Ten years!

Ten years is a huge anniversary! Ten years ago Emily Hogue became Emily Smith and walked down the aisle (giggling and teary eyed with her Daddeo) to Michael Thomas Smith. And, life has never been the same. We had planned to go out to eat and walk around Duke Gardens on the day of the anniversary (September 6th). But, as life is sometimes our plans changed. Little JT woke up sick. So my day was spent snuggling, playing, cleaning, washing clothes, putting away dishes, and trying to keep the house relatively picked up with an active toddler. My biggest accomplishment was taking a shower. So, Mike got home at 5 with veggie-dogs (Bella's request), chips, and ice cream sandwiches. We threw a blanket on the living room floor, loaded an "Angelina Ballerina" movie, and had an indoor picnic.

Ten years ago, I had spent lots of time getting my hair and make-up just perfect. Ten years later, I put my wet hair in a ponytail and put chapstick on. Ten years ago, we ate at a great reception and celebrated with LOTS of people (it was a partay!). Ten years later, we ate veggie dogs and hoped the toddler wouldn't have an epic meltdown when we told him he could only have half of the ice cream sandwich.

Ten years ago we had professional pictures. Ten years later we took one on an iPhone. And it was blurry. And there was no makeup or hair done.

It is comical, isn't it? I wasn't dissapointed that our plans changed. I was reminded of what ten years has given us. Two beautiful, healthy, spirited, active and lovely children. A wonderful house that makes our home. Lots of lessons learned on how to love and be selfless and receive love and walk through life together. At the end of the day, I was simply so thankful for ten years and where God has brought us. What He has taught us. What he has given us. How he has shaped us, both separately and together as the Smith family.

Today, my house is messy with toys and chips from the picnic and dirt from playing outside. Today looks a lot different than it did ten years ago. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Here's to the next ten years!

Thankful,
Emily

PS: We rounded up some superb babysitters and we're going out tonight! Partay for these two parents!