Sixteen Years

Today is my 16th wedding anniversary. You may think it strange that I refer to it in the present, but if we are going to be all correct about things that statement is true. Because I was married and sealed in the temple, our marriage is eternal. I'm not exactly excited about this inconvenient (wow, what an understatement) interruption in our wedded bliss, or the fact that we have to observe this occasion separately, however, I am still so grateful for the 13 years we were able to celebrate together.

The irony of it all is that our marriage was so great. I'm not just saying that because he is gone, but it truly was. Here is what you all would be jealous about:

*He did the laundry. Need I say more?

*He LOVED to cook. We benefitted greatly from his hours pouring over cook books.

*He spent so much time with the kids. He never let his work or hobbies interfere with his relationship with the kids. You would often find him pitching to them in the front yard, building lego, drawing with them, dancing in the living room with them, laying on their bed at night visiting with them, fishing with them, wrestling with them, and a myriad of other things. I can't think of another dad I know that spends as much time with his kids as he did with his. It was like he knew he needed to cram it in.

* He spent tons of time with me. We had so much in common that neither of us really found a need to spend a lot of recreational time with friends. We loved playing team sports together, hiking, camping, and playing crib after the kids went to bed.

*He is so kind and thoughtful. I would frequently find a little note tucked into my lunch, or a sticky note on the dash board. I got flowers for no reason and gifts just because.

One of our engagement picts. Haha!

* There were no man/woman tasks in our house. If the bathroom needed to be cleaned and he noticed first, he did it. If the lawn needed to be mowed, I often did it.

*He lived in the moment. I've never seen anyone who could live in the moment like he could. His mind was never preoccupied with the list of things he had to do, or things he was worrying about, he just enjoyed what he was doing, or who he was talking with.

*He showered me with compliments. I always felt loved and that I was someone important.


Because of all these wonderful things, a day like this is even harder than it would be otherwise. Although the sting of separation is a painful reality every day, he is MINE.

Always and forever!

The Last Hurrah!

After a 9 day camping trip we are finally home. Here is the break down of "The Last Hurrah" before school starts again.

Day One-

This was probably the most eventful day, but also the scariest. We had just been driving a half an hour when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw that Cooper was having a seizure. One of the worst moments of my life for sure. I quickly pulled over and tried to get him to come to. It went on for about a minute, but it felt like an eternity. When he finally snapped out of it he tried to speak but couldn't. We rushed to the hospital at Pincher Creek and were seen immediately. SO impressed with the staff there, especially the doctors. I have been around dozens and dozens of doctors over the last few years and these people were truly awesome and thorough. They ran a series of tests and after about two hours in the ER, deemed him completely normal and recovered from the seizure. They said that it is quite common for children around his age to have one unexplainable seizure. They checked with the Lethbridge pediatrician and he gave us the go ahead to keep traveling. 

We stayed the night near where my dad grew up, which was Yahk, B.C. In the morning we visited the old school where he attended and the original building and some of the old playground still stands, with some additions.

Day Two-

Travel to Coeur D'Alene. The drive from B.C. through Idaho into Coeur D'Alene is one of the prettiest drives. We got to the camp ground, set up, and did a bit of shopping. 

Day 3

Silverwood! This place is seriously so fun for adults as well as kids. We spent the whole day/evening there. It was perfect weather. 

 


Day 4

Church and Couer D'Alene City Park. They have this really awesome playground there which is castle themed. We also went for a bike ride around the lake.

Day 5-

Travel to St. Regis. Got to the campground. The kids swam in the pool and we just hung out and relaxed. Read the BEST book. It is called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It has made it to my top ten. I'm kind of addicted to survival stories and stories of people rising above oppression, but this topped them all.

Day 6-

Hiawatha Bike trail. We did this trail last year and loved it so much we wanted to try it again. It is a 15 mile trail on an old railway line. It is very scenic, complete with tunnels (one is 2 miles long), and high level bridges. You also get a free Hiawatha Stripe, as featured on the back of Cooper shirt.

Day 7- 

Traveled to Missoula for school shopping. Uggghh. I HATE shopping. Weird, I know. So sue me. We camped at a KOA which the kids loved because it had a large pool and hot tubs and lots of other fun things to do. The down side--on route to the airport. Not so good for a light sleeper such as myself.

Day 8-

Shopping. My goal is to get it done in as little time as possible. I think this year I hit a new record spending only about 3 hours 'til I was done. 

Day 9- 

Traveled home, with a quick stop in Kalispell to Target and Sizzler. 

SO NOT READY FOR SCHOOL TO START!

There Shall be Eternal Summer in the Grateful Heart

I haven't really felt like blogging lately. This week I've decided that I have a pretty boring and unexciting life. Nothing to report that is really blogworthy without getting a teensy bit negative. The Relief Society lesson this week was on gratitude. It was what I needed because I haven't been feeling very grateful lately, and that is shameful considering all I have been given. So, to ward off those feelings, here are ten things that I am grateful for this week.




1. Warm Weather

2. Having so many awesome nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. 31 in all ( I think). Yes, shocking I know. I have been a great aunt for almost 8 years.

3. The combination of Cooper's freckles and his evil grin.

4. Kids who have a sense of humor.

5. A daughter who can sense a bad mom mood coming on and then start cleaning ferociously to combat it.

6. A dear friend who recognized a tough moment for me at the parade and helped me through it.

7. Being able to watch fireworks in my bathrobe from my deck.

8. Being invited to a friend's house for dinner and having a great time.

9. Sleeping in.

10. No schedule.

Meal Made of Nostalgia

Today I was thinking about my Grandma Sheen as I was weeding my garden---my garden that I wish resembled hers, but doesn't really. Now that I am older and wiser I greatly admire the way she kept her neat and tidy garden. I have a lot of fond memories involving her, and her garden.

Many hot August afternoons were spent sitting in the shady spot by her garage shelling endless buckets of peas. Often I would enlist the help of my friend Mindy, who gladly obliged. We sat and visited with Grandma and my mom as we shelled and ate at least half of what we shelled.

When everything was up and the plants fairly mature she would make creamed vegetables and invite us up to her house for lunch. We would take everything out to picnic table in her back yard and eat the fruits of her labors. Back then, I thought I didn't really like creamed vegetables all that much, but as I sat admiring the fruits of my labors in my own little patch, I had this overwhelming urge to make creamed vegetables for my kids.

I sat with my daughter shelling peas, savoring the similarities of my own childhood. Gathering the ingredients, we headed to the kitchen to make the meal I knew so well.

There is something supremely satisfying about eating a meal consisting entirely of things you have grown and nurtured yourself. As I listened to the compliments of my children and watched that creamy goodness dribble down their chins, I realized this was the happiest lunch I have been a part of in a very long time.

Thank you Grandma!