Today marks our 11 year anniversary.  Wow!  Time certainly flies when you're having fun!!  I'm blessed to be married to the love of my life as well as my best friend.  He may not be HRH, but to me he's my prince.  What more could a girl ask for?

Then:

 Now:

We will also be honored to share this anniversary date with another famous couple:

And yes, you can bet I was drinking my cuppa and nibbling on a chocolate chip scone in the wee hours this morning, watching all the festivities and hoop-la.  Those royals certainly know how to throw a wedding!  Cheers!!

The apprentice

Whenever anything needs fixing or repairing around here, the Noodle is always ready to give J a hand and act as his assistant.  Doesn't matter the job or the "ick" factor.  She's ready.  Tool belt on, tool box in hand.

He's patient (much more so than me) and explains each step in the process.  Quite honestly, he's all about the process whereas I'm more about the finished product and "just getting it done".  He uses the opportunities not only to teach but to also bond.

And the Noodle literally sits at his feet and drinks it all in.

When I grow up...

J was able to go into the Noodle's classroom this morning to talk to all of them about being an architect.  He confessed to me that he was more nervous speaking in front of a group of 3 and 4 year olds than he ever gets speaking in front of adults, but he did a GREAT job!

The "tools", which ironically are now mostly obsolete due to the computer, were a hit, as was the model.  They had fun passing everything around and especially like having their own "special" paper (trace paper...great to crunch and scrunch!).

Giving directions about the activity to come.

After he did his presentation, they came back a few at a time to complete the activity while the others were having center time.  It ended up being a really appropriate activity, since developmentally at this age they are all across the board. They all were successful and each one ended up with their very own blueprint for their new home as well as an elevation to color.  A hit!!

9 years ago....

9 years ago, on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, I said "I do" to my best friend. Throughout the years, as I was praying for the Lord to send the perfect mate to me, I had no idea he had J in mind. What started out as a blind date turned into exactly what I could ever hope for in a marriage. Paul's letter to the Corinthians certainly serves as a wonderful model regarding what it should look like: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."--1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I pray that everyday, I can demonstrate this type of love a little more strongly to J. Happy Anniversary--I love you always!!

My fabulous husband (I'm soo proud!)

I just had to shout out the good news that J took his LEED test today to become a LEED accredited professional and HE PASSED!!! He has been studying since November--waking up early, early, early (like 4:30 early) and pounding the information whenever he had extra time--those with small children know this is at a premium! Out of 200 possible points, he got 192 correct!! I'm just so proud of him. This has been a personal and professional goal for him and he achieved it. Now, if anyone wants a green building designed, J's got the credentials showing that he has the expertise and qualifications to do it. Way to go Love!!!!!!!!!