Happy Best 8 Years EVER!

That's right, we have survived 8 whole years together!  :)  Ok, Patrick survived... I have had it pretty easy!  ;) I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!  I don't know what else to say... or even that it could be put into words!  I just love him! 

We were married on April 25th, 2003 at the Salt Lake Temple.  One of my favorite memories of that day happened right before we were married.  We were waiting in the Celestial Room and Patrick was having a.... moment!  hahaha. 

I had had my moments too, nerves, fears, panic... whatever you want to call it.  But I had found my inner calm... the day I went through the temple... with him there, I knew he was my forever.  My worries were gone.  I had absolution. 

But his... chose to manifest themselves at that moment, minutes before we were supposed to be married.... in the form or hyperventilation and possible vomit!  hahahaha.  He was breathing so heavy and loud that people were staring!  (If I hadn't been the bride in our situation I would have been laughing my butt off!  ;))  But instead, I was wondering if he was trying to figure out a way to bolt! haha. 

I asked him if he was ok.  He responded with "I think I might throw up.".  Just what every girl wants to hear her groom say moments before his wedding.  I was so flattered!  hahaha.  I replied "Well if you are going to puke, this is not the place to do it!".  He looked at me and smiled. Squeezed my hand and reassured me he was fine.  I almost believed him. ;)  But he did calm down... and obviously, he did get married... so I chose not to take it personally!  hahahaha. 

It's funny how much of that day was a blur.  There are parts I literally don't even remember!  And then there are moments, like that one, that are clear as day! But I still remember how I felt, there in that room with him and our family and friends.  Forever.  That's all I thought about.  I could see it with him.  I trusted him completely.  I loved him endlessly.  And I couldn't wait!  I never thought I would feel that way about anyone. 

When I met him, I remember being instantly comfortable, like I'd known him my whole life.  Like we were old friends, just getting reacquainted.  It was so easy.  We were married 6 months later.  Marriage hasn't always been that easy, but it has been the adventure of my life! And the adventure just gets better every year!  :)

  

I love you, Patrick!  Forever and Ever!  

(Pictures are from our official "Anniversary Date Night" courtesy of Jackson and Harrison Swain Photography.  hahaha.  It you squint your eyes and lean back, the one of Patrick and I almost looks clear!)  ;)  

PJ's from Grandma...

= Pictures for Grandma!  :)  These kids LOVE new cloths... weird... yes!  But they do!  And new pj's are the best!  (This face is for Angie!) ;)

Give'em the laaazzzzy eye! hahaha.

Who's super cute kids are these?.... Oh wait.... they're mine!  ;)  Thanks Grandma! 

He is the Risen...

Because I LOVE this quote... and this picture... and this season!  :)  Enjoy!

HaPpY EaStEr!!

I'm having a hard time staying on top of blogging lately.  So I have to do some catching up!!  First up: 

EASTER

The Easter bunny came to our house 3 different times!!  They got packages from both grandparents!  And then the Easter bunny showed up... but didn't really need to!  ;)  My kids are majorly spoiled!!  They got a TON of new cloths and some very fun little surprises, and of course, there was candy!  (Which I can proud admit, I ate most of!  Peeps and Pepsi for lunch... Mmmmmm!  hahaha)  Their baskets Sunday morning.  The stuff outside the bucket is what the Bunny brought... there wasn't any room left inside! 

The kids with their boxes/presents from Grandma and Papa. 

I got a dollar, I got a dollar, I got a dollar... hey hey hey hey!  ;)

Reagan actually got into the ripping!  :)  I'm not sure it's the best idea to teach her to do this just yet, but it was very fun to watch!  :)

Easter Sunday!...  New duds!...  Cutest kids in the whole world!!  :)  (The boys were laughing at Reagan because she thought her slippery dress was hilarious!!  So every time I set her down, she would scoot and slide her bum out from under her!  ...It was pretty funny!  Just not when I'm trying to take her picture... and we're already late for church! hahaha) 

TROUBLE!!!  :)

Handsome Boys!

Pretty Girl!

That evening we got to go have dinner with the whole Elam clan! It was SO fun, they even did an egg hunt for all the kids... in the desert... because that is where we live.  hahaha.  Never hunted for Easter eggs in cacti before!  ;) 

On your mark....

Harrison stayed pretty close, he wasn't very aggressive... but he did find the $5 egg... with a little help!  :)

Jackson was super fast, he got some good stuff!  This was him coming back with his loot!

And Miss Reagan's favorite part?  The grass... in the Easter basket!  hahahaha.  She was laughing so hard while she pulled it all out!  It was SO funny!  She'd pull out a toy or candy and chuck it to the side... and then get more grass!!  :)  And now... we know what to get her next year!  ;) 

I really love this time of year!  It's spring, everything is new again.  Starting fresh, lots of hope!  And I love that its now that we get to celebrate Christ!  His life.  His sacrifice.  The one... who changed the world.  Changed everything!  I am so grateful for Him.  This past year has given me a new understanding of the Atonement.  I learned that it's truly about being at-one with Him.  That with Him, anything is possible.  That His sacrifice isn't just for the sinner, but also for the sufferer.  That it is about healing and comforting and repairing... about changing!  What an amazing responsibility!  What amazing love it must have required!  I am SO grateful for that Love!  And for Him... for the Hope He gives me!  :) 

Happy EASTER!

The Birthday to End All Birthdays

That's right... I had my very last birthday this year... the big 29!  Why the last?  Because from now on, we'll be celebrating the anniversary of this birthday!  hahaha.  ...Ok, so truthfully, it didn't bother me that much!  I think my kids getting older is harder on me than me getting older.  Maybe it's because in my head, I'm still 20!  ;)  And it didn't hurt that it was a pretty awesome day!  Which is why there is a story:

A couple of weeks before my birthday, Patrick found out he had been selected for a specialty position at work... which was super exciting, but it included 3 weeks of training... that started the Monday before my birthday. He had been planning a surprise for my birthday since Christmas, and his leaving meant he had to spill the beans!  He was really disappointed about having to be gone and give up the surprise!  But I tried to tell him, the surprise more than made up for him being gone!!!  And what did my amazing husband do for me?  He gave me Angie!!!... my best friend since 5th grade... all the way from UT... for a whole week!!! 

She got here the day after Kenny left (the day before my birthday).  And since we hadn't seen each other in almost a year... of course we stayed up 'til 3 am talking!  :)  So for my birthday... we did NOTHING!  It was AWESOME!  We didn't get dressed or go anywhere.  We totally relaxed, it was perfect!  (Well, except for not getting to see Patrick, but he was off getting his butt kicked and working to taking care of us, so I'm not going to complain!)  He also sent me flowers and a red velvet cake... which was the best lunch EVER!  ;)  (He was at the top of his game this year, not gonna lie! What a stud of a husband I have!!)  I also got visits from some very good and sweet friends (which made me wish I had gotten dressed! haha.) and a huge package in the mail from mom and dad!!!  It was amazing!  I felt very loved!!

Angie and I spent the week doing more of the same... nothing too exciting. Hanging with the kids. LOTS of talking and laughing!  A couple of outings and crafts.  Girly things like movies, make-up and hair. She was exactly what I needed!  :)  Thank you Angie for making the trip (Morgan too)!  And thanks to her husband Mike for... "letting" isn't the right word... giving her up... I know he missed her! :) And especially thanks to Patrick!  He seriously went out of his way to make this birthday special and it really was!! I love him SO much!   

As for my last year in my 20's.... I really can't say that I mind.  I have enjoyed them, they have been good to me.  But change is inevitable...  :) Plus, I pretty much feel like a super lucky lady... and I don't mind that feeling one bit!  So here's to the next 10 years!  ....Because heaven knows, I probably won't take 39 as well!  hahaha. 

The Kinders Go On A Trip

Jackson's class had their first Field Trip!  They went to the Desert Museum.  (It's like an outdoor museum with a zoo vibe, they have a lot of the animals native to this area.)  Here is Jackson with his teacher (LOVE her!), some prairie dogs and... surprise, surprise... a bunch of girls!  ;)

This was our little group!  Or at least the backs of them. I didn't see their faces much, they were pretty enthusiastic!  :) 

It was a fun day.  Organized down to the minute.  We saw all kinds of animals, his favorite was the Jaguar.  We ended our time there with a cool reptile class... that included live reptiles.  I love snakes, so of course my dream is to pet one!  :/  But Jackson couldn't have been more excited!  He knows way too much about reptiles... and he wasn't scared in the least to touch them! 

So, it totally tripped me out when we got there, I had to take a moment to breath for a second!  Nope it wasn't the snake... I had become a "Field Trip Mom"!  Hahaha.  When he started K I felt like I aged a little.  But now he's a month away from becoming a 1st grader... (and I was 2 days away from turning 29...) breathing became difficult for a second!  When did all that happen?  He suddenly seems so grown up!  But I couldn't be prouder of the little person he is!  SO smart and funny and full of it!  :)  I loved that I got to go with him!  It was a great day... even if they made me pet a snake! ;)   

Kenny Came for the SUN!

Uncle Kenny came to play a day after Pops left... we were playing musical guests!  ;)  He is all about the sun and swimming... much to the delight of my kids!  (It's kind of tricky taking 3 kids to the pool by myself... not gonna lie.)  I am the whitest person in AZ, so it goes without saying that I needed some sun too... and he is the reason I now have more freckles!  hahaha.  We went to the pool on 3 of the days he was here!  :)  

It was pretty much a first for Reagan.  The last time she went she was tiny... and we only took her a couple of times.  (She had to grow into liking being outside... and it's still not always her favorite thing!)  But she loved her little boat!  It was so much fun to watch her enjoying the water!

Just because she's so dang cute! ...

I have to say that one of my favorite parts of Kenny's visits is that we eat... a LOT!  It's also the worst part... because we eat... A LOT!  :)  He made the most delicious Oreo shakes!  :)  They sorta liked them... and they looked like they'd been drinking mud!  hahaha.  

He also took the boys to see "Hop".  Jackson thought it was hilarious.... Harrison said there was a bunny and it wasn't funny. :) And we drug him to the mall... this is normal for me... he's fun to shop with.  :)  He also watched Reagan and Harrison for me so that I could go with Jackson on his first field trip!  We love when uncle Kenny comes!!! 

Pops Came to PaRtY!

Pops (Grandpa Swain) came to visit toward the end of March for 5 days.  We got to hang out a lot. (Harrison was at the end of his recovery.)  But we did get to have a couple of mini parties while he was here.  We had a couple of our favorite families over on Sunday for some food and smores!  :)  Nothing like turning 49 (again) with 11 kids, an open flame and LOTS of sugar!  hahaha.  It was a blast! 

We also had cake and ice cream for him on Monday!  ....Yes, that's Darth Vader... and yes, I know his light saber is the wrong color... I was told more than once.  ;)

We also had a picnic at the park before he left on Tuesday.  We took him to the Safari Park, there are all kinds of bronze animals, the boys were his guide.  :) 

Dad was there too!  :) 

...And while we were at the park we discovered something new, but not too surprising, about Miss Reagan... she LOVES the swings!  :)  Shocking really!  She cried when we got off!  haha.

We love to have family come and visit, it's always so much fun for us!  We are so glad he made the trip!  We love you Pops!  :)