13 Years

Last month, Tom and I celebrated out 13th wedding anniversary. Our anniversary happened to fall on the first day of Spring Break, so we planned on sleeping in. The kids stayed up late the night before, so we didn’t expect to hear from them before 8 am.

Imagine our surprise when Bradley and Karah came and woke us up, ready to serve us breakfast in bed.

Breakfast consisted of “Activia” yogurt…for their aging parents….toast, almonds,a banana and juice.

The little sweeties had set their alarm clocks to wake up early the first day of their Spring Break. They let Bryce sleep in because they understood it wouldn’t really be a “gift” to us…waking up a 4 year old, after he had endured a late night of Spring Break celebration.

(it appears that Bradley has a glass eye. Don’t be alarmed. This is IPhone photography at it’s finest).

The sweetest part was the card they made for us.

How could we ever forget that day?

We were both so touched by their sweet, thoughtful, hearts.

It’s so fun to celebrate our love, commitment, and friendship – as a couple… but I have to say it is a whole lot sweeter when you have children that celebrate that love with you and really “get” what a special day it is.

It reminded me that our anniversary is not just about celebrating the day we were married…but it is about celebrating the birth of our eternal family.

Nothing brings me greater joy than knowing our children understand the importance of our marriage and the covenants we made with each other and Heavenly Father, 13 years ago.

We are so blessed to have each other and our sweet, little bear cubs.

You know the famous quote, “The Best gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother" – and it goes both ways….The best gift a Mother can give her children is to love their father.

There are many things we can do better as parents….many. However, I WILL say that one thing we feel we have succeeded at is loving each other well. Our children don’t doubt the level of love and respect we have for each other and they see us laughing, joking, and acting a fool more often than they probably care to. What means more to us than anything, is that they have the security of knowing that we are committed to each other…to them…and to our Heavenly Father….and I hope that makes up for the areas we need to improve on.

Thank you, little bear cubs, for making it such a special and memorable day.

APRIL MENU…KINDA

The past several weeks have been a whirlwind. I have felt like the plate spinner at The Dixie Stampede Pre-Show…except without the lights, applause, and music. Yep, just me…Tom…and the plates. (I like him, quite a lot, by the way).

In the meantime, many-o-night, our dinner plates have remained securely tucked in the cupboard while Styrofoam cartons and cardboard pizza boxes have filled our garbage can. What astounds me is the fact there are STILL dirty dishes to deal with each evening. How does this happen?

Despite my failed efforts, I will NOT break my New Year’s goal to make a monthly menu. Even though this is only 1/2 of a monthly menu, I say it still counts...and I’m in charge.

We have entered such an exciting chapter of life. There are so many new adventures to write about and fun things to share, but it will have to wait for another day. There are other wobbling plates that I have to attend to.

I am about to reach my 24 hour shower expiration…and we don’t want THAT plate to fall now…do we?

Again…click on the menu to enlarge if you want to be able to read it.  Or maybe YOU can read it and it’s yet another testament to how badly I need to get back to the Optometrist.

p.s. ------ If any of you would like to come over and provide me with lights, applause, music, and possibly a smoke machine…I would be happy to return the favor for you during your next plate spinning spectacular.