Happy New Year

It's hard to believe 2010 is already here. It was a great end to 2009 at the Mannion's house. The kids had a blast watching the fireworks and doing sparklers. Chris got a few other fireworks for the kids to enjoy, it's hard to tell who had more fun, Chris or the kids. This is going to be such an exciting year! William is growing up to be such an awesome little boy and he's very excited to be a big brother...obviously Chris and i can't wait!!

Merry Christmas...finally

I finally got around to posting pictures from Christmas. It was a great time with family, William had so much fun this year. He couldn't wait to see what Santa left for him!

Happy 10th Anniversary

Wow, 10 years...I have tears of joy right now as I write this. God is amazing!!! Chris and I have had our share of ups and down but through the power of prayer and only by God's grace are we able to celebrate this memorable milestone. A few years ago Chris and I started to do away with cards and decided to write our true feelings to each other. I don't need a generic Hallmark card to express how I feel. Don't get me wrong, I love receiving them from time to time, but on a special occasion like this, Chris and I are better at writing or expressing our feelings. Ten years ago Chris and I were babies, I was 20 and Chris was 22. We thought we knew what love was and of course in our mind had it all figured out. No way did we have it figured out, not even close. That was what our journey was for, to figure marriage out together. We hit the usual speed bumps but always fell back on our faith to get us back on track. Thankfully we surrounded ourselves with inspirational people that always encouraged and guided us in the right direction. So here we are, 10 years of marital bliss under our belt, joined by a beautiful 4 year old son and another baby on the way.

This is a dream come true, our life is a dream come true. I never thought in a million years that I was worthy of love like this, and now I see that God has truly blessed my life! I am amazed that I married a man that isn't afraid to express his love for me. He is always reminding me through out the day that I am on his mind and that I am loved. I am so grateful for the spark we have, I don't see that fire dying out anytime soon. I am inspired by his faith in God. This past year I have seen Chris grow tremendously in his faith and we are both humbly brought to our knees in praise. I love the father he has become. There was a lot of fear on both sides wondering if we were going to be good parents. Just like life, we are learning as we go along...all I can say is we are trying not to mess William up too bad. He's definitely a fantastic child, our lives are better because of him. I can't wait to see what joy our new baby will bring. Life is so exciting for us right now. There is so much we are looking forward to.

I am so thankful for the past 10 years, I can't wait to see what the next 1o will hold....I love you Chris....I am in love with you! Happy Anniversary babe, you are the best husband a wife could ask for!

The Dash

I went to a funeral today and remembered a man that enjoyed and loved his life. This poem was read and I had to share it with everyone, such beautiful and true words. I'm so blessed to have the life I have, thank you God!

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?