Seven years of.....

It's our anniversary on Sunday. Russ and I were married August 23, 2002 in the Billings Montana Temple. To avoid cliches, I won't say that I love Russ more now than I did then, but the sentiment remains the same. We've passed through, enjoyed, and endured many things---together. That's the most important part--we've been together.

In those seven years, there's been lots of changes:

-2 Presidents (Bush and Obama)

-1 War
-2 Prophets (Hinckley and Monson)

-2 computers (The Gateway and The Acer)
-5 vehicles (The Excel, The Nissan, An Acura, A Pontiac, and Kevin's $200 cast-off Kia)

-4 funerals of loved ones (Grandma Rice, Grandpa Sauer, Grandpa Cutler, and my dad (Darrell Sauer)
-Annie's 7 jobs (The Wells family, REWARDS, Target, Sylvan Beaches, Scarborough, and Helena, and the AAPD Head Start Dental Home Initiative)
-Russ's 5 jobs (Gateway, Sweetheart, Bond Marketing Group, State of Montana and Eide Bailly)
-4 Wards (West Park, Toronto Beaches, Helena 1st, then back to West Park)
-3 Nieces (Haley Rice, Juliet Rice, and Tylee Sauer)

-3 Nephews (Carson Rice, Jordan Baird, and Spencer Rice)
-7 Apartments
-1 apartment that smells like cat pee
-2 live-in stints with Russell's parents
-1 live-in stint with Brad and Tiffany (we're good moochers)
-2 Microwaves (a big brown one from Aunt Marlene and Faith Wallis' cast away---both free)
-2 vacuums (the Hoover Windtunnel, and now, the Hoover Elite--in red)
-1 miscarriage
-1 boy (Blake Russell Rice)
-1 girl (Maren McCann Rice)
-2 Cesarean sections
-1 unsafe left turn violation
-28 parking violations, 6 that Russell knows about--because I left them in the car)
-3 car break-ins
-1 stolen car stereo
-1 terribly witty Annie
-1 towed and impounded car (another parking violation)
-4 Internet providers
-3 cell phones
-2 college graduations
-2 hard-earned degrees
-2 Emergency room visits (Me-random ear thing and Blake-stitches)
-4 grueling C.P.A. Exams
-1 super hot CPA
-3 sibling weddings (JC, Audra, and Toby)
-3 new in-laws (Katrina Skeen, Richard Baird, and Stormy Reno)
-1 major, messy, and quite lengthy experience with potty training
-1 Step-parent (John Boyer)
-2 Countries of residence (Canada, United States)
-75 pounds of weight gain (between the 2 of us....Yikes!)
-1 fight....okay, not really....0 fights.

One absolutely wonderful experience. Not always perfect, but in everything---together. I've included some of the not so good times, but I am always reminded of our miscarriage after we had tried so long to have a baby. Russ and I, discouraged, knelt in prayer together and cried. That for me, solidified our earthly experience. Whatever life could throw---we could handle it, if we did it with an "eye single to the glory of God." I am grateful for our marriage--and all that comes with it.....good and otherwise.