I Believe in Marriage

On September 26, fourteen years ago, T and I began our life together.  We were sealed in the Manti Temple for time and eternity. We were young, excited, full of energy, hope, and love.  Now we are young--at heart, excited--for dates, with a house full of energetic children. Now we hope for peace and quiet and love bedtime.

In those 14 years, I  have learned just how important our marriage is to us, to our children, and to our Heavenly Father. Today in a world where many are choosing to not get married, or start families or have children in wedlock I can firmly say: I believe in marriage. I believe in families. I know marriage between a man and a woman is of God. It was meant to be. It was meant to be eternal. It takes love and work and forgiveness. It takes commitment, humility, and service. Love isn't just flowers, kisses, passion, and compliments, but it is shared hopes, and dreams. And then when those hopes and dreams take a different turn, it is holding on to each other and going forward...together. Love is not noticing the dirty dishes all over the counter. Love is not saying anything when Hamburger Helper is served over and over while someone learns to cook. Love is getting up every 4 hours to give your baby medicine through an I.V. so your sweetie can sleep even when you have classes to study for. Love is listening while a worry-wart spouts about all the worries of the world.  Love is still getting excited when he comes through the door from work. Love is saying sorry. Love is commitment. Love is seeing the worst, but loving the best.  Love is sticking with it.

So yes, I believe in marriage. I believe in committing to love and honor and cherish one person not just in this life, but forever.

And lucky for me, 14+ years ago, I just happened upon the very best guy in the world and grabbed him for eternity!

 And he gave me these beautiful tulips and took me out on the town (on Friday) and gave me baklava (I LOVE that stuff) and other yummy stuff.  I love to spend time with him.

Splash of Color

I have wanted to paint the bathroom for a bit now. With everyone at school or work, I had my chance. I've never painted a room, so I got lots of advice from seasoned painters and went to work. I really appreciate painted walls now; my golly, it takes a lot of work!  But I did it, and I am happy with the results.

You can't really see the color, but it's a nice sea green or something.

 A tame choice for my first time painting. 

All taped up.

You can't really see the difference since I didn't do a before and after picture. But it does look nice. You'll just have to visit and see it. 

(Normally there are globs of toothpaste on the counter, but I cleaned those up for the photo.  They blend nicely with the paint, something I didn't even take into consideration when choosing a paint color! Bonus!!)

I also came down with a nice stuffy, sneezy, rotten-feeling cold. Since I knew I wouldn't sleep that well I finished watching the Masterpiece Theater mini-series Jane Eyre last night.  Oh, my goodness!  I just loved it. I have always loved the book, and the movie was so well done. My eyes got a little watery and my nose got a little runny while I watched it--must have been my cold. I highly recommend this movie. It's not too sappy, but very tender.

Parenthood--not for the faint hearted

O.k., so what if you're smack dab in the middle of this thing called Parenthood, and you find out you ARE faint hearted?  What then?  It's not like you can go back to school and change jobs or send out resumes for new employment.  There you in the middle of the battle field of stomping feet, slamming doors, and rolling eyes with cries of "You don't UUUUUNNNNderstand!!" or "I don't WWWANNNNTTT to go to school"  crashing down around you. And the school abhorrer has 10 more years of school, and that's just to graduate high school!  We haven't even hit the teen years, and I'm tuckered.  Can I change jobs?  I don't think I've got enough heart or know-how for this job.