23rd Wedding Anniversary

Our story began before I was born. We have had our up's and our down's. It has never been a smooth ride. But it has been interesting, very seldom ever boring. But it is our story. And I love it. I was the first child out of 8 children. It had been many years since my mom had been around a baby. She wanted some practice taking care of a baby before I was born. So she called Betty Brown. Betty had just adopted a little boy named Bill. Bill was born 6 months before I was. So my Mom kept Bill for the day and practiced taking care of a baby. When we were sunbeams Fruitland and New Plymouth went to church together in New Plymouth. Bill kept pulling my piggy tails. So one Sunday I got sick of that and went to the Bishop and told on him! When I was 12 Fruitland went to church in Payette. My Grandma and Grandpa Stokes lived in New Plymouth. One Sunday we were at their house visiting. Bill came over to collect fast offerings. I hid in the back room and peeked through the door at him. I thought he was so cute! I didn't see him again until after my Mom died. A couple of days after she died Bill and Leisa came to my Grandma Winegars to give us a pie. I was 15 years old. After they left I asked my Grandma who that was. She told me it was Bill Brown. I told her that I wished he wasn't married! She said, "he's not, that was his sister Leisa!" Shortly after that he called me. We talked for awhile and then he asked if he could come over and take me for a ride. On my 16th birthday he took me on my first date. We dated for 2 and a half years before we were married.
It is hard to believe that we have been married for 23 years. It seems like just yesterday that we were a young, struggling married couple. And then there is another part of me that thinks Bill and I have been together our whole lives. He is my life. It is hard to picture my life without Bill. He is a big part of who I am today. We were married at the age of 18. Now I can't believe we did that! So we have literally been growing up and changing together. We have had our share of marital struggles. But I am happy that he is still a part of my life. I am not sure if I could survive without him. I never want to find out. Marriage is not easy. At least for us it has'nt been. But we have learned. We have grown. We have to make it a daily process. I love Bill more today than I did 23 years ago. Whenever I look at him, I still think he is so handsome. I feel lucky that he chose me to be his wife.

Stokes Family Reunion 2009

As I sit at my computer this afternoon, I am reflecting back on the wonderful weekend that I had with my family. My family, with the exception of my sister Amberly and her family and Jeron and his family, went to New Meadows, Idaho. Amberly and Jeron and their families where greatly missed. It never seems complete without everyone in attendance. As I think about their absence, it reminds me of just how important it is for ALL of our family to be together forever. I don't want to have any of my family missing. Some of the happiest moments of my life have been when all my family is together. We enjoy each other so much! It is what our Heavenly Father designed families for. My Aunt Donna Jemmett and her family have a cabin right out of New Meadows. It is beautifully surrounded by pine trees. The sound of the water in the Salmon River running over the rocks was the perfect backdrop for a wonderful vacation. It is usually very warm in this area this time of year. However, we went during a cold front. When we arrived Friday evening it was raining. But Saturday was about 75 degrees and sunny. We couldn't have ordered better weather. Saturday morning Cristle and I went for a walk up a trail on the mountain. As we are walking I couldnt help but think of my Mother. She would have loved this vacation. This place had everything that she loved and cherished: her family, mountains, wildflowers, rocks, berries, the river and trees. I told Cristle, "My Mom would have eatten this place up!" I missed her. But I thought of her walking next to me on that trail. It made me happy. Saturday we all played all day long. There where so many things to do. Everyone had something to do all the time. We rode four wheelers, shot guns, played lawn darts, visited on the patio, some of us went into Riggins and shopped and got milkshakes. In the evening, after a yummy dinner of barbequed pulled pork sandwiches, beans and watermelon, we went out to the volleyball area. The sun was starting to set. It was beautiful outside. We had a big volleyball game. It started small but just about everyone had joined in by the end. It got very loud and very competitive. Exactly what our family loves to do! At the end of our game we gathered around the fire. Dad told us stories about his mother, Lottie Stokes, life. It was very interesting.
Sunday morning we packed, cleaned the cabin and then had a family meeting. We discussed where we want to go on our family vacation next year. I am already looking forward to it. What a wonderful, wonderful family reunion!!!!

Life without baseball?

We have had 5 months of nonstop baseball. We have finally reached an end to the season. I am so relieved. However, now I can't help but ask the question, "now what do we do?" We have become so used to planning our every evening around either practices or games. It is going to be weird (but nice) not having anything to do in the evenings. I do not have any plans of filling that time with other activities. Those will come soon enough. I think I will just enjoy the rest of my summer.

Random going's on

I haven't blogged for awhile. It is a busy time of year! So what have I been up to? Lots and Lots of baseball! Tristan, Braxton and Tanner have been playing baseball. So we have had 5 months of baseball! Baseball 5-6 days a week for 5 months! Time to be finished for awhile. At least for 1 month before we start into football and soccer.
I am not sure if I like this hot weather. It is over 100 degrees for the next 3 days at least. And then it will calm back down into the 90's. It makes it very difficult for the kids to go outside and play. They are driving me crazy today. I feel like it is a snow day and they are all cooped up inside. Not good for any one! I am looking forward to going to LaGrande next week. I think I am going to leave everyone home. Of course I am bringing Tristan. But other than that I am going to be child free for 5 days. I am looking forward to sleeping in, taking naps and going to see some movies. No children tattling, fighting or crying. That is what I call a vacation!
I picked a 5 gallon bucket of beans from my garden yesterday. I canned 20 quarts. It is nice seeing food in jars. Especially food that I grew! We have been very blessed this year. Our garden has really taken off! So I should fill lots and lots of bottles.

Tristan's National All Star Team

Tristan plays Babe Ruth baseball for SRV (Snake River Valley). This team is comprised of the best players chosen from Ontario, Fruitland, Payette and New Plymouth. Their sponser is the Elks in Ontario Oregon. So they play district and state tournaments against Oregon teams. They played their district tournament in LaGrande this past weekend. They played against Baker, LaGrande and the American SRV team. Tristans team took first place at the tournament. For their grand finale of their baseball season they will play their state tournament in LaGrande. This will be July 20-25.