The Big "Five-O" . . . Really???

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday!!  He is 50 years old!!!  Wow, where did the time go?  The weird thing is that I am following close behind :)  Brad, you look great at 50! I love your graying hair - I truly do!  It makes you look distinguished and very handsome :)

We had a huge party for him on Saturday night and it was a blast!  Thanks to the boys and to the Lee family for helping us so much.  We missed Emily and are sad that she is so far away - but she is doing good things with her life. Tons of people came and it was so fun to see so many friends and family who care about him.  Thank you all of you for being in our lives.  And thank you for braving the huge rainstorm to come and wish Brad well.  We love all of you.

Brad, thank you so much for sharing the last 25 years of your life with me.  I am so very blessed and grateful that I get you for my eternal companion.  You truly are the best friend and husband a girl could ever have and I really don't know how I got so lucky to share my life with you.  Thank you for our beautiful family and for always taking care of us.  Thank you for honoring your priesthood and for serving God so diligently.  You are my love and my life and I love you more than I can express.

Happy Birthday!!

First Date

Tonight is the 25th anniversary of my first date with my hubby.  25 years . . . a quarter of a century - that is a long time!  But what's funny about it is that it seems like I have been with him for longer - forever in fact.  And I definitely mean that in a good way :).  It is sometimes difficult to really remember what life was like before Brad.  I remember things, but it seems like it was another lifetime.  This one, the one with him is the one I always dreamed about as a little girl.  I can't believe I get to live my life with him.  The best part is that if we live right, we will get to be together forever.

For posterity's sake I will recall the details of that night!  We went to BYU's production of "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat".  It ended way sooner than we expected so we went to Brad's apartment and hung out.  We watched an episode of Taxi and chatted with roommates.  That's it - but we were together pretty much every day after that!

Brad, thank you for finding me and loving me.  Thanks for being my best friend and the one who I always would rather be with.  Thanks for putting up with all my flaws :)

I'm the Lucky One :)

I don't know how I got so lucky to have 2 sweethearts on Valentines Day.  But I am so very lucky.  These 2 cuties are who I get to share it with (besides my 4 other wonderful kids):

 Ryan was born on Valentines Day 9 years ago!  I can't believe that my little guy, my tail end of the family is already 9 years old...where did the time go?  He was my little sidekick for years, but he is growing up enough that he wants to be close, but not too close!  I took Taco Bell and some balloons to him for lunch today and got to hear all the kids in the cafeteria sing to him - it was great!  I love this guy so much and I am so happy that he came to our family.  He is such a happy spirit and brings sunshine wherever he goes.  The thing I love best about him right now is that everything that he does: every food that he eats, every activity that he does, is the "best thing I ever ate, or "the funnest thing I ever did"!  Wouldn't it be great if we all lived life like that?  Happy 9th birthday and Valentines Day Ryan :)

Now...this guy is my real and forever Valentine.  Did I already say that I was lucky?  Well, I'm not just lucky, I am sooooo blessed to have this guy as my sweetheart.  I don't think there was ever in the history of man, a husband that treated his wife with as much love and respect as mine does.  Even my mom points out to me how lucky I am!  I'm not trying to be mushy and over-the-top, but I am totally serious.  I married waaaayy out of my league.  This guy is the real thing and I get him FOREVER!!!  Love you Brad :)

Father's Day 2010

Father's Day this year was down to only 3 kids plus 1 dog.  Brad - Happy Father's Day!  I am sooooo glad that our children get to have you as a father.  You are good and kind and teach the kids so well.  I love how you have taken time out of your busy life to play "Hop on Pop", coached endless soccer and basketball games and told even more incredible bedtime stories that I don't get to hear.  They are just for the kids when they are little.  You have given us all so much and we will be forever grateful.  We love you more than anything!

Ryan, Murphy, Alex, Danny and DAD!

Getting Older!

If I could have cut out the part with me in it I would have - because this day is all about Brad! 48 years ago today he was born! Brad is and always has been the better 3/4's of us. I adore him and thank my Heavenly Father every day for the gift he is and has been to me. He is funny, smart (and a smart alec), gentle, kind, and the most loving husband in the universe. He is a wonderful father and provider. Brad, you are loved more than you will ever know. Thank you for putting up with me and I hope you have a wonderful day! I love the quote that Debi Crandall wrote on your Facebook: "the older the fidder, the sweeter the tune". So, so true. The last 23 years have been the best and I know it will just keep getter better. Love you babe.

Fathers Day 2009

This was the first Father's Day without Emily and it just wasn't quite the same. How did I get blessed this much to have Brad as the father of my children? I know how lucky I am and I hope they know how lucky they are! Brad is good and kind and strong and fun. He has taken being a father seriously - ever since he held a newborn Emily in his arms. He is such a good teacher and sets such a good example. He has always honored his Priesthood and taught the boys to honor theirs. Brad has always made time to coach the kids in various sports. It has been harder since he was made Bishop, but he has coached basketball and soccer for many years. The kids will never have a shortage of family memories either. We have been on so many wonderful family vacations, but some of our best times have even just been around the kitchen table. He works hard and provides so much for us. Thank you for all of the love and sacrifices you make for your family. We love you more than words can say!

3rd Ward Camps

This isn't a very good picture, but it's all I've got. Danny went on his very first Scout Camp up by Big Lake and had a great time. At the same time, Taylor and Alex went on a High Adventure with their age groups to California, and the girls in our ward had Girl's Camp at Camp LoMia - all at the same time!

Brad and I had the privilege to go up for Bishop's Night. This was our 3rd or 4th time. Brad spends a lot of time making up games and different things to do with the girls. They really love it when he come. I'm sad because this is the first year I didn't get a picture of Brad with all the girls, but this one is of him in action!

Sweethearts

Happy Valentines Day!

7 years ago today, our last little boy was born. Ryan Joseph McBride has since competed for the position of "Sweetheart" with Brad. Of course Brad will always and forever be my sweetheart, but Ryan sure has lobbied hard! He's always saying, "she's MY sweetheart dad"!

What can I say about my hubby? I can never put into words my thoughts and my feelings. But here goes a try. I don't know how I ever lucked out to get Brad for eternity! He is seriously the most wonderful husband EVER. He is thoughtful, kind, funny, smart, generous, and loving. He treats me like a queen and he is my best friend I've ever had. Our marriage is better than I ever dreamed. I love how we want to spend every minute of every day together. We never get sick of each other - and we would rather be just us together than to be with other people. I love him more than words can express and I am soooo glad that he is my Valentine forever. I love you Brad. And I love you too - Ryan (my other Valentine)!

Miscellaney Odds & Ends

Groovin' to Rock Band

Saying "goodbye" to Emily

I LOVE this picture of Brad with his "kids" in Mozambique.  It melts my heart!

FHE/Procrastination

Last night for FHE, Brad gave a lesson on Procrastination. It was something that we all needed to hear.  He found this little video on YouTube that was so dang funny - but uncomfortable because I recognized that I am like that too often. Click on the title and you can watch it.

Happy Birthday Brad!

Yesterday, September 13th was Brad's 47th BIRTHDAY!  I know that he is feeling pretty old right now, but he doesn't seem old to me!  Besides, I'm trailing right behind him :(  It won't be so easy for me to joke about it in February (ha ha).  I am so thankful for my wonderful hubby. I have been with him for 22 birthdays now and I can't imagine living without him.  He is my rock and my favorite person in the whole world.  I love you Brad.

It Started With Us

Brad and I have been busy living our wonderful fairytale for almost 22 years now!  July 18, 1986 was the big day and we have loved every minute of it!  Well . . . almost!  Seriously, there have been hard times and trials that we have gone through as a family.  But hopefully we have grown and learned as we have gone through them.  I am so glad that he is by my side and  I am so thankful that we found each other and that we have been so blessed.