6 Years Ago

This was Matthew and me six years ago today.

The past couple of months, there has been a few times that I have noticed the same question arise here and there: "Why did you get married?" With religion set aside, in a world like we live in, why did I choose to get married? There were a lot of different responses and it had me thinking: 

Why did I get married?

I've thought a lot about it and have been putting my thoughts away, tucked into the back of my brain to have for this post. My answer is simple.

I got married because I met Matthew.

After only a week of dating Matthew, I knew I wanted to be legally (and eternally) bound to him. I wanted the world to know that I was his and he was mine. At nineteen years old, I made the best decision of my life. I knew Matthew was the one that I was supposed to stand beside forever. Six years down the road, I love him more and more everyday. Not specifically because of how awesome he is. (Matthew is pretty awesome.) It's because I live life with him. We grow together. We experience good things and bad things. I learn from him. I help him. And Matthew does the same for me. Life is not easy. But, it's easier living the goods and the bads with Matthew by my side, living them right along with me.

I chose to become Mrs. Matthew Townsend because I didn't have a reason not to. I still don't. I have millions of reasons why I needed to. I add to the list daily.

 Although, in the world we live in, it was only a piece of paper that made a difference, that piece of paper has made all the difference to us.

Happy Anniversary Matthew! I love you so much.



In Case You Were Wondering About...

She is doing great! I've realized that I have posted a lot about William lately, so I decided to update you all on how my little Lily is handling the situation.

 She has realized that she pretty much has free reign over what movies she wants to watch during the day. Last week, we had a barbie movie marathon. She watched the 12 dancing princesses which resulted in this the next two days:

I have also been watching our cousin, Keeley, since August. Keeley is two. Lily doesn't know how to handle being the older kid in the room, so there's a lot of this: 

 Although she is getting used to it and looks forward to Keeley coming to play...(most days).

This picture doesn't really have anything to do with what Lily does during the day with out William, but... Lily sure loves Matthew. And, hey! They're practically twins.

So, how is Lily doing with her brother being in school?

She can play with the toys she wants, watch what movies she wants, has my attention when she wants (not to mention Grandma and Grandpa's), and she gets to go out and do things during the day. 

I think she's coping quite nicely.  

Movies

I have been inspired to put a little list together of my favorite time period movies, as they are pretty much my favorite kind of movies right now. There is something that is so beautiful about being so proper. The bows and curtsies, the dresses, the gloves, top hats, cravats (I Love the cravats), the speech, and the courting. It's fun to momentarily be in that different time. I have seen a few movies that I liked, but these are the ones that I truly LOVE (you will see this word thrown around a lot in the post).  

Starting with:

Pride and Prejudice

 This is only fitting because this is one of the first time period movies that I ever watched all the way through and actually cared about - thanks to Carrie! She made an addict outta me. Many people have redone this story in many different ways. Some are pretty good, some are pretty pathetic. However, this A&E 5-hour version takes the cake. I love this story and this movie sticks awfully close to the book. And I love Elizabeth Bennett!

Sense and Sensibility

 This is a great movie! I love the version with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Let's just say that I think Jane Austen came up with some extraordinary love stories. This version of the story is great, but if you have time...

BBC has an even more incredible version, if you can believe it. I loved watching this version and as someone who has never read this book, it was nice to see a few surprises in the movie!

Becoming Jane

 I know, I know. Lots of people hated this movie because it didn't end in the most pleasing way. And some people hate Anne Hathaway. I'm not so keen on her British accent, but I LOVE this movie! I love the love story and the irony of loving someone so much you have to let them go. And.. I love James McAvoy.

The Young Victoria

 I watched this randomly because Matthew was out of town, so I just got this at redbox. I watched it twice in one night. I fell in love with this story so quickly. Emily Blunt is so beautiful and she is so great as Queen Victoria. Yes, I made Matthew watch this with me on Valentine's Day after finding it on Blu-Ray. If you know me, I'm pretty picky about the movies I buy on blu-ray. (Matthew, however, is not.)

Jane Eyre

 This movie is the inspiration for this blog post. Why? Because this is one that I just bought on a whim two days ago. I watched it yesterday with my mom and haven't been able to keep it out of my mind. I did know the story of Jane Eyre because my mom has loved it. I just never could get into because I hated that she ended up with the Rochester in the movie my mom had. He was a liar and looked a little crazy. I never sat down and watched the entire movie. So, I was really taking a chance. AND.. I loved this version. If you have the chance to watch this movie, definitely take the opportunity. You should be warned... it ends a little abruptly. Not enough to ruin it for me though!

What are some of your favorite time period movies??

Water Week

 A couple of weeks ago, we had a week of water fun! On Tuesday, we were invited to go to the splash pad with Krystin and her boys and Keaven also came with the little boy she watches (her girls were in dance camp). The kids all had a blast running around, but were careful not to get the water in their faces.

 Then, on Thursday, we were invited (along with John and Krystin) to go swimming at Christopher and Keaven's apartment. We got the kids some floaties and...

 William had a bast! Who would have thought?? I haven't taken my children swimming in a while, so it was a true shock to see that William was being so brave and loving being in the water and jumping in the pool.

But, Lily...

 couldn't get enough security from floatation devices.

 She hated being in the water by herself. She was okay as long as she was holding some one's hand. We are determined to help her so she doesn't develop the fear of water that I have.

Surprising, right?

Kindergartener!

The time has come! William has his first day of school today!

We met his teacher, Mrs. Saunders, last night and found out that he is in the "Lady Bug Room" so he can remember where he belongs. He was a little nervous at the school and a little bit after.

But, Matthew gave him (and Lily) a father's blessing, which was wonderful, and William was so excited after that. We picked out what clothes he would wear (he has a uniform, so it wasn't too difficult) and made his lunch last night before bed.

This morning, we got up, got dressed, had breakfast, and were out the door by 7:15! William remembered where his class was, his teacher's name, where his locker was and desk was. They all had play-doh on their tables, so he started to play. No tears at our good bye, which is a blessing! But, it makes it a little easier knowing it's only a half day. I'll pick him up soon. Now, come Tuesday on his first full day, who knows if I can keep my cool!

He looks so grown up!

Mrs. Saunders, take care of this sweet boy for me!

What I've Been Reading

I am in the process of reading The First 2000 Years by Cleon Skousen. IT IS SO GOOD! If you ever get the chance or time, pick it up. It is about the first 2000 years of the earth and has taught me A LOT. It's one of those things where it's giving me answers to questions I never knew I had. It is great!



School Days

So, I have been putting this blog post off. This is the "William is going to kindergarten" blog post. I figured that maybe if I finally just did it, rip it off like a band-aid, then it won't be so bad on Thursday when he actually goes to school.

FOUR DAYS! I guess, technically, it's more like THREE DAYS now.

School is an exciting thing and I've been trying to be so upbeat about William going to school. To his face. In other places I'm bawling like a baby. If he only knew.

When did he get so big? So old? He's to the point where he will remember things. I remember my first day of school. He will remember his. This is why I need to put up a brave front. If I had known that first day of Kindergarten that my mom was still in the hallway having a hard time leaving, I would have had a harder time being there without her.

It's not so much that William is my baby, because he's not. He is my little boy, my bud, my helper, my right hand man. I'm excited for him to progress. But, where it hits me the hardest is the fact that he is moving on and I'm not going to be there to watch it. This little one of mine is going off into the world without my hand to hold at all times, and that is scary. I feel like I have run out of time too quickly and only hope that I have taught him what he needs

.

Now, maybe I sound a little too ridiculous. I do realize that William is not leaving me for good. I will still have him and I'll still be teaching him. I'm still "momma." But, when school starts for a little person, life is never the same.

This is a part of motherhood, right? We have to give up what our selfish desires are for the benefit of our children's progression.

William is ready to move on. He is such a people person, I know he will have no problem making friends.

I love this little boy and I am excited for him to be his own. To grow into his own and be confident in who he is and what he has to offer the world, which is a lot.

And I will be cheering for him from the sidelines!

(and picking him up in the car riders lane)