Hello everyone~ Laura refers to me as Mr. Décor in blog land, but to everyone else I’m Eric. She asked if I would like to join the “My Favorite Five Mr. Decor” party with my own favorites as a way of keeping in touch since once again I am on the road on our anniversary for the second year in a row.
My Favorite Five Mr. Decor
My life is a bit of an open book as things I build or projects I help with are often shared on the blog. So I thought on our anniversary it would be fun to share five favorite events from our personal life.
1. The Wedding (16 years ago today)
You have seen this picture before, the joining of a family; a novice and two strong women. The story behind this picture is Laura agreed to marry me with the understanding that we would be stationed overseas within 5 months and live there for 4 years. This was her first trip to Europe and first time in a country that English was not the primary language. Our first posting was to the Greek island of Crete. Laura and Alyssa followed me a few weeks later transiting through Athens.
As they waited for the connecting flight Laura figured they would do some quick sightseeing of the Parthenon and Acropolis. They hopped on a bus not knowing where it was going. Of course it was going the wrong way. But they turned on the charm and got turned around by some Good Samaritans and were able to see the sights plus make their connecting flight. Once I heard their story, I knew my adventures had just begun.
2. The Today Show
We had moved from Crete to Germany and were blessed with healthy baby boy a month early no less. Sweet Boy, now Sweet Guy (and will probably be called Sugar Daddy later on) started life at just a smidge over 5 pounds, hence a “sweet 5 pound bag of sugar”. Now you get the “Sweet” references. At two weeks old our family in America received their very first glimpse of him on a Today Show segment hosted by Ann Curry. (The NBC network was doing a story on the Afghanistan humanitarian food drops staged at Ramstein AB Germany.) Laura handed our baby over to Ann who could barely stand how tiny and sweet he was in his star-spangled suit. We ended up as part of the baby intro segment of the show. Hello World.
3. Getting Piped Out
I decided to retire from military service after 21 years. Most people have a quiet ceremony with a few coworkers and immediate family, but I believe protocol allows for a parade or pass-in-review from the unit assigned. I opted for a Bag Piper from the Air Force Band. Scott Gunn, who has performed for the President, also happens to be a distant cousin. For the ceremony Laura carried on the Scottish theme as she and the kids wore the Gunn tartan. She also had plaid and Scottish thistle corsages made for my mother, stepmother and sisters. We had great fun at the after party, which also had a Scottish theme. The highlight of the evening was when we had a chance to try and get the pipes to make some noise. Laura’s attempt still makes my knees weak every time I think of it. LOL!
4. The Graduation
I’m so very proud of Alyssa’s ability to overcome the constant change she experienced by being a part of a military family. Our first year together required Laura to take on the role of homeschool teacher to guide her through 4th grade. The following year was in Germany. Three years later we were in Georgia and three years after that we moved to Arizona. I realize it was hard on her to be the new kid, especially moving to a new high school. Alyssa is now a graduate from ASU and has life experiences kids her age dream about. The world is her oyster with pearls yet discovered.
5. Sweet Guy completed 5 years of Cub Scouts and satisfied the requirements to earn the highest award a Cub Scout can earn, the Arrow of Light. A local Boy Scout troop presented this award during his crossover ceremony into Boy Scouts. His presentation arrow and display holder were hand carved on my woodworking bench.
A few years ago I had volunteered to be the Cub Scout den leader when we first joined and held that privilege for the next five years. I think I had as much fun as the boys in the den did. I discovered early on that being involved with scouts allowed me to spend more time with my son during his development years. Not to mention fond memories of: campfires, pulling cactus needles out of his shoe, the tent collapsing in high winds, trying to sleep while the coyotes are howling or the elks are bugling, and…you get the picture.
Happy Anniversary
These are five of my favorite experiences that Laura has given me by saying “Yes” when I got down on one knee over 16 years ago.
Thank you Mr. Décor for the beaming light you have brought into my life.
Laura
Thanks for this heartwarming post, MR D. What a beautiful family you have made out of nothing but a little love. So hard, yet you make it look easy!
Happy Anniversary to a very special couple. How kind you both are to share these life experiences and lessons with everyone. The grace and style with which you two and your children carry out your lives is a good example to all.
Congratulations!
Wonderful, passionate, loving and so so charming!
Congratulations to BOTH of you, today and everyday.
Wonderful, passionate, loving and so so charming!
Congratulations to BOTH of you, today and everyday.
This is so great!! Thanks for sharing on the blog, Mr. Decor, and I wish you and Laura and your beautiful children, every continued blessing!! You've really lived a fascinating life thus far. : )
Kind regards,
Linda in Illinois
Happy Anniversary ..
almost time for mr n mrs Decor to renew their vows~!
I think we ll oughta fly out to AZ for that ceremony and send them off on a wonderful 2nd Honeymoon..
You guys are a gorgeous couple, thanks for sharing,Aloha Ral
What a touching post for today–such wonderful stories. Thank you for visiting my geneology blog today, my Grandma Jewell was one special person to me.
Ann
Oh Laura, since I know you both, this is such a true and touching story that brought tears to my eyes. You two were definitely meant for each other and you are both such very, very special people.
Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Decor!
This gave me chills! Love hearing from the Mister!! I feel like I really got to know you all better!! Happy Anniversary and many many more years of happiness!!
Oh Laura……I LOVED THIS! How wonderful….you got a gem girlfriend!!
Oh, Laura and Eric, tears and a wide smile. Happy Anniversary. I love hearing about your life. What an exciting adventure to treasure.
Happy Anniversary to both of you! Eric, thank you for sharing these beautiful memories!
What a beautiful couple you are. You look regal together. Happy Anniversary!
Congrat dear Laura & Mr. Decor…
Such a beautiful couple and family.
Love the lovestory.
I just celebrated our 25th Church Silver wedding anniversary last 3rd of April.
Amazing we are few who keep the marriage going. LoL*
More years to come sweet bloggie friend.
Btw:
Sorry for not coming back of your comment that you want to feature my blog. That is really overwhelming. I have such a bi problem with yahoo.
Such a great appreciation, specially like me, from outside the US.
Let me know when or what theme you would like me to post.
Thank you once again.
GB and have a blessed weekend.
Hugs from D´Box.
/CC girl
Happy Anniversary, Laura and Eric! What a beautiful post summarizing some of your wonderful family memories.
Happy Anniversary! Hats of to Mr. Decor for this post filled with great memories of your life together!
What a wonderful post! You two were destined for each other! I'm sure there were some tears along the way with all the different places you lived but obviously you both worked together and got through it all! Love the trip down memory lane and Mr D you wrote this beautifully! Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary. What a beautiful post!!!
This is such a sweet post. You two are a good looking couple. 🙂
Dear Laura and Eric, I know you have both been through a great deal together, however you have each other and that is truly a rare thing these days.
Love to your family!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Laura how sweet. It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Decor!
What a GREAT Friday Favorite Five post!! How nice to meet you, Mr. Decor!
Happy Anniversary Laura and Eric; what a lovely couple you are and what a good life you've built for yourselves. I really enjoyed seeing these Favorite Five pictures. 🙂
Warm Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
This one has to be an all time Favorite Five. What a terrific guy, Mr. Decor. Happy Anniversary to both of your.
You two are completely dreamy!
Congratulations.
Happy anniversary to you both and wishing you many more in the future!!
Great post Mr. Decor – thanks for sharing it with us.
Have a great weekend.
Happy Anniversary. You both are an inspiration and I enjoyed this post and the precious photos so very much.
Wow! We are all swooning over him now! What a beautiful post about your amazing lives together! Happy Anniversary and thank you so much for taking the time to share this Mr. Decor! You have a lovely family! (and you are a hunk…are we allowed to say that on your blog, Laura? heehee)
Geeze Laura! I'm all teared up!
What a wonderful post! I loved hearing these great stories. 🙂 You guys are such a great couple.
I love that picture of you two. 🙂
~Liz
P.S. Am I the only one that sees a Princess Di similarity in the bag pipe picture?
That was so sweet. Happy anniversary to you both.
THIS IS MY ALL-TIME DECOR TO ADORE POST… EVER!
Happy, happy anniversary to you two love birds. And Laura, I'm grateful you got a FABULOUS husband! Whoa. That man loves his fam!
Hugs and happy anniversary,
Kelley~
What a pleasant surprise… and wonderful post! Thank you for sharing Mr. Decor and Happy Anniversary to you both!!!
What an absolutely lovely post, Laura! Your Mr. Decor sounds a lot like The Man. Congratulations, albeit belated, on your anniversary!
A lovely post, sweet, sensitive and a real pleasure to read. Congratulations to the two of you, and wishing you both a Very Happy Anniversary!
What a loving tribute for your anniversary!
I'm late to the party! Happy Anniversary. What a beautiful post and a lovely adventure you all have been on. Thank you for sharing it with us.
so so sweet. what a wonderful love story to read about.
How did I miss this…anyway, Happy Belated anniversary, what a great couple and family you make!