One Lucky S.O.B.

Today is Stan's and my 24th Anniversary! I woke up to my favorite dark chocolates and a card that had this on the envelope:

Stan wrote me a poem for this anniversary. I love his poems, they make me feel treasured and loved. And as we now are facing a new adventure, this poem is especially sweet to me.

Every day I love you more

Sweeter than the day before

Each hug, each kiss a golden treasure

A secret trove far beyond measure

Years in the making this priceless hoard

Given piece by piece from one adored

Gratefully accepted then stashed away

Waiting silently till this special day

No need to count or weigh these riches

They fill up rooms and halls and niches

They're found throughout, in every part

And the sum of all is in my heart

I am so grateful for the past 24 years, the family we have and the love we share. The future right now is a bit uncertain. but I can't think of anyone I'd rather face it with than Stan. I am one blessed woman. Thank you Mr. Mullis!

May 21, 1988

Happy Anniversary

Stan and I were married 23 years ago today. It was a wonderful day. I was nervous, excited, happy, scared, and anxious all at once. The thing that helped me as I walked down the aisle was my sweet father. He was crying so hard I had to be strong for him so he'd be able to make it down to leave me with Stan and he could go be with my mother. I'm not sure exactly why he was crying. Probably glad to finally get me off his hands!

Here are some pictures of then, and now .....

 May 21, 1988

 Spring 2010

 With Our Family

May 21, 1988

 Christmas 2010

 March 2009

 March 2006

October 2007

We've gone through a lot of changes over the years. Three homes, two cities, and two boys taking us from just the two of us to a family of four. It's been an adventure! Looking forward to the next twenty-three years!

The Royal Wedding

Okay, I admit it, I have been enraptured by the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I love the romance of it all and all the fanfare surrounding it. It's not something that happens very often, and it was a treat. These past couple of months have been so full of bad news it was wonderful to focus on something like a happy wedding like this.

The pictures are out, and you can go see them here http://bit.ly/ltCFFa but I've posted a few of my favorites. It really and truly was a fairy tale. The beautiful girl won the prince's heart and lived happily ever after. At least I hope they do!

My Nephew Got Married!

My nephew Eric, who is my sister Cheryl's youngest son, got married in September.  Sadly, we weren't able to be there.  My Dad finally sent me some photos of the big day, and it looks like it was a lot of fun!

Here are the happy couple.  Cheryl's husband Don built the arch they're standing under.  (The man on the right is the Bishop who married them.)

This is my sister Cheryl.  I think she looks so pretty in her lovely blue dress and pearls.  She looks very "Mother of the Groom" to me too.  And now, it's one down, one to go!  My nephew Neal gets married next summer. 

I like this picture. My nephew Eric looks so happy! His cute wife Amber looks like she's happy too. After all the work and preparation, this was a good day for everyone, I'm sure!

Twenty One Years and Counting

In my family when you celebrated the birthday that matched your birth date, it was called a "golden birthday." I know that being married 21 years on the 21st doesn't make it a golden anniversary, but it's pretty great all the same.

I have had such a terrific time these years. We started out in a little 900 sq ft condo, bought a sweet house, then moved here to Colorado nine years ago. What an adventure these years have been! Some more photos:

Here I am with my bridesmaids. My friend Ilene once said it looked like the Rose Parade court. I love all the lovely lavendar dresses, which of course no one would dare wear after that day! From left to right they are: Stan's sisters Merodie and Susan, my sister (matron of honor) Cheryl, Ilene and Beth. Aren't they beautiful?

Here's my father and I beginning our walk down the aisle. The poor thing was crying and so emotional, I had to be strong to get him down there. Actually, he's holding on to me, not the other way around! A sweet memory for me.

We're married! Leaving the chapel I was so happy! It's interesting to me that all these years later I am still crazy about the guy. I can't imagine my life without him.

I wanted to post a picture of our cake. It was poppy seed with lemon filling and so good!

TWENTY ONE YEARS!

Good things do come to those who wait!

Wedding Bell Memories

More memories of our special day. We had the best time. The building we were married in is adjacent to the community college. Behind it stands the Institute Building, which has a large lawn next to it with a huge, gnarled old oak tree. My mother, who was the Institute secretary, and I thought that would be a perfect spot for photos. They came out great!


We had family members come from South Carolina, Utah and and all over the state of California. We were blessed to have had Stan's Grandma Helen with us as well. I adore this picture of all our family that came gathered together at the base of the oak tree. Even though it was May, it was hotter than the hinges of Hades that day, and everyone was so great to stand there and pose for us! It's fun to see the babies that are now grown, and the think about the ones that have been born since this day, and to remember all those we've lost since this was taken.

Our wedding party was composed of our dearest friends and siblings.

Standing are: Stan Eriksen, Owen Chiu (who introduced us), my nephew Neal, Brian Duke, Stan and I, my sister Cheryl, her other son Eric, her husband Bruce, Beth's husband Ken, and Stan's brother-in-law Al.

Sitting are: Ilene Hahn, Merodie Mullis, Beth Myers, and Susan Applegarth.

For the wedding my nephews, aged 5 and 3, also wore tuxedos. However, Eric, the three-year-old, absolutely REFUSED to wear the vest and tie. As a result he looked like a little lounge singer in his tux and open collar shirt. So cute, I wish I could go back in time and give him a squeeze. Neal kept thinking we were calling them Ring Bears, so we got them little t-shirts to wear at the reception. I think it's cute that Eric, who refused to wear a tie, somehow found a flower to wear on his t-shirt and thought that was okay. I so love these boys, who are now grown. Neal is serving in the Peace Corps in Jordan, and Eric is a preparing for his own wedding this September!

Remembering Friends

This week Stan and I will celebrate our 21st Wedding Anniversary. I've been thinking about it a lot and reminiscing about the people and events of that week. I've decided to share some of the photos in this blog over the next couple of days as I make a trip down memory lane.

This is Stan and his family. From the left are: his sister Susan's husband Al, Susan, Stan's father Jim, his sister Merodie, and his mother Joanne. His sisters and Al were in the wedding party, and his father wore a tux. I had selected the old fashioned English style tuxedos, and Jim looked like a propery English gentleman with his grey hair. Stan looked pretty awesome too!

I asked the photographer to take a portrait of my parents, and I am so glad I did!

They look so nice in this picture, and I'm so happy to have this. They worked very hard to make sure my day was special. It was!

Stan's best friend Brian was his best man, and his best friend.

We lost Brian the summer of 2002; we miss him terribly.
Knowing he was with us when we started our lives together is a precious memory.

My best friend of over 40 years, Beth.
She wasn't my matron of honor, although she should have been. (One of my regrets)
She went through EVERY aspect of getting ready for my wedding with me, from helping me select my gown, to getting to the bed and breakfast we stayed in on our wedding night and placing a banner and some goodies in our room waiting for us.
In my heart she is more than my best friend.

I'll post some more pictures tomorrow! Hope you enjoy revisiting this with me. And, if you don't recognize the man with the dark hair and beard, it's my very own Stanley Bear before the kids and I turned him grey!