my: Way Nice Wife

On my way to take Aysen to playgroup I was on the phone with my dear, sweet husband having a little discussion; I wanted him to send an email.  An email I wouldn't have cared so much about if I was significantly more perfect.  More full of love.  Filled with more charity.  The chatter lead to the fact that he has NO vices and I have plenty.  He tried to disagree and claimed I was a "way nice wife."  I asked him to name two things he isn't perfect in, knowing this would be a challenge.  I had my lengthy list of imperfections spinning through my mind, the downfall of being able to see into your own heart.  I do not remember both vices he named but one he claimed was his inability to hula hoop.  For reals.  Virtues aren't his problem, he just hasn't conquered his physical self yet.  He seems to center his life around Christ more than me, much, much, more.

The conversation ended upon our arrival and after playgroup I went to work.  My mother-in-law had offered to help with Aysen (m.i.l. was a great example to her son of sainthood).  I didn't have anything pressing for the day so I went to work on monthly reports.  

While sitting at work I received the following email from Andy:

Hey Sweetie,

Just wanted to say thank you for being the "Way Nice Wife" that you are!  Not just for the salsa yesterday, but for much more.  I feel like I have a really good life, and I believe the core reason for that is because I have a really good Wife.  You are so amazing to me.  You manage so much of our home, and keep it all on track, and working like a well oiled machine.  I feel like my role is to fix stuff, and you take care of the rest.  We certainly have our struggles, but without the struggles, how would we recognize the perfection we have in our home?  You are a wonderful Way Nice Wife!

I love having you as my best friend too.  Even before we were married, you were one of my best friends.  You've always been so easy for me to get along with...and I know others saw that too.  We were made for each other, and I love being with you.  I wish I was more funny, more interesting, had a six pack, could leap tall buildings in a single bound, etc.  But, I am what I am, I can do 30 push-ups, I can do about 23.5 sit-ups without stopping, I can't hula hoop very well, and I hide my growing mid section by not tucking in my shirt.  I have gray hair patches, and facial hair patches, small feet with apparently gross toes (I actually like my toes).  I hear that I have some pretty good looking legs from the knee down....and I'm cool with that.  Some of these things I can change, some I can't...although, I may end up with a six pack some day.  But in the end, I just want to love and be loved.  You are the one I want to love and be loved by.  You are so special to me.  I hope that you know of my love for you.  I want to make you happy, I want for you to feel loved, I want for you to feel special.  I want to be the one your excited to tell about your amazing day, the one you tell about your not so exciting days.  I want to share your laughs and sorrows.  I want to be one of the reasons your excited to wake up every day for.  Thank you for being all these things for me, I hope that I can become these things for you.

I love you so much!

PS.  Since you've claimed WNW status, I wanted to see if I could figure out how to arrive at WNH ("Way Nice Husband") status.  I've got a few ideas attached...let me know what you think.

Here were the attached ideas:

Way Nice Husband Idea #1

Way Nice Husband Idea #2

Way Nice Husband Idea #3

When I read the title to the email I wasn't surprised.  He sends nice messages quite frequently, especially when I'm down on myself.  But, I had NO idea this was coming.  

When we got home from our trip to California (to play softball) this summer, Andy started looking for vacations.  With the pressures he felt coaching he returned home far from relaxed and refreshed.  He mentioned going to Boston (a return trip has been my dream since we went for his work in 2003).  I fell in love with the city, the people, the food, the history, the weather and Fenway.  I toured the ballpark the day we were leaving and have wanted to watch the Red Sox play from that day forward.  Andy is well aware of the fact that if I was to ever run away it would be to Boston.

When he mentioned going back in August I told him my ideal vacation would be to have NO notice.  (I am much better at doing things last minute.  I feel confined or claustrophobic when my calendar is scheduled out months in advance).  

Ask and ye shall receive.

This weeks scheduled was pretty routine.  It involved softball, soccer, dancing, piano, crochet, art classes (I'm teaching at the elementary), cannery, homecoming and a primary program practice.  With the help of our parents he had taken care of all of it except for the art class which I promptly asked to reschedule.  

I wanted to cry and shout for joy all at the same time but I just sat at my desk dumbfounded that it was real.  I was going to Boston with the love of my life.  Four days with no obligations except for sitting behind home plate at a Red Sox game.  The rest of the time we could punt.  I love punting.  And while I'm being irresponsible, basking in the arms of my husband, I knew my children would be well taken care of.

I have heard the word spoiled come up when others hear how I will be spending my week.  I cannot argue.  It is true.  Just by being married to Andy, I am spoiled.  He is my better half.  He is the calm while I am the storm.  I love every last drop of him, even his toes.

I am blessed.

Andy I love you.  Thank you for making amazing things happen.  This is the second time I have been kidnapped during our marriage.  Spectacular, everyday is this.  I know you love me, even with my vices.  You take care of me, our children and our home.  I know you can fix anything and succeed at anything you decide to conquer.  I love your ability to have patience and not sweat the small stuff.  To look deeper into a person's soul and find the good that dwells within.  You are not perfect but close enough I may need to figure out a thing or two to keep you on this earth with me.

Thanks!

P.S.  WNH status was achieved the day you gained the title of husband.  I love you!

Wicked

For our tenth anniversary my sweet, dear, kind, amazing, smarter-than-me husband took me to The Big Apple, also known as New York, New York.   I loved almost every minute but at the same time had a deep feeling of gratitude that this was just a short visit.  Relishing in the knowledge we would be returning shortly to our quiet, country town living.

While there we went and watched Wicked.  A broadway musical I knew nothing about and was slightly nervous of the title (not scary I learned).

I dreamed from the moment I watched this magnificent production of attending with my daughters.  I loved the message of the show and wanted to share it with them.  When it began touring and came to Salt Lake  I was extremely disappointed; the ticket price was outrageous.  It would almost be worth flying the girls to New York.

This year with Mary Dawn's assistance we had tickets in her cart.  I was ecstatic.  Short lived mind you.  She was delayed checking out and the tickets were dumped.  Never to be found again.  I was comforted that it wasn't meant to be and I would try again the next time it toured.

But blessings abound.

My mother purchased tickets and then found she would be out of state for the performance.  Through her great kindness I had the opportunity to take my girls to my favorite musical of all time.

We made it into a mini-vacation and used one of our free Marriott nights.  Andy swam with the boys at the pool and the girls and I went on a date.  They wanted to know what it was about.  I explained it was the prequel to the Wizard of Oz and that maybe Elphaba, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West, may not be the evil person they have been lead to believe.

Magical -- the best word to describe it.  Both girls sat on the edge of their seats absorbing the fictional world being created.  Their eyes glistened, smiles beamed and there were giggles, giggles and giggles.  It was a night I will always remember and I hope they do as well.
  

T-shirts were purchased as souvenirs.  I really wanted to get them a "Defy Gravity" shirt (a message I hoped they learned) but their size was sold out.  

If dinner had been better the event would have been perfect -- perfection is over-rated though, really.  

Sunday morning we toured Temple Square as a family.  It was beautiful.  The grounds were serene, the temple had windows which were cracked open, something I would have never thought possible.  We spent a great deal of time in the basement of the North Visitor's Center viewing the interactive exhibits.  The spirit was strong and I felt an overwhelming peace.  

The whole deal was sweetened when I found I had captured this awesome photograph of my children.  They are my greatest blessing along with their father who happens to be my favorite, just saying.

Event occurred August 25-26, 2012

The Tradition Continues

This is my dear husband, Andy.  This is him on the bunny slopes of Brian Head.  His feet are strapped to his snowboard.  He happens to be quite good at this sport, not Olympic material, but can handle his own and makes it look easy.

Andy may, or may have not, fallen in love with me on this very slope.  In December, 1997 he planned to take his brothers on a night skiing trip to Brian Head.  He invited me along so they could have somewhere to spend the night -- Extremely long story and my story differs significantly from Andy's but I've written my version down and so in 50 years mine will be fact and his will be lost into the great abyss of the unknown.

Then a few weeks later, my family was headed to Brian Head to stay in Dave Wilkey's condo for the New Year's weekend.  At this time, Andy and I were interested in dating and I invited him to join us.  We had the shortest distance to drive and arrived first.  He was sick with the flu, broke the glass on the fireplace while trying to start a fire and almost killed my sister, Mary Dawn, when he took her down her first black diamond.  True love.

Fourteen years later the Brian Head tradition continues.  We try and make it to the condo and on the slopes yearly.  Andy has given up boarding (black diamonds anyways) and devoted his attention to helping our children.  Taylei began as a skier (the biggest crush of her life so far has been her ski instructor), but now has her own snowboard and does really well.  Keanna gave up her skis during this trip to become a snowboarder too.  Kyler liked skiing and started to have success but hanging out in the condo was equally alluring.  Aysen only got to play in the snow, Andy can only handle helping so many children at a time.

I made it out onto the slopes during the afternoons.  Skiing is something I enjoy but I hate the cold which complicates things tremendously.

Taylei was lucky enough to share a bed with Aysen.  To say she had a miserable night would be an understatement.  She made sure they didn't share the same bed again.  Notice how he has pushed her off the pillow?  And how she has been forced down to the bottom of the bed?  And his fingers are wrapped up in her hair.  Evidence to the world as to why I sleep so much better when he doesn't sleep with me.

Special thanks to my mom and dad for making this trip possible, they are wonderful parents.  I couldn't have been blessed with better.  They still spend some time on the slopes with their skis on.  They set an amazing example for my children.  Thanks also to Dave Wilkey for still having an interest in the condo that he hasn't visited in over five years.

Event occurred January 26 - 29, 2012

Our Favorite Spot on Planet Earth

We went to Lake Powell.  The place is amazing.  I'll try and sum up the trip with a top 11 of sorts . . .
1. The first and maybe biggest highlight was "The Bat."  A friendly, neighborhood variety must have taken up residency on our boat.  With all of the hustle and bustle of our group moving in it awoke from its slumber.  In search of a new area to rest it took flight right. up. Andy's. (yes, my husband) shorts.  This happened while we were trying to anchor the houseboat to shore.  He seems to have spent a lifetime in scouting, but nothing in his past helped him to "be prepared" for this.  I would have died from a heart attack right then and there.  Luckily, the bat flew out without biting my dear husband in the unmentionable place it found itself.
2. Lizard chasing was in high demand.  The one Braden is holding was knocked unconscious or might even be deceased.  Braden didn't realize their was a problem.  It just sat nicely wherever he placed it or threw it for that matter.  

This lizard was caught on one of our "hike-abouts."  It was transported back to the houseboat via noodle.  It seemed quite hesitant about escaping until it decided to crawl onto and over Mary Dawn.  Her reaction involved sporadic movements and high pitched squeals.  

Last time we were at Lake Powell we were teaching Kyler to chase and like the lizards.  (Grandma Lou is an awesome lizard chaser, not sure how that didn't get passed on to her daughters).  Kyler was finally convinced to hold the lizard and it turned and bit him.  Not nice. 
3. After September 11, 2001 when the world was still quite cautious about terrorists, we spent the 4th of July weekend at Lake Powell.  I found myself quite safe and comfortable.  Who would launch any kind of attack on such an unpopulated desert attraction?  Someone decided to burst my bubble and told me Lake Powell was a huge target.  I guess if the dam was blown the water released would flood Vegas.  Not sure there is any truth to the tale but it doesn't take much for me to believe.  We found ourselves at Lake Powell over the 4th of July holiday again (the stake 4th of July calling has expired).  I was sitting on the boat working on lunch when a noise you don't want to hear flew overhead.  I'm told I said a few unkind words and looked out the window to see a fighter jet fly down the canyon.  Five seconds later jet number two flew past.  I thought of death, destruction and the boys on board kept cheering praises of awesomeness.  Seems Powell is a hot spot for training fighter pilots.  Who would have guessed?

4. This is Chance.  Chance was great to have on the trip.  He was good with Kyler and Braden.  He seemed to be the first to jump off the boat, go on exploration hikes and is very athletic being pulled behind his dad's boat.  He did have one flaw.  He had numerous conversations that went something like this.  Chance talking to Kyler or Braden, "What's Up?"
They would respond, "What?"
"Chicken But."
There were a few more varieties, "Guess who? -- Chicken Poo" or "Guess why? -- Chicken Pie."  Kids mimic and learn after only hearing things once.  I won't say more, someday though, Chance will have children and I may return the favor.

5. This is Rick, Rick Carlton to be exact.  Nice guy.  He happens to be a member of the high council.  One week, Andy shared a speaking assignment with him.  Rick likes to boat and he mentioned an experience as part of his address.  My parents were there to support Andy and during the visiting after, Rick's family was invited to join us on our trip.  Rick and Chance came down with us and three of his girls came later.  On the afternoon Rick went to pick them up his boat would NOT start.  The men spent about an hour checking every cable they could find, prayers were said and we were about to call for boat repair when Rick found the problem.  The key wasn't in.  Funny, kind of like the bat, you can laugh afterwards.
6.  Movies are always a highlight.  Andy brings his giant screen and assembles it on top of the houseboat.  Each night we watch a movie under the stars while the children are put to bed and the waves lap against the boat.  This year everyone was so exhausted not one person stayed awake for an entire movie.

7. If you've never been to Lake Powell you are missing out.  Every year is different.  The water level varies which eliminates beaches and creates new ones.  We try and scout ahead to find a place to park the house boat with the wave runners.  The goal is to find a spot at the end of a canyon away from the other boats, but you also need a beach for the kids to play on and maybe a little shade from the afternoon sun.  It was pretty crowded this year and we ended up parking in a little cove off of the main channel.  It ended up being one of my favorite places yet.  We had islands to swim to where we could cliff jump.  You could hike quite a distance on the rocks.  There was enough sand for Paul to make an attempt at a hot tub.  Andy found a narrow channel for Taylei to keep up on her pitching practice along with a shore that gradually sloped into the water before the 30 foot drop off.  Almost perfect!  You couldn't have asked for a better spot for hike-swim-and jump abouts.
8. I'm sure one day Braden will share his mother's love of the water but he isn't there yet.  He would NOT get in.  

Mary Dawn is never good at being too forceful so I took over.  I captured him on several occasions and helped him in the water with me.  He would be unhappy, his mom would come and save him and everyone won except me.  I'm was sure Braden was going to start calling me Aunt Bully afterwards. 
9.  The wave runners are always a highlight.  We were even smart this trip and took the mirrors off right at the beginning in hopes history wouldn't repeat itself.

I didn't get a picture but this year the wave runners doubled as a fishing boat.  Lake Powell has "boils" where the stripers are jumping out of the water to feed.  This is quite spectacular to watch and all you have to do is cast your lure into the middle and walaaaa you have caught a fish.  One morning the fish were boiling and Andy, Kyler and I decided to chase them on the wave runners.  We were skunked.  I would drive, Andy would cast with his lure landing perfectly at times but he didn't even get a hit.  We tried a dozen different lures to no avail.  I loved it though!  It would have been awesome for Kyler if we had landed one.  Maybe next time . . . and just a little bit red neck.
10.  My dad was captain of the house boat for the first time and did a mighty fine job.

He had help from two highly inexperienced first and second mates.  It is a really good thing he didn't get into any tight binds and have to call on their services.

11. Rick has a great boat, tubes, ski's, wakeboard etc. and everyone loved being pulled behind him.  Taylei and Andy showed quite a bit of skill in the wakeboarding department.  Keanna pulled herself up a few times and did fine but lost interest before she had much practice.

Grandma Lou is still young enough to take a turn on the slide.

Aysen wasn't convinced the water was a good idea or a bad idea.

Coalie definitely had her opinion and HATED the water.  She was terrified to run down the gang plank at first but soon fell in love with Lake Powell as well.

Keanna was always having a good time.

The life jacket was not a big hit with this guy and I can't blame him.  A straight jacket would have been more comfortable.

Braden was awesome at wearing his life jacket.  He was warned by his dad in advance to always have it on and he did a great job following this council.

Being in the sun without any obligations wears you right out.

Paul with Abby Tryon.

Nanna was the biggest fish of the group.

Taylei kept herself very busy.

This is hunting Kyler style.

Aysen didn't even get a sunburn.  Shade is a blessing.  He has a good little tan even with spending all of his time in the shade.

The trip was awesome.

Such an amazing vacation!