Peace and Pandemonium

This morning I woke up and two really wonderful things happened almost immediately:

1. My husband kissed me before he left for work. :) So simple, right?
The first words out of my mouth were, "I love you." I love saying that phrase and meaning it so much!
In return, the first words he said to me were, "I love you too." Best part? I know he does.
I am so grateful for a husband who loves me unconditionally and whom I so dearly love in return. He is the most influential, important, and pivotal person in my life. My life became infinitely better once we fell in love and decided to go through our lives together, and it has continued to grow in love, happiness and significance every day since then. There are times when I sit and consider how lucky I am to have Steven Haddock as my husband. I mean, he cooks for me, he cleans our house when I am burned out, he is so generous and patient with me and our children. He loves being a dad and is so good at it. He works so hard everyday to support our family and fulfill his role as the patriarch of our family. He is funny and makes me laugh continually. He supports me in all areas of my life. He encourages me to seek after the things that bring me joy and helps me to be a more well rounded person. He encourages me to spend time alone or with my friends when he can tell I am in need and he has always been the biggest supporter of my photography dreams. He is the most peaceful influence in my life and the powerful calming effect he has on me keeps me grounded and feeling safe. He is truly the perfect man for me. How did I ever get to be so lucky? There are days where I feel like I dont even come close to being as wonderful to him as he is to me. Then he lovingly assures me otherwise which is just ANOTHER reason why I adore him so. I am so thankful to be in a relationship that is filled with love, support, kindness, humor, happiness and peace.

2. Upon waking, I was filled with anticipation. Anticipation!!! I love that feeling. It's like Christmas without all the commercialism. :)
I have so much to look forward to right now. Lots of little things: Dates with my hubby. Dinner with my friends. Spending the day cuddling with Matias who stayed home from school today. Then there are the bigger things: An exceptional evening is fast approaching. One that I have been highly anticipating for weeks now. It is a night to honor Women and Mothers and I will share more details soon. The gift of my talented friends who are helping me document my pregnancy and the birth of my new baby with photos galore. I cant wait for my fourth installment this weekend with Alisha where she will artistically photograph my enormous belly and I get to have Steven there with me. The two of us and the new life we created together, to be captured on film. I am so excited! Then of course, Ashley is on call 24 hours a day this month (thanks Jody) so she can photograph the biggest and best thing of all! The birth of our new baby!! The fact that within a few weeks, I will actually have a new baby of my own is blowing my mind. I am imagining wrapping him up in my arms. A newborn baby for me to swoon over and care for. To love and adore. A new life who will breathe more life into my life. I am beside myself when I linger on those thoughts. I cant wait for it all to happen.

But then,
I stop.
And I think...

Patience Kiera. Patience.
SAVOR THESE DAYS OF ANTICIPATION. They are special too...


Oh, and then to top it all off. I saw THIS today and it made me feel so validated! Thanks Lauriann!