I AM BETTER BECAUSE SHE'S IN MY LIFE

July 30th marks the 5th wedding anniversary for my wife and I. I've officially hacked into her Blog (all too easy as she uses the same password for everything) to write a note to my best friend, my wife...Trisha!

Trisha and I started dating (for the second time) back in 2003. I remember giving her Lonestar tickets to the Lynden Fair for her 22nd Birthday, crossing my fingers that she got the message and would decide to take me. I was so nervous, sweaty, and anxious I barely ate. I wanted to get this date over with and have "the talk". You see, I knew she was the one and at that time I had already decided that I was going to make this girl my bride, but she had no idea. The date was one of the first steps in the right direction, but I couldn't just lay it all out there right away. Most of what I wanted to say before we started dating again I had to write down on paper before I exploded. What landed on the sheet of paper was poetry and every single romantic holiday since, she's kindly requested poems as her little gift. The poem that I wrote about a week before we started dating I titled, "Your Best One". It was a poem about Trisha. So, 5 years later I thought it would be appropriate to open up the dusty old book and share this poem with my Wifey once again...

"YOUR BEST ONE"

by Chad Bennett

August 4th, 2003

She's your best one

How perfect can you create

This picturesque beauty

This perfect mate

I'll do anything to have her

To hold her in my arms

Teach me how to love her

This time there is no harm

I thought I'd lost her

Made a choice to let her go

Now I have a chance again

A chance to let her know

How much I actually need her

How her love could make me fly

I'm a better man beside her

This is why...

I need her in my life

To bring out the best in me

Lord provide me with the wisdom

To be the man I need to be

I'll promise to protect and keep her

I'll do my best to mirror your son

Because the love I want in my life Lord

Is your Best One

I'm so glad that God blessed me with his "best one" for me. I couldn't have asked for a better partner in life. My wife is truly amazing. She brings so much happiness. I often think of my day-to-day and what it is I'm here for and what my responsibilities are in this life. In the process, it's so easy to get caught up in life, work, and the busyness of this world that we so often bring upon ourselves. But as soon as I arrive home from a long day of work I see my wife, my son, my world and the worries and stresses of the day completely disappear.

Babe, on our 5th anniversary I look back at the last 5 years and wouldn't change a thing. I love the best friend that you've always been. I love the gracious, forgiving, accepting, patient, and loving wife that you are to me. Mostly, I love the mother that you have become and the partnering parent that you've been with me. You are the greatest gift that God has given me!

Happy 5th Anniversary! I love you!

Chaddy xoxo

Badminton Party

Bria decided to throw an 80's Badminton Party. Everyone had to wear their tightest and brightest badminton gear and come stretched and ready to show off your skills. In true Carlson format it was an amazing party!

Evelyn was the adorable entertainment!

The Carlson clan! Elle was dancing for Auntie B.

Work it!

Party faces

Jamie and I ended up buying the same skirt for the party...so we did a little photo shoot.

Fierce competition

Newlyweds match

Bria, we love you! Thanks for always including us in the fun.

Sesame street LIVE

I'm sure many kids have been through the "I love Elmo" stage. Chase is 100% in love with Elmo these days. So when I heard that Sesame Street live was coming to town I jumped at the chance to get tickets.

Since I'm home with Chase I have the privilege of taking him on many dates. Chad had mentioned a few times he wished he could take Chase to something. So Sesame Street live was a Daddy & Chase date. I was able to go get my hair highlighted so it was a win, win! ;)

According to Chad, Chase loved every second of the show. He sat on Daddy's lap naming all the characters and dancing to the music. So cute! So thankful that my husband takes the time to have these special moments with his son. Here are a few pics from the show!

Happy Canada Day!

My boys!

Five alarm funk was amazing!!

Bennett's

Watching the parade

Uncle Cookie representing the ice crew for the Canucks

Out of control and loving it!

My MIL treats all the girls in the Bennett family to the Life Women's Conference each year. It's always a highlight for me. This year its safe to say I was rocked to the core. Lisa Bevere was one of the guest speakers. As I sat in my seat listening to her challenge the women, I was constantly moved to tears or deeply inspired. I connected with her on so many levels. I hope to be half as cool as she is when I'm a G-Momma!

I've been reading her book 'Out of Control and loving it!' It's awesome! I've been so inspired by this book. I would encourage everyone to pick up a copy of it. It's a great summer read!

Love is patient

On June 19th 2010 Tyler Bennett patiently waited at the front of a quiet church for his bride. The music crescendo and the audience arose. Tyler shifted nervously. Finally the doors swung open and there she was. Stacie was radiant! She was smiling from ear to ear. Gentle tears fell down Ty's cheeks as God's promises were brought to life in that moment!

As a bridesmaid and a close observer of the day, my heart jumped for joy as I watched Tyler. Tyler is my brother in law but he was first a very dear friend/older brother. 13 years ago I met Tyler Bennett. He was outgoing, carefree and brought dozens of handsome boys (including my husband) into my house. It didn't matter if Ty and I were planning a children's event for CLA or cruising White Rock I was always guaranteed a good time with him!! As the years passed one by one our friends got married. Even though this was hard for Ty; he was patient. He knew his Mom, PP, Chad & I and many, many others were praying for his bride. He never complained just carried on.

It has been amazing for me watching Tyler fall in love with Stacie! I know he has all the tools to be an amazing husband and father one day. So, Tyler and Stacie my prayer for you is to always seek Jesus for direction! You've probably heard this a lot. Just know that life and relationships get really hard. However, the moment you take it to Jesus, everything gets a lot simpler. Have a lot of fun together in every area of your marriage. Never stop trying new things or just being silly together. Know that Chad & I are always here for you! We love you so much and are grateful we're family.

If you're tired and you know it clap your hands...*CLAP, CLAP*

The time honored tradition know as the stagette, bachelorette party or hen party. For most of us it brings up great memories of our own wedding. All the laughter and fun we shared with our team of excited bridesmaids and friends. We celebrated my sister in law to be last night!

We started off with a surprise lingerie shower at my house. This was definitely memorable thanks to our 2 surprise guests. Oh gosh! From there Stacie and some of her bridesmaids all headed out for pedicures. Then it was back to my house to get ready to go downtown.

Now that I'm a stay at home mom I had spent the night before preparing for the lingerie shower. I stayed up baking and cleaning til 1 AM to make sure everything was perfect. I hadn't thought for a moment what I'd wear to the stagette. As I walked into my closet yesterday a slight panic settled over me. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed that all my sister in laws looked hot...I mean HOT! OK don't panic Trisha, after all you're on day 3 of Jillian Michael's Shred. You're not totally a desperate housewife you can still roll with these girls. I quickly grabbed my 4 inch heels and assembled my outfit. Confirming nods from the sisters tell me my outfit is ok. Phewf!

It was such a beautiful night and as we cruised into the city I knew it was going to be a great night! The fabulous Angela was the event planner for the city fun. We all hoped into cabs and headed over to a very artistic Caribbean restaurant. The food was delicious and we were all having a great time! Stacie looked beautiful as always. From there we headed to Honey's for some dancing. That's when the panic returned. Don't get me wrong I LOVE to dance! Secretly I feel like a pea size Beyonce lives inside of me. However, I have a child, I don't go out dancing. I'll work it at the occasional wedding or maybe by myself in my car. The panic quickly turns to full blown fear when I remember "Oh crap, I'm wearing 4 inch heels." Thankfully, the DJ was AMAZING! It was like he took my ipod and went through my play list. The pea size Beyonce inside me sprung to action and I was dancing! The dancing turned to glowing which then turned to full on sweating. It wasn't pretty but man was it fun!!!

Every single one of the girls there had big smiles on their faces and we truly celebrated with Stacie. From there we headed to Earls for some yummy treats and then walked back to my in laws house for a slumber party.

When I woke up this morning after my solid 4 hours of sleep, I glanced at myself in the mirror and wondered if hemorrhoid cream really did shrink bags? That was one tired mommy starring back at me. :) Even now, as the clock on the computer reads 8:17 I'm seriously hoping in 15 minutes I'll be tucked in bed.

It was a fabulous night! I'm so excited for their wedding. 6 more days!!! YEAH!