7 for 11

Joining up with Jen and all the rest for 7 Quick Takes Friday, and I'm really excited because today is our 11th Wedding Anniversary!

11 years has taken it's toll...

I love love, and I love my husband so much!  Let me count the ways...

First came love, then came marriage, then came 5 babies in a baby carriage.

1)

Swoon.

Mega Millions is giving away an almost 200 million dollar jackpot today.  200 million dollars!  I told Phil that we should buy a ticket since it's our anniversary and therefore we will obviously win.  He just looked at me how he does when I get all crazy on him, and said "I won the lottery the day I married you."  He barely ever says romantic things like that, and is never fakey fakey with his words, so when words like that spill out of his mouth, I just want to kiss him!  So I do.

2)

Just another day in paradise.

Phil is the head of theology at our Catholic high school, and he loves his faith so much.  We have Mass offered at our school 3 mornings a week, and due to the timing, the person who drops off the kids at their school can make it to Mass but the person who drops off the baby to the nanny does not make it in time.  Guess who always lets me drop off the kids at school and attend daily Mass?  Guess who also always makes sure I receive Jesus first in the Eucharist?  Guess who is always the parent who says "Time for family Rosary!" in our house?  Guess who always makes sure I get to Confession regularly and if I'm acting particularly moody, suggests that we need to go soon?  Yup, that would be Phil.  

3)

Changing the world, one diaper at a time.

On Mother's Day, I saw Phil changing Alexander's stinky diaper and I said "I love Mother's Day, when I don't have to change any poopy diapers" and he replied "And that makes it different from every other day because...?"  He is so right!  I practically never change a diaper anymore.  When I used to stay at home, Phil would always take over diaper duty once he got home from work.  Now that I work and the baby is with the nanny, Phil never gave up his role, and I hardly ever change diapers anymore.  I am so spoiled!  

My heart is full.

4)

Play time!

Whenever we go to a playground, I try to sit as much as possible and let the kids play.  Of course, I'm usually following around Alexander the daredevil or pushing him in the swing so he's contained for half a minute, but not Phil.  

The heavens shone on Saint Philip.

Nope, he runs around and plays tag and makes up obstacle courses and plays Daddy-the-Monster and Don't-Touch-the-Lava and whatever other games the kids and him make up.  He is such a fun Dad, never lazy, never selfish.  

5)

There may or may not be some derriere pinching in this photo...

He's got my back for anything.  If I want to try some stupid diet, or train for a half-marathon, or move furniture around (again), he is right there, not only cheering me on, but doing it alongside me.  

Because nothing says I love you like his and hers matching sneakers.

6) 

Doing service at Gifts to Give.

Last week as we pulled into the grocery store, we saw a man who was begging on the street corner  There's almost always someone there asking for money because it's a pretty busy intersection in the city.  Anyway, on our way out of the grocery store, without me really even realizing it, Phil took cash out of his wallet and handed it to the man.  It's not a big deal, but he does things like this all.the.time.  He's jumped more battery-dead-cars than I can count, he went out in the blizzard to help a car that ran out of gas, he buys Gatorade and water to hand out to the homeless on hot summer days, he makes sure we are tithing every week at church, and he just plain old loves helping people.  

Spooning.

7)

I love you so deep, the ocean would be jealous.

Today on the anniversary of 11 years of marriage, I can honestly say that I am more in love now than ever.  I remember my mother telling me that as much as I loved Phil on our wedding day, it would only increase.  I thought she was crazy because I was so in love that my heart was about to burst, but turns out she was so right.  Love is really an amazing gift that can just keep on giving and growing.  I am so lucky to have found my best friend, married my soul mate, and become a parent with the most wonderful person I ever met.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but I'm thankful for you everyday.