The forgotten one

wedding1As the kids went through the usual nighttime routine last night, Sloan looked at me over his toothbrush.

“Hey, Mom,” he gurgled. “What are we doing tomorrow?”

“Oh, not much, babe,” I answered. “Tomorrow is just another day.”

As I said these words, I had a nagging feeling that I was forgetting something. What could it be? It’s been a doozy of a few days. I can’t share publicly what’s gone on behind the scenes because my children would die ten thousand terrible deaths if I shared everything that ever happened ’round these parts.

All I can say is motherhood is NOT for the faint of heart.

And also, thank heavens for wine and mindless chick flicks, because I might not have survived otherwise.

“So we’re not doing anything?” Sloan asked.

“No. Not really anything at all. All I really need to do is get my oil changed, but other than that it’s just…”

My anniversary. That’s the thing I was forgetting. Thirteen years ago, I said ‘I Do’ to my studly stud of a man. Thirteen years of making babies, raising babies, moving, growing, laughing, learning, and navigating this awesome adventure called life.

Life is so different now than it was thirteen years ago. If someone would have told me what I’d be doing in the year 2013, I’d have laughed at them. Out loud. Right in the face.

Before you think I’m a terrible person for forgetting, I should tell you that Lee and I were talking last night about something that was concerning me and he leaned forward and looked at me with his serious Lee-face.

“What have I been telling you for the last fourteen years that we’ve been married?”

Me: “Uh…we’ve only been married for thirteen years.”

Year thirteen has been a doozy and I think we’re both ready for it to be over, but if I had to ride out a storm, I’d want to do it alongside this guy.

 

1999: Rocking the short overalls and a hottie on my arm.

1999: Rocking the short overalls and a hottie on my arm.

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I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be on this journey with for all sixty years, four months and twenty-two days…plus.

Blessed.

I am blessed.

Read more of our story here.

In case I forget to say it later…Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Hallstatt – A Day in the Life of the Postcard Town

The morning view from out hotel window

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Rise and Shine. The view from our hotel window and the morning sun glinting on the Hallstatter See.

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The Protestant Church in the morning sun.

Despite our best efforts we never could find the town schmuck...

Despite our best efforts we never could find the town schmuck...

 

This picture wasn't lifted off the internet. I took it!

 This picture wasn’t lifted off the internet. I took it!

Taking the lift up to the salt mine where we would each lunch, explore, then hike back down the mountain.

After a bit of shopping and walking the streets, we took the rail up to the top of the mountain next to Hallstatt.

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It’s just too bad it wasn’t pretty.  This was the view from our lunch table.  I KNOW, right?!

Too bad it wasn't pretty. This was the view from our lunch table. I KNOW, right?!

After lunch we hiked down the mountain.  Yes…after ten years of marriage we’ve learned a thing or two – one of them being, always hike down, never hike up! 
We were greeted by this swan at the bottom.

After our hour long hike back down the mountain we were greeted by this swan.

Despite the fact that we were exhausted and our legs were burning, we decided to take the cable car up the mountain on the other side of the lake. GREAT decision.

Despite the fact that we were exhausted and our legs were burning, we decided to take the cable car up the other side of the lake. GREAT decision.

We ended up at the very highest peak and could see for miles.

We ended up at the very highest peak and could see for miles.

We spent a good deal of time watching local paragliders take off. And I wished desperately one of them would take me along.

We spent a good deal of time watching local paragliders take off. And I wished desperately one of them would take me along.

Utter peace.

Utter peace.

We added rocks to a stack that had been started on the edge of the cliff. It was slightly precarious, but ‘sall good now so…

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We then headed out to the Five Fingers platform which held you directly over the 2,000 km cliff wall.  It was exhilerating and terrifying all at once.

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I don’t know how this view could ever get old.

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Everyone should kiss on an Austrian mountaintop at least once in life. Just sayin’…

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We ended the day watching the moon rise over the mountaintop.  Perfection.

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Tomorrow – Tuscany!

Ciao!