my boys

you are the leader of our most awesome army.
thanks, hun:)

Just in case you wanted to know

I so freaking love you:)

Us, We, Our

You know what I love?
I love that my life isn't 'my' life, it's our life.
No more my, but our.
No me, but us.
No I, but we.
I just like the way it sounds.
I love what it means.
You and I, we're in it together.  Forever.  No matter what.

People might think that depending on another person for eternity would place you in a position of vulnerability and therefore weakness.
We are vulnerable to each other but we're not weaker because of it-we're stronger.
It it because we open up to each other that we see where to protect.  Our individual weak points are guarded and together we become stronger.  We can fight and defend our charges and together not only guard our weak points but reinforce them, correct them.

In that same way, not only are our strengths multiplied, but our joys as well.
Being married, being sealed, is awesome.
Being sealed to you...it's even better.

Crazy Kids

So, this one is a little different.
I just want to say how awesome our kids are.
Seriously, they're freaking awesome.
And we wouldn't have them-I wouldn't have them without you.
I see you in them.  Your words, your looks, your humor, the way you sleep.  I look at my kids and am in awe and twitterpated and can't imagine them being any more crazy-amazing than they are now.  And they are that way because you are their dad.  Things they pulled from your DNA and things they pulled from day-to-day.  You have brought so much joy and silliness to my life.  Thanks.

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.