Happy Anniversary Babes! (5 blissful years and counting)

Yes, we look younger and perhaps a bit more glamorous, but the lines under our current eyes that symbolize hard work and flat out determination to keep on keepin' on are irreplaceable. (You'll see those lines in the last picture.) The main thing that hasn't changed is this: I could say it then and I'll say it now - I thank the Lord every day that I married this man and I love him more than words can say. Five years ago when this picture was taken, some said we looked perfect, like we were in the Garden of Eden (notice the branch). Were we perfect then? Of course :) - we were engaged and totally wrapped up in ourselves! Blah! We lived in our perfect world. Is life even more perfect now? I answer with a resounding YES. Now we not only focus on each other, but our children (those here and not here) as well.

This morning (after Steve went golfing), he gave me five roses - one for each year of our lives together. Then he gave me a charm bracelet with five charms.  The first is a gold heart=our first year of marriage (the good ole' days), the second=a small tooth (our second year was all about getting into dental school), the third=ABC blocks (the third year was all about Ethan), the fourth=a small musical note (I started teaching lessons last year, and let's face it: Steve and I were harmonious!), last=a heart with some footprints (Oliver). I thought this was so thoughtful, and I wanted everyone who reads this blog to know that Steve is an incredible person. If you don't know him, you should get to know him!

I also wanted to do something special in my own way. So here are just five of the many reasons I love Steve - not in any particular order. 1) He often sings with a hilarious country accent, "Good Mornin' Beautiful" to me in the morning, which is some song by some country singer. It is so funny, but I love it. 2) He is just as excited to see me and Ethan as we are to see him when he comes home from school. He always kisses me too. There is total jubilation when Steve walks through the door. 3) He loves Ethan and Oliver so much. You can see it in his eyes. He is a wonderful father. 4) He tells the same jokes over and over and thinks he is so funny. And even though I tell him the jokes aren't funny anymore, I secretly can't wait to hear them again. 5) He strives to help spread my wings and urges me to fly. In fact, I have to pump my wings really fast to even catch up to him. He works so hard in school; I am constantly amazed by his wingspan.

So I'm out of town right now, and this is the most current photo of us last week at the UW-BYU game. We met at BYU, now we're at UW, and next year we'll enter non-studentdom and actually grow up. We may look tired, but we're getting tired in style! So here's to you hottie! I can't wait to keep growing up with you! Love you.