Anniversary Overkill

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I have a lot to say about our trip, life at home, birthday projects going on, a big audition this weekend (I am trying out for my own show on the Oprah Network in California...) and I need at least FIVE of me to get everything done. I would be an absolute mess without my sister living with us. I need to write about how much I love her. How we would never have been able to have such an awesome getaway without her.. how she took all four of my kids to church, at 8 am! How we came home to a SPOTLESS house, even clean sheets on our bed. But I will have to save that for next week.

Today is our actual anniversary. It would be overkill to write more (aren't you so sick of how much I love my husband?) but I came across this picture and just had to post it.


The first time I knew I loved Aaron was about two months after we met. I didn't know that it was the I-want-to-marry-you-and-have-your-babies kind of love. But it was LOVE alright. We were away with a group of friends spending a weekend on a dairy farm in Idaho. I was inside the house helping some of the women with dinner. I was washing a head of lettuce in the sink and happened to look out the window overlooking the grassy backyard.

And there he was. A tall, lanky 21 year old guy playing soccer with a bunch of kids. He was the only adult and there were kids all over the place. He was in control of the ball and no one could get it from him. I watched all the kids faces--- how much fun they were all having. And then I saw Aaron pick up a little boy (about 4 years old) put him over his shoulder and spank him. All of the kids were screaming and wanted a turn, but Aaron was running away from them and they couldn't catch up. The poor kid wanted to get down, but Aaron wouldn't let him. He kept him over his shoulder and continued to play soccer. I smiled looking out the window and I remember thinking to myself that whoever marries this guy is a lucky girl. I honestly did NOT think that girl would be me, but lucky I am.

I've spent the last ten years watching that same tall, lanky guy play soccer with MY kids. On this particular day, he had a baby on his hip and three little boys trying their best to get the ball away from him. I grabbed my disposable kodak cam and took one shot (hoping it would turn out okay..) and then ran out on the grass to help my kids score at least ONE goal against their daddy. I don't think we were successful, but we had a great time. The last ten years have been filled with lots of joy... lots of playing, spanking and laughing. They've also been filled with hard work, frustrations, disagreements and adjustments. We've moved more times than I want to count.. but we've always been happy to be together and I know that's what matters in the end. I am happy. My life isn't perfect, but I am lucky to spend it with the people I love most. This is what I am celebrating today. We will have a quiet dinner at home and maybe play a game of Go Fish before bedtime. And, in my opinion, no trip to paradise is better than that.

PS. Zack has said so many cute things these past few weeks, but I just can't write them down fast enough. When we got home from our vacation, our boys ran to us and gave us big hugs. I picked up Zack and said, "HI! I missed you! Did you miss me?" He smiled and said, "NO!" When I asked why he didn't miss me, he said, "Because I always never miss you!" I always never want to forget how cute his face is.