20 Years Strong and Only Getting Stronger

20 years ago kneeling over an altar, I said yes and covenanted with Travis our eternities.  We were surrounded by friends and family, dressed in white, and wildly naive as to what marriage was.

Today at the 20 year mark, I know that marriage is sleepless tag team nights of child rearing, stressful disagreements in lean financial times, comforting hugs through loss and heartbreak, and the best friend, roommate, and dreamy crush all in one.

As I ran this morning, I imagined our 40 year anniversary.  All the kids grown with kids and families of their own.  I saw Travis retired and constantly by my side, always my fondest wish, doting on and spoiling our children and grandchildren.  I see afternoon naps spooned together like when we used to date.  

Then my mind spun to your 60 year anniversary.  I imagined us hanging onto one another as we wonder our house because we can't remember where we laid things down at, shuffling more slowly but still busily engaged in our hobbies.  I see grandkids popping in and out checking on us and us dozing on and off as we watch movies together in the afternoons.

God willing we may even make it to 70 years that is how young we were married, but my youthfulness in choosing him and him me has not ever given me one moment's pause. he has always been and continues to be my sure thing.  My confidence in him and us only grows stronger with each passing day.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABE! Eat well, exercise lots, and get some sleep because I have big and busy plans for our future.

I Love To See...

the temple.  Our family does too.  It's such an important part of who we are and what we do and believe.  Isabella keeps her own recommend and so when Wyatt turned 12 in January we were excited for him to join more family temple trips.  So we went on Satruday, April 30th for the first time with both the kids to do baptisms. 

It was awesome, it was amazing.  I hope this really leaves an impression with our kids about what is most important in this life, in eternity.  I think the smiles say it all.

Accomplishments

Isabella and Wyatt participated in the Lancaster County "Who Wants to Be the Chemist" competition.  Although neither made it to states...both did great and proceeded through several rounds. 

I put together this awesome puzzle.  Oh how I love a good puzzle.

Travis and I already got down to the temple for the month of March.  Yay!

Both Kody and Issac participated in the Pinewood Derby.  Kody made a great showing, but didn't place.  Issac on the other hand was first in his age group and 2nd overall.  It remains to be seen if he will pay the fee to move onto District competition.

 

On the horizon is the start of Kody's baseball and Isabella's track season which I'm sure will bring them many accolades.  Additionally Isabella is making a ukulele with Travis for a school project.

The kids continue to do well in school.  Kody making more of an effort than every and seeing some of the rewards of that.

 

I hope that my kids are always as driven and motivated as they are now!

The Lowlights of January

A lot of fun has happened, but some of it not post worthy. 

Those bits are saved for our monthly lowlights reel. 

Temple Trip/Date Night

Travis tells us the story of his favorite tool - they are from Wyatt's birth.

New Puzzles for Christmas - excited squeal.  Yes I love them!

Bestie comes for a visit.

Kody becomes a wrestling beast!

I'm Going There Today

We love the temple, not just because it is the place we got married, or because it is the most sacred place around, but because it is the place where we became bound together, forever as an eternal family. 

Because of that, every major event we try to celebrate by going to the temple.  And if we are going all the way to DC why not make a date out of it.  I still think my husband is the best, sexiest man alive.

Love him...oh and yummy food too!  ;)

This and That Ketchup (in no particular order)

Book Fair - I was the chairperson.  It was fraught with bad weather and lots of glitches, but it went well and is done.  Hallelujah!

Holocaust Museum and Valentine's Day- Valentine's Day we made balloons with the kids' names and after popping them they read their favorite things that Travis and I like about them.  This made Wyatt feel like a rock star and proved to be a great idea.  Then we went to the Holocaust Museum to teach them about what too little love will look like in the world and because it's awesome.  Then in commemoration of our engagement on VDay and our marriage, we went to the temple.





Cooking Lasagna - I tried using whole wheat pasta.  Travis was not a fan, the others mainly indifferent.  But if you are going to make homemade lasagna, why not make tons and freeze for later and for taking to people.

Cell Project - Wyatt had to draw or design a plant and animal cell.  Well why not make huge chocolate chips cookies with frosting to illustrate it more perfectly and win class favor and teacher bonus points.  There were some other really cool ones made of Jell-O and other food items.

Bowling RPA - Foster families have quarterly family building activities.  Two events ago, we did bowling.  The kids really are starting to take to it.  Not great, but we no longer need bumpers.  Bella masters it for at least one frame and grabs a strike.



School Vday Party - Games, playing and food - what's not to love?

Arrow of Light - Wyatt got his arrow of light, despite being postponed eat least 2 times.  He was so cute and happy.  As was I.  My kids are growing too fast!

Fasnacht Day  - the key is the real mashed potatoes used in the dough.  I made fewer than ever before this year, still 100.  Still I need all the fancy coatings (glaze, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar).

Jump Rope for Heart - the school does a fundraiser for heart health awareness.  They do all kinds of activities, but one gym class is devoted to jumping rope and having a healthy snack.  This is Issac and his "rat pack" group of friends.  Cute boys!

I Love To See the Temple

It just never gets old or less beautiful.

So happy I got married here!

End of Year Madness - Oh My!

If you had doubts about my sanity before, well then let me assure you I am for sure insane currently.  Every mother feels a little frazzled at the end of the school year.  I am exactly one week away from the last half day of school; it's so close, but still unreachable or at least it feels that way.  So I just keep breaking it down to smaller chunks of time so I don't get overwhelmed.  Each morning, I repeat the mantra: "I just gotta survive today."  And it's been that way the whole month of May.  Here's what we've been up to:

Women's Club of Manheim Adopted a Block
Softball and Play practice galore
Softball games every Tuesday and Thursday
Math Night at Doe Run
Temple Trip to Washington DC
Graduation Parties (x3)
Cinco De Mayo Party
Celebrity Scoop Fundraiser
Board Meetings, Monthly Meetings and Presidency Meetings (WCM, PTO, Primary, Library, etc...)
- that's a whole lot of meetings if you get my drift
Weekly volunteering in the boys' classrooms
Spring Cleaning
Foster Care Training
Foster Care Recertification
Choir Concerts, Orchestra Concerts
First Grade Musical
Day Camp planning
Taxes finalized - ugghhh
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you gifts for officers (Order, prep, deliver)
Working at the School Store
4 Newspaper articles and photo shoots to Promo different events
Parental Visits galore
Lots of end-of-year Field Trips
Special Auxiliary Training
Middle School Book Fair
End of Year Carnival at the Elementary School
Dental visits
Many abandoned Book Clubs "Ain't nobody got time for that"
Relief Society Socials
End of Year Banquet
Order, Sort and Deliver Yearbooks (add a final sale for those who forgot to order originally)
Field Day Instruction
Scholarship Banquet
Activity Day and Scouts
Sporting Tournaments
Barnstormer Baseball Game
Memorial Day Picnic
Hiking
BBQ's
Planning, helping, and/or running fundraisers (Manheim Rock n' Glow 5K and RAINN em in)
Buying, making, sewing costumes for RAINN
Regular and Skype Assembly at the Middle School
Breakfast with Friends (a girl has to take a break every now and again)
Attend Bella's musical 3 out of 4 Show times
Run a mile fun run with younger kids, turn around and run a 5K with Bella
Clean Up Race starting at 11pm
Bake for a bake sale
Bake for end of year parties
Race a human powered horse for hours while eating and playing with friends

So that covers May through the end of the weekend June 2nd.  And next week...well I'll let you know how it went if I survive.  (Pictures to come)

Oh What Do You Do?

When your hubby is home for a long time? 

You go to the temple in April and May. 

Isn't he hot? 

Yes, yes he is!

 

Dear Wyatt,

How have you gotten so big?  How have you arrived at this momentous birthday?  How is it that I have another child turning 8 and getting baptized?  Man, I can't believe how proud I am of you.  Those are just a couple of the how's I've been thinking of.

I can't imagine life before you.  I really don't even try because each day since having children I have had so much more happiness.  In some ways you share the most special place in my heart with Daddy.  Although I don't have favorites each child claims a piece of me another can never claim.  The piece you claim has to do with how extraordinary you are.  So much like your dad.  So kind, considerate, loving, pleasing, without guile - just the best little man I've ever known.  You two could not be more alike if you tried.  And I love that my first born son is now the second greatest man I've ever known and I believe that someday you'll surpass your daddy to be the one of the greatest tied with your brothers of course. 

You are brilliant and I love to discuss things with you because I see your sponge brain trying to soak it all in.  Someday you'll be so smart, smarter than me, smarter than Dad and I love to watch it happening right before my eyes.  I love that you love school and your perfect attendance since your first day of Kindergarten makes you more excited than any good grade.  I love that every teacher you've ever had has oozed excitement about how much you love to learn. 

Today we celebrated your birthday, well I guess yesterday since I write in the wee hours of the morning of your birthday.  And all you wanted was to go to the temple and play around DC absorbing more of the culture and historical importance that exists there.  And that is what you are, a perfect mix of intelligence and spiritual belief.  I know you think you want to be the first missionary in China and if not there go to Japan, but I know that wherever you go, you'll be amazing- you know how to work hard.  And I love that at dinner tonight in preparation you practice using chopsticks picking up one piece of corn at a time. 

Could you be any more precious or special?  Probably not.  Thanks for existing.  Thanks for putting up with Dad and I as your parents.  Because we feel like the luckiest ones in the world.

Love, Mom

P.S.  Here are some of your memories of your b-day celebration and a special moment in your life lately - your yellow best testing and critique from your Sensei.

Kick Off To Christmas

So the first weeks of December were crazy busy.
Our PTO does a Holiday Craft - each student makes a gift to give to someone.

Women's Club of Manheim assembled cookies, had a cookie auction, and a Holiday Tour of Homes.

Bella's dance studio did multiple Saturday preformances at retirement centers and the town square.

We went to the Manheim tree lighting with friends and their kids.

We took the kids to the Washington DC Temple grounds to see the lights, a Bell Choir, and enjoy the Christmas Kickoff.

I'm totally entrenched in the Christmas Spirit.  What about you?

What do you do to get ready for Christmas?