My Grandpa

Jake Janzen - My Grandpa

Today is my Grandpa's birthday. My mom has planned a BBQ for later this afternoon to celebrate. It is always fun getting all of the family together. Who knows maybe I will have some pictures to post after the event.

Emerald is the symbol for enduring love

My grandpa has always been a special part of my life. He was always there at every school function and every important moment of my life. We would eat dinner over there once a week when we were little. I always enjoyed playing the board games or RACK-O - and he was always ready and willing to play. One of my best memories is playing in his shop with the scraps of wood and the smell of fresh sawdust. When I think of my Grandpa that is one of the first things that comes to mind.

My Grandpa was a carpenter so it was natural for him to have a shop. He has made many things for me over the years, a desk & chair, hope chest, cabinet, shoe rack, table etc..... the list goes on. He has made sooooo many things over the years for soooo many people. He was always giving of his time when it came to carpentry. He volunteered at MCC a lot fixing furniture that would come by donation or building it into something else if it was not fixable.

The second thing that comes to mind is BEAR HUGS. Whenever we come over he always greets you with the BIGGEST bear hug ever. He has done this for as long as I can remember. There are so many memories I have that involve both of my Grandparents that I could go on and on for days. I just wanted to say that I love you very much Grandpa and I wish you a very Happy Birthday with many more special memories to come.

A man can have no greater fame than to be loved and admired by his family. Happy Birthday to a Grandfather who is loved and admired for so many reasons.

I love you Grandpa!!!

So as you know from my previous post yesterday was our 5 year Anniversary. Since you already know what I got Scott I thought I would show you what he got me as well. He came home with a huge bouquet of flowers and a card. Inside the top of the flowers was a ring box. It is the most beautiful ring (next to my wedding ring of course). He said the ring was called the journey ring and it was to symbolize how far we have come in our marriage so far - soooo sweet right?

The Bouquet

He had also made dinner reservations for us at Greek Islands and had asked the owner to bring in my favorite wine just for us. My favorite wine is a B.C. white wine by Gerringer Brothers - Auxerrois 2005. The owner came out and talked to us for a bit and then came back to us with a dessert with a candle in it and sang Happy Anniversary. Scott was a bit embarrassed cause he said he didn't ask the owner to do that :) After that we went to see a stand up comic - play at the Fringe Festival in Abbotsford (the tix I gave him in his gift). It was a wonderful day and a wonderful anniversary. Sorry I didn't have my camera with me so no pictures of the yummy dessert.

"The Journey" - a bit of a close up eh?

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy Day - Enjoy the sunshine!!!

Love, Marriage and the Man of my Dreams

Five years ago today I married my wonderful husband Scott. Yes, that's right. Today we are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary and our 7 year anniversary of being a couple. May 11, 2002 was one of the happiest days of my life. Todays blog is about love, marriage and the man of my dreams.I have never known anyone, other than family, to love me so unconditionally. He is always there for me no matter what I am going through. He is so understanding when it comes to my illness and I couldn't have asked for a better husband. I know that he is not perfect and and neither am I but I know I want to be by his side, to hold his hand, to wake up with him in the evening and kiss him when we go to bed at night. I vowed then and I vow now to hold him close to my heart both now and for the rest of my life.

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways
Written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right:
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

I Love You Scott,

How do I begin to tell you how lucky I am
to have you in my life?
I'll start by saying what an honor it is
for me to be your wife.
You're my best friend in the good times
and my rock in times of sorrow.
You're the reason for sweet yesterdays
and my promise for tomorrow.
I never thought I could feel this loved
until I became your wife.

You made this year and every year
the best one of my life.

Thank you for being you!

Love always, Cherie

So the following is the traditional chart of what to give for a gift depending on the anniversary year. I have listed it here for those of you who may have an anniversary coming up.

Wedding Anniversary Gifts - Traditional

1st - Paper
2nd - Cotton
3rd - Leather
4th - Fruit, Flowers
5th - Wood
6th - Candy, Sugar, Iron
7th - Copper, Wool
8th - Bronze, Pottery
9th - Pottery, Willow
10th - Tin, Aluminum

11th - Steel
12th - Silk, Linen
13th - Lace
14th - Ivory
15th - Crystal
20th - China
25th - Silver
30th - Pearl
35th - Coral
40th - Ruby
45th - Sapphire
50th - Gold
55th - Emerald
60th - Diamond
75th - Diamonds, Diamond-Like Stones, Gold

When I was trying to decide what to get Scott for our Anniversary I checked the good old traditional anniversary chart. Fifth Anniversary is WOOD. Silverware if you look at the modern chart. I started thinking - What could I get him that was made out of wood that he would like? I couldn't come up with anything. So instead I opted for a card and lottery tickets. - Paper - once a tree = wood. I am reaching right?

So I opted for the above gift choice. A nice bottle of red wine - cause that is what he likes to drink - I prefer white. Three different cigars to add to his collection, a card, a box of mixed chocolates,two lottery tickets and tickets to a play for tonight. The play is called the Naked Newfie and is at the Matsqui Centennial Theatre.

One Cigar from Nicaragua

Two from Cuba where we had our Honeymoon

Humidor # 1 of 2 in his collection

2 Strawberry Creams, 1 Armadillo, 2 Hazelnut Creams

From J&B Candy Shoppe in Old Downtown Abbotsford

If you haven't been to J&B Candy Shoppe it is definitely worth a trip - it is really nice and has tons of fresh yummy treats. So this is the end of my 5 year tribute to ;ove, marriage and the man of my dreams.

Have a great day everyone!!!