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!

A good storm

I don't know what it is about anticipating a storm. Ever since I was little, the wind would pick up and my excitement grew. Now, sitting in my window seat watching the wind whip the leaves left over from last fall around, the birds flee the clouds that are moving in. I want nothing more then a cup of cocoa, a good book, and a blanket. I promised the kids a trip to the Library after school, we'll return the 40 books we checked out for 40 more, snuggle on the couch and read this afternoon.

I hope Marky never grows out of snuggling on the couch, he's grown up a lot in the past few months. Made some very good decisions however. So I must brag a little. While I can.

A few days ago he begged me to go over to a neighbors house with his friend. I know the family, they're a good family. I wasn't impressed with the plethora of boys that would be joining him, all 3 years older. But something in me told me to let him go. So I did. I gave him the rules, the mom had to be home, no video games rated T or M. And all the danger signs, etc. Until he said, "Okay Mom! I get it! I'm not dumb." Boy, he's growing up to fast. Well, I waited anxiously for his return. It was short lived. He was home in 15 minutes with his friend from next door. They played here for a while, and then we had dinner. After dinner I pulled him aside and asked why he hadn't stayed very long, (he always opens up better in a private conversation, and not while others are listening), he told me that their mom wasn't home, and they we're playing violent video games. And he just didn't feel good about it. So he left. Andrew came with him, I love that kid.

So here I am, one proud mama. With one Amazing son. Waiting for another storm, sitting in a window seat. Watching the clouds blow by.

ER

The Love of my Life.

Can I just tell you how much I love my husband. Oh yes, this will be mushy, gushy, and lovey.

What a wonderful dad!

Just look at that rugged man!

He is amazing. Patient to a fault. Helps me keep order in the house, without me asking. Puts up with my crazy ideas. Loves me through all my sizes, and shapes. Holds me while I cry in Disney movies. Not to mention he's taller then me,average complexion and incredibly handsome! What more could I ask for you say? How about he keeps me grounded on planet earth, helps me with the kids, loves to play legos with mark, will watch sappy movies with me, and tells me he loves me every day.

I love you.

Yes, this is sappy,

He's soooooo not sappy.

Love you hun.

Oh Casanova...

Okay, this is hysterical. I know it's wrong. I know the implications. I've talked with him about girls since. All that aside, this is greatly amusing!

Picture little Mark, last year in the first grade. Tall, handsome, but I digress. There is a girl in his class he is completely enamored with, Megan. She is also very tall, has long dark hair and is gorgeous! He chases her at recess, sits by her in class. And if you ask him about her he says, "Oh, Meeegggannnn, *giggle*" He's completely smitten.

I saw her mother yesterday at the school Art show. She came over and asked if I heard the money story last year. I froze, did he steal? She continued to tell me this story....

Marky, last year, chased Megan around recess and tried to kiss her. He caught her 3 times and pecked her on the cheek. She, being a confident 7 year old told him that she was tired of giving him kisses and he owed her 1.oo for every kiss. "You owe me 3 dollars now!" She yelled. Marky looked her in the eye and told her, "Well, it was worth it!" Oh the nerve of some peoples boys!

The next day Megan found 3 dollars in her desk. Her mother tried to get her to return it, but she said, I earned this fair and square.

I'll let you glean what you want from that.

Casanova....

January..

January was interesting, fun, crazy, gross, and cold....

The End.

Just kidding! We had parent teacher conferences, this was the letter Marky wrote me. His teacher had to keep a copy, she said it was too cute. If you can't see it here it is:

Hi Mom,

I'm having a good time at school. I love you. I am working on my goals a lot mom when I get home can I buy a new Lego Xbox game please. If you love me you will if you don't love me you wont.

Love,

Mark
Boy, I love that kid. Our next family home evening was on manipulation. heheheheeh....
Here is our house tent. It fit's over the kitchen table. the kids love it. I love that it can fold up and sit in a small corner of the closet when we're done.

In Shawn's attempt to trump the baby I watch he climbed up on the counter and sat in the bumbo baby chair. Notice the bowl of fishy crackers on the counter next to him, he's perfectly content.
Haley drew me a whole bunch of pictures one day and taped them all over the livingroom walls. My new Artwork stayed up for a long time, until Shawn tore it down. I love a good redecoration every once in a while!

Here is Shawn's favorite activity. Waiting for the Garbage truck. On Garbage day he wakes up early and sits on the chair in the livingroom waiting for the garbage truck, usually about an hour and a half.

He's obsessed

With garbage trucks,

Should I encourage it......Who knows?

Have a great day!

Love,

ER