7 Happy Years!

It is so gratifying to know that we beat the odds! Today we celebrated 7 wonderful, chaotic, romantic, fun and sweet years of marriage! Although our anniversary will always be bitter-sweet, since it is also the same day Brandon's best friend died in Iraq; it is so comforting to know that I am married to my best friend for all eternity! Despite our polar differences, we bring such a sense of completeness to one another. When I am stressed, he is calm. When I am nervous, he is calm. When I am busy, he is calm.....Are we sensing a pattern here?

I love being married to a man who supports me in my personal goals and is always willing to be a part of my interests (traveling to debate competitions, school events, pageant parties, etc.)

I love being married to a loyal spouse who cherishs his relationship with his wife and son- Who never lets a day go bye without saying "I love you" or holding my hand. Who is active, competitive and Christ-oriented all at the same time. More than anything, I am so happy I found a man who believes in me!

Note the following list of 110 reason why I love my husband. This was a Christmas present to him in 2006. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing. :)

Reason Why I love Brandon Baker


1. He is the father of my children
2. He makes me laugh
3. He calls me at least twice a day-no matter what!
4. He lets me have “pageant parties”
5. He comforted me during pregnancy and child birth
6. He holds my hand
7. He helps me remember what’s truly important in life!
8. He looks for monsters in the shower when I’m scared
9. He pulls my hair back when I’m sick
10. He is the “perfect height”
11. He calls me “boob-a-loo” and “gum drops”
12. He lets me sing out loud when I’m with him in public
13. He takes out the trash (usually without even being asked)
14. He drives slow around the curves just to make me feel safe
15. He compliments me even when I am terrible at something (golf, dancing, mowing, etc.)
16. He tells me I’m beautiful
17. He is thankful for my cooking even when it’s corndogs or top ramen
18. He brought me to TEXAS
19. He gives me blessings when I’m sick or sacred
20. He lets me do the budgeting
21. He lets me spend money, even after I complain about not having any
22. He takes care of Taylor in the middle of the night, when I’m tired
23. He tries to help change dirty diapers- even when it makes him throw up
24. He is athletic and enjoys sports (and plays on 2 softball teams, a soccer team and bball)
25. He lets me play in his fantasy basketball and football leagues (and win)
26. He golfs- and once almost won a car in a tournament
27. He watches chick-flicks
28. He makes fun of chick-flicks right in the middle of the most romantic part
29. He tucks me into bed
30. He comes to high school games, competitions, and events without complaining
31. He has chaperoned or judged at over 10 DECA/Debate competitions (including twice on our anniversary)
32. He cares about my family
33. He served a mission in the Philippines
34. He is loyal
35. He is a good listener (when he’s not distracted) J
36. He allows me to be myself
37. He pushes me to grow and follow my goals
38. He cuddles with me
39. He holds me close to him when we’re in the temple
40. He pops my knuckles against my will
41. He makes Taylor giggle and squeal
42. He is strong in body, mind, and spirit
43. He has an impeccable work ethic
44. He likes to watch movies
45. He likes to eat out
46. He helps me clean (even on Saturdays)
47. He lights/buys illegal fireworks
48. He eats dressing every Thanksgiving
49. He tries to keep gifts and presents a secret-even though it never workds
50. He lets me help him with his homework, talks, lessons, or assignments
51. He teases me about being a hypochondriac
52. He likes to brush my hair
53. He doesn't complain when my back rubs only last 30 seconds
54. He likes animals
55. He bought me my first puppy
56. He likes family-oriented Christmas tree ornaments (even though I'd prefer sparkly ones)
57. He drinks Lactaid
58. He always wears his wedding ring
59. He is a “good” man
60. He knows a lot about music
61. He used to work on a farm
62. He hates rollercoaster’s
63. He is an Eagle Scout
64. He was in DECA
65. He dresses up for Halloween
66. He always does something romantic and creative on Valentine’s Day
67. He is compassionate
68. He is sincere and emotionally grounded
69. He bought me a Barbie cake for my birthday
70. He convinces me to buy him gifts I was originally against (Shotgun, X-box, Golf clubs)
71. He knows my “favorites” without having to ask (color, food, book, clothes, etc.)
72. He graduated in Business Management
73. He owns a cowboy hat
74. He dances with me at random moments (He also taught me to two-step)
75. He lets me drive his truck
76. He lets me sleep while he drives on long trips
77. He likes to play 20 Questions
78. He reminds us to say prayers
79. He is a Republican, but lets me persuade him to vote Democratic
80. He is tolerant and open-minded
81. He took hypnobirthing classes
82. He doesn’t complain when I leave the bathroom messy
83. He’s sarcastic and enjoys teasing or “trash talking”
84. He doesn’t mind when I act “cheesy”
85. He wears polo shirts
86. He pretends to read in bed with me, even though he hates reading
87. He won Flora and Muggy for me playing Ski-ball
88. He likes to camp and he likes my tin foil dinners
89. He watches “crime” shows with me (Law and Order/CSI)
90. He plays the piano (at least a little bit)
91. He wrote about basketball in his mission journal
92. He helps me with map quest directions
93. He taught me to like new foods (shrimp, “dressing,” elk, brisket)
94. He’s had a lot of jobs (Great Harvest, Macey’s, Jamba Juice, EE, Finish Line, CMS...)
95. He lets me tease him about having red eyes
96. He likes outdoor sports (snowboarding, hunting, fishing) though he rarely goes
97. He took me to the “Price is Right”
98. He plays with my hair clips and usually breaks them
99. He lets me steal all of the covers and sleep with 5 pillows at night
100. He is much better and grocery shopping and always saves money
101. He fixes and builds things (Sand table, Taylor’s bed, bathroom drawers)
102. He lets me give him hair cuts
103. He cuts and styles Taylor hair
104. He plays hide and go-seek with Taylor
105. He has my “exact” same thought at the “exact” same moment
106. He encourages me to complete my list of 100 things to do before I die
107. He wrote me a poem
108. He is a worthy priesthood holder
109. He is my husband, lover, friend, and companion for all eternity!
110. He gives me romantic kisses RIGHT now!

Kids Say the Darnest Things

Well...I never thought it would happen to me! I never thought that something I said in front of my son would translate into later embarassment when he passed the information on to others.

Example #1: During "transportation week" at school, Taylor's class was discussing safety rules while driving. When the teacher asked if anyone had any safety ideas to share with the class, Taylor eagerly raised his hand and said, "When your mom lets you sit in the front sit on special occassions, and you see a cop; you are suppose to lay down and hide".

Example #2: During soccer practice, Taylor purposefully gave the ball to a kid on the opposing team. When we asked him about it this was his reply: "Mom, he said PLEASE can I have the ball and so I had to give it to him."

Weekly Questions of a 4-Year Old

• Why does God have so many powers?
• Why doesn't our goblin come down the fireplace?
• Why can't I be a zombie-vampire for Halloween?
• Why does our cat always have poop on her butt?
• When can I grow-up so I can kiss a girl?
• Can I drive your car to take my friends to kill the dragon in the hot lava castle?
• Why are there so many poor people?
• What is breast cancer and why is it pink?