I really like this guy...glad I decided to keep him.

I like to watch the Today show while I eat my breakfast. My husband usually joins me for some morning together time, but he never really comments. The news (if that's what Today is...) is my thing, not his.

This morning, Meredith reported on yet another pecadillo from a celebrity who has been vindicated by the press since his wife is, supposedly, "mean" and no one should be expected to be faithful to a "mean" wife. Today, a celebrity "expert" was commenting that he was only 28 when he had his children, so this current evidence that he's a jerk is really just his need to relive a lost childhood.

My husband was appalled. He grumbled, "I hate it when they justify every jerkish thing some guy does. Like guys have no control and live life at the mercy of everyone else. It's just dumb. The guy's a jerk. He's got 2 women on the side and he's abandoned his family to party it up in France. That's not 'I'm a victim.' It's 'I'm a jerk but the media is on my side.'"

I mentioned that most people think his wife is not nice, either, though she seems to have been faithful to the family. Dave harumphed again, "He thought her nice at some point. Married her. Unless he claims it was Tom Cruise in a Mission:Impossible disguise who married her and then got her pregnant several times over. Otherwise, he's got no excuse. If he wanted out - he's still irresponsible, but he could have gotten out. Until that point, he shoulda kept it zipped and now he should be renting a house next door and helping with the kids, not partying in France."

I laughed. My husband is big on the responsibility vibe. However, one thing I noticed and appreciated quickly about him is that he doesn't blame the ex-wife completely for the reason they didn't hold together. He's always been honest about his involvement, and about the lessons he learned. In fact, I've heard barely a rude word about her (and she deserves a few, since 'commitment' was not her favorite word in the dictionary), but my husband always tells me that he had a share in what happened and he wants to own up to that share.

I know that no one can guarantee that their spouse won't eventually party it up with young, nubile French things, but I'm glad that, at least, if it happens, I'll be able to call him a jerk and he'll have to acknowledge that he is. I told him that as he showered. He laughed and reminded me that he's not going anywhere and he's not a jerk.

No. Most definitely. My husband is not a jerk.

What can I say - after all these years, I've become a joiner.

First, I joined this club...

Then I joined this club...

Now I'm well on my way to joining this club...

DUE DATE December 24, 2009 (poor baby)

P.S. While nothing in life is perfect, I do want to go on record as saying that dreams do come true. Things that you really want can come to pass. While no one gets a guaranteed pass to happiness, you can have perfect little moments. So, never give up & never surrender, my fellow mortals.

Wedding Pictures, Anyone?

Here they are...the professional pics. Our amazing photographer, Stacie, has posted some of her favorites on her website.

It was such a fun & funny day. We were in Salt Lake City. My mom & Dad, Prince Charming & Beauty Queen, and Cate were in attendance. The women helped me to get ready - the gown had this great corset that made me look almost normal (rather than my usual super-chubby) but the downside was that I couldn't move a muscle once zipped into the dress! So, I had an entourage following us around Salt Lake City...until they mysteriously disappeared! Then my adorable niece & nephews (the Thundering Trio) saved the day by carrying my train for me. Ash was so adorable - she was in awe of the whole proceedings and made 1 of the 2 most adorable flower girls in the entire party! (And those ring bearers and junior ushers were oh-so-handsome!)

I think the photos turned out perfect. I wanted old-fashioned photos set against the beauty of Temple Square and that's just what I got! I was so nervous - you can see that in the bridals - it was too much pressure to try and be pretty and have close-ups. I was grateful when Dave was in the pictures so that I didn't feel so alone! But Stacie made everything lovely and we'll treasure these photos.