Hot trunks

Today was a little bittersweet. The men came and removed our washer and dryer and replaced them with fancy new models. I loved our first ever washing machine and dryer which was a generous wedding gift from Scott's parents 13 year ago. I still remember the first load I did in them in our first condo in Holliday, UT. I was thrilled to not be visiting the laundromat again. I remember the big elephant trunk that was the heater exhaust pipe I would roll out the door to our outside laundry room. I remember how Kevin teased Scott with it. Then I remember packing the set with us from all over Utah and all our moves. They were are neat gift that I really had loved while they worked. The last few years the dryer has had one setting HOT and then it really made the outside hot not the clothes dry. It was a fire hazard that heat the whole house but didn't dry the clothes. My mom had her washer for over 25 years. They don't make them like they used to. My new one plays music- who would think of that? It is nice instead of buzzing to have music and the lights are super cool. It feel longer than 13 years ago I met my sweetheart. The first time I ever saw him- I will never forge the day, nor the first time I shook his hand, nor the first time he smiled at me. It was a run away romance that lead to 13 years with a great washer and dryer. SO here is to at least 13 more with the new LG model.

Hold On

Marriage can be hard. Divorce can be worse. I know of one divorce that was a blessing as it saved lives. Abuse is horrid. Yet for adultery- another one bites the dust. We have another set of friends calling it quits. I feel so sad for them. It is scary because you would never have guessed. The majority of the ones we are close too so far have all been miserable after the excitement of the new man or new woman wears off. I think about the struggles the children, women, and men go through. Sometimes it is their choice. Sometime no matter how hard they try agency is cruel to them. They don't always see the greatness in each other and choose to wander to what they think is greener pastures only to find out that they didn't know what they had until it was gone. The divorce will be final soon. I just respect Scott so much. Even if we disagree on something like hunting or having kids or having people over to the house or acting. Okay I can see how it is hard but I pray I can withstand temptations- not that others did not I am not wanting to judge any of them I have so many sins myself. It just makes me think maybe I can be kinder to Scott and make him number one in my life and how grateful I am for him. Oh how my heart breaks for our friends. Scott is a never give up never quit guy and I am lucky to have him as I tend to look for the easy out of most struggles. I love that my religion teaches that we are each a Divine child of God with a story before our birth and one after. That within each of us is greatness a diamond in the rough and eternal progression is possible and that each must place God first and then each other and give 100 % not just 50/50. What can I do to help them know we love them no matter what...

Why

With this being Valentines week I have been thinking about love. In fact I gave a talk about love in church. I received very sad news this week about some dear friends and the break up of their marriage. Did you know that there is a 60% chance of first time marriages ending. However there has never been a higher remarriage rate. How come love starts with boxes of chocolates and ends with fighting over the empty box? My one friends reminds me we each came to earth with the great gift of agency. So even if we love our spouse and do our best they still get to choose whether to remain true to the marriage or to use their agency for selfish pursuits and hurt those that love and depend on them. I know there are 100s of reasons but I was thinking about the big picture. I really believe that if we could only see a glimpse of what we will be like in the next life after we have learned more, grown and been perfected we would just adore and worship our spouse. Not that we would place them above God, he is always first. But we all have such greatness inside and when we are further along on the road of refinement imagine the possibilities. I am so sad when I think of all my divorced friends, they are unhappy and lonely. Most if asked if they could do it over say YES. I understand there are exceptions to every rule and it is a personal thing but I just ache for my friends. My parents had a hard marriage, it was not perfect, but they stuck it out. I am really grateful to them for that. I know in the end they started to really love and care for each other again. I have also learned that just because a couple doesn't act like Scott and I that doesn't mean they are not in love. There is a wonderful talk about marriage I wish everyone could hear called "the Awesome power of Married Love" by Truman Madsen. I also wonder if some major unexpected event happened if any of these wanting to end their marriages would have a change of heart. I know that after 9-11 most of those who had filled for divorce changed their minds. I guess many things in life come down to perspective. I think that in life often people are tempted to place short term gains in front of the long term wins. This same principal destroys businesses and it is cheating us out of the the things that matter most... our forever families. Plus we have the atonement of Jesus so we can repent and come walk with God again, he loves us so much and wants us to be happy.
http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1149-1,00.html (happy family site)
http://www.mormon.org/mediapopup_hr/0,8857,8388-1,00.html (cute movie)
http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/statsUS.shtml (sad stats site)

Hearts

I love hearts. In the 5th grade I started to dot my i's with hearts. My teacher marked me down a grade when I would not stop. I just love-- love. Scott and I made lists of the things we most love about each other they are fun to look at and read for Valentines!!! I can still remember the first time I saw him, our first kiss, and a 100 other memories I cherish. I am so excited to grow old with him by my side, how does the saying go... the best is yet to be. We had a whirlwind romance and still do. When he proposed he promised everyday would be Valentines. It has.
Scotts list for me...

The crinkle in your forehead when you are confused
That you are my happy girl
Your childlike qualities
Adorable laugh
That you try to cook for me
Your cute smile, our jokes
Your beauty
That you love and want me
Your Passion for animals
Your Love for people
How you Fight for the underdog
How You like to try new things
Unique magnetic personality
Your light inside

My list for Scott...

noble Spirit
unwavering loyalty
how I feel when I'm around you
courage to stand for what you believe
work ethic and honesty
handsome looks, adorable eyes
how I fit in your nooks
passion for living life in the present
confident and humble
fix it skills and determination
how you carry yourself and look in your clothes
laugh and genuine smile
watching you in action
love for me, Arbonne, dogs and the outdoors
your vision and no matter what attitude

Happy Anniversary

It is the second anniversary for Anth and Salina. It was one of the best days of my life to see them so happy and that it can be forever. I love them. It was a treat to go with Salina to her dress fittings and be with her in the Temple. Salina is selfless and thoughtful. She is witty and really fun to be with. She makes everyone feel at ease. I always dreamed of having a sister like her for a best friend. I'm proud to be friends with Salina and Anthony. I'm grateful he brought Salina into our lives. Anthony is so in love it makes me laugh. He can't get enough of Salina. CONGRATS!!!! Here is to 60 more years!!!

Loves of my life... SCOTT

I want to sahre a few loves of my life starting with SCOTT
Scott’s had a profound impact on my life. Without his support and love I wouldn’t have had a change of heart about so many things. The main thing that stands out to me is his loyalty. Most people will commit in the heat of the moment, and then retreat when time passes—not my Scott. I love his excitement about hunting & Arbonne. I love how he calls me a million times everyday, and yet we never run out of things to say. I love his gentle nature. I love that he is clean and keeps everything in working order. I love his eclectic musical tastes, and how patient he is with me. The loving way he treats and loves his Mom. His hands, how he is always warm. How I fit in all his little nooks perfect. How he is humble and shy yet loves attention and recognition. How animals are attracted to him. His noble spirit. His peaceful nature, his adventurous side. How some people would say he is shy, but I know he is a chatterbox. His fix it skills. His never give up dedication. The inside jokes we share. The way he can make it all better. His calming effect on me. That he was willing to drive me home from Florida. How he caries himself. His professional nature. His example of living life in the present. His vision for the future. His trusting nature. How he looks in his clothes. His long legs, big brown/ hazel eyes that contrast with his hair. How handsome he is. That he is a worky, and he looks so hot in his business suits, jeans, and outdoor wear. He still makes me feel giddy inside and twitter patted. His genuine laugh and smile. How he disciplines with love and no judgment. How he taught me to listen, and be a real friend. Scott is even and calm and dependable. He is optimistic and very likable. His love of country and freedom. The sound of his voice. Being able to really share myself with him. Still knowing he is in love with me all these years later. He’s my BEST FRIEND. We have so many inside jokes and memories. We get the blessing of being together 24/7. Not many couples would even want to do that. We just go together perfect. That doesn’t mean we agree on everything and love all the same things, but we celebrate the ones that do overlap. Scott is so good to my family; I especially loved how close he was to my cute dad. They were the best of buds. It is fun when he is happy, which is most of time. He dances around, making up silly songs, and you can feel the energy. He lights up when he hears the name Wind Rivers. I think his only sadness is when I am down, or that I can’t backpack with him. I know that sounds like I am stuck up—but he really loves me, always putting me first. I like the nick names he gives to me and how he teases like his dad. He goes outdoors with his dad and they come home with these funny photos in the same poses. He has the best parents; they really raised him to be a fabulous man. I wish Scott could have known my grandpa. They remind me of each other. They love fishing, working, and their wives, moms and the gospel. I do not like doing things with the girls because I miss my Scott. He is fun to be with and I can totally be myself. Anthony and Scott are very close which also makes me so happy. I have been blessed to have wonderful men in my life. Scott really puts other men to shame, how can they measure up? He’s practically perfect in every way, kind of like Mary Poppins. He’s the first to point out he’s far from perfect. No one can make me laugh or want to be better than I am then Scott. I adore him.