Our tag-team seriously rocks.

Yesterday I was DONE by the time dinner rolled around.  I needed to break away and you knew it.  You sent me out the door with your own personal mission of cleaning up the kitchen and putting three wired boys to sleep.  That hour and twenty minutes of shopping for myself was just what I needed to reset.  When I came home we high-fived and you were out the door to a movie.  I wouldn't want every night to look like this, but last night that really worked for us.

When picking a husband, I didn't always realize that he would someday be a co-worker in the most important job of my life. We didn't know we would be talking about shift changes and fifteen minute breaks and compensation together.  

I'm so lucky I work with the best.

In this picture I am standing on a giant tube that let me match up to your height.  I love having a tall husband!  Yesterday you reached up and changed the lightbulb on the ceiling of our bathroom without even tipping one toe.  If it were my job, I would have had to set up a huge contraption including chairs and stools.  Thanks for doing all the up-high jobs in our house.  From way down here, I give you a high-as-I-can cheerleading kick.

Yesterday was rough.  The abrupt transition into the real world along with cranky, naughty boys left me completely drained by the end of the day.  It didn't help that you had class until 9:00 at night.  But when you came home you said your "Spidey Senses" were telling you I needed to talk/cry some stuff out.

You know exactly what I need to hear and when it needs to be said.  You help me sort out what is important and what should be brushed aside.  You validate my feelings and build me up as a person.  You let me spill it all out, even if I'm not always proud of what I have to say.  You care deeply.

Thanks for all of that.  Today was much better.

Spending 10 full days in a row with you was exactly what I needed.  While we were away I kept thinking of things I would write about on this blog if I had access to a computer.  You made our vacation so meaningful and fun. 

There is no other person I would rather do this life with.

In about two hours you will officially be on Spring Break!!!!!

Wooooo-Hoooooo! 

It is going to be amazing to finally see you and hang out without the pressing feeling that school work needs to be done.  You are so much fun to be with.

There are many, many memories that need to be made.

Tonight you won't get home until late because of your participation in parent/teacher conferences.  It made me picture coming to you as the teacher of one of my kids and how good I would feel knowing they were under your care during the day.  Some of the luckiest kids in the world will get to have Mr. Kurtz.  Their parents will feel so blessed to know they got one of the best.

It makes me wish you could really be the teacher to my kids.  Oh yeah, you already are.

You are going to rock the classroom as much as you rock the home, Mr. Kurtz.

Today we had take two boys to the dentist and you rearranged your life to be there.

We needed you.

Trips to the dentist really are not one bit fun.  But buying our family's first Nerf guns as a prize for good dentist behavior is a blast.  You played with the boys while I recovered from my anxiety-induced sugar overload.

Glad that visit is done, but even more glad about how dependable you are.  I can definitely count on you to be there for the dumb times and the fun times.

Hearing you share about what you learned at this weekend's Men's Retreat was pretty much my favorite thing this year.  You went in with an open heart and came out a changed man. 

I like that man sooooo much!!

I am a crazy maniac getting my chores done today.  The reason:  I don't want to have to do anything else tonight but spend time with you.  Even if I am by your side while you knock down that homework list, I'll take it.  Man, you are such good motivation!

I have a feeling God did some good stuff in your heart this weekend and I am already thanking Him for it.  

And back at home, my little Jeff Juniors have been keeping me smiling.

When you are gone:

- Pandora has to put me to sleep at night.

- The normal amount of coffee we share is all consumed by me.

- The trash and recycling cans get really full until I finally take them out in my socks.

- I put in double Kurtz boy wrestling time.

- Making dinner isn't nearly as enjoyable.

- The couch is a little lonely.

-Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher goes unread.

- I laugh a little less.

I am praying your retreat away is filled with all the great stuff that comes from hanging around a good group of guys.  But I am excited to have you back.

This song and video made me think of you last night.

You are the best hugger I have ever known.  We miss you already.

Yesterday you finished up a volunteer gig of teaching chess to elementary students at a different school than your own.  I love that you signed up, not even fully knowing how to play the game.  You took on the challenge because it would only enrich this little section of your life.  THAT IS HOT.

Oh, Jeff, thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me how you would use your ipad if you lost the ability to use both your arms and legs.  You have one talented noggin there.

You make me laugh so much.

Okay, Kurtz, I know all you want to do tonight is homework because you love it so much.  But there comes a time when a guy has got to face up to his responsibilities.  


Here is your TO DO list for the night:


1. Take a nice family walk.  Trust me, it's responsible.  The rain is coming and it's foolish to not take advantage of that glimmer of a sun in the sky.


2. Watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  We have to.  It needs our critical eyes to see if it is appropriate for the boys to watch.  It's the right thing to do.


3.  Those avocados are going to rot if you don't make some guacamole soon.  You might want to get that done.


If you need to squeeze some homework in there somewhere, you know I'm right there with you!  

I had a great weekend with you.  It was full of walks and church and putting our brains together for your work sample.  It even included a Target run!  I am now laughing about that ring I tried on.  The only way it would budge off panicky me was for you to blow like crazy on my finger.  SO glad that sucker finally came off.

I noticed this book on your nightstand today and it made me smile.  

I love how you get more excited than a kid when it comes to Disneyland.  Our family is going to have the best time ever.  Pack your Powell's hat!!

Last night I went to spend some time with my dad at church.  At the end of my night out, I pulled into the garage and realized I didn't have to worry one bit about leaving my four boys behind.  I knew you had it completely under control.


Then I walked in the door and...


Heard the dishwasher running.
Smelled candles burning.
Saw kids tucked into their beds.
Tasted freshly made coffee.
and Touched my bootie onto the couch to relax.


It felt good to be home.


Thanks for knowing exactly what relaxes me.

Kurtzie, you turn everything into FUN.  Last night we had planned to take a family walk after you got home from work.  We didn't know the rain would decide to pour, I mean POUR at the exact same time.  It was one of the best times we have shared together.  Splashing through the puddles, letting the rain drench our hair, running to avoid each others' puddle stomping.  You lead our family in a way that teaches us to make a memory despite the circumstances.  I LOVE THAT.

Back to the 831!

Last night we got the details nailed down for our trip!!  I know already our family is going to have an incredible time.  We leave in 14 days!

There's nothing better than Vacation Feeling with you.

Our exhaustion lately has led to some funky communication and weird arguments.  Thank you for always making the effort to set things straight.  You are usually the first to ask for forgiveness and that is just plain rad.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Marriage is hard work, but so worth it.

I really like you, even when I am so tired I could cry.

Tonight: You. Me. The Bravermans. French Bread. Pine Nut Hummus. 
Our children tucked away sleeping so we can watch other people parent for awhile.
I love loving the same things as you.

Before I met you I never even thought about the possibility of drinking coffee black.  That's the way I take it these days.  Every morning I make it in the french press (I know I still don't do it exactly to french press regulations) and then sometimes it gets repeated in the afternoon.  My black coffee is a huge part of my day, especially when life's circumstances make me stay up until 1am and wake up at 6am.  Things aren't always easy but I'm sure glad you have taught me to enjoy some of the finer things in life.