Friday, January 8, 2010

Love of My Life


As young girls we all have fantasies of the type of guy we are going to marry. In Young Women's (church youth group) we all remember the list we made of what we are looking for in a husband. I'm sure my list was really good with tons of spiritual qualities and personality traits. As a young 20 year old girl though, I apparently had a different list in my head.

My best friend roped me into a blind date in June of 2001 because another guy, who already had a blind date lined up, was trying to back out with the excuse that he couldn't drive up to South Jordan, Utah from Provo because of some sand that got in his eye from working construction. My best friend told me she would line me up with someone if I would drive up with this guy who of course was Zane. (I'm really not sure how driving up with him helped with the sand in his eye...still a mystery.) Zane showed up at my doorstep and during the 45 minute drive up I made some pretty harsh judgments (please don't judge me for my immaturity.) He told me he served a state side mission for our church (apparently I was only impressed if you went foreign), wanted to be a seminary teacher (didn't every return missionary want to be a seminary teacher until they realize how hard it is to actually become one?), went to UVSC, now UVU, (I apparently had the opinion that UVSC wasn't as good as BYU), and he was definitely going to go bald in the future. I immediately wrote Zane off as someone I wouldn't like to get to know further and anticipated the blind date.

Once we got to my friend's house, Zane went with his date and I went with mine. Unfortunately for my date, Zane was funnier and the life of the party. We were always laughing at the same things and I became intrigued. We said goodnight to our dates and then drove back to Provo together. On the drive home we talked non stop. (Zane is a fabulous listener and if you know me well, you know I love to talk.) When we got back to Provo, Zane suggested we finish our conversation over pie at Village Inn, the only restaurant open that late. Three hours later and a sore voice, he took me home.

The next day I learned that a very bad tropical storm had hit the city I'm from. The emails coming in from family were all about riding in boats to get around the neighborhood and service projects gutting out flooded houses. I didn't pay attention to much though because I was on cloud nine where the weather was wonderful happily anticipating my first real date with Zane that next weekend. Thank goodness I got over my shallow, immature side and realized Zane was everything I always hoped I would find in a husband.

Thanks for eight wonderful years sweetie and thanks for planning a much needed little get away last week to celebrate our anniversary!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Holiday Celebrations

The best part of our Christmas holiday was Zane having two weeks off of work! This meant our holiday was full of lots of family time including extended family, playing games, eating wonderful food, traditions such as playing chimes, and projects around the house. We all enjoyed the break from life and spending time together.

Christmas started for Dallin a couple of days before when a package arrived from Grandma and Grandpa Turner. Dallin didn't notice the presents so much as the excitement of a box with peanuts! I let him play with it for a day before I had to toss out the peanuts. I couldn't handle the constant mess anymore!

On Christmas Eve, we went to my parent's house for our usual Christmas Eve feast and Christmas program. This year we invited our friends the Sudeth's to join us. We always play chimes on Christmas Eve and my brother Jared out did himself this year by adding harmonies to all the music. Although it is hard to keep some traditions going as more grand kids come along, we have fun no matter what we are doing.

Dallin understood Christmas more this year. When he came out of his bedroom and saw his new car and presents under the tree, he grinned from ear to ear. Still the best part for him was hanging out with daddy all the time. He is constantly saying now mommy, daddy, mommy, daddy with a huge smile on his face like he can't believe daddy is home playing with him all day. It is great to be loved!
Dallin's Great-Grandma made all her great-grandchildren a blanket this year. (23 blankets... impressive!) This is Dallin's along with Lightning McQueen and Crush from Finding Nemo hidden under the blanket. (Cars and Finding Nemo are his favorites.)
Dallin playing with a toy he got from his grandma (sitting next to him.)

Showing off his new ride that Santa brought


Being mischievous while daddy watches football

Getting daddy's attention by tackling him which turns into a tickling fight

Tired out from another long day of playing with toys. (Notice the movie case. Dallin's newest fixation is to look at movie cases like its a book. Back in August when we made our road trip we were trying our hardest to get Dallin to watch a movie. Now we try our hardest to distract him from the TV.)


During Zane's time off, he built shelves for all the closets to make more storage space. When he starts working, he gets in a zone. It was after midnight a couple of nights before he agreed to quit and come to bed!




I was sick with a sinus infection over the break. This is me trying to rest. Dallin would have none of that and decided to tackle me with hugs every time I closed my eyes.

Besides projects in the house, we also cleaned up the leaves outside. Dallin was a huge help...well except when he was jumping in the leaves!



What a fantastic holiday and a wonderful break from the busyness of life!