Here's to us.

We're back from celebrating our anniversary at the Don Cesar on Pass-A-Grille Beach. Just love that place. We stayed there on our wedding night, so it's extra sentimental. And let me just say I was able to enjoy the place with way less presssure than I did the last time as a virgin bride. whew! ;)

We both agreed it was good we decided to stay in town rather than travel somewhere, especially since I've been feeling so badly lately. The view from our corner room in that big pink palace was amazing....the Gulf from one window and the inter-coastal from the other. Panoramic! And the views turned out to be a big blessing since I wasn't able to be out and about as much as I'd hoped.

We were 7 floors up

This tower was just outside our window and watching the birds fly to and from was so fun. Dontcha want to go up in there?

The first evening there was a rainbow out our east window.
We are way more Bubba Gump's and Candy Kitchen than we are Don Cesar, but it's fun to pretend for a few days anyways. Crab legs at Bubba Gump's mmm mmm good.And this town staple never disappoints:This was the first time we've been away just the two of us in over 3 years. Exactly what we needed in the scheme of this crazy life. Because let me tell you, things have not been easy for us--these past several years especially. And as much as we love each other, our marriage is far from perfect. We are both fallible people. Satan's knows our strongholds and is ruthless in using them against us. He's battered each of us, both individually and as a couple. We've had to fight hard to keep our union commited, growing, alive. There's been lots of give and take, forgiveness, choosing love when we don't feel like it, and holding our personal expectations with an open hand. It ain't easy. But it is worth fighting for. I'm convinced Satan works hardest to erode our lives by undermining this sacred union. So when he sees two people commited from the start to doing it right, he goes after it with gusto. Such has been the case with us. But God is good and so much stronger! And for that I am thankful.

So, here's to us.

and here's to nine years thru it all.