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Texas Snow Flurries

December 4th, snow fell in Austin. The forecast called for it all week. We didn't believe. The day of, I thought it might actually happen. My parents were in town. My dad was the Mystery Reader in Tyler's class. I decided to check the boys out of school early because it really looked like it was going to snow. And it did! It feel for about 20 minutes, but didn't really stick. The kids had fun playing.

My mom took the shot below with my old SLR rebel. I love how you can see the flakes so well!

I love this set of Alyssa delicately putting her gloves on while her brother wrestle in the background.

All games end in tears (a frequently used statement around here).

I didn't realize my kids were flipping on the trampoline....

10 years, baby!

10 years ago today, I married the man that at first I deemed unattainable. Too good to be true. Way out of my league. Honest. Happy. Humble. 3 words that describe him, that a year previous I told him I wanted in a husband. We weren't dating then, but I remember that conversation. I might have said Handsome if I didn't think it was a vain thing to say, but I was probably thinking it...along with the other "H's."

In all honestly, the day was pretty much perfect. There seem to be some horror stories around wedding days, but ours was truly perfection. Yes, I might have changed some things like putting on lipstick before the reception or wearing my hair all up (vanity, again) or maybe just driving the 2 of us from the temple to the reception (we had both our parents, I thought it would be a cool unity thing--it was) or maybe done a bit more research for the photographer (but people didn't have websites/blogs like they do now).

But unlike him, I remember all the people that were in the temple that day. I remember the friends and family that flew in. I remember the friends that came to show love and support at our reception in the evening. Feelings of pure joy surrounded that day. I love remembering it.

The picture above is the image I chose for an enlargement for my home. I love that you can see the temple behind us, but mostly that we look genuinely happy. A lot of our other pics are more posed...if only I knew then what I know now. Just last spring, I decided to contact our photographer for the negatives. They scanned them on a disc for me for $150. I love having them.

Here we are, walking out of the temple....bubbles were blowing.

It was December, but beautiful blue skies (and kinda ugly grass). There was snow on the back grounds of the temple in the shade, but we only got a few snapshots of that.

My mom made this cape for me, I love it.

I chose the photographer because he was married to the lady who ran the reception hall and I got a discount. My big thing going into my wedding was the reception spot. I DID NOT want basketball lines in my pictures. Meaning, I did not want my reception to be at the church. I looked at a lot of places, but I was frugal with my parents money. This was an old church converted to a reception hall, it worked perfectly. Looking back, I might have had some input on the decor, but I didn't care then. Here I am with my bridesmaids. The girls in red are all related except Natalie (tall chick to the right of me) she was/is my bestie. Like a sister from the time we were 14. To my left is my brother Ryan's wife Alayna, Michael's 3 sisters and his brothers wife, Kriste. The girls in black are my "honorary bridesmaids" friends...roommates...future sister in law. Amy(she flew in--love her), Laurie, Jen, and Abbi.

These are fun....(and mostly my idea, the 60 year old male photographer wasn't super creative)

I think he did stage this one though...

Below: My family...3 brothers+sis in law+parents. So symmetrical, isn't it?
Michael's family--we were 2nd to get married.
My friend Laurie (Hawaiin girl in black dress) took some great black and white candids that day of which I love and cherish. They are just prints in an album and with a broken scanner and 0 energy, that will maybe have to be a post for next year.

Michael is just good to the core. He does the dishes. He does the laundry. He tells the kids betime stories. He delights in playing board games with them. He enjoys exercising. He enjoys his daily scripture study time. He's superman to me. All these things I aspire to myself, I have him to look up to. Him to guide me, even though I want to rebel against those things sometimes.

Really there are just 2 problems with his absolute goodness. 1) I feel guilty sometimes that he is pulling too much of the weight in this family. 2) I fear it means his time on earth will be shortened because he is so good. It's something I think about, people.

But for now, I will just relish in the times we get to a 4 way stop just milliseconds after another car, and they sheepishly wait for us to go...unsure who was there first. Michael will exclaim, "Come on, you were there 10 minutes before me..." as he zooms ahead of that other courteous driver. I've learned to love those moments.

I feel so blessed to be sealed to him for all eternity. Grateful to know that he will be by my side, beyond our understanding of "life." I'm not one to relish in cheesy talk, but I really do feel a deep down gratitude that he chose me. That he leads our family with a firm yet loving hand. That he sees me as his equal, and loves me through my weaknesses. He knows how to make me laugh, and know how to support me when I cry. We are on the same page with so many things. He knows me--and who I want to be. Now if only he would let me be a back seat driver...we'd have perfection. Well...ok...maybe not. We do differ on some things, but we work on how to compromise on those differences.

Now just a few pics from the past 10 years.....

And if you really want to feel like you were there for our wedding festivitites....CLICK HERE to see my wedding video. Its kindof a shady lookin' quality as I took my camcorder to my tv 2 years ago. But I heart my wedding video. Best $$$ I spent on my wedding day.

Up to my eyeballs with my to-do list

The only reason I am updating this now is because I closed all windows early to go chat with hubby and he is watching a special that I can't sit through. So I figured I could always come send a little update. Besides the hussle and bussle of the holiday season, I have taken on a much bigger load of "clients" than I have in the past. Making money. Saving money. Good. But I am also trying to get all holiday stuff in order so that in a week, I can breath. No time now. Must. keep. pushing.

On top of that, my co yearbook lady reminded me that we wanted to take all class pictures before they let out for holiday. Oh yeah. I'll add that to my list. Almost done with my Christmas cards and they should get mailed out tomorrow. Alyssa was a great help in stuffing them and putting the stamps on. Man, it takes a while and costs $$$, but I love doing it, my little gift that I give to those I love that live far away. I'm so excited for the big reveal! I hope I get some in return...many going the "e" route. Already got a few cyber greetings, which is fine. I usually print them out, but my printer is broken. Bah humbug.

Oh yeah, I am also singing a duet with my friend at our church Christmas party on Saturday. I thought--hey--why not? I used to do it a bunch back in the day, but its been at least 8 years since I've done so. AND I am singing the Alto part. I've always loved it, but I get so thrown off with harmonizing, I'm crossing my fingers. I laugh and say...if all else fails...unison!

Made a handful of treats and passed them out on our 2nd annual Pajama Drive. The kids have asked about it all year, and they just love this new tradition! Made this delicious concoction and it is YUMMY!!! Click here for recipe. The mint extract in the chocolate really gives it a good kick.



My girls have been such troopers with my chaos...Alyssa isn't too sad that I've let her watch more shows than normal. I love how Cali fell asleep nearly upside down (don't be afraid--Alyssa has her). I was just in there not 2 minutes (ok, maybe 5?)before and she was sitting up playing with Alyssa, then I found this...




Tyler's wish list
Some high requests...hoping your holiday bussle is still joyful. We did get a little snow flurry. If you are on facebook, you would see those pics, but too many to put on now.