Wordless Wednesday: Big Stepper

Five Alive

Exactly five years ago at this very moment (if I can get this to post exactly at 2pm!), I said "I do"

Officially a Mr & Mrs!

I'm sure there are those of you out there that can agree--some days it feels like it's only been 2 months, and other days it feels like 20 years!

And I will be the first to tell you--the past five years have been happy, but not a walk in the park. Marriage is hard work. Throw two people together with their finances, opinions, religious backgrounds, dirty socks, bad habits, tampons and you've got one helluva pairing.

Then just for fun, add infertility into the mix.

When we tossed out the birth control after a year and a few months of marriage, we thought we were prepared to get pregnant and have a family. Well, we were--but we were not prepared for the toll the quest of becoming parents would have on our relationship.

We suffered.....we yelled at each other, we withdrew emotionally, we lost our tempers, we stopped functioning as a couple.

There were some truly dark, dark days.

But...

We survived....we hugged, we talked, we went to counseling, we laughed, we grew stronger as a couple.

Of course not all of our triumphs and dark moments have been because of infertility--we fight like any couple. Just last night I was nagging him about a honey-do-list and he was leaving the dishes in the sink. But we kiss and make up. We put Oman down for bed together and sing him a song...then we sat holding hands on the couch.

I am incredibly thankful I get to spend next week with my husband of five years with a margarita in my hand and sand between my toes.

Hands in the sand five years ago...

show and tell: how 'bout them apples?

Soon, this lovely basket of Gala and Fuji apples will be turned into: apple bread, apple jelly and chunky crockpot applesauce.

It's quite a bit of effort--but worth it. I am known to let out a groan or two when all the baking and pureeing starts, but when I take out a loaf or a pie from the freezer six months later and have the smell fill my kitchen, the only sound you'll hear me make is: yuuuuuuuum.

Is there something you cook or bake that is a lot of work, but you couldn't be happier when you get to sit down and actually enjoy the fruit (ha!) of your labor?

There are others standing at the front of the class participating in Suzy's Show and Tell , so be sure to visit them too!

Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkin

Remember, Thoughtful Tuesday links are open until Friday!

Thoughtful Tuesday: My Bunch

Each Tuesday, I'm going to share something I am either: 

a) thankful for, b) something I witnessed that was an act of kindness, or c) something I did to "pay it forward"

I'd love it if you'd join me. One day a week. One thing. It can take 15 seconds or 4 hours. Don't you feel better when you are able to notice the pretty things in life? Leave a comment here, or share it in your own space, and enjoy being thoughtful...in more ways than one!

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This Tuesday: Braces Bunch

Back when I started blogging, I was still feeling a bit alone in the blogging community--I wasn't sure where I fit in, especially since I hadn't found a lot of people talking about male factor infertility.

So I had this idea--"I'm going to ask people who I don't know to send me their mailing address!"

Crazy, huh?

But it worked! HA!

And those who trusted my idea, have become some of my closest friends--not just in blogland, but in real honest to goodness every day life. 

The Braces Bunch was formed on the idea that I never had braces growing up, and for some odd reason I felt left out because it seemed like all my friends had them--and even though they were painful, I wanted them too, because I wanted to fit in. I felt like getting the male factor infertility diagnosis made me a bit of an "outsider"--I was infertile, but it wasn't happening directly to my body, so I felt a bit like an impostor for a while...so I wanted to feel a bit more connected. 

Here's the original explination:

"I was one of the lucky few...I never needed braces. Probably a good thing too since I have a strong dislike of anything resembling a dentist chair. But in some strange twisted way, I sometimes envied my friends who had them. They got to get out of school to get their braces tightened or adjusted, they got cool color-coordinated rubber bands, and often times it was a discussion at the lunch table over what foods they missed eating or couldn't have. I found myself on the outside of many conversations...

And 3 1/2 years later, we had our first official gathering. There are currently 32 bloggers as a part of the Bunch, so not all of us could be there--just six of us this time. But we had a great time--and I am so thankful for all of these ladies who have swapped notes, emails, birthday cards--I cannot imagine the past few years without this immense support system.

I did my best to draw our logo!

Visit here to learn more about The Braces Bunch!

What are you sharing on this Thoughtful Tuesday? (Links open until Friday!)