I realize this is quite a long post, but if you're interested in learning more about Tatwood, read on...I guarantee you entertainment.
'Twas nearly 4 years ago when Mr. Atwood and myself gazed across the alter into each others' eyes and said I do.
About to barf? Would you rather laugh? Ok, then I'll tell you a few things about Tat you may very likely not know.
Brace yourself...-The man has worms. Literally... red composting wigglers to be exact.
-After informing me he had worms at our second meeting, he then said, "You're abnormally white."
-He "strongly suggested" I not use our dishwasher our first few months of marriage because it cost nearly 35 cents to run it every time.
-The man mysteriously slept (next to my screaming and moaning side) through the gruesome process of pitocin-ridden contractions as I was in labor, and then mysteriously woke the VERY SECOND I got the epidural.
-Tat loves Santa Clara City spring clean-up and fully takes advantage of other people's junk. Around April, I always find new treasures in our garage or backyard.
-Did you see the post about what to do and what not to do with a baby? Well, again, I know our friends were inspired to give us that book b/c Tat suggested we save $ on a crib and just use an old apple crate. Was he kidding? Likely. Do you kid about something like that with an extremely hormonal fat woman about to expel a human being from her body? No.
-Tat is musically challenged...he can carry a lovely note, but he is so far distanced from the music industry. He couldn't name 1 song sung by the Beatles until about 5 years ago. He thought Fergie's name was Fer-gee.
-The only cd's the man owns are the instruction manual to his old Jeep and Dances with Wolves Soundtrack. Oh yes, and Enya.
-I had a cyst on my back. He kept telling me he was going to surgically remove it with his pocket knife. I finally made an appt to have it removed b/c I realized he was totally serious. After the surgery, he tried to talk me into letting him remove the stitches.
-He forgot my wedding ring at our wedding. Seriously, in the temple when it was time to exchange rings, he didn't have one for me. It was left in the locker. I walked out of the temple with no ring.
-The hotty believes that there is a written rule somewhere stating that showering and brushing teeth are optional on Saturdays and Holidays.
-Mr. Atwood has been known to make phone calls to phone companies, banks...etc...to receive the 23 cents back on his bill he was wrongly charged. When I say, "23 cents isn't worth the hassle to me." He replies, "it's all about principle, baby, all about principle."
-He has watched EVERY episode of Little People Big World.
-He felt it was his civic duty to direct traffic on Lombard Street in San Francisco when the traffic cop was doing a lousy job. Here's the proof...
Tyler Seizes Lombard-The man LOVES timeshare presentations and of course we sit through them, multiple times, when we travel.
HOWEVER...the same Tyler you just read about:
-Took me to Tahiti on our Honeymoon (Moorea & Bora Bora)
-Wrote Avy the most beautiful letter before she was born telling her how much he already loved her and how blessed he was to be her father. When it was read at my baby shower, there wasn't a dry eye in the place.
-He took me to Monterey to my favorite restaurant on our first date.
-The man rubbed my feet almost every day for the last trimester of pregnancy.
-When we returned from a vacation one year, he had arranged for a couple dozen roses and lillies to be placed throughout the house.
-When we were dating and I had finals in school, he was my secret admirer and left me good luck notes and goodies every day. I was thouroughly convinced it was a weirdy from my ward that was stalking me, but was thrilled to find out it was him.
-He let me sleep in a couple extra hours EVERY MORNING during my sleep deprived days of early motherhood.
-He researched and searched and found the perfect diamond for my ring...not just any ol' diamond was good enough for his woman.
-He gives so selflessly of his time to his calling and the people he is responsible for.
-Avy's first couple words were "Dada" and "ball" obviously both as tributes to her father for how much she loves him.
-The man bought me cast iron skillets because he didn't like the thought of us eating toxins from our old non-stick pans.
-When Avy was born, he had no words (not because he was sleeping...he was up by this point) but just held her and sweetly cried. It was the most precious thing I have ever witnessed - so sweet in fact my eyes are watering thinking about it.
-When I graduated college, he took me into a jewelry store and said, "Have at it. Here's your budget, you can spend it on whatever you want in this store. Happy Graduation."
-He pretty much leads his softball team to victory every week. Mr. Home Run would be a good nick name for him if the name "Tat" didn't exist.
-And last, but not least, underneath that tough ex-quaterback exterior, Tat melts and gives in to my every wish and desire when I beg hard enough.
If I had a glass of champagne and I drank champagne, I'd raise it now and say, "To Tyler! The man with worms who keeps me laughing and makes me happier than I ever knew was possible!"
Enjoy some pics of the fella we call Tat.
I realize this picture warrants an explanation: when we were dating, I walked into his apt one day and found him in this freakish get-up. He was trying on his new camo for his big hunting trip with his buddy...or so he said. I think he was just testing me to see how much I could handle. For some reason, rather than calling the cops and running from creeps-ville central, I just laughed long and hard.
No ugly sweater is complete without nasty cargos, reindeer antlers, and a gnarly bow on top o' thee head.
No hostess has worn slick pants like these since the 80's. Way to pull it off, Linds!
Me working on that "I'm beginning to look a lot like Santa" piece.
Good friends Pat & Lindsay modeling their Festive Sweaters...which Lindsay totally made!
Yet again, do you see why I'm Beginning to Look a lot Like Santa?
Gingerbread House toppings...toddler appropriate, of course.
Avy decorating her house with goldfish & Froot Loops (which by the way she had for the first time and LOVED a bit too much).
PS- The frosting recipe for these gb-houses is like concrete. Let me know if you need a super-great recipe to make your holiday habitat. Thanks for passing it on Lindsay Y!
