My Best Friend, Man of My Dreams, Love of my Life!

Man of mine,

Yesterday marked 10 years of marriage.  10 years ago yesterday we pledged forever to each other.  Well, I thought about that and decided.....forever just isn't long enough.  Eternity or Infinity works better for me.  Corny, right....well, I have been thinking a lot about us lately, and we have our ups and downs like any normal couple, but there is no one else like us.  We should patent us.

You are a fabulous man.  You are always making me laugh.  You are always making me think.  You are always proving me right in my decision to love you.  You are a wonderful father.  Exceptional really.  4 girls and an extremely temperamental wife and you handle it beautifully.

I'd hate for you to get a big head and all, but there are times when I just can't do anything but spout your praise.  You work so hard for us all.  We have so little to offer in return.  Except for love.  I hope you know that you will never find 5 females who love you more.  Who adore you as much.

Men love to be the heroes.  Well you are ours.  Happy Anniversary Lovie!

For the love of all that is Holy! Did I just have a 20 minute argument with a five year old about flip flops?

Wow, I woke up feeling better than I have in weeks.  I went to bed exhausted with a pounding head ache and woke up pain free and refreshed.  I walk out to the living room to let Jakers out of his kennel to eat and what do I find....3 huge piles of regurgitated dog crap in his kennel.  Super fantastic.

Then I wake up the girls, who are excited to get to wear skirts and dresses today because it is supposed to be so nice, only to get into an argument about flip flops with my 5 year old.  Really, flip flops?  For 20 minutes.  Thinking it over now, I am wondering why I didn't whip her little butt and put her on the bus.

Why?  Because I promised myself when I got pregnant that I would be more civilized than my parents were.  I wouldn't spank unless absolutely necessary.  A top of the line offense.  But when I think back...I don't ever remember having 20 minute fights about shoes with my parents.  They didn't waste the time with arguing.  You did what you were told or got your butt whipped.  Holy balls...What I would have given to be a neanderthal this morning.  How easy it would have been to give in just to get her out the damn door.  But no....I fight with her, we miss the bus and I have to drive them to school.

But I don't give in and she is stuck wearing the shoes I want her to wear.  In the car, I tell her that if she argues with me about clothes again I will pack up all her lovely clothes and give them to someone she sees everyday so she can watch them wear them while she wears the same ugly out fit everyday!  It works, but I feel soft.  I know parenting is hard.  It's supposed to be.  But it's days like this that really test my resolve.

Not only is it hard being a parent.  It's hard being a good parent.  And I am.  I know that.  And so were my parents.  The majority of us are. We are just a different kind of parents.

And what was my conformation?  The hug and kiss and "I love you Mommy", as she was getting out of the car.  Crisis forgotten.  I need a drink at 8 AM but I have a happy little girl.

Go figure....