Our Anniversary! Our Milestone!!

Here's a photo trip down memory lane. These pictures don't seem to transfer very well. Some of them are from our honeymoon the rest are of our wedding.

Its a big deal anniversary this year because we have hit 5 years! In second marriages the divorce rate is 85%. They say it's the first 5 years you have the hardest time, after that it gets easier. We have had more that our share of crap to go through so we have both been talking about how much things have gotten easier. Blending 7 children, adding 2 more has been the hardest thing. Ok adding the 2 more actually saved our marriage, it brought us closer and gave us a common bond. But, the other 7 have made things harder, from trying to break us up to all feeling like that if they learned to love (or even like) the step-parent they would be betraying their bio-parent that was not there. It's easier for Tyler & Bren than it is by far for the other 5 that lost their mom to death.

Soooooooooooo, with that I am grateful that we haven't killed each other yet! Howard said that he feels that one of the greatest things is that we trust the other person. When the other person says they are going to work on trying to make things better, they truly do. (ok he was the romantic in that conversation!!)

Happy Anniversary Babe!! Love you Always & Forever!!

Special Olympics

Many of you may know that the Special Olympics are going on in Boise, Idaho right now. The Japanese delegates stayed here in our little hick town. It was pretty funny to drive through town with everyone taking pictures of everything. I felt like we were at Disneyland! The delegates went to each of the kids schools and visited classes. They taught the kids a little more about their culture. It was a great experience and the kids have not stopped talking about it. A couple of them even keep walking around saying Japanese words to each other. I am grateful for good schools and teachers that care! So here's a few pictures of what the little girls and I did with the special Olympics this week. We went and watched the torch run. Abby & Hailey were cheering and yelling it was pretty funny!

The second picture is when we followed after the police escort to the high school. Hailey & Abby rolled down the windows and waved to everyone. Some of the kids that were along the way were yelling ......"Hey that's the ....(our last name)!" Hailey thought that was pretty cool that people knew who she was. In this small town not many don't know who we are. We are pretty active in our community. It was really cute to watch the girls so I had to jump out and get a picture- it didn't transfer very well.

I stole this from Tams blog because I loved reading hers. Everyone should copy & paste it to theirs- I would love to read them about everyone else! (Hope its ok I stole this Tam!! It says if you open it then you have to fill it out! :)

50 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT!
Learn 50things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1. Do you like blue cheese? No Way!
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Absolutely Not!
3. Do you own a gun? Yes, I have 3 registered in my name. Howard wants to get me one that is big enough so I can go hunting (deer & elk) with him. I don't mind the shooting it's the rest that grosses me out. For now I am sticking with targets and skeet shooting. We have a skeet thrower and take the kids out and once a year we take it up with all the elders quorum and have an adult potluck and shooting contest. Howard does really good. My first year I hit the skeet on the first time and set the bar to high to keep. At least I can keep up.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Cherry Ricky
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No, I always stress out that I am going to be late and then they won't see me. So I rush and rush then wait in the office FOREVER!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I don't eat them often but, enjoy them only BBQ'd & burnt.
7. Favorite Christmas song? Heavenly Choirs by Cori Conners
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Hot Chocolate in the winter - Milk in the summer
9. Can you do push-ups? A couple but, girly ones heck ya!
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring I also have some gold earrings & necklace with diamonds and my birthstone in the shape of a heart that Howard gave me for Christmas a couple of yrs ago.
11. Favorite hobby? I enjoy anything crafty or outdoors.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No
13. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? With 9 children in a tiny home I have found that I stress out to fast.
14. Middle name? Sheree (plus I kept my maiden name)
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. The kids are being very loud! Dinner smells great! I need to get off the computer and make some homemade rolls for dinner.
16. NAME THREE THINGS YOU LIKE TO DRINK I love Coke! It's been something Howard has tried to get me to stop drinking but, I only stop when I am pregnant (to much caffeine) I also enjoy hot chocolate and orange juice
17. Current worry right now? To build our new house or not to because of how stressful the economy is right now.
18. Current hate right now? The size of our house (wish it was bigger!)
19. Favorite place to be? Outside in the mountains camping or at the beach. I love places like Carmel CA because you have beautiful mountains right on top of the beach.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? My parents came up so we went to my sisters and all hung out. Then drove home, the kids went to bed. Howard & I stayed up watching movies & visiting. Then at midnight we made out and ................. ;)
21. Like to go camping? I love to go camping. We are already making plans with some friends. We are going to go to their cabin and get wood for the next winter & go 4wheeling. Then with the same group of friends we are going to go up around McCall to camp & maybe ski.
22. Name three people who will complete this? You will have to surprise me
23. Do you own slippers? Yes a couple pairs and I wear them all winter
24. What color shirt are you wearing? Black turtle neck thing
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No I love sateen. It's a cotton - satin blend. So soft!
26. Can you whistle? Yes
27. Favorite color? Red - Howard & my friend Summer are always making fun of me because I like the browns, blacks, & whites. Red is about the only non earth tone that I wear. (Summer says she's going to "help me" get some color. I just bought a new purse the other day - sorry it's black! But, it does have silver too!
28. Would you be a pirate? I can't stand the whole stealing thing so, no
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I like to crank up the radio when I am in there then just sing what ever is on
30. Favorite girl's name? Hailey & Abby
31. Favorite boy's name? Tyler & Brenden
32. Last thing that made you laugh? A couple of things- Howard is always giving me a hard time and makes me laugh. Hailey told me the other day as serious as she could "Mom, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" It was so funny because at 3 I was sure I wasn't thinking what she was- but I went with it. Also this morning Tyler was done at the dentist and he told Abby to say "What up" and tilt her head to the air. She did and I thought I was going to die laughing.
33. Best bed sheets as a kid? My mom & great grandma made me a yellow flowered bed spread. I had a canopy bed with yellow flowers all over.
34. Worst injury you've ever had? The after math of having kids! My body was in so much pain!
35. Do you love where you live? Yes, but the small hick town thing is just like in the movies - everyone knows everything about you, sometimes even before you do!
36. How many TV's do you have in your house? 5
37. Who is your longest friend? Alice James - I think I knew her from when I was born. I haven't seen her in a few years but love her still. We were always together in high school. I have tons of other great friends that I have grown up with and still love to death.
38. How many pets do you have? 2 cats - the white one is Salt the black one is Pepper
Hailey has a cat named Ammie that my sister gave her. I also have a duck, I get a few every year when they are babies. We sold my horse last year and we are looking to get me another one. I miss having one. Then of course there's the cows!
39. Does someone have a crush on you? Howard still does!
40. Favorite Book? Twilight all of them! I am reading 'Judge me Dear Reader' about Emma Smith. It's a very good book.
41. What is your favorite candy? Anything chocolate -though I've been cutting out the sugar so much
42. Favorite Sports Team? I enjoy watching BSU football - I went there and they are very good so it makes for a good time. Howard knows everything about every team on every sport I can't keep up. His favorite channel is ESPN. I am more of a Nascar fan.
43. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Passed out- I have been up pretty late the last few nights and was worn out.
44.What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? AHAHAHAHHA!!! I had to get up early to get the kids off to school. Then two of them had dentist appts this morning.
45. Worst habit? Biting my nails when I get stressed. Also when I am tired I get cranky.
46. Do you play an instrument? No, I always sang
47. How long does it take you to get to work? How ever far it is from my bedroom to the kitchen
48. Plans for the weekend? Getting one of the kids hairs cut, watching Tyler & Howard at play practice, going to Howards Basketball game - I do a lot of yelling at the games. Then Sunday go to church and come home to watch the first race (Nascar starts!!) Make all the food the kids can eat and at some point clean & sleep.
49. If you could eat anything in the world right this second? Homemade rolls (that I still need to start) with Homemade raspberry jam (that I canned from our raspberries this summer)
50. Do you like the person who sent this to you? YES- I stole it from Tam but I truly love her and wish I could hang out with her more but, the phone and internet will have to work for now.

Wear Red this Friday! Love Your Heart!!

Here's an email I recieved from the American Heart Association that I wanted to pass on. I joined after I was told that I was having some major heart problems- ie needed a heart transplant soon! With a blessing from Howard, prayers, and temple prayers everything seems to be working better.


National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6.
How will you Go Red For Women?

Dear Angela,

With the help of men and women like you, as well as companies and volunteers that support us, we have made a significant impact around the issue of women and heart disease. In fact, in the last six years we have raised awareness of the fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women and also raised over $153 million towards much needed research of cardiovascular disease. However, our work is not done. Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer, and there are too many women who are not aware of this disease and the actions they can take to reduce their risk, and as a result are dying at the rate of 1 per minute. It’s Our Hearts. Our Choice. Together we can beat heart disease.
That’s why this Friday, February 6, hundreds of thousands of people will celebrate National Wear Red Day. It's the day to wear your favorite red clothes or accessory — a red blouse, a red dress pin, a fabulous red handbag — put on red lipstick, or sport a red tie and red socks. Go red in your own fashion to show your support for women. Join us in our fight against heart disease and you’ll receive a free red dress pin to wear and go red any day of the year.
Help raise funds and look great in red!Macy's, a proud national sponsor of Go Red For Women, will help us celebrate National Wear Red Day. This Thursday-Sunday (Feb. 5-8), Macy's will offer an all-day savings for customers wearing red. For those who forget their red, Macy’s is offering a Red Dress pin and the all-day savings to those who make a $2 donation in the store to the American Heart Association. All contributions received will benefit the Go Red For Women movement. Learn more about Macy's support of Go Red.

Thank you to all for your support!

Sincerely,Your friends at the American Heart Association

P.S. — Going red is about finding your own way to take part in the fight against heart disease in women. Whether it's donating towards research and education, attending local events, visiting your healthcare provider, purchasing products that support the cause, or supporting National Wear Red Day, you can do something special to love your heart.

Who's The Best?

I just wanted to share the following emails. Howard has no idea that I nominated him but, I thought it would be fun. They will announce the winner in March. I am crossing my fingers!! I did edit this for my blog to protect some of our personal info. (I don't mind if my friends and family know, it's anyone else who doesn't need that info.)

To Whom it May Concern,
I would like to nominate my husband for Letter Carrier of the Year. His name is Howard ...............He is a carrier for the ........town.......... Post Office. Howard takes great pride in his job and his life as a whole. He started working for the USPS in the spring of 1998. He is active in the NALC and loves the people he works with. He is currently the shop steward and the VP for the union in his branch and has been for the last 3 years. Howard in his working for the post office has had some interesting experiences. He found an older man that had committed suicide shortly after starting. He has also sat in on several meetings between employees and the Post Master. Howard is perfect in those kinds of settings. He doesn't rattle easily and always thinks before he speaks. He is a great mediator.
I would like to share more of a personal side to this great man. In 2003 Howard's wife of almost 12 years passed away of cancer. Howard was 36 years old and had 5 small children to raise alone. His children ranged from 11 years to 18 months. The people around him at the post office and in his community were extremely supportive. I met Howard a short time later and we were engaged after meeting on-line then dating for 2 weeks. We married with a total of 7 children. In the 5 years we have been married we have had 2 more children. Yes, that equals 9! Some would say we are insane maybe even crazy but, we love it! Howard is a devoted father and husband. He is great to always make time for work, family, church, community, and his other love, Angus Cows.
Howard is very active with the community, serving as a 4-H leader for the last 10 years. He is also active with the youth of our church and helps them to learn to make right choices but, how to have a great out look on life. He loves to tease them and in return them back. The youth in our church seem to come to him for advice on everything before even their own parents. Currently Howard is in a play for our local theater group and is playing none other than, a mailman! (It just so happens there was part that someone needed to play a mailman, he tried out and got the part.) Howard is also currently on two basketball teams. At 6'3" they love him and he loves it. He plays once a week for our church and twice a week for the city team. He also enjoys football and plays in the local "Turkey Bowl" the morning of Thanksgiving. Howard enjoys many things but, all with the things he does he loves to include his family and those around him. He enjoys every thing from playing hide and seek in the dark outside to camping, hunting and everything in between. Howard also enjoys golfing he has taught our youngest 2 children to run after the ball if he misses. They then put it in the hole and start dancing around the green and yelling "Good job Dad! Way to go! You did it!!" It's so funny all the other golfers ask if they can borrow our little cheerleaders.
So with this I feel that Howard is truly all that the post office stands for. A great example and a proud American. I would ask that you make him the Letter Carrier of the Year.
Respectfully,
Angela ..........my full name.......

Here's the email I got back this morning---

Thanks Angela. We will consider your nomination.
- Jamie .......his full name.......

Happy Birthday Love!

Just a shout out to my dearest love, Howard -
Happy Birthday BABE!!
Love you Always & Forever!!

Hailey, Abby, and myself left after the kids went to school. We bought donuts and balloons for Howard and took them to him at work. It was funny, everyone in the post office was walking around going "Happy Birthday Howie! Now how old are you again?" Most of them are older than him so they were guessing younger than he is. I had to let them know that he was 42 and I was WAY younger. They all laughed and said "ya we know he robbed the cradle!!" It was pretty funny. Hailey really got into his birthday and kept running around telling everyone that it was HER dad's birthday. (I shoud mention that this is a 10 yr old picture, but it was a funny one)