My first Thanksgiving play!

 My buddy taking a bow after his First Thanksgiving play

Wednesday morning, I got up at my normal time to get my buddy on the bus. After he got on the bus, I rushed home to get ready to go to the school.

I had to get in the shower, fix a breakfast cake for the classes "feast", get the other two kids ready and make it to the school early in order to get seats for a kindergarten play featuring my son, the corn.

I rushed and rushed frantically around my house, and got to the school an entire 45 minutes too early. That was way early!

We popped our heads in the classroom and saw the pilgrim men, the pilgrim women, the Indian men, the Indian women, the preacher, and of course the ears of corn.

Those kids were so excited and looked so cute sitting there with their legs folded. I dropped my cake in the room across the hall and made my way to the cafeteria for my first every Kindergarten play!

We got to sit on the second row. My buddy was right in the front row waving and giving me a thumbs up the entire time. 

His little part was to say "pop, pop, pop" each time the narrator said "corn". Each little section had their own three word part. Talk about totally cute!

So this is my life now, rushing around making yummy food to take to school plays to see my kids do and sing really cute stuff!

And guess what, I love it! After all, this is what Mormon Mommy's do, right?

If you want to sign-up for the give away, click here! Win yourself or someone you love a free hand made winter hat!!

A little misty eyed

The last few days have been emotional ones for me. I'm sure it has something to do with being pregnant, but it probably also has to do with a few of the conversations I have heard happen.

A couple of days ago, we were all riding home from some friends house and my kids were talking about what they want to be when they grow up.

My Princess asked her big brother, "What do you want to be when you get big?"

"I want to be an Iron Chef" he replied confidently.

"I want to be a mommy." she said without skipping a beat.

Sometimes I wonder if the "work" I do around the house is noticed or just brushed aside as "what mom does." Seriously, when I heard those words, my eyes filled up with tears. She wants to be a mommy. What a great goal to have. She'll make a great mommy and I hope that by her being home with me all the time, she is learning a few things to help her become the mom she wants to be. And hearing that made my heart swell. Made me realize that the work I do is not in vain, but is fully appreciated.

The other conversation happened this morning between my Buddy and Oswald. I told Oswald last night that he was getting up with our Buddy and going to do the "go to school" routine with him. I had not had a nap in a couple of days and the night before last, I didn't get much sleep. I was exhausted!

Of course, Oswald had no problem helping me with this task. He's amazing like that. But when he came into our room this morning at 8:30...that's right people 8:30...he told me something very sweet.

As the boys were putting their shoes and getting ready to walk out the door, my Buddy looked up at his dad and said, "Tell Mom, I love her."

Bring on the waterworks. Such a sweet kid. I never realized how much he enjoys me being with him in the morning. I love being with him in the morning, but I guess I thought it didn't mean much to him. But now I know. In his own little way he expressed how much I mean to him.

I am one lucky and blessed girl to have such amazing people in my life. People who help me realize my self-worth and who appreciate the things I do for them!

Date Night



Oswald parents called us on Thursday evening and said they were coming up to visit us for the weekend. It was a wonderful surprise and we got a much needed date night out of their visit!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has Temples all over the world. In the United States, there are temples within driving distance to everyone! It's amazing to have one just less than one hour away from my house.

We met up with some friends for a quick bite to eat and then an evening at the Temple. It was wonderful to have an evening with my hubby and be renewed spiritually.

There is no better way to spend date night than at the Temple. I have asked to be taken there for my birthday before, we've spent anniversaries there, and just any old day of the week. It's my favorite place on earth...especially when Oswald is with me!

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Where is your favorite place to spend date night?

Have you ever had to have a free "date night"?

--Oswald and I have been known to make the kids mac 'n cheese and then make us delicious steaks for dinner. It's been a fun way to visit with eachother without paying for a babysitter or for a restaurant meal we could make at home on our own.

Where have I been?

I guess more accurately I should title this post, "where have I not been?"

The last few months of my life have been a complete roller coaster. It started off with a move from an apartment to a house. The best move of our lives, for sure, but also at a stressful time (more on that later). It took months (still not quite done) to get things unpacked and settled. I'm realizing how much furniture I got rid of to move into that silly apartment and now wish I had back!

Then it was my birthday and I got in a car accident! That's right, Happy Birthday, Jennie let's ruin your car. The story is long, but to put it short and sweet, it was not my fault. There was some sort of insurance mumbo-jumbo and I had to take the claim out on my insurance. State Farm was wonderful and now they can fight to get their money back, plus my $500 deductible. But my truck was not fixable and has been totaled out. Due to it's age and the repair cost, I no longer have "Ironhide".

My youngest brother got married (yea!!) and my parents came here from AZ to visit (yea!!) we drove 8 hours to his wedding and then another 5 hours to visit my dad's cousin. All in a rental car that had expired tags, no cruise control and the darn Enterprise people wouldn't return my mom's phone calls. (in the end, my dad got the 5 day mini van rental for free, plus 4 more days for free when they come back to visit!! Awesome!)

 My Buddy wanted a picture of "just me and Uncle Austin" so sweet

My Princess was a "flower girl." She loved her beautiful orange dress and being a part of the wedding.

On Tuesday (a week ago) we found a new truck, but because of some serious mix-up at the dealership where we bought "Ironhide" we don't have a title to give to State Farm to get my check to buy the new truck. It's the exact same as "Ironhide" only it's turquoise. It's beautiful has leather, a tow hook (why I would need that, I don't know!) and the part Oswald likes the most is that it has a gadget that tells me which direction I am going. Being from out west where everything is on a grid, knowing N,S,E, and W was easy...not so much here on the east coast.

After a few more ups and downs in the process of getting our new truck, I finally got it on Saturday morning. She was worth the wait, and I think I'm going to name her "Smurfette". She's blue/green and I just think the name is fun!

And on an even better note, Baby #4 will be here in late April. I am due April 22nd and I am so excited to be past the first trimester. As Oswald said, "now things can get back to normal."

As the doctor was listening to the baby's heartbeat, he said, "It's really strong!"

"What is it?" I asked wanting to know how many beats per minute.

"165" was his response.

I looked at him with a sly grin, "so what sex is usually faster?"

"Girl's" he replied without hesitation, then he said, "but at this stage they all beat pretty fast, but if I had to bet, I would say it's a girl."

We went home and finally told the big kids about the baby! My Buddy looked at his dad and said, "Can we have a girl? Roxie!!!?"

We explained that Heavenly Father gives us what he knows our family needs. He looked at his little sister and said, "Let's pray for a girl!"

That night during our family prayer he reminded my Princess of his "girl request" and her prayer went like this, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, thank you for our blessings, thank you for our girl. Name of Jesus Christ Amen."

So I guess we know what our kids want. More regular posts coming again because things are "back to normal" whatever that is!

I burnt dinner...

I was cooking dinner when my Princess came up to me and asked me if I would play with her and her brothers.

I couldn't pass up those puppy dog brown eyes. They just melted my heart, plus sometimes they will play with their toys longer if I am in there.

I walked down into their room and immediately lost myself in a world of make believe. It was as though I was transformed from one world into the next.

I got so carried away I forgot about dinner. But between putting skirts on my head like a headband and helping my kids get in their "fanciest" clothes, I lost all track of time.

Before I knew it, I had the dinner simmering away and we were having a dance party! We like to dance to Taio Cruz Dynamite and to Shakira Waka Waka. We turn up the speakers on the computer and have a blast!

 Even the boys like to be fancy! I guess it's time we get some "boy dress-up" clothes!!

 I think I could actually be part of Shakira's Waka Waka video with this outfit on! I had so much fun and a dance party is just another way to burn a few extra calories!

I will burn dinner any day if it means I can see these three cute kids laughing and smiling! It's the best part of being a mom!


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What do you think is the best part of being a mom?

--I love the laughing, the hugs, and the unconditional love! It's amazing how much such little people can love!

What are your plans for the weekend?

--We're probably going to start packing up this apartment! I can't wait to get out of this place and into a house that will have much more room than we do now!

How I became "wifey"

 Oswald always thought the traditional "wedding picture" poses were stupid...he came up with this instead.

We spent our Honeymoon on an island just off the coast of Georgia. The weather was perfect. We spent hours upon hours in our hotel room and the rest of the time by the beach. I thought life couldn't get any better than that.

It was like we were getting to know each other all over again. We would walk down the coastline hand-in-hand talking about everything.

Our hopes.

Our dreams.

Our future.

Our wedding.

Our lives.

Everything.

It was as if time stood still. As though we were the only two people on the planet. We ate delicious food, the kind of food we would not normally eat. We spent money on things that were frivolous. 

One night as we were getting ready for bed, Oswald put his arms around my waist and said, "Can you believe you're my wifey girl?"

"No, I can't. It feels like I have been waiting for this day forever, and yet we've only known each other such a short time. It's amazing how when things are right, they just work out."

"That's true. I can't wait to spend eternity with my wifey."

I smiled and said, "I love you, husband."

Do you have a nickname for the love of your life?
--We continue to call each other husband and wifey to this day. I think it might make some people sick, but those are our nicknames for each other.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

--We went to Jekyll Island off the coast of Georgia. About an hour from our home in Jacksonville, FL at the time. When we drive to my in-laws in Florida and I see the road sign, I still get nostalgic.

If you could change one thing about you, what would it be?

--that's a tough question. I think I would change shoe size. I am a size 9.5 or 10 and it's hard to find cute shoes in that size! I think a size 8.5 or 9 would be perfect!

Few words...

Simply stunning

Absolutely adorable

Where has the time gone?

Pure bliss

All Eternity

It's a good thing I have all eternity with this man because if I didn't, I would be really sad.

He's my bff. The one I tell everything to. The one I can be completely crazy, random, mean, ugly, kind, sweet, and thoughtful to and he won't judge. He'll continue to love me.

He's the one who took two weeks to hold my hand.

He's the one who told me that once he kissed me, he would never want to stop.

He's the one who took me to the Temple and married me for ALL ETERNITY!

He's the one who 8 years, three kids, one miscarriage, 4 moves to 4 different states, and numerous stretch marks later still loves me.

He doesn't care that I don't wear make-up every day. He doesn't care that my pj's consist of his shirt and gym shorts. He doesn't care that I have spit-up or boogers or both on my shirt every day. He doesn't care that the house is not always pristine. He doesn't care that some of my adventures in cooking are complete failures!

And because of that, I love him.

Thanks for picking me to be your eternal companion. For picking me to go through this crazy journey called life. Thanks for picking me.

I love you more than you'll ever know and this has been the best 8 years of my life. Happy Anniversary, husband!

XOXO

Happy Father's Day

Oswald and my Princess Winter 2009

Happy Father's Day, Oswald!

I hope you are having a wonderful day. I hope that we have spoiled you rightfully. You deserve it. 

I am thankful that you are the father of my kids. I am thankful that you are willing to play with them whenever they ask. I am thankful that they look like you, even though I might not think it's very fair they have to ALL look EXACTLY like you! 

You are the best dad these kids could have hoped to have. I bet when they were in heaven they had already picked you to be their Daddy.

You are an amazingly patient dad who takes the time to listen to your kids. You wrestle with them when they need to get rid of some of their extra energy. You throw them in the pool. You make them laugh so hard they almost wet their pants.

You have taught them to love our Father in Heave and His son, Jesus Christ. You have taught them the importance of going to church. You have taught them to love one another. You have taught them how to serve without question.

You have taught them the importance of hard work. You have taught them the importance of getting a college education. You have taught them more things then you might ever know. And you did most of it silently, by your example they have learned some of the most important lessons in life.

Thank you for being the dad of my kids. I couldn't have asked for anyone better than you. I hope you know how much you mean to them and me, especially on Father's Day.

We love you, your wifey-girl, Buddy, Princess, and Little Man

And to my dad on Father's Day--I hope you got our wet willy and our knuckle sandwich we sent in the mail. :)

We love you Grandpa Dave! I am glad that you are my dad. You have set a wonderful example for me and my family. You have taught me the importance of getting an education by your example.

I know that in life we might be dealt a pretty rotten set of cards, but because of you, I know that even with that rotten lemons, we can still make some pretty awesome lemonade!

I love you and I am so thankful you are a part of my life and the lives of my kids. Thanks for being my Dad!

To my father-in-law:

Thanks for being Oswald's dad. Thanks for loving him. Thanks for teaching him all about sports and how to BBQ and all things boy! Thanks for showing him that hard work goes a long way. Thank you for being a dad to him and showing him how to love his kids.

Thank you for always being there for him when he needs you. He knows he can talk to you about anything and he values your friendship greatly.

I love how kind you are to me and our kids. We all love our Dziedze! Hope you're having a fantastic Father's Day!

The big day is here!

 

We were married on June 20, 2003 in the Orlando, Florida Temple. 

The day was beautiful. The sun was shining. The sky was as blue as the ocean. The wind was non-existent. And we were happy and in love.

We took pictures with our bridal party outside the Temple before we were married. The girls were in lavender dresses that came to their knees and the men wore black tuxedos with lavender vests and ties.

Soon after we took the pictures a Temple worker came outside and told us it was time to come in and get dressed. 

I got ready and met Oswald in the celestial room where we waited to meet the man who would perform the sealing. 

"Can you believe this day is finally here?" I asked Oswald as we held hands.

"I can't."

"Are you nervous? excited?" I asked with my excitement showing in my eyes.

"I'm a little of both. Mostly excited and ready. It feels like we've waited forever for this day to get here." He said squeezing my hand gently.

A sweet older lady walked up to us and whispered, "It's time, follow me."

Oswald and I walked hand in hand to the sealing room. The seats were full of family and friends. Everything seemed like such a blur. I couldn't tell you how many people were there. I couldn't tell you what they were wearing. I couldn't tell you much about what was said that day, all I know is I felt loved.

We were sealed for time and all eternity at 12:30 that afternoon. We promised to love each other, not until we parted at death, but forever. We promised to be companions in this life and in the next. We promised before God that we would remain faithful to each other and to not let anything separate us. 

By 12:33pm, we were man and wife. We were an eternal family. We were a unit that could not be broken. A companionship that would last forever.

Arizona--We're here!!

Oswald and me, just a few weeks ago...

The airplane ride to Arizona was pretty uneventful, except for the fact that I managed to bring up the subject of the ring to Oswald and he denied having it. He asked me why I thought he would bring a ring all the way to Arizona seeing how he didn't even know my parents and he wanted to meet them first to be sure of everything. 

So I believed him. 

I thought he didn't bring the ring and that this would just be a fun long weekend where we could be together and he could meet my family. 

We landed at the Sky Harbor International Airport and got our bags and begin looking for my mom. She's so excited whens he see us that she hugs me and Kevin (instantly loving him). We pile in the Suburban and make our way to my Grandmother's house. My mom honks the horn and my dad and younger brother and sister come out. 

"Oh, so you're the guy who's gonna take my daughter off my hands, huh?" is the first thing my dad says to Oswald. 

"Yes, sir." was Oswald's response. So polite. So southern.

We grabbed our bags out of the car and went in the house. We were busy that first day we got to town. We spent the afternoon watching a Diamondbacks game. Then we went out to yummy Mexican food, and went to the Arizona Temple to watch the Easter pageant. 

That night, we crashed. I slept on the same bed as my sister in another room from Oswald. He slept on the floor in my Grandmother's great room, nice way to treat a guest, right?

But in the morning, we were awake before everyone else. Arizona is three hours different than Florida this time of year, so we were awake a couple of hours early. We sat snuggling each other on the couch, when all of a sudden, Oswald gets up and walks over to his backpack.

I thought that was so strange because we were in the middle of a conversation.

He stood digging through his backpack for a few seconds when he threw an orange paper at me. It was rolled up like a scroll, so I unrolled it and looked inside. 

Inside was a handwritten note. 

Beautiful,

In my brainstorming, I was constantly reminded of the things that we have done together and will continue to do together. So I decided to make a random list of things that I remembered. It all started on a road trip to O-town. And then stalling around town looking at Christmas lights. You were "just sittin in the car not touchin nothin" and neither was I for that matter. You trying sushi for the first time. The walks on the river and bridge have been memorable as well, especially when the "leg popped" for the first time. I have enjoyed "crossing the border" many times and also dipping fries in Frosties. Eating yuckie Mexican food and then following it with a delicious fried ice cream. The many wonderful conversations with you on the phone. Spooning on the couch watching a chick-flick. I love to have you in your favorite spot and I especially love to be forehead to forehead, nose to nose, looking at the sparkle in your eyes. The wonderful moment when the pass was thrown and "the receiver" was there to catch it. The trying times when your patience and perseverence shown through that is when I knew that I love everything about you. now is the time for the long bomb. Everyone is in position, so here it goes. I love you so much it hurts and nothing would make me happier than to have you forever.

Entonces,

When I finished reading that beautiful and funny note filled with only things Oswald and I would fully understand, I looked up and he was at my knees kneeling down with a ring box in his hand.

"Jennie, I love you."

"I love you, too."

I made him forget the rest of what he was going to say. He was not expecting me to respond until he was finished. So he looked at me and said, "I want you to be my wife, will you marry me?"

"YES!" We hugged and kissed. It was the best moment of my life!

My mom was the next one up. She was so excited to hear we were getting married. She gave us both big hugs.

My dad, on the other hand, was a little skeptical. I had been engaged once before, and he didn't want to see me get hurt. 

He called me back to the room he had slept in and said, "Are you sure this is the right thing?"

"Dad, I know he's right for me. I am so happy."

"Well, if you're happy, then I'm happy." was his response.

He came out to the living room and gave Oswald a big hug and said, "Welcome to the family."

It couldn't have been any more perfect.

Coming up...how we went from engaged to married in just 2 months...

Oswald's first trip to Arizona

 Oswald and his sisters, Jen (left) and Suzie (right), outside the Orlando Temple June 2003

I had not been back to Arizona since I moved to Florida in October of 2002, so in my mind it was time to go. I wanted to take Oswald, but was not sure what his thoughts/reaction might be if I ask him to spend $300 to fly 6 hours to meet my family. 

“Hey Oswald, how do you feel about going to Arizona with me this Easter?” I asked kind of joking, but also really afraid of what he would respond.

“Of course I will go with you. I’d love to meet your family” was his calm, cool response. All of my worries were in vain. He wanted to go to Arizona with me. He wanted to meet my family! Life couldn’t get any better!

A couple of days later, I called my parents to tell them that we had bought our tickets to fly out there. My mom was so excited to see me and finally meet Oswald. My dad, on the other hand, had one big question.

“Is he coming out here to ask you to marry him?”

“I don’t think so, Dad. I just want him to meet you and to get to know my family. He hasn’t said anything to me about asking me to marry him.”

“Oh, ok.” My dad not being a man of many words, said goodbye and that was it.

I hung up the phone thinking that maybe Oswald would ask me to marry him. But I knew nothing of the ring (that he had already bought) and I knew he wanted a ring to give me when he proposed. So I kind of just pushed it out of my mind.

The night before Oswald and I traveled to Arizona for Easter, I spent the night at his parents’ house. His mom asked me what was in my suitcase, clothes wise. I replied, “Jeans and t-shirts.”

“See, Oswald, you’re going to be too dressy. You should just take jeans and t-shirts.”

 

“Mom, I am taking jeans and I like Polo shirts, so that’s what I’m taking. It’s not bad is it Jennie?”

“No, I just prefer jeans and t-shirts. My dad only wears polo shirts” with that he zipped up his suitcase.

We had an early flight the next morning, so we went to bed kind of early. Only I didn’t sleep. I had quite the interesting conversation with my future sister-in-law.

Jen was a junior in High School. I slept in her bed while she slept on the floor. We talked about everything. We talked about her schooling. We talked about boys. We talked specifically about her brother.

“So, do you think you’re going to marry my brother?” She asked without any hesitation. 

“I sure hope so. I have never felt this way before.”

“So if he proposed, would you say yes?”

“Of course, but I’m not sure when or if that will happen.”

“You know he has the ring, don’t you?”

No. I. Didn’t. I had no idea he had already bought, sized and paid for the ring. I had no idea he had the proposal all planned out. And I had no idea when to expect it.

Coming up…how he had me convinced that he did not have the ring and how he totally surprised me when he “popped the question”

Double Date

My family with Oswald's Mom and Dad, Summer 2010

The first time we went out on a double date with his parents, we went to an Italian restaurant. His family had lived in Sicily for four years while his dad was stationed there with the Navy, so Italian is a family favorite. Just a few days before our double date, Oswald had taken me to my first every Hockey game.

Hockey is not just a game in their family, it’s THE game. They love hockey. 

We climbed out of the car at a Jacksonville Barracudas game. It was cold, much colder than I expected. Lights were pointed at the arena, making the ice as bright as if the sun were shining inside the building. The stands were not completely full, but the fans who were there, were hockey lovers. The lines on the rink were dark and the ice was without a single scrape.

The teams took to the ice and, with a blow of the whistle, the game began.

The entire time, Oswald sat next to me telling me all the rules of the game. He told me about “icing” and offside passes and being offside. I tried my hardest to memorize those rules because I wanted to impress Oswald, but I also wanted to impress his dad. I wanted his dad to like me and see that I was willing to learn things and like the same things his son and family liked. 

A few nights later, we met his mom and dad for our first double date. After we got to our table, we looked at the menu and made small talk. But soon after we placed our order, Oswald started in, “So Dad, I took Jennie to a hockey game.”

“You did. What’d you think, Jennie?”

“It was interesting. It was my first time ever seeing a hockey game.” I replied feeling very nervous.

“What does it mean when the puck crosses over two lines, Jennie?” Oswald asked me with a smirk.

“Ummm, that’s icing.” I said raising my eyebrow, hoping he would understand to please drop this line of questioning, but he continued to fire away. 

“And what about when the offensive team has the puck and one of their teammates crosses the line before the puck?” He continued, ignoring my raised eyebrow.

“I believe that’s called, off sides.” The grilling over hockey rules and regulations continued. 

As the night continued, the conversation turned from hockey to other things. It was nice to be with his parents and get to know them better. Because, after all, I wanted to marry their son and be a part of their forever family. Little did I know just how quickly it would happen.

Oh the sneakiness...

Oswald and our dog, Polo, at our apartment in Utah

Little did I know, but the night Oswald went to talk to a guy about being an umpire, he was actually picking out my ring.

While I was cleaning up from dinner in complete oblivion to what he was doing, Oswald was being super secretive. He grew up with this girl whose dad was a jeweler. Oswald and his dad had made arrangements with Curtis to look at rings that Sunday evening.

Curtis opened the door to his home and lead Oswald and his dad back to the living room, “So you’ve found the girl you want to marry?”

“Yes, Sir,” said Oswald as he confidently pulled out his chair to sit down. He was not nervous about the next step in his life. He knew I was the one and he was ready to move forward.

Curtis pulled out several different types of rings.  He laid them in a row from left to right inside of a ring display box. Oswald instantly saw the ring he wanted to give to me. 

“That’s it, that’s the ring.” He said pointing to a beautiful round cut diamond ring with a band on top and on bottom. “Only you need to switch out this center stone, with this one.”

Curtis looked up at Oswald. “You’re pretty confident aren’t you?”

“I know what ring she wants. She’s going to love this ring. How much is it?”

“Are you sure you don’t want to look at any more?”

“Nope. That’s the one.” Oswald picked it up and moved it around in his hand. He didn’t need to look any further; he knew the ring he would present to me when he proposed. All that was left was actually popping the question.

Oh, the ring...

Our dating life was a whirl wind of fun. We went to dances, we went to movies, we went out to eat. (Somehow I managed to stay skinny even though we were eating out every night of the week.) But our favorite past time was to people watch at the mall.

So we went to the mall. We walked in and out of stores, doing a little window shopping at the same time. I have always loved to look at the rings in the mall showcases. I had gone with several different friends to look at rings. Friends who KNEW they would be getting engaged and friends who "knew" (aka assumed) they would be getting engaged.

I knew the kind of ring I wanted. My first ring was, as Oswald would call it, "small". It was three stones, all square cut, set in yellow gold. I wanted something completely different. I wanted round cut and a totally different style. On all of these outings to help my friends find rings, I had seen what kind of ring I wanted. I thought I wanted a ring with lots of diamonds up the band leading to a HUGE center stone. I thought I only wanted one band as the "wedding band". I had all of these criteria for my ring, that was until I went shopping with Oswald.

We walked into the store where "my" ring was, and I showed it to him. He thought it was just about the ugliest thing he had ever seen. He could not believe that I would want something so flashy! He was never one to mince words.

So we left that store and went to another one. I gazed at the engagement rings. Oswald had me try on white gold and we both agreed that yellow gold looks much better on my skin.

"What about this ring?" He said pointing to a beautiful round cut solitaire with a band on both the top and bottom.

"It's pretty." I said. The clerk quickly came over to take the ring out of the case and let me try it on. She pulled the solitaire out of the "jacket" (the band on top and bottom were actually connected by what jewelers call a jacket).

I tried that ring on and fell in love. We had never talked about getting engaged or the ring, but I knew that was the ring I wanted Oswald to buy for me. It would have to be on his own time.

********************************

A few weeks later, I was helping his mom and sisters clean up after Sunday dinner. Oswald was on the phone and as soon as he hung up, he and his dad began whispering. His mom walked over to them and started whispering, too.

The next thing I knew, Oswald came over to me and kissed my cheek.

"I'm going with my dad to talk to some guy about my dad being an umpire for baseball season."

"Ok?" I said quizzically. I had never heard anything about this and I thought it was a little strange how he was just going to leave me there with his mom and sisters for who knows how long.

His dad and he walked out the door. His mom, sisters and I finished cleaning up and sat down to watch some tv.

When Oswald and his dad came back, there was even more whispering going on. I had no idea what they were talking about, and I knew better than to ask.

Comin up: the real story of what Oswald was doing that night...

Our First Valentine's Day...

I was curled up in my bed, all nice and warm; when all of a sudden, I am awoken by someone kissing me. 

Believe me it was nice, but I was quite scared. My heart started racing. I thought for sure I was about to become a victim from an episode of Law & Order: SVU. 

Before I could open my eyes to see who was kissing me, I smelled French toast. 

“Why does my house smell like French toast?” I thought to myself. 

When I finally opened my eyes, I was greeted by a smiling Oswald. He had gotten the key to my apartment somehow, snuck inside before I was even awake, and had made me breakfast.

After I had gone to the bathroom and tried to freshen up without taking an entire shower, I walked into the kitchen amazed at what he had done for me, and asked, “How did you get a key to my apartment?”

“Oh, our friend gave it to me,” was his nonchalant response.

“Well, how did he get it?”

“I don’t know. You must have given it to him.”

And then I remembered. The Christmas Oswald and I started dating; I spent Christmas morning with some friends from church. They had planned this scavenger hunt for me to find my “big” present. I searched all over their house only to find out the gift was already in my apartment, set up, ready to go.

One of my friends had gotten the key off my key ring, made a copy of it, and gotten inside my apartment. Upon hearing what Oswald wanted to do for me for Valentine’s Day, he jumped at the chance to give the key to Oswald.

It was such a nice surprise. Not only did I have some seriously yummy French toast, but he had bought me purple carnations and salmon colored roses. He had gone out of his way to surprise me and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

To be honest, I don’t even know what I did for him that day. It’s sure it paled in comparison. Oswald can be quite romantic when he wants.

What was your most romantic Valentine’s Day? Has anyone ever snuck into your house to make you your favorite breakfast?