The journaling is on the back …
Geof,
You surprised me with yellow tulips and a “love note” card when you came home today. I was in the midst of making dinner for you – pork chops, twice-baked potatoes, steamed broccoli and pistachio-pudding salad. Pretty good for a girl that has adapted a one-dish approach to most meals. Even with the best intentions and seventeen years experience, I still overcooked the broccoli. I did however dim the lights and burn some candles, so we could set the stage for a special, if not extremely romantic evening of spilled water, fights over who gets what first and unexpected tears from our sensitive teenage – all this, mingled with other interruptions of a similar nature. There are always less-than-impressive manners, a fussy five year old to spoon feed and a handful of disconnected conversations highlighting a range of topics from work to weather to after-dinner plans. The best part, is that it is exactly what I signed up for – the whole scene. I’m keeping it. It is the evidence of dreams come true. Especially lately, I’m sensing the blessings of a maturing marriage. You are my steady and we share the happiest of situations – the patience and hard work is paying off. The title of my page is as sung by Howard Jones in one of our songs – the chorus, remember …
“I need an everlasting love. I need a friend and a lover divine, an everlasting, precious love. Waiting for it, waiting for it – give it some time.”
Happy Anniversary!
The p.s. is a promise that this page will never been seen in a magazine or a class — that it is a no-deadlines attached page, just for him.
I didn’t say anything about my blog 
We get to go to dinner and a movie tonight — So excited about that.
Speaking of eating out and wonderful husbands. You’ll never guess what I did yesterday for lunch …
At the request of her husband, I met and enjoyed Mexican food with my new friend Cami. She and I met briefly at the Seattle CK Convention and her sweetheart Mark thought it might be fun to let us "hang out" uninterrupted (with the exception of baby Addie.) It was delightful. I got to learn more about her and her five children — which include two sets of twins (!!!!) We of course discussed our shared philosophy on life-enhancing aspects of scrapbooking and I was treated to several of her scrapbook pages – which btw are stunning. I wouldn’t be surprised if her work shows up in a magazine one of these days (I have connections you know)
Kayce, Paula and I are working like mad to unveil our big surprise — it’s coming soon. I promise.
I cannot wait to get started on my new class and another session of Library of Memories. I’m totally ready for the promise of a new year — I sure hope yours is happy!
congrats on you annevesary. just love you scraphilosophys, i love you scrap again because of your book. just wanted to say boo. mariana
Happy new year, Stacy! I hope the coming year is wonderful to you and your family.
Congratulations on your anniversary. Don’t you just love the maturing marriage realization, I thought it was just me lately that realized that, because I don’t hear many people talking about it. It makes all the early years so worth it. Congratulations again, enjoy your night out. Can’t wait to learn more about the big surprise.
Congratulations on your anniversary! So glad to find just yet one more thing we have in common. Yesterday I celebrated my 10th year wedding anniversary!
And thank you for sharing such a special page with all of us!
Have fun tonight!
Congratulations to you both! Chad and I are halfway to your anniversary- 8.5 years for us!
There are not words to share how much I appreciate you. How much of yourself you share. I really enjoyed seeing your LO today and reading your message to Geof. It inspires me in my own marriage. You do that often to me. Reach down to the very center and touch my heart. I appreciate your Christian values, your perspective in placing your family first and with all of that you still have to to wow me with what you accomplish with the BPS and SS magazine. You have taught me more about myself by teaching me how to scrapbook life; all the little everyday things that make life truly something to love and live passionately. THANK YOU.
what a lucky girl!
I look forward to seeing you in a few months at Scrap Etc. 
I love your page… and especially the P.S.! Our dinners are very similar to yours (just with less people) but often Mike and I stare at each other across the table and laugh that it’s often hard to finish a sentence. But I love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything!!
And I am so curious about the BPS surprise you keep mentioning!!!
Stacy – First, I’d like to wish you and your sweetie a very happy anniversary. Secondly, you said something in yesterdays post that really struck a note with me concerning the picture of you two. I have a couple of pictures of my husband that effect me the same way. After 21yrs. my heart still skips a beat when I first see him in a group of people or when he gets home from work and kisses me hello – I just treasure that feeling. I see my daughter building a very similar relationship with her fiancee and I don’t know that I could wish for anything sweeter for her. Thanks for all that you give and share of yourself – it means more than you can know.
Congratulations on your 17th wedding anniversary, and way to go!! We believe, my husband and I, that marriage requires a relationship with God, a commitment to to the marriage, communication and compromise. Even after 25.5 years, we’re still learning and growing!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspective; it’s encouraging to all.
Hi Stacy,
Happy Anniversary! I love the heartfelt journaling- thanks for letting us see it! I hope you guys had fun on your date
I am getting married next year (here in Spokane) and I’ve done a lot of thinking recently about my expectations for marriage. I just wanted to tell you that it’s really inspiring to see someone acknowledge and embrace the everyday realities of married life… so many times people get caught up in the idea of “happily ever after” and are disappointed when marriage turns out to be more hard work and less fairy tale than they imagined. I think it’s great that you are able to take it all in stride, the good and the bad, and appreciate the little things.
Congratulations on your anniversary and have a very happy New Year
Becca
Stacy,
Happy New Year!
Sue
I was brought here by a friend who said you got your baby girl around the same time we got our boy from Korea!!! Congrats. You can see our journey on my husbands blog http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com . The adoption videos link is on the right.
God Bless.
Heather
Stacy,
I just have to let you know that Cami Young is one of my best friends and she is something else. And I am so glad that you discovered this on your lunch date. She would be a great teacher for your team. She is one of the most amazing women that I have come acrossed. She is a loving mother, wife and friend. And by far the best scrapbooker I have ever seen. I am just so glad that you were able to fulfill a dream of hers. Thanks for all you do for us scrapbookers!Lisa Haeberle
I met Cami and her friend Lisa at the Seattle Convention and fell in love!!! Miss you girls and hope all is well. Love- Alicia