MALE BASHING MUST STOP!!!

I’m so irritated by the constant male bashing that’s rampant in our society. The King of Queen’s ‘dummy’ husband always getting into trouble or the endless ‘he’s just a man, out there cheating, etc. and not caring about anyone’ kind of mentality that every women who calls into Roula & Ryan’s Roses [which I don't miss each week] describes.  

Relationships are hard. Men can be scumbags but so can women….doesn’t mean they all are though.

I just want to hear more about the AWESOMENESS of what men are doing for their women lately. I know it exists but I’m here to profess the glass half-full side.

I can attest that I’ve been in both types of relationships but that my Paulie is an amazing man who gives to me in bountiful ways I could not have imagined and pregnancy has only brought that out more and more…

The first time I experienced this I knew I had someone in my life that I didn’t think existed up until that point. I woke up in bed and couldn’t move my neck! Having a bout of claustrophobia and hypochondria (don’t know where I got that since my parents were both nurses and didn’t have the tolerance for minor cuts and bruises) I did what most people would in that situation and freaked out! I started crying and panicking and thinking I had been paralyzed sleeping in the night somehow. It was an awful feeling. Paul panicked because of my mere excitement but finally realized I was in no actual physical danger and told me to lay down, be still and start breathing. He started rubbing my neck and didn’t stop until well after I had calmed myself down enough to slowly fall asleep through the pain. I woke up with a sore & stiff neck but little did I know that he didn’t sleep the rest of the night from 4:30am or so on because of the panic I caused.

There have been so many instances like this…where mere attentiveness, support, compassion, communication, etc. have played a role in me knowing that I am loved through and through! Remembering my favorite candy bar and buying me one at the store, surprising me with a trip or sending me a crazy picture on my phone when he knows I’m having a rough day (shown above and left). He’s there for me in each and every way a man can be there for a woman! He is my rock! He is my rock star! He is just one example of proof that amazing men are out there taking care of their women.

As I hear the little words like ‘I love you,’ ‘you mean the world to me,’ ‘you’re going to be a great mother,’ etc. which I am grateful for, it’s not until I hear about the way that other women are treated in their relationships that makes me so grateful that I have a man who is comfortable enough in his skin to share those precious, special moments with me like being at every dr. appt & ultrasound, aptly awaiting for our baby girls’ arrival and thrilled to death about waking up at 3 in the morning if it means HE gets to feed her. I don’t have to worry about him going to have a drink with the boys and stepping on the boundaries of our relationship. I don’t have to worry about him ignoring or talking bad about me or our relationship. I know how much he cares…because he shows me each and every day!!!

He has had an amazing upbringing from his parents and still has a long list of friends who are so interested in his life. I’m not bringing this up to boast that I have the BEST man in the world, which I absolutely think I do but rather to shine some light on the reality of the situation that the coveted wonderful masculine, hunting/gathering type man who still wants to cook you homemade chicken noodle soup and deal with your tired cranky butt when trying to get you to go to bed DO EXIST!!!!

I guess that’s why as the weeks are dwindling and there is only a small amount of time left before our sweet angel joins us in this world for us to hold and love I can’t stop thinking about how amazing it’s going to be for me to hold her. BUT how I am almost looking forward just a little bit more to watching my sweet Paul’s face LIGHT up as he holds his daughter for the first time! Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. [darn nonwaterproof mascara] It’s not a feeling that can be portrayed or lived vicariously but one that is very real to me and makes me so absolutely thankful that this is the life I live and that Paul is the man I get to hold every night when I go to bed and kiss every morning as I leave for the day. My fairy tale did come true [God blessed the broken road] and I hope my relationship is proof that it is possible.  

I KNOW there are GREAT men out there...just my love story of ONE!

Year in Review...a little late!

As 2012 has come to an end (and January 2013 too...I'm a little behind) I can't help but think about the amazing journey we've been on just this year alone. Feels like several years worth of happenings have happened in 2012.

It's been a wonderful year full of a ton of memories, most of which have been a pure blessing!



My parents and sisters in Austin are all doing well. My baby sister Casi & her husband Carl welcomed their little boy William Teal Wickham into this world on February 28th, 2012. We have enjoyed watching him grow, laugh and now start to crawl. He'll be walking before you know it. He's actually about to celebrate his first birthday in just a few weeks...how time flies!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 



My older sister Jami & her husband have had a fun-filled year especially with their oldest daughter, Skylar, turning 5 and going to Kindergarten this year. Her little sister, Lenea, isn't two steps behind her though and growing like a weed. They are the sweetest little sisters to each other.









My loving parents have enjoyed hearing the news of their first St. Pierre grandbaby, which will make their 4th grandchild, our little girl making this their 3rd girl grandbaby.

Our St. Pierre family whom we get to see a bit more since Memere & Pepere (the french version of grandma and grandpa and definitely what our little one will be calling them) are in town for us to see more often. They are elated by the news of having their very first grandgirl on their side.

Renee, Paul's only sister, & husband Mark have their hands full with 3 active little boys, all doing so well! Their oldest Sammy celebrated his 7th birthday this year, with Noah (the middle boy) celebrating his 4th birthday & baby Levi celebrating his very first birthday. Levi was all of 16 days at our wedding last year. What a miracle it is to remember that they were even able to make it.

      

 

                                                        

I have soo loved being a part of each of these amazing families and watching everyone grow! Family is a pure blessing! However, despite how much I've enjoyed watching each family undertake small or large undertakings and successes, it amazes me that Paul and I will be welcoming a baby girl into this world in less than 6 weeks time! It was at the beginning of this year that we were planning for our Costa Rica honeymoon, me studying for my CPA & just winding down from our wonderful wedding and now a year later that all seems like a memory much further back than just a year as we are in full swing of getting our house prepared for little Brie-Ella! [no that's not the real name]

I have made significant progress towards obtaining my CPA and with a few final hiccups I am still waiting to take (fingers crossed) my very last test in 10 days time. What a relief and momumental accomplishment it will be! I can't wait to announce it to the world.

 

...for now we just WAIT and continue to cherish the memories we have already!