How the Thompson's got their groove back

While the Hubs and I were engaged, we had a lot of marriage advice thrown our way. Unfortunately, I can hardly remember any of it because I was blissfully unaware that we would ever need advice on marriage. The Hubs and I have practically been married since the day we met. We were well seasoned pros by the time we sealed the deal.

Have I ever told you about how the Hubs came over one day, and he never really went home? Well it's true. About a month into our relationship I'm at the grocery store when all of a sudden I realize I'm shopping for two. So I called Eric and asked him what kind of food he wanted. He gave me some crap about not caring, to just get whatever I want. I gave him some of my best 'not gonna take any crap' attitude and told him 'Look you better give me some suggestions cuz I dont want to hear any complaints about the food i buy.' See? Married since day one. (In the end he suggested Cap'N Crunch)

Anyway, out of all the marriage advice we were given, there was one thing that stuck out to both of us: Make time for each other without the kids; go on DATES.

We have tried really hard to make sure we spend quality time together on the weekends after the kids go to bed since the cost of a date in itself usually just stressed me out so much I don't want to go. After I add up how much it will cost to get an actually babysitter, and then dinner and whatever activity we decide I just want to cringe. It equals a tank of gas. or several boxes of diapers. I mean, I could do a lot with that kind of money. So we snuggle up at home and call it a date. Our dates usually turn into chore doing dates, but it's not too bad. Eric gets to eat entire tub of ice cream and I get to eat a whole bag of popcorn to myself. It's just like gorging ourselves at the movies. But with laundry and sweatpants involved.

On our moving day, we got a couple hours to do some shopping by ourselves and it was so exciting, it was pathetic. It was then that I realized I missed Mr. Thompson. Yes, I see him every day and we spend all of our time together, but our hands are usually full of babies and our conversations are full of who's going to feed who while the other starts the bath. I missed holding my husbands hands! I missed getting to be silly and not worry about getting children in and out of a store or a car. So we vowed to start small and do monthly date nights.

This last week, I was rummaging through some papers to find my art supplies when I found a gift certificate....from the 7th grade. Two $5.00 paper movie gift certificates. Geeze, that makes me feel old. Nowhere on it did it have an expiration date. So I decided we were going to see the Hunger Games. I figured that we could always end up paying the $10 if they wouldnt accept it, but at least it was worth a shot. I found a cinema that would accept the certificate, called up my sister-in-law and asked if she could watch the kids, and we had a date planned! I was so excited. The fact that it was at noon didn't even bother me. In fact, the noon showing turned out to be perfect for us.  It was gorgeous when we came out, the theater wasn't crowded and best of all... we paid $5 to see the movie!

Thank You Cineplex Odeon for housing our date.
And also, for the refill on Diet Coke, and the free bag of popcorn. 

Husband Appreciation Day

Yeah, I made that up. Just go with it...

Last night, I made the executive decision to change my Blogger name from "Ashley and Eric" to Ashley, since we all know that I'm the one writing these things. When I started the blog, I had kind of hoped that Mr. Thompson would make an appearance or two, but I was being silly. It's just not his style. So in honor of cutting out the Hubs from the blog, I'm going to tell you all about Mr. Thompson. Ok and a little about me, because let's face it...we're like two peas in a pod.

Mr. Thompson and I met in Seattle while working at the Downtown Dog Lounge. He was supposed to be showing me the ropes but all I could think about was how awkward it was. This guy is totally cute and he's teaching me how to pick up dog crap? Real romantic. I'd like to say that we took things slow and really got to know each other before we decided that we wanted to start dating. We waited a whole 11 days. Excruciating! You want to know how we became official? Oh yeahhh... facebook relationship change. I mean, we already knew it, but I needed to know...were we "Official official"? And by that, I mean "Facebook Official". So I called him and told him to check his facebook. Yeah, I know. Cute.

Today, while we were coming home from the gym and other silly errands Mr. Thompson was talking with one of his sisters on the phone about some upcoming plans for the weekend. He literally said, "Well, I don't know. I just go where I'm told."

My husband is easy going, that's for sure. He works hard to make me happy. And that my friends, is no easy task. Just ask my mother.

So here's what we already know about Mr. Thompson: He's easy going. He's a hard worker. He's a wife-pleaser (aka happy wife/happy life- that's his motto!). He doesn't like to lead, he'd rather follow- except when it comes to putting IKEA furniture together. Then in that case he just likes to complain, I mean lead, and then refuse to let me help.

Okay okay, on to the good stuff about Mr. Thompson, but seriously. This man puts up with a lot from me and I'm pretty thankful for it. We've been through a lot together and quite frankly I just can't imagine my life without him. Who else would allow me to play my favorite songs on repeat, and merely joke "Is this a new song, I've never heard it before"? Nobody, that's who.

My most favorite trait that Mr. Thompson holds is that he is a top-notch Daddy. He's not afraid of a diaper, although sometimes he yells out, "Ashley, Ashley! I need your help!" when things get a little scary, even though I never help. I just stand there and say, "What am I supposed to do?". He makes a mean bottle, and while he's working on the Mac N Cheese, at least we're moving in the right direction. Progress not perfection right? He's also a great horsey and tickle monster. He's an excellent sports coach, and his dressing skills have GREATLY improved. It's rare that I have to re-dress the kids into more aesthetically pleasing outfits these days. It may also help that after Tristan outgrew things, I got rid of things that I loathed but somehow always managed to get on my babies body when Daddy did the dressing.

And last but not least, I'm grateful that my husband once thought he was a "Gangsta" (although he will deny these accusations) and saved a couple of his "Tall Tee's" from back in the day so that I could have a nightgown that came down to my knees when I was preggo.