Ten Years Ago Today...

In front of all my family and friends I said "I Do", to the man of my dreams! The years have flew by, its so hard to believe that it has been ten already. Of course some days it seems like a lifetime, yet other it seems like just yesterday.

We were just young pups when we married. I was eighteen right out of high school and he was nineteen. There was alot of things that we didn't know (but thought we did), but the one thing we did know was that we loved each other more than anything else. It didn't matter if we didn't have much money or a college education all we wanted was to be together forever.

Our wedding was beautiful. It was what you would call a shot gun wedding! I was pregnant, but we were already engaged planning to get married the following year. My mom made my beautiful wedding dress, the bridesmaid and maid of honor dresses and the flower girl dresses. They were all very beautiful. My grandmother in law made all of the flower arrangements including my gorgeous bouquet. My mother in law did lots of planning and helping of all the details for the big day. They all paid for everything and worked very hard planning a wonderful day for us in just one month. It was incredible how everything came together and was so great! It wasn't a fancy $40,000 event with expensive photographers, d.j's and dancing or catered meals. But that doesn't matter it was still the absolute best day of my life (except for the birth of my babies).

We have been through lots of hard times in these ten years. The night we came home from our honeymoon I had a miscarriage. This was very hard for us. Even though we were young and hadn't planned a baby we were still very upset and couldn't understand why this happened. Just six months after our marriage Travis was hurt very bad in an accident at work. The doctors said it was a miracle that he lived and doesn't suffer permanent damage, other than some scars. He had a very serious head trauma and could have easily been killed or paralyzed. He was out of work for six weeks.

He has also had several broken bones, including breaking his collar bone at Emma's second birthday party. He was showing off on his four wheeler and flipped it over. He broke his collar bone in three places and had to have a metal rod and screws put in. The doctor said it was the worst collar bone break he had ever seen. For some reason when he gets hurt he likes to do it right. He was out of work for about two months that time.

We have went through job losses and changes, financial problems, and family illnesses and deaths. But through all the hard times we have had many, many more good times. Including having two beautiful, healthy babies. The first time I seen Travis hold our first child I fell in love with him all over again. It's amazing how this big, strong, hard working man became so sweet and loving to this tiny little baby. He is an incredible father. I wish he was able to spend more time with the kids, but we know that the hours he works at his job are for his family. He sacrifices so much so that I can be the stay at home wife and mother that I always dreamed of being!

I can honestly say that I love my husband more today than I did ten years ago! He is my rock, my best friend. I can't imagine my life without him and pray that I never have to! I have learned that marriage isn't easy. It's one of the hardest things in life. There are days when we have to work extra hard just to be nice to each other. We don't always see eye to eye and aren't always happy and smiling, but you must learn patience and selflessness. If people think they are going to get married and live happily ever after like a fairy tale they better not get married. But if you realize that it is a lot of hard work, compassion and understanding, and that the good days will most likely out weigh the bad then it is the most amazing thing you could ever do.

I love my husband so much and wish he was off tonight and able spend our anniversary together. But we celebrated Wednesday with an incredible night at Mt Lake.

Happy Anniversary honey! Here's to many, many more years together.

Leslie

(Sorry for such a long post)

Mountain Lake Trip!

We got back from Mt. Lake today and yes, Amanda, I did have the time of my life. Like that old Dirty Dancing song says.

It was a very nice and relaxing night away with my hubby. The food was good and our cabin was great. Of course I left my camera at home. We didn't realize until we got there, I thought he got it, he thought I got it. The gift shop was sold out of disposable cameras too.

It was so fun to go to a place and look around and say thats just like the movie. It's very sad though because the lake is almost completely dried up. Last year it was completely dry now it is two thirds full but still looks very bad.

We tried Mt biking yesterday afternoon. That was a joke. First of all I haven't been on a bicycle since I was about 12 and so I was scared too death. I almost wrecked a couple of times. But it was very hard and it was hot and way up in the mountains so it was very hilly. We only rode for about 15 minutes and I told Travis if he was wanting any romance from me later on we better quit, because I was about to die. I'm incredibly out of shape, but I think the altitude had something to do with it too, it was so hard to breath. We walked around the lake and sat on the
porch of our cabin and relaxed. It was so nice to just relax and enjoy each others company.

I got two shirts one of them says "Nobody puts Baby in the corner". I had to have it because that is my favorite line in the movie. We had a great time and hope to make this a yearly anniversary tradition:)

Have I ever mentioned Dirty Dancing is my Favorite Movie?

Well it is! My absolute favorite movie of all time. And guess what! I'm going to Mountain Lake where Dirty Dancing was filmed some twenty years ago. I'm so excited about it. We are going tomorrow and just spending one night.

Friday is our 10 year wedding anniversay! Wow so hard to believe!!!! Anyway Travis has to work every weekend and doesn't have any vacation days left so tomorrow is the only time we can go. His parents gave us money to go somewhere for a night and my parents are keeping the kids. We really appreciate it because it has been at least a year since we have had a night out and 10 years since we have went anywhere by ourselves. Mt Lake is only about an hour away from here. We are really looking forward to a night away in a nice romantic cabin and having dinner in a fancy restaurant.

Now Travis is worried I will be wanting to go there all the time. He's probably right. I sure wish we could have been able to go this weekend because its a Dirty Dancing weekend. That would have been so fun. Maybe next year.

Go to http://mtnlakehotel.com/ and check it out. We will be staying in the Chesterfield, it's a one bedroom cottage. I can't wait until tomorrow! I'll tell you all about it when we get back!!

They're Gone Again...

The kiddos just boarded the big ole yellow cheese wagon, singing "Hi-ho, Hi-ho off to school we go!" No that's what mommy was singing. Wow what a difference a year makes! Last year I was sobbing at this time because it was my babies first day of school, this year I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I love them and miss them, but the piece and quiet for a few hours will be sooooo nice!

I hope they have a fantastic day and I'm looking forward to hearing allll about it this evening:) After my ears have had a chance to rest today!!

They're Back!!!!

My kiddos made it back yesterday!! I was so happy to see them. I can't believe how much I missed them. I was really bored because my mom had other things going on all weekend and I wasn't feeling all that well and didn't go with her. It's suprising how quiet this house can be!




I guess I need to get used to the quiet because they will be back in school on Thursday. I can't believe this summer is gone. It seems like we didn't have any summer at all. I guess it rained so much at the beginning and it never got really hot here. We didn't do a whole lot other than our vacation and went to the pool and the lake a few times.

So it's all getting ready to start again. Packing lunches, homework, forcing kids to go bed early and get up early. Oh the good ole school days!!!!!

A Weekend Alone!

I'm totally beside myself. My kids have been with my in-laws since Wednesday night. They went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and won't be home until Sunday. Of course after having them here everyday for the summer I was in need of a little break. But I must admit I really miss them. I have never been away from them more than two nights in a row, so this is new to me. Travis is working all weekend too. I will be spending lots of time at my moms house...that's nothing new. That's my favorite place to be when I'm not here.

Mom and I made peach preserves and peach pie filling to freeze yesterday. The pie filling recipe came from http://farmersdaughterct.wordpress.com . It was really easy to make and taste great by itself. I'm sure it will be great in a pie. I love peaches. My grandma brought us a bushel from their tree. I'm glad they were free, because they are so expensive now.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!

Fun at the lake!

We had a very fun day at the lake yesterday! It was around 90 degrees and the water felt GREAT!!! We rode on my parents boat. They pulled us all around on the tube and it was so much fun! Wish I had some pics, but of course I don't. But you can check out my moms blog for a picture of the kids on the tube http://www.sunnymorningfarm.com/ . I sure hope we get to go again before the weather gets cold. It's awesome!!

School Shopping...Ugh

Yesterday my mom and I took the kids school shopping. It is tax free weekend here in VA so I decided to take advantage of that this year. Overall it wasn't terribly crowded. I just get so aggrevated with the amount of stuff that we have to buy for back to school. Colton didn't need near as much as Emma. They need things like 10 glue sticks, 3 bottles of glue, a red, blue, and yellow three prong folder with two pockets in plastic (Walmart does not have these). You have to get only Crayola brand crayons and markers and only Elmers glue. Come on does it matter that much which brand of crayon it is.

I understand how hard it is for teachers and I think they need all the help they can get. But where is our tax dollars going. I mean we have to supply tissues, soap and paper towels for the classes. I think we should just pay $20 or so at the beginning of the year and they get exactly the right amount of things that is needed. I felt like I was on a wild goose chase in Wal Mart trying to find some of these things.

We went to the outlet stores that aren't far from our house. There are only a few stores still there. I got the kids new shoes from the Reebok outlet for under $30 for two pairs. They were so excited to get brand new tennis shoes, because they only get new ones for back to school, unless they grow out of them sooner. I like a good quality shoe that will last a long time, but don't want to pay a fortune for them.

I also treated myself. We went to the Kitchen Collection store. I love that store or any kitchen store for that matter. I got me a new Kitchen Aid mixer. No its not the big fancy stand ones that I drool over everytime I see them. I would love to have one but not enough room or money for it. I got the 7 speed hand mixer. I think I will really love it. My mom has both the Kitchen Aid stand and hand mixer and loves both of them.

I have to go now and find something to make so I can use my new mixer...YAY!

Homemade Wednesday!

Yesterday I was in a cooking mood. I wanted to use what I had and not have to make any special trips to the store. For lunch I made two homemade pepperoni pizzas. We had enough leftover to have pizza for supper too. Then I made a homemade chocolate pie for dessert. It was heavenly. I even made my own homemade pie crust, which was my first ever attempt at pie crust. It turned out really good. Not beautiful but good!!

I would have taken some pics but camera batteries are dead. Of course. I dream of a new fancy camera like my mother and father in laws or my sisters. They all are so neat and take fabulous pictures. Mine takes great pictures when it works. The rechargable batteries keep dying, I guess I need new ones. The only bad thing about it is it takes forever to flash and if your trying to take a picture of a kid or animal they move before you can get it taken. I have taken so many pictures of the back of kids heads and animal butts!

Anyway I don't know how I got started on cameras. I had a great day cooking from scratch and learning some great new recipes. Both of my recipes come from http://www.allrecipes.com/ . I love that website, they have some great recipes and I love all the helpful reviews. The pie was chocolate cream pie II and the crust was easy to remember pie crust. Both of them were extremely easy and tasted great.

A giveaway!

Head over to prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com and check out the great giveaway for this adorable clothespin bag! I think it is so cute and would love to have it. Be sure to enter! By the way she has new baby guineas!!!!!

Guinea Update!

I still have 8 guineas, for now! I couldn't get one to go in the coop tonight and its roosting in a tree. Hopefully it will be okay til tomorrow.

I tell you these things are going to make me get gray hair! I have been so stressed the last few days, trying to keep my babies happy. Then today when we got home from our family reunion we found a dead chicken in the chicken run. I have no idea what happened to her, but I'm really sad. She didn't look like anything had gotten a hold of her. Maybe it was just old age. She was our favorite one and will be missed....R.I.P. Big White Hen (we never got around to naming her).