Things you hope to hear come from your signifigant others mouth...

Introducing Matt... Matt and I have been dating awhile... Not too long... But long enough



We're gonna get married. Yep. I know it's quick, and quite frankly, I'm finally at a point in my life that I'm uninterested in others two cents. I am happy. He is good to me. Good to my kids, and I'm looking forward to a long and happy life with him. On to the point of the post.

Yesterday we are at my Brother-in-laws Birthday dinner at my moms house. It was also Matt's birthday this past week, so she apologized for not doing a dinner for him. He was reassuring her no problem, My sister and her husband were saying you don't get a birthday dinner till things are official and we know you are sticking around. He joined in the joking and said, "yeah, no birthday dinners till we consummate this." I kinda looked at him like, you did not just say that to my sister, brother-in-law, and Mom. He immediately said, "that's not what I meant." Sure it wasn't. He said, "what I was trying to say..." Wade finished it up for him by saying, "you meant, no birthday dinners till after the wedding." Anyhow, it was funny we all had a laugh.

Mary

I wanted to write this blog at Christmas time and didn't get around to it. I decided I go ahead and write it now.

I saw this video on my friend Heathers blog. I loved it. On Christmas Eve we also watched a couple of the nativity videos. One was of a bunch of children in Australia acting out different parts of the nativity. The other was the more traditional enactment of the Nativity of Mary and Joesph and their experience on the way to and in Bethlehem.

Having been a labor and delivery nurse it gives me a certain perspective on having my or any ones baby for that matter in a stable with the cows, horses, sheep and the like. As I watched the video I thought of how Mary would have reacted when Joesph repeatedly came back with the news that yet again, no room here either. I wondered how Joseph must of felt. The kicker for me, came when I thought of how I would have reacted given similar circumstances. Maybe I would have been mad at my husband for not planning ahead better, and making arrangements for us. I wonder if I would have been angry and curt at his obvious lack of concern for me and the condition I was in? I hope not, but I can see myself maybe responding in such a way.

Thinking on this made me consider the kind of people Mary and Joseph are; I'm sure they were patient, kind and considerate with one another. I'm grateful for these little reminders and for my Savior who descended below all things, even in birth. I am also grateful for the woman Mary, being able and prepared to be the Mother of God, what a humbling experience that must have been. One of my favorite parts of the Nativity story in, Luke 2: 19 "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." I would love to meet her one day. I'm excited to be studying the New Testament this year and so grateful for the many reminders of how I want to conduct my life.

Proofs of Love

Today was a slow day at work. As I leafed through one of those women's magazines, Good Housekeeping or something like that, I came upon a happiness article. It was by, Gretchen Rubin, a women who spent a year of her life figuring out how to find more happiness now. She actually wrote a book on this called, "The Happiness Project." She had a focus and a goal each month. She sited the French Poet, Peirre Reverdy (1889-1960), who said, "there is no love, only proofs of love." As Gretchen contemplated the idea of proofs of love, she came to the conclusion that there was a direct correlation between her happiness levels and the proofs of love she showed to the loved ones in her life.
I have since spent a little time thinking on this and decided Pierre had the right idea. We know someone loves us by the choices they make and the things they do, say, or notice about us, that make us feel loved. My little neighbor Meghan, well shes not little anymore, but I know she loves me by the things she tells me, one of which is, I'm so pretty, and the hugs she gives me. I get my daily dose of self esteem each afternoon as I pick up Andrew and Meghan greets me with some kind word. I know Shauna loves me simply by all she does for me. I would walk through fire for them. There aren't many people I would do that for. As I thought of the proofs of love in my life, there are many. I've been blessed with so many who love me. My dad is cute and always calling into check in on me. Sometimes I'm defensive about this, thinking he doesn't think I'm capable or something; when in reality it's only one of his many proofs of love for me. Sometimes when you are on the younger end of the family you get told what to do a lot, and I have become a bit hypersensitive to said, suggestions. I need to recognize it for what it is, My daddy looking out for his little girl. I love you Dad. My sisters are frequently doing for me and checking on me. Jess is great, she is a bit of a shopaholic and is it great for me, cause I get a new wardrobe when she cleans out her closet. Another proof of love I like, is when people notice things about you. The other day, Matt said, "I like the look in your eyes." He recognized the look, he new what it meant and he loved me for it.
As I've thought of the obvious "proofs of love" in my life I've spent a little time thinking on the importance of showing all these people in my life, my proofs of love, for them. I read and article on KSL.com about a ninth grade girl from Farifield Junior high who lost her battle with bone cancer last night. Her name was Maddey. As I read the article the importance of showing my love for those I care about seemed to continue to surface in my mind as the most important thing I can do each day, and as a bonus, it's gonna make me happier. SWEET! We really never know when our chance to show our love may be gone. It is oh so important to show our love now.
Here are a few things I've come up with to show my love to those I hold dear: when I have the thought to call so and so, actually calling just to see how they are. Sending notes or cards in the mail or even just a text saying thinking of you and I love you. Putting the needs of your significant other ahead of your own. I have especially been thinking of how I need to show my proofs of love for my children. I have felt I've been too sharp with them lately, and I want so much for them to remember their childhood as fun and happy and remembering me playing, and reading with them the the likes. Usually, this is something I feel I'm good at but lately, I've needed a reminder to be a little gentler with them, pay better attention to them, and the likes. More specfically, take Andrew shooting. His crazy Grandpa got hime a BB gun for Christmas. Lexie, maybe doing our nails together or just reading some Junie B with just me and her. Annie, reading or just holding her for a few minutes each day singing and letting her know she has my undivided attention. Those are my goals for this week with my kiddos.
So I'm gonna check out this "Happiness Project" book, look for ways to show my proofs of love daily, and focus on more happiness this year. Maybe you'll wanna do the same?