Five Years

Today is our five year anniversary. The time sure has gone by fast! Getting married was one of those leaps we take, where we want to go ahead and take this big step and we feel good about it, but we sure don't know what's really going to be on the other side once we step through that door. Kind of a big chance to take, but luckily Chad's amazing in so many ways and is of course my best friend.

Some of my best memories of 2009 with Chad are:

* Getting into biking and being able to explore our neighborhood and other places. Chad extended our bike trailer so we can take Haven too.

* Trying to buy a rental property. This is just kind of funny to me, because we've been trying since early this spring and still haven't succeeded, but we've spent lots of time trying and have argued enough about it!

* Going to St. George for a few days while Chad worked at the hospitals there. Our bike ride along the temple quarry trail was memorable. No matter what people say online, it is NOT a kid-friendly trail. And even though we're in our 30s now, Chad is still HOT.

* Gardening. I fell in love with our yard this year. Chad has done so much work out there and our grass was always green and weed free. Our raspberries have exploded, and we actually got a bunch of peppers this year. Chad loves to do yard work together.

* Sleeping out. We experimented with this, carrying out our queen-sized mattress to sleep on or using our air mattress. Sleeping in the backyard is romantic and memorable.

* Attending the Spanish ward. Chad spearheaded this, and even though it's hard for me, I'm glad we're doing this as a family.

* This isn't a good memory, but the ultralight plane crash we were part of on Labor Day was scary and made me appreciate my little family even more. It also reminded me of what a helpful person I'm married to.

* Haven's birth, of course. I have a great birth partner, and even though the newborn phase stresses Chad out I'm always thankful for his help and support.

* Seeing him and Jozie bond more than ever. Jozie loves playing with and climbing on Chad. He makes things really fun for her. With Haven here too, we're becoming a real live family. I'm thankful that Chad helps me to be able to be at home with Jozie and Haven. He makes fun of me for some of my homemaker ways, but these kinds of things (along with finding Mr. Right) are the stuff little girls dream of, and I love this phase of my life.

I just stuck this picture in because Chad looks extra good.

* It's nice to have Chad with me while I work through my dad's death. I'm glad he was here to hug me when I found out and have appreciated his expressions of love.

Thanks for everything, honey. I hope you don't mind this public display of affection :)