What Love Really Means...

This topic has been going through my heart and head quite a bit in the past few weeks for a few reasons that I cannot post. But I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about this, thinking about if I just tell people I love them or if I truly show it in all I do-

 Of course, this wall in my home is the perfect answer to what love really means. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, loves each and every one of us individually. He truly loves me- and is the example of how to love others.

Then I found a couple of blogs that contain so much of what I want to remember.

The first: Talks about how marriage is not about you. Instead is is about the person you married and the family that you will create/share- and I would add for eternity. I am so grateful to have Luke as my husband and his family for my family- and my family as his. Family and the love they share are both about helping each other, supporting each other, communicating with each other- even on the difficult topics- and trusting each other. This is how you know when there is love in your family.

The second: Such an inspirational example of true love- this couple's challenges do not vanish because of their strong bond, but their love and faith deepen. I realized while watching this video that I am truly blessed to have a husband that truly loves me and supports me. And we are both truly blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and at the center of our marriage.

I am grateful to be surrounded by love!

Surrounded by Moms and Loving It!

 Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

And, yes, I still miss you every day...

But I am so blessed to have the best step-mom ever! And the best MIL ever!

And soon the best daughter who is also a mother!

Happy Mother's Day to you too, Char!

Purple Finger... But Not the Most Challenging

It's funny how something that you think would be terribly awful, can be overshadowed when it happens in life...

This week, my index finger got slammed in my car door... It was a couple of seconds before I even realized the reason my hand wouldn't come down... and IT HURT!!! My wonderful sister allowed me to stop by her home on my way to my home for some first aid and love. 

And Luke was able to give me a priesthood blessing of healing... less than a week later now, the purple is almost gone and I can type with very little discomfort.

Funny enough, my finger was not the most challenging event of the week... even little challenges seemed bigger in some ways in my mind.

I am so grateful that I have a Father in Heaven who knows me and loves me. Hard things are easier know He is there and that He cares.

And I am grateful to have such a loving husband who is willing to listen to me- even when I am down!

He is truly a patient, kind man.

This testimony of a neighbor 5 year old says it best to my heart (speaking of Heavenly Father): "I know that we can pray to Him and that always works!" 

Getting Older... Supposed to Mean Wiser, Right?!

Luke and I are too young to be dealing with constant health problems, aren't we?!

I have been having dizzy spells for the last couple of months...

and the doctor finally wanted me to get an MRI 'just to be sure'. Well, the just to be sure was going to cost A LOT! (30% is our part of the bill after insurance) And I was feeling better (much less frequent dizzy spells) after my first visit with the physical therapist.

Then I received a message from my sweet MIL telling me (not asking, mind you) that she and my parents were going to pay for the MRI- so schedule it! Ummm, I was thankful for the love behind the action- but it did leave me wondering how old I would have to be before I was not the child... but that only lasted a few moments as I realized how very blessed I am to have people in my life who love and care about me so very much!

Plus, the dizziness returned with a vengeance!

So, I scheduled the MRI- went to PT again and a great blessing- the therapist just happened to mention a different place to have an MRI that was just over 1/4 the price of the original venue! So much less money! What a blessing!

BTW, MRI's are NOT the most fun thing to do...

I got the results this week- no tumor or unexplained something or another...

Basically, my body (head) is getting older. As we age, the blood vessels going to our brains wind around and grow (the doctor compared it to varicose veins in our heads- lovely image!)

My blood vessels on the left side of my head have grown and curled (the doctor's 'technical' term) around my vestibular nerve-

Now those blood vessels may decided to curl a different direction or they may just crowd my nerve even more (resulting in increased dizziness and possible hearing loss- joy!)

But the only solution is a major brain surgery- and that might not even work...

So, the short version of all of this- I am just getting older. I need to keep doing my PT to retrain my brain to not be dizzy.

I am thankful that I do have the opportunity to be older- even if it comes with all the 'fun' new experiences!

Two years ago today....

On 4/20/2012 at 1:08 PM, I received this text message:

"I’m by a bench to your right ;)"

from none other than the love of my life- Luke!

We were both here and were meeting for a first 'date'.

Yes, Internet dating can be successful! (love eHarmony! Just sayin')

It was the first of many wonderful and interesting conversations. It was the first of many wonderful and interesting days in my life. It was the first of many wonderful and interesting of days yet to come!

I am so grateful to be sealed to this man for the rest of eternity!

And now he is often found on a bench or a chair or sofa cushion on my right!

And it still makes me smile!

Uphill. Both Ways. In the Snow- Kind of Week!

Only, it was record warmth here- no real snow... but plenty of chilly life challenges!

Yeah- This week, I am the frog!

But I am so grateful for the blessing of attending sacrament meeting. Here is a small part of what I learned:

A quote from Elder Holland (general conference): "God never leaves us alone." Pray for guidance always!

The Lord tells us what we need to do, but it is up to us to do it- to be obedient.

The Lord always blesses us when we are obedient.

I was reminded of a dark time in my life. I had just found out some very difficult realities concerning my now ex-husband, and I had decided that despite having 3 young children under the age of seven, no job, two mortgages, and a seven year old college degree w/out work experience, I had to file for divorce. I felt very alone that day, very discouraged. It felt as if all of my hopes and dreams would never be a reality. 

My mother graciously took the children to her home so that I could think and try to plan my next step in life... I couldn't. All I could do was to sit in a rocking chair, rock and cry. But as I poured my heart out to my Father in Heaven, something wonderful happened that I will NEVER forget:

 I felt my Savior's arms wrap around me and comfort me. It was not just in my head- it was a real sensation- as real as anything I have ever known. He 'held' me when I needed Him most.

 Now the situation of my life then did not change, things did not suddenly become easy. I did file for divorce and had to deal with all of the realities of raising those children on my own- but, from that moment on, things, in a very real sense, did get easier. I KNOW I was not alone then and am not alone now. I KNOW that my Father in Heaven is real and is there always. He cares, He loves me, and He loves you too.

We will always get more blessings than we deserve. I am so grateful for this reality even as I continue to trudge uphill in the 'snow'- both ways!

Kids are Great (Grandkids- Said to be Even Greater...)

Here is a link to the most adorable kid: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdcuaeYV9oM&sns=em 

What a cutie!

Of course, my own kids are even better- to me!

Here is our very own missionary - for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

And I have heard that grandkiddos will be even better still!

Number one- coming in August:

Number 2- coming in October!

I am not only the most blessed mom; I will be the most blessed  Grandmom too!