A Moment to Say Thanks

Today I awaken to a silent house. For the first time in days, I am alone. Brian is off at work, family and friends are back to their normal routine, and I am left here, in my quiet house, with my thoughts.

Too easily could I get swept away by all the terrible things that have happened in the last twenty-four hours. My heart is broken for those families and teachers, first-responders and hospital staff. I have not had a moment to shed tears for them yet. Up until now there has been enough to keep my mind occupied. 

But instead I choose to cling stubbornly, selfishly, to the happy moments of the past several days. We've had so much to celebrate, so many things to be grateful for, so many reasons to smile. 

Brian's pride as he welcomed friends and family---a veritable entourage---to his graduation ceremony on Wednesday...

My own glee at watching my husband reach for his dreams, and succeed.

Being surrounded by friends and family---some related by blood, most related by love---on our important occasion.

Laughter, fun, friendships that feel more like family...

To those who carved time out of their busy lives to celebrate with us this week; for the phone calls and text messages and cards and Facebook messages; for those who braved the rain and the cold to attend the ceremony; to those we love the most, we send you a heartfelt thanks. You made an important day into a party. And we were humbled and overwhelmed by the love we felt. 

And from me to each and every one of you, a hearty thanks for making my husband feel like a total rock star, because even though I remind him of that status every day, I don't think he always hears me.

So today I will reminisce. I will relive those moments of jubilation and joviality. I will wrap myself up in those feelings. I will remind myself of all we have to be grateful for. I will hug my family tighter, tell my friends that I love them, and focus my attention on living this life to the fullest. And I will smile today, even though my heart weeps for others who know not my joy. That is the greatest gift I can give to myself and to the world today. And I have you, our nearest and dearest, to thank for it.

There's A Party Goin' On Round Here...

This video blog should, without a doubt, erase my husband's irritation at the now infamous "butt wiggle."


I.E: I dedicate this vlog to you, Brian. :0)





Can't see the video? Point your browser here: http://youtu.be/m-JXqjM_9dY

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= 6,087

A Post For Brian

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, I used to be a cheerleader.


Don't laugh, I have photographic evidence.


And while I don't still sport the same girlish figure, I do still utilize a lot of cheerleader-like tendencies in my day-to-day life.


For instance, don't expect me to be docile if my favorite team is playing. I'm not going to sit quietly, ask any stupid questions, or offer to refill your drink. Rather, I'll be sitting right next to you, screaming at the television as if I were at the stadium and my pleas to "break the quarterback's neck" could actually be heard from my seat.


You've also noticed that I can make the most expressive faces known to man. That comes from pulling faces during competitions.  Example:

She's good, but she has nothing on me. 

I'm not sure why smiling isn't enough, but honestly, pulling faces was the most fun aspect of dance for me. And I was GOOD at it.


But I think the one cheerleading trait I use the most often is my ability to instinctively know when a crowd needs a pick-me-up. After years of pulling for the underdogs, I can always feel the mood of the crowd shift from excitement to worry to hopelessness. Cue the cheerleaders! It was our job to make sure the crowd was still in it, despite the scoreboard.


So when my husband, my amazing husband, the man who is working full time and going to school full time, the man who has little-to-no free time, the man who is singularly changing our lives....when my husband comes home feeling exhausted and stressed and defeated, I reach for my proverbial pompoms.


Well, readers, today my pompoms aren't so proverbial. They may be photoshopped, but the intent is the same. So join me, will you, in cheering on The Best Husband in the Universe!

Ahem.

Brian fans

In the stands, yell

"Let's Go B!"

Brian fans

In the stands, yell

"You're the man!"

Brian fans

In the stands, yell

"Bri's Our Guy!"

Brian fans 

In the stands, yell

"You're the man!"

Go, go, go Brian!
Everybody yell:

"GO BRIAN!"
Go, go, go Brian!

Everybody yell:

"GO BRIAN!"

Who rocks the house?
Brian rocks the house!
And when Brian rocks the house

He rocks it all the way down.

Who rocks the house?

Brian rocks the house!
And when Brian rocks the house

He rocks it all the way down!

*Abby puts pompoms down.*

Well, I hope that got my point across. Here's hoping it made you smile, B. Cuz you are AWESOME and I'm SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You are my Superman.

You didn't really think you'd be immune to the Photoshop fun today did you?

That's right. I did it. You can thank me later.