emmab23

What a fun thing to check off a list. Go on cruise. Check. I think I would like to put it right back on the list. It was fantastic. We went with two of our friends. We all had the best time. (Left the kids at home- it wouldn’t be a relaxing break if we hadn’t.) I loved the ship we picked- the Norwegian Jewel. It was huge, new, and uber-clean. Hand sanitation stations everywhere- being the semi-germophobe that I am, I was in heaven. It

This is one of those things I wish I were doing now & I wish I could say I would start doing today, but I know I’m not going to because I’m just not ready to put in the effort yet. I’m doing the best I can right now & I can’t do anything more at this point in my life- including doing anything that will help me to be more frugal. But I want it on my list so I don’t forget that when I’m in a little better place (and not quite so pregnant) I will start: making more meals instead of getting take out all the time, sending a lunch to work with my husband (because he actually seems to like it and it saves a lot of money), fixing up some old clothes instead of buying new ones when my closet options look boring to me, and mopping the floors myself instead of paying someone else to do it.

Okay, maybe all that stuff except the mopping.

(In no meaningful order. How could I order something like this?)

1. When I’m with him I feel safe.
2. His sincere, real laugh- that spontaneous, sparkling, full laugh.
3. His sexy hands.
4. He is truly a good person. He always tries to do what he thinks is right.
5. He doesn’t seem to realize how good he is at his job and how unique that is. He isn’t cocky about it.
6. He’s sure of himself- he doesn’t care what other people think- REALLY.
7. He is a thoughtful, sensitive, and generous lover. I could go on but I won’t.
8. He thinks I’m beautiful and he says so almost every day.
9. He rubs my shoulders even though I never return the favor.
10. He actually would rather spend time with me than with anyone else. It makes me feel so special and important to him.
11. He lives his life intentionally- he thinks through his actions and decisions.
12. All the nicknames he gives me and calls me. I love it.
13. When he commits to making a change HE DOES.
14. He is ridiculously supportive of me buying my own jewelry.
15. He’s happy to pay someone else to mop the floors.
16. Not a single day has gone by in our marriage without him saying to me “I love you”.
17. He made us a beautiful home and never gave up at the thought of such a daunting task, even when I did.
18. He listens when I try to express how I feel about things.
19. He reveres his mother.
20. Sometimes he makes me laugh really hard. I love to laugh with him.
21. He spoils me, and only acts like I’m spoiled once in awhile.
22. He’s generous with money. Sometimes this can drive me crazy but I love that he’s generous.
23. He started out as my best friend and he still is.
24. He always offers to get me drinks of water. If I say I’m not thirsty, he talks about the Sahara Desert and hot summer days until I am thirsty.
25. He’s always grateful when I make him a meal.
26. He never expects me to make him a meal.
27. He’s good huggin’.
28. He thinks I’m a good mom.
29. He asks me if I’m stocked up on chocolate.
30. His soft feet.
31. He proudly claims to be a nerd, but never in a nerdy way.
32. He talks to our babies in utero.
33. He treats me absolutely as an equal in our marriage and relationship.
34. He develops his interests and talents without fear or self-doubt.
35. When I’m pregnant he calls me Preggers Em.
36. He gives me shots during my pregnancies and says I’m tough, even when I’m not.
37. He’ll gladly and openly admit when he’s wrong.
38. He encourages me to do the things he knows are important to me.
39. He always makes time for us- even at work. He never acts like he’s too busy for my phone calls.
40. He thinks brown and black go together just fine. He’ll say, “What doesn’t go with black?” I think it’s cute.
41. He’s sweet and good with babies.
42. He keeps his fingernails short and clean.
43. He’s willing to apologize to Jonas. Some dads won’t.
44. He buys cleaning products that he sees on TV.
45. He begs me to try bites of foods he likes.
46. He sends me sweet (and once in awhile mildly suggestive) emails.
47. He likes me and Jonas to come to lunch with him.
48. He always looks great in his jeans.
49. He’s a good driver.
50. He doesn’t hold a grudge- not for any amount of time.
51. He looks at my handmade cards and spends time appreciating them and picking his favorites.
52. He forgives me when I’m a rotten person. He treats me like the good person I intend and am trying to be.
53. The way he whistles around the house when he’s working.
54. The many memories we’ve created together that I cherish and think about with fondness.
55. When Jonas was in the hospital for a long time he sent me home a couple weekends. He gives me a break when I feel too guilty to ask for one.
56. The way he refers to our life together before kids as “our single days”.
57. I can trust him.
58. I know he’ll be honest with me.
59. When I get a bad haircut he’ll lie to me until it grows out.
60. He acts like I’m a prize he won.
61. Holding his hand as we enter and exit a movie.
62. The way he plays with Jonas.
63. Watching him bike.
64. He changes dirty diapers even though he said it was the one thing he was unwilling to do once we had kids.
65. He has good oral hygiene.
66. He thinks my poor facial recognition ability is cute and funny, not dumb and kind of sad.
67. He knows every little thing about me. It feels good to be known.
68. He values a job well done and always strives for that.
69. He prefers to watch cartoons over sports games or crime shows.
70. He takes the time to examine and appreciate fine craftsmanship wherever he finds it.
71. From the very first day I talked to him, I felt comfortable and I could be myself with him.
72. The way he gushes sentimental things to me when he’s coming out of anesthesia.
73. The way he takes me to bed when I’ve fallen asleep on the couch.
74. He’s intelligent- he actually enjoys studying and learning.
75. My body fits his body.
76. The way he looks when he gets dressed up.
77. He’s good at telling a story.
78. The way he mixes different foods on his plate, evaluates the merits of combinations, and then urges everyone to try it.
79. When I was on bedrest for a few days during my first pregnancy, he spent the weekend in bed with me and read the whole book of Treason aloud. And brought me food.
80. He doesn’t like to hear about tragic or awful news stories. He has no morbid curiosity.
81. His huge bowls of cold cereal.
82. He’s supportive of me getting out for an evening and having fun with my friends.
83. He tries to finish what he started before moving on to something new.
84. He didn’t get mad when I backed the car out of the garage without opening the garage door first.
85. The way we can sit and watch TV together and laugh. I feel perfectly content by his side.
86. When he says, “We’re sticking with a theme”.
87. He has surprisingly good taste.
88. He puts up with my family and even loves them most of the time.
89. He writes the most beautiful, sweet, expressive, funny letters.
90. He gets rid of spiders for me, even when they’re already dead and I’m still afraid of them.
91. He asks me to edit his writing.
92. He is his own man.
93. He really wants me to wake him up in the middle of the night when I have a bad dream. He holds me and makes me talk about it until I feel better.
94. He’s self-conscious about his handwriting. It’s adorable.
95. He likes me best with a ponytail and no makeup.
96. He dreams big.
97. He sings me songs all the time and substitutes my name for words in the song.
98. He helps me get the rest I need. He feels guilty when I don’t get enough sleep, even though it’s not his fault.
99. His capability and confidence in his career.
100. He encourages me to become my best self but he’s happy with me the way I am now.