[x] I've been thinking today.

Yes, yes--I realize this can lead to trouble. ;) But really, I've been thinking about a lot today. Here's where I'm at:

If you're a friend on facebook, if you follow my twitter (and so on and so on), you already know I talk about my kids a bunch. Well, I also talk about K. a lot, too. File this under yet another item for which I am wholly unapologetic. I have NO problem kicking out very public thanks and notes of love and/or appreciation for/to my husband. I don't view it as "bragging" (although in fairness, it would be my right--he seriously kicks that much ass!) but rather as open appreciation. I am not ashamed of this in the least. I look at it like this...I've come a long way. Many people have lived a single life in the time I've classifiably (by my own standards, but standards nonetheless) lived at least two separate lives plus this one. I've been in hell, through hell, under hell, and am now...free. That's not to say my life is perfect, but it is perfect for me. It's perfectly mine. And a perfectly ridiculously amount happier than it's ever been before. When you're there, down under, suffocating, scratching to the surface, praying for an escape, a miracle, whatever...the sweet is SO much sweeter when you finally cross that bridge. Every beautiful moment is so much more beautiful since you know what could've been, how your life could have turned out, where you would've been left. My husband isn't perfect. Our marriage isn't perfect. I am--and don't look so shocked ;)--far from perfect. But our marriage is amazing and my husband is the most excellent man I've ever known. Ever. So often I see couples firing off little "digs" at each other on facebook, and while the occasional quip is funny and fun, it makes my heart a bit sad for them both when its a repeating offense with no end in sight. I think appreciation is so important and it's also so very forgettable. We try to keep it at the forefront of our relationship always, and it's definitely one of our secrets for a happy marriage. I also think that one of our greatest marital strengths is that we do everything as a team always. If K. is home, he's emptying the dishwasher, bathing the kids, taking out the garbage--anything that needs to get done so I don't have to do it myself. Likewise, I don't think I've ever missed the chance to shoo him out of the kitchen so I can do the cooking. I try to bake a little something sweet to have on hand should he desire a little sugar rush. I try to cover all the bases with things that need to be taken care of when he's gone so he comes home to as little work as possible. We willingly gave up a frantically full social calendar many years ago. We're more of a low key couple now--we spend all of our time with the kids, and nights are left to brew beer, bake, have popcorn dates, reconnect. We don't go to movies. We prefer dinners at home to those out. In our dating life, the opposite would've been the truth. We were always on the go. Hell, even when it was just us plus one (sweet Bear), we were able to rock it all effortlessly. But the addition of two beautiful little girls and the transition from a family of three to a family of four...and then five...well, it changed all that for us. But I wouldn't have it any other way. And neither would K. And being married to someone who "gets it", who "gets you"...it's just such a beautiful, amazing gift. Each and every day, a beautiful, amazing gift.

My love is off working hard to provide our family with a comfortable life and allow me the opportunity to raise our babies myself even if it means I must sacrifice a paycheck. He works two jobs--one full and one part--without a single complaint because this is the life we've chosen for ourselves and our family. It's perfect. Not perfect for all, not perfect in every sense of the word, but perfect for us.

And it doesn't get better than perfect, my friends. It just doesn't.

So baby, if you're out there, reading this as I know you sometimes do, thank you. Thank you for all you do to make my life as breezy, brilliant, and beautiful as it is. In this crazy life, I couldn't imagine walking beside anyone else in this world. You are my heart; you are the foundation on which all the love the five us of share so deeply is based. For every single time I sing your praises to someone else--or even to you--you're deserving of it ten times as much with ten times the passion. How deeply I love you so... <3

[x] Quickly, but in less gushy news? I have now attempted my third batch of vegan cinnamon rolls and these are far superior to the other two attempts. My unofficial hope is to have this recipe so tight--so rock solid and money--that I can sneak up in the late summer/early fall on a Sunday morning and whip these up for my favorites at the firehouse to be enjoyed fresh from the oven. For me to feel that comfortable with my cinnamonmagic rolls, well, they've got to be at the top of the game. So a few more tweaks and perhaps we'll be at that point. Almost. We shall see...

[x] Time to get a move on for me now, though. I've gotta kick a load of laundry into the dryer and I could stand to empty the dishwasher before spending some quality time with my firstborn (my pretties just turned in for the night). A beautiful, quiet night. The best part about sending the kids to preschool for only three days is that this is their Friday night. Love it. Love them. And love all of you. Thanks for reading. <3