The Best 10 Years...

This month Mark and I celebrate our 10th anniversary.

Alright,

Here's what we did...

Met and married in 4 months....

Served Honorably in the Military

Had 3 absolutely adorable spirited children

Lived in Germany for 4 years

Lived in Washington...and was robbed.

Lived in Grandmas basement...and we didn't kill eachother.

Drove the brown van...nuf said.

Completed a BS for Mark and an AS for me... and hopefully a Masters soon...

Loved, Lived, and smiled...

Hoped, cried, and mourned.

Taught, learned and enjoyed it.

Flew in Helicopters,

Rescued people who survived, and brought back those who didn't.

Directed Air Traffic, learned that flying is scary.

Bought a house,

Fixed that house,

Fixed that house,

Fixed cars,

Fixed cars, then learned to do it ourselves so we didn't have to pay a mechanic.

Helped our neighbors, Helped our friends, Helped our family...

Received help from all of the above.

Received help from Above.

Found a Love deeper then we ever believed possible, and became a family.

Watched our children learn, and cried when they failed.

Learned to let go.

Learned to hang on.

Had a flood,

Nearly had a fire.

Moved only 4 times!

Danced on the Beach...

Built huge sand castles...

Caught a 6 foot sturgeon..and ate it!

Played games and laughed,

Learned to laugh at ourselves (saved many tears later)

Realized we were far from perfect, and just where we were supposed to be, moving forward.

Realized that the true key to love is patience, then tried hard to get more.

10 years is not a lot...

And it went fast. We celebrated over the weekend. 2 days gone, I missed my kids but very much needed time alone with Mark. It was well worth it. We we're able to connect and talk without distraction, and sleep without worry. Celebrate our marriage and be healthier for our children when we returned. The lodge was perfect, and the mountains beautiful. I can honestly say after 10 years, I would do every second of it again. It was an amazing ride, and we learned much. Had a lot of heartache, a lot of love, and never enough experience. Thanks to all who shared it.

Love,

ER

My Daddy

So, My dad's birthday was yesterday. I meant to have this post up by then, but I am a schmuck! Anyway, my daddy. He's the man. The end.

No,

Just kidding.....he IS the MAN!!! But I should tell you why.

This is why....

.......Look at him, Joe Cool, loving his granddaughter...Bein' the coolest grandpa in the world....

And This....

He is the man because he is never anything different. He never pretends, or puts on another face. He is my dad, and you always know where you stand with him.

He's funny, hysterical, and always prides himself on making others feel wonderful.

He can go to the grocery store for toilet paper and come home 2 hours later with 5 new friends.

He will work his hiney off (literally, he has none left! ;) for someone in need. And doesn't think anything of it.

He wants everyone around him to be happy, and that makes him happy.

who else would marry a woman with 5 kids and have another, then adopt them all, support them all, sell his toys to support them all. And LOVE them all.

He's the man because my friends liked him more then me I think! heheheheh.......

He's the man because if you know him you know that.

Nuf Said.

Love you dada.

ER

The Zoo, and Markys School Program

Markys 2nd Grade class had a program last night, all about out nations heroes and todays heroes. His part was the scout oath. He did great. He was also a very spirited singer, watch him closely, he turns into Ray Charles half way through!

Marky and His peeps...

And....this is what Shawn did the entire time...

And here's them singing, his Ray Charles Moment....I wish I could have gotten more, but Shawn wouldn't let me.

Earlier last week we went to the Zoo .... Watched the tractors, walked shawn...hehehe I know Mom's who put their kids on leashes are evil. And mom's who don't either have perfect kids, or have never had one like shawn!

Haley on the Rhino! Yehaw!