A Perfect 10

Dear 10 Months of Marriage-

I feel like it's taken us forever to get to you and then in the next second, I can't believe it's only been 10 months since you changed my life forever. I've looked forward to this day for a while now, knowing that if we could make it 10 months, we are only two months away from one of the greatest celebrations in our lives. I've learned in these 10 months though, to celebrate the small steps along with the huge leaps and that's why I'm writing to you.

You've consumed our lives, Marriage. You are on my mind at any given moment of the day while I weave my cart through the aisle of my favorite grocery store, seeking inspiration for a new meal that will wow my treasured husband, keeping in mind I'm already running later than I planned to be. I think of you and how you've changed my life for the better when I'm trying to fall asleep in our huge bed when Husband is away fighting a fire. I'd give just about anything for him to be home but I'm so at peace knowing that our marriage is a strong foundation on which we are building our life.

You are the reason I love holding Ian's hand. I love feeling that dry, rough skin remembering our first night in Jamaica where we marveled at our new wedding rings in the moonlight.  We added to our forever plans on that beach. Some were simple ones like scuba diving together, taking advantage of mimosa's with breakfast and promising to always kiss goodnight. Others were major plans of babies, investment accounts, our mutual desire to have a house full of books and how I would never be the one to make the coffee because Ian can't drink sludge at home when it's often the only option at fire camp. I remember Ian continually fidgeting with his ring, his slight grin so obvious without his beard. I love this daily reminder of the covenant we made before God to be great forgivers, passionate lovers and each other's protectors.

You've been a challenge, Marriage and I know you'll still find ways to test us. In the last ten months though, thanks to you, our trust is deeper. We laugh so much more and are learning not to sweat the small stuff. My tears ducts are still very over active but Ian's patience has grown. I cry, he laughs, we kiss and then I sigh with contentment that I married the one my soul loves. You've forced us to be ones who listen to not just the words of each other but heart. You had stretched us as forgivers. Without you, both of us may still be too independent for our own good. Our horizon has expanded, our sense of adventure has heightened. We are better together than we ever were apart. Our differences are pale in comparison to our similarities.

We've embraced you, Marriage and we so look forward to what you have in store for us over the next 80 years or so. We're excited for the day that we're celebrating 10 years instead of 10 months. We can't wait to look back on this year and see how strong we are and yet full of grace. May you always remind us to love as fiercely as we currently do. May we continue to celebrate you with sticky notes plastered all around as a  Welcome Home. Please let us always find things to laugh about until we don't even know why we are laughing. Let us fight fair, for our marriage, our love, our family...but remind us to always fight together and never against each other. Give us babies (one at a time and not quite yet), and wisdom to prioritize us when huge change occurs. I hope we always find the joy in evenings spent drinking tea and watching football, knowing that it's the perfect pair on a perfect night because it's so us. Help us to never compare our love to anyone else's because ours is more than enough. 

Thank you for changing us. Thank you for taking over the every day and giving new meaning to life. We're going to keep you around, Marriage- at any expense. We made it 10 months into one of the toughest years of our lives and we are still standing, still loving and so looking forward to the future. We're going to give our best so that our marriage will be one that our great-grand kids strive for. Centered in Jesus. Abundant in love. Forgiving and kind, laugh lines obvious when we smile. 

The kind that makes by-passers stop for a second and hope for the same flame with the one they love. 

Here's to forever and a day with the One I prayed for and would give my life for. 

The best is yet to come! 

Love, 

Katie 

Summer Lovin'

My dear blog has been severely neglected over the summer, much to my chagrin. I think of it daily but I've been so overwhelmed with writers block and the desire to overshare so I've avoided this place. But not tonight, I can't resist the urge to share tonight. So here I sit, sipping on a glass of wine, sort of watching Mountain Men, missing the hubs and also so happy at all the love my summer has consisted of.

I think every now and then we all need a reminder that sometimes love isn't about cupid. Love isn't  always a war. Love isn't always feelings, sometimes it's moments. I've really been reminded lately in little ways how although Ian is often gone, I still have great summer love happening. Would I prefer for him to be here for it, absolutely...but that isn't our life so I choose to love my life no matter where the one I love is.

Here's a look at how lovely this summer has been.

I took Ian to Seattle for his 30th birthday to see the New York Yankees (yes, he is a real, life long fan who attended games as a kid. No bandwagon comments, please) play the Seattle Mariners. We had 4 days of fun in a city he had never been to doing some exploring but mainly eating seafood. 

The flower stands are always my favorite at Pike Street Market. 

A perfect night on the giant Ferris Wheel over the water. We timed it perfectly and saw a stunning sunset. (Also, I cannot handle how cute that bearded smile is!!) 

The perfect all-American birthday. Beer and baseball. (Don't ask which one we spent more money on.) 

Celebrating my birthday on the viewing deck of the Space Needle. It was incredible to actually spend our birthdays together (this has never happened for us so we soaked up the celebration time!) 

We ended our time in Seattle laying in the grass by the fountain, listening to music and thanking God for 4 uninterrupted days together during fire season. 

Sister time! Both Emma and I have had a lot happening over the summer and most of it hasn't been on the fun or easy side of things. We snatched up the opportunity one night for some quality time together which resulted in the picture below which clearly needs no caption. I am always so thankful for God giving me this one as a sister. She is all together lovely, hilarious, wise and so fun. 

Spontaneity. 

My incredible friend Serrah is a wild land firefighter and so summer for her is usually spent away from home, sweating profusely and lacking free time so this past weekend we grabbed the rare opportunity of both of us having a day off and ventured to Sun Valley for an incredible outdoor symphony. And the wine was ALMOST as good as the music. 

Home Improvements. 

I've loved spending time making our house feel like more of a home than a bachelor pad. I feel like we've reached a middle ground that suits both Ian and I. Knowing that our bookshelves are mixed with books we both love, our yard was a project we did together and seeing the antlers he's collected mixed in amongst our decor just makes this space feel like our stamp as a couple is on it. 

Birthday Flowers and Celebrations with my "Net"

What girl doesn't love a gorgeous delivery at work from her favorite florist? 

 (I value and appreciate these women like no other! They have been such needed parts of my life this year. They are the net that catches me when I fall and I'm ever so thankful for them. My birthday dinner overlooking that canyon was unforgettable.) 

Husband with my favorite 3 year old. What more do I need to explain??

LOVE 

Tupper Lee. 

My best friend Whitney gave birth to sweet Tupper Lee last September. I remember Whit placing Tup in my arms a mere 3 hours after she was born, introducing me to Tup as "Auntie Kate". I was instantly taken with this blue eyed babe who has always had major cheeks. This summer both Whit and Tup have been a huge source of love for me. I love loving them! 

These balloons were a part of a fun project I did with some kids. We wrote love notes to their mom and dad, tied them to the end of the ballon and then let the balloons float to the ceiling in their living room. I love this picture simply because it just looks like happiness but also because at the end of each string was a declaration of love. 

I hope no matter where you are today that you take just a minute to find the love that's all around you!