Family and church

I met with my brother last night, brought him dinner in his time share hotel that he is letting my husband and I stay in for a few days!  We had a wonderful visit, caught up and chatted a lot about family, business and life.  He's my older brother and I've always looked up to him.  He is generous, smart, hard working, faithful and kind.  I could go on.  We were close as teenagers and remain close and enjoy getting together when we can.  We've been able to see each other more this past Winter.. we live closer to him in the Wintertime.   He always has a smile and cares so much for his family, not only his wife and children, grandchild, but his sisters and parents and extended family as well.

Sunday, the day I missed blogging, (shame on me huh!  I can't let it get me down or stop me, I cannot change what happened yesterday, only move on to doing better!) I went to church with my husband and enjoyed being in my sacrament meeting.  I was sitting there listening to the prelude music and it was time for the meeting to start.  One of the young men came to the row behind us and I thought it was odd because his family was sitting in front of us..  he tapped me on my shoulder and asked if I would come up and lead the opening song.  There was no director yet.  Our music chorister is pregnant and due anytime now.  She's a first time mom and so sweet and leads the music every Sunday.  So I said "sure"  I jumped up and turned to the page in the book to the song we were singing and led the opening song.  As the song began, our chorister came up front and was there just a tad late.. she led the rest of the songs for the meeting.  I was happy to be able to serve and fill in when there is a need.  I am comfortable leading music in either a congregation or a choir.   I love doing it.

Today, Monday, my husband and I have been able to work at a time share that my brother said we could use for a few days until he and his wife and daughter can come and enjoy some time away.  He had to work for a couple days and they had to use the time share, so he was so generous and didn't want the place "to go empty".  I plan on going swimming tomorrow afternoon!  Kelly (my husband) and I have enjoyed working here and chilling and enjoying the beautiful resort room.

Until tomorrow.  Lessons learned:  Serve when needed.  Love your family.  Do things together as a married couple to kindle your relationship.  Relax now and then.  Slow down and enjoy some time together.

Family Love

Family photo taken in Feb 2014.  This was a special day.  Our newest Grandbaby was blessed in church.  We gathered and celebrated the newest arrival to our family.   He is so sweet and cute and precious.  The feeling of holding a brand new grandchild is unmatched by anything ever.  It is the BEST feeling and love just flows all through me as I look into my new baby grandchildren's eyes and feel of their warmth all cuddly soft, so new from Heavenly Father.  I feel very blessed and seeing my children grow and be parents is so fulfilling and beautiful.  They are good parents and attentive spouses and all are finding their way in life and seeking after happiness and light.   We love them all.  Families are the thread of life that ties it all together for us through happy and sad times, triumphs and trials.  But the trials are always lessened when we have the love and support of family in our lives.  Heavenly Father meant it to be that way.  Marriage is ordained of God and it is His plan for us to live together as husband and wife and enjoy the blessing of having children.   It isn't always in everybody's plan to be able to have children, but every woman is a mother and every man, a father.  Three of my four boys are pictured here with their spouses and family.   No better time than when we are together, thank goodness we have the freedom to be able to travel and see children and family when times like this are upon us.      

Cruise Vacation!

We went on a 35th Wedding Anniversary Cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico!   We went on the Carnival cruise ship Inspiration and it was so relaxing and great.  We talked, laughed, ate, walked, rested in the sunshine, watched the seagulls, walked downtown Mexico, walked around quaint Catalina Island, and simply enjoyed each other's company.  Kelly is a very caring, loving husband and I enjoy being with him, traveling and seeing different places together,  

 This was on one of our 'relaxing' times in the chairs, just listening to the music being played.  Kelly had a book and I had some crocheting to do.  The weather was perfect, thank goodness!  Some cruises can turn out to be nightmares!  Lol!  Not ours!  We had perfect, pleasant weather the whole time.

 This is Mexico from the ship.  We did walk into town and did some window shopping.  As we were walking around, of course all the vendors are trying to get your attention and sell their wares.  I was thinking, what would I really need or want to purchase here?  And it hit me, leather sandals.  I scoped out a place and there was a shop across the street, so we walked to the end of the street and crossed.. came to my shop and the guy was very nice.. started a conversation with us.  Not salesy at first.  Then I mentioned what I was looking for and spotted the perfect sandal.  We talked over prices and I gave him my size and he came out with these!  I love them!  and he gave me a bargain.. $20.  When someone else asked how much they were, he said $30.  :)  I got the deal!

This is our ship's view as we are taking the smaller ship over to Catalina Island.  Pretty cool!  Here's a shot with Kelly on Catalina Island, perfect weather and we walked all over.. so peaceful and nice.  We saw bright orange fish in the bay.  

We played miniature golf on the top of the ship one morning.  So fun and I was ahead at first, then Kelly went ahead of me and on the last hole, he threw his shot so we would be tied, no winner..  that's how he is.. wants me to be happy and he knows I'm competitive!  

Here I am on the deck when we are docked, eating breakfast getting ready to leave the ship.  I'm wearing a sweatshirt my sweet mother in law had made for me.. so cute!  

Happy Marriage tips

I'd like to talk about marriage and your relationship with your husband.  I've been married for 35 years now so I might have some experience on the matter.  I've been reading a few articles that have been going around Facebook and as I've read them I found myself saying "Well, of course"  thinking why would someone need to write an article on that?  It seems like common sense to me.  But is it?  These days are people too caught up in the ME syndrome and what's in it for ME and why are MY needs not met?  probably.  Here's what I know.  Your spouse married you because they love you and were attracted to you and wanted to share their life with you and even eternity with you.  So why do we sometimes get impatient or even start to shut them out of our lives?    Ok, I'll stop with the negative side and turn things to the positive side.  You have two options when your husband asks you to "come look at this!" or "honey could you come here?"  
1. Lean toward your husband and lend an attentive ear, shoulder, heart and smile or
2. Ask "What do you want?" from the other room as if we are too busy.
Why would a husband call for you to come see something or ask for your presence?  You are his companion and friend.  He wants to spend time with you.  Do you accept and go to him when he calls you and needs you?  Should you?  Of course you should and he should do the same for you.
I have an example from just the other night.. It was last Friday night, we were camping out in the desert in our camp trailer and it was dark outside, a starry, starry night but not too cold.  I was inside all cozy and all involved in my accounting with my receipts spread out everywhere and my fingers ready on my laptop inputting amounts and dates into my program for accounts.  My husband called for me from outside and asked me to come here for a second.  I was like "great!  I'm all involved and it's not easy to just get up and leave all these papers that were all over my lap!"  Well, when I went out, we witnessed the most beautiful, peaceful moment in the sky!  It was moon rise just over the rocky mountains in the distance.  We didn't understand the light on the small clouds at first, then as the moon made it's appearance, it was so beautiful and I would have MISSED it if I said "Honey, I'm busy I can't come out."  He wanted to show me this thing in the sky that puzzled him, the light on the clouds looked eerie and spooky and beautiful.  I was happy to have shared those moments with him.  I leaned in towards him when he reached out to me.  My initial reaction of "I have no time for this, I am doing something important" was replaced by "Isn't that beautiful and I'm so glad we're here together!"  When we want to share something with our spouse, we hope to get a cheerful response and a feeling of contentment as we share moments together, even the small things.  Lean towards your spouse and share moments and times together.

Are you always on the defensive ready to defend your opinion every time you have a conversation with your husband?  Is your interaction with each other combative?  Relax and remember your sense of humor and be light with each other, in a nice way.  No teasing that is harmful or vindictive.  No showing disrespect ever, especially in public.  Always build and uplift each other, especially when you are around family members or friends.  Do the people around you KNOW that you love each other, or do they leave your presence asking themselves if they think your marriage will last another year?  Show affection, but don't gush.  Hold hands.  Smile as you look into your husband's eyes.  Be flirty.  Let him show you affection, even if you are not "in the mood".  You'll be in the mood if you just relax and stop worrying about the day, the laundry, the kids, the house, the car, etc.  Be playful.
Never, never, never hold back physical intimacy for punishment.  Never.  That very thing is what can break up a marriage.  Physical intimacy is like the glue that holds the marriage together.  For you, it might be chatting over breakfast, or going for a drive, or talking about your day, or a back rub, but physical intimacy must be part of your routine for your marriage to remain a happy, stable and vital.

The more that my husband and I talk about events from the past and how we handled them, the more we are able to learn and grow for the events in our future that happen.  Learn from your mistakes, but don't bring them up as ammunition when you disagree or argue about a decision or topic.  No one likes to be reminded of their weaknesses or faults, especially from the person they love and are spending their lives and eternity with.  Be courteous and able to forgive and let go.    I remember a time when my husband and I were in an argument while the kids were out playing (don't remember about what, as is always the case), and he said some things that really hurt my feelings, but I didn't yell and scream and cry back to him.  I just left the room, got the kids ready for bed and took a shower and cried in the shower.  I got dressed and came out into the living room again (by this time the kids were all in bed) he looked at me and told me sincerely that he was sorry for the way he spoke to me, that I didn't deserve what he said to me.  He apologized.  I learned at that moment what the song, "Love is never having to say you're sorry" meant.  But hearing his apology to me meant so much.  I love him and I forgave him.  From that moment on, I have always thought to myself when he may say something as a dig or maybe not so nice that he doesn't mean to hurt me.  He isn't perfect and I can forgive him, even if he doesn't say he's sorry all the time.    Give your spouse the benefit of the doubt.  Don't react or overreact to situations.  Things can escalate so easily, don't let them!

Spend time together.  Don't be so busy that you don't make time for each other.  Never put your children first.  That's a whole new post in itself!  Priorities in my book are
1. My God and my faith in His plan for me.
2. My husband. (kids grow up and leave and it's just the two of you so nurture your relationship)
3. My children and grandchildren.
4. My professional job or living.
5. Housekeeping.
I have been sealed for time and all eternity to my husband and my children are also sealed to us forever by the Priesthood authority pronounced upon us in the holy temple of the Lord.  My relationship with my husband comes before my children.  My children know their place and I love all 5 of them dearly and gave them all the attention, affection and time that they needed to become grown ups.  Even when my kids were at home, I tried really hard to put him first.  This sets a good example for the children to know that their parent's relationship is #1 for both of us.  It has helped our children see how to have a stable marriage for themselves.

This photo is from 2012 Christmas.  Our youngest son isn't in the photo because he is serving a mission for our church in the state of Michigan for two years.  We have 4 boys and 1 daughter and we love all of them and their spouses!  Since this photo, we've added two more grandchildren to the bunch.  4 Grandsons and 4 Granddaughters.  We love our family and are pretty proud of the adults our children have become.