Husband tag...

A friend tagged me...
Before I do this tag I have to say that looking through old photo's etc... I can't believe how young and clueless we were. Little did we know the life that would be ahead of us. The joys and challenges we would walk together. The girl in those pictures was young and hopeful but looking at her I am happy with who I am now. The life I am now leading, the challenges I have walked through, have given me greater depth and greater character. I am so much more comfortable in my own skin and with who I am now. I feel I have found blessings and love beyond anything I would have hoped for. I feel lucky.
Husband tag... a few of our engagement photo rejects.

1. Where did you meet your husband? In a class in college. When I found out he got all A's I made it a point to study with him. He then began giving me rides to school etc.. ( I did not have a car). He always jokes that his mustang is what got me hooked.

2.How long did you date before you got married? Just short of two years. We were young 23 and 24.

3. How long have you been married? 11 years, 5 months

4. What does he do that surprises you? It's hard to surprise me. I figure things out very easily and notice everything. Probably when he buys me gifts.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? He is tall.

6. What is his best quality? He is very dedicated and hard working.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Not anymore but when we were dating he called me "ya ya".

8. What is his favorite food? Steak.

9. What is his favorite sport? Football. He loves all sports.

10. When and where did you first kiss? Jan 11th in my apartment. When he left his car got towed and he had to walk home. He did not tell me that till the next day.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We like to go to movies. We also watch The Amazing Race, The Office and Survivor together.

12. Do you have any children? Four wild children.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Alan can figure almost anything out. He always surprises me with his handy man skills. He is also amazing at arguing politics and other subjects that interest him.

14. How old is he? 35

15. Who said I love you first? Can't remember but it was in St. George and I think it was a conversation that happened mutually. I remember he had gone running earlier that day and fallen down a red rock canyon.

16. What is his favorite music? 80's music.

17. What do you admire most about him? He puts church first and is dedicated to going and doing all that is asked of him. He works very hard. He plays with the children and has a very "hands on" approach and a special relationship with them.

18. What is his favorite color? He's surely say Silver and Black for the Raiders.

19. Will he read this? Maybe

I tag Lisa, Angie, and anyone who wants to participate.

Whirlwind weekend get-away...

Without kids.

We decided to not give gifts on our anniversary and to take a weekend get away instead. Without much planning we decided to head to the L.A area. We had a great weekend away without kids. It is so amazing to wake up in the morning and just get yourself ready. To go places without going to every bathroom. Eat when you want to and where you want to. Reconnect with your husband and remember who you both were before you were mommy and daddy. Limited Internet really helped too.




Thank you to every one who watched my kids. It was truly a group effort. My sister, Alan's parents, followed up with my parents and my other sister. My kids didn't miss us much at all with all the fun sleep overs and people giving them attention. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
We headed to Laguna Beach, The Queen Mary- loved that tour (dare I say Long Beach is kind of Yucky?), Hollywood, Disneyland/California Adventure without kids was a blast(thanks to Alan's brother and his wife), the last day we rode bikes by the beach. Which was actually a lot fun. Hot but fun. I have to say after visiting this part of California. I am truly a Northern California girl. I am sure its because I know where things are better etc ... We still had a blast. The weekend went fast and I was so happy to see my kids smiling faces (way too early) this morning.

Photo story Friday My engagement story...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Because today is my anniversary. I thought it would be a good time to share my engagement story. Alan and I had known each other for a year and half and had been dating for about a year. Marriage has been discussed, rings had been looked at. I knew a proposal should be coming. I hate spoilers and I love surprises and even then Alan must have known that. Christmas came and went and nothing happened. He told me he was sorry but he was not going to propose till spring (he had good excuses) and I bought it. So its the day after Christmas and Alan and I had plans to go to San Francisco. I spent my day shopping and was running late when he came to pick me up. We drove up to San Francisco is the worst rain storm ever it was pouring rain and the wind was blowing, it was scary. Instead of going to the restaurant Alan said he wanted to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge( this did not seem strange to me at the time) and I still had no idea what was happening. We arrive at the parking area on the other side. It's near the water. Again the wind in blowing and the rain is heavy. The ocean looks fierce. He suggest we get out the car and look around. WHAT? So he gets out of the car and has an umbrella. I then knew something was up. He never carries an umbrella. So I get out and we go stand near the water. It's so windy and rainy and cold (remember its December 26th). He kneels down and proposes. He slips a beautiful diamond solitaire on my finger and I say, yes. He gave me a dozen long stemmed roses. We then went to dinner a the carnelian room a really amazing place. We had three waiters. Someone was singing in the bathroom and she dried my hands for me (my ring slipped off too because it was too big). It was the perfect night, despite the weather.
Last summer when we went away on our own we stopped by the spot...
We were married later that summer. 11 yrs later. 4 kids. Life is good.

Thursdays thirteen...

I realized in reading over my blog that I rarely post about my husband Alan. Most of my blog is dedicated to my children and my own thoughts. Which is normal because its my blog but still... since he is the most important person in my life. I think I better take a moment to talk about him and share him with you.

Thirteen things about Alan
1-makes friends easy and would go out of his way to help anyone.
2-Tells the best stories (he has a million crazy things he did growing up most dangerous).
3-Is an amazing Dad always supporting them in their activities and plays with them every minute he is home.
4-Loves politics and is very well educated on current events. My kids always refer to his shows as the "daddy news".
5-Is a heavy sleeper which works out nicely because I like to stay up late watching a strobe light in our room (oh thats the t.v).
6-Is a very hard worker.
7-Is very handy around the house. It always amazes me how he can figure out how to fix something that I would have no clue how to do. He wires lights, builds rooms in our basement, put in our wood floor. All is his spare time. Oh wait... he never has any of that.
8-Love motorcycles and plans to teach Jacob all about that (ahh).
9-Is very dedicated to our church. Alan spends so much time at church it really is a great example to me. He gets up every single Sunday at 6:30am for meetings and does not get home till after 2pm (if he's lucky). He often has mid week meetings for church too.
10-He supports me. Even when he is tired or stressed he takes the kids once a week. He encourages me to help others and do my volunteering. Even when I am often typing away on the computer while he is trying watch t.v or out at night instead of home with him and the kids.
11-He always is willing to help my his/my parents out, my Grandparents (when they were here), my siblings. He has made friends with them as well.
12- He has a good sense of humor and knows how to laugh (something I am not great at).
13-He is always trying to be a better person. To try harder. I need to do that more too.

I could go on but this is thursday's thirteen. Alan I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. I am so proud of you. We have missed you so much this last week.