10 years later

Well, Clay and I recently celebrated our 10-year anniversary.  I was looking back, and had some random thoughts:

• 10 years ago, we were making a lot more money than we are now.
• 10 years ago, we had only 2 mouths to feed.
• 10 years ago, we were a combined 30 lbs skinnier.

I could only think of one thing for now:

• 10 years later, we are HAPPIER.

That really sums it up.

What have we learned and achieved in these 10 years?  The accomplishments may seem small, and many things that have happened are not unusual, but they really have added up to a more fulfilled life.

• We've learned to garden (46 tomato plants this year!!!)
• We've become more practical.  Don't believe me?  I got a food strainer for my anniversary gift and I LOVE IT!
• We've lost loved ones.

• We've gained loved ones.

•  We've bought a home for our family.
• We've FINALLY followed the prophet's counsel and built a food storage.
• We've been humbled....big time!
• We've learned how precious the simple things are...playdates at the park, baking fresh bread together, watching the kids eat from the garden, the sound of a baby laughing, the joy of watching our kids dance together, watching thunderstorms from the garage, and the days when Clay isn't working.

We've become a real-life, true FAMILY!!!!

The day of our anniversary was fabulous.  We started the day with pancakes and sausage.  I made them extra thin because Clay likes flat pancakes:-).  We exchanged gifts. Like I mentioned, Clay got me a strainer, and I got Clay a huge photo collage and a movie.
Later we took the kids to the playplace at Carl's Jr.  You know they loved that!  Clay surprised me by telling me he'd gotten the day off.  Oh yeah!!!
The kids drew us pictures as gifts, and they are oh, so sweet.  After lunch, we all took a nap.  Seriously, could it get any better than a nap???
That evening, we ate peas from the garden and hung out in the backyard.  We took some family pictures and played in sprinklers.  Munchkin had Clay help her set up a tarp.  She hung it up with rope so that it created an umbrella.  Then I helped her make a "Hawaii" sign, so that we could pretend we were at the beach.  We filled up the kiddie pool and the kids splashed away.

Here's to another amazing 10 years...