5,785,436.43

I have been accused of writing depressing blog posts.  And looking back over the last few, it certainly seems like I could use a hearty dose of vitamin D.  I’ll blame it on Seattle.   Things really aren’t so bad.  In fact, they are quite good most of the time.  Maybe I just write when I want to complain?  Or I process some of my angst through pen and paper?  Whatever it is, it’s time for a happy post.   And the timing couldn’t be better.  It’s our anniversary this weekend.  Eleven years.  I’m happy to be celebrating with Jason, reflecting on our years together, looking ahead and dreaming together about what’s to come.  I’m not one for gushing but life together is good.

Time for a look back over the years…

In our very first (tiny) apartment on Cacique Street in Santa Barbara, 2001
Gotta dig that goatee

At a friend’s wedding in 2001.
Sorry, again, for the toast, Anthony & Jess.

Our first New Years together married.
Unlike at our wedding, Jason was of legal drinking age

Graduation #1 – undergrad in Theological Studies in 2002

One of our first camping trips.  This was Jason’s attempt at a fire.  I had about 18 layers of clothes on.
We’ve come a loooong way with our camping skills!

St. Patricks Day in 2004.  Dargon’s in Santa Barbara.
Can’t remember the story about that coat but it was… memorable.

Banff, 2004

On our way to Europe, 2005
We visited England, Italy, and Hungary

Jason about to disappear on Platform 9 3/4
Check out the cargo pants!  I forgot about those!

Still honing the camping skills, 2005

Graduation #2, Masters of Theology
J and his grad school pals

Moving to Seattle, 2006

Gearing up for the L O N G drive

Buying our first home together, 2007

First time painting together… definitely a milestone!

Camping skills improving by leaps and bounds.
The PNW helped a lot.

Here comes trouble

For the record, Jason’s belly is always smaller

Olympics party.  Can you believe that leotard fit at 8 months pregnant?  Spandex is stretchy.

September 28, 2008.  Early labor

Gryffin Mylor Rust.  And life as we knew it…

Gryffin, 5 months

First Mother’s Day

Spring 2009

Anniversary (8th) Trip to Vashon

Summer 2009

Me, looking so calm, thinking life was finally getting to a manageable place.  Until 2 days later when…

ZOIKS!

Clearly no longer calm and collected.

Christmas 2009, Gryff 15 months

April 19, 2010

Isaiah Mylor Rust

A jolly fella from day 1

Spring 2011

First family camping trip – Isaiah is in there somewhere!
August 2011
Not a major success.

With several folks from our community group – our family in Seattle
Somewhere along the way, we discovered J has mad skills with long distance running, thanks to some of the guys in our C-group dragging him along to a few races.
This was a triathlon but earlier in the year he ran a half marathon at 7:30/mile.  Not too shabby!

And here we are, 11 years later.  Spring 2012

And a few stats for the books…

13: number of years we’ve been together
2: number of sweet boys we have
19: number of (mostly) epic camping trips we’ve taken
8: number of job changes between the two of us
10: number of countries we’ve been to together
5: number of homes we’ve shared
5: combined number of trips to the emergency room
5: number of glassware sets we’ve broken our way through
3: number of cars we’ve owned
5,785,436.43: number of minutes we’ve been married

Here’s to hoping we’ve got millions more minutes together.  Happy Anniversary, Slug.  I think you’re pretty great.