Posts from — December 2008

I married the best guy on the planet.  I knew then that I had found a “keeper”, but as time has progressed, I’ve learned just how much of a gift God gave to me back in 2002.

Photo courtesy of Gage (with his own, new camera)

Everyone has baggage, and I carried quite a bit of it into our marriage.  Jared always says that he is amazed that I put up with him, but, I am continually amazed that he puts up with me.  He never stops loving me unconditionally.  Even when I expect him to.

My goal this year is for me to run to my husband, rather than away from him.  I want to love him, just as selflessly as he has loved me.  He is an ever-present picture to me of my Savior’s love.  He never gives up on me, even when I withhold my heart from him.  This year, I want to run to my husband and to my Savior.  I don’t want to close my heart off any longer.

Years ago, I pleaded with God to give me a husband who would love me as Christ loves the Church.  I had been hurt deeply, and wanted to know what it meant to be loved “as Christ loves the Church”.  Now I know.

I am extremely tired and have lots that I’d like to write about.  However, I am going to direct you to Jared’s blog tonight.  He put into words exactly what my heart has been feeling this Christmas.  It looks like God has us on the same wavelength.  So, go read it here.

I have lots of Christmas pictures to post from the past couple of weeks, and I hope to do that tomorrow.

I received my new camera in the mail today and am thrilled.  I have a lot to learn, though.  Mandy, I NEED YOU!!!!

Shea woke up from his nap with a fever today.  So, it looks like we might have a sick kid for our Christmas tomorrow.  Poor thing.  I feel so bad for him.

Jared captivated the kids tonight with the story of Jesus’ birth and the restoration that He will bring when He comes to make all things right.  As Gage sat cuddled beside me on the couch, watching the lights get brighter, he leaned over and said, “Mom, Dad’s gonna be a great pastor.  This is such a good idea!”  It warmed my heart to hear Gage say that.

Three of my very best friends are suffering deeply this Christmas.  One lost her Granddad very suddenly this week, the other is watching her Dad wither away due to Lou Gherig’s disease, and another is spending her first Christmas as a single mom to 4 boys.

We sang “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” tonight, and I’ve found this song has more meaning to me this year than it ever has.  As Jared said in his blog post…………….I’m just longing for our Savior to come and wipe away all of the tears.  And, I’m rejoicing that He will one day do just that.

I keep planning on posting to this blog, but I can’t nail a topic so I give up.  I think a lot of it has to do with the many thoughts swirling around in this head of mine.  Thoughts of graduating, possible jobs, baby coming in May, the uncertainty of where we will end up in the near future.  There are PLENTY of things to keep my mind occupied these days.  But, instead of filling you all in on those things, let me leave you with a conversation that just happened between my sons and I.

I went back to the boy’s room after being summoned by Gage.  He informed me that Shea was keeping him awake and getting off of the bed.  Shea quickly butted in and said, “But, Gage was looking down at me.” Gage sleeps on the top bunk.  I asked Gage why he was sticking his head over looking at his brother and he explained to me that Shea had gotten off of the bed to get a “peanut” for his chipmunks, along with 2 plastic play knives.  He was using the knives to cut the peanut up for the “chippies” to eat.  I quickly told Shea that he was not to feed the chippies any more tonight, and he said, “But, they need to be feeded, Mommy.  They’ll be hungry.”  At that point, I turned my head to hide the laughter bubbling up out of me, mustered up as stern of a voice as possible, and told him to go to sleep, as I closed the door behind me.

Now, the house is finally quiet.  Hungry chipmunks, and all.