Happy 8 Years to Us!

Jake and I celebrated our 8 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY last weekend.We went to the beach (of course) and stayed at the Dolphin Bay Resort (again). We sure love that place, it has become like a vacation home to us. We have gotten to know the staff, the area, and have enjoyed our little routine when we go.
I can't believe we have been married 8 years, two more to go until the big TEN. That makes me feel old.
We have had an amazing 8 years. 8 years ago, when I was 19 and he 22, we both would have never imagined the life we have lived so far. In 8 years we have had four kids together, lived in three states, lived in three homes, have both gone through several years of schooling, jobs, and have had countless memories, triumphs, trials, and blessings!  It is a wonderful life and we feel so blessed to have each day together.

Through all the rough times and happy times, he has been my understanding, caring, enthusiastic and hard working best friend. When I look back and think about the biggest decision one could make, at age 19, one would wonder how a 19 year old could make that kind of decision wisely. Now that we are having a daughter, I will never let her marry that young. Sure I would have changed somethings, like finishing school first, maybe traveling abroad like I wanted to before marriage, maybe even marrying a little older and having kids later when I was more mature. But here and now, I wouldn't change a thing. Marrying Jake was the best decision I ever made, something deep inside and most importantly, heavenly influence, helped me to make that. I only knew Jake for a year before we were married and according to my past, didn't have too many serious previous relationships before him. The things I fell in love so quickly then, now (though sometimes might be agitating!) are the qualities I still admire and love about him and see even more the benefits of as the father of our cute kids! We don't have the perfect life, but it's pretty amazing and it's ours!

When we arrived at the resort after we ordered some lunch to our room, Jake surprised me with a 90 minute maternity massage. I was so surprised because our gift to each other was the new SUV. But he's sneaky, and I was glad to partake. It was the best massage ever, I literally felt like I was on a cloud. Such an appreciated gift. With all the headaches this pregnancy has given me (and my boys), the tension relief was heaven sent.

That evening after dinner we went on a stroll along the pier. It was a little cloudy and cold but beautiful and peaceful. We looked in all the shops, the Hula Hut was my favorite. It had the cutest specialty gifts and the best ice cream and smoothies.

Jake got me this heart ring 9 years ago when we were first dating. I was visiting him in Seattle for the first time and while we were walking along Pike's Place Market in downtown Seattle a China man called out to us and said to Jake, "You love her? You buy her this ring. 5 dollar." Thinking back on this memory makes me laugh, it was so funny and I remember feeling awkward because no guy had bought me any kind of ring before, even a 5 dollar one. I felt it was making a step forward in the relationship. But Jake bought it, put it on me, and it was for fun, but I have worn it ever since!

Clouds make for the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen. Honestly the nights we were there had the most gorgeous PINK sunsets ever. Maui didn't even have pink sunsets like this! We watched the sun go down on our balcony every night in awe.

We enjoyed the infinity hot tub that sits right by the ocean, snuggling and watching lots of movies by the fire, and ordering lots of room service ;) It was a great weekend! Thanks to my parents for watching the boys for us! We even made it home Sunday afternoon so Jake wouldn't miss the Superbowl party at my parents house with my dads tri- tip (my gift to Jake) ha!