Happy Family Anniversary!

What's a family anniversary you ask?
Let me explain:

Splenda Daddy and I were married in his parents backyard August 16, 1984 by my Bishop. At the time, neither of us were active in our church. We were both raised in the same religion, but choosing not to live it at the time.

As our lives moved on, our boys were born, we matured. We grew up. We both felt the pull back to our religious roots. Our ward family was fantastic. They loved us right back into activity in our church.

After some time and making committments to continue living our lives in a manner that constituted the privilege of temple blessings, we finally pulled the trigger.

On December 5, 1996 - Splenda and I went to the Jordan River Temple and received our own endowments. It was an amazing day. One I will NEVER forget.

The next day, December 6, 1996 - we went back to the temple, but this time with our three young sons. After Splenda and I being sealed together as a husband and wife for time and ALL eternity, our little ones were brought to us, and around a sacred alter, we were sealed as a family. Sealed with an ordinance that is binding throughout all eternity. That means forever, and ever and ever. No ending to our family unit. We are a family that will continue even after death. My husband, each one of my sons......together. Forever.

It is one of the most beautiful and reassuring principles of the gospel. Every year, this is the day that kind of sets the rest of the season off for me. So while Splenda and I have our wedding anniversary that we celebrate in August for just the two of us. Our family then celebrates our Family Anniversary in December. We try to make it a special day each year to remind ourselves of that wonderful event, the promises we made and the blessings that come from remaining true to those promises and covenants. The boys were old enough to remember that day. I am grateful for that. It means something to them.

Our picture is just missing our Elder, but in less than 4 weeks he will be home and we'll have so much more to celebrate!


**if you are interested in learning more about my religion - click here and here or click here to watch some videos or even some web sites ...........

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mormon/weddings/

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mormon/marriage/

Christmas at Temple Square - lazy girl style

It's just so cold. SO COLD! And the idea of walking around oohing and aaahing over the lights, bumping into people, having my ankles nailed over and over AND OVER AGAIN by strollers behind me was just too much. Sure, it's tradition. Sure, it's a wonderful way to get the Christmas Spirit going. But I'm just not interested in any of that this year. For reals. None of it.

So when Tuffy mentioned he, his GF and a group of others were going, I sent my camera and told him to make me enjoy the experience.

This is Santa playing the bagpipes

Very beautiful, but I am disappointed that there are no pictures of the boy and his friends, even though I SPECIFICALLY asked for them. Whatever. At least now, I don't have to make the cold trip myself.

Thanks Tuffy!

Ruth's diner, Victoria Secrets and Shark

Oh.My.

The B-Day celebration for lil miss Shark continued on Saturday. First it was Ruth's diner for breakfast. This was a new thing for me. I have heard legends about this diner for years. Today was the day I had my Ruth's virtue taken from me. Our server informed me that he had taken a many, and that I was in good hands. He didn't lie.These mile high biscuits are to DIE FOR. So yummy. Every bit of breakfast was fantastic. The food, the chatting, the atmosphere. Good times.

After that, and a quick trip to Toys R Us for some checking on toy availability, we headed for our MAIN destination.

Let me preface. No woman should ever buy her bras from Costco. Or Shopko. Or Target. Or, {gasp} Walmart. NEVER. We are better than that friends. Our girls deserve nothing but the best. I dragged Shark to the mecca of beautiful lingerie. The Holy Land of worldly underwear.

I walked purposefully in, she was a little more reserved in her stride (if you can imagine), and immediately we were asked if we needed help. HECK YEAH we, I me SHE, needs help. I explained our purpose, which once I had pointed out the obvious, it was crystal clear what needed to be done. I turned Tib over to the capable hands of our Victoria Secret helper and they disappeared into the back room. THE BACK ROOM kids! I refrained from photos there. Instead, I just perused panties since I had a free 10 bucks and need a white elephant gift.

After a short while, she emerged grinning like a Cheshire cat. She had found the perfect fit. Now, for color selection and making the final decisions.

Before we left, one more shot of a now very happy, satisfied Shark

What a fun day! She introduced me to the wonder that is Ruth's diner. I introduced her to the wonder of a Victoria Secrets bra. I figure it's an even trade.

And as a disclaimer, despite the fear in my husband's face when I told him what we were doing (Me + Tib + Victoria's Secret = The epitome of embarrassing and inappropriate behavior), the store did not need to close the doors after us to protect the other patrons. We were relatively well behaved, no one got hurt, and the store is still standing.

I call the day a success!

Slang Gang Word of the Day

December 2: Kobe Special

A large gift a man gives to his wife to appease her after he's had an affair. After sleeping with another women, Kobe Bryant bought his wife a ring that cost as much as a large house.

Tiger: I have to run to Zales to get a Kobe Special."
Friend: "What's that?"
Tiger: "A house on a finger."

**hahahahaha - dumbA's**

Happy Birthday to my stilt walking Shark!

Today is a big day. A BIG DAY! It's day that BFF SharkBait (ooh ha ha) turns another year older!

I thought about what I could to honor her in a way befitting her wonderfulness.

Could I list the 35 reasons I love the Tibster?
Could I just gush with love, affection and ooey, gooey love crap?

Niether of things seemed to fit.
Instead I wanted to honor her with a special video. I little video that I like to call "A Shark on Stilts".

You see, Tib is more than just a dear friend. She is my partner in many a crime. My straight man when I have the urge to be funny. My techno wizard with all things gadgetry. Most importantly, she laughs at me. I dig that. If I can't laugh, at myself and have others laugh at and with me, what's the point right?

Just when I think, wow, she's a fun friend. Boy, that girl is funny. Man, I just don't think I can love her anymore. She'll pop off with something that endears her to me even more.

Her latest foray into the lovefest for me?
Thanksgiving. Or Spanksgiving as they like to call it. We headed over for dessert and some fun. Some laughs. Some high hilarity. She.did.not.disappoint.

So without further ado, I present to you, my favorite video of all time, the one that sealed the deal for me, the one that endeared her to my heart just that.much.more.....

"A Shark on Stilts."


Really, she is just so dang cute and funny, I can't help but absolutley LOVE HER GUTS!

Happy Birthday my little angel Shark! I hope it's 35 ways of happiness!

xoxoxox
M

Slang Gang Word of the Day

December 1: airplane mode

When someone cuts themselves off from the world by not logging on to Facebook or checking their cell phones. Usually occurs after a breakup or a rough work week.

Derived from the cell phone setting of the same name in which incoming messages or phone calls cannot be received.

"Dan won't answer your calls. He's in airplane mode."

"Sarah went into airplane mode for three days after Charlie dumped her."

**Is it just me or is everyone kind of in airplane mode in the blogosphere and FB world? I totally relate**

Tickle Me Pink Tuesday

I'm beyond tickled pink today. BEYOND!!!

First of all, I met with THE greatest Physical Therapist of all time. I am SO tickled pink. He is a running specialist. People all over the country come to see him and have him rehab them back into the running world. He spent a good hour and half looking me over, reviewing every socket, joint, bone and physiological makeup from my back and hips down. He verified that I did indeed have the body to run. That my hips, knees or back should not be prohibitive to my love for this sport. He actually had me run on the treadmill for a minute. ONE MINUTE! I was running! Okay, just one minute, but I.WAS.RUNNING! He watched my form, watched my gait, watched everything about my body as I ran and as I walked.

He developed some stretches and then turned me over to his athletic trainer, who then developed some exercises to do to get my stability and strength back in all the areas necessary to sustain my body back into my sport.

I left them 2 hours later absolutely exhilirated. I have a stretching program, and exercise program and a running program. Yes, you read that right. A RUNNING PROGRAM!! By Thursday of this week, I will be implementing a mild walk/run program gradually increasing my running time.

I still can't wipe the grin off my face. I was running! I WILL be running!

Secondly, I am not just tickled pink, I am ecstatic that Splenda Daddy is starting my Christmas present. I'm not going to reveal what it is yet, but it is something I have dreamed of having. Something I can't do myself, and he is already starting it. He is making my dream come true! I love that Splenda Daddy!

Finally, I am tickled pink by a little package that came my way today from the lovely Kado. Seriously, she has got to be one of the most thoughtful persons I have ever known. She sent me the NY edition of the paper with the Yankees win all over it. Adding it to my collection and getting it ready for my special room one day just gave me goosebumps!