Lucky 13

Sean & I celebrate our 13th anniversary today! That means that we have been married over 1/3 of our lives, as he pointed out this morning. Life has been good to us and we have been blessed in so many ways.

So, what have we been up to these last 13 years?!

Well, we both have graduated from Boise State. That is also where we met, so BSU's campus is home to many precious memories for us both.

We have lived in 3 different homes and have owned 2 of them.

We have had a variety of vehicles... 11 of them, to be exact! Two of which have been minivans. Something I swore I would never drive, but am absolutely in love with now!

We have 6 active and healthy children! Emma (11), Jackson (almost 10), Gracie (7), Ruby (almost 4), Calvin (8 months), and Chloe (8 months). They keep us busy and make our home pretty messy, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, at least I have a "reason" for a messy house! What would be my excuse if I didn't have 6 kids?!

We have lived in 3 different wards: The 2nd Ward (March 1996-August 1999), The Millcreek Ward (September 1999-September 2003) and The Indian Lakes Ward (October 2003-present). We have been blessed to make dear friends and learn many things from each of the wards we have lived in.

I have been lucky enough to be able to stay home with the children since Emma turned one. Sean, on the other hand, has consistently been out in the workplace! Another thing we have blessed with. He has worked at 4 different CPA firms: Balukoff Lindstrom, Grow Rasmussen, Ivy & Bauer, and Roberts & Co. In 2006 Sean & Doug Roberts became partners and so Sean bought part of the firm. Now he currently works at Roberts Hart and Co. He loves it there. But, from each of the other firms where he has worked he has been able to learn many valuable lessons, which help him with what he does today. Our whole family knows what a blessing it is for him to have a job. Especially with how the economy is now.

Although we have been blessed in more ways than we can even count, we have also had our share of trials! We have survived me going back and finishing school after Jack was born (a completely stressful time), 6 miscarriages, one loss of a job, 11 tax seasons (trial & a blessing), & 3 car accidents, various trips to the ER, but no broken bones, yet! It seems like there should be more, but I honestly can't think of any others. Looking back, although they were very difficult at the time, each trial has brought with it an abundance of blessings! One of the greatest blessings is that of seeing the goodness in others. Had we never gone through any of these difficult times there would never have been a reason to receive service from others. And our family has been on the receiving end of so many acts of kindness and service. What a blessing that has been!

We have learned, and are still learning, to speak each other's "love language". Sean's aunt and uncle gave us the book, "The Five Languages", as a wedding gift. It is the most wonderful book and I completely recommend it to everyone! Along with "The 5 Love Languages of Children"! But it seems that once Sean figures mine out, for some reason I switch! Poor Sean!! :)

Our life together has been good. We count our blessings every day and thank our Father in Heaven for each other and our families. We are grateful to have been married in the Boise Temple 13 years ago today, and to know that our family can be sealed together for eternity if we continue to make good choices and endure to the end.

I love you Sean and I love our life together!