Eleven Eleven

This cool guy had to have a little surgery last Friday.  It was out-patient and involved lasers and shots.  He scheduled it for his day off--and since it happened to be the day before our eleventh anniversary, we thought why not make a night out of it?  After bribing the grandparents to spend the last couple days of their Spring break with our baby birds, we were off!

First stop:  West Hills, back to the burn center.
I sure don't miss this place.  I actually thought we were pretty much over this chapter of our lives, so I wasn't prepared for the insurance approval paperwork that arrived in my mailbox.  I didn't like re-opening that dark day. . .until I was reminded that I was surrounded by the light.  With that period of time, I was filled with such gratitude and this faith like I never really knew until I just knew.  You know?

After the procedure, we ventured Westbound to Oxnard.  I know, Oxnard?  I didn't really get it either until we were searching for shells and flat rocks to add to our basket collection and Ernie told me I could just right Ox. . .and I smiled because how perfect are hugs and kisses when we are celebrating an anniversary? Perfection.

The other perfect sight was the view from our suite.  The beach was right there!  All I could say to Ernie was beachfront twice in the same year?  I mean, twice in two months!!!   It doesn't get much better than that--but then it does?  This life together--is pretty fantastic!  Eleven married years.  It has absolutely flown by!  I'm so grateful that we were able to reconnect and I was reminded of the me that doesn't get irritated too easily over shoes strewn across the floor--or things not getting done on my time table.  Kids are game changers, and I realized that I absolutely have to make an effort to get past those frustrations with my kiddos and love him for the wonderful husband and provider he is.  I have been blessed!

Did I mention how one night turned into two?  Awe. . .so thankful for the time to love on each other longer. . .April 6th. eleven years ago was a Saturday and we were probably still at church around 11:11--Catholic masses are typically an hour or so. ..I just love that screen shot of my phone!  And the diamond ear rings he got me!  And the suite we stayed in!  And the food we ate!  And everything about our 11th anniversary.