An Amazing Man!

I am married to the most wonderful man in the world.  Okay, maybe I am a little prejudice, but he really is amazing.  I was hoping to get this out for his birthday but I was sick and it just got put off.  Sorry.  

 He works hard for his family and sacrifices a lot.  He is quick to see a need and will help to fill it if he can.  He will even stay home and work long hours so I can go and help with the grandchildren.  He loves children, his own, his grandchildren and any other children around.  He has the touch.  To bad our grandchildren live so far away.  Moments with them are precious.

He is my best friend.  The one who listens to my complaints and tells my how to fix them (or me).  The one who's shoulder I rest on, cry on, lean on.  The one who calms me when I panic and encourages me when I feel inadequate.  He brings me flowers, tickles my back, dances with me, kisses me crazy, tells me I look great, tells me he loves me, worries about my safety.  He is the one I want to talk to, play with, hang out with, travel with, eat with, cuddle with.  Luckily we like a lot of the same things but he is always good to take me to the sea shore or to a chick flick or to a Mexican restaurant even when he would prefer something else.  I enjoy spending time with him and miss him like crazy when we are apart.  

To list just a few qualities he has: Hard worker, dependable, brave, spiritual, righteous priesthood holder, loves the Lord, current temple recommend, good provider, patient, observant, romantic, family oriented, creative, practical, smart, funny, loves the outdoors, giving, obedient, wise, far seeing, loves children, respectful, caring, faithful, fun, handsome, etc. One of my young women said that he was a stripling warrior!  He does have many of the same qualities as Captain Moroni or the stripling warriors.  He would be willing to go to battle for what he knows is right but would prefer to just live it quietly and peacefully.  
He can fix anything (and frequently gets to prove it).   He is my mechanic, my tech guy, my tree trimmer, my fridge/washer/vacuum/whatever repairman.  If it is a money question, a computer question, a car question or a home repair question we all know who to go to, Craig.  Over the years about the only hobby he has kept up with is fly fishing.  Between church callings, family and work the others have gone by the way side.

He really is my best friend and the love of my life.  I am so grateful for him and all that he is and does.  I am a better person because of him. 

For Time and All Eternity!

 I am enjoying the time and hope to do so for a long while and am grateful for the promise of all Eternity. Craig, I love you more each passing day.  Thanks for the past 32 + years.  (Remember, you promised me we'd go on a mission so take care of yourself.)

Grow old with me, the best is yet to be!

Hello! Goodbye!

Richard holding Mary for the first time in over 5 weeks. 
She was 6 days old when he last saw her.

Aunt Lori getting to know Mary.

Isabelle, Brooklyn, Grandma, Mary, Wendell, Richard at Brooklyns 2nd birthday party.  4 of the 6 cousins were in Idaho Falls.

Isabelle and Brooklyn.  They had a mutual admiration thing going.

Aunt Christina hugging Wendell goodbye.

Lori and Richard.

Cousins!  Isabelle, Mary, Wendell, Annie, Porter in Lacey Washington.

The newest moms.  Brittney with Annie and Amy with Mary at
the park in Lacey Washington.

Aunt Kimberly with Isabelle.

Me and Kimberly just before she flew back to Florida.

Uncle Richard with Annie.

Grandpa with Wendell.

Grandma with Wendell and Isabelle.

Isabelle hugging Annie goodbye.

Aunt Amy and Annie.

Final goodbye shot before half of us head back to California.

Isabelle, Annie, Porter and Wendell.

Our farewell committee. 

Sometimes it seems like Hello's are to brief and Goodbye's come to quickly.  Isn't it a wonderful reasurance that our family is eternal and Goodbye's are only temporary.

It Brings Back Memories

While staying with Richard's family this past month I had ample opportunities to take pictures of very cute kids.  My main subjects; Isabelle, 4 1/2 years old, Wendell, 2 1/2 years old and Mary, 1 month old.  I have pictures of swimming, playing, dancing, singing, dress-up, etc.  Every once in a while I could get all three to hold still and be good at the same time to take a group picture.  Not often but a few times.  When I was going through the pictures these few seemed so familiar. 

Here are my three, Christina, not quite 4, Richard, 2 and Brittney, 1 week.  The similarities don't end there.  We moved when Brittney was 1 month and Richard and Amy moved when Mary was 6 weeks. (Of course, we moved about 45 miles and they moved 1900 miles but moving is moving.) 

I really enjoy being a mom, as exhausting and messy and demanding as it is.  It is the best job in the whole wide world.  I had amazing children who grew up to be amazing adults with the only major complaint being that they live so far away.   I am sure as time goes by there will be more de ja vu moments. (Yes, I have been working on my french.  It helped pass some of those 1900 miles.)  I am grateful for those I get to witness and participate it.  Keep up the good work, kids.  I love you.