Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Anniversary! A few months late!

I realized I never really did an anniversary post in December, and with Dan being gone and me missing him, I thought I would do one now! Here goes!

Dan and I have been married 8 years (December 19)! I knew the first time I met him there was something about him! I guess you could say love at first sight but it was more than that! It was a peace in my spirit! Like coming home after a long trip

My family moved to Montana while Dan was on a mission to the Philippines. We moved into the same branch as his Grandparents. I remember hearing about Dan because his grandparents would talk about him. But I don't remember thinking anything special about it! A couple of days before he came home I remember his grandparents talking about him and feeling a leap in my heart!
I ended up going to a singles conference by his Mom's house invited by his step brother and showed up with his cousin (I was friends with his step brother and his grandparents asked his cousin if I could get a ride! See!!)! I remember pulling into the parking lot at the church and his cousin introducing me to Dan and seeing this thin, tan, young man, with huge glasses! And thinking here he is! I didn't know why I thought this! I didn't know him!
I was planning on staying at his house that weekend. Dan had been home from his misson 2-3 days! He didn't have any of his non-mission clothes and his suitcases were still packed!
I sat listening to him tell about his necklaces he brought back for his mom and sisters and his future wife! I did not say, "oh I'm her!"! I did not think that! I just remember enjoying listening to him! We danced once that weekend and he seemed nice but not interested in girls ( I mean he had been home 3 days!)!
Things happened and I needed a ride back home! Dan set somethings up and his friends who were heading that way! He said he could come and drive me the rest the next day and see his grandparents ( Thanks grandma!!)!
I remember on the way home pulling into the garage to get his pre-mission stuff and him going off on how fantastic his car was! I just listened and smiled as he talked about his family and friends and his mission! I loved listening to him! He dropped me off at my parents house with a, "I'll see you later."!
I remember saying to some friends that there was something different about him! Something special about him!
Many dates later, long talks, phone calls, and visits I knew with out a doubt that I loved this man! And there was something special and different about him! I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him!

So here we are, eight years, four kids, six moves, a mortgage, 1 dog, 7 cars, and a BS & MBA later! And the one thing that is different from then than now is I know who I am, I know what it means to be a mother and a wife and to be an adult! But I also know I love him more now than I did then and I really did marry the man that is so much more than the man of my dreams!
I am grateful to have him as my best friend and my husband! To know that we are together forever! And that this is so much more than till death do we part! It is through the Eternities! Every day is not perfect! I am not perfect! But I am glad that he continues to over look my flaws and many imperfections and loves me anyway!
Here is to the next 80 years! Whatever they hold we can handle it together!!





























































cousins

We were lucky that when Papa Ed got "sick" that family was there! Sarah and Drue and their girls had been planning to come and visit him that week! They instead came to take over with the sheep and chores! They showed up the night before they were planning and got strait to work! It was nice to have a lot of hands doing everything!! The extra perk was the cousins had friends to play with now! They all had a good time! With scavenger hunts and games like duck duck goose, not to mention anything they came up with in their imaginations! They had so much fun! As we packed up to go home Emma kept asking when we could see them again! The love their cousins! One of our favorite things has to be the friendship between Dallin and Aubrey! They are a year+ apart but just get along so well together! Whenever we all get together those two always end up with each other! There is usually a "happy thought" to a bad situation and this was one of those!!



































































































































































































































































































































































































































































The Family Farm

We love heading to Papa Ed's farm during Lambing season! It is nice to get back to our roots of farm work and livestock, and to able to teach and show the kids how a farm works! It was a great experience for all of us except papa Ed! The day after we got there he went to the hospital with pain on his side. Sure enough it was his appendix! They rushed him to a bigger hospital an hour away for surgery.He had surgery and He is doing better now!
We were glad we were able to play that first day with him! Especially ALiya! She is Papa Ed's girl! we missed him but we are all thankful he is ok! We did love taking over the farm for a week. We loved "trading" our life in the city for a life in the country. It was also a lot of fun for the kids to see their cousins. Sarah, Drue and their girls were also coming up for lambing season! We weren't going to get to see them but ended up playing with them for 2 days! The kids were sad to go home and leave everyone! (I will do another post about the cousins!) I am glad I went camera crazy that first day! We got some great photo's of Papa ED!!!
This one is my favorite of Aliya and her Papa ED!

what a handsome farmer!




feeding time!





































Some cute kids!


































Papa Ed tells some of the best stories! since he watched the kids in Dec. Aliya has to have one of "His" stories everynight! My favorite has to be Herman!! But in the pick it is the craziest version of the three bears! ALIYA'S FAVORITE!!


























I love this face!!!!














you can hear him say "Herrrrrman"!!





























Papa Ed and his babies!!


















do they look comfy??














the master teaching the student! ( Wasn't a student for long! But he had a great teacher!!)












Shyra came down with grandma Jan from Canada! The kids loved it! Especially Dallin! ( a little crush maybe???) If you looks closely you can hear him trying to impress her!




































































My hard little worker!












































Emma looking at a New baby lamb seconds old!