Why I love Ryan

February 10th was our SEVENTH Anniversary! I can't believe that it's been seven years, what a lucky girl I am. Although I love him more than this, I am going to give seven reasons why I adore:

7) Wonderful father and husband. No matter what time of day or night, he spends every waking minute wresting, comforting, soothing and loving his children and wife.

6) Hard worker. We've been in school for 8 years, and there's no one else I would want to be poor with. (although it will be nice when we have a lawyer's income) Mowing the lawn with our ELECTRIC lawn mover. We actually get people walking by and smiling and/or giggling at the sight of this extension cord connected to our mower. It's a hoot.



5) He's easy to live with and laugh with. Some of my most fond memories are playing Boggle with him. I love cuddling when we watch movies together. We have more inside jokes than a cheesy movie. He makes any situation fun and keeps life from getting boring or redundant. He is witty and makes me laugh. He has such a fun sense of humor.

4) He's a gentle teacher. No matter what the "lessons" are in life, he gently and lovingly instructs his children. He teaches scriptures and conducts family prayer, leading our children in the Gospel. (when we're in the habit!)



3) Amazing and talented. No matter what he puts his mind to, he can achieve it. He is impressive and is charming. Especially in the law-related field. He argues wonderfully. (unless we're at home where MY word is law...) (He competed in the McNichols Moot Court Competition back in November, winning Number ONE place and being named the Best Oral Advocate. We also got to meet, mingle and dine with a group of judges including Justice Linda Copple Trout and other influencial names in the law field. What an honor!) This is completely seperate from his Trial Team, didn't I say he's amazing?!

2) Those goregous sparkling eyes. When he smiles, his goregous eyes sparkle and I know he's happy and content. He's wonderful.





And the Number 1 reason why I adore Ryan:

1) I'm stuck and married for eternity. I can't imagine my life without him, I am honored to be his wife. There's a saying that I live by now, "If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently...it becomes special because you have made it so." (F. Burton Howard said that) I love and respect Ryan and so glad that he picked me.

I love you Rysie!

Learning how to roll Vietnamese Cha Gio, his favorite food!
Graduating from Boise State in 2006
Showing off his bowling skills, he's actually pretty good!
Ryan and his dad hiking.

Desiterata

(I memorized this in 9th grade for English class and it has stuck with me. Origins are mostly unknown; but it's still very inspirational and wonderful. Just wanted to share this!)

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nuture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Rub-a-dub-dub, Baby-in-the-sink

Carter loves baths! Just snapped these cute ones while he was smiling.

Hold still!

How do you get six arms to stop flailing about? How do you get three mouths to stop chattering long enough for a smile? How do you get three sets of eyes to look at one object for more than two seconds? And why is that not humanly possible?!

(sorry for the blurry picture; it proves my point!)

Single family dwelling snow unit for rent

This newly constructed snowcastle is a cozy nook for any outdoors advocate! Low ceilings and natural air conditioning makes this tavern a very eco-friendly space. The price is very negotiable for its nearly 6 square feet of chilly spaciousness. Amenities include free air conditioning, natural light during the day, all the refreshing ice one would need, and a Christmas doormat outside the front door. (the aforementioned doormat is currently buried, but will be dug out upon signing of new lease) Please direct all inquires to the wonderful and fabulous on-site owners. The roof can also be the top of a nice little sledding hill at no extra charge.




This previous tenant enjoyed her brief and nice stay. Ta-da! (Her reason for leaving was that she was cold. Umph!)

Brrrrr!

What I see from my house. Snow and more snow.

As of two hours ago...

Officially SNOWED IN! These pictures are 2 hours old and it's been snowing like crazy and we need to go shovel more, but this is what is happening in Moscow.

Snowdays this week: 3
(University of Idaho classes cancelled too! Now THAT'S HUGE!)
Snowdays this month: 6 (all in the last 2 weeks)

Total inches overnight: 8
Total inches in our yard: 24-30 and more is expected this week

(Did I mention that it's STILL SNOWING?!)

It's big and fat snow, it sticks to everything and soaks everything it touches! It was knee-deep just on the sidewalk of freshly fallen snow, by the time that Ryan got done shoveling our walk, he had to re-shovel it again! This is so crazy, places are closed. Not just schools, but stores too! You know it's bad when U of I even shuts down. Well, good thing we have a good stash of hot chocolate and plenty of movies from China to watch today!

The news have mentioned that even Spokane has spent its budget of $2 Million dollars of Snow Removal. Thousands of overtime hours have accrued. All of the snowplows that Moscow owns are out and about; all hours of the day and night. This is just incredible. And to think, I need to go grocery shopping. You know that feeling of driving through McCall and when you're driving down a road and the snowbanks on either side of your car are as tall as your windows? Well, that's what it pretty much feels like! It's officially UNSAFE to be driving around out there! It's NUTS!




Ryan's pants were wet up to his thighs because of the deep snow.

Dawson

Dawson was playing with his ear and I stuck the camera in his face and before he had a chance to react, this is the expression I got. He's such a sweetheart!

Ready, set, go...almost

"Okay! Here I go, any minute now, I'll start crawling....I've gotten so close before, but this is it, I just know it! I'm going to do it!"

"Uhhh, I'm stuck! I can't move!"

"And this leg won't cooperate! It's not moving in the right direction!"


"Oh nevermind. I'll just sit here instead!"

Good reminder

"A house does not have to be perfect to be a home of joy, a child does not have to behave perfectly to love and be loved, and every moment of life does not have to be perfect to be of value. Too often, I realize, we fail to see the glorious reality of the simple joy that abounds in the seemingly mundane routine of day-to-day living. Instead, we tend to idolize the past, idealize the future, and devalue the present.... What better way to show our appreciation to Heavenly Father for what we have than to embrace our lives, albeit 'ordinary' and 'unexciting,' with joy?"
--Winnie Dalley; Ensign, March 1998, page 59


Throughout the daily grind of loads of dishes (by hand, of course) and the mounds of laundry (that is clean, at least!) this is a nice reminder that my kids are loved and can feel they're loved even when Mom is going nuts. It is hard, sometimes, to find the daily JOY in slaving over a hot stove every day, but when your hard work is recognized and appreciated....the little things in life make it worth it. The perspective changes and you can the big picture. These are just ramblings of a crazy woman; but somehow I feel as if a lot of others understand what I'm talking about! It's nice to know that through the lonliness, we're all in it together.

Snowday....again!

Snowdays so far this week: 2
Snowdays so far this month: 5

Snowfall last night: 5 inches
Snowfall in our yard: 1 1/2 FEET and growing

**PLEASE NOTE: IT'S STILL SNOWING!!**

I haven't ever seen this much snow! This is crazy! It's still snowing and the pictures really don't do justice. It goes up to my knees and in some parts, it's deeper than Carter is tall!




Our house this morning. Can you find it underneath all the snow?!
Ryan's standing behind one of the snowcaves in our yard. It's so tall it goes up to his chest, but he's not standing directly behind it. It's so big that it fits both himself AND Ryanna inside!

My handsome and hardworking handyman! He shovels a few times a day to keep the snow off the sidewalk. Isn't he cute?
This is a cool shot: Ryan put the camera on the sidewalk and snapped it. It looks like a canyon!

Melt my heart...

Look closely! See TWO LITTLE TEETH peeking out?
This is what I woke up to find: Carter turned sideways in his bed, his blanekts all askew, one sock off and a somewhat confused look on his face!
Look at those goregous EYELASHES!
Messy boy eating his food

Crazy week...

Okay, this is what I have been up to lately. I have had every intention of posting on my blog and sharing great insights on my life, but however, this has been put on hold! Here's what's been happening:
1) Below freezing temperatures make life interesting taking Ryanna to school; making our van doors FREEZE together and not able to open.
2) Dawson has had the "Poops-n-Pukes" virus; forcing me to do three times the amount of laundry over the last week.
3) Slipped on some ice picking up Ryanna from school, hurting my back and spending a wild night in the Emergency Room. (Thanks for the fun and ride, Nicky!)

There's the highlights of my week, after things calm down, I'll post more fun stuff! And more fun pictures....so check back soon!