Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Happy Birthday Mike

So today is Mike's birthday. I am not going to tell you 35 things you don't know about him because I don't think I could come up with 35, I am going to tell you 35 of my most memorable moments with Mike. Mike is all about the fun in life that's one of the things I love most.
35.My first memory is of him at hockey game I was there with my friend Kerry, I remember thinking he was a jerk, and wondering if he spoke.
34. Being full on football tackled by him in a hotel hallway, we had gone to Vegas for a hockey game, I went with Kerry. I had the hotel room key and he wanted it. So he chased me down the hall and tackled me .
33. We went to a Depeche Mode concert together before we were dating, it was awkward at first then we started making fun of all the crazies, I started to think maybe he wasn't so bad.
32.Clanging beer bottles down the movie theatre floor that they had snuck in and Mike yelling out "one time" when it was real quiet. a line from the Mary J Blige song. It was funny at the time.
31.For my birthday right before we started dating he brought me a candle, there was just some guy at the door for me it was sweet.
30.Mike use to always leave me treats in my car, he was working nights so he would drop things off on his way home, I would go to work at 6 and find little treats in my car.
29. He was always more than willing and wanting to babysit Winter for me while I went to school or when I had to work Saturday mornings. He also didn't mind changing diapers, which was great most guys aren't like that.
28. We went to New York for New Years 1999, to see his friend Damko who was stationed there, it was fun we took a carriage ride through Central Park, even though there were 2 others along for the ride it is still a great memory for me.
27.On our first trip to California together he drove Winter and I all around Torrance showing us his old stomping grounds, we weren't that interested, it was kind of funny.
26.When we were still dating we would take turns buying stuff at Target, we took a lot of camping trips that summer and by the end had built our own collection of gear, it was fun to buy stuff for our future together.
25.The first time Mike was buying baby stuff with me he said loudly to the cashier,"holy shit this stuff is expensive."
24. Getting engaged it was the 4th of July, he was so nervous, and was getting so mad because things weren't going right. I couldn't understand why he was getting so worked up... It was very sweet he made sure Winter was with us because we would be a family.
23. Our first miscarriage, it was heartbreaking and he was so concerned for me and loving.
22. Mikes wisdom teeth came out about the same time as our first miscarriage, he wanted me to remove the bloody gauze from his mouth, like he couldn't do that himself, gross.
21. Mike's first trip to Lake Powell with my family, he wore all black all the time, black t-shirts, black shorts, black socks, and this ugly black Dr. Martin hat, and then would complain about it being so hot....
20. "Get off the bed you on my side" when we were having Zarley my water broke and I happened to be on the bed on his side. he just kept saying ewe hurry get off. Like I could just jump up super quick.
19. In the operating room having Zar he said, "you could have waited for the game to be over its the playoffs you know" . seriously all the Dr.'s and nurses just laughed.
18. The moment Zar was born, it was so sweet and Mike couldn't figure out what to do, stay with me or go with Zar.
17.The moment Owen was born, we didn't know what he was when they said boy Mike actually popped a tear, he said he had all this blond hair.
16. In the hospital having Xavier he said, "you better have this kid or everyone at work is going to think I am a liar" really that is your concern.
15. The moment Xman was born.
14.Forgetting my clothes to wear home when leaving the hospital with Xavier , then Mike leaving me and all 4 kids at the hospital while he ran to the mall to buy me an outfit. button up shorts and a polo shirt, like I could fit into clothes..(I actually did and it was a cute outfit.)
13.Mike's gumby body and how floppy it is and how he almost always injured someone else when riding the water weenie with them.
12. Mike injuring himself while riding the tube and getting an awful rope burn on his neck, it was bad, and a scary moment.
11. "what's your mood ring?" those that camped with us that year at Powell know, it was one of my all time favorite Lake Powell years.
10. Mike getting so mad at Disney Land that he dropped the F bomb and not quietly because they wouldn't let 3 yr old Winter on Star Tours, funny and embarrassing.
9. Losing the kayak paddle in Mexico, that sucker cost us 100.00 bucks, but it was funny
8. Sitting poolside in Mexico for a week, thinking I didn't have a care in the world, I would give anything to go back to that moment.
7. "Your going to have to dial down the crazy, we have a lot of years left together." Mike said this to me recently and it just made me smile thinking of all the years we had left together, it really made me feel loved, so I remember it.
6. Mike walking home from South Town Mall to our house in Herriman the week of Christmas, because he and Winter were fighting and like I tell my kids all the time when they fight in the car I say get out, so he did and he walked home, it wasn't funny then because it took him hours and I was very worried but it is funny now.
5. Our special time in Lake Powell with just our "Howard 6" we have made it a point to go down before everyone else for the last couple of years to have some time with just our little family, I love this time, and always really look forward to it.
4. Mike working 5 million hours for us so that we can take little vacations or do Christmas, he is such a hard worker and does whatever he can to provide for us.
3. This last summer Mike helping my mom up the mountain to the Indian Ruins in Lake Powell, and him being so excited for her to ski, almost to the point of obnoxious, My mom had her leg cut off, and I was so proud that of all the people there it was my compassionate husband who was there with her all the way to the top. I will forever remember that.
Most of these have been in chronological order or close to but these last two aren't but they are the most memorable to me...
2. Our wedding day, Mike had the best vows, he had quotes and everything, I felt so stupid going after him, what I had to say just was lame in comparison.
1. My very most memorable moment with Mike came the summer we got engaged, we weren't engaged quite yet, we took a trip together to California, I had set up to meet up with Ryan Winters biological dad, and Mike kept complaining at how he didn't want to meet him and how awkward it was going to be, I finally said to him stop worrying there is an 80% chance he won't show. Then the phone call came canceling the meeting, Mike flipped out, he just couldn't understand that, he went on and on about how Ryan didn't know what he was missing out on and how great of a kid she was. In that moment I stopped caring about Ryan not being there because I knew that I had found the best person to be a dad to my daughter, I knew that this was who I would spend my life with and have children with. Grow old with
I love you Mike hope you have a great birthday.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Happy Birthday Winter







So yesterday or a few days ago (Sorry Winter Dad's fault) was Winters Golden Birthday she turned 14 her birthday is the 14th for anyone who doesn't know what that is.
What can I say about Winter, She is to me such and amazing child I know I am bias she is my kid but she amazes me all the time. We have gone through some really hard times lately and I know it affects her and she still is there for me more than a daughter should be. She has become like a 3rd parent around our house and I know I don't tell her enough how much I appreciate her help.


See she really does love her sister
Winter is that kid who gets stuff done. If she wants something by damn she will find a way to get it. A bedroom for herself is the perfect example... she doesn't want to share with Zarley any more so she has assigned out her gifts to get it done. Granddad is in charge of walls mom and dad in charge of carpet, grandma Sharon bedding.... you get the point pretty impressive.


Here you see a Winter in her natural environment. Texting (above)
And using the out house (Below)


A lot of changes are happening in Winters life and the way she handles things impresses me all the time. Her comprehension for life is astounding for a 14yr old girl. I know that if she sets her mind to it she will accomplish whatever she wants in life.
Happy Golden Birthday Winter. I love you!


Winter being well Winter


Winter what can we say about Winter. She has that ability to ease any situation. She can make a difficult situation very easy to be with. She is an incredible dancer. I will be honest i dont know the moves i dont knows whats hard and whats not easy. But she seems to make all the moves look graceful and easy. I think thats why her middle name is grace. It was an insight to her future.

She lives life to the fullest and doesnt take any time off to stop and look around. She just goes 100 % all the time. She loves spending time with her friends. We all love it when she gets along with her sister. She always seems to get along with her brothers. She is growing up so fast. We have a boyfriend to look forward to meeting. She doesnt want us to meet him but parents always win.

I just want to say that Winter really is the best daughter a father could ask for. Do we have our ups and downs. Yes we do. But really she is a great kid who is very helpful. I don't show it very much but she is one of the funniest people i know. People always say they don't care what people think. Winter really does not. I don't have a picture of it but i wish you could see this jacket she has now started to wear to school. Its un-real. Every time i look at her i think only you winter. And then I think just be you Winter because i love everything about you. Even those nasty ass sweats that are bad enough but to cut them short. Wow not me! But i love you for that.

Winter we love you!

Love
Mom and Dad.







Cory this picture is for you!




Very Proud of my daughter



Again this is Winter being Winter


Not sure how she sleeps like this but had to add it!