happy 11th to us.

I can't believe I had time to post a gazillion anniversary blog entries last year. I can't even sit down to write a few simple lines this year. That's what pregnancy has done to me... and the fact that last year I had a sister living with me who was a HUGE help... and the fact that I spend 99% of my day chasing a busy, messy toddler.

Anyway, today Aaron and I celebrate 11 years of marriage. Last night we stayed up late talking about the night before our wedding and how nothing was going how I wanted it to go. The next morning, June 16, 2000 we woke up too early (5 am) to be the stars in our own wedding. Looking back, there are so many things I would have done differently, but it was a beautiful day. And the only thing that really mattered was that we made it to the temple and that we were surrounded by all our loved ones.

Just before our year anniversary, we took a trip to California (to visit my friend Karlin) and stopped in Vegas for a couple of nights. It was bloody hot and I was 8 months preggo. As we walked around the strip I remember asking why ANYONE in their right mind would live in such a city. Here we are, 10 years later, living the dream.

Today Aaron went to work without breakfast. I didn't pack him a lunch either, but was sweet enough to print him off a coupon for Quiznos. Simon was running around naked because he can't seem to keep clothes on anymore. I spent the morning cleaning my cluttered house, wiping up dog puke, reading to my kids, trying to keep a 1 year old out of the toilet, out of my makeup bag and away from the dog food, washing and folding laundry, vacuuming, dusting filthy blinds, and changing a few diapers.... oh and I fed my kids too.

I was exhausted by lunch time and sat down with the boys to eat. Ben was having a turkey sandwich on a hot dog bun. Luke was eating a sloppy joe. Zack had a bean burrito. Simon ate a couple of hot dogs without the buns. And I had a salad with yummy grilled chicken that Aaron made earlier in the week. It just made me laugh sitting with all these boys, everyone eating something different. I wondered if I would have believed THIS was my life if someone would have shown me a glimpse 11 years ago. Sometimes I don't even believe it when I am living it every day. Time goes by so fast. And yet, it seems like I've been wiping bums forever.

It's now 5 pm. I was able to shower and dry my hair this afternoon, which is an anniversary miracle. The boys are dressed in cute matching clothes and are excited about going to the circus. About an hour ago, Simon took off his diaper and pooped on the floor. It was creamy and such a treat to clean up. But it's clean now and we are ready to head out the door and meet Daddy for a fun night out on the town. It's going to be bloody hot, I am sure. But we'll be together-- something that makes us all happy and that's all that really matters.

If I was on the ball, I would upload pictures of our wedding day- or our trip to Vegas when I was pregnant with Ben- or least of all- a shot of the creamy poop smashed in the carpet. But I am not on the ball. Not today. Today I am just grateful to have survived thus far... grateful to be a mom to four handsome, busy boys...grateful to be expecting a baby girl who, I am sure, will make our lives even more chaotic when she arrives... grateful to have married the man I did 11 years ago. None of this would be worth it without him by my side.

Now if only he would hurry home and take us away from all our troubles!!