It is rare in life that you can finitely pinpoint moments of pure, all-encompassing happiness. More often than not, happiness is comprised of elusive moments that flutter in and out of consciousness, and you grapple with every ounce of your being to bring those moments back to life and relive them.

Your grandpa’s belly laugh, the scent of “home”, the quiver of loved one’s lip right before a tender smile…. often life’s most precious moments are lived entirely in your mind after they occur, and as time grows the frequency and strength of the memories atrophy and dissipate.

Thankfully September 28, 2007, is not one of those elusive moments that flutters in and out of my mind. The happiness of that day four years ago continues to creep into my consciousness without hesitation, because the joy of that day continues to persist every day I am with Blaine. When you have tireless happiness, it is not all that hard to recall what it felt like when it was fresh and new.

Husband,

Together we laugh.
Together we dance.
Together we love.

As long as I am alive, you will be my everything. Here’s to 143 more years together….

xoxo,
Wife

I have always had an uncanny ability to derive a rule set from even the most free-spirited of activities.

“Let’s frolic in that field!”
Shanni: “Are we trespassing?”

“Share your hopes and dreams!”
Shanni: “Chronologically or in order of importance?”

“Let’s eat all of the Red Skittles!”
Shanni: “I’ve heard that interferes with some statistical theories and can lead to heart murmurs.”

Entering adulthood comes with it the pride in being able to set (some) of your own rules. Mom, I’m sorry- I don’t eat vegetables. All those years of me swallowing peas like pills clearly didn’t serve as a prelude for me to metamorphoses into a vegetable-loving adult.

So, I am hereby breaking another rule in adulthood, mainly just because I can. Without fear of imprisonment. A “Best Of” slideshow in August (when I wrote this post)!!! This is utterly crazy and each Type A nerve in my body is telling me not to do it. “Wait until December like all the normal people do!” they cry. But let’s face it, I’ve had an insanely crazy year thus far, and I think it is worth celebrating now… and maybe again in December.

I mean, it’s only August and I have these little tid-bits to add to “Life’s Resume” (and some excuse as to why I’ve been a bad blogger lately)…

-Chasing a burglar from my home, ID’ing him, and being told he’s a murderer
-Starring in a Reality TV Show (no joke…. I never said I live a normal life!)
-Being Published in “Real Simple Weddings” and “Destination I Do”
-Losing 20 pounds (not really sure how that happened other than dancing my fanny off in uJam….)
-Landscaping our entire yard

The list could go on, but I have too much to do in the time it would take me to write it.

So, to all my fellow rule followers out there, embrace the rule breaking with me for a moment….

xoxo,
SAW

There are moments in this life that I believe a state of utopia overtakes the norm. Self-interest, greed and jealousy instantaneouly dissipate. A sense of belonging supercedes any innate need for distinction or recognition and literally the only thought and instinct that motivates you is to see one another succeed.

It is rare that these moments occur, but when they do it is absolutely one of the most amazing experiences to witness and take part in. Seeing human behavior metamorphoses into a sense of purpose and community with a common goal is nothing short of miraculous in and of itself. Everyone bands together and focuses on the task at hand, and you feel like a better person merely being privy to partake in such an experience.

The first time I was able to partake in such a moment was at 11:50pm one October night in Hawaii. I was one of thousands of spectators screaming at the TOP of my lungs cheering Sister Madonna, the 75 year old nun, to make it to the finish line of Ironman before the midnight disqualification time. The announcer said that she was a mile a way and could hear us, and I kid you not, there was not a single person present that had a voice the next day.

You can read more about her {HERE}

Needless to say, watching a senile nun run is nothing in the comparison of watching your niece enter this world. I have never been more proud of another human as I was watching my cousin bring her into this world. Jessie was a warrior, enduring every painful moment of the process with her only regard and concern being Madeline. While we worried about her, she worried about Maddie.

It was the most surreal moment watching someone I was a child with bring a child into this world. I find myself recalling the most random moments in life in times of “crisis”. As it neared the moment Maddie was delivered, I thought of a moment I stubbed my toe growing up and Jessie not being able to handle the blood. It was a made for TV moment where I fast forwarded through life and realized that the little girl that could not handle a stubbed toe is now one of the most amazing grown women in this world, who will make the most amazing mother.

Watching that moment of both Tim and Jessie’s eyes first connect with their daughter’s was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had to witness. The minute that Jessie started crying when she saw her I nearly lost it. I couldn’t be more proud and honored to have been able to witness that experience. I love that little girl more than anything already, and I am so excited to see her grow up.

I love you Tim, Jessie, and Madeline Mae Sprinkles!!!

xoxo,
Aunt Shanni

Madeline Mae
Born June 11, 2011
8 lbs. 1 oz
1:23pm

One.
Two.
Three.
Four.

Four years ago… my soul was entwined with another. While I lovingly jest that it was “young love” and that we were just “crazy kids”, I think that the truth of the matter is that when two individuals find their counterpart it would take more of a miracle to keep them apart than allow them to be together. Just over four years ago, Blaine got his knee dirty on a hike when he asked me those four life-changing words:

will
you
marry
me

I feel so incredibly honored that I get to witness love at its finest, its rawest, its purest as a “job”. Love has a unique and metamorphosing personality in every relationship it dwells in. Blaine and I have a deep and yet fun love. We kid, we laugh, we smile, we dance….

Documenting the evolution of love is something I think every couple should consider investing in. While most people document their engagement and their wedding, not many have any photos after that. Confession: Blaine and I are fully guilty of being in that boat as well…. we have virtually no photos together since our wedding (unless you count the countless photobooth photos from weddings!). Wedding photos are priceless, and yet so is “every day” love.

To be honest, our love is different and deeper today than it was when he proposed, and even when we got married. We decided it was about time to change that! I fully admit it… I HATE being on the other side of the camera. Whenever couples complain that they hate being photographed, I TRULY get it… it’s weird to have a semi-stranger up in your zone. Going through the experience of being photographed again I believe has helped me to be a better photographer. And wifey:) Here’s to many more “every day” love photos….

Thank you mucho to Fer for helping document the progress of Blaine’s and my love. We truly consider you a friend.

I love you husband!

xoxo,
SAW

TGIF.