5 years

July 31, 2004

Today is the anniversary of when I married my best friend 5 years ago. I can't believe that it has been five years. So much as happened, and even though not all has been planned, I wouldn't trade any of it. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. He has been so supportive through all of our trials, and my thick-headedness. Randy has supported my in being a stay-home mom, and pursuing my degree. He has helped me through emotional, and physical trials. Our life has been blessed. We now have 2 beautiful daughters that keep us busy. I love watching Randy be a dad. He loves his girls, and hates to be away from them when he is working.

Marriage isn't easy. I know I complain sometimes about how "he just doesn't understand." but what I don't give him credit for, is at least he tries. Our marriage is not perfect, he is not perfect, I am not perfect, but I think that is how the Lord wanted it. We have to grow, learn and adjust together. I mentioned to a classmate how it is my 5th anniversary this week, and she was shocked that at how young I was married we made it this far. I am so grateful to be with a man you appreciates marriage as much as I do, and don't think it is a short-term thing. Having the Gospel, and knowing we have been sealed in the temple is the foundation of our marriage.

Some of my favorite memories over that past 5 years are major ones like each time he held his new daughter. But there are other little things that I am so grateful to have shared with him: countless nights stay up just talking or laughing over nothing, holding his hand as we walk, the way he kisses me, his face when he realizes he surprised me.

I truly love Randy so much more than I did 5 years ago, and I count him as a blessing in every prayer. Thank you sweetheart for everything, and all your love. I am looking forward to the rest of Eternity together!

June 6th, 2009

Cute things Kimber has said

One day while taking a bath Kimber stood up and pinched her nipples and said to Grandma "These are my boobies, they will be big like mommies when I have a baby come out of my tummy, after I am married in the temple."

Grandma also got to see how well kimber is able to wait to use the potty: "I took her to the restroom (at McDonalds) which was a mess so I told her to hold it. She jumped up and done switching how her legs are crossed saying 'hold it, hold it, hold it!' with each jump and change of leg crossing."

"I am not pretty/silly/princess, I am Kimber Anne!"

While Sleeping while we were at Denali, Kimber sounded like she was sleep talking while a train went by "I here a train!"

Lots of time to catch up!

Well, life has been crazy, and way too many cute things have happened. I feel so guilty for not keeping up on this better.

Well, Randy has been working lots of extra this summer, so when he is home we are trying to play and have inexpensive fun.

My Parents siblings came up to Alaska in June for Kristina's wedding reception. Kristina was married on May 5th in Manti, but came here to let everyone me Skyler. We had a lot of fun. Randy missed part of it, but was here for the 2nd half of their trip. While they were here, we went to Girdwood, and Portage, stopping at Beluga point and Mcough creek. We also spent a day at Eklutna and Thunderbird Falls.

I was so proud of Kimber for walking the entire trail! We went to Seward and did a Sealife cruise, also visiting the Sealife Center.

Kimber LOVED the sea life center. The star fish she got to touch were her highlight. She also thought it was neat to see the seals, and otters. Of course she was just happy to have Grandma and Grandpa here. At the reception Kimber loved Kristina's dress, and thought she looked just like a princess should. We had a blast seeing everyone, and it was so sad to have to say good bye.

On the fourth of July I went with all the Neffs, and Krissee's Family to the Wrights Cabin, where we has a blast on the jet ski, and knee board. We went the following weekend when Randy was home, and had just as much fun. We swam and has dunking wars in the water. Kimber got courageous and sat on a floaty while we splashed around her. she even road on the 'tube twice with me.

Nicole mostly played on the trampoline and in the sand by the lake. The weekend we were there with Randy we also had my niece Brittany from Texas. She was scared of the 'tube, but we promised her there was NO WAY to flip it, and that people have tried with no success.

Well.... Randy was pulling us, with Julie, Brittany and myself. We were just circling around when the 'tube hit a wake from a large boat that just zoomed by... and, well... we figure Randy was going about 20 mph at the time, and we were 30 ft behind him... so somewhere between 50 and 60 miles an hour we discovered how hard water feels when you fly into it. Poor Randy was devastated that he just hurt people he loved, and Julie and I were more concerned about how Brittany handled it... Tally for injury, is I did something to my eye that made me cry blood for a period of time, and only left a light bruise on the right side of my face (it felt like a 2x4 and i was hoping for better proof) Julie pulled some muscles from around her rib cage and chest (still kinda soar... like a sprain) and Brittany hurt her hand, but the lease sever of everything else. After an hour or two, we were ready to go again, so nothing enough to scare us.

The last hitch that Randy was home for we spent 3 days driving to Fairbanks. While we were there we visited Pioneer Park, Santa Clause's house and Denali National Park. The girls did rather well considering it took us 7 hours to drive there. Pioneer park was nice. We rode a train and they had a play ground for the kids to play at. Kimber loved looking at all the different things in the shops. I was proud that she never asked to buy anything. Santa was her favorite though!! She was making up songs about seeing him, and being at his house. It was everything we could do for her not to cut in line to see him. When it came time to leave she even wanted to wait in line again to tell him good bye. Now she talks about writing letters to Santa and seeing him at Christmas with presents. I was proud of her that when we walked by the nativities she new it was baby Jesus, and it gave a chance to talk about what Christmas is REALLY all about.

Denali was fun. Kimber loved seeing all the different animals and feeling all the different types of furs they had displayed. Was was excited about everything. Nicole, not so much. Kimber was told we were at a park, so she kept asking where the playground was. I just told her it was a different kind of park. I was also informed by many tourist that my girls were the cutest they have ever seen!

This last weekend the girls and I joined the rest of the Neffs in a fishing trip to Kenai. The girls loved camping, and thought it was fun to be in sleeping bags and a tent with Mommy. The were spoiled though and we had Rick and Julie's RV with us so we could stay dry when it rained, watch a movie, and use a bathroom rather than outhouses. The last day fishing we took all of the kids to the beach with us (give those not fishing something else to do) and Nicole LOVED the mud. She was the first to start playing in it. Kimber followed shortly. Kimber was excited about the fish, and want to touch and see them all. It was so much fun.