Anniversary

Ben and I celebrated our 14th wedding Anniversary today. Looking back we have had our ups and downs and like any couple will continue to do so. We have also been very blessed and I wouldn't have asked for a better eternal companion to experience this life with. 

In the last year we have been focusing on the next chapter that awaits us. Ben has been working really hard in his program at BYU to ensure that we get to that next chapter. That has been an adjustment and continues to be an adjustment for all of us especially with all the craziness of COVID. He has had to do most of his program at home and so have the kids. Having everyone under the same roof practically 24/7, you're bound to step on some toes and nerves. Even with all that, we have done our best to enjoy this time in our lives.

Normally we would go out and have fun in order to celebrate. With COVID, that wasn't the case. The numbers for COVID have skyrocketed and has made it hard to feel safe going out. We did want to be able to celebrate though. We decided to make our own nice dinner that we could have from home.

After dropping off the kids at school, we went to Walmart to get that special dinner. We decided to have a steak dinner. We decided to try a New York Strip. They looked delicious in their packaging, I couldn't wait to eat them tonight. To go with the steaks, we got roasted garlic mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, and crescent rolls to finish it off. It all sounded so yummy, I could taste it all ready. Then we talked about a dessert. You can't celebrate without dessert. After walking through the bakery and not having anything jump at us we decided to pick it up elsewhere. As soon as we had all we needed we went to the front to pay and head out to the truck.

After loading our bags in the truck, we went to Kneaders. We had planned to have breakfast. We weren't sure if we'd get it to go or stay there. It all depended on whether or not they had a lot of people there. Luckily for us, they didn't have a lot, so we decided to eat it there. We also decided to get our dessert from there. We placed our order for two of their chunky french toast breakfasts and they Raspberry Crème pie. When she asked if we just wanted a slice, I laughed and told her that we wanted the whole pie. After placing our order we went and sat down.

We were able to find a table in the corner near no one. It was perfect. We sat down and waited for them to call our name. We didn't have to wait long and they actually brought it to us. It looked and smelled so yummy that we both dug in. It was just as good as I remember. While eating we talked about some big assignments that Ben has to work on and other things with school. We also talked about the kids and what was ahead of us when we move back to Ogden, come the end of the school year. 

When we were done, we picked up our pie and headed out. We needed to get milk from Costco, but the one we were next to (Spanish Fork) wasn't open yet. They didn't open to the general public until 10. We still had 40 minutes to wait. We decided to go to the Orem Costco instead, and headed to the freeway. Once we got off at our exit, we still had time to wait, so we stopped at Hobby Lobby. I'm having Taycina make me some shirts and I still needed to pick up the shirts. 

Once in the store we quickly made our way to the shirts trying to avoid the other shoppers. Once back at the shirts, Ben picked out a Baseball Tee. I liked the thought of that and we decided to do Baseball Tees for all of us. The boys would have black ones and the girls would have red. Once we grabbed those we headed to the front to pay. This took longer than I wanted, but as soon as we were done, we headed back out to the truck and on to Costco. 

Once at Costco we were in and out. We didn't need anything but milk. We did grab some of the bins that we used when we moved to add to our supply as well as some wipes, since they had some. Once we had those, we made our way to the front, paid, and back to the truck. When we were done loading up, we headed home.

At home we went our separate ways. Ben had some homework to do and I didn't want to get in the way since he couldn't do any homework once his class was over. While he did that, I did some blogging. When it was time for lunch, I asked him what he wanted. I did promise him a hamburger, but I wasn't hungry, so I turned to him. He wasn't that hungry either, so we decided to have a snack, but that was it. 

When it was time, I went and picked up the kids. I reminded the kids that Dad would be starting his class soon and that they'd need to be quiet. I don't know why I bothered because they were loud anyways. I tried to keep them quiet and allowed them to have their electronic time. They each spent their 20 minutes playing Disney Infinity. After they all had had their time, I sent them to their rooms to play hoping with the doors closed wouldn't be too loud. 

At 4 I got dinner going for the kids and when it was ready I called them in and they ate at the counter. When they were done, I got them going on their night time chores in hopes that they would cooperate so Ben and I could have a quiet evening. They didn't do too bad, but needed a few reminders of what they were supposed to be doing. Then Ben came out. 

He actually finished with his class faster than I thought he would. We worked together to get things pulled out and ready for our dinner. We pulled the steaks out and got them seasoned and in a marinade bag. That had to sit for at least 30 minutes. So while we waited for that I started on the other items while Ben went back in our room to get a little more done on an assignment that is due tomorrow.  

When he got to a place where he could stop, he came out and started to cook our steaks. While they were cooking my mouth was watering. It smelled so good and I couldn't wait until it was done. When they were done cooking, we placed them on the cutting board so they could rest. The timing was perfect because it was time for our Zoom appointment to get our Temple recommended renewed. When that call was over, it was finally time to eat. Yum.

We dished up and sat down at the table. It all looked so yummy and smelt amazing. I took my first bite of steak and couldn't believe it. It was amazing and I dare say the best that I have ever had. Ben did a great job on those steaks and I intended to eat every bite. When we were done, we cleaned up our plates and the cooking mess in the kitchen. It didn't take long and then we went to the front room to watch a movie.

We always watch a movie at the theater and if we could watch one at the theater we would watch one at home. We weren't sure what we wanted to watch, I just knew I wanted to watch one that we hadn't seen before. After some searching we ended up watching MUD with Matt McConaughey. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it wasn't bad either. While we watched our movie we also ate our dessert. It was just as delicious as our dinner. 

When the movie was over, we went and got ready for bed. I started another movie, 27 dresses, which seemed very fitting. We laid down and it was despite the circumstances a very nice day and a great Anniversary date. 

We didn't do gifts this year because of some recent purchases. We have spoiled ourselves the last few months, so much that we have considered that our Anniversary and Christmas gifts. We bought an adjustable bed frame (when we replaced our warranty broken mattress), a little bit bigger T.V. for our bedroom, and a surround sound speaker set for our T.V. in the front room. Needless to say, we didn't need to spend anything else on gifts for the next little bit. 

Happy 14th Anniversary!!!!