Love.

Did I ever tell you I have sweet kids-- don't get me wrong, they are not perfect- they can be ornery at times (sometimes it feels like 99% of the time) - but, deep down they are really good-hearted, sweet, loving children.

We, unlike some parents, haven't made our children go to church and learn the 10 commandments- or the story of the Good Samaritan.  We have been known to say "inappropriate"  words in front of them, and we have allowed other people around them that have not been good for them.

But- that is sometimes part of life- we live and learn together, as a family. 

However, the one thing we have been really good at in this little family of ours is LOVE. We love each other all of the time, we take time to hug, we take time to snuggle, we go on "dates," we create together, we play together, we learn together.  We love when the storms of life rage in, and we love when the sailing is smooth--  We love when we're tired, and we love when we're hurting- we love. 

Love is the most important thing in raising a family- and though, it's hard to show that love all of the time- when other aspects of your life are not "perfect," -- it still is vital.  Seems easy enough right?  You don't need a college education, or to sign your kids up for 100 activities and lessons.  You don't need to send them to a private school for Harvard-bound children-  as long as you take the time to show your child that you love them. 

I would do anything for my kids- anything- I would change my whole world, to make it a better place for them.  I have.  I stopped pursuing a career to be with them, I've taken people out of my life that I knew were not good for them.  And, I do not regret any of those things even the slightest bit.

Because, when all is said and done- I won't say that I did it perfectly- but, I will say I gave it my all. 

7-year-itch

So, Kyle and I are coming up on our 7 year anniversary-

Yep, it's that time of the marriage when one of us gets the "itch"

So--do you think it would be me or Kyle?

Kyle has been working out a lot lately--sometimes even twice a day.  Me--not so much.
Kyle's lost over 70lbs and is starting to feel sexy again....me--not so much.

What have I been doing-- I have been trying to run a "surprise" business and manage two not-so-baby-babies and 3 pitbulls. (crazy, I know!)

I call it a 'surprise,' business because I didn't expect to have my own business- never planned for it-- it just happened while doing something I loved.  Now it has turned into something that is ALL AROUND us--literally.

Kyle's always been the one with the drive to have his own business and has done well doing his own Marketing Consulting stuff.  And, thankfully with his business knowledge, he's helped me stumble through the dark worlds of creating and selling product.

So...you see...I have no time to get ''itchy."

But...guess what--it is me-- I have the 7-year-itch.

Well, really I have had the itch for a few years now--but, it seems to be getting worse.

I have talked to my doctor about it, and she can't seem to help me--so she sent me to a specialist, who also couldn't figure out how to help me.  I am a lost cause, I guess.

I feel bad-- I really do... for Kyle and a little bit me.

I just can't help it--I just get so itchy.....

It's not ALL of the time.

But, the itch is definitely at it's itchiest when Kyle is near me for long periods of time.

Like for instance, last night-- Kyle wanted to hug on me in the kitchen-- just hug on me, and show me some love.

And it wasn't but 10 minutes later--that I noticed how "itchy" I was feeling-- my mind was definitely somewhere else.

So then, later that night- I tried to make it better- by trying to snuggle in bed with Kyle.  It was nice and cozy for a little bit, when I couldn't even concentrate any more-- I was so "ITCHY"

I had to get up and move-- because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I mean my skin was red and hives were starting to form. :(

Literally, Kyle's skin touching mine even the slightest bit (especially when he's been working out a lot) makes me itch uncontrollably.

:)

There is no age-old "7-yr-itch" in our marriage--just on my skin. :0)

I am happy to report, that we are still happily married and I love him more than when we got married.  In 7 years we have learned a lot of things about one another and have been faced with lots of ups and downs like most marriages.  But, we've learned to lean on each other- we've learned when to push and when to back off-- we've learned each others' strengths and weaknesses.  We've learned how to work together to create our own little family- even if that means adopting 3 pitbulls.

The biggest thing we've learned is-- marriage is work- but it's worth every ounce of work you put into it.  Sure, we still fight- we are real.  But, we are passionate about being together- and for that reason there is no kind of itch that can tear us apart.