My Marriage

Tonight me and my beautiful wife Brigette celebrated our 8 year Anniversary, it is not until the 19th, but a lot is happening that week so we did stuff tonight, I know this is a gratitude blog, so what I am trying to say is that I am sooooooo grateful for my amazing wife, and our blessed marriage.

We both will be the first to admit that we are far from perfect, but we work hard at it and try and learn from our mistakes, we also are extremely forgiving of one another.

She is such an amazing women in so many ways, a beautiful bride, a loving mother, a tender daughter and sibling, She always puts others first above herself, and is so much like her mom, that it seems the longer we are together the better life is. I Love her, I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with her, I try daily to be worthy of her (some days are better than others), and I love just watching her bring life and love into everything she touches.

She is so humble when she reads this she will be thinking to her self, why does he always say these kinds of things? Because it is true, she is o ne of the best people I know and I love and respect her so much. These past eight years I have be a better person than I ever could have been without her.

Honey I love you,

Marty

Power of Music

Well, for weeks now (maybe months) Brigette has been reminding me that I need to add to OUR gratitude blog. I have to say that I have well intended to do this for sometime but I have a hard time putting my thoughts of gratitude in writing not because I am not grateful, in fact very much the opposite, but because it is hard for me to condense all that I feel. My wife will be the first to tell you I often stop and say how much the Lord has blessed us and that I feel so favored by Him for all that we have. I am so grateful for my family, house, career, clothes, food, scriptures, prophets, ability to provide what we need, (not all we want, but definitely all we need). I am grateful for this as well because it is in not having all you want of everything you want that I think infuses our life with priorities, genuine humility, and respect for what you do have. It is when you have it all that you respect nothing, and when you have almost nothing that you truly begin to respect it all.

So here I go! You can begin to see why I have a hard time sitting down and publishing my gratitude; because it is in every waking minute that the Lord has blessed my eyes to be open to all that he has given me and to share would take days upon days. No joke! In fact, as I write this my wife not knowing what I have written but realizing the time I have spent at the computer, just said: Are you writing everything you are grateful for? I just had to laugh because that is my cue to get on task about one focused thing.

My intent was to write how grateful I am for my family, but specifically how much I love putting my babies to bed. No, not after they are down, but rather the process of putting them down. I love that it is my time to sing to them, yes, I sing not well, but they still love it. Anyway, just after giving Ethan a bottle I always take him in the nursery and depending on how tired he and I both are, I get to sing between 3-5 hymns to him. Two hymns that I always sing are: “I Need Thee Every Hour” Hymn 98 and a compilation of “I Families Can Be Together Forever” and “Love at Home”. A few nights ago, while I was holding Ethan in my arms and singing “I Need the Every Hour,” I had a deeply spiritual experience.

I have always loved this Hymn because it reminds me of just how much I really do need and rely on Christ. But this time I was deeply drawn to the closing words of the Hymn which state…. “I come to Thee”. It was then that I realized that to be totally clean for our short comings, to completely get the Lords help, to be flooded with the Lords blessings and guidance, We must submit ourselves to him. We must remove ourselves from what we want and sacrifice our worldly ambitions, desires and, will and then come unto Him. That is when we will understand true and complete happiness. That is when he can really make more out of our lives than we and our selfish will ever could. I am grateful for these spiritual witnesses given to me in a sacred time of love and bonding with my children, as I am strongly reminded I am His child. God sure loves all of us and for that I am thankful.

My Dad..

Tomorrow is my Dad's 70th birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! The cool thing is...he doesn't look, act, or think like he is 70,...which I love. I am grateful for my Dad for so many reasons. He has been a great example to me all my life. He has taught me more about honesty, kindness, and hardwork than anyone else I can think of. He taught me to make goals, to work hard to acheive them, and after I"d done all that I could, to be okay with the outcome knowing I did my best. He is very generous and compassionate towards others in need and I love that about him. He gives great advice but always encouraged us to follow the spirit and make our own decisions knowing he would support us 100%! My kids adore him and he is an active part in all of his grandchildrens' lives.

I will always remember the daddy-daughter dates we would have. My favorite: the time we sat in a grocery store parking lot eating strawberries, grapes, and cheese while talking about life. His family was always his top priority even with his work and service in his church callings. I love my dad,...and I am so grateful for him!

Computers

Technology is amazing! I for one love using a computer to organize my life and create things. While I am not a true computer geek,..I do enjoy using my laptop for emailing, blogging, making projects, and writing to-do lists. I am grateful for those braniacs that invented computers and those that followed that have figured out how to make them user friendly and helpful to most people. I am grateful for how it helps me keep in touch with family and friends and how I can creat a chart,..(Yes I said a chart) anytime I want. Sorry...I seem to make a chart for everything in the name of organization. (I get that from my cute Dad!) So,..all in all I am very grateful for my computer and the way it makes my life easier.

Old friends...

Today I am grateful for old friends. Marty and I went to the Farmington City Pool with our old ward friends. It was great to catch up with everyone and many of them hadn't met the twins yet and were pretty excited that we brought them. We also had dinner with the Mcintoshes and Andersons (from our old ward) and it was great to be with them again. It sure was a blessing to be amongst such great people while we lived at Dad's house.

Yesterday, we traveled to Sandy for Graden's blessing. Mandy (his mom) and I roomed together at Ricks and BYU for all four years! It was so great to catch up with her and her great husband, Jared. It was like old times and we always seem to just pick up where we left off. I was also able to see her mom and sisters who I think are so great!

So.,...I am very grateful for old friends who are always there supporting me and my family. I know the Lord placed these people in my life because I feel that they have each taught me something and for that I am grateful!

July 30, 2008--Service

I am grateful for the service that others render to me. Just today,...my neighbor (Emily) gave me apricots so I can dry them or make them into jam. In fact, her husband mowed our lawn this past weekend while were were gone. Good people! My sister, Machelle, went shopping yesterday and saved me money by getting the good deals for me. She even dropped it all off to me today. Love her! My sister-in-law Angie sent over some scrapbook stuff so that I could work on the twin's 1st year book. She even included rageddy ann and andy items. So thoughtful! Marty continues to serve our family, each day, as he works so hard to provide for us. I love him! I am very blessed by those around me and I hope that I am able to convey my gratitude to them in a way that lets them know how much it means to me. In regards to service, I have always loved the saying... "You never know when YOU will be an answer to someone else's prayer!" These simple kindnesses are sometimes answers to my prayers!

July 29, 2008--Nicole

Today is Nicole's birthday. (my sister) She and I have always been close and I just think the world of her. She is only 15 months younger than me so we've been through a lot of life's changes together. Her daughter Leah was born 5 weeks before the twins were born. She has been a great help to me, giving me advice and helping with all things BABY! She is a great mom and juggles everything with her career and home so gracefully! I am grateful for her and for our relationship!

July 28, 2008--Mornings

I love to wake up in the morning lately! Ethan and Nyah have always woken up so HAPPY in the mornings! When I come into the nursery they are full of excitment, smiles, and giggles when I come and rescue them from their cribs. Every morning, Ethan immediately wants to find his sister and give her "loves." Nyah kicks her legs and flaps her arms with excitement when she sees me and Ethan! I love that they are so happy. I am sure that I also love mornings so much more lately because we are finally all sleeping through the night. (most of the time) What a difference that has made!

July 22, 2008--Sisters

Yesterday I called my sister, Machelle,(short notice) and asked her if she would help me pick up some furniture at Target that I wanted. My little car with the twins doesn't leave much room to load up large items. I had been wanting to purchase an ottomon to put toys in and it had just gone on sale and her van would have plenty of room for it! While I am sure she had her day planned already, she didn't hesitate to rearrange her schedule and meet me at the store. What a great SISTER!

I love all of my sisters for that and many other reasons. They are always there when I need something and they are truly my best friends! It has been fun these past years as we've all started our families and are in the same phase in life. We seem to lean on eachother even more. I am so glad the LORD sent me to a family with FIVE sisters!

July 20, 2008--My Mom

I am exhausted.....and I still have a sink load of dishes to do! (no,..that is not what I am grateful for) I am avoiding it and thought I would take a pause and reflect on today and what I am grateful for. In Relief Society today, our lesson was on "Words of Hope and Consolation at the Time of Death." Of course it brought me back to the time that my Mom passed and I had a surge of emotions hit me as I held my baby girl, Nyah. I wish so badly that Mom could still be here, but I do know that her work here was finished, that she is preparing a place for her family in heaven, and that she is happy and pain-free! I am grateful everyday for the words that she shared with us girls when they told her that her cancer was terminal. She said..." I am not scared....I am only sad because I won't be here with you girls and the new grandbabies to come. Knowing that she was not scared proved to me that she had a strong testimony of what was to come and that she was prepared to go. I am grateful that I had 26 years with her and was able to watch and learn from her everyday! I am most grateful for her love and friendship to me. She knew me better than anyone else and she always knew what to say and do for me. I am grateful that at the time of her passing, we as a family were together and that it was a joyous time with her. Ultimately, I am grateful to KNOW that I will see her again. I can't wait to just sit and talk with her.

I am also very thankful for the tender mercies of the LORD near the time of her passing. A couple of days before she had passed she woke up quite alert and able. She asked for pancakes and even took a wheelchair walk outside. Previous to that day, she was very weak and had a hard time conversing with us. We as a family wondered if the miracle we had been praying for was happening. Did the cancer leave her? We soon realized that it was not the case and within hours she took a turn for the worse. Up until then, we were all praying for the miracle and looking for any sign that she would beat the cancer. Without much conversation, it seemed as if the family was being prepared for her departure and the mood changed. Dad gave her a blessing of release and instead of praying for a miracle, we prayed that the LORD would take her home. I KNOW that the LORD instilled in us a sense of peace and closure. I think that is one of the tender mercies of the LORD during such a precious time of losing a loved one. So,...I am also grateful that the Spirit, the Comforter, poured out love and spoke peace to our family so that we could ultimately let go.

July 19, 2008--My Husband

Marty is wonderful! He has been recently working very hard to bring in some extra money for our little family by managing TNT Firework tents for both the 4th of July and the 24th of July. At this very moment, he is setting up the tent, posting signage, and displaying flags at the Syracuse Walmart Location. He is spending his well deserved Saturday off, working outside in the hot sun! I really do love and appreciate his efforts in making things a little more comfortable for us! I know that I don't express it to him often, but I admire all he does as a Seminary Teacher and as a manager of these tents. He is very creative, hardworking, geniune, and loveable! I am grateful for him and I know the LORD has blessed our family because of his hard work!

July 18, 2008--Power Naps

Okay, this may seem trivial but today I am very grateful for power naps! I think the LORD provided a way for sleep deprived, exhausted mothers to rebound quickly--It's called a POWER NAP. The babies were napping this afternoon and I had about 15-20 minutes before my mother-in-law came over for a haircut. I cozied up on my couch, fell asleep immediately, and had the best sleep. I woke up pretty rejuvinated actually! My cute mom always took a nap! Why I don't follow her lead more often, is a mystery to me!

July 17, 2008-- Good Health

Today I am grateful for good health. We took the twins to their one-year doctors visit and they are doing so well! About two months ago we were dealing with double ear infections, fevers, and broncholitis with both the twins. The doctor explained that broncholitis is the summer version of RSV. We spent two weeks giving both babies breathing treatments using a special nebulizer machine. I am so glad that is over. I am also grateful for our doctor who is very patient and wise!

July 16, 2008--Unexpected Surprise

This morning I logged onto our credit union website to do some online banking and I found a great surprise! An additional $1200 was deposited into our account by the US Treasury. Marty and I were confused because we thought that our "stimulus money" came with our tax return. We didn't realize we were getting an additional deposit. After Marty confirmed with our accountant that it was in fact ours, I thought to myself how very blessed we are. Let me back up a minute. Last night, Marty and I were discussing how we were going to allocate the money that he made while in Oregon. Sure enough, we had several expenses that would eat up the majority of it. (Like a new vacuum. Ours has been broken forever and I've gratefully borrowed my Dad's each week) In true fashion and with no hesitation, Marty shared his desire to pay our tithing first thing and give a good chunk of it to fast offerings. I on the other hand,....hesitate sometimes. He has such great faith that we will be blessed and we always are. Now, I don't expect to see $1200 show up in our account everytime we pay a generous fast offering, but it seems that we always have enough (even on a teacher's salary) The LORD's hand is definately in our life. For that,...I am grateful!

July 15, 2008 --Gratitude Journal

Today we are starting our gratitude journal! We have so much to be thankful for and having this journal will also help us to remember important events in our lives....

Today,..I am grateful for FAMILY! My youngest sister, Jodie, and her husband Adam just had their first baby on Sunday. They named her Taylor Lotus Richards. (Lotus was our mom's nickname growing up) She is beautiful and perfectly healthy. I don't think there is anything more miraculous and sweet than having a new life enter into this world. To me,...family is everything and I really do love spending time with family over anything else!