Happy Anniversary!

It really is crazy to think  we have been married for 11 years. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were just friends hanging out!

 At the same time, it seems like we have been together our whole lives!

 I'm so glad Mike had the patience to wait for me to make up my mind. (Was there really ever a question?) I was pretty scared to get married and it took me a couple of years to come around to the idea.

 Marrying Mike was the best decision I have ever made.

 We have been so blessed. We have lived in 3 houses, remodeled/rebuilt a motor home and sold it,  have owned 6 cars, and have 4 of the best kids around!

 Mike has done a great job keeping us out of debt. We have never really used a credit card, and have paid cash for pretty much everything we have, with the exception of our house.

Mike has worked for the IRS our whole marriage with a handful of different positions. Currently he is a tax analyst, he tells me he does work load selection and delivery.  I was in a temple interview one time and the guy asked me what my husband did for a living, and I really couldn't tell him and felt pretty stupid! He told me I should probably find out how my husband supports our family. Since then I try to understand. So he selects work for people to do and then delivers it to them....I think. :)

We have had several different callings in the church. My latest is Young Woman Miamaid advisor and Mike is the Gospel Doctrine teacher.

 I feel like we have grown a ton in  11 years! Not just in size! ;) But we have done that too.

 I remember when we were just about to have Wesley I told Mike I was worried because I wasn't sure how we could love another kid as much as we loved Jaycee. It is amazing how love can grow. And it continues to grow with each child.

 I could have never imagined how much more I could love Mike. I thought I loved him the day we got married, but it pales in comparison to how much I love him now!

 Who knew?

 He is so funny! He makes me laugh everyday.

 He is the best dad. Just ask my kids. :)

 He is the smartest person I know, he's a hard worker, and a great teacher.

I really don't know how I ended up so lucky, but I am so glad God saved him for me.

 Mike, I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. I'm pretty sure I could not survive without you. 

 I thank Heavenly Father everyday that he let me have you. 

You really are the best thing that ever happened to me!

I love you!

Happy New Year!

We got up and went to Chuck E Cheese. That's always fun. Amber had text earlier and asked if anyone wanted to go. My parents also came with us.

We got there early enough that it wasn't too crowded.

The kids had 100 tokens to share. I think for the most part they got to do everything that they wanted.

Bensen liked all the ride games.

Wesley and Jaycee were all about the tickets!

When Chuck E came out our kids were the only ones that followed him.  He led them in a little dance, and then he threw tickets out to them.

Later that day we headed over to Mikes parents for dinner, family pictures, and games.

 It is always interesting when you try to take a picture of so many people at once.

But I think they all did a good job.  Even the little ones cooperated pretty well.

 The one with everyone is always the hardest.  Don't worry, I took like 30 pictures so we were bound to get a couple good ones.

 Then we took individual family pictures. There is always that one person...Mike! Just kidding, we were all having a hard time.

 Actually, Jaycee and Wesley were cooperating, the rest of us were having a hard time.

Good times. Around 9 we headed over to Trevor and Katie's for more games.

 

 We decided to try one more time for a family photo. Again we failed. Oh well.

Better luck next year. :)

This year we all came up with some goals that we wanted to accomplish.

As a family we would like to have FHE every week, and take turns planning it, and do a secret service once a month.

Mike would like to do better at doing a full 24 hour fast, read all of the D&C, and learn to play a song on the guitar.

I would like to attend the temple every month, sew a dress, and play the piano better.

Jaycee wants to read her scriptures by herself, fast monthly, eat a fruit and veggie everyday, exercise most days, master a back hand spring, get better at drawing, learn to sew and sing better.

Wesley wants to say better prayers, pay tithing, exercise, eat fruit more, get better at drawing and piano, learn to sew and play a song on the guitar.

Bensen (mostly me) would like no more diapers, be more reverent during scriptures and prayers, and eat/try more foods.

Vivian (me again) would like to learn to sleep through the night, and to walk.

It was fun talking to the kids about what they wanted to do this year. They had a paper each filled out. We made them narrow it down. I love that they want to try new things.

New year, new us.