Romantic is......

Over the years Troy and I have figured out a few things: 1. He prefers to buy me nice things whenever possible for gifts. 2. I like to try to figure out some creative way to be sentimental without spending money. I have tried to bring him over to my side many times but to no avail. Why? He is who he is and so am I. So, last night I just came right out and asked him what he wanted for valentines. He responded by saying, "Time...time with you." It brought me back to when we first met and we were getting to know each other. We would talk for hours and it still didn't seem like it was enough TIME spent together. I thought it was very romantic of him to say that after 16 years he still wants....Time!

Summer Relief

Just needed a little change of seasons today.

Five years or Half a Decade

As we were taking the sacrament yesterday at church, we were noticing the new Deacons. Austin, who is currently a Teacher, was also passing and has grown about a foot since he was a deacon. It is so cute AND hard NOT to notice the varying heights of the boys in each class. The change that occurs from age 12 to age 18 is quite phenomenal. They grow up before our eyes. I keep telling myself that Austin won't be leaving for his mission for another five years and that that will not come too soon. But, as the years pass by, the number 5 is not seeming like a VERY long time at all!!!! While I am excited about the experience of a mission, college, etc. I find myself wondering if I am giving my children enough of what they need to go out in the world on their own. I know that if they will just stay close to their Heavenly Father they will be alright.

Our children are also very good at reminding Troy and I to read our scriptures, say prayer and have family home evening. So, in half a decade or 5 short years we'd better have the routine down.

I chose the picture up above because it seems to say it all and it chokes me up everytime I look at it.

Would You Go Back?

This is a High School tag that I thought was fun. I want to tag anyone that feels so inclined. It sure brought back some memories! Here I am my Junior Year as a Varsity Songleader! Yes, that's Songleader. I don't know why they differentiated between us and the cheerleaders. We all went to the same games and performed together. The songleaders just did more of the dancing! Plus, we got to stand in back of the cheerleaders. I hate to be "Front and Center."

1. Did you marry someone from High School? No

2. Did you carpool? Sometimes, with Lori

3. What kind of car did you have? Car? no car!

4. What kind of car do you drive now? Yukon XL

5. It's Friday Night...where are you (then)? at a school football game!

6. It's Friday Night...where are you (now)? At home because it's Pizza Night or going to the show

7. What kind of job did you have in High School? I mowed lawns with my sis until my senior year in which I did a work/study program and worked at a law office.

8. What do you do now? raise kids

9. Were you a party animal? definitely not, I was a square, still am (We had a little fun with a fire extinguisher though.)

10. Were you considered a flirt? One time, by a teacher, he yelled at me and the (cute) boy, in front of everyone for making googly eyes at each other! Then he proceeded to throw the chalk on the floor and walk out. OOOPS!!!

11. Were you in band, orchestra or choir? No but, I was a member of the FFA (Future Farmers of America).

12. Did you get suspended? Expelled? Heck no! I never wanted to upset teachers except when there was a cute boy to make googly eyes at.

13. Can you sing the fight song? Ha Ha, yes!

14. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Kermit Kliewer (he would forget to get substitutes when he was gone) & Mrs. Brown, She was awesome!

15. Where did you sit during lunch? Before licenses - Johnnies or lunch tables/ after licenses - Del Taco, Jack In the Box

16. What was your school's full name? Brawley Union High School

17. What was your school mascot? Wildcat

18. If you could go back and do it again, would you? No, I had a great time but, I wouldn't go back. I would rather go back to college.

19. What do you remember about graduation? I remember telling my boyfriend that I was only going to hang out with my friends that night and ending up with him anyway.

20. Are you planning on going to your 20 year reunion? Uh, that was 2 years ago and yes, I went. It was fun to see everyone all grown up.

21. Do you still talk to people from school? Only since last year, via email and facebook!

"A" Squared

One of my "most" favorite pictures of Alexis and Austin. Even though they would never admit it, they are very close and have a lot of fun together. I have a lot of fun with them too!!!! "Time - please slow down."

Valet Parking

Today is my sister, Shannon's birthday! She is a lot of fun and the one in our family that has introduced "us" (meaning siblings and parents) to the finer things in life, for example: Skycap, Spa's, Nice restaurants, Nordstroms and Valet Parking. Now, at first we usually put up a fuss because we did not grow up with a lot of monetary things and neither did our parents. So, our upbringing was very simple and we made due with what we had even if that meant sitting on a bucket because there was no passenger seat in our car (Pinto) or using a screwdriver to turn our car on and off or using pliers to turn the TV channels (you know, before remotes). So Shannon has had her work cut out for her. Her persistance usually pays off though and we end up being enlightened and realize how nice it is to indulge every once in awhile. However, on one such occassion, I felt otherwise.

My two sisters and I had gotten together for a girls weekend in Seattle and Shannon had set up a reservation to eat at the Space Needle. We were very excited and running a little late. I was also driving because I live here. Anyway, as we pulled up to the building, Shannon persuades me to use Valet Parking because of it's convenience and time factor. Well, as we pull up to the valet in my dusty minivan that has the words, "Wash Me" written on it, my sisters jump out and I look down where my keys are supposed to be hanging out of the ignition and remember that because of ignition problems and money, we were using not a key but, yes, a screwdriver to turn our car off and on. Talk about Dejavu! We all just started laughing hysterically and the valet was standing there with the strangest look on his face. I was so ambarrassed. He could not understand me either. So, I just gave him the screw driver, showed him what to do and told him to lock the door with the key. I did not know if I was going to get my car back after our lunch or not. I didn't want it back! We just took off running and didn't look back, ha ha!

Happy Birthday Shannon! Can't wait for more adventures this year! Love you!

16 and Counting!

Today is our 16th Wedding Anniversary! The older I get the quicker it goes by. Anyway, I feel so blessed to have the relationship that I have with my husband. I am very happy and feel that we compliment each other very well.

Here are my top ten reasons of why I love my husband:

10. He's punctual! (This translates to: he organizes himself accordingly to make sure that we are all ready for church on time when I have a meeting, etc.)

9. He gets up at 3:45 a.m. every morning to provide for us and never complains!

8. He is Clean! He doesn't get overwhelmed when the house is a mess like I do. He assesses the damage and gets to it. I am learning this...... slowly.

7. He does a mean gorilla impression! (Not many people can SUCCESSFULLY pull this off, I only know of two who can, the other one is a friend of mine.)

6. He can drive a car in SNOW... even when chains are required and people are being turned away. This used to scare me but, I have learned that I am grateful for his years in Canada!

5. He is a Cutie Patootie! I would say Hottie but, that will gross my kids out!

4. He is more Crafty than I..... after I attempt something crafty, I usually beg him to come in and give it the finishing touches and sure enough, Perfection! (Don't bring it up to him though because he will play dumb, ha ha!)

3. He can dance and WILL dance with me! Very important to me.

2. He is a GREAT Father and Husband! He is always thinking of ways we can become closer as a family and couple.

1. Troy has a strong testimony of the gospel! He is also a faithful priesthood holder. I am so grateful for his knowledge of the gospel and for his strong conviction of the Savior and Joseph Smith. I know that because of these things we are closer as a family.

Thank you Troy, for 16 wonderful years, I love you!