41 Years Together

Today my sweetie went to Shawano to Qualheim's and came home with his plumbing supplies and these beautiful flowers to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary.

I am always amazed at how our love for one another has deepened over the years.  I cannot imagine what life would have been like without him.

We were just kids when we got married.  I was 20 and Pat was 22.

We got married in the temple because that's what we were supposed to do.  I guess I understood that marriage could be eternal in no other way, but I don't think I had the comprehension of all that transpired that day.

We were young and skinny!  We had little money to our names but we paid our tithing and Pat assured me that all would be taken care of.  And it was!

Today we are not so skinny and have hair that has taken on a color of it's own.  But, we've had amazing adventures both at home and out somewhere else.  In honor of our 41 years together here are 41 things that are different from 1983.

1. Five amazing people that call us Mom and Dad.

2. Nine glorious people that call us Nana and Papa.

3. Aches and pains that come from nowhere overnight.

4. Not living paycheck to paycheck.

5. Callings that have stretched us.

6. Meeting people we would not have met had those callings not been ours.

7. Knowing just what it feels like in Hawaii instead of just seeing it on Hawaii 5-0.

8. Having no mortgage.

9. Reliable vehicles that we own.

10. No debt!

11. Friends from all over the country.

12. Both of us having missionary name tags.

13. Being able to attend the temple each month.

14. Weight gain and loss and gain.

15. Hair with a color other than what we had on our wedding day.

16. Abilities to do things we didn't know how to do before.

17. Development of talents.

18. Four people we call our children due to marriage.

19. The ability to buy a new furnace and pay cash for it.

20. The ability to buy most anything we want without worry of how to pay for it.

21. Knowing how to take care of elderly/disabled/sick family members.

22. Knowing how to plan a funeral.

23. The knowledge of how to run a meeting as the president.

24. The ability to help children financially when needed.

25. Going to bed on New Year's Eve and not caring that it is only 10pm.

26. Not caring about another birthday.

27. Being computer literate.

28. Having social media accounts.

29. Memorized temple covenants/ceremonies.

30. The ability to take vacations where and when we want.

31. Creating a new bathroom in our home.

32. Being an official for basketball and volleyball.

33. Both of us having been a coach.

34. Been on a cruise.

35. Enjoying the splendor of a glacier.

36. Being able to work together side and side.

37. Enjoying going zip-lining.

38. Finally being able to maintain a garden.

39. Building an addition (by ourselves) onto the garage.

40. Facing mortality because of a heart attack.

41. Loving one another more than we ever dreamed possible.

Our life together is grand and we are amazed as we continue to fall in love with one another over and over again.  Here's to many more!

ABBA Mania

 Pat and I went to see an ABBA tribute band last week.  

I really enjoy their music and so does he.  It reminds us of our youth!

There were only a few pieces of music that I didn't recognize.  The costumes were crazy though.

Some things we sang along to while other times we were asked to get up and dance.

I would recommend seeing a tribute band if you enjoy the music of that group.

It was a fun night with my sweetheart!

Christmas 2023

A lovely Christmas was had by our family this year.  It began on December 16th.  Our family was asked to be the Christmas program this year.  Gwen had the vision of a family home evening setting with everyone around.  She asked Bishop and Erica Hoffman to each sing a Christmas song that I had to work into the program.  I know it was through the inspiration of the Spirit that I was able to put a rough draft script together.  Thanks to Sammi for some ideas with that.  

I was amazed how many people came up to me and expressed how much they loved our presentation.  I think Tom singing Silent Night solo and then being the angel surprised a lot of people.  They were unaware of his skills in memorizing.  The spirit was strong.  Our only mishap was Henry being squeezed off of the stage while the children decorated the tree.

Henry and Lydia had an afternoon concert that Pat and I attended.  It was cute.  Lots of snow and Santa songs but that's what our world does.

At Gresham school, Eli and Butchy helped the penguins save Christmas.  They did a great job in singing.  The entire elementary sang together.r

I couldn't stay to watch Brock's band and choir as I promised Evelyn that I would come to her concert.  She had a solo and did it fabulously!  

As a family we went swimming at the Clintonville rec the week between Christmas and New Year's eve.  We went to A&W for cones afterward.  

On Christmas eve we played some games.  

The new game was to try to see how many candles you could blow out in a row.  It is a lot harder than it seems.  

We also played the "cup" game but in a different way and I don't think anyone was very happy about how it turned out except for those that won big prizes.

We of course, did the nativity again.  The Shawano Sisters came along and we had a great time.  Pat had them each pick out the kind of pen that they wanted and he made them the next day so Sammi could take them to them before transfers.  Neither was transferred but very grateful for their pen.

Santa and his elf came over again on Christmas day with goodie bags for all the children.  Marty Loftus so enjoys being Santa and Robin is the cutest elf.  

Pat mentioned that Robin, again this year, mentioned how she feels something special when she comes into our home.  He made sure Marty knew it was because the Spirit resides here.  

I love Christmas!  Even though Andrew, Cierra and Eddie leave us for approximately two weeks, which I totally understand, it is a special time together as a family.  Everyone loved their gifts and I loved mine!

 

Family

Clint was unable to come to Nauvoo for the actual wedding of Erin and Jacob so we had to get a family picture just prior to the beginning of the wedding reception.  

This is our posterity as of 2023.  So many wonderful people!

When I look at the people in this photo, I see just how blessed I am.  Not only has each of our children found their eternal companion, but they have added some wonderful people to their individual families as well.  I'm especially grateful that they are all keeping their covenants and holding fast to their testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is nothing greater that they could give me than their love of our Savior and following His example.  

Pat and I are so blessed!

 

Wedding Reception

I don't know who decided, but soup was chosen for the main course at the wedding reception in Gresham.  I made this huge Nesco of broccoli cheese soup.  

I also made rolls, snickerdoodles, punch and and ice box cake which was the "wedding cake".  We had enough food and a little extra which is always good for the next day.  

The decorations were beautiful as well.  Dave Sua' volunteered to come from Independence to be our DJ for the dance.  I told him I would pay for his gas if he came.  I gave him enough and to spare. 

The dance was really fun.  I believe a lot of people enjoyed themselves.

I wouldn't normally invite the stake president, but since the Lonsdales both bonded with Erin, I thought it was ok.  They came and danced and had a great time.

Melody and Pat danced a bit even though her knee is still bothering her. 

It seems that group dances always go over the best.  Even Lauren's little Abby did the YMCA.

Henry layed on the floor while everyone around him did the chicken dance. 

Even Tom dances when the chicken dance begins.  

We didn't go until 9pm as was advertised, but that was ok too.  

Our littles and bigger grandchildren danced the night away.

Cami sang two songs while playing her guitar.  One of them she wrote herself!  What a talented young woman!

It was good to see some of the cousins that came. Alexa and Gunner's children had a good time!

This is the last wedding reception I ever have to give.

It was a lot of work but many hands made it go so much smoother.  I feel so blessed to have another son-in-law who fits into our family!

 

Jacob & Erin

A cool but sunny day for Erin and Jacob to be married.  At last Erin has found the man she has searched for.  They are so good together.

A huge perk of Pat being a temple sealer is that he can get authorization to marry his children and grandchldren in any temple.  That was the case on this special day.  

Perhaps is was the shortest sealing ever.  The ordinance was slow and methodical which is how it should be.  But the instruction beforehand was short and sweet.  Also how it should be.  

We had Casey's pizza at the chapel afterward with all the family that attended.  Then we headed to the open house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  A nice evening getting to know Jacob's family and eating delicious food.  A spectacular day!