Happy Anniversary

We recently celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.

We have 6 kids who have chosen their spouses well and are all happily married

We have 17 grand children who are a delight, with a new one expected early this fall

We have weathered lifes storms and have come out on top.

Love is a Gift of God 

A good marriage is worth nurturing, worth looking the other way at times, worth biting your tongue.

A good marriage is worth working for.  

I am happily married to a good man.

I am blessed.   

Special Day

This week my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

They have had a happy life

They love each other very much

They have weathered the storms of life with joy and strength

I am a lucky girl to be their daughter

They have taught me well

Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me a great life

I love you

Storms

I  know I have been absent for a while, sorry. 

Between home improvement projects, travel and holidays,

not to mention family, time has gotten away from me.  

I am not sure my time obligation will improve,

but a short something will have to do and I think I have a few.

Today's food for thought is printed and framed in my home.

I found it out in my stash of framed artwork a few weeks ago

and have been thinking about it eversince.

Today I hung it on the wall to give me inspiration

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,

It's about learning to DANCE IN THE RAIN

It is a wet and stormy day here today

Cold wet days in February can get anybody down

It may be time to put on some dancing shoes

Choices

Life is full of choices. Some easy, some not so clear. The trick is to keep yourself centered so you can see the bad choices as they come along.

My mother taught that

It is better to be right and alone
than to be wrong and have company.

I am teaching a lesson on moral cleanliness this Sunday. As I have studied and prayed for inspiration I have learned that we need to :

Place the wisdom of the Lord above our own wisdom.

For the Strength of Youth pamphlet

and

Don't rationalize that wrong is right.
Being honest [in all things] requires courage
and commitment to do what you know is right.

For the Strength of Youth pamphlet

It is good to be in the right place with the right people. If we find ourselves in questionable circumstances we should be like Joseph of old when he

left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Genesis 39:12

Marriage

I am teaching a lesson on marriage tomorrow and have enjoyed doing some research. I found this counsel from Thomas S. Monson that I think deserves some thought time:

Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Priceless advice comes from a small framed plaque I once saw. It read, “Choose your love; love your choice.” There is great wisdom in those few words. Commitment in marriage is absolutely essential.

If any of you are having difficulty in your marriage, I urge you to do all that you can to make whatever repairs are necessary, that you might be as happy as you were when your marriage started out. Do not let your marriage get to the point where it is in jeopardy.

Realize that you will not be able to anticipate every challenge which may arise, but be assured that almost anything can be worked out if you are resourceful and if you are committed to making your marriage work.

If you choose wisely and if you are committed to the success of your marriage, there is nothing in this life which will bring you greater happiness.

A good marriage is worth every effort.

Family

I had to teach a lesson at church on Sunday about the family. During the last few weeks I have had many opportunities to think on the subject of family and the work it takes to be happy.

My grandparents had 5 children that they were raising during the great depression. My grandfather was a plasterer. During the depression there weren't many opportunities for work. When my grandmother was expecting their fifth child an acquaintance of theirs came and offered to take the baby because of the financial situation in the country. They thought that they would be better able to provide during such low times. My grandparents thanked the childless couple for their concern and sent them on their way with their testimony that the Lord would provide.

My grandfather was a hard worker. He was a man of great faith. At the beginning of the depression he put away a few hundred dollars just in case they would need them. As the country pulled out of the financial mess my grandparents had consumed plenty of beans and had gone without quite a bit, but those few hundred dollars were still safely tucked away. Their family had grown in size and stature while enduring the trial and they were better for it.

I was the second oldest of 15 grandchildren. As we all started to come along Grandma and Grandpa made many efforts to keep their family close. Over the years my husband and I have discussed what they did in order to keep us all wanting to come back for more. They had a normal family with personality conflicts between the children and the new in-laws occasionally. Not everyone agreed with the choices that grandma and grandpa made concerning their interpersonal relationships, yet they had a close and happy family that chose to be together often--why??

Grandma and Grandpa were not perfect but they had love to give. They loved each other dearly and it showed in their daily interactions. They would dance in the kitchen, laugh and pray together. They did not always get along perfectly, yet they figured out how to solve their conflicts peacefully, reaching a middle ground where both felt an equal part in the marriage.

Grandma knew her role as the mother of the family. She nurtured her children, home and garden with love and tenderness. She was a master cook with the few items she had and fed her family well. She taught her family to work and pray and she took time to play with them. Grandpa was the head of the home and when he came in and suggested a ride in the car she would grab the baby and a diaper, round up the older children and off they would go.

Grandpa knew his role as the provider and protector of the family. He taught his sons how to plaster and that skill has passed through generations. He planned for uncertain futures and kept his family safe as the world endured wars and turmoil. He took his family to church and gathered them for prayer and scripture study at home. He was a leader at church, eventually becoming a Patriarch. He was a leader in their home, he loved his wife and children and was steady during tough times.

The children knew their place, they were to obey. They learned to work around the house and yard. They ate their beans, drank their milk and laughed and played. They helped care for their grandparents who lived with them. The boys learned to plaster and build, the girls learned to sew and cook. Even after I came along I knew that after a meal the women would gather in the kitchen to do up the dishes and talk and laugh. The men would gather around the TV to enjoy a sporting game while they laughed and talked. The children would entertain themselves outside in grandma's garden.

Grandma and Grandpa provided plenty of opportunities for all of us to get together; family dinners, holidays, camping in the mountains. We all went to church together and knew that our faith was the thread that kept us knit together in love and harmony. I am thankful for my mother who did not always enjoy the family get togethers, yet went anyway so her children could have the experience of extended family, she made great sacrifices so I could understand what family was all about.

As I gather my growing family around my grandmother's dining room table I hope that I have learned the lessons she taught about joy and family living. It is not always easy to have so many people together with all of the different personalities and expectations, but Grandma taught me that with hard work it can be done and we can be better for it.

A strong and happy family is hard work that can bring great joy for many generations.

Love

I am helping with a wedding this weekend.

I have had many opportunities to talk with the bride and groom over the last several months as they went through the process of being friends to the commitment of marriage. They are not in the first blush of youth in their lives, yet making the commitment to marry and share their lives forever seems overwhelming at times.

We had many opportunities to discuss this thing called love. Is it a feeling?? Is it a commitment?? Is it passion??

As we talked, and I continued to think, I realized that truly loving someone is trust and contentment. It is deciding to walk the path of life together and then working to make that walk enjoyable. Sometimes there is passion. Sometimes the feelings of joy are overwhelmingly wonderful. But, most often marriage is trust.

I am thankful that I was able to find someone to love and trust early in my youth. We have had a good marriage and I do love him more today than when we married 38 years ago. After many life experiences I trust him more too. Has our life been easy?? NO!! Have we made mistakes and disappointed each other on occasion?? Yes. Yet we have tried to work out the differences and keep walking, learning to trust and depend on each other through each bump we encountered.

I tell my children that they can win in the game of marriage only when they keep trying. It is if they choose to quit that they will lose. Trying to figure it out is a winning effort. In time everything improves.

Yes, love is passion, a feeling and a commitment. But, mostly it is trust and a feeling of contentment.

Rich Blessings

When my children were little they would ask what I wanted for Mother's Day and I would tell them, "a clean house and happy children."

I want to send a great big thank you out to all of my children. Goal accomplished!!

This year I was able to spend some portion of the weekend with my children either in person or on the phone. All of them are happy, and that means a lot to a mother.

My sweetheart and I have been working hard over the last few weeks getting the house clean and organized, so that was a yes as well.

The sun was shining, it was a pleasant spring day. My sweetheart and our sons prepared a delicious meal. Filled flower vases brighten our home.

Sometimes the richest blessings are the simplest things.

I am a rich, rich woman. I have a sweetheart who I adore and he loves me. I have 6 happily married children and 16 grand children who are doing well. We have a new baby expected in just a few days that will bring the number of grandchildren up to 17. I have a comfortable home, and enough food to eat. I am happy and satisfied with my life.

I am a rich woman in all of the things that matter in life.

-B&C

Today we begin CELEBRATION WEEK IN OCTOBER

Happy Anniversary to Brian and Cheri. They were married two years ago today.

Like today, it was a beautiful autumn day. We were in Tennessee and enjoyed the drive across the state.

It had been a tough week for Brian and Cheri. They were all joy and excitement as they moved their bits of furniture and gifts into the cute apartment they rented, just across the street from Brian's work place. It was fun to watch them plan until.....well you know how it goes--the last one hired is the first to go during tough times. October of 2008 is when all financial woes exploded and it hit our family through Brian's new job.

After a heartfelt discussion with his future father in law and a deeper discussion with his bride to be, it was decided to go ahead and get married, let the apartment go and have faith that things would work out. Sometimes it is easier to face the hard things together.

While Brian and Cheri were on their honeymoon my mother and I worked hard to turn the guest house/shed/bachelor pad into a honeymoon cottage. That is where they have lived for two years now. Work prospects are still not glowing, but they have sufficient for their needs and I never hear complaints.

Brian and Cheri have turned into a very happy couple. They enjoy each others company and have fun together. We enjoy their company here at home as well.

We had a little reception for Brian and Cheri here in NC that was well attended after their wedding and reception in TN. They have many people in their lives that love them and wish them well. Brian is a much happier man now that he has Cheri in his life.

This last week they purchased bicycles and have been having fun exploring the byways of our area. They enjoy exercising on their wii fit and cooking together. They do their laundry together and keep the bathroom clean enough.

Now I ask, what more could a mother want for her youngest child?? Nothing--except maybe the opportunity for them to live in a cottage that also has plumbing!! Everything in due time.

Happy Anniversary, Brian and Cheri. May you continue to smile and enjoy your relationship as much as or more than you do now. We love you.

Napkins

I have a place on my counter in my kitchen where a stack of cotton napkins reside. I pull them out for meals and snacks. After use I throw them in with the laundry. They are always there, ready to use.

I have a basket of paper, throw away napkins as well. I use these for sack lunches and as a quick wrap up for a popsicle or sandwich to go outside with the little ones. I use these when I don't care what happens.

When the children were younger and we were on a tight budget (when haven't we been on a tight budget??) I decided to use cloth napkins to cut costs. Everyone had a few napkins made from fabric of their favorite color. At meal time these would come out and be used. It took time to make and care for them, but after the initial cost they were free to use.

When my daughter got married and we served 200 people a sit down dinner we made 200 white cloth napkins with a lace edge. We wrapped the 200 knives, forks and spoons in them and tied it all neatly with a red ribbon. It was a little detail that made her wedding special.

For a few years I served a Christmas luncheon to the ladies in my neighborhood and friends from church. For that event I made 75 red gingham napkins. I have plenty of cloth napkins around to use for different occasions.

I have grown to enjoy the classiness of using a cloth napkin. Life can get common place sometimes. Using a cloth napkin helps me recognize that meal time is a special time for families to get together and enjoy each others company. I have noticed that even if the menu is a can of soup, if I set the table pretty, we feel well fed and may linger at the table awhile, enjoying the conversation.

A while back I asked my daughter to set the table for Sunday dinner and handed her a stack of cloth napkins to use. She looked at the napkins, frowned, and asked if we could use real napkins. I thought about what a real napkin might be, rather than the cloth ones she held in her hand. She answered "You know, the paper ones we can throw away."

As I iron the napkins for special days and launder and fold our everyday ones, I smile at my daughters notion that paper napkins are real napkins. As I think about it, I realize she was raised in a throw away society where the real thing has been substituted for something you can throw away. That speaks a lot to me about where the young leaders of today are coming from.

Thoughts to ponder for today. What is real and what is disposable?? From table service to marriage.

It makes you think.

Love

Oliver Wendell Holmes had this to say about love:

Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness

Today our daughter and her husband celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary. They are the parents of 5 beautiful children. They are happy--that makes us happy.

Congratulations Sean and Shawna

Hawaii

When we were first married my sweet husband was in the Air Force Reserves to earn enough money to keep us going. He was a load master and flew on C141's. He loved flying and traveling. We were married for 5 years and had 4 little children from newborn to 4 years old. I did not get to travel with him in those days, my responsibilities were to keep the children clean, fed and safe.

About once a month he took a flight, quite often to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. He made many trips to Hawaii and promised me we would both go together someday. Well, after 37 years of marriage that day is finally here. As I write this entry I am sitting on the beach of Waikiki.

It is beautiful here. The ocean is amazing with various colors of blue. The hotel we are staying at is magnificent. I have enjoyed going on tours to the pineapple plantation and around the island. We have enjoyed walking on the beach and swimming in the warm clear water. Tonight we are going to a luau!! Tomorrow we go to Pearl Harbor.

I have enjoyed letting my hair flow free with just a flower to keep it back. The breeze is pleasant, even though one day the wind was so strong my skirt decided to do the Marilyn Monroe thing (over my head) --thank goodness for slips!! I have enjoyed the music and even took a hula lesson.

I have been planning this trip to Hawaii for 37 years. I have enjoyed it immensely!! Thank you sweetheart for a wonderful time. I love you.

This trip sponsored by DuPont EMC

Mr Wonderful

Every girl should have a Mr. Wonderful in their life. I found mine almost 38 years ago. We were standing on the beach in Southern California and I remember seeing sunburned feet. I also remember attending a friends wedding reception and this guy pushing his Mustang to get it started. At the time I did not know I would be spending my life loving and caring for that man. But I have, and I am thankful.

Mr. Wonderful had a birthday this week--#62!! He is no longer the young man I married, but, he is the man I fell in love with. He is kind and thoughtful. Most often he tries to meet my needs before his own. He is a good father and provider. We are good friends.

I love to watch Mr. Wonderful with the grandchildren. He is in his element when sitting in his chair, a child on his lap, watching the movie Cars. When all of our children are in town visiting he grins from ear to ear. Last week our daughter wrote a special Father's Day remembrance for him, as he read it a tear trickled down his cheek. He loves his children and enjoys their visits and telephone calls.

After 38 years he still calls me beautiful. He makes me happy. I enjoy spending my days loving and caring for this great guy--my Mr. Wonderful.

Happy Birthday, Honey!!

One Smile at a Time

Before she was a mother or even mortal her name was Eve, the mother of all living.

I believe and have been taught that motherhood is the noblest calling, worth all effort to bear and rear that child in goodness. Yet, there was a time in my life when I thought I may not have the privilege of bearing my own children. What then??

Women by nature have the desire to nurture. Watch any 3 year old girl with a doll, we are born with it. If we let that deep down desire come to the surface and nurture those around us, especially the children and men in our lives, we could change the atmosphere of the moment. If we smile and talk gentle then the people around us will have the tendency to smile and talk more gentle.

If you think the world is a difficult place to live right now, do your best to change it--one smile at a time.

I DO

In our family there are special family days when many things happen together. Today is one of those days. It is the story of eternal choices. New beginnings and earthly endings. Tomorrow I will tell you about a little angel named Caroline that continues to bless my life and inspire me and my family.

Today I will tell you about Marta and David. It is our anniversary--37 years.

We have been blessed with 6 children, 4 in the first 5 years we were married!! They have each chosen a delightful spouse that blesses their homes with love and joy. We have increased by 14 grand children with 2 more on the way to arrive in September.

My husband is a good man. He comes from a good family that I am proud to be a part of. We were married in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on March 16, 1973.

These are some of our wedding day memories:

I lived with my parents in Yucaipa, California and my sweetheart lived with his aunt and uncle in San Bernardino. We were to be at the temple--a two hour drive--at 7 am. Our first visit to the temple for both of us was our wedding day. There was a lot to take in and remember. I arrived with my parents at the appointed hour but Dave and his best man were late. A traffic jam held them up on the freeway. David had all of the information we needed, marriage license etc. with him, including my temple recommend.

My mother was tired of waiting for David to show up and wanted to go inside. She was surprised to find out I did not have my recommend with me (you cannot enter the temple without one). I told her that if my sweetheart was not able to make it I didn't really have a reason to go inside at that time.

He finally arrived so we went inside and enjoyed the session with lots of our family. During the session I cried and cried. It all felt so right and I felt it deep in my soul. My grandmother was officiating at the session. She gave me a mint and tissue and told me to pull myself together.

We went straight to the sealing room after the session. David did not realize that he needed to bring the wedding rings with him so he sent his best man back to the dressing room to get them (I guess it did not make enough of an impression on him because he forgot to remind our youngest to bring his rings when he got married).

The reception was lovely and went smoothly except that I had to shake hands with my left hand. I had surgery on my hand just a few days before our wedding so my parents insurance would cover it. It didn't seem to cause too many problems except when Dave and I were at Sea World. He got excited and lightly squeezed my hand to show his delight and I SCREAMED in pain.

After a quick honeymoon weekend to San Diego we were back to school and work.

This is the first time in 37 years we will not be together. I am in Charlotte and he is in Cary. We talked about meeting half way in Rockingham...but alas, we will be together again this weekend. It is nice that after so many years--though it just seems like the blink of an eye--we still like to be together. He is my best friend.

I love him and he loves me, a good recipe for happily ever after.

57 years and eternity to go

THE PLAYERS:
Liz is my mom. Her parents are Nana and Papa and her grandmother is Nannie Jensen
Kirk is my dad. His parents are grandpa and grandma

THE STORY:
Mom and Dad were married on March 11, 1953--57 years ago. Mom turned 17 the month before so you can imagine the worry in Nana and Papa's hearts when Kirk and Liz expressed their desire to get married.

Finally Nana and Papa convinced mom to allow Nannie Jensen to have the final say--she was a very conservative pioneer and mom respected her opinions. Nana and Papa thought they had wisdom on their side. When they talked to Nannie about the situation she asked where they wanted to get married. In the Mesa Temple--at least a 6 hour drive away. Nannie said that she would take the bus and meet them there!!

Mom and dad rode with Grandma and Grandpa to Arizona from California. Dad was on leave after boot camp before being sent to his first posting. They expected to drive, visit the temple then drive back all in one day so mom did not pack any overnight things.

As you can imagine the day was a little longer than expected. They drove to Arizona then went and got the marriage license. Mom made her wedding gown but they still needed to purchase their other special wedding clothes. After the preparations they were ready to enter the temple. It was later than expected when they finished so Grandma and Grandpa rented two rooms and they spent the night. The next morning they drove back to California.

Mom and dad had just a few short days to spend together before dad had to leave and mom went back to high school. They spent those days in Nana and Papa's room while Nana and Papa shared mom's twin bed!!

Three months later mom graduated from high school, then got on a plane and flew to her sweetheart who was waiting for her.

Thank you mom and dad for a great example of a happy marriage. It doesn't mean sunshine and bliss every day, but a determination to be a team and do it together no matter how difficult the problem that arises. I am very blessed to have you for my parents.