To the love of my life on her birthday...

"I'm gonna wear you down... I'm gonna make you see... I'm gonna get to you... you're gonna give in to me... I'm gonna start a fire... you're gonna feel the heat... I'm gonna burn for you... you're gonna melt for me... come on... come on... give in to me!"

When we were married almost 15 years ago I loved you more than anyone or anything in this world, so it is hard to believe that I can love you any more than that... but I do... I love you more today than I did the day we knelt across from each other in the temple.

I have had the privilege of being your friend since my junior year in high school, your boyfriend since my sophmore year in college, and your husband for the last 14 years... 6 months... & 18 days. But who is counting. I have known you now for more years of my life than not and I look forward to the eternities at your side. I love you honey. I don't have much to give you on your birthday but you have my heart. I love you.

Happy Birthday!

FOREVER!!!

- Hema

Love This Song!!

Ever since I heard this version of this song I can't get enough if it. I absolutely love it! This one is for my sweet Hema!! I love you forever babe!!!

Am I the only one in love with this song???

**By the way we saw the movie and HATED it! Just like the song.

6 months and 13 years!

I thought I better get this posted right now in the wee hours of the morning - that way I can sleep in tomorrow morning with my family, since we were all out dancing the night away at our ward Christmas party which was sooo fun! But that will be for a later post. Today (Saturday the 11th) is a fabulous day for 2 main reasons: Cora turns 6 months old today and it is our 13th Anniversary!
It is hard to believe that our sweet baby girl is 6 months old. She is the best little baby. She is crawling now and she loves it! She loves to smile and laugh and eat anything she can get her hands on. Her favorites foods that I feed her are squash, peas and bananas. But her favorite food that her dad sneaks her tastes of is ice cream!

She is a great little sleeper, especially with the super soft blanket that her sweet birth mother made for her. She loves to have it right up against her face.
She still has her beautiful blue eyes. Absolutely GORGEOUS!!

She almost always has a smile on her face....unless you put her in a grass skirt and coconut bra after taking pictures for an hour when she is already tired. Then she looks like this:

Which we still think is super stinkin' cute!!! 

6 Months is an extra special milestone for us, because in Utah you can finalize the adoption 6 months after placement. We will finalize Cora's adoption on the 20th. Then on the 29th we get to take her to the temple and have her sealed to our family! I don't know if there is a more spiritual experience than the sealing of a precious baby. We so look forward to her sealing. 

We are just so very grateful that her sweet birth parents made the decision to place her in our family. We can not imagine our family without her. We love you Krychele and Uziel and are grateful every day for you and for Cora! 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥13 Year of Marriage...

I've always heard that 13 is an unlucky number - but the last 13 years have been the best of my life! I really can not imagine a better man than my Hema. He is perfect in every way for me. He still makes my heart flutter! Tonight when we were dancing he was trying to get me to waltz with him...just like he has since we first were dating years ago. I always start laughing or step on his foot and remind him that I'm just not good at following  - I always end up trying to lead. He laughed and said that was true in more than just dancing! haha So true! Sorry babe that I'm not a better follower and that I get strong willed and think I know best too often, when really if I ever just followed your lead we'd be way better off...but thanks for loving me anyway! I am soooo grateful I get to spend the rest of my life and eternity with you! You make me so happy, you make me better, you complete me and I love you FOREVER!!!

Wedding Invite Rewrite

This is probably the single most unique wedding announcement I have ever seen. I got it in the mail this week and I honestly love it. Now keep in mind we have received a lot of wedding announcements over the years. After all, Hema did serve as a counselor and bishop in a BYU singles ward for 6 years! (And let's face it those wards exist to get people married!) This is the actual announcement I scanned in: 

Of course I deleted their last names! The funny thing is that they were both in our BYU ward when they met. I've often wondered what happened to some of the couples from back then. Don't you sometimes wish you got an announcement like this from every couple. I like to know a little detail! Just for your entertainment, I thought I'd type our own dating history in this same fun style:

 

HEMA AND BECKY MEET WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL (1990)

TWO KIDS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AT A LUAU... IN A TRAILER PARK 

THEY NOTICE EACH OTHER - THEY GO TO HARDEES - NOTHING HAPPENS

____________________________________________

(1990-1992) THEIR PATHS CROSS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AT DANCES

THEY HANG OUT AS FRIENDS ALL THE TIME - HEMA NEVER ASKS BECKY OUT

HEMA IS AWKWARD - BECKY IS AWKWARD - NOTHING HAPPENS

___________________________________________

      

         BECKY GOES TO BYU                        HEMA GOES TO THE U OF U

  AND THEN ON A MISSION                     AND THEN ON A MISSION

   TO BRAZIL                                               TO CALIFORNIA

BECKY WRITES HEMA MANY TIMES        HEMA WRITES BECKY TWICE 

(1995) BECKY SEES HEMA AT TEMPLE SQUARE 

A WEEK AFTER SHE RETURNS FROM BRAZIL - HE ASKS HER FOR A RIDE HOME

THEY HANG OUT A LOT MORE - NOTHING HAPPENS 

(THEY ARE BOTH OBVIOUSLY STILL AWKWARD!)

BECKY'S FRIEND COMES TO VISIT AND FLIRTS WITH HEMA

SOMETHING BETTER NOT HAPPEN! BECKY TAKES HER STRAIGHT TO THE AIRPORT

HEMA AND BECKY START TO DATE, SPARKS FLY

THEY DATE   -  THEY BREAK UP   -   THEY GET BACK TOGETHER

         (HEMA DRIVES TO OREM)    <------>    (BECKY DRIVES TO SALT LAKE)

THEY FALL IN LOVE AND DECIDE TO MARRY 

_______________________________________

Yeah, these type of announcements would be much more interesting! Don't you think?

Best wishes to Derek and Brooke! Glad they are finally getting married! 

Just Because

Last night before I went to sleep I asked Hema to be sure I got up when my alarm went off. I don't usually set an alarm during the week since I have 3 little alarms that wake me up early enough! But I needed to get up and clean up some stuff that I was too tired to do last night. I had a neighbor coming over early this morning to have me help her with a sewing project and I wanted the house to be clean when she came. I then promptly went to sleep and when I got up this morning and came downstairs I found a spotless house and this on the counter.

Hema seriously got up last night  and cleaned while I slept - just because. I swear I am the luckiest girl! I love my sweetie so much and am grateful for a husband who still does sweet things like this for me all of the time - even after nearly 13 years of marriage. He is really my best friend and my true love. I am so grateful that he is mine FOREVER!!! Love you babe!! 

Happy Friday!

Today was a really fun day. Krychele's cute niece Desi was able to come and play with us. Little Hema and Vela were so excited to have her over. They waited looking out the window for her for nearly and hour this morning and screamed with joy when they saw the car pull up! 

These two little helpers and I made cookies.

Then today was Hema's last day of his summer Let's Play Music class. So we went to watch them sing and play for us.

Hema loves to play his bells.

And his rhythm sticks.

This is his favorite part of the puppet show. He is being a mean cloud! I love how intense his face is! 

Vela was dying to be part of the class. 

We came home and did some finger painting which all kids love to do. Let's face it, the messier it is the more fun it is!

Then my parents came over and tended our 3 sweet monkeys while we went on a date. Thanks mom and dad! The kids had so much fun!!

First we went here:

Then ate some of this:

Pretty much the perfect date night!!!

Then we headed home, got the kids to bed and worked on hauling a mountain of playground bark from our driveway back to the play area. It is amazing how much bark we have lost over the past couple of years mostly due to the crazy Lehi wind. There were a few bare patches back there and we figured we better get it filled back in before someone falls and breaks something! We gave up about 1/2 way through the pile. We were hauling it Tongan style - not using the wheelbarrow - but piling in on a tarp and dragging it to the back yard. Hema tells me that is how they moved stuff all the time growing up. It actually works pretty well, especially since the bark is so light. 

Now it's nearly 11:000 and I am off to type up a baptism program and sew a CTR towel for our ward's 9:00 baptism. Oh the joy of being a procrastinator! 

Happy Big 37 Babe!!!

Twenty years ago, I was at a graduation dance for a friend of mine. I met some really nice and cute guys and after the dance, they invited us to go to Hardees with them. (Yeah, I know I am showing my true age here by mentioning Hardees!) All the guys went up and ordered their food and sat down. Then the last guy came up and slapped a $20 on the counter and said, "Order what ever you want girls." We all sighed at what a gentleman he was. Let's face it, $20 is hard to come by when you are in high school and he was a big boy and probably really hungry. As we talked and became friends, my heart beat a bit faster and my stomach fluttered. You know the feeling I am describing here right ladies?? That was my Hema. We went on to become the best of friends. We hung out nearly every weekend, I wrote him on his mission. He wrote me on mine (okay, only twice - but writing isn't really his thing).

The week after I came home from Brazil, I ran into him at temple square. When I saw him I got all fluttery again. He needed a ride home (Good move babe!) and I was glad to offer it. The rest is history...

All these years later, he still makes me giddy! Last night at our stake dance, I was thinking about how very in love I still am with the most considerate, handsome and fun to be around man I know!! As we danced and he held me tight or danced his crazy moves from back in the day, my heart rate sped up. When he looked in my eyes and smiled, my stomach filled with butterflies. Hema, I am so much more in love with you today than I was was the day we were married!!

Happy Birthday to an incredible father, a true friend and my sweet forever love!!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

12 Greatest Years of My Life!!

Twelve years ago today I married the greatest guy in the world! Hema is the best husband and father. I knew that Hema would be an amazing husband when I married him because he is so much like his wonderful father. We have been blessed so much during the past 12 years. Life hasn't always been smooth, we have had our share of trials - namely this infertility thing. But everything has worked out for the best and really if you have to go through something hard, nothing beats having your best friend by your side. I really have enjoyed every minute of the last 12 years! I look forward to the rest of my life with you Hema and eternity after that!

Trailer Park

Well...let me start by saying there is nothing wrong with trailer parks or those that reside in them. It is true! I met my beautiful wife in a trailer park. No...she was not a resident there or anything like that...not that there's anything wrong with that...but it was a trailer park in West Valley City of all places...not that there is anything wrong with that either! As a young man I frequented such places in search of action...you know...a few winks here and a "howdy" there (if you don't know me very well, please understand that I am joking right now). We actually were both there attending a graduation celebration in the parks clubhouse. The celebration was for two girls who are cousins and I was friends with one and Becky the other. As was common in my younger days I manned the post of parking lot greeter along with several of my associates. We greeted many young ladies that day but one stood out from the rest. I don't know if it was because she was a foot taller than all the other girls or that fact that she was the only white person there, but I was under her spell. She had "bewitched me body and soul...and I love..love.." l loved her (that quote is from Pride & Prejudice and its use here is what you can refer to as "I've got game"). After some introductions and small talk...her group agreed to meet my group at the local hangout...Hardees (mmm...curly fries and a mushroom & swiss burger). Unbeknownst to this beautiful woman and her friends... I had labored long and hard all week long doing various jobs for my uncles like building fences, breaking cement slabs with a sledge hammer, laying sod and other minor jobs to earn my spending money for the weekend. So when the apple of my eye arrived with her entourage (now...take note this is another example of "Hema's got game") I stepped up to the counter and slapped all of my hard earned money down...all $20 of it...and said "get whatever you want". Good thing 20 bucks went a little further back then because really that was all I had. The girls ordered in typical girl fashion so there was still enough left for some extra burgers and fries for me and the guys. The rest is history!

The best twenty bucks I've ever spent and the reason my heart races anytime I pass a trailer park. - I love you babe!

11 Wonderful Years!!!!

Today is our 11th anniversary!! The last 11 years have been so great. I seriously don't know how I lucked out and married such a wonderful man! I thought I would post 11 reasons I love him so much! Oh and this picture of our funky wedding cake. Yes it was chocolate with fans of white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate stuck in all over.

1. He just loves me for me - doesn't try to change me!
2. He is the best dad! He would rather play with the kids or tend to them than almost anything else.
3. He is such a hard worker. Works 2 jobs with a smile so that I can be a full time mom!
4. He loves family. He loves his and mine and makes me want to be closer to both as well!
5. He enjoys serving in the church! He loves to help people and does anything he can to lift others.
6. He is super hunky!! I LOVE his eyes!
7. He is content. He rarely ever wants anything for himself. I have to force him to buy new clothes or toys for himself. He just doesn't need "stuff" to be happy.
8. He genuinely sees the best in others. He is friendly to everyone he meets and really likes everyone. I don't know anyone who doesn't like him.
9. He loves to travel and try new things, yet is perfectly happy in our own home.
10. He plays board games with me even though he doesn't really like them because he knows I love them.
11. He makes me want to be a better person. I want to be more like him.
I love you so much Hema!! Thank you for making the last 11 years so great! I look forward to the next 11,000,000 and then some!! Happy Anniversary Baby! FOREVER!!!!

Happy Fathers Day!!!

We woke up this morning and told Little Hema that today is Fathers Day. I told him to tell daddy happy fathers day. He said "Heavenly Fathers Day Daddy!" So cute! I love fathers day. I have such wonderful fathers in my life! We spent the last few days camping with Hema's family and it was sooo fun! My father in law is an amazing man! I love him so much and consider him my father too! I am so grateful for the example he set for my hubby. The more I got to know Hema's dad while we were dating, the more sure I was that I would be happy married to Hema!

I also love my dad soooo much. We had him and mom over for dinner today. He is such a great dad and the best grandpa! He has always been such an example to me. He has always had a way of making me want to be better. Thanks dad for putting up with such a sassy girl!! And of course happy father dad to my sweet Hema!! He is the greatest dad. My kids are absolutely in love with their daddy. I know I complain sometimes that they prefer him to me, but really I think it is sooo sweet. I don't blame them either, I totally love him too! He works so hard so that I can be home with the kids. When he is home, he is always there for the kids. He LOVES to spend time with them. He reads to them, wrestles with them, pushes them on the swing for hours, cooks for them, kisses and hugs little owies away, plays catch and peek a boo, changes diapers and truly spoils them rotten! He is such a great example to them and never loses his temper. After a long day with the kids he will fall into bed and smile and say "Isn't this the best?? I have waited so long to have these kids and they are the best. There is nothing better!" Hema, you are the best!! We love you!!!!