Happy Anniversary

Six years ago, I made the best decision I have made in my 27 years, and married Dusty for eternity. Six years ago, I knew that marriage needs to be nurtured and there would be challenging times, but during the last six years, sometimes I wondered if everyone had this many challenges. Some of the big ones we have encountered together have been the following:

• Unemployment
• Working without pay
• Infertility
• Unemployment
• Legal Battles
• 2 IUI's
  
• Starting a business (not successful)
• Stressful Jobs
• Surgery
• Two IVF cycles
• 2 FET cycles
• 2 Miscarriages
• Unemployment

I would not consider our marriage to be uneventful, but is amazing how much we have grown together during these challenging times. I think it is heavenly fathers plan to help us grow together. The struggles are not very fun, but they do help me to realize how much Dusty has helped me through them, and how much I truly love him. He really is my perfect match, and I don't think I would have been able to get through all of this without him.

I would like to say, that I hope we have been through the big struggles and the next six years will be a piece of cake, but I know that is not the Lord's plan; however, I know that as long as I have my husband next to me, the rest of eternity will be just as awesome as the first six years, and I am excited.

I love you Dusty, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my eternity with you!

Lasik Results

Wednesday was my three month appointment for my Lasik surgery. I am very please to announce that I have 20/15 vision in both eyes, and they are healing well. I should still use some eye drops every now and then to make sure my eyes don't get dry, but both the doctors and I am more than pleased with the results. My eyes have always, been my favorite feature of myself, and they were hidden behind glasses for a very long time.

I had always received many compliments on my eyes when I was younger, and just recently, those compliments have resumed, I am excited to show them off again. I am so happy to scuba dive, exercise, and I will be able to water ski, and not have to worry about uncomfortable contacts. If anyone is thinking about getting it done, I would highly recommend it!

Never Enough Nephew Time!

My sister has been in the northwest for about a month, and it has seemed like it has been too busy to drive the hour either way to get together. We went down a couple Sundays, but other than that, I was too busy cleaning my house, and having reunions, and all the other stuff we have been doing.

On father's day, we vowed to get together this week, and decided Wednesday would be the best day. Melissa, Owen, and Nigel came up to my house, and we went to my eye appt, browsed Ikea, enjoyed hotdogs, and then came back to my house and played. Owen loved playing with the toys at my house. (We inherited the fisher price little people toys from Grandma and Grandpa Woodward). We assumed they would be more than just toys that stay in the garage until someone comes to visit, but until then, it is great to have something for them.

Owen played with the neighborhood house, and the castle. We also have the farm, zoo, airport, school, A-Frame, Camper, City, garage, and I am sure I am missing a few. I loved playing cars with Owen and continually driving through the garage door (castle draw bridge). I just can't get enough nephew time!

Father's Day

This year, Father's day was spent going to church, teaching primary, and then we got to go down to Olympia to visit my Dad. My Dad is very special to me, perhaps because I am virtually his clone! He has taught me so much, and it is not unusual for us to get into a conversation about Roth IRA's vs IRA's. He has truly been the guidance in my life regarding our finances, and that is one area in our life that we have never struggled to make it work due to the savings mentality my Dad somehow solidified in my brain. With multiple times of unemployment during our 6 years of marriage, it truly has been a blessing.

My Dad has taught me way more than just finances, including a strong work ethic, and determination. I am so thankful for him. I love you Dad! Happy Father's Day. I am glad we got to spend it with you.

Lybbert Dinner

June was our month to host the Lybbert dinner. We had it the day before Father's day, and served spaghetti. I think everyone enjoyed it, and we all had a good time. We were a little stressed out, because we were coming back from Vancouver, and only had a couple hours between when we got home, and they came over.

I had worked hard the previous couple weeks to get our house in decent shape to have people over. I thought it was okay, but Ean definitely showed me, I still have a bit more to go with finding places for few remaining piles still hanging around.

We had the Quinton's, and Dad, and Felicia. Marcy and Josh were unable to attend due to a funeral, and Mom was not feeling well. We missed them all. Happy father's day to all the Dad's.

The Men - Nathan, Dad, & Dusty

Finli also came over, and played with Bella. It was very interesting to see how differently Bella played with Kya vs Finli. She was so much more gentle with Finli, and almost more tolerating, rather than instigating. Finli is only 14 weeks, so it was nice to see Bella adjust her playing style to accommodate a much younger, and smaller Finli.
After everyone was gone, Dusty and I sat down and didn't get up for a while. It was a very long couple of days getting everything ready, the drive down to Vancouver, staying up late, and then hosting dinner. Bella was also dead tired after playing with Kya in the morning and Finli in the evening. We even let her sleep with us that night because she was so tired, so actually slept.

Vancouver Visit

When we went down for the 10 year reunion, Dusty and I were able to spend the night at Jason and Mariah's. It was really fun to spend some time with them and my darling little nephews. Dusty got up Saturday morning and played golf with Jason, and Mariah and I relaxed a little, played with the boys, took Kaleb to a birthday party, and just had a great time visiting. It was a fabulous visit, and hopefully, there will be more to come.

Kaleb and Jaren (adorable little guys)
Bella also had a great time playing with Kya. They really are perfect playmates, and they play so well together.Jaren playing with Play-doh, a new birthday present.

10 years later

Last weekend was my 10 year high school reunion. I can't believe it has been 10 years. The time really flies. It was amazing to see those who looked just the same, and those who I had to work to remember and confused them with guests of graduates.

It was held at the Pearson Flight Museum in downtown Vancouver near Fort Vancouver. We got to see a few of my old friends from high school, and had a good time chatting with them. There were many who I would have loved to see, but they couldn't make it. Maybe, they will be able to come to the next one.

Below are some pictures of those who could come.

Me and Charise

Anton, Mandee, and Me

Courtney, Mandee, and Me - Courtney came all the way from Louisiana!

Under the Sea Finally

After a long 10 months, Dusty finally took me Scuba diving in cold water again. This was my first cold water dive since certification last August. I did go diving in North Carolina last August, and at the Crater in Midway, UT, but they were both warm. I had been bugging Dusty to take me.

I was a little nervous because in cold water, I am layered up in 7-14 mm of neoprene, hoods, gloves, etc. It is a little more difficult to find and maneuver the equipment with big thick gloves and a hood that makes turning your head a little more difficult. Dusty could tell I was a little nervous, and was very patient. He made sure I got comfortable before we went under. I also got to try out my new wetsuit, which surprisingly kept me quite warm. I would love to move to a drysuit, but I need a little more experience with my buoyancy first (drysuits make buoyancy even harder).

He took me to Three Tree Point in Burien on the Puget Sound. There are some tire reefs that we explored, and had a great time looking at all the life.

(note: since we didn't take our camera, all underwater pictures were stolen from my friends site www.theperfectdive.com)

I ran into a crab and thought he was going to pinch me

We saw a ratfish, some kind of sculpinand lots of seastarsWe didn't take the underwater camera because we wanted to focus on diving. Perhaps next time. We definitly will not wait another 10 months before the next dive!

I did take a picture of the clean-up. That is the worst part of diving, but worth it.

Bella was also very interested in the clean-up process... or maybe just thirsty.

What do you do?

What do you do when you have had soft tacos on the menu for a week because you know you have 2 tortillas in the fridge waiting to be eaten, then dear husband decides to eat the tortillas the day before tacos? I could have gone to the grocery store, but I am planning to go tomorrow, and we have everything else for tacos except the tortillas. What is a wife to do? I made tortilla chips for taco salad! They were actually quite easy, quick, and tasty!

Owen Turns 3

Yesterday, my nephew Owen had his third birthday. Now that they are in the great northwest, we were able to attend his birthday party. Grandma and Grandpa Blake, Poe, and Woodward were all there in addition to us. We walked in a little late, and the first thing he told me was that he wanted to open his presents. He was so excited. We opened presents first, and he got some really cool stuff, more cars, a soccer ball, a boat, blocks, lincoln logs, and his first set of real legos.

Melissa made him a lego cake ordered by Owen as black cake, with black icecream (frosting). The cake was adorable and delicious.Licking the candles - Yum!

Owen played with his new toys all evening, and only got a little frustrated when the big legos didn't hook onto the little legos. It was so great to see them, and can't wait for many more evenings together.

Happy Birthday Owen!

Being Sick

Over two weeks ago, after the open house, I woke up with a sore throat, and a massive headache. I skipped church and slept. The sore throat lasted about 3 days, and then the congestion never went away. About when my sore throat dissipated, Dusty's began. We have both been battling these awful colds for the past two weeks. Friday night, started feeling worse again. On Saturday evening, I got chills and a fever and my sore throat came back!. Sunday, was a little better, but the cough is still bad.

I went to see the Dr yesterday, and I think I have been spoiled with Doctors in offices that do not deal primarily with insurance. They made me wait for an hour to see a nurse practitioner. She said my lungs and ears look okay, and my throat looks red. She prescribed some antibiotics due to the longevity of my cold, and some cough syrup. I have been taking it, and I am starting to feel better today, but it makes me a little tired.

Dusty said he was feeling much better yesterday, so that is good. Perhaps we can both get over this horrible sickness.