We had a great time celebrating our 2 year anniversery and I just thought since I talked about it on Monday I would share some of the highlights with you.

First we checked into our hotel room it was a local hotel but it was nice to ‘get out of our comfort  zone’ I got the room on Priceline for only $50.00 a night for a 3.5 start hotel!!

Then we got ready for our night out and headed off to our current favorite resturrant, ChinoLatino. If you call the day before they will even print a special message for you on the menu.

The heart if you couldn’t tell is just covering up Mac’s real name.

They sat us in the back corner booth which was under this amazing wall.

This is just a fraction of the wall I can’t even imagine lighting all of the oil candles.

We had dinner it was delish as always Bulgolgi wraps (korean) Sushi, Orange Chicken and then dessert but we were so full we just got a mini.

Yummy!

We considered going to a movie but realized we were too tired and would fall asleep in the middle so back to the hotel room we went. When we entered our room we found this surprise from the manager we met in the elevator earlier.

Tuesday we did something really exciting, we put together our new shed!! I know its silly but we have been wanting one for a while our garage is just too darn cluttered.

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This is a hard post to write, that may seem strange for those of you who don’t know my or Mac’s story but here we go, this is the short version.

I was married once before. I got married to Mark when I was 19 and we didn’t get a honeymoon because I was still in school. We took our ‘big trip’ 2 years later with a cruise down the west coast, it was great! However on the way back Mark had double vision while driving. After a month or so of that not going away and a lot of testing we found out he had Cancer. Right there at the 2 year mark. Right when things were getting ‘easy’ We both had real jobs and school was a part of our past. Then cancer hit and our life was turned upside-down. In December of 2007 Mark passed away.

2 Years is a big moment in Mac’s past as well. You see he was also married once before and just before his 2 year annaversery his wife up and left him. There is alot more to that story obviously but this isn’t the place for that.

So as you can see, 2 years is a big deal for both of us. For me its a time to see that this marriage might be ‘normal.’ Yes I know that just because neither one of us is sick now doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I know that doesn’t mean our children someday will be perfectly healthy but at the same time it means I can breath easier. I don’t have to freak out that the first 2 years are the only normal we are going to get.  I think sometimes I’m looking for the dramatic because that is what I”m used to.

For Mac its a time for him to for sure understand that we are together forever. I’m not going to leave when times get hard and I will respect and stay true to my marriage vows. Again don’t  get me wrong he has no fear of me leaving him but still its stuck in the back of your mind you know?

So Today July 11th 2011 is 2 years of Marriage. I’m crying now, well trying not to because I’m at work. But honestly until writing this I just thought it was a big deal for him, but it is for me as well. The roof is taking up most of our extra spending money so we aren’t doing anything too special but no matter today is a BIG DEAL and we will celebrate and Praise God for the gift he has given us in each other.

I love you Mac, I’m not going anywhere.

Your Wife, now and until God separates us,

Amber

PS if you know Mac please take a moment to acknowledge what a great day this is.

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Cancer, Faith, Family, Life, Mac, Marriage

Remember I told you I was a new designer for Expressions Vinyl? Well here is my first project for them.

I don’t know about you but I’m not to great at free-hand painting and this can make even the simplest of projects hard. But no longer, you just have to use a little vinyl in a non-traditional way.

I wanted to make a sign that represented me and my life to hang in my office. So I started with a blank canvas and 3 words. Faith, Love, Photography.

1. First I painted the sides of my canvas.
I chose orange because I’m planning on painting the front teal. You can paint front and sides the same color or leave the sides white its up to you.

2. While that was drying I used my Cricut to cut out each word in a different font.
Use any scraps you have, each word or even each letter can be a different color because they will be removed later.

3. Next I placed the middle word first. I measured to the center of the canvas and then centered the E of the word love.
4. I used the placement of the word love to center both Faith and Photography.

5. Next I painted over the vinyl. Yep right over top of it!

6. Lastly have some patients (this is the hardest part.) Wait for the paint to dry and peel off the vinyl.
Tip use a small blade or multi-tool to start the peeling process.

That’s it your done, now sit back and admire your work.

I like the ‘rough edges’ on the letters and the sides its how you know its home made.

If you want cleaner edges use blue painters tape to cover the sides before painting the front.

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Crafts, Cricut, Paint, Vinyl

By 1st Impressions I’m not talking looks or the first date I’m talking about our attitudes in the mornings. Lets face it we are not all morning people, its just a fact and often cant be changed no matter how early you go to bed. But what I’m talking about dosen’t only apply to those of you who don’t like mornings.

I’m talking about how your attitude starts your spouses day. Lets say you wake up and notice that your spouse (who went to bed last) left a bunch of lights on. You decided to leave them a note informing them of their mistake. Innocent enough but think about how its starts your spouses day. The first thing they hear from you is that note sad.

Try to keep your ‘grumpy things’ for later in the day so you don’t start them off in a bad mood. That is if it is something that can wait.

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Thoughts on Thursday