Riley Through My Eyes

 Thirty years ago today this guy was born into this world. And eight years ago today he made me his wife. 

When people think of Riley, they think of a daredevil. This guy who's always pushing the limits.

 

The guy who's always hucking something, throwing some new trick off of some surface that is always a little higher than the last. 

 

They think of the guy who straps his kid to a massive kite, just to get him used to the feel of harnessing the wind. 

 Sometimes they think of the guy who is always a little shaggy, with hair that's too long, and a beard that rivals any logging mountain man.

 

When people talk about Riley they usual mention that he's an adrenaline junkie.  Or a ski bum.  

 Or just plain crazy.

 

 And you know what? They're right. He won't turn down a dare, he does make an afternoon on the trampoline feel like a X Games event, and he doesn't shave nearly enough.

But, when I think of Riley, I see something different. 

All of those adjectives take a back seat to adjectives like dad, friend, and provider.

I think of the man that can befriend anyone. Whether it's an 18 month old toddler girl... 

 Or an 85 year old Danish woman he knew 10 years ago.

 Because when Riley is a your friend, he's your friend for life.

 

When I think of Riley, I think of the father of my children. The dad who plans on pushing his babies on the swings, flying kites, and watching Disney movies when he gets home from a long day. 

I think of the dad that's never too old or cool or busy to join in when it's time to sing primary songs during fhe, decorate Halloween pumpkins, or build furniture forts. 

 

I think of the dad that stayed with me for my entire labor and delivery while in the midst of midterm exams. 

 

I see the dad that gets up at night with his grouchy daughter, who pats her on the back until she forgets her nightmares and goes back to sleep.

 

Riley is the dad who gives his boy experiences like his dad gave him. Bike rides, and roller skating, and bowling and sledding. He has taken Hinder fishing and camping and out to play catch SO early and SO much. 

 

And he treats his daughter just the same. This is the dad who teaches this little girl every day that she can do anything (even if it's a little dangerous and risky) just as good as any boy. 

 

I see the husband who fixes things for me. Whether it's a leaky faucet or loose handle, a cell phone that won't work, or bigger problems. Like when we were dating and my ride home from Boise fell through, so he drove me all the way to Burley. Or when I signed up for a half marathon and couldn't run, so he just jumped in and did it in my place without training.

 I see the man that will say the perfect one-liner to make me laugh just before I fall asleep at night, usually after a particularly difficult day. The man who held and rocked me for hours and hours after we miscarried our 2nd pregnancy. Riley fixes things that break.

And these days, when I think of Riley, I think of sacrifice. The sacrifice of sleep. So, so little sleep. Studying until 1-2 p.m. most nights of the week, to ensure that he passes. And then getting up at 6 or 7 so he can see his kids for an hour or two before his day starts. Riding his bike the 13 miles home from UNE to make sure we stay within our gas budget. Taking leftovers for lunch for 8 years instead of going out to eat, even though he would much rather have Taco Bell or a Big Mac.

 Sacrificing a season ski pass and a dirt bike in exchange for a life more promising for his family. 

Sacrificing sleep so he can see his kids at times. 

Sacrificing always.

 The person that I see is the man who hasn't uttered a judgmental word to me about ANYTHING in eight years. Not when I wear sweat pants and his old t -shirt for 13 days straight, or eat the entire half gallon of ice cream, or read books that most people wouldn't touch and haven't been checked out of the library since 1976, or when he catches me watching "Good Luck Charlie" or "Hannah Montana" without the kids. He has never verbally demeaned me or cut me down in any way. He let's me be me, and that's so crucial to our marriage and so rare. 

And it's not just me. Rarely have I heard him ever say a negative thing about anyone. He loves his parents and sisters and brothers (brothers by choice) unconditionally.

 When I see this man, I can still see the 22-year shaggy-haired ski bum, wearing flip flops and a Hawaiian shirt, with a heart of gold. He's still my boyfriend. He's still my love.

 

Happy 8 years to us and 30 years to you, Mr. Hurst. I simply adore you. 

"You provide me the lighter fluid to fuel my fire
You're my entire supply
Gas, the match, the igniter.
The only way that I am able to stay so stable
Is you're the legs to my table
If you were to break I'd fall on my face."

Easter 2014

 Easter was lovely this year. We had a group of Hinder's friends from primary come over to have brunch, dye eggs, and have an egg hunt in the yard. Ages ranged from nine to six months. It was a lot of crazy, egg and candy filled fun.

 The nice thing about doing our egg hunt early was we were able to keep the focus on Christ on Easter Sunday. Our morning at church was wonderful and the kids dressed in their new outfits. I love these little people. I never want to forget how they are together, at this stage. I propped them all up on the couch and got ready to take a picture when Hinder wrapped his arms around them both and said, "come get real close to me, guys." :) Such a good older brother.

 We enjoyed Easter dinner with the Sister missionaries and a couple from the ward. I cooked my first lamb in an attempt to be more traditional, and it turned out alright, but I'll probably never attempt lamb again. It wasn't my favorite.  At the end of the evening we attempted the cliff walk, but we just about froze to death.

 I'm grateful for a day set aside to ponder, contemplate, and celebrate the Savior's victory over the grave. It truly was the most remarkable and important event in human history, and all hope and joy in this life comes because of His life and Atonement. That knowledge sustains and directs me.

Happy Easter!

Six Months Gone By

 It's hard to believe we've had this little guy for 6 months. In many ways, I still feel like I have a newborn. But that just isn't the case. All of the sudden, Ledger is seeming much more grown up and wants to be an active part of our world. He's rolling, sitting, and holding his own bottle. He's always been a bit of a screechy kid when he wants attention, but I've enjoyed hearing him babble a little more this week in an effort to 'talk'.

 This last week, he started still up fairly well on his own. We pretty much just settle him into himself and he's so study, he stays put. The weather has cooperated for the past week and we've been able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful spring. Ledger enjoyed his first ride in the wagon, and despite his brother and sisters almost constant bickering about who would pull and who would ride. He didn't utter a single peep.

A friend of mine needed us to watch her 3 month old baby a few times when she went back to work after maternity leave. Ledger enjoyed having another baby around the house. He gave up smiles very easily to this cute little girl! I was on cuteness overload on these days, but goodness, twins (or even Irish twins) would be exhausting!

 

As part of our lives as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we look forward to hearing from the prophet and apostles every 6 months. This special weekend was last weekend, and it was outstanding! It was so uplifting and we were able to enjoy family walks and bike rides around the Prouts Neck in between sessions.

 

 

This Earth in the most beautiful place.

Katy's Visit: Part 2

 The latter part of Katy's visit was packed full of lots of fun and great food! We enjoyed Maine Maple Days in Newport, Maine, sampling lots of maple products and scoring some pure syrup for our pantries. The drive to Newport was scenic through the woods with a bit of snow still on the ground.

 The night the kids stayed with our awesome neighbors, and we took Katy to our favorite local diner- Beckys! Katy, being the most friendly, outgoing person that ever lived, had the entire restaurant laughing with her antics! 

 (This picture is a crack up. A gust of wind never fails to ruin a picture on the harbor. haha Proof that not all moments are picturesque)

 

 After church on Sunday, we ventured to the headlight at Fort Williams. This picture captures how beautiful this place is. Without filters Without enhancing.

 

 Isn't she so pretty?

 Our final day with Katy was spent doing what we love best. Food! :) Panera is one of Katy's favorites so we lunched there and then took her to meet Lenny, the chocolate moose. We split a chocolate covered Twinkie to commemorate the day.

I will be grateful FOREVER to have this awesome friend, who has taught me a million life lessons from which jam is the absolute best in the store (bonne maman), or how to set up a facebook group, to how to be assertive yet tactful.

Farewell until next time!