Cherish the Moments

I love being married and I wouldn't trade it for the world. When you have a husband whose character you can trust and depend on and who consistently put himself last, well marriage just gets better with each passing day. However, my life has been much more busy and hectic since being married and there are times when I like to look back and remember before I was Luke's wife to when I was his girlfriend.

I loved the anticipation that would build up in me before an evening with my boyfriend. I remember wishing I could leave work early so I could spend a little extra time primping for him. How I would drive my family crazy with my hyperness. In the beginning I would always feel just a twinge of nervousness, but as soon as I saw him walking up to the door the nervousness would vanish. He and I went on the best little trips together around Whatcom County, Eastern Washington, parts of Canada, and Seattle. I couldn't have asked for a better dating relationship. Most of you know that I had a crush on Luke back when I was fifteen. So by the time we officially began dating (6 years later) I told myself to love, cherish, and remember everything little thing we did together.

All I can say to those who are in the courting/dating stage of a relationship and to those who soon will be: make sure you cherish every moment. Engagement is fun and marriage much, much better, but still, savor every moment, every date, every conversation. Write down every place you and your special someone has been to and done. You will love looking back at it later and remembering exactly how your now husband stole your heart and how you captured his. I wish I could explain better what I'm talking about, but sadly, I'm not the best writer. Just please, believe me. You are going to miss it.

Our First Christmas

Our first Christmas together will be one I remember for the rest of my life. Thank you God for giving us your precious Son and for giving me a husband who loves me with all his heart! I could never ask for a better gift.

Toast Making Abilities

Luke:

"Hmm, wow Kimi, you make really good toast."

Kimi:

"What? I make good toast? How do you not make good toast?"

Luke:

"You have just the right amount of crispiness without the bread being burnt. I always get impatient while waiting and pop up the bread while it's still mushy then when I have to put it down again I forget about it and it gets burnt."

Well I'm happy my husband is pleased with my toast making abilities! I feel completely accomplished with myself!

Brides First Dinner cont.

The hours crept by so, so slowly at work. I tried desperately to keep my mind on my tasks and not to daydream to much about my husband. I wanted nothing more than to race home, give him a big hug and immediately start making him dinner. I was a bit shocked at my enthusiasm. I have never really liked to cook. Baking is fun, but cooking dinner? That's just not for me. However, at this moment there was nothing that I wanted to do more than make my husband dinner. As soon as the clock hit 4:00 I raced home. Originally I was going to have to some grocery shopping, but Luke called at 3:00 and said he would do it for me (my hero).

I was greeted at my condo with a video camera in my face.

"Kimi, why don't you tell us why you're so excited."

"Um, because I'm cooking you dinner for the fist time, Luke, stop! You're making me nervous."

Luke put the video camera away and I headed for the kitchen. I pulled out my cookbook and flipped to the correct page. As I read through the recipes carefully one more time I realized that I need 12 potatoes, I had 6. Luke immediately jumped into his car and sped off to the grocery store again (again my hero).

While Luke was at the store I started making the meatloaf which was rather simple. The only problem was, was that Luke had unloaded all the groceries from our numerous shopping trips and I had no idea where anything was. Eventually I got all the ingredients together and dove into the recipes. When Luke walked through door with the missing potatoes I immediately switched over to the potato dish recipe. However, as I read over the recipes for about the 5th time I saw something new again. The potatoes were supposed to boil for 30 minutes and then they needed to be refrigerated overnight! What!? How did I miss that? And why did they need to be refrigerated overnight? (The reason was because the next day you are to grade them on a cheese grader and you can't do that if they are still boiling hot.) I improvised. As soon as the potatoes were finished boiling I stuck them all in the freezer while I finished the meatloaf and set the table and started the green beans.

Unfortunately the meatloaf wasn't as easy as I anticipated. I'm sure for most people it is, but I had problems like spilling the Worcestershire sauce all in the silverware drawer and dropping the meat on the floor ect. Eventually Luke just started following me around with a kitchen rag to clean up after me!

Two and a half hours later everything was ready. Luke blessed the food and I held my breath as he took the first bite.

"Hmmm, delicious Kimi! Wow!"

I breathed a huge sigh of relief and started eating as well. It was pretty good I thought to myself...even if I did forget to put in the oats that the recipe called for!

After dinner Luke cleared the table and did all the dishes (I love him). I am happy with the way everything turned out. It wasn't close to perfect by any means, but it was good and I have plenty of room for improvement! Now, I'm ready to plan my next meal! I'm thinking a curry dinner is in store!

Below are some out of order pictures...

For dessert we had leftover cupcakes and orange juice!

I think that is a happy face...

I love using my new dishes!

Bride's First Dinner

Today I am making dinner for my new husband for the very first time! Of course I've cooked him many things over the past year and a half, but I have not cooked for him since being married nor since having my very own kitchen. I must admit that my stomach is in knots right now and I'm praying dinner will turn out well. I've spent the past few nights staying up late and pouring over my new cookbooks trying to find the perfect recipes for dinner. Late last night I finally decided on an appetizer, main course, vegetable dish and of course, dessert. The anxiousness I'm feeling right now to leave work, run to the grocery store, and starting my cooking is taking over me. Only four more hours!

Please, please like my dinner Luke!

That's Why...

...I love him.

Wednesday night Luke and I were in line for the Ferris wheel ride at the county fair. There were three girls in front of us, two were standing, one was in a wheelchair. The girl in the wheelchair could hardly contain her excitement. This was going to be her first ride in three years since her car accident that had made her paralyzed from the waist down. I was wondering how they were going to get her on when one of the girls turned to Luke and said:

"Would you be able to help our friend get on the Ferris wheel if she needs it?"

Without any hesitation Luke smiled and said of course and wheeled her right up onto the platform. As soon as the carnival workers realized what Luke was going to do, they made everyone in front of us get of the way. Luke bent down and gently lifted her from her wheelchair and carried her to the Ferris wheel. As I was watching this my heart broke and my eyes started feeling with tears. One of the girls turned to me and said:

"You are a lucky lady"

I could hardly speak without choking up so I whispered back:

"Yes, I am"

The carnival workers who were touched by the whole situation, gave us an extra long ride and told me to keep the tickets. As soon as the ride ended Luke jumped out and once again lifted the girl and carried her back to her wheelchair.

I feel in love with Luke all over again that night. I told Luke that God had made him strong for a moment just like that. And what did we do with our our extra eight tickets? Luke found two brothers who did not have enough money for the carnival and offered our tickets to them. We smiled as they dashed away so excited that they were actually going to get to try out some rides.

And that is why, I love him.

New Life

I have a new home.

I have new keys.

I have paint all over me.

I have a coffee maker.

I have a clock.

I have Luke.

I have so much happiness that I can't begin to express.

I'm ready for my new life!