14 years ago...seems like yesterday {most of the time}.

14 years.

4 kids.

a home.

a business.

good times.

friendships.

love.

happiness.

joy.

comfort.

YOU and ME.

together.

you've treated me like your new bride...

all these years.

thank you.

happy anniversary.

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The Song Refrain - I luv it!

...."hard days, good times, blue skies, dark nights baby, I want you to take me ... wherever you're going to maybe say that you'll save me ... a seat next to you..."

I just can't get OVER IT!...and a song worth memorizing...for all of us!

No I am not loosing it. I know I JUST POSTED this photo....

HOWEVER

I was stunned when I took some time to clean up the little chips that fit in my camera and found the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2007.

One teeny tiny year ago....SCROLL DOWN and prepare to be amazed!

LOOK AT LUKE in the TOP Photo - Now look at him ONE YEAR AGO right below!

What in the world!

Like a different KID!
The boys all changed, but I would have to say LUKE wins the DRASTIC DIFFERENCE award!

I wish that would happen to me! As each year passed I would get taller and skinnier. Wouldn't that be FAB!?

Thought this was a song worth sharing.

A song for my boys.

May you always know...with certainty that I am behind you 100%, irregardless.

Family & Friends....Life can't be any better!

It's Fall!

This calls for Friends & Family gathering at the "Hunting Shack"!

{One of my FAVORITE PLACES in the WORLD!}

Nic and his Nanny getting dinner ready. Beer "Butt" Chicken. I am sure there is a better name for that, but the kids really liked this one!

Campfires and Brothers.What a priceless memory this will be for the boys....
"Remember when...." is how the conversation will start in the years to come.

Luke measuring up the length of the NEW SHOOTING RANGE DECK!

Papa gave the family an automatic Clay Pigeon Thrower...

{I know there is a more technical phrase for that, but it escapes me}

So of course a SHOOTING DECK needed to be made!

I got to watch....:)

Chris had to work...but he LOVED every minute as he built is with his BOYS....

He was so patient and gave the boys the entire class on deck building in ONE WEEKEND!

Persistence...Almost Finished....

Putting the final touches on the NECESSARY Uniqueness of the deck via Papa!

James learning "Screw Gun" Basics. They were all SO MUCH HELP!

Little Superman just played with his army guys all day, but IT WAS NECESSARY to put him in the PHOTO, of course! He WAS part of the day after all!

Voila! Ready to spruce up the SHOOTING SKILLS!

That will take place THIS WEEKEND! Stay Tuned!

Sawyer.First Grade. Adorable. I think.

Luke looking a WEE BIT OLDER this year, don't you think?
Nic still holding out the HEIGHT award, not to mention the boy has some STYLE. Love it!

James, my little FOOTBALL STAR.

...and Sawyer, finally running with the big guys!

More Hunting Shack Memories.

These are my girls.

Some friends are missing in the photo...but there are a ton more weekends to come!

What a sweetie! Love those baby BLUES!

Classic "Angela" move. Bumping Broman's Drink all over the front of his shirt! Some "Boss"!

Love these memories!

A day on the lake....the 5 of us! WE MISS YOU NIC!

Can you see why it is called GREEN LAKE?

It is not because it is dirty and dingy I can tell you that much!

It is a beautiful GREEN color and it matches this boys eyes just perfectly!

This is James UNDER the Pontoon.

Due to the fact I am spending a TON of time at Unity this boy is pretty much attached at the hip to me ALL WEEKEND. I don't mind.

Those two on the left look NOTHING like each other.......NOT! Chris and the boys had some "fun in the sun" together. The water was warm and wonderful!


The infamous HAT! Here is Luke just hanging on the pontoon while the other boys were hanging out in the lake. Eventually he laid on the back of the pontoon soaking up the sun. James had to poke a little fun at him saying: "Luke, you are such a girl". Too funny!

James full of energy!

It took a little convincing, but once the little guy was in the water, there was no getting him out!

My Guy and Me. I love these summer days! Right in my back yard is the best summer vacation EVER! We are so blessed!

Enjoy your day. May the simple things bring you happiness!

Time to start UPDATING...DAILY! Take a peek!

So much to be proud of....

Look at my Nic! His FIRST big Salmon, and guess what the boy did? He sent it to his dad! For his BIRTHDAY! How FABULOUS is that? He is coming home in only 2 weeks! He has been gone for a month! Ahhhh....ALASKA....I am so proud of him!

Nic and his Salmon....HOORAY!

Where did he get those GREEN EYES? Love Em! This is our boy James at his very last baseball game of the summer. He is a champ, the kid has an arm - I'm telling ya! This was not his night - he injured it a bit...When you golf for 8 hours a day, it could get a little difficult to throw a fast ball in the evening. GEEZ! The kid is busy....

Life is not slowing down - the days are melting into one another, although you won't hear me complaining. I love every moment {well...most of them anyway}....

I am going to try to update this thing daily! Check back soon!

"Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and everyday. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings."

St. Francis de Sales

LOVE THAT!

Weekend ahead looks YUMMY!

Join us!

We will be out Saturday Evening!

GOOD TIMES!

OH! Happy Birthday Big Brother!

THE BIG 39 Today!!!!

YOU ARE THE BEST!

LOVE YOU TONS!

one moment long....

I was in my forum at Splitcoast, there is a conversation going based on a sweet mother that is so tired because she was up with her little one in the middle of the night. Bless her - those are long nights. I think someone could easily write a parenting book called "3 am". These days I don't miss 3 am, but I am grateful for 12 am. That is curfew. I am consistently in awe of the comfort the door opening and closing at that hour brings. (typically) I don't worry while Nic is gone, my faith is strong and I stay in a postive state of mind...but I will admit I am always relieved to hear his voice say "I'm home, mom...goodnight."

These days life doesn't slow down. Each time my children leave the house I swear they come back 1 inch taller. Luke arrived home from camp yesterday. The door to Unity opened and in he walked after a week at Bible Camp. He gave me a big hug - and proclaimed the enjoyment of his week looking down at me as he spoke. I stepped back , listening to this tall handsome 13 year old tell of the memories he had made, I fell in love with that moment. I felt so proud. That boy...I adore him.

James has left our home for the week as well. He is full speed ahead, that one. He is not content unless he is movin and groovin. He camps this week with friends, next week with bible camp, and the week after with his family. Dare I think he may appreciate being home after that? It is highly unlikely. Livin it up, that kid is. I won't stop him for a moment though. What a gift to be that in love with livin life. Takes after his Dad. Social. On the move.

Then we have the little one. He still is around keeping his mama company. This may be the very reason I appreciate the Independence of the older boys. Sawyer = 4 children. I never knew 1 small boy could have so many questions, stories and thoughts to share. He never stops talking.

I know that this lifetime really is one moment long. All the memories will be tied up into one simple moment one simple feeling. Love. I am so filled with that emotion I sometimes feel as though my heart may burst. To have been given so many opportunities to love. I can't even believe it! The very best part? It will only get better. I just can't wait!

The CAMERA did not come out BUT...

The food, laughs and golf clubs did! We had a story book Father's Day. Who gets to do that? We are so blessed. Our day consisted of being surrounded by ahhhhh....family. It was pure comfort, pure fun, perfect memories. The good Lord has definitely blessed us immensely. To top off the celebration we received the wonderful word that the Magnuson Family is growing by yet one more....NO! It is not me! I should say the Mateja Family so as not to scare anyone! Chris's sister Jessica is having a NEW BABY in December. Does life get any better?

So Father's Day arrived and departed in perfect fashion. We enjoyed life. We enjoyed one another. We took a moment...all together in prayer and pronounce how amazing this life really is. The simple miracles that are found in simple moments are nothing short of splendid.

I watched my husband's face, decorated with a handsome "perma-grin" all day long. What a blessing to share my life with a man who enjoys life so very much. You can sense it. Just being in his presence it is simply evident. His eyes sparkle. I love that. I love him.

To the amazing men in my life that call themselves DAD - Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.