Thinking Back!!

Ok!!! It all started at this rock 6 years ago! TODAY!! No April Fools Joke!!

This is were my husband proposed to me -- a beautiful evening and also very romantic spot..... with life begining all around us leaves beginning to bud/blossum. He tried to make it as romantic as possible but I was not as willing I was soo tired that evening and just wanted to go home. It all turned out great because 5 months later we were married and look at us now.....

Two Wonderful Children {Austin and Addison} and a black lab named "Moose". Life is good. Life is not always easy and marriage has its ups/downs. The challenges we face are sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, and sometimes just plain crazy. I love you Forever and Always Tony {even when your sick and being a whimp -LOL}, thanks for making a wonderful change in my life... I love where we have been and look forward to where we are going... hand in hand and loving each other raising our Children the best we can.

While we were at the Nature Trails.... Austin and Addison were so intrigued with the fisherman... they were having such fun just watching.

What A Day!!!

Wow!!! It was such a gorgeous day today... 60 degrees, sun shining, minimal wind {that's the best} a great day to do yardwork.... yep, yardwork.... we {Tony and I} spent all day over at the rental house and we were seriously up to our knees in "Crabgrass". That stuff is the worst..... poor Tony is going to have sore hands, arms, back and abs... he was using a tiler tool.... it worked great but man that stuff is tough. The place looks great... just a few more little things to do tomorrow. I was able to take a break for a about 45 minutes - to meet Kristie for our taxes.... I was really hoping Tony would have been done when I returned but no such luck... we took another 45 minutes to dump the truck load of trimmings from roses, shrubs, iris, weeds and crabgrass (with a bunch of sand) and of course eat lunch. Then it was back to the house until about 3:30 and I was exhausted with all the bending, pulling, raking, ect... Tony went to dump truck load # 2....

When I picked up the kiddos - we went home to Austin riding his 4 -wheeler and Addi riding the riding lawn mower with me so when Tony returned he could fertilize our lawn, too.

Then high light of my day was going to feed two little 'bummer' lambs at our friend Chris' & her daughter, Kelsey. We were able to feed them a bottle of milk each. Well, ok Addison and I held one bottle and Austin just watched. He was a little nervous, even though he was so excited about going prior to getting there. The only thing he was interested in was seeing the "DADDY" - his name was "Mannly" -- Austin thought he was pretty neat. Addison was so cute looking over the fence at him as I held her on the fence.

Here are a few pictures

Austin and Addi looking at Manly over the fence....

Petting one of the little bummer lambs.... they were so cute.... Addison was willing to pet them but Austin wouldn't touch them at all.

This one with the 'black' face had her eye on Austin the whole time.... Chris said she was a first time 'mommy' and was being very protective of her young lambs. Seriously though I was nervous as you see in the next photo she had Tony and the kids up against the fence and staring them down. Austin didn't even care what was going on.... just wanting to 'look' around for the daddy sheep......

I was nervous for my own 'babies' -- not that Daddy couldn't take care of them. But I was being a little {protective} myself.

Thanks a Bunch Chris for such a special outing --- the kids just loved it.

The ONE....My Valentine

yep,,,, he's mine all mine.
Happy Valentines Day Honey....
you are my husband, partner for life, and best friend.
Thank you for all you do and are.
You are the {King} of my heart.
I love you Forever and For Always

Learning from the BEST!!!

What I have learned this evening --

• Don't let potatoe soup boil-- it ruins it :)
• Baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar can clear a slow drain.
• Ice cubes and lemon in the garbage disposal can sharpen the blades and makes it smell good.
• Aluminum foil around celery helps it stay crisp.
• How to make my own laundry soap - if I had time- thanks to Karmen.
• How to make my own fire starter with laundry lint and a toilet paper roll -- great for camping.
• A papertowel with a loaf of cheese will decrease the mold ruining it.
• Vinegar in with new clothes makes the clothes color last when you wash it for the first time.
• BUDGETING is a good thing--- I need to get organized.
• COUPONS can save {BIG} $$$$--- I need to get organized.
• GIRL time is PRECIOUS time --- love the laughs and chit chat.

I just love spending time with the gals at MOPS. I really enjoyed learning all of the wonderful things everyone has to share with their~ LIFE ~experiences.

When I got home this evening after spending a couple of hours at MOPS - I found my husband in bed with both Austin and Addison reading "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".... he is the BEST father and husband a girl could ask for. I continue to {learn} how lucky I am to have such a wonderful husband --Thanks I really do appreciate you.

My hardworking Man/boy.....and Addi keeping warm

We took a trip to Ritzville to see my sis on Saturday and came home with WORK!!!!..... Thanks so much SIS and Uncle Jimmy for getting the wood from the mountains-- we really do appreciate the warm evenings by the fireplace. It is was a great trip to have a short visit, eat lunch (on us), and of course exchange firewood.... for chips and dip.....(Hope you guys enjoyed the salsa!)

Tony had to chop up all the wood -- yep, in the snow....

While our little man --- hauled the wood via 4 wheeler and wagon to the back door where I unloaded and stacked it by the back door....(I don't like to go to far to get the wood).

Of course he had some mechanical issues with the snow packing onto the wheels and not being able to pull the wagon.... but the problem solver that he is --- worked out the issue.



So why we are working hard outside in the falling snow... Addi is playing inside by the door, very close to the heater vent with her babies... (keeping warm - is she the smart one or what!!)

She was so content and a dish towel works great for a blanket for Emma and Annie... {they finally have names}

With teamwork we got the job done in no time flat....

Commitment

 

Tonight for Care Group we all went to see the movie "Fireproof Your Marriage - Never Leave Your Partner Behind" movie at The Assembly of God Church. It was an Awesome movie, well worth it, and very touching to both of our hearts. Marriage is not only a commitment to each other but also a covenant we make with the Lord. As Tony said "it is so easy to take a relationship for granted -- we become selfish in our mind and actions because we know the other person will always be there because of the commitment made." Marriage is full of challenges, struggles, sadness, emotional ups and downs, and at times it almost feels easier to {GIVE UP} walk away, however with God in our hearts those elements in life that create negative emotions are easily concurred with Our Partners so we enjoy the GIFT that God gave us HIS "Forgiveness".
I just want to pray for God to build a good healthy and foundation in me so that I am and will become a better WIFE to my Husband.

I would highly recommend the movie to everyone.

Hand in Hand

 

I have been reading a daily devotional book and this morning the title of the day was "Keep in Touch with God". It seems as though some days I forget to keep my focus on {Him}. The struggles of marriage, being a mother of 2, working full-time, friends, housekeeping, and dealings with family all overwhelm me at times. I sometimes feel as if I have no time to myself.... peace, quiet, laziness, nothingness, just {me} time is no longer available.... so to have time to keep in touch with God seems to be put on the back burner. I have made a committment this year {2009} to make time for HIM and to make time for ME.... enjoy the life I have and to find happiness and laughs in the struggles and challenges that I may encouter. So this picture represents {OUR} Life this year -- we are devoted to each other and we will work out our differences calmly, growing together in God, and with each other become the best parents we can to our children. Life is a journey and we do need to enjoy the ride "hand in hand" with our Trust in God to lead us down the fulfilling path of {our} Life.