Happy Anniversary, baby....

Well, here we are, 17 years of marriage and we still enjoy the simple things in life....like...

Bar-B-Que ribs... Corn on the Cob... and Cool evenings together... Yep, we are simple, but it hasn't always been this way. We started out with nothing, but each other and a sure knowledge we were to be together, forever. Then we added a cat, a baby and another baby, and then later, 3 dogs...but the story is so much more than where we started and where we are now. The story is about commitment, and about supporting each other during those inevitable tough times. However, for me, I feel so blessed that Wayne has stuck with me, supported me and continued to love me during years of difficulty. We have been there for each other - plain and simple. He has stuck by me during depression, a trip to the mental hospital, secrets tumbling out, healing, lots of therapy, upheaval in work, college, grad school and so very much more. Together, we have endured miscarriages and hoped for more children, purchased a house we made in to a home and do our daily jobs so that we may provide for our family...and one nasty car accident with a palm tree. But through it all, we have made a life and we have built a future. We don't have many worldly things, and we don't want them, but we have what counts - each other and our children who are learning to love who they are and who have many opportunities to serve others. We have the gospel and we are working it out the best way we can. Through it all, we sing the same song to our God, enjoy the same quiet life that we always have and once in a while, take time to walk on the beach holding hands. One thing I know for sure, I am a blessed woman to have Wayne as my partner, my friend, my lover and my laughter sharer. He has held me in the best of times and in the worst of times - always reminding me he is here, he is not going anywhere and he still loves to wake up next to me in the morning. Really, at the end of any day, what more could anyone ask for? So, here is to our 17th wedding anniversary and looking forward to many more quiet nights at our favorite Bar-B-Que joint and a lovely walk through a hotel's vineyard....perfect in every way.

Go, Go, Go, JOSEPH!

My oldest son, Grant, participated in our Stake's amateur production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Grant has been in several school plays and has really been bitten by the 'acting bug.' This play was more for the adults in our stake, but they did include all the teens and children who wanted to be involved. The production was so much fun and I enjoyed being part of the "Dream Team" as director of publicity - that is what I can offer as I don't sing, dance or act...that would not be my thing, but for Grant, he LOVES it! He is the extrovert child and I am the introvert mom. Here are a few pictures from the play. Please note, I was the proudest mom of a camel's rear end ever! Grant was also asked to write, direct and 'star' in the pre-opening skit...which he called "The Tacky Tourist" - it was pretty funny. He is in the tacky Goodwill shirt for this one.

Do you want to see more pictures? http://www.themontecristoward.com

Grant is the 2nd "Hump" putting Joseph in Chains The Tacky Tourist

Grant as a guard

the entire Cast! Wow..... <

Art by Wayne...my main man

My husband Wayne is an artist who is perfecting his craft often. These are 3 examples of his work and 3 of my favorites. He focuses on nature, which I love.... He was recently commissioned by a co-worker to paint the co-worker's childhood home and it is looking great so far. I enjoy his art hobby, especially since I can barely draw a stick figure. We all have our talents, and art is definitely one of Wayne's.

Utah Birch from a brochure from the Utah Shakespearean Festival

Ocean Breeze

My favorite of his Lighthouse Paintings

Good News!

I had my 6 month check up with my breast specialist, Dr. Spotts (yep, that is her name...) and I got good news. The lump in my right breast has done "nothing of significance" since my last check up. What that means is I am A-OK and don't have to have a biopsy. YEA! I must say that the mammogram process is not pleasant. I actually got a bruise after the last series of 3 pictures. I cried - right there - in the mammography room - that is how badly it hurt. I took a picture with my camera phone, which I won't post as I don't want to end up on some porn site...but damn (yep I swore) It hurt like nothing else! Since I am an adopted woman I have been very careful with my health. I started getting mammos at 30 at the suggestion of my primary care doctor as I have no health history. I have to say, this as well, being adopted is hard - not knowing anything about my beginning is hard and at times, painful. In fact, I have lobbied the Nevada Legislature in favor of an open records for adult adoptees bill, but the big money adoption agencies lobbied against our little group. For more Open Records information see - http://www.nevadatriad.org What I do have is what is called my "non-identifying information" purchased by me from Catholic Charities of So. Nevada, who is the agency that facilitated my adoption. I do know this much...I was the 6th child born to a woman named Barbara when she was 27. I have 5 older brothers, who at the time of my birth were in foster care. And, my birthfather, Bill, was married with 2 children, a boy and a girl. I am Irish and that is about all I know. I love Barbara for giving me the best that she could at the time in 1965....but sometimes, I just ache so much to have her hold me that it hurts. I guess this post turned in to more than I expected....I am thankful for a healthy right breast and a First Mother who gave me a life that she at the time felt she could not provide. Thanks Barbara...where ever you are!

A Few Vacation Pictures

The Beach at Sunset....nothing better

My feet where Amy Grant stood! (breath..breath..)

Mom and sons on the beach

The Family at Universal Studios

We had a wonderful time on our short spring break vacation. Creating family memories is one of my favorite things to do. I love these men in my life and I feel so lucky that my kids enjoy hanging out with their "old parents" -- we laugh a lot with and at each other and it is so fun to be with them - truly enjoying their company.

We just wish we had more days to spend in Sunny So. California...we love it there and love when we get to play together.