I'm not usually a fan of odd numbers (I know it's weird) but this time, I'll make an exception. I just celebrated seven years of marriage! Here's my top seven reasons why I love Brett so much! (and it was really hard to keep it to JUST seven!)
7-He's fun to watch get into his skinny jeans!
6-He takes me to the temple every month--even if it's on the last day!
5-He makes a yummy dinner on the grill almost weekly (tonight he grilled Manti turkey and pineapple)
4-Almost every treat he has, he shares half with me.
3-He's not afraid of poopy diapers (or panties), or bathing girls, or sharing a bathroom with four girls. . . .yet!
2-He lets me warm my cold feet up on him.
1-He makes me laugh even when I don't want to.
We had a great anniversary day, and the best of the anniversary date is still to come! Despite his personal preference, he's taking me to see Les Miserables musical later this month. He's so sweet!
On May 6 we went to Trafalga to ride the go carts.
Katie and Mandy stayed with Grandma N while Ellie, Brett and I went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point. After having such a cold, rainy spring, it was hot and sunny! But the tulips, gardens, and walk was beautiful.
We spent lots of time picking out our favorite tulips that we'll eventually plant at home :)
We took Ellie to Emmett and Ethel's for lunch and a mini Sundae.
We then headed to BYU for standby tickets to see the Carl Bloch exhibit at the MOA. We were led to believe we may not get in at all, and if so, we'd wait in line forever. Turns out, we waited about five minutes before being admitted! I'll take it.
By this point, Ellie had only had cat naps through the day and was at her limit. We got Pier 49 pizza for dinner
and went home to watch Morning Glory (from the Library) while Ellie napped. We all felt much better! :)
The next morning, Ellie went to a friend's house, and Brett and I did sealings in the Provo Temple. We only did two couples, but it was enough to bring back sweet memories. I loved kneeling across the alter from Brett again!
On the Sunday before our anniversary, he got up during testimony meeting and went against his norm: he bore testimony and included personal stories too! He talked about the important covenant of marriage and that he is grateful to be sealed to me and looks forward to spending eternity with me. I wish I could remember it word for word, but I was blushing and distracted by my children who decided to get rowdy when Dad left the bench. Anyway, it was heartwarming and reassuring to me that he does love me!
Brett, I love you so! We've done some growing, which hasn't always been a painless process, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Happy Anniversary!
(PS We got ourselves his and hers Red Sox DVD's-2004 season and 2007 season!!)
We had a 5 year old epiphany tonight. And it felt great! Family scripture study each evening is often circus-like. We sometimes struggle to read 3 verses before the animals (small children) go crazy. It often feels like no one is listening (including me when I have the crying infant in my lap). But tonight while we were reading in Alma chapter 7, I felt like maybe, just maybe, something from the hours spent reading the scriptures together, might have sunk in. Dad read a few verses (about 10-16) and Katie read verse 12. We talked about the need to be baptized to be born again and live with Heavenly Father and Jesus (v 14). 
Katie asked, "Well, what about Charlotte, Mom's sister? She wasn't baptized. What will happen to her?" I think I almost started to cry, and Brett was astounded too. So we had a great family discussion (until almost 10 pm mind you-whoever said teaching experiences were convenient or timely?) about the atonement of Christ. We talked about being accountable at age 8 to know right from wrong, and to choose the right. We talked about being old enough to make covenants and promises with Heavenly Father. We talked about where children and babies go if they die before they are baptized, and how our loving Heavenly Father provided a way that they can be saved too. We talked about resurrection being a wonderful gift to us, and that through Christ, we can all be resurrected when He comes to earth again, even my baby sister. The spirit was strong (even with Mandy wrestling her bears on the bed) as Katie pondered the plan of her Heavenly Father, and Brett and I attempted to teach her, where her intuition had already guided her sharp mind. The spirit was even stronger as Brett testified of the truth of baptism being necessary, and the atonement saving little children, and recognizing the spirit in the room. It is something I want to remember, and I hope Katie remembers too. I am so grateful for my loving Savior who atoned for my sins, and who provided a way that not only I can be saved, but also my innocent baby sister.
