I'm Sorry

Today I was short with you.
I'm sorry.

Today I had in my head us trying to do better as a family.  In particular scripture study.  But I think what I view the end goal being is different than your vision.  And when my picture didn't come into focus I took it out on you.

I'm sorry I made faces and avoided eye contact and probably made you feel bad.  I'm sorry I was rude and sharp.  I'm sorry I didn't treat you with the love I have for you.

I promise-that is not a part of my vision.

I also want you to know that I really did like your FHE lesson-about Gideon and picking a scripture and image to go with each kid.  It's really quite beautiful and inspiring.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you that when I thought it.

I promise that I'll do better tomorrow.
Thanks for all the tomorrows.

Blessing the Family

Last night you came home from the priesthood session of general conference.  You were clean shaven, had on a white shirt and tie.  I was so proud of you.  In the previous week you helped give myself and some of our kids priesthood blessings.
I want you to know that I am hugely grateful that you are worthy to hold the priesthood and that I can call on you at any time to give a blessing.  That means a lot.  I means security for me.  I know that I have access to the priesthood whenever I need it.  It means pride.  My husband is worthy in the eyes of God.
I am proud of you.  I am proud to be your wife.  I am grateful that God has blessed me with someone who worthily holds the priesthood.
I love you, John.

Chin up, I love you

So, today you kinda bumped another car with the van. 
So...maybe bump in an understatement.
But really, it's not that bad.

No, really.

I know you're feeling bad right now.
About the car.
About the whole job search.
About the potential for moving into my parent's house.

I see that.  And I get it.
Trust me, I can log plenty of mom/wife guilt.

But I don't need to. 

You don't need to burden yourself with your dad/husband guilt.
It doesn't help you at all.

and don't start feeling guilty that you're feeling guilty.

You know what's really wonderful?
I think we're focused on the right things.

What do we worry about (other than the job search)?

All the stuff we worry about seems to come back to our eternal family.  Thank you for being the kind of husband and father that isn't so distracted that he forgets the important things.

And, in the end, where you're driving is not an important thing. 

Family scripture time.
Family fun.
Family prayer.

Family.

Thanks for being a family focused guy.
Thanks for being a true husband and father.

Thanks for being You.


I love you.

Compassion

Today I posted in the other blog about how Analee is learning compassion and I wanted you to know, I think she is learning that from you.  In fact, I think the ability for a 5 year old to be compassionate is pretty impressive-and I think she gets it from you.
Thinking about other people doesn't exactly come naturally to me.  But you have a wonderful capacity to look at a person and see what is inside their heads and behind their actions.  (One of the super-cool qualities that I think will make you a great teacher to teens and pre-teens). 
I want you to know that I am proud of Analee.  And I'm proud of her for being like you.
I know you worry, so let me say it again.
You are a good dad.  You have not only given our daughter your talent for loving people but are teaching her how to use it.
I'd go on but a short guy just started crying.

I love you, John.
Thanks for being you.

Hooray!

Today you are officially licensed to teach in Virginia!
It's taken a while to get here-but what can you say?  I guess we like the scenic route:)
I am so proud of you!
And I am so happy to see you so happy:)
And guess what?

YOU ARE AWESOME!!!



You seriously are!

NO, stop-you're awesome!  Seriously!

Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll end this post and go jump you;)

So in love

Sorry, hun.  I haven't done such a great job at this happy marriage-themed blog.  I haven't done cutesy dates and darling printables (do you even know what I mean by that?  do you care?).
So, perhaps I shouldn't worry about all that.
Perhaps I should just say I love you.
Because I do.

Merely thinking about life without you and I can't breathe.
A smile from you and every particle in me brightens just a little.  And during those occasional laugh fests I feel like I'm glowing.  Thanks to you.
When you hug me I relax.  I can just let go of everything for a moment, take a deep breath and let go of all the stress and worry and just be.

I am so in love with you, John.
I love you.

To Start It Off

Hi!  I'm Anika.  I'm starting this blog to help me out with a goal I have.  You see, I need to show my sweet husband, John, how much I love him.
I like to think that I don't do too bad a job, but there have been some distractions.  Four distractions, actually.  Meet Babe, Bub, Duck and, well the youngest doesn't have a nickname yet.  My grandpa suggested Giddy-up, my husband is test driving G and before he was born Babe wanted to name him Oval Superhero.  I'll guess we'll see what sticks.
While kids can keep you distracted from your marriage at any point, we've got a highly concentrated dose right now.  John and I have been married about 5 1/2 years and I've been pregnant 3 of them.  I can't say for other ladies, but I can get pretty hormonal, tired and achy when I'm pregnant.  Plus, there's the new baby phase (which were in right now).  Not really a recipe for romance.
That's what I'm out to change.
No-I'm not farming out the kids.
I want to up the ante on our dating life and I'm going to use this blog to document and motivate.
What'cha think?  Ready for some good old wholesome fun?