Here's to the first 17 years of our eternities!!
I can not believe that 17 years has come and gone. We have had some great times! 17 years of living with my best friend. Nothing can be more fun than being with someone everyday that can still make me laugh after all of these years.
Through the years we have lived in:
Midland, TX
Las Vegas, NV twice
Monterey CA
San Angelo, TX
Dover, DE
Anchorage, AK
Maricopa, AZ.
We have had 16 addresses and the infamous approximately 40 cars (Joe can give and exact count of make, model and color).
We lived the Air Force life for nearly 5 years and Law School life for 4 years.
We have had 4 children each born in a different state.
Michael will be 16 in 5 days born in Monterey
Hayden 13 born in Dover
Jenna 9 born in Las Vegas
Nathan 3 1/2 born at home in Maricopa
Joe and I delivered our last baby unassisted in our home and what an unnerving yet incredible experience that was.
We have had 3 of our children baptized and 2 receive the Priesthood. Michael will shortly be ordained a Priest.
We sat and listened as Joe's grandfather gave a beautiful Patriarchal blessing to his 14 year old great grandson, Michael. It was then I realized a little deeper my responsibility as a mother!
We have purchased a car knowing that our 16 year old boy will be behind the wheel...which has caused grey hair on us!
We have been flexible with our children's education and have had them in public schools, charter schools, and even home schooled. We have watched Michael sucessfully finish his first semester at the community college before his 16th birthday as he has set a goal of having his associates by 18.
We have sat on the side lines of probably thousands of football, baseball, basketball, soccer and dance practices and games. And have spent many hours listening to the "music" learned in piano and guitar lessons!
We have made friends (and family) all over the country.
We have gone on cruises together, Grand Canyon, Disneyland and Disney World, trips to New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Diego, Sea World, Knotts Berry Farm, Colorado, Zion National Park, Mexico , and about every state in between and many other places that Joe and I have enjoyed without kids..... but we are just as happy with a spontaneous night away in Scottsdale or Prescott.
Joe loves movies and I HATE them.....I love the Theater and Joe will tolerate them....
I love taking the kids hiking and being outside and Joe looks forward to being able to do them once again. (hopefully this next back surgery will help him enjoy them once again)
We have endured medical difficulties:
Joe's back surgery...with one more to go in Dec.
Nathan's surgery at 6 weeks
Hayden's diagnosis of Diabetes
Hayden's appendectomy
Hayden's trips to ICU every 6 months :o)
We have served in about every calling we can think of (and many of them more than once :)
We have both served in YM/YW
Joe has been EQ Pres.
High Council
Ward Clerk
Sunday School Pres.
We have both taught Sunday School
I have been primary chorister
Education Counselor in Relief Society
Activity Chairman
Nursery Leader
Stake Camp
and my new favorite calling: teaching early morning seminary
I am sure I have forgotten some but most of those we have done 2 or more times :o)
We have run a successful campaign and Joe has served well as a City Councilman in Maricopa. We have experienced the fun and frustration of political life.
We laugh and we cry and take life one day at a time. We have celebrated over life and we have mourned over life both with our family and with other's families!
This has been a cram packed 17 years of moving, traveling, schooling, changing, growing, looking back and questioning things we have done ;o) But mostly I look over the past 17 years and realize above all things that I have been incredible BLESSED and I very much see the Lord's hand guiding our lives to where we are now. Nothing can be worth more to me than this!
