"It's cuz of love."

Paul and I used to say that to each other a lot. It started a couple years ago, and I don't know why. But if we did something nice or said something nice, it was often accompanied with, "It's cuz of love." We even sometimes said it when we were in a fight, or just giving each other a hard time. It has kind of faded out, but every once in a while one of us will say it.

Here's some happy things that are 'cuz of love'.

My parents surprised me by showing up at our door Thursday night and they stayed until yesterday. Paul arranged it all and I had no idea. It was a wonderful weekend. Playing games, eating out, going on walks, finishing my 1000 piece smallest puzzle in the world, laughing, talking, planting flowers, and staying up way too late every night. Knowing my parents can come once in a while at the last minute makes Utah and family seem not so far away.My parents babysat on Saturday night so Paul and I could go on a romantic date. He'd made reservations at a fancy shmancy italian place in long beach. At the last minute we decided to go play at the beach and go to In n Out. It was one of the best dates we've been on.

Paul and I met 3 years ago tomorrow. If you would have told me 3 years ago that I was about to meet the man I'd marry, I would first have said, "No I'm not. I'm not done traveling the world and being irresponsible." And after I met him if you'da told me we were going to get married I would have said, "No we're not. He's way too young for me."

And now, 3 years later, we're married, living in California and we're the parents of the best little 5 month old in the world. I started to learn after meeting Paul that I need to stop planning so much of my life, and I keep learning it more and more.I love Paul. I love that he was fine with an I love you balloon with a monkey on it from the dollar store for valentines day. I love that he let me and my mom buy dirt, pots and flowers to turn our boring porch into a little gardeny heaven. (even though he doesn't care about that kind of stuff so much) I love that he wants me to stay home and be a full time mom. I didn't think I'd want to not work at all, and I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us and I love it and I'm thankful for it.We've had our ups and downs. And this California transition hasn't been the easiest thing we've done. But at this time of year when there is something like a bajillion dollars worth of little yucky candy hearts sold just to say 'I love you' ...and 'Text Me' and 'You Rock' and (the ones in our candy jar) 'Amor' and Mi Novio' and 'Hola'... Anyway, I just want Paul to know I love him. It's been a wonderful 3 years and I'm excited for many, many more.

In other news...

Garrett started solid food. (I'll post more about that soon on his blog.)
We got annual passes to Disneyland. It's strange for this Utah girl who's family went one time growing up, to suddenly be able to drive 20 minutes and go everyday if I want to. But I think it'll be fun for our little family.And, I'm getting a much overdue massage in a couple hours!