Valentines Day

Valentines Day, 17 years ago, we woke up early. We drove to Manti, Utah on roads that were icy and slick.    We waited threw the traffic jam caused by a wreck in the canyon.  We got to the temple with just enough time to rush in.  There was no time for me to nurse the baby.  There was no time for me to kiss my mom and dad goodbye.  They would be waiting outside while we went into the temple to receive our endowments and  be sealed to each other for all time and eternity.  One sweet sister took my seven month old daughter to the nursery.  Another sweet sister guided me, and my best friend (Who had traveled from Seattle to be my escort.) to a dressing room.  I sat in the brides room and cried.  I was overwhelmed.  I hadn't nursed the baby.  My mom wasn't with me.  Finally, my wonderful friend came to get me.   Before I knew it, we were kneeling at the alter.  Our family was being sealed for eternity.  Someone brought our daughter in.  She was laughing.  This baby who had not nursed in several hours had the biggest smile on her face.  Without prompting she leaned over and grabbed our hands, as if she knew exactly how important what we were doing was.  Every step that we take as a family, I think about that day, that moment.  Every child we have brought into the world in affected by what happened that day.  The baby we held for such a short time, he was affected by that day.  He is ours because we made that icy long drive, because we made the covenants to each other, to our Father in Heaven, to our future family.  When trouble came, and our family faced a rocky uncertain future, I held on because of what had happened that day.  

This morning my cute hubby was trying his best to ignore the incessant beep of the alarm.  Somewhere in the house I could hear the sounds of my two oldest children talking.  I snuggled up closer to Hubby and wrapped me arms around his waste.  At that moment I was thinking about how much I adore my husband and  how thankful I am to have him in my life.  I am thankful for the good things he brings to my life.  Ten days from now we will celebrate our 18th anniversary.  We both have wrinkles and scars now that weren't there 18 years ago.  He is starting to get gray hairs at his temple and I find a few in my part line whenever I care to look.  Overall I feel so thankful, happy and content.  Part of me forgets that there was ever a difficult period.  I hope when people look at us the only see a happy couple who is very much in love after almost two decades together.  I hope they don't see the scars.

The other reason for neglecting my blog.

This year I was gifted a large amount of beautiful yarn.  I was so excited to be able to make gifts for my extended family.  I started in September and finished the knit hats that I made for my own children (Pictured in my previous post) two days before Christmas.  It was so much fun to make things for my family.  The hats for the girls got ribbons and flowers before they left and the shawls had a white ribbon accent added.  Of course I also tucked the yarn ends before they were wrapped and sent with my parents for Christmas.  

 

My poor neglected blog!

While I have been completely absorbed in the holidays, my blog has sat here alone and neglected.  However, we enjoyed the extra time with all of us together and made so many happy memories, that I just can't feel sad about it.