Close...but not quite

Did you notice it looks familiar?

This is it, our new home!!!! (as long as the funds come through this morning...) We signed our lives away yesterday afternoon.

The greatest perks of this house.

1. 1.5 miles from Chris work

2. 8 houses from the walkway that enters schoolyard.

3. The yard is done.

4. We have storage!!! Lots and lots of storage.

5. It is ours!!!!!

Can't wait to move in, do a little bit of painting and updating to make it really OURS!!!

Two types of people in this world...

So, the past couple of weeks I have come to a pretty strong observation/opinion.

There are two types of people in the world of service. There are those that are really good at saying, "Give me a call if you need help." These people are good at changing the subject when the realization that help my be required. They avoid it at all costs. They truly believe that they offered, but don't realize that the truth lies on the table.

Then there are those searching for ways to help. These are the people that are really available--even if they should not be. (Example: a friend that is going on vacation the week we are moving thinks that she is going to somehow provide a couple of meals for my family. She will find a way--even with my begging her to enjoy her much needed vacation.)

I am amazed at the true generous offers we have had from friends lately. I know that many of them live VERY busy lives, but they insist they are available to help pack, watch kids, prepare meals, etc. I hope that I can be this kind of person. Honest, helping and kind...even when my own life seems too busy/hard to handle.

Ten Years...

Next week is our Ten Year Anniversary...who would have known we would make it that long? (jk)

I have been fussing about what to do, I want it to be something special. I want it to sum up what we have been through together.

10 years ago we were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

9 years ago I was pregnant with P and getting ready to graduate BYU.

8 years ago we were heading to Europe for not quite a month.

7 years ago we had A, and Chris was graduating from Utah State.

6 years ago Chris finished his Masters, he started his career, we overcame Breast Cancer, and we bought our first home.

5 years ago we got involved with the Hero Foundation, and found our passion for non-for-profit organizations.

4 years ago we were expecting C.

3 years ago we hoped to move out of state, but were humbled by the Lords 'greater plan.'

2 years ago we were expecting Z.

1 year ago Chris stood by me through my car accident (and the hardest month of my life.)

Now this year we are waiting for baby ?, buying house number 2 (hopefully) and celebrating ten years together.

What do you do for the man that has done all that? What do you do for the man that has been your best friend for 11 years. What do you do?

Give a sincere thank you, and honestly say, I look forward to the next ten.

My beautiful Anna

You are the the peace maker, always willing to compromise or share with your brothers and sister. You are also the little mother, smothering Chloe and Zac with more attention than they want.

One favorite memory is of your Preschool teacher commenting that the kids in the class show you their artwork first for approval (a spot usually reserved for the teacher). But, I could tell she did not mind, because you had won a special place in her heart--just like you manage to with anyone you meet.

I also love the fact that for the first several weeks of school you would come running home to tell me how you had made ANOTHER friend. I meet parents at school functions, and they have all heard about "Anna."

Thanks for being my little tender heart.

PS I am OK with you turning seven. I just dread the day that you turn 13. Oh, the emotions!!!

My Buddy!!!

Thats my tough little buddy. OK he is not really tough, but he tries. Today he got a little banged up at recess--hit the four score wall. He is OK, but he did have to call to talk to me. It broke my heart to only be able to talk to him on the phone. I had to tell him he will be OK, when I don't even get to see him, or be there to give him a hug. Dumb, thats a mom's job. Now I get the to spend the rest of the day missing my buddy, knowing he is fine, but still fussing.