Tyson + Sharon sittin' in a tree...

...k-i-s-s-i-n-g! *blush* I am not normally a PDA (public display of affection) kinda person, but Tyson and I just had our pictures taken last week by our friend Kim, at A Greenfield Photography, for our soon to be 13 year anniversary in December. I was barely 19 yrs. old (try 5 days into it) when we were married. It is hard to believe that we have been together that long, but at the same time it feels rather short.

Want me to explain?

Ok, here goes. It feels long because the memories of our dating, engagement, and wedding days are still so fresh in my mind and I really still mentally feel I am young.

To self in mirror: I am young! Repeat after me, "I AM YOUNG!" or, wait, "YOU ARE YOUNG!", or ... better yet, just say my name then "is young." :) I feel better already. Moving on...

Then it feels so short because all at the same time I feel that we have known each other forever because we know each other so well. We can even finish each others sentences, tell how the other will handle a situation and many other interesting things that two people can do when they are in tune with one another.

We could stop the story there. It sounds perfect, blissful, peaceful and like it is our "Happily Ever After", but...

It hasn't always been an easy road. It hasn't always been fun and games. Some days I loved him sooo much that I wanted to hug him tightly. Other days I just wanted to squeeze his scrawny little neck. ;)

There were several times that I wanted to call it quits (and to tell you the truth, almost did), but when I calmed down and prayed about the problems that we were facing, I was able to think more clearly. I was also able to understand that relationships aren't easy and if I thought he was hard to live with at times then I am sure he had a hard time with me too. We spent many a day and late night talking through personal struggles, frustrations with one another and having to take what the other one said and mull it over in our minds - even if it made us mad. In order for the marriage thing to work out we each had to be honest with ourselves and with each other. When we were honest with ourselves we could see why the other person struggled with something we had done or said. It helped us to see the "beam" or "mote" in our own eye (so to speak) before pointing out our partner's weakness.  We also had to be honest with the other so that whatever needs we had that we felt weren't being met could be met. Otherwise the problems would fester and become so huge that they couldn't be resolved because we were too angry and hurt to try.

So there you have it. We aren't perfect. We don't have a perfect marriage, but we do have love and respect. Love and respect are what help us to jump life's hurdles. They help us to stay humble enough to work through things and never use the "D" word (divorce). Why? Because we have what is worth fighting for, like Samwise Gamgee and Frodo towards the end of The Two Towers.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?
Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

We do have something good, like most married couples do, but the key is fighting for it.

13 Years Ago on Labor Day

If you really want to know the history behind labor day click here. It surprised me cause I had no idea what it was really all about and how it started. It is kind of sad not only because of the circumstances that led up to the holiday and the fact that our own military was involved, but because many of us aren't taught about it to remember the lives that were lost during the "Pullman Strike".




Now onto happier "Labor Day" thoughts...

This is in the wee hours of the morning. So excuse the way we look. :)

13 Years ago on Labor Day.

Well actually the 1st of Sept, but that was Labor Day then, but this was on Labor Day.

My brother, sister and I were at a friends house all day enjoying some awesomely b-b-qued meats and side dishes. After dark we returned home and I slipped into my jammies ready for bed when my brother comes in telling me that I needed to get dressed in something nice cause we were going out. "But its late!" I protested (it really was only 9:00, but I was gran-ified when I started my job), but my big brother is  6' burly big and could snap me in two with his thumb and forefinger...I was scared  very persuasive.

After getting all dolled up he blind folded me. "Hey, this wasn't part of the deal and you're gonna smear my mascara! Are you listening? What are you up to?" As I sat blindfolded waiting for my brother to escort me to the car I thought that maybe Tyson was up to something, but only maybe (we had only been dating for 2 months) and called my brother in for help, but he was supposed to be too busy to see me that day. It was going to be the first day of our dating life we hadn't seen each other. *whimper* Later he told me that it was a last minute decision after his own Labor Day celebrations with his family.

Then after what seemed FOREVER, my brother walked me down the apartment stairs, told me I wasn't to speak AT ALL and placed me in the car. The door to the driver's seat opened, he got in and then we were off. Do you think I obeyed? Ha!

After taking off I thought "This is soooo not the way Doug drives! He is a bit smoother on the road and with turns." Then we hit a few bumps and took some sharp turns a little too fast, "This really ISN'T my brother! It has to be Tyson!" He still drives like that too. :)


After a few more twists and turns, which I found out later was his way of throwing me off  the trail to where we were going (as if blind folding me wasn't enough in my new somewhat unfamiliar town), we finally stopped. Then my blind fold was taken off to see a beautiful bouquet of pink roses (love 'em) and Tyson right behind them. He escorted me to an island on Lady Anne Lake and we sat under a weeping willow as the stars twinkled above.

Then he sat next to me slightly leaning forward to look me in the eye and asked me to marry him. I sat and thought. And thought some more.

I had always grown up dreaming of that white dress and the whole proposal thing thinking I would say something groundbreaking, earth shattering, but instead said, "Yea, I guess I will."  NICE! I know it was lame. *hand slap to the forehead* Definitely wouldn't make the cut in a movie script, but he still took me! And here we are 13 years and 5 kids later.

Well on Labor Day, we decided to drive the kids to "Lady Anne Lake" to see this little Island with a bench under the dreamy willow tree, but was sad to find out that it isn't so dreamy anymore cause the willow tree is gone.

I am thinking that someone really needs to plant a new one in our honor. Hmmmm...

Date Night

Photo...and peek into my love life, courtesy: Chad...eldest child and peeping Tom! ha ha!

My hubby and I went on a HOT date last Thursday. It was a much needed date night seeing as my hubby is a slave to his job has been working major overtime for the past four weeks. He clocked in 140 hrs. in a two week period. He would either go to work from 8 am to midnight or 8 am to about 6 pm then go back in around 8 pm returning around 2 or 3 the next morning. I am happy to say that he is back to "normal" work hours at least for awhile and that I enjoyed my late nights with "Merlin". I am ready and now waiting for Season 3. Can you tell that I really need to get a life love this series? Once again hats off to single parents! I don't know how you do what you do and not go insane in the process.

For our date we enjoyed sushi and a movie. Well we enjoyed SOME of the sushi. We decided to be "adventurous" or plain crazy, I'll let you be the judge of that one, and tried some raw squid on rice. It was iiiiinteresting...ok if the truth be told and putting all diplomacy aside, it was GROSS! DISGUSTING! Just plain NASTY! Let's just say that it was HARD to swallow and Tyson got a good kick out of the face I made with every bite that seemed to take an eternity! No joke! I thought we were never gonna be leaving that restaurant because I wasn't going to finish the meat that *boinged*. Not sure if that is a term I can use to describe it, or if that is a description that is appetizing or even really a word, but that is the only word (made up or not) I think that can do the yuckiness of it all justice. I can't leave any word that can describe my disdain for this particular sushi that I had, unturned, or better yet unused. So, no I do NOT recommend it.

On to the more fun and less adventurous part of our awesome date night...we enjoyed watching "Inception" with Leonardo DiCaprio. I have to say that I am not normally a huge fan of his, but was really impressed with his and his fellow actors/actresses skills. They really did a great job. This movie kept me thinking the rest of the evening and you know its a good story when you wake up the next morning still thinking about it. :) So, if you haven't already seen it, then you are missing out and really should go see it! I give it two thumbs up and totally recommend it (if you couldn't already tell)!

My Best Friend and Happy Father's Day!

Tys, my hubby, is my best friend. He is the one I think of first when I have something exciting to share or things I would like to get off my chest. He is there. We sometimes look at each other and marvel that we ever got together because if you know us really well you know that we are very different in many ways (like he was the perfect teen and I was the rebel), but the funny thing is we agree almost 100 % on any subject...though I am way more passionate about my opinions then he is..he keeps me grounded! :)

He is the best dad for our kids and they all adore him. As a matter of fact tonight after he got home from school he sat with Laney for a bit and got waaaaay more vocal sounds, laughter and smiles than I have in 2 days (now how is THAT fair?)! :) So, Happy Father's Day to a great Father and Husband!

Happy Father's Day to my dad a.k.a Granddaddy whom I greatly love and admire!

...and happy Father's Day to my father in law who is a great dad and Grandpa!

Hubby Tag--

I was tagged a LONG time ago by my friend, K, and am just now getting to it! So here goes!!!

Where did you meet? We met the Sunday after he returned from his mission from Russia and I had just moved out here after I graduated from High School. We thought "Not each others type!" ha ha!

How long did you date before you were married? About 3 months dating and 3 months engagement!
How long have you been married? For 11 years on Dec. 19th of this year!!! The longest I had ever had a relationship before that was...2 weeks! ha ha!

What is your favorite quality of his? He is so sincere and gentle and has a respect for people even when they are rude and inconsiderate of him. I'd wanna smack those people down (ok maybe I'd just have nothing to do with them anymore), but he is kind and patient!

What is your favorite feature of his? His eyes...they can see right through you, show you he loves you to pieces and when he's mad...that part makes me laugh! :) Of course I love his smile and laughter! I love to make him laugh!

Does he have a nickname for you? Ummm...no he's not that good at that kind of stuff! Bless his heart, he's tried, but none of them have stuck! It's back to what my family calls me, but even then he hardly calls me by the name!~ok he has informed me that SOMETIMES he calls me Sharoni...not a fave of mine! :)

What is his favorite color? Purple...really it is!

What is his favorite food? He really loves just about anything, but he really likes my lasagna and Elegant Chicken recipes!

What is his favorite sport? See next picture below next question!!! :) No for real, aside from kissin' he LOVES to Rock Climb and repel! I am grateful that he isn't a big sports lover though because that means more time with me and the kids!
When and where was your first kiss? On our best date night, at The Olive Garden, when he had gotten in to 2 car accidents in 10 minutes of each other before he was supposed to get me (none of them his fault) but the date still went on and it was at Big Spring Park he kissed me! The weird thing was that he asked first...always gentleman like (though I thought it kinda weird)! ;)

Do you have any children? Yes...4 and one on the way!

What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Honestly we just love talking and hanging out together. We love going places and trying new Restaurants and being goofy together too!

How old is he? 32 and ok with it now! ha ha!

What is his favorite type of music? Jazz! He loves tons of others, but I would say that Jazz is his favorite. He loves Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and many more!

What do you admire most about him? That he is 100% dedicated to me and the kids and is great at drawing boundaries with things outside of the family to take care of us if needed and spend as much time with us as he can! He is a very hard worker and is a great support to us!

OH!!! And that he is always sooooo serious!!!
Now I tag...everyone who wants to spotlight their honey!

Midlife Crisis or New Hobby!?!

For Tyson's b-day we let him go rock climbing! He has been excited to do this for quite some time and now his dreams have come true! He is actually taking a class in a couple of weeks, so that he can be certified to take people repelling and climbing. I am soooo excited for that one! When Tyson gets excited about something he really learns a lot about that thing and has to do it! Ever since he hit his 30's he's been a bit more hungry for adventure! Not that I am complaining. I say ,"Bring It On!!!"

I love the great outdoors and am always up for an adventure...of course I have my limitations and am a baby with extreme heights, but if you don't look down you're good, right?

Other news...I bruised my tail bone on Monday. I wish I could say I was doing something really cool to have gotten hurt, but I was playing chase with Tyson and Chad and ran up the stairs and turned quickly and landed on one of the stairs...it was fun to play, but man I'll be if that ain't one of the most painful spots on your body to hurt! And the worst part is I have classes from 6-8 Mon.-Wed. and a make-up class on Thursday! Not to mention sitting in the car for a total of about 40 minutes!

I have 2 more weeks of classes, 2 projects and one wedding to go this weekend for one of my favoritest people, Hannah-Loo! Wish me luck!

Happy B-day to my BESTEST friend in the whole wide world!

Wasn't he such a cute baby? What happened? Just kidding, my love!
I am not one to really state my feelings for others like I should or as often as I should and you would think it'd be different for my hubby, but unfortunately I stink at it even with him. I am a teaser and I need to be better at giving the kudos! I am more action oriented in showing my love and think "Hey I'm still with you aren't I? Theeeeen I love ya!" I have my moments, but could definitely work on that!

But today I will dedicate this post to my best friend and eternal companion! He is the most beautiful person that I have ever met! His beauty goes beyond just the skin it goes deep into the soul and I love the fact that he loves people, is soooo annoyingly patient with everyone, makes you wanna be a better person, loves nothing more than to serve his God and family, is an extremely hands on father,is silly and willing to tease with me more, is quite punny and full of interesting facts and stories, is exhausting with his constant need to be busy or doing something for the good of others, isn't afraid to stand up for his beliefs, consults with me about everything, listens to my concerns and my crazy ideas and projects and even goes along with them, still holds the doors for me...though his new car "conveniently" doesn't have a place to unlock the passenger side and I have to wait until he gets in on his side for my door to be unlocked...hmmmm...kinda makes me wanna stop listing good things now :) , and that he adores and worships the ground I walk on! Who could ask for anything more in a man!

We love you, Tys! Happy 32!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You old man! hee hee hee!