Seven Years...

This day 8 years ago, a charming fellow took me on a first date to the mountains where we enjoyed Chinese food with hair in it, an adorable elderly couple who made 'I love you' hand signals to each other, bucket list discussions, wind in our hair and the kick off to our up and down love story.

 

This day 7 years ago that charming fellow and I were married for time and all eternity in the Boise Idaho temple.

 

And I can honestly say that as much as I loved that boy back then I am even more in love with him now. Happy Anniversary Cory!

 

End of my Rope...

A few weeks ago I was just about at the end of my rope! I was completely worn out and was acting like a witchy-mom quite frequently.  One night, after the kids had finally gone to sleep...I lost it and just broke down.  I felt awful for how horrible I had been and yet at the same time- I didn't see any kind of end to how I was feeling.  Cory, being the fixer that he is, was offering all kinds of suggestions...and when he suggested we go somewhere- I immediately said yes! This took him off guard a little because usually I justify why we don't need to leave our kids with someone and get away...but this night was different. After that- I was convinced and we booked a hotel in McCall for 2 nights for that very weekend.  Thanks to my mom for watching the kids, Cory for indulging me, and lots and lots and lots of sleep...I came home from our little get-away a much happier mommy! It was the first time that I had left my kids at all (Brig has had a few sleep overs just for fun) but I had never left them and I had never even been away from Ellie overnight at all.  It was much overdue and much appreciated...I think the kids and I just needed to miss each other a little bit;)

So basically, I am convinced of the importance of just husband and wife time.

 

I sure love this fella...even if we have wacky eyes:)

Who Dunnit...

Cory and I were able to participate in a murder mystery dinner party. Everyone had to dress up like the character they would be and act the part for the evening. I was Principal Amethyst, the loony high school principal and Cory was Mayor Paul A. Tisshon, the rude mayor with selfish interest. It was quite fun!

Boise Temple Dedication...

Cory & I got to attend the Boise Temple Dedication. It was a really neat opportunity because the Prophet, President Monson, would be the one dedicating it. What a neat thing to be in the most sacred place on earth with the leader of our church. We felt blessed. We were able to sit in the sealing room and when the prophet walked by he peeked his head in and made a few silly comments to some of the kids that were standing in the front of the room.  I am so grateful for our prophet and his faithfulness. I know that he is guided and inspired by our Heavenly Father and that He is truly the head of this great church. I know that the temple is a holy place and I am so grateful that Cory and I were sealed there for time and all eternity. 

 

Remembering

See that bridge in the background of this picture...that's Faulk's Bridge.  Now to everyone else, this may seem like any random, brigtly painted bridge in the middle of nowhere... However, to US this bridge is so much more...oh so much more!

So we had some family in town recently and decided to go take the fishing boat for a little spin. And it just so happened that the location of choice was Faulk's Bridge!

We were lucky enough to have these happy people with us- we love cousins! He and Ellie are 2 months apart and he is SO HAPPY! All the time. Amazing.

So this bridge and this river (a different, much older boat however) hold many memories for Cory and I.  For example- this is where Cory took me on our second date to hunt Alligators.  (This is something I told him on our first date that I would most definitely like to do before I die:)

So he made that dream come true...for the most part! Although we weren't in the bayou and what we were hunting for was a green spray-painted inflatible dolphin- it was quite magical...this boy was good!
I mean- just take a peek at how great he looks in those waders...

THEN! Yes- there is so much more! Then took me here again and not only did we have some great dance parties (believe it or not!) but he had me close my eyes and then put a REAL Monarch butterfly that he had ordered online in my hands and let me watch it fly gracefully away! I know! He is so good!! (And years later when we came back to the bridge once- we actually saw a Monarch Butterfly flying around and it landed on Cory's finger! It was crazy and I would like to believe that it was my butterfly- or it's kid or something magical like that.)

Then these trees you see here are pretty special because those are the trees that we got a "little" scratched up in on one of our boat rides.  And by little, I mean that we were lucky we stayed on the boat and that I still have my right eye:) The trees kind of snuck up on us...

Now- we also got engaged that evening! When we came back from our boat ride to the bridge, there was a lamp post and a dock (that was not there before not ever since...some magic elves or something set it up!) and as he wiped blood from my weeping eye, he asked me to marry him. Hooray!   This lovely picture below was me trying to see for the first time with my camera just how bad the damage was.  Cor has a pretty nasty scar on his arm from it but I only have pictures as proof!

So, as I said- this place is pretty special to us! So it is so fun to come back with some of the people we love most- especially our two sweet kids! What a fun little trip down memory lane...er...river!

And just for the record- Elle doesn't always wear this outfit but after all the pictures of her in in from the last three posts- it sure seems like it:) She is just so darn cute in it!

3, 2, 1...

3 years ago today, Cory and I had our first date... a visit to the Hughes in Cascade, Chinese food on a dirt road, a very fun- very nice convertible, a little fishing (of course), and the first of many great dates--granted...a few more than Cory was planning on or would have liked...but I had to make him work for it!!! :)

2 years ago today, that's right- exactly one year after our first date, Cory & I were sealed in the Boise Temple for time and all eternity. From then on...it is pretty much
1 big party!!!! Or pretty close to it!

A New Hobby....

So, this post serves two purposes...to appease those who have been "reminding" me to post a little more often and also to prove to anyone who doubted my abilities to raise a son...thinking that I do not have it in me to raise a boy- a true boy, that is!

Whistle Piggin'
Def: v: shooting small rodents, more commonly known as ground squirrels, that over populate the old landfil on the outskirts of Emmett. These particular rodents are not very bright and will dart across the road right in front of any moving vehicle as well as feed on other whistle pigs that have already been shot. A very entertaining, and addicting hobby to start.

That's right, I do believe that here in Emmett Idaho that is a verb. So, Cory decided to take me to shoot whistle pigs a couple weeks ago and we went again just the other day...and I shot my first one...actually seven to be exact! It is pretty fun and I think that it is quite clear from the pictures that our son will certainly be man enough to brave this world with a mom like me!!!! (Don't worry Cory will be the one to teach him how to hold a gun properly)


The first picture also serves the purpose of showing my ever growing, very pregnant, belly. And yes, the little fella is certainly alive and kicking! A little over 2 months to go!!!

Oh Christmas Tree!

This is our first Christmas tree and our second Christmas together...well, technically we had a tree last year but we were so busy trying to get our house finished that we only stuck it in the holder and leaned it against the wall. Rather lame. This year we made sure that we decorated, had Christmas music playing, and drank hot cider by the fire...just to make up for our lack of festivity last year!!!!