Married to the most wonderful woman in the world.

Happy Anniversary, honey. I can't believe it has already been seven years since we were married. In those seven years, we have driven from the west coast to the east coast (most of it with a one year old in the back seat), we have moved eight times, we have lived in two states, we have lived in six different cities, and two countries. We have seen Mount Saint Helens, fireworks over our nation's capital, the Wright brother's monument, old faithful, the vast Nevada desert, and the Congo river.

We have watched every episode of Lost, Heroes, The Office, Amazing Race (we even applied to be on that one), Survivor, Big Brother, the Mole, So you think you can Dance, Gilmore Girls, Dancing with the Stars, and Joe Millionaire.

We have gone to the theatre, or snuggled up on our couch to watch Legally Blond 1,2 and 3, The Notebook (which I cried at the end), The Vertical Limit (our first date), Finding Forrester (our first Kiss), Cast Away (the first time we said we loved each other), America's Sweetheart (on our honeymoon), and The Man who Knew too Little.

We have been to Jazz games (saw Ostertag get mad and dump the Gatorade in the tunnel), gone para sailing, been on the skycoaster at Lagoon, visited castles in Germany, eaten chocolate in Belgium, planned a trip to Hawaii, and planned our dream house.

Becca you have stood by me through good and bad times. I want you to know how thankful I am for you. I have uprooted you from your family and moved you across the world to a foreign land, where you don't know the language, the customs, the traffic rules, and although I know it is not your most favorite place in the world you have supported me and stuck with me to let me have a job I enjoy, even though you know we will someitmes end up in challenging locations. You have loved me in spite of my weaknesses, you let me play my video games, and even play them with me sometime. You love basketball and don't mind spending alot of money to get good seats to see the Utah Jazz play. You play Fantasy Basketball with me, even beating me most years. You have brought into this life our beautiful son, you care for him, feed him, and play with him when I am not there. Your life is devoted to our family.

I have told you this before, but I am always in a hurry to come home. I love my work, but I love you and Spencer more. You make the house a place where I want to be, the spirit is there, love is there, you are there. There are many people who look for ways to stay at work, so they don't have to go home, I look for reasons to go home. You have made our home a heaven on earth, no matter where that home is located. My dad even commented that even though the streets of Kinshasa are crazy, and he always became a little anxious to leave, he found our house peaceful and calm.

I am constantly amazed at your patience and your selflessness. You are always so willing to help others, Your selflessness is one of the things I most admire about you. You always want to buy people gifts, you think of ways to help people in our ward here, and although most people think you are in the States now so you can stay away from Congo for a longer time, I know the real reason you are there is to help your mom, and that taking care of Spencer all the time and not having much of your own free time is not always fun, but you are doing it because you have Charity, the pure love of Christ, in your heart.

These past seven years have been wonderful. You are more beautiful then the day when we had our first staring contest (which I won). You understand me, you support me and you love me. These past seven years have been the happiest times of my life, people who know me now, know I always have a smile on my face these days. I wasn't always so smiley, but I can't help it when the most beautiful girl in the world loves me. The only thing better then the last seven years is the knowledge that I will be with you forever, and that those seven years will only multiply and get better. Becca, I love you more than anything in the world. Happy Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Tyler!

The new music is for you Tyler. I love you! Seven years, can you believe it?!!? 

Us then (Spring 2001, just engaged) and now (Summer 2008, parasailing).

My Wonderful Husband!

This is what was outside my parents front door today. 

Aren't they gorgeous! I loved them honey!!! Thank you for the past 7 years!!! :) 

In other news...

Spencer and I have been having an enjoyable time here in the States, and have been able to do some of the things we've wanted to do already. We've gone to the park, which he couldn't get enough of, we went to the Virginia Marine Science Museum with Wyatt. Which the two of them just ran me ragged at. I swear we walked 5 miles that day. Sad to say that we forgot to bring the camera so there are no pictures. But they had a blast seeing the sharks, and running on the trails.I also got to take Spencer to his first movie!!!! We went to go see Kung Fu Panda. It was really cute. When we got there Spencer was in awe of the whole buying tickets and getting popcorn, a drink and candy. Then we walked into the theater and he just didn't know what to think. He was so excited. Although I think he mostly enjoyed eating the popcorn and candy the entire two hours more than the movie. By the end he was in my lap curled up with a blanket over him. (I had to bring the blanket because theaters are so cold and Spencer has no long pants, it was just his baby blanket.) I think overall he had a good time. He came home and told Grandma and Poppa all about the Kung Fu Panda. He did show them some of the panda's moves too. 

Other than that, we have plans to go see another movie, go to Chuck E Cheese and Bowling. I'll be sure to take pictures of those when we go. :) 

Culture Shock in the U.S.?

Who would have thought you could actually have some culture shock coming back into the U.S. after spending eight months in Congo? I sure didn't, but it is true. It is very weird to be back here. Don't get me wrong, I love being in the U.S., and being able to go to Target pretty much EVERY day. :) But it's just weird being here. I realize now that I had gotten very used to where we lived in Congo and how we did things day in and day out. Here in the United States, it's different. After being with lots of family and friends, I soon realized that people here are VERY busy. Do people in the states realize that they don't HAVE to do something everyday? Or even go out? Do they realize that things don't have to go 100 miles an hour? I'm not saying that it's wrong or anything, just so different from what we have been living in for 8 months. So now I know that I have picked up one things from the Congolese.......being slow. (not mentally, Seth) Just slowing down the pace of everyday life, and I guess actually enjoying things around you. Although I don't think the Congolese slow down to enjoy things around them, it's just that they do everything slowly. 

So, question (I feel like Dwight Shrute), has anyone else had this feeling of culture shock in the states after living overseas? Also, a question more to myself, will I get culture shock when I got back to Congo? 

Well, at least for now, I am enjoying my stay in the states, and seeing all of my family and friends. And going to Target and Wendy's. :) 

Happy 4th of July

Happy Independence Day everyone. Last night I went to the Ambassador's house for the 4th of July reception. It was a beautiful night with just a little bit of a wind. At the beginning of the reception an American doctor sang the national anthem, just as she was singing the line "gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there" a gust of wind came and extended the flag and made it wave just like the picture above. It gave me chills and reminded me what a great nation we belong too. I just wanted to express my gratitude for this country and the military that is protecting her. Becca will agree with me, that living overseas has made us more patriotic. As a nation we are so blessed to have the freedoms that we do. The Bill or Rights states,

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble..."

Isn't it wonderful to be a part of a country that allows its citizens these rights. Although I don't always agree with what is in the press or what people say, I am still thankful that we have those rights and I hope we as Americans never take those rights for granted as there are countless people who wished they had them. Deric, thank you for the sacrifices you make to protect our country. Dad, Doug, Grandpa Rigby, Grandpa Thompson, Uncle Bart and all the other family and friends who have served in the military, thank you for the sacrifices you have made to protect this great nation. God Bless America.

More fun at the Beach

Here are some more pictures of our week in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was so relaxing, and I believe everyone had a blast! Enjoy the pics. 

This is of Spencer and Austin taking a break from swimming to eat something from the ice cream truck that came by. To me, it looks like they are reviewing, and letting the other one know what their own ice cream tastes like. 
    All three kids who got ice cream. Kaylee looks like a little model here, so cute!
                                                        McKaylee and Spencer
Carter--- the bathing beauty? or wait.... sunning stud! :) And is it just me, or do you also see a little Tom Cruise in there? 
Kaylee swimming!!! She didn't even want to swim by herself at the beginning of the week, and by the end she was everywhere in that pool, and still looking stylish with her shades. 
Guitar Hero was a favorite of the week. Thanks Wyatt for bringing it so we could all play. I think the adults loved this game the most! I believe Heath won as THE actual Guitar Hero.