "I need a nap" eyes.

Dearest Liam, I can't believe you're already one year (and 2.5 weeks) old.  This time last year your daddy and I were marveling over how you would fall asleep and then stay asleep when we put you down.  Now we're rejoicing that you are (finally) sleeping through the night (somewhat) consistently.  But sleeping or not, you are such a joy.

From the very first months of your life you were the most ticklish baby I had ever seen, and I still can't resist tickling your ribs every time I pull a shirt over your head (mean, I know--I'll be sorry when you're big enough to tickle back).  You have always been such a happy little person, and it is so exciting to see you express your personality more and more every day (even your temper--I know it's hard to wait for food and deal with a brother who is still learning how to share).

Speaking of brothers, Michael absolutely adores you, and I love to see your friendship developing even now.  Including the mini-fights over toys.  I hope you keep that special smile just for Michael forever; and I know you'll have another one for John Paul when you meet him (and thanks for not caring that mama's belly keeps getting bigger and bigger).

I love how you clap and try to say "all done" when you're done eating, and how you raise your arms and say "Dah!" for tada (and how all done and tada sound just about the same).  Your occasional "mama"s and "dada"s melt my heart.  I know I'm not supposed to wish the time away, but I can't wait for you to start talking more!

You are so precious to us, Liam Roderick!  I can't wait for all that God has in store for you.

Birthday cookies turtle

Not quite sure...

Oh, that was pretty good after all!

7 Quick Takes (vol. 33)

--- 1 ---

We're still alive.  We're even all pretty much healthy (I've just come to consider the Colorado-dry-winter-sniffles to be status quo for all four of us).  I just can't manage to keep things going and blog semi-regularly.  I love my job, but commuting to the Springs three times a week is draining me of all ability to do much more than survive the rest of the week.

But last week I did wash, dry, fold, and put away all the laundry (except Liam's--washed, dried, folded, and still in the basket sitting in his closet) within 48 hours.  That's an all-time record for me.  Yep, I'm pretty proud of myself.

--- 2 ---

Speaking of Liam, yes he did turn 1 year old.  Yes, we did celebrate.  Yes, I did take pictures.  Yes, that blog post is still unwritten.  Oops.

two weeks before the birthday... close enough for now

--- 3 ---

Also speaking of Liam, he seems to be waking up from his nap.  Can I get through four more takes before he loses all patience with his bunny and sippy cup all by his lonesome in the crib?  Probably.  Can I do it while Michael incessantly demands to know where I put the little drummer (no idea what he's talking about)?  Not sure.

--- 4 ---

Speaking of Michael, he's in a dumping phase.  As in, the first order of business any time he comes down to the playroom is to dump out his huge bin of MegaBloks and his giant box of Lincoln Logs.  And then to play with something else.  Not my favorite.

Michael making fish (?) soup out of Lincoln Logs in the midst of his dumping aftermath

Note Liam in the background happily chomping away on Percy.  I'm sure Liam thinks that Michael dumps out all the toys for his sole benefit.

--- 5 ---

On the other hand, Michael and Liam playing (more or less) happily together, sharing snacks, and making each other laugh hysterically is absolutely my favorite.  Here's snack time earlier this week (on the dining room floor, because that's where M wanted to eat his snack, and I was well beyond caring--especially since it kept both of them busy and happy for a solid five minutes):

--- 6 ---

Another thing I love: how much Michael enjoys playing dress up.  Whether it's the assortment of awesome costumes at Cici & Papa's house or just a bowl as a hard hat or a blanket for a cloak at our house (we are sadly lacking in the costume department... something I intend to remedy whenever the stars align for motivation, energy, time, and the courage to tackle my new sewing machine [which I have also been meaning to blog about and haven't gotten around to yet]... possibly by Christmas?) he gets pretty excited about it.  Cousins to dress up with are an added bonus.

apparently one of Alex's costumes from when he was little--
I would love to get my hands on that picture to compare side-by-side!

a knight with a sword and a dragon with a gun...
but I was informed they were off to hunt "bad guys" and not each other

--- 7 ---

Well, after that one squawk Liam seems to have fallen back to sleep (or decided his bunny is better company for the moment than his mom and brother).  Guess I better go switch laundry around.  And I had darn well better take Michael--as soon as he saw me with a laundry basket this morning he started following me around "Need help you wif yawndry! Need help you!"  If I leave his line of sight without warning him he frantically starts searching for me to make sure I'm not sneaking away to do "yawndry" without his help.  It's his favorite chore, and it's awfully sweet.  He also loves to help with sweeping and yard work.  I'm hoping this helpful streak lasts a loooooong time.

Go see Jen and the rest for more Quick Takes!  
Happy Friday :)