The Most Wonderful Year of My Life

Today marks exactly one year that I have been married to my wonderful husband, and I am so proud and thrilled to be his wife!!! The first year of marriage has not been without trials (good and bad) and difficulties for sure--Obviously, our precious baby girl was born in January and is now 6 months old, we both have lost of grandfathers to cancer, we are BOTH in college, Justin has been working 40 hours a week and sometimes more, and my dad had his horrible accident in April which convinced me/us to semi-move back in with my parents to help take care of him until he could walk again. (He is now not only walking with a cane, but swimming in the pool and ocean, riding four-wheelers, and making his famous D-E-licious barbeque! God is good!!!) I've always heard people say that the first year is the hardest, and we have had our moments, but I truly feel that every one of them has brought us closer to each other and to Makenna. It has all been soooo worth it!!!

We went to Destin, FL 3 weeks ago and it was the most wonderful family vacation EVER! My entire family goes- my parents, brother Easton and his girlfriend, Jenn; my Aunt Peg and her daughters Cassie (her husband Billy and their two boys Will and Logan) and Cicily (her husband Derrick and their two children Kendyl and Kole). Anyway, we have been going for years now but I think this year has been the best yet. Our family has evolved so much with us growing up and now bringing our children along! It felt so good to be on the beach--even though I worried a lot of the time about Makenna having sand in her diaper and "Does she have enough sunscreen on?" "Is she too hot? Should I take her back inside?" "Is her baithing suit too tight?" You know, typical Mommy thoughts. But she was fine. We put her in her Take-Along Swing (which is God's gift to Moms AND Dads alike) and let her feel the ocean breeze and she would just drift right off to sleep. It gave me a few minutes to soak up some rays, but she is really just too little for me to enjoy the beach as much as I used to. It may not ever get better though...as she gets older my thoughts will probably just evolve to "Where is Makenna? Is Justin with her? Is she wearing her floaties?" then eventually "Are those waves too high for her? Where is that sunscreen I told her to put on?" and then the dreaded question... "IS SHE TALKING TO A BOY?!" Haha- I am sure I will embrace all of that when I get there. One day at a time, but I am glad that she is content with being in Mommy's arms or at least very close by. For now anyway.

Speaking of Makenna... :) She is really beginning to develop this HUGE personality, and she's really quite a handful. (In a good way!) Between taking Maymester classes and going to school full time this summer, Justin working, and her becoming a little nosey rosey, it has been hard to juggle all of my priorities. But being "Mommy" is always at the top of the list, no matter what. Sometimes I forget that Justin and I are so young- we aren't perfect by any means, but I feel that every day, we are becoming more like pros! ;) Oh and the girl is crazzzy about her Daddy! Her little face lights up every time he walks in the room, and it's one of those things that just make me think to myself "THIS is why I love him so much." He is great!!

Jus took me to the Braves Game tonight as part of our anniversary celebration. We really enjoy the games, even though I know very little about baseball. I have always been more of a football girl. I am learning though, because Justin is a sports maniac and is basically a walking roladex of statistics. Anyway, at the end of the 8th inning, I look up at the screen and see "Happy 1 Year Anniversary Alyssa Martin! I love you! Love, Justin." Very, very sweet and I was so excited. I could tell he was pretty stoked about it too- after all, we were in his "zone." There is no place he'd rather be...besides of course, in the stands at ANY Florida Gator Football Game.

Anyway, it is late and I really should get to bed...I know I will wake up in the morning with little sweet face smiling, and I would like to feel a little rested for once. Maybe I would be if I actually slept at NIGHT when she is sleeping instead of praying she will nap during the day. It's a thought, at least. :) Goodnight!