A Decade~Still Going Strong

Ten years ago, on May 26th, I married my best friend, the only one I wanted to live my life with, and I couldn’t have been happier in that moment.  We were young, a little naive, and so full of love that we were ready to take on the world.

Ten years later, I am still married to my best friend, I still want to be with him for the rest of my life, and I still couldn’t be happier.  He makes me laugh, he makes me happy, he makes me the person I want to be.  Matt is always by my side no matter what!  We have been through a lot together and I am sure we will see more trials in the future, but I know, in my heart, that I will be celebrating another decade of love and marriage in 10 years!  I love you honey, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is Matt’s 30th birthday!  We started off the day with making him breakfast.  Gracie helped me with the scrambled eggs.  This girl loves to help with cooking.  Although, I think her favorite part is playing in the water while I am doing the stuff that she can’t help with.  After our delicious breakfast, Matt wanted to go to the gym so Gracie and I just watched TV for a little while. (I still don’t understand why you would want to go to the gym on your birthday but to each their own I guess right?)  After he got home, we went bowling.  We have been doing a lot of bowling lately.  We can bowl a game on post for $10 bucks, so it is a cheap way to keep us entertained and cool during the hot hours of the day. 

As you an see, this girl loves to bowl!  Ice cream was on the agenda next.  I think the Cunningham’s are the sole reason why Dairy Queen and Sonic stay in business.  Matt’s birthday cake was a Megamind birthday cake from DQ and then we went to DQ again today.  Ft. Bliss didn’t help matters by putting a DQ right next to the kid’s play area.  Talk about enabling us!  Ha!  When we got home, Gracie and I got busy once again in the kitchen to make Matt his birthday dinner.  He wanted BBQ chicken, fresh green beans with potatoes, and corn off the cob.  I have found out that I have a pro bean snapper!  Her Great Grandpa Bob would be so proud of her!  She had a blast doing it too.  I wish I had that much enthusiasm for it when I was younger….oh how I hated to snap beans!  Oh wait, I still hate it, but I have a sidekick now that makes it better.  There is nothing more hysterical then talking to your 3 year old about anything when snapping beans!

Now we are just relaxing while Matt plays his newest game, Deadliest Catch on the Wii.  Well, I am relaxing, Gracie is chasing Harley around holding her.  Harley is not thrilled.at.all.

Yesterday was actually the kick off to Matt’s birthday.  It was swimming lessons first and then dinner with the Elliott’s.  We hardly ever eat at Red Lobster, but it was the boys’ pick.  Matt and Wes share a birthday month with Matt’s being the 22nd and Wes’ being the 30th.  So we had dinner and cake over at our house.  Ever since my birthday, Gracie has been telling Daddy that he was going to have a Megamind birthday.  So he did:

She has been so excited about this for a long time.  Overall, I think Matt had a great birthday!  So, in case you are counting, this is where we are at in our celebrations (April-June is a crazy time for us!):

My Birthday

Mother’s Day

Amy’s Birthday (Matt’s sister)

Matt’s Birthday

Our 10 year Anniversary

Father’s Day

Just two more to go!!!! I will check back in later this week.  Next weekend is going to be CRAZY busy!  However, I will leave you with a family picture, there are just not that many but I love this one.

My Lil’ Model

So, do you think that a single piece of clothing makes someone want to be in front of the camera?  I do believe it.  For months, and I mean MONTHS, I have tried coax this child into taking pictures.  I have had this camera since November and have only gotten one trial session out of this girl.  I guess I should have bought her this blue swimming suit months ago, then maybe I could have gotten my way a little more.  Every time Gracie puts on her blue swimsoup, she turns into a model.  I broke out her pool last night for the first time this summer and BAM! there is my model.  These are unedited, but there are many.  (Just imagine if I showed all of them to you!)  Anyway, check out Gracie’s blue swimsoup portfolio:

This girl is such a mess.  But most of the time, she does not want to get her picture taken.  She is getting a little better, but not much!

This picture I think is so sweet.  We spent the whole weekend just taking it easy.  We did go to Jamie and Wes’ for dinner on Saturday, but we played it pretty low key.  Gracie was watching TV upstairs in our room Sunday evening.  Apparently, Gracie and Harley were just as comfortable as can be.  I was told very sternly, don’t mess with us, we are watching Bubble Guppies!   Too funny!

Well, we are having a very quiet week so far.  Matt turns the big 30 on Sunday so I am sure we will be quiet busy this weekend!  I promise to check in soon!

A Mother’s Blessing

Today in church, a lady sang this beautiful song.  It touched me so much, I am still surprised I was able to hold it together.  This song reminded me that I am blessed to have Gracie in my life.  She is our pride and joy.  I couldn’t imagine our life without her.  One of life’s greatest blessings is to watch her grow into this beautiful little girl. God has truly blessed us in giving us Gracie.

My sweet baby on loan from above.
No better treasure could I more love.
I stand here beside your bed as I pray
I lay my hand on your head and I say:

      May you grow up to serve Him all of your days.
May He lead you and guide you in all of your ways.
May His hand bless your future with friendships that last.
May you cherish your youth and not grow up too fast

I stare in wonder at your tiny frame.
Just to think that God knows you by name.
He knows every hair on your beautiful head.
He knows your thoughts before they are said.

May you grow up to serve Him
all of your days
May He lead you and guide you
in all of your ways.
May His Hand bless your future with
friendships that last.
May you cherish your youth
and not grow up too fast.

May God grant you peace
in the midst of a storm.
May God give you strength even
when you’re forlorn.
May you answer the door when
Jesus comes knocking.
May wisdom guide when
your mouth is talking.
May discretion protect you
and keep you pure.
May you never stumble
or fall for a lure.
May your heart remain humble
to the very end.
May uprightness and truth
be what you defend.
May the world not ensnare
or change who you are.
May the light that's within you
shine like the stars.
May angels surround you
body, spirit, mind.
May favor and peace be yours to find.
May rejection and pain
never reach you.
May your spirit grow bold
for what you’re called to.

May you grow up to serve Him
all of your days
May He lead you and guide you
in all of your ways
May His Hand bless your future with
friendships that last.
May you cherish your youth
and not grow up too fast.

As you rest in God’s care I will rest, too.
Knowing that Jesus is watching over you.
Amen

Happy Mother’s Day to each and every mother, grandmother, and those close to our hearts that are like mothers. 

Well…

Nothing going on here in the Cunningham household, which is why I haven’t posted lately.  I have been in full swing planning a baby shower for Jamie.  I haven’t had the chance to host a baby shower in awhile, it’s exhausting to say the least.  But other then that it has been fairly quiet in our world.  On second thought, what am I saying?  I have a 3 year old who has inherited my love for talking.  So it’s not all quiet, but you know what I mean.  So, in like of Gracie’s non-stop chatter, I thought I would share a few things that have come out of her mouth lately…

After being asked to help clean up her playroom: “Well….(long pause)…how about we just do it later.” *That is not how it works in this household honey*

A few nights ago: “Mommy, wanna hear a funny story?  Once upon a time, there was a monkey, and he jumped on the bed, and fell off, bumped his head.  (laughing hysterically)  Isn’t that funny mommy?”  *Loving that she is remembering stories read to her at school and retelling them at home!*

Tonight:  “Mommy, Harley is not my friend ANY-MORE!”  “Why not Gracie?”  “Well, she doesn’t want to play with me, I just want to do her face painting.”  *Things Harley, or any dog for that matter, would not want to have done, face painting*

And my absolute favorite lately:

Tonight she informs me: “Mommy, you’re a princess, Daisy is a princess, I am a princess, and Harley is a princess. Daddy is our prince.” *I have to admit, I melted*