12 years and counting...

March 21 was our 12 year anniversary.

I know, I can't believe it either.

We tried to make plans multiple times for something to do and nothing ever seemed to pan out so as of Friday, March 20, I was expecting to just hang out with Justin and the boys on a beautiful day and then maybe watch a video at home. That is what you do after 12 years of marriage, right? Suddenly become boring and give pecks on the cheek and the only time you are together is right before you go to bed at night and you are both so tired that you just mumble "love ya" and go to sleep and call it good? I was disappointed that I had let it come to this and also bugged that Justin hadn't made more of an effort to get things together.

When Justin arrived home from work on Friday, he had a huge grin on his face and told me that we had to leave the house by 9:15 the next morning because he had a surprise. Oh, geez. I had secretly had plans to sleep in and had come to grips that we weren't doing a whole lot and actually, being lazy sounded just fine to me and this was really screwing up my loafing around. But whatever, at least we were doing something.

I got up and got ready while Justin dealt with the task of getting the boys ready. As I started putting on my makeup he said: "Oh, you don't need that." What? And he let Liam wear the most atrocious outfit out of the house which NEVER happens. And he also said I wouldn't need my camera. I was beginning to think the world was coming to an end. Not document this thing that he was so excited about? And when do I ever leave the house without my camera? I was very suspicious and the way Justin kept grinning at me was starting to freak me out. What in the world was he planning?

We all piled in the car and started driving. We kept driving and driving and driving and eventually ended up at the Gateway. My mind was reeling...a shopping spree? Breakfast? What? We headed up to the second level and Justin just had that silly grin on the entire time. Finally, he spoke. "You deserve this." I still was in the dark until he led me to our destination. The Sanctuary Day Spa. He led me inside and explained that I would be spending six hours getting pampered and then going out to dinner that night at a fancy restaurant. I got a kiss goodbye and hugs from the boys and I was led into absolute bliss. I was a bit concerned at first because really, this was our anniversary and here I am by myself without my honey but that all left about 0.2 seconds into my massage.

Fast forward six hours...

Justin came to pick me up and brought me some fancy clothes to change into for dinner.Again, I was a bit apprehensive because Justin is on a major diet right now and I wasn't psyched to have Justin just sit there and watch me eat my food by myself. But he seemed excited and so I went along with it until he said I needed to wear a blindfold. No. Way. Especially not all the way to the restaurant. So he asked me if I could act surprised when we got to the restaurant and then I could just wear the blindfold when we got there. I agreed and he said that he had cooked dinner and the boys would be serving us. That little stink had this planned all along.



This restaurant has pretty cute employees I think! When we walked inside the house, Justin took off my blindfold and in unison the boys said: "Welcome to Chez Scott. How may we serve you?" Oh geez, my heart absolutely melted.



Candlelight, roses, and mood music from an XM channel on Direct TV.



Even professional photography done by the staff. Wow, Justin thought of everything.



This was my menu custom designed by Nicholas. Justin's was veal and water. So glad I am not on a diet.



The food was exquisite...



...and the service was impeccable. And the tips were cheap...a hug and a kiss and compliments of the wonderful job they were doing. Holey moley, their grins were the cutest things ever. Something I will not forget for a long time. For dessert, the boys and I had molten lava cake from Chili's. Justin had strawberries. Did I mention I am so glad I am not on a diet...the lava cake was delicious.

Our marriage has not been a smooth, lovey dovey ride the entire 12 years. We have had quite a few challenges to overcome and there were times that I was afraid that we would not make it. But, we have made it and have grown both as individuals and as a couple and there is no one else I would have chosen to take this journey with. I love you so much, babe. Thank you for a wonderful day and it will be one memory that I will cherish forever.

"Dear Jack Black,
I heart you. I think you are clever, funny, surprisingly a little attractive in your stretchy pants, and don't think the entertainment world would be the same without you. Kung Fu Panda was sheer genius and I might even be forced to watch Yo Gabba Gabba because you are on the season premiere although I do have to question your motives on that. Could you not have chosen Imagination Movers or something that is not so stupid or scary? I don't know, something to think about."
-Your biggest fan


"Dear Yo Gabba Gabba,
You frighten me. I think that says it all. Please go off the air."
-Scared in Utah


"Dear bangs,
Oh, why can't you grow faster? I am sorry I brought you out of hibernation but I thought that after 15 years we still would not have this hate-hate relationship. Really, I would be happy if I could just tuck you behind my ears and not have to use a gazillion bobby pins to make my hair look normal. Is there anything I can do for you to help you? Nothing personal, but it is just that you are quite a nuisance."
-Frustrated


"Oh spring, glorious spring, thank you for finally making an appearance. I think that winter is still upset that you are stealing her thunder but really, she needs to get over it. Can you maybe drop a hint to her to help her understand that we are tired of all the snow and cold and don't need any reminders of the last three months? It is kindof embarassing how she keeps hanging around. I am so excited to get out and enjoy the sun and warmth and short sleeves and the flowers and the sounds of the birds...you get the idea. I love you."
-Happy in sunshine


"Dear April 28,
I know it is mandatory to make an appearance every year but I didn't know if I really had to get any older when you come this time. I don't FEEL old. Don't get me wrong, I love you and wait for you to come around so I can be a princess for the day but I am getting to a critical age and would appreciate it if I could just stay 33. I don't know, just throwing it out there."
-Not feeling her age


"Dear Red Robin,
I think you have the best fries and fry sauce in the world. I just gorged myself on them last night and washed them down with Diet Coke. You made me a very happy woman and I just wanted to send you my compliments."
-Content

I knew I liked Pooh for a reason

Holey moley, it has been a while.

So it is official.

Liam is day (and night!) potty trained and it is all because of Winnie the Pooh. He earned his pop gun and on Saturday we went to Cabelas and bought him his prize. OH, what a grin was on his cute little face and when he had it in his hands he chanted: "I got it, I got it, it's really, really true."



I also found an amazing bedroom set on KSL.com for Liam that I have wanted since Luke was old enough to be in a big boy bed and because it was on KSL, it was a rockin' deal. Justin and I picked it up last weekend (with the help of my parents) and set it up for him. He absolutely loves it and now will sleep in his own bed. Oh, what bliss to have the extra room for Justin and me and not have to worry if I am going to be kicked in the kidney or whacked in the face in the middle of the night. If I would have known it would have provided this much sleeping pleasure, I would have shelled out the money long ago. And, Liam's bedroom is adorable, too.

On March 17th, Andrew also earned his Bobcat scout badge. He loves scouting and is so happy about earning his first badge. He did a cute little skit for the Blue and Gold banquet on the same night on what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wants to be a quarterback. It's funny because he really isn't too much into sports, but I think being a quarterback looks like a pretty cool job to a boy. He says his favorite players are Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Kurt Warner and he named his favorite teams as the Utah Utes, Indianapolis Colts, and the San Fransisco 49ers. We'll keep you posted on when he will start making his millions.

Sigh.

On Thursday afternoon Liam embraced me in a huge bear hug and made an announcement.

Liam: "I not a baby anymore mom. I a big boy."
Me: "Oh? Can't you just be my baby a little bit longer?"
Liam: "I not a baby anymore I said."

And poof, just like that, my baby is gone.

The signs were evident. The "I do it mineself" stage, pushing limits, deviating away from me more to play with his brothers, and mastering potty training in a matter of days because it was on his terms and he found something that he wanted we could use as a reward. A cork gun. And if that isn't a big boy toy, I don't know what is. His requests for gifts is also getting more expensive, another sure sign one is getting older. When you ask him what he wants for his next birthday, he says he wants a pink camera like mommy's, a green computer (a Dell laptop that he has seen on T.V.), and a Nintendo DS. I hope he is not too disappointed that none of these items will be under the wrapping paper at his party!



I hear many people saying "He is three and a half" or "If he is big enough to tell you, then yes, he is not a baby." But he is my last one, my sidekick, my baby. I have to admit that I relished the fact he was small for his age and although I was worried about his speech problems, the fact he was not speaking well made him stay little a while longer. Selfish? Definately.

Although I was not really ready for this day to come, it is fun to see my boys grow up and learn new things. Liam is now average in his height and weight (finally) and his speaking ability has improved considerably. He is able to express himself now and speak in longer sentences. It is fun to see his little personality emerge more now that he is bigger and can do and say more. Like yesterday when I was trying to nap on the couch and he brought me a blanket and kissed me on the cheek ever so gently and said: "I love you mommy. You a good mommy." Oh, that just warmed my heart.

Liam, I love you more than you will ever know and you are and always will be my baby. I can say this here because you won't be able to read for a while yet. Phew.

March preparedness

Food:Again, the boy that is doing his Eagle Project is collecting orders for Mountain House dehydrated meals. I don't really know what they have since I am in the nursery and didn't see the list yesterday, but maybe they have a website? If ordering isn't something you want to do, choose easy to heat, lightweight foods and snacks. In a kit we made a couple years ago, we have trail mix, top ramen, beef jerky, instant oatmeal packets, hot chocolate packets, granola bars, fruit snacks, juice boxes, small packets of gum...it all fits in a gallon ziplock bag.

Cooking supplies:Pot, utensils. I am assuming it is a mess kit of some sort.

CASHI have had a couple people ask me: "How much cash?" They did not set a limit because what is enough for one family, it may not be for another. It was suggested to just put a bit away each month, whatever you think might be sufficient for your family. We are doing $50 a month because we have so many hungry boys and we hope to increase it slightly as the year progresses.

Free:Learn how to start and run a generator.