I Didn't See This Coming

While I was cleaning up tonight while waiting for my coffee to brew (yes, I have a cup of coffee with a little tupperware container of dry cereal every night) something funny happened. I really, really missed Mckenna. Such a big part of me wanted to burst into her room, wake her up, take her out of her crib and just hang out with her. I've had similar feelings for the past couple of weeks, but they seem to just be getting stronger. I really miss my daughter when I'm not with her.

Now, many of you are probably thinking "what's the big deal? This doofus misses his kid", but for me, it is a big deal. I've been consistent with the fact that I'm not a baby guy. I like babies. I've always enjoyed playing with babies. I always gooed and gawed them at grocery stores, restaurants and friends' homes. But, I never thought that I would be a big baby guy with one of my own. Yeah, I'd be there for her and do absolutely anything for Mckenna or my wife, but the thought of a baby didn't really get me uber excited. I always found myself fast-forwarding to the "throw the ball in the backyard" stage.

**NOTE: I can see this post getting a little misconstrued, but please bear with me. I'm the most blessed guy in the world and Mckenna was an answer to my prayers. I've been absolutely smitten for the past 8 months and have been given yet another reason to wake up and kick booty every day...as if Mandi wasn't enough already. I'm hoping some of you dads or even moms kinda get what I'm trying to get at in this post**

Well, lately, I'm a baby guy. At least, a my baby girl kind of a guy. I don't know if it's her ever-developing personality or the fact that she makes me feel like I make her day, but whatever it is, she's got me. I find myself eager to fall asleep at night because that means I'm closer to being able to see her smiley face and bright blue eyes in the morning. I find myself waiting in bed like a little kid full of anticipation waiting for Mandi to bring her to me in the morning so we can have our traditional "tug on daddy's oxygen tubing" time. I actually look forward to just sitting with her in the playroom and watching her decide which toy she's going to play with. I never thought that I would fall this fast. I thought I could hold out until she was a bit older.

I have a confession: I've fallen for this little girl and I can't wait to spend every day showing her why God chose me to be her dad.

I never thought I'd be that guy, but then again, I've never had my own little girl before.

The Things I Love to Hate

I opened up a blank blog to write my Mandi Monday and found myself staring at the screen for awhile. I don't have much to share (other than a HUGE congrats to my sister-in-law's brother - my brother-in-law once removed? - he got married yesterday, Sunday, to a WONDERFUL girl. It was an awesome ceremony and a fun reception). But as I sat staring, wondering what to write about, Ronnie sat next to me doing two things that I love and hate all at the same time. With that, the writer's block was gone. "I know," I thought, "I'll write about the things that Ronnie does that I love and hate all at the same time." Figured you might like to learn some odd, adorable, annoying stuff that Ronnie does.

You know the kind of stuff I'm talking about. It's that stuff your spouse does that kind of gets under your skin at the time it's happening, but you actually find it really adorable and endearing when you think about it. Ronnie has a handful of habits that test my patience at times, but they make me smile when I think about them. Some of the things I knew before we were married, some things I found out after we tied the knot. But they're the kind of things that you pick up on when you know someone really well. They're things that aggravate me at times, but some of the things that I love most about him - because they are so unique to him. So here they are - what I love and hate that Ronnie does:

1. Ronnie will sniff, and then get caught in a spastic, uncontrollable sniffing frenzy. It's like he gets "stuck". He'll sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff without realizing it. It drives me nutso. I generally have to get him to snap out of it by saying, "do you need a tissue?" or "knock it off, you're sniffing"...because I don't think he even realizes it.
2. During University of Arizona games (doesn't matter what sport) he sits on the edge of the sectional, closest to the TV. Not comfortably and relaxed. He sits WAY on the edge, upright, generally fidgeting with his fingers or toes, COMPLETELY focused on the screen. Then if they win or there's a good play, he'll stand up and clap LOUDLY walking around the room. Not so much annoying, but it makes me tense to watch him watch a game!
3. Ronnie has a face twitch (which he claims he does when his eyes are dry). It's the craziest face twitch ever. It's like an incredibly intense blink, only it's a circular motion of his whole face. It's like his face does the wave. One side of his face scrunches and then the twitch hops to the other side, all in a quick second. I always know what he's mid face twitch because I can hear that "spitty" sound from his mouth, when his cheek moves away from his teeth. This, like his sniffing, can become compulsive, and he'll start doing it really frequently until I tell him he's twitching or simply mock him by doing it back at him...ahh a wife's love.
4. He INSISTS on making the bed in the morning. This is typically an awesome thing (because he usually just does it by himself before I can even help), but it turns into a not so great thing when we're running late, need to leave to get somewhere, but we have to first make the bed. Realistically, it's only a 1 minute job if we're both doing it...but 1 minute seems like a lot when you're late!
5. If we're watching TV and I make comments or share my analysis of the situation happening on screen and he wants to just focus on the show OR I'm stating the obvious he'll say, "RIGHHHHHHHT" but in a crazy voice that starts quiet, gets loud, and goes quiet again, that sounds more like, "wwwhhhhIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIte." (capital "I" being the loud part)
6. He knows I scare easily, so he'll hide in random parts of the house when he knows I'm looking for him, so he can catch me off guard and startle me - it almost always works unless Jezzabel finds him first, ruining the surprise. (I sometimes try to get him back by hiding and jumping out at him...but somehow he ALWAYS knows I'm there).
7. Ronnie thinks it's funny to randomly honk the horn while driving. He probably wouldn't do it very often, but the first time he did it I got on his case, telling him, "it's illegal" (I did in fact google it...and I think it is actually illegal to honk for no reason, although no very easy to enforce). Needless to say, he probably only does it so often because he likes the exchange. HONK. "Ronnie, no. It's illegal." Recently, he started making up reasons to honk the horn, so my "it's illegal" would be unfounded. Now he'll randomly honk the horn and yell, "GET OUT OF THE ROAD" while "shooing" the imaginary people out of the road. And another car thing he likes to do (maybe could be #8 or tied into #6, but I'll just put it here) is that if he's driving and knows I'm zoned out, he'll tap the breaks and throw his arm across me as if we're about to get in an accident, just to make me panic.

Welp, that's all that comes to mind. Perhaps I'll have him post a list of the things I do that he loves to hate. I tell you what though, writing this list I had the biggest smile on my face...so I think that means I love these things about him far more than they drive me nutso at the time :) I'm not crazy in this right? You guys must also have things that you love to hate about people you love and care about. Leave comments of all the adorable, endearing, annoying things you favorite people do.

Today is a very special day

One year ago today, Mandi and I took a HUGE leap in our relationship and got engaged. It was certainly one of the most nerve wracking times of my life (as you can see on the video here), but also the best decision I have ever made. I can still remember picking up the ring at the jewelry store and just sitting in my truck for what seemed like hours staring at it. I can still remember all of the stories I had to give Mandi as to what I was doing to cover up for all my covert-ops to pick out the ring. Most importantly I can still recall all of the crazy emotions that I was feeling the days leading up to and the days after the engagement.

As I sit here and reflect on the year that has passed, I'd have to say that the best thing that has happened is those "new love" feelings haven't changed a bit. I still feel a rush every time Mandi walks into the room. When we were engaged I could look you in the eye and tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I had the best fiancee walking this planet. Now I can sit here and tell you that my wife is undoubtedly the best wife known to mankind. I'm just so proud to be her husband. I respect everything about her and am just floored that I actually landed her. She's WAY out of my league and I'm still trying to figure out what drug she was on to think I was an alright guy.

So Mandi, I love you, I cherish you and my love for you has never wavered and only gets stronger by the day. I still can't believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you. Whether it's one year or 100 years, know that I will always live my life as if it was our final day. You deserve more than I could ever give, but I will spend every day of my life trying to show you, through my actions, that you've made me complete and I am forever grateful. Love you honey.

Weekend Recap: I Love My Husband

Multiple times this weekend I thought to myself, "I love my husband." (I hope not all of you just thought, "YUCK-O. Newlyweds!") Well, I'll see your disgust and raise you some cheese. Ready for it? I think this relatively often. I know, I know, stop it already!

But seriously, this weekend I found myself thinking, "I love my husband," more than normal. It may be because our 6 month anniversary was on Friday (WOOT WOOT), or it may just be because we did/he did a lot that induced those thoughts. So let me tell you about our weekend.

As I mentioned before, Friday was our 6 month anniversary. We didn't do anything too crazy, just got some pizza and then sat and listen to music with the house all opened up. There's nothing better than a nice breeze coming through the windows and doors, and being able to relax to the sound of a fountain and some tunes. Now, this may sound romantic, but it wasn't this that made me think, "I love my husband." Instead, it was when he said, "soooo do you want to talk about angels?" His really sweet, romantic and subtle way of saying, "Don't you just want to turn on the TV instead of sitting here staring at each other?!" and it was in that moment that I smiled to myself and thought, "I love my husband." One, because I could totally predict that that would be his response, and two, because I was thinking to myself deep down, "Hm, maybe we should just watch something on TV." But we didn't, we sat and discussed what came first a zipper or velcro, the weather, and anything else random Ronnie could think of to poke fun of my efforts of wanting to just "sit and talk".

On Saturday morning, we attended our cousin's wedding. It was a FABULOUS wedding. Very, very well done. It was a smaller wedding, unique, and fit them PERFECTLY. I love when you can get a complete sense of who the couple is, just based on their wedding. It was fantastic. We sat at a table with a few cousins and family friends and it was a blast. And here's the best part. Cousins, Tim and Gina, have two perfect, adorable kids: one, a little over a year, and the other two months old. So I spent most the reception holding the precious little 2-month old. Eventually, Ronnie pried her out of my arms to hold her for a bit. And I tell you what - as I looked over and saw him adjusting her little dress so she'd be more comfortable, I thought to myself, "MAN, I love my husband." He's going to be a GREAT daddy one day. (Insert: Ronnie breaking into a cold sweat as he reads this...just kidding, he wants kids just as much, if not more, than I do...right honey?!)

Saturday night we had the privilege of attending the CFF Breath of Life Gala here in Phoenix. It was a very well done event. Great food, great venue, and GREAT company. We got to sit with some dear friends, the Olimbs and the Duns, and Josh and Christine. It was a delightful evening. We were there because Ronnie was asked to speak. In his typical fashion, he stood there, casually, confidently and with such ease shared his life in a matter of fact way with the attendees. A few jokes here, a real life example there. However, he was missing one key element that was "expected" of him: the sad story that showed the "death and destruction of CF". It was in that moment I thought to myself, "I love my husband." You see...that's what raises money, but that's not Ronnie. That's not Ronnie's view of CF. And because he doesn't feel that way, he doesn't work it into a speech, even when it's "appropriate". Instead, he talks about his CF. What his life looks like, and simply said with a smile on his face, "Thanks to the CFF...the meds...treatments...blah blah blah. I'm here at 30.....blah blah blah....I'm asking you to give what you can tonight because I plan on being here for my friends, my family, and I have to be here for my wife, or she'll kill me." Would a sad story have maybe raised 100 more dollars? Maybe. But what Ronnie cares about were the parents and CFers sitting next to us, or somewhere else in that room. The last thing they need to be told again is, "CF sucks" because Ronnie doesn't feel that way and they don't have to either. I think I'm getting side-tracked here, but the point is, in that moment, I smiled and thought, "Man, I love my husband."

And that brings me to Sunday. We went to church, came home, and I decided while Ronnie did a treatment, I was going to take a nap, and then we'd both work together to get the house all picked up and cleaned. But when I woke up, Ronnie had finished his treatment, and had already started cleaning without me. The house was picked up, the laundry folded and he was standing outside watching the sprinkles. (Oddly enough, I "catch" him watching the sprinklers often. This time it had a purpose as they weren't working the other day...but typically, he just watches them because they fascinate him! Ha, makes me laugh thinking about it). Anywhoo, as I woke up to see the house picked up, the laundry folded, and my shirtless husband watching the sprinklers (for the 100th time this week) I thought to myself, "I love my husband."

All in all, it was a great weekend!

The Weekend of Love: Engagement Photos, Bridal Shower and Dinner Date

With Sunday being Valentine's day being the day of love, we decided to make this the weekend of love. Well, maybe it wasn't a conscious decision, but somehow all of our weekend activities were love-based.

On Saturday Ronnie and I had our engagement photo session with a great guy and great friend of ours, David. You'll have to check out his work because he's spectacular. He is so great at snapping reality, not posed pictures. And that's EXACTLY what we needed because Ronnie and I aren't exactly the most photogenic couple, so David's ability to capture us, just being us, was crucial. So anywhoooo, we all headed to downtown Phoenix a few hours before sunset, and began posing all over town. We had a blast. With Ronnie and David cracking jokes, I think we were able to capture a handful of genuine smiles. After a long photo session, that even included a wardrobe change (sounds legit huh?) we headed to a GREAT bbq joint in the city that I have never been to that the boys raved about and had some bbq pork sandwiches, french fries and beans. It was a FUN shoot and a FUN time watching the photo master, David, work his magic. As soon as we have the photos, we'll be sure to post some for your viewing pleasure (and possibly a few good laughs at our "picture smiles").

THEN Sunday morning was my brother's fiancee bridal shower (Her name is Chrissy if you missed any blogs about my bro and his new fiancee, getting hitched on March 28th). It was a great opportunity to meet the other ladies in her life and her family's lives that I didn't already know. We did the standard lunch, gifts, and a few fun games. It was a great way to spend Valentine's day morning, basking in the glory of my brother and his bride-to-be's love.

Then it was home to my own Valentine for the remainder of the day. Since my mom is in town, we decided to postpone the romance to next weekend, even though she INSISTED that we go out. We have many many days to be romantic, and only 2 more until she heads back home. BUT we had a great afternoon and evening together. Ronnie and I found a great recipe online for a yummy chicken casserole and headed to the grocery store (one of our favorite activities together) to get the raw materials for our masterpiece. We came home from the store and did some prep work for the meal (I love cooking with my man in the kitchen...he always pauses to crack some jokes, give me sweet little kisses or give me love pats :) !!) After dinner prep, came some nice cheese and crackers while watching Fool's Gold (anyone seen that movie? It's CUTE). It was then onto the main course and a new show, Undercover Boss (we HIGHLY suggest it). And that was just about it. We spent the remainder of the night snuggling up on the couch channel surfing and just enjoying time together.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend of love. As I told Ronnie earlier today, it's the only Valentine's day we'll spend as an engaged couple, and this weekend was a perfect way to celebrate. What did you all do to celebrate love or rebel against it? Any single people out there have an anti-valentine's day party? Have any Valentine's day parties or dates? Let me hear it so I can snag some romantic ideas for next weekend when we have our V-day bash numero dos.