5 years of love letters.

Justin and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary in a week. I can't believe it's been 5 years! It's hard to believe all the changes we've had since then. If anyone would have told me what my life would be like now, I wouldn't have believed them. We've lived in so many different places, experienced so many new things, met wonderful people, and had two beautiful kids {with one on the way!} and we live in GERMANY.

When I was in high school I thought about what my married life would be like, but I didn't really understand what all of it meant. I couldn't really grasp what it would be like to be married, have bills, kids, adult obligations, etc. I don't think my teenage brain could get past high school. After high school would just never happen, I thought it would last forever. Or I at least thought after high school there would be college and my life would stay the same.

Marrying Justin was a dream. Before him I never had a serious boyfriend and had only kissed one or two other boys. {Don't be jealous Justin, you were the best!} I used to tell my mom that I would never find the one for me, and I would cry. She always told me that I would meet him, and that he would be perfect for me. I can honestly say I didn't believe it. But she was right! {See Tommy, Mommies always know best!}

When I was a freshmen in high school, Justin really caught my eye. He lived down the street from me, and sometimes we would walk to school at the same time. I remember seeing his gleaming blond hair shining in the sun with his button up Hawaiian shirt {that I promptly threw out shortly after we were married-- awful thing!} and I remember walking faster hoping to catch up to him so he would notice me.

We met "officially" when I was a sophmore. We were both taking dance in school and we were performing in a dance concert for the school. My friend knew him and introduced us to each other {he doesn't remember this... there's a man for you!} and he said hi to me and I wanted to faint with glee. Shortly after that, I accidentally met his brother Jason. {Hi Jason!!} Jason and I actually became very good friends, but I didn't see Justin much. He had two jobs and he was never home when I would visit Jason.

When I was a senior, I was talking with Jason and asked him about Justin. I knew he was on a mission in France and Jason said I should write to him. I didn't think I would, but wrote down his mission address anyway. I was embarrassed because I didn't think Justin would remember me. My mom said I should write him, because what could it hurt? So I did.

2 weeks later, I had forgotten my letter to him {thinking he probably wouldn't write back} when my mom brought this letter to me. I was at my dad's office doing paperwork for him on a Saturday. I hope you can read the letter, it is really cute!

After reading the letter, oh, a million times, I wrote back. After that I would check the mailbox daily, waiting for his replies. Our mailbox was kind of far from our house, we lived in the middle of Queen Creek, population 5 at the time {Justin still makes fun of this fun little fact, and calls it "Little Mexico" since there was a strip of mexican stores by my house.} So I would run there, and then walk back really slow because I had already ripped open his letter and started reading.

When he got back from his mission, he asked me to my prom. It was our first real date, though we met up a few times and I helped him shop for clothes and met some of his friends. It really was a dream come true. I had been asked to the prom before I knew he was back from his mission, but I said no. I wasn't sure why I said no, because I knew I wanted to go. I was so shy, it was ridiculous. I couldn't speak right around him, couldn't be myself for a really long time. He was patient.

I wrote him this letter a few days before our wedding.

We knew we wanted kids shortly after we were married. About a year after we were married, we were expecting Tommy. After we found out, Justin lost his job. He went from job to job for months, nothing was working out. We thought about the army, and decided to go for it. It was the hardest decision we've ever made. We knew Justin would miss Tommy's birth. Those 9 weeks seemed like 9 years.

And just like before, I checked my mailbox everyday hoping for his letters.

Isn't he sweet? I'm lucky.

I love you Justin. Happy Anniversary! I love our love story. ♥

Peanut butter smiles.

I think I was a sunflower in another life. I love the sun SO MUCH. Living in Germany for the winter is really hard for me, and sometimes I get really down when I haven't seen the sun for a few days. Afterall, I'm an Arizona girl. :)

The past 2 weeks have been wonderful. The sun has been shining (it's still cold, but I'll take what I can get!) everyday and it is just beautiful. There's nothing I love more (besides my kids, and Justin, and maybe chocolate) more than I love the sun on my skin.

So I went to the park the other day because I couldn't resist the sunshine. It's been months since it's been nice enough to take the kids to the park, so Tommy and Tristan were both excited. I put Tristan in his stroller for a walk and he was kicking his legs the whole way. The boys live to be outside. I can't wait for them to get a bit older so we can go camping. (I hate camping, but I'll make the sacrifice. lol)

I apologize these pictures aren't the best, they were taken with Justin's iPhone. lol

I have to brag, the parks here on the military post are awesome. They are SO nice. I would have died and gone to heaven to have the stuff here when I was a kid! And they are usually made from recycled materials like tires. The stairway up to this huge slide are all tires, it's pretty cool.

My favorite little naughty boy. :)

Tommy is so cuddly in his sweater!

Tristan looks so serious. By this time he was tired.

So he took a nap. :)

Tommy wanted to share his sandwich. When he sits next to me he puts his arm around me, I love my little gentleman!

Nothing like a peanut butter smile.

I had to bribe Tommy with a promise of chocolate ice cream to get him to leave the park. Don't worry, I delivered on that promise. And I resisted the urge to have some! See what the sun does for me? Amazing!

♥

Brittney

Be Mine ♥

I've heard so many people say how much they don't like Valentine's day, even if they aren't single. I just don't understand it! I love having an extra day to celebrate how much I love Justin. :) Plus, there's usually chocolate involved. Yummy!

This year we planned to go to a hot springs spa, but due to the snow they were closed. I wasn't going to let that spoil the day for us. So, we went to one of our favorite restaurants instead. It's the only American restaurant here that I know of (McDonalds and Burger King don't count.) It's called Play Off and it's actually really, really good.

Chips, curly fries, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, and chicken and pineapple kabobs. Mmm Hmm!

Justin got me jelly bellies!

We had a babysitter for the boys, but since it's been so long since we left them with anyone, it was really hard. I cried like a baby when we drove away. I don't know if it was the pregnancy hormones or what, but I missed my babies!

After lunch, we went shopping downtown for a few hours. The snow had let up and mostly melted, so it was nice being outside. We picked out our own V-day gifts. Well, Justin wanted to buy a new Fossil wallet but kept putting it down because he couldn't justify spending so much money on a wallet. I had to talk him into it. If it's not a video game, Justin thinks it's frivolous. I really don't understand the male brain!

And I got this little beauty:

love, love, love, LOVE!

After shopping, we went home and had strawberries with sparkling cider. We watched our newest obsession, The Mentalist. We just caught ourselves up to date and now have to wait for each episode to air. We also did a face mask, to make up for our spa plans. We found out Justin is allergic to mimosa. He quickly had to take it off and then unsuccessfully cooled his skin outside. His face was red for an hour afterwards, poor thing!

I still had mine on, you can see Justin's face is all red!

That's whipped cream over there off to the side. I saved myself some guilt by using the fat free kind. The strawberries came in a heart shaped box, it was so cute!

I love you Justin. I'm so happy I get to spend my life with you. I couldn't have chosen anyone more perfect. You are my everything. Thank you for all that you do for me.

xoxo,

Brittney

Tristan learned to kiss!!

Help Us Decide!

Justin and I got quite the surprise a couple weeks ago. I was feeling sick and a few days late, so I decided to be on the safe side and buy a pregnancy test. Justin and I laughed on the way home from the store "There's no way you're pregnant! Can you imagine how crazy that would be?" (We both laugh) "Yeah, I know I'm not but better be sure!"

Imagine our shock, before I even put the test down it said positive. We both blinked probably about a billion times, waiting for the test to change to negative. I've never been in such shock. We were set on thinking we were done, two boys was it for us. God had other plans.

I am so glad He did. After the first few days, I've definitely gotten used to the idea. I've hardly been sick at all, I don't even feel pregnant most of the time. That's something new, I was deathly ill with both of my other pregnancies. That's why I'm convinced we're having a girl. :)

Those of you who know me really well would agree it would be a tragedy if I didn't have a daughter eventually. I'm as girly as they come. My dream is to dress my baby girl up in tutus and bows. I buy baby girl stuff for all my friends. Which bring me to the point of this post.

BABY NAMES!! I need help!

What do you like best?

1. Sienna Rose

2. Cora

3. Jemma

4. Anabelle

5. Rosie

6. Ella

7. Jasmyn

Justin and I both agree on all these names. I know it's a bit early to be thinking about names (and we could be having a boy and this could be a waste of time. lol) But I just can't help myself. What is your favorite? You can also add to the list. We're looking for something very feminine and not overused.

By the way I'm almost 7 weeks and I'm due September 26th. :)

Stir Craaaazy!

Things I need right now:

1. To be over this awful cold

2. For the snow to STOP!!

3. Justin to get off work early

4. Gym time with my best friend!

5. To see the sun

6. A big fat tax return

7. A giant brownie, with ice cream... and a cherry on top.

8. A babysitter.

A girl can dream, right? :)

Learn About Us: Tommy Edition!

Tommy's Favorite Things:

#1: Books. He adores gathering all of his books and dumping them on my lap, then happily exclaims "Let's read Mommy!"

He is so cute.

So, we read. To go through each of his books, it takes us close to an hour. Each day we read a new chapter of one of the longer reads, like Mary Poppins or The Wind in the Willows. He can't get enough of it. We also go through an English to German translation book, so he has learned a lot of German words.

#2: Pirate stuff. He got this pirate ship for Christmas, and now I often find him in his room looking for treasure with his ship. We're actually going to start watching Pirates of the Caribbean, because I know he will love it.

#3: Cats! As most of you know, Tommy fancies himself a cat. I've started calling him TomKat.

#4: Playing with Tristan. He loves pushing him around in his trucks. And as you can see, Tristan loves it too. They are so cute together!

#5: Watching movies. Tommy owns more movies than Justin and I. He knows how to work the TV and DVD player by himself, so sometimes he'll go in his room and watch a movie, and I won't realize until I wonder why it's so quiet.

He has two chairs in his room so his friends can come over and watch with him. That's definitely one of Tommy's favorite things to do.

#6: Get his picture taken. He is the best model, he lets me tell him what to do for pictures and then he can't wait to see how they turn out. He's a pro. Haha :) I followed him around today with the camera trying to capture his favorite things, he didn't mind!

I love everything about you, Tommy! ♥