7 years

7 years today. How things change, and how they stay the same. We were musing yesterday about how different our life is now, with three and a half kids, one great Target job, a house with a yard, an inability to stay up too late... 7 years ago we had a two bedroom apartment, two so-so jobs at Toys and Babies "R" Us (I still work there but it almost doesn't count because my real job, M-F plus Sat and Sun and all day and all night kind of takes center stage,) a habit of going to the midnight showings of various movies... Little did I know back then that I wouldn't miss any of that. We must have been so bored! In love, yes, and delighted by our new found status as "married" but really, what did we actually do? Derek has become more and more the excellent husband. I could extol his many virtues but he might be embarrassed. I can and will say with all due fanfare that he is the best father ever! I knew he liked kids, liked to play, was sometimes a kid himself but I had no idea!!! A most excellent father and excellent parenting partner to this stay at home mom. Ready to jump in and play so I can have a break, rescuing me when the midnight wakefulness of the kids is ready to send me over the edge, exhibiting mucho coolness in showing our children all the adventures this world has waiting for us to embark upon... I could go on... Thanks, D, for seven remarkable years. I am so blessed that you chose me! Love-Wife

What about Cathryn??

Far be it for me to argue any such substantially accurate point with my wonderful wife of 7 years...the other side of this partnership of course is my Cathryn...

So the one to sacrifice for our family, our children...so the one to always take on a new challenge--whether it's as "simple" as hosting a garage sale, or as encompassing as running the nursery at church, she is simply amazing. The fact that our children lack of nothing in terms of her time, creativity, teaching, and overall time management, is a testament to how wonderful a mother she is and will continue to be.

I know as we look to the 4th and likely final child, we wonder how "phase III" of our life together will be...no doubt more of what we've seen this year already--less diapers, more active kids, and more events to take them to...not to mention them heading off to "big school" like Tyler will do for kindergarten this fall. They do grow up fast...

I am blessed to have Cathryn in my life, and I know many of you have felt the blessings she showers in all of her wonderful things she brings to our lives. I love you honey.