A night out

Dale and I have been having our "date nights" during the day while most of the children are in school. However, this week we left all the kids at home and went out in the evening to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I usually pick the restaurant. This time I insisted Dale pick. He chose Bay City. Dale ordered the Orange Roughy (a white fish) and I had the Crab and Shrimp Alfredo. We splurged and ordered dessert too! I had the double chocolate cake. I talked Dale into ordering the turtle cheese cake because I wanted to taste that too! LOL! He was going to order coconut cream pie -- UGH!! Everything was delicious! After dinner we did a little Christmas shopping. The kids made out well at home, although they were watching TV and not doing their homework! When the cats away the mice do play! The kids had fun taking pictures of us before we left for our date.

Happy Anniversary, Hon!

Dale and I were married 18 years ago today! I thought it would be fun to reminisce on how it all began! We first met when mutual friends, Paul and Debi Hoffman, introduced us to each other at the Kingsdale Fire Company where Dale was playing music. (August 27, 1988) I can still remember Paul's words, "Dale, this is Gwenda Wagner. Gwenda, this is Dale Eyler. Ok, I've introduced you, the rest is up to you." Paul then walked away! This was during a break in the music. We talked with each other throughout the entire intermission. Just before getting ready to go back on stage, Dale handed me a pen and notebook, asking me to write down my phone number, which I did. I really wasn't expecting to hear from him, but he called me two days later on my 24th birthday, and asked me out!

Our first date was to a steak house in Hanover. Can't remember the name, but it has long since gone out of business. At the end of our night Dale explained that he had several music engagements coming up that would take him out of state, back and forth for a few weeks. His next several weekends were booked. He said he would call me when that was all over, in about a month. I'm thinking, "Sure, you'll call me in a month. Whatever." I really never thought I would hear from him again. However, true to his word, he called me a month later and asked me out again!

It was on our second date that Dale taught me about the Plan of Salvation. It all made perfect sense. (I had always known I lived with my Father in Heaven before coming to Earth.) It was at about this same time that our mutual friends, the Hoffman's, also introduced me to two missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I began the missionary discussions and continued dating Dale. Let me make one thing clear, when I say Dale and I were dating, it was all strictly platonic. There was not even any hand holding! Our dating continued in this manner until a month AFTER my baptism into the Church -- eight months. Dale told me later he didn't want me joining the church because of him. It needed to be for the right reasons, and it was. I think this speaks volumes about Dale's character. Dale also told me later that he knew when we met that I would one day join the church.

We continued dating. It was New Year's Eve of 1989 when Dale first told me that he loved me. In early summer of 1990 we started talking about getting married. In August of that year we applied for our marriage license. We then had our November 3 rd wedding in the Washington DC Temple after dating two years and two months.

Our wedding day was beautiful! Temperatures must have been in the upper 60's, it was warm and sunny. I couldn't have asked for a better day! Now here we are, 18 years and seven children later! I am so blessed to have Dale as my partner and eternal companion. Not a day goes by that I don't thank my Father in Heaven for him. Dale is loving, understanding, supportive, protective, and a great provider to me and our children. I know this is hard for people to beleive when I say this, but he has never spoken harshly to me, never raised his voice to me in the more than twenty years that I've known him. I love Dale with all my heart! Happy Anniversary, Hon! I love you!!

First time for everything

My mother should be nick-named "The Candy Nana"! Each time we visit, each time she visits us, she gives us two bags of candy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I like my candy as much as the kids! Mom tries to give us our favorites, this includes Hershey's miniatures and Goetze's caramels! After dividing the bag seven ways, it isn't as much as you might thing -- maybe five pieces each. Then, if Dale and I each take a few, of course the kids get even less. My point is, two bags isn't as much as you might think. (I'm trying to rationalize all this candy in my house! Can you tell?) Each Halloween Mom makes up candy bags for her 14 grandchildren. (Yes, half of those are MY kids! Even more candy in my house!) With Mom's recent illnesses and hospital stays, she was just not up to fulfilling her duties as The Candy Nana. That's where I stepped in! Mom gave me the money and I went candy shopping! Mom gave me a limit of $40.00; I spent $35.00!
Once home from the stores, I divided it all out and bagged it up. Soon after, while in the neighborhood, Mom and Dad picked up the candy and took it home so my children could later trick or treat at their house, bringing the candy right back to our house again! LOL!

When they came to pick up the Halloween treats, I received my "candy" -- a huge box of tasty turnips, fresh from Pappy's garden! YUM!!

Traditionally, Dale and I only take the children trick or treating to the homes of family and friends. Most years, that meant about six homes. Keep in mind, my mother alone gives them more candy than necessary! They also got a ton of candy from trick or trunk at church. This year Ashton begged to trick or treat one of the local neighborhoods. Since this was her last year to trick or treat, I gave in. The first time trick or treating at the home of "strangers"!

No one was allowed to eat any of this candy until either Dale or I had inspected it. Candy with the wrapper torn or the box open, was thrown away.

Our last stop was at Nana and Pappy's house. Kaden took Bryson's coon skin cap and placed it on Nana's head. We then gave her Bryson flannel shirt to complete the costume!

The Candy Nana dressed as Davey Crockett!

Avery's honor

Yesterday I was invited to attend a short program at Avery's school to see him inducted into the Thunderbolt Society. Four forth graders and five fifth graders were chosen to receive this reward for good character, citizenship and academic performance.

Besides this certificate, Avery received a Thunderbolt cup and a Thunderbolt Society pin.

Avery with his school principal, Mr. Mitzel.

Congratulations, Avery!!