10 Years Ago Today...

I met this guy.

My soul mate. 

My rock. (Which is what the name "Peter" literally means, by the way).

I wish somebody
could have walked
up to me and said
"hey you'll meet your
future husband in
a few hours!"
Might've lightened
the mood...

But as I've shared before, it was anything but romantic. The day we met was actually probably one of the most traumatic days I'd ever experienced in my young life: the first day of "basic training" at West Point known as R-Day--where you have 90 seconds to say goodbye to your family and no contact with them for 6 weeks and all the upperclassmen try to scare the blessed assurance out of you so you can become a good cadet, yada yada. Welcome to college. 

Anyway, since we had the pleasure of attending such a warm fuzzy military school we were organized into units similar to those in the real Army, and Peter and I happened to be assigned to the same squad. That meant we were part of the same ten-person group that would spend almost every waking second together for the entire summer of basic training and who would have to rely on each other for everything. I was the only girl, and I met my squad--including Peter--during a quick meeting that evening after we'd been stripped of our civilian clothes, put in the most unattractive uniforms possible (complete with knee socks), and hearded around with lots of yelling for good measure. All the boys also got a complimentary head shaving. My introduction to my future husband during that squad meeting was extremely unremarkable, except for the fact that he appeared to be the most despicable of the nine male creatures with whom I was supposed to be forming a brotherly bond. He was also pretty cocky and snarky about the whole basic training deal, considering the fact that he'd been through "real" basic training before. (He'd enlisted in the Army the previous year, got deployed, then was plucked from his desert wasteland in Afghanistan just in time to join the rest of the class at West Point because they recognized him as a top-performer). I was not impressed. He was also not impressed because I was a silly girl who knew nothing and all I did was talk about my high school boyfriend and how my Dad was in the Army and how we'd lived at West Point when I was little so this was my home, yo. Maturity at its finest. 

Thankfully, we didn't have to deal with each other too much because we did things in height order. Being that he was the tallest, and I was the almost-shortest, we had at least eight people between us at all times. In our limited interaction, I didn't even know his first name until the very end of the summer because we called each other by our last names; and his last name was already super weird and annoying as it was. (Oh irony of ironies, as I now spell it slowly and phonetically at least three times in a row whenever I have to give my name over the phone...)

A match made in heaven  basic training.
As Peter rolls his eyes and makes a face...

So the question is, how did we get from that mess to the marital bliss in which we now abide? (G'head roll your eyes...but it's true).

Because I almost failed math and chemistry and every course with any kind of number, that's how.

Well I guess I should back up a little.

At the start of the academic year, I was sent to another company (I was on a varsity team which was consolidated into the same unit for the summer but dispersed during the academic year for logistical reasons). I knew no one. And I was loooonleeyyyyyy. And I had a nice new government-issued laptop that had email and that awesome thing called IM (remember?) that allowed me to finally communicate with the rest of the world. So I emailed the 'brothers' in my long-lost squad and sent them my IM name. Peter claims that he deleted the email immediately and came across it in his trash folder later when looking for something else--then only decided to IM me because he was "bored and had nothing better to do." And since I was loney and also had nothing better to do, I responded and we had some really mature and soul-searching conversations those first few weeks (not at all--mostly they invovled bickering and other nonsense. It's a shame I didn't save any). 

But during those conversations, I did communicate my frustration with all of those math and engineering courses I was seriously drowning in, and somehow he decided that he'd take pity on me and help me. Soon I found myself walking nervously across campus to his room anticipating the most awkward tutoring session on the face of the planet...with the guy I had loathed and who I'd assumed was far less intelligent than me. (Oh how many times I ate my words, especially when he graduated in the top of the class. But I still maintain that I'm the better writer)! Shockingly, during that anticipatedly awkward first tutoring session he was...actually...nice. And patient. And a surprisingly good teacher. (No surprise now that I know his parents so well and see where he gets his talents from)! 

From then on, he took a vested interest in me not failing out of West Point, and I was desperate enough to recieve the help so as not to bring shame upon my family. He also decided that he didn't totally despise me--in fact, he kinda liked me andmaybeevenhadacrushonme, and somehow convinced me that we should take a ballroom dancing class together because we could wear civilian clothes, which we weren't allowed to wear any other time. I conceded:

Our first picture together.
Oh the awkwardness. I can't even handle it.

But before the dancing class was over I told him I had to quit because I was still failing math, my sports traveling schedule was picking up and I just couldn't deal with it all. Still, he helped me pass my finals, and we maintained a friendship for the rest of the year. He remained my tutor, I demanded to proof his English papers, and he became my confidant for all of my boy troubles. (Again with the maturity bit). But somehow we stuck with each other, and I even agreed to date him the next year because I was getting weary of turning him down. And with that, he planned our first date in September for my birthday. We went to the city and we visited the aquarium, had dinner, and went on a carriage ride in Central Park:

The non-edited version.
I was actually so embarassed initially that I
Photoshopped his left hand out of the picture...

Somewhere along the line, he also gave me this book.

(Now so full of memories it can't even close all the way...)

In the front it says:

"Megan, Merry Christmas! Because you and my memories of you are my most cherished posessions here at school, I thought I'd give you this book for your present. "What is it," you ask? Well, it's a memory book, silly! I've written about some of the memories I have of the times we've spent together in the past year and a half. Now, it's yours to edit and add to for the next year. You can make additions or add comments to what I've written, add things I've left out, add new things that happen over the next year, or keep it just the way it is. You can take it in any direction you please. Of course there are a couple of rules you must abide by: 1. You may not cross out anything I have written. 2. You may not show it to me for the next year. You can (and are encouraged to) add your opinions all around my entries. This book is yours to guard and maintain. Next Christmas you may choose to keep this or pass it back to me. At any rate, I've made it mine, so if you make it yours, it will truly be ours. Again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!" 

Oh I added to it alright...including captions about
how awful I looked in the pictures.

It became more special with each passing year, and as Peter said, truly became ours. I can't wait to share it with our kids one day; it tells our story well. A story in which we survived a break-up, six months later decided to make up, learned how to communicate, and then really did open up and have those soul-baring conversations that allow you to really know someone. We developed some of that much-needed maturity, grew together in love, in faith, in values and life goals, and finally joined together as an inseprable team. And then, suddenly less than four years after we met--knee highs, shaved head and all--we found ourselves engaged and planning for our forever together. 

Who knew?

We make a killer team.

I sure didn't. But I'm so glad God did. I'm so glad he worked on both of our hearts and minds and cleared the path to make something that seemed like the least likely of possibilities into the most beautiful of realities.

I love you Peter--my soul mate--my rock. 

Cheers to our TEN years!

Happy Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day...

To the most amazing Dad ever, who raised me, provided for me, and guided me so I could become the person I am today! It's largely due to his influence that I get to live the incredible life I'm living now, and in many ways due to his example that I married an equally incredible man who is so similar!

And a Just-As-Happy Father's Day...

...to the Dad who pretends to be a white horse with a purple and pink saddle at the request of a little princess who sits regally as her horse trots and whinnies all the way to her bed...then morphs into a spaceship that blasts off and carries a little astronaut off to his bed.

(a white horse,
among other things)

...to the dad who rushes to meet his family at the fair while still in his suit...

So he can take his kids on their first Ferris Wheel ride...

And ride in the belly of a big pink teddy bear with peace signs painted on its back pockets...

(I decided to forego this one, Mom,
since it was reminiscent of a
certain Disney World ride that
involved tea cups...)

And squeeze into the tiny train caboose...

And don't forget the Dumbo ride!

...to the dad who buys his kids every possible item of Denver sports paraphernalia to ensure that they're thoroughly brainwashed (like today during our Father's Day outing to the Rockies-Phillies game...and there's nothing I can do except refuse to cave completely and keep cheering for the Phillies).

 ...to the dad who is a bath-giving, diaper-changing, laundry-washing, meat-grilling, boo-boo-kissing, tantrum-taming, book-reading, spider-killing, fun-loving friend, coach, teacher, steamroller, fanciful horse, king, disciplinarian, biggest fan and most-adored hero all in one.

From...

...the wife who never makes breakfast (because pouring milk over a bowl of cereal is more than enough work first thing in the morning). But loves her husband so much that she's willing to go crazy and break the rules today. Just this once.

It was cold. But not burnt. I'm getting there...

...and from the daughter who convinced her lazy mom to make breakfast in bed just this once for Father's Day, because her amazing Daddy made breakfast in bed on Mother's Day, so clearly that's THE STANDARD. And also because she wanted to be the one to put her Daddy's gummy vitamins on the breakfast tray.

...and from the son who idolizes his Daddy so much that he literally wants to be his Daddy. It doesn't matter how many different ways we rephrase the question, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" He still says "I want  to be Daddy," which also means he wants to work at the same place, go to the same grad school, and be an Army man some weekends...just like Daddy.

...and from the littlest son who simply cannot contain his joy when in his Daddy's presence, so he grins until his dimples can't get any deeper and exclaims "Daddy!" with delight at least fifty times in a row upon the realization that Daddy is around.

...and from the dog who might still be starving and sweating it out in Texas if his soft-hearted Daddy hadn't walked into the shelter six years ago and walked out as this fluffy pup's hero.

Happy Father's Day! We love you!!!

Rocky Mountain High

Somewhere between the month of never-ending sickness this past winter, and my recent whining about being so very tired, Peter got fed up with my bellyaching and suggested a vacation.
(To be fair, he was also fed up with all his never-ending stress from work/school/army stuff). So that's what we did last week--took a real, live, relaxing, fun family vacation in which we turned off the phones, remembered each others' names, and unplugged from the stresses of daily life. Since Peter knows that I love a good globe-trotter diversion, he let me plan the whole trip. So I picked the location (within reason--something close by in the Rockies), found activities, and planned the meals at all those award-winning gluten and dairy-free restaurants that exist. We somehow managed to snag a whole week when Peter didn't have to play Army, and the world would (most likely) not catch on fire if he took off of work, and neither Marie nor Peter had school.

Boy, was it ever worth it. 

I found a perfect little cabin on the Colorado River, just west of the Rocky Mountain town of Glenwood Springs, CO. The town is known for its hot springs and lots of outdoor adventure-y type stuff like hiking and biking and rafting and all the other things that crunchy Coloradoans like to do. We told the kids that our stay in the cabin was "camping," although it was more my speed of camping...you know, with tiled showers and stainless appliances to cook gluten-free goodness and comfortable mattresses and a separate bedroom for the kids. (Thank you, Army, for destroying all the fun of bivouacking for me). The cabin came complete with the soothing sights and sounds of the river that flowed in front of it, a stocked fishing pond so Peter could teach me the kids how to fish, and a fire pit next to the river in which to roast marshmallows while watching the sun set over the mountains. Because it just happened to face northwest...the small details, you know.

I spent a lot of time like this:

And we went to some of the coolest places I've ever seen. (Which is saying a lot after spending so much time in this little corner of the world). I debated writing a bajillion-part series to try and convey the awesomeness with the help of the 1,815 pictures I took. But it's your lucky day because I decided that I would limit myself to just a little summary with a few collages (and maybe a video) per event. So you'll only be subjected to about 3% of the shots...unless you visit us in person. Then I'll be sure to shove the 50-page scrapbook in front of your face.

Day 1: Hanging Lake
I decided before we even moved to Colorado that I wanted to do this hike someday. I'm not sure where I first read about it, but basically this limestone lake is a gorgeous geological wonder suspended in the cliffs of Glenwood Canyon a few thousand feet from the base. I'd kind of forgotten about it until I started looking into places around Glenwood Springs; when I realized how close it was to the town, it sealed the deal.

We left right after breakfast on Friday and got there early in the morning when the trail wasn't too crowded. It was a (really looonng-seeming) mile hike almost straight up the entire way, but we planned well with a bunch of snack breaks and the kids did awesome. (Minus Ethan who had the Tantrum of the Year after our first snack break when we put him back in the carrier on my back. I think I still have some bruises). Every step was more gorgeous than the last--the trail follows a stream the whole way with little cascading waterfalls that became bigger as we went. The kids loved crossing all of the little bridges and watching all of the falls. And eating all the m&ms out of the trail mix, of course.

The top right before the lake involved some minimal climbing (there were railings to help out) and allowed for some gorgeous views of the canyon below. And the lake itself was gorgeous. Three waterfalls cascading into crystal clear teal waters, like something out of a fairy tale, and a perfect view into the canyon below. It was fairly small, and being an east coast girl I'd consider it more of a pond than a lake. But it was worth every last bit of the hike to see it.

There was also a petrified log that stretched almost the entire way across the lake which some people were walking out on for pictures, and the timing worked out for Peter to go 'walk on the water.' (I thought it best not to take chances--and possibly a dunk--and walk out too since Ethan was content in his carrier at the moment). 

All tuckered out.

We got down the mountain in time for a late lunch and enjoyed the rest of the day back at the cabin relaxing.

And learning to fish.

Daddy is the best.

(You know those memes? I feel like me "fishing" should be one of them):

Hey where'd the hook go?
And what are all these knots in the line?

Day 2: Camping
So we did actually promise the big kids some "real" camping. It entailed setting up tents a few feet from the cabin next to the river on Saturday night...for Peter and the kids. While Ethan and I slept in our cozy beds in the cabin. Win-win. We roasted more marshmallows, of course, before tucking the kids in. Marie and Erik all nestled up next to each other in their little tent was possibly one of the cutest things I've seen in my entire life.

First s'mores:

Also, earlier in the day Peter came up with the idea of building "boats" and having a race down the river...the bridge was the finish line, and Ethan's boat won by a good mile! The kiddos loved it.

Day 3: Colorado National Monument
Let me preface this by saying that I've never been to the Grand Canyon, so by comparison this might not seem like much to some of you. But Colorado National Monument has some seriously amazing canyons that looked enough like the Grand Canyon to impress me. Sunday morning, we went to church, relaxed a bit at the cabin, then drove west toward Grand Junction for dinner and a sunset tour of the national park. During our trip planning I looked up 'things to do in Grand Junction' on a whim because neither of us had been to the area and it was just over an hour away. I read that there was a good spot near Grand Junction to watch the sunset over Books Cliffs in Colorado National Monument. I figured it would be cool and all, but I never expected this kind of amazingness:

A 19-mile drive filled with jaw-dropping views...
a sunset view from one side of the park, and view after dusk from the other side.

Pretty decent place for family photo ops.
Also, not a shabby place to play in the dirt. Marie called it "Mars" because it was all red. 

Day 4: "Recovery" Day - Mini Golf and a Quick Jaunt to Aspen
On Monday we attempted to sleep in, then took the kids to burn off some steam and experience their first round of put-put. Then we decided to go check out Aspen for a bit since it was only an hour away and a good drive was our best bet for getting the kids to nap!

Day 5: Rifle Falls & Spelunkers-in-Training
Rifle Falls was another favorite stop on the trip. I discovered it when researching good hikes in the area, and the description talked about an easy hike to some waterfalls and a few small caves that kids could explore. The description didn't do it justice--they were much higher falls than we expected (about three stories), and we ended up being able to go up to the base of the waterfalls, hike along the top, and even go behind one of them!

Rifle Falls--the views from the top (including the river),
the middle (we were behind the falls on the left!)
and the base (if you look closely, you can Peter and me next to the falls)

The caves also didn't disappoint. We stumbled upon a "secret" entrance to one that went pretty far back and was a ton of fun to explore. I mean, it was no Carlsbad Caverns, but we didn't have to pay for a tour and got to do all of the discovering on our own. It definitely made me want to do some real caving in the future! We probably could've used stronger flashlights because it was still pitch black with our headlamps, but overall it was the perfect amateur spelunking experience. The kids haven't stopped talking about it!

I went up into this little alcove with Ethan (left) and told Marie she could explore the back wall.
But instead of a wall, there was a hole in the wall big enough to climb through (center)...
which opened up into a huge cavern above with a tunnel in the back (right)!

We had to trade off flashlights in order to move around--what you see on the left is from my camera flash.
All we could see (center) was just pitch blackness! Like I said, stronger flashlights would've helped.
We spent awhile trading flashlights to explore, then climbed back down
through the "secret" entrance (right), which Ethan and I barely squeezed through!

Day 6: Rifle Gap Beach
So we had planned to go to the Hot Springs all along, but after driving past it a few times in Glenwood Springs, we decided that taking the kids to a crowded, glorified swimming pool with sky-high prices and warm water on one of the hottest days of the summer didn't sound like much fun. Maybe we'll go back someday without the kids in winter to say we went and be able to enjoy the full experience. But we decided to skip it this time and go to this beautiful beach (near Rifle Falls) instead on our last full day. Of course, the water was freezing compared to the Hot Springs, but I'm a beach girl at heart and the kids had a blast playing in the sand. It was definitely the right choice for us!

Rock skipping, snacktime, Ethan eating sand, and little engineer
Erik building a "boat float." Still not sure what that means...

The talented Sand Castle Construction Team!

Day 7: Across the Divide (and Back to Reality)
We all agreed at the end of the vacation that we achieved a great balance of having fun, relaxing and unplugging. It was the perfect pace, we didn't do too much or too little, and we weren't itching to get home right away...but also didn't feel the need to stay longer (except for Marie who begged to stay another week).

On the way home we took a short detour over Loveland Pass so we could check out some of the ski hills in the area we'll be frequenting with our epic passes this winter (friends and family invited!). Loveland Pass is also home of the Continental Divide, which--if you need an explanation like me--means that all water east of the divide flows to the Gulf/Atlantic, and all water west of it flows to the Pacific. It also means that we saw some gorgeous views of the Rockies, dropped from about 80 degrees to 40 degrees in the space of 20 minutes, and got to see snow again. I won't be sad if it's the last time I do until December, though!

BONUS: Family Photo Outtakes
Because no vacation would be complete without them.

Time to play "Catch That Kid" and "Guess Who's Missing?"!