A LOVE Story

10 years ago I married the most wonderful guy.

Our love story began in the summer of 2000.

Our first meeting was July 11 to be exact.  I was working as a CNA at the hospital, which meant I worked 3, 12hr shifts a week.  That left quite a bit of free time, if I didn't pick up any extra shifts.  On a hot July morning I got a call from Tom.  Tom was Theresa's husband and Theresa was a nurse I worked with.  Anyways, Tom called and asked if I would like to go water skiing with him and his friend Jason.  Jason worked in retail and Tom was a pilot and they just needed to find someone else with an unusual work schedule that could go out to the lake on weekday too. I didn't even have to think about it, I was in.  

Now just so you know I wasn't expecting to meet my future husband, which is the case for most of us when we leave the house, but that was just who I was about to meet.  The funny thing is, that Tom was a lot older than me, like in his late 30's so I figured his friend Jason would be his age too.

I pulled up to the gas station, our meeting place, stepped out of my white ford fiesta with the blue hood and walked over.  I immediately realized that Tom's friend was not Tom's age but instead my age or as I'd later find out, at least still in his 20's.

We had lots of fun out on the lake that day.  And all I specifically remember was that I thought Jason was totally cute.  Plus, I'll never forget that when I asked him to guess my age he guessed 25.  That never, and I mean never happens to me, people always say I look younger than I am.  I had a date that night that I had to get back for, but I remember all I could think about was Jason, and wondered when would be the next time we'd see each other.

The next day when I went to work, Theresa was working too, she said Jason asked her, to ask me, for my number.  Yes!

So we start dating.  I really liked him.  He was so interesting.  He'd lived in Hawaii, been to Africa and Costa Rica.  He loved to travel and that impressed this Idaho girl.  He was a gentleman.  He had a career.  He was determined and goal oriented.  He was an all around great guy.   I helped him celebrate his 29th birthday and then a couple weeks later he told me he was taking a traveling job with EB and that he'd been gone 4-6 weeks at a time.  I couldn't believe it.  Good bye great guy, it was nice to know you.  And so, I really didn't think it'd ever work out.

But how would I know that the one thing I thought would pull us apart actually would end up bringing us closer together.  It was during those weeks he was gone that we spent hours talking late into the night about everything and anything and connecting.  We really got to know each other.  It was better than dating.  On a date you chat a bit over dinner, sit through a 2 hour movie, and then go home.  But instead of that we talked and shared everything.   

By Christmas I was head over hills for him.  On my birthday he told me he loved me.  In March he was asking me for my opinion on what color to paint the house he was building.  In May I went to meet his parents.  And on the fourth of July, after a day spent on the lake boating with my family, he proposed to me.  Yes!

On our wedding day I'll never forget Jason words to me as we drove to the reception.

He told me that when he's on his death bed he wants to hear me say that I'd had a wonderful life, full of love.  I cried.  I cry now thinking of those touching words and all that he does everyday to do just that.

Our marriage is full of love.  And that love continues to grow, especially with the addition of these two beautiful daughters of ours.

It's Your Birthday

Happy 6th Birthday Ashy!

We celebrated bright and early.

Ash was opening presents by 6:30.  She got a CD player, CD, books and a flower headband.  That's in addition to her new pet Riley, the horse, from Annie and her other new pet Buddy, the Betta, that's happily living in her room.

(and she also had a present from herself that she made and wrapped and had waiting in the pile with the other gifts, seriously this girl cracks me up!)

I made her a special chocolate pancake breakfast and served it up on the you are special plate.

Then it was a mad rush to get 2 girls ready for school.

This afternoon I'm bringing in doughnut to share with her class and then after school we're having a little celebration with the neighbor kids.  

We sure do love you Ash!  You make us smile everyday!

I thank the Lord for you, our little anniversary gift.

Hells Canyon Adentures

This summer mom and dad invited Abigail, Michayla and Clay to go camping with them up in Hells Canyon.  

They spent 5 days, 4 nights camping, boating, fishing, swimming, rock jumping, and enjoying the wildlife (like the deer that would be in their camp site every morning).

Plus, they celebrated my dad's 59th birthday.

Thanks mom and dad for taking the time to create such very special memories with your grandkids.  They had a blast and can't wait to go again next year.

I Remember

I've been watching Rising (a documentary of the rebuilding of the 16 acres at the world trade center) and I'm so moved by it all.

I am overwhelmed by the many stories

touched by the dedication of those working to rebuild

and amazed by all the thought, details, and purpose behind the new buildings and memorial.  For instance, did you know that they have hot water running through the memorial so that when you touch a person's name it will never feel cold.  So many details.  

Last night I saw on the news that they've sent pieces of the wreckage to every state so that we can all have a memorial and never forget.

9/11/01

I remember I worked that morning.  I was a Unit Clerk on the Telemetry floor.  My 12 hour shift started at 6am.  I can't remember where exactly I was when I first saw it,  but the news ended up on every patient's TV and was also on in the break room.  We were all watching in disbelief.  It was a scary time, a day of story after sad story. A day filled with fear and unknowns.  So much heart break and uncertainty.  The hospital was put on alert.  No one was allowed to leave until an all clear was given.  Coordinators came around asking if anyone knew of someone or had family in DC or NY.  They also wanted to know if anyone was in the Reserves.

Jason was working out of town, in SLC.  I went home to an empty house that night.  I remember watching news report after new report.  News of death and survival.

I remember the eerie feeling I got when I heard an airplane fly over after the airports had reopened.

The Sunday after the attacks I attended church.  I wasn't a member of a church at the time, we were looking for a church, but that Sunday I attended the local church, I just had to.  The congregation all stood, held hands and prayed.

I remember everywhere you looked you saw an American flag. 

I remember how proud I felt to be an American.

Our wedding was only 11 days after 9/11.  Jason's sister was unable to get a flight out to attend our wedding.  The airports were still closed in the DC area.

Jason and I flew to HI for our honeymoon and the security was on high alert. There were so many new regulations.  It was really scary to board that plane and think of all that had just happened.  Flying would never be the same.  

Our country would never be the same.

I'll always remember.