TEN-der years of Marriage

This is a pretty gushy post, so for those who can't stand it... just turn away.
My sweetheart and I are celebrating a DECADE of marriage today. WAHOO!! We watched our wedding video for FHE on Monday and I have to admit that it's already looking pretty dated. We both look so young. We've gained a few pounds, a few more wrinkles, and a few more gray hairs since that day. But, we've also gained 2 great dogs, an education, a nice home, 3 beautiful daughters, and a whole heap more love.

So, in honor of #10, here's a couple lists I have made:

10 Memories from this past 10 years of marriage:
1. Pre-kids - sleeping in late on the weekends & eating homemade pancakes & syrup when we finally got up.
2. Taking some of the same classes in college. You paid attention while I wrote love notes to you on the calculator.
3. Going to the temple every week the summer after we were married.
4. Going grocery shopping & not spending over $30.
5. You dropping dad & I off at the top of a mountain while we ran down & you fished.
6. You not only being by my side, but holding my hand, and coaching me through each birth of our 3 daughters. Your voice was like a life saving ring amid the sea of pain I was going through. Most times it was all I could focus on to keep me from going under. Seeing you hold each gift from heaven was a true blessing.
7. Graduating from Snow College and the UofU with you was just simply awesome. What a pinnacle of celebration for all that hard work!
8. All of our anniversary vacations, including lots of Bed & Breakfasts, Hawaii, Canary Islands, cruise to the Easter Caribbean.
9. Building our first home. So many long hours doing that putting in that tile & painting! I didn't think we'd ever be able to move in - but we did & it was wonderful.
10. "Where's my 20 minutes?" at the end of every night. We try to spend at LEAST 20 minutes - no TV, no computer, no phones - and just re-connect, talk about the day & cuddle. I look forward to that 20 minutes every day.

10 things I love about my sweetheart (Note that I don't love him BECAUSE of these things - I would love him even if he didn't posses these qualities)
1. I LOVE that he is a cuddler. I remember the first morning after our wedding, I woke up, looked at my husband, and cried. I was so thankful that for the first time we didn't have to say goodnight & go our separate ways. STILL, my favorite part of the day is laying down with my hubby at night after prayers & cuddling as we fall asleep. With his arms wrapped around me, everything seems right with the world.
2. I love my husband's tender-heartedness. Last night I wasn't feeling well & he completely took over. Told me to lay down & he made the kids dinner & put them to bed.
3. I love his beautiful green eyes. I'm still holding out that one of our children will get them. They're so gorgeous.
4. I love his determination. When he was looking for a job, I have never seen someone so determined. I'm talking a multi-tab spreadsheet, with HUNDREDS on contacts he was making every day. He worked so hard - and I know it was his determination, along with the Lord's blessings that helped us to find a job.
5. His humility. I've said this before, but I'm so thankful that on days where I am just ornery and naggy, he is patient and doesn't get defensive.
6. I love that he is such a great daddy. I was thinking last night as I was laying in bed not feeling well, how thankful I am that he is such a hands-on daddy. He knows just how to put the kids to bed - including Kezia. They love him SO much. It's been such an adjustment for Ireland especially to have her daddy gone. STILL, she will try to go get him for breakfast in the morning. 7. I love his family. They are all such wonderful people and I'm thankful that I get to be a part of their lives.
8. I love that we are on the same page with so many things. We both love the outdoors. We both value education. We both believe in living debt-free. We truly try & council with each other & the Lord on our big decisions in life.
9. I love his smile & his laugh. When he gets home & his girls all rush him at the door, his smile & laugh seem to ease every burden in my heart.
10. I LOVE that he loves the gospel. This job-loss trial this past year has changed my man. Instead of rebelling against God, which he most certainly could have done, he truly humbled himself. His temple attendance, study of the scriptures, and prayer have increased many fold. He makes me want to do better in all aspects of my life.

I LOVE YOU JASON DAVID HAMILTON! 10 down, eternity to go!