Celebrating Justin

We celebrated Justin's 29th Birthday on Monday!

 For months now, I had it planned for my parents to come up and watch the kids while I whisked Justin away to the beach for the whole day. It was supposed to be our day-cation sans the kiddos.

So great, right?

 Well, it would have been but the weather had different plans for us, and the 60-degree forecast with clouds was not going to cut it to be out in our swimsuits.

Instead, we brought out the overcoats and headed to the City!

We had a taste of the ocean at the Aquarium of the Bay. 

I found Nemo. 

and Justin enjoyed the jellyfish. Really cool, but really ick at the same time. 

 The change in plans did not stop us from having fun, and being appreciative of the fact that we were able to even be out! There were many moments where we just stopped to thank God for being able to have fun, enjoy each other's company, and relax...

things we don't take for granted anymore.

To top off the day, Justin enjoyed an impressive crab dinner at the Crab House, and a Rocky Road Sundae from Ghiradelli. 

I definitely know the way to my man's heart =)

I'm so glad you had a Happy Birthday, Just. You deserve it.

I'm the most thankful for you. 

7

Just, you still make me feel like we're on our honeymoon (minus the tan and the bod =)

Happy 7 years!

I am so honored to be the one to grow old with you. 

I love you more today than ever before.

Love always,

Victoria

5

My solemn vow to be your faithful partner
in sickness and in health,
in good times and in bad,
and in joy as well as in sorrow.
I promise to love you unconditionally,
to support you in your goals,
to honor and respect you,
to laugh with you and cry with you,
and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Happy 5th Anniversary Justin. I love you with ALL my heart.

I Married My Best Friend

MIDDLE SCHOOL

7th Grade - Justin is on the bottom and I'm to his right in the plaid skirt


8th Grade - Standing back to back...goobtown


HIGH SCHOOL

10th Grade - The summer we started dating. Justin wasn't smiling with his teeth because he had braces =)


12th Grade - First day of Senior Year


Senior Yearbook - Justin won Mr. SMHS and I won Best Eyes


UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER

Justin graduated with a Degree in Business and I graduated with a Degree in International Affairs


The song Justin sang to me when he proposed

OUR WEDDING May 29th 2005 Malibu, California

It was the most magical day of my life.

We had musicians and a waterfall in the background

The photographer was Jack Pettee and he took the most amazing pictures

I still wish I ate more of our cake!

My Dad walking me down the aisle

Justin waiting for his bride

The beautiful setting

It's official!



The Bridal Party

Victoria's Family

Justin's Family



The Reception - We changed into traditional Punjabi outfits. My Grandmother presented us with special gifts. Moriah's middle name, Sarjit, is my Grandmother name.

Cheers!


HONEMYOON - Amberguis Caye, Belize

We continue to lay our relationship at God's feet, and pray that He will continue to hold us together...

A Note To My Husband

Justin,

I'm just so proud of you.

You are such a hard-working individual, trying to do whatever you can for your family.

I know that going to the temp agency to try and find more work to supplement our income was not the easiest thing to do. And as humbling as it might have been, it makes me even more impressed with your determination to do whatever it takes for "your girls."

Actions speak louder than words, and it is obvious to me that I lucked out to have a husband who really means what he says.

As we have learned this past year, God is the only one who is truly carrying us through everything. Without Him, there is nothing.

Even though we don't know what this life will bring, we have been given the peace of knowing how to get through it.
We're in this together.

I love you with all my heart.

Your adoring wife,
Victoria

And to Justin

Happy Father's Day. You are the Best Daddy to Moriah. We love you.

Our 4 Year Wedding Anniversary

Four years ago today, we got married.
We've known each other since we were 12 years old. We both won "Best Personality" in 8th grade, and there's a picture in our 8th grade yearbook with us standing back to back, shaking hands with other people. I wish I still had this pic. Anyway, this was our first sign of compatibility ;-)
We didn't actually start dating until we were in 10th grade. Justin sat behind me in Miss Holstead's Biology class. He would tell me I had great hair, and that I must use good shampoo because I didn't have any split ends. So lame. =) I'll give him a break. He was only 16.
When we were 18, we both accepted Christ into our lives. This is when our lives changed. And so did our relationship...all for the better.

We got married going into our senior year of college, and my parents blessed us with the most beautiful wedding in Malibu, California(I wish I had more pics of this to post as well! I only have the same one that I use over and over again).

We graduated from CU Boulder

Then we bought a house in Louisville, and decided to set up shop. However, as soon as we found out we were expecting, I knew I wanted to be back in California to be around our family and so we sold the place.

Ever since we moved back two years ago, our things have still been in storage, and our lives unsettled. Everything has been a whirlwind since I was sixth months pregnant and we found out about Moriah's heart defect.

We have been on a total rollercoaster ride since our daughter was born.


But there is no other man in the world that I would rather be living this life with...that I would rather have hold my hand or give me a hug after a hard day.
I love Justin with all my heart, and couldn't have wished for a more devoted, adoring, loving husband. He is my best friend. He is my soul mate. He is my partner for life.
Happy Anniversary, babe. =)
I love you.

*Here is a post I did later that includes pictures from when we were younger*
I Married My Best Friend

Still Going Strong

Since Moriah is progressively getting better, we are taking advantage of this time to work on her rehabilitation. She has been having days packed with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy (just started today since they put in the passy muir valve on her trach), and not to mention my absolute favorite for her...preschool!!! ( I used to be a preschool teacher myself)

Justin went back this past Tuesday, but will be back Sunday for Mother's Day...and then it's my Birthday on Monday!! Woohoo! Maybe now people will think I'm at least 13...although I'm really going to be 25...going on 5o after all we've experienced.

Anyway, while Moriah has been bouncing back, my body has been crashing, and I've been having a major let-down. Not only have I been having tension headaches every single day, I've been incredibly fatigued and my mind is in a fog (I've forgotten my pin number, left my purse at the grocery store, and misplaced my wallet - luckily it was only in my room at the house!) I went to the Dr., and she said that it is common for someone to suffer really bad tension headaches after the stress is over. So, anyway, I've been taking this time to do a little rehab for myself, and trying to rest and get away from the hospital a little bit. I went out and got a haircut for the first time in 5 months today! yeah! progress.

I will continue to update.
Lots of love,
Victoria

Here are some pictures taken of our busy week


Look what Moriah made today with her Preschool teacher! My very first Mother's Day card from her =) Her handprint is soooo cute. I love that LPCH provides this service.

Standing up with Nurse Christina and PT Karen (thank you Dr. Shin for taking these pictures for me - I wasn't there to see this)

Looks like she's getting grumpy from all the exercise...like I said before, like Mother like Daughter

but it looks like she loves the bumbo seat! Moriah is with OT Michelle (Happy Birthday Michelle! have a great weekend celebration in Vegas!), PT Karen, and Nurse Robin

you cute girl, you are doing such a good job!

she's still telling lots of stories

smiling

and getting held by Mommy

i am so proud of this girl! (and yes, I know, she's almost as big as me)


and after all the hard work she's done, she is bound to fall asleep - even though she fights and fights and fights it. this is Moriah's dramatic way of showing how tired she is. what a diva =)

Daddy putting his girl to bed...as she holds onto his nose


and here we have a very tired, but very in love Mommy and Daddy. I love you Justin and can't wait for you to transfer up here. Thank you Quiksilver! We love you guys so much...you ARE family. =)