the importance of family

I was reading my cousin Tara's blog and wanted to share her last post with everyone. I was seriously crying when I read this. It was a slap in the face to me too, I need to start DATING my husband again too....


I just felt the need to express how MUCH I absolutely ADORE & LOVE my husband! I am so thankful that I made it through BOTH Ricks College and BYU as a single gal....to find MY perfect match. He has helped me to become a better person...and although it can be a hard road (finding out that you're not perfect...tee,hee)...he has had the patience to help me discover how I can continue to grow and progress as a child of God.

He does ALL sorts of sweet things....for example...one small and simple thing he did just last night (seriously men...it's the LITTLE things that US girlies remember & cherish...)...he called me and said that since it was HIS turn to pick out a movie...that he had grabbed one on the way home...and that it was going to be a surprise. I was a little leery since he loves movies that are scary...as well as ones with a LOT of intense scenes. (I can't handle/stomach those as well as he can.)

Well, lo & behold...he had brought home a CHICK FLICK...."Bride Wars"...just for me! This would not have been his first, or second, or third, or even fifteenth choice....but he was thinking of l'il ole ME! LOVE HIM!!

The security I feel when I am with him is indescribable...I feel safe and loved. I guess a few things that have happened recently have made me reflect upon my own relationship with him...and I just wanted to document those feelings. I want to make sure I NEVER take him for granted and that he ALWAYS knows that he is my #1.

Two weeks ago one of my students came up to me in the morning to let me know that he had not had a chance to complete his homework. Normally, I would tell the child to take a Color Change for the missing assignment (my discipline system) and to get it in by the next day......but something prompted me to listen to him. As I glanced up at him (I was SUPER busy trying to get organized for the day....I was supposed to be starting our HUGE Testing in 10 minutes)....I could tell that something was REALLY wrong!

This student is one of my brightest students, rarely in trouble, and ALWAYS trying to please me. I could tell he needed to talk, so we went into the hallway. The poor thing proceeded to collapse into my arms sobbing. He told me that his parents had sat him down the previous Friday (it was a Monday) and told him that they were getting a divorce. My heart literally broke in two as I tried to comfort this grieving child. I have never seen the effects of divorce on a child as upclose as I saw that day. He exclaimed with frustration...unable to control his sobs, "What is wrong with me??" I hugged him tighter and told him that it was OK to cry and that we all needed to let the tears fall sometimes in our lives. I tried to hold the tears back myself as I wished I could magically make his parents fall in love again.

I called Jamie later that day completely shaken up...and was comforted when I heard his voice. I did eventually loose it later on in the day when this child's mother stopped by to see how he was doing. I could see the tears in her eyes and as I told her about his day, she began to cry. I pulled her in for a hug and we cried together. That was a first for me, but I felt I needed to let her know that while he was away from her....that I was going to make sure he was in a loving environment.

This just made me MORE determined to always continue to work on MY marriage and to keep on DATING and WOOING my darling husband!

One other thing that recently happened...might sound a little silly. Do any of you watch the show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8"?? It's the show about the couple who has twins and then sextuplets. I have watched their show on & off...and recently allegations have come out that Jon had an affair. I believe that the rumors are false (he was at a college party with some girls) but I do think that he is struggling with staying in the marriage. Although I love her feisty personality...she nitpicks at him A LOT! I just watched the brand-new premiere of the new season...and they both basically admitted that they are on the brink of divorce. The pain in Kate's eyes was SO overwhelming! My heart went out to both of them. They have basically grown apart....a sad (but common) case of putting everything else ahead of your spouse.

I guess that sweet boy in my class plus this loveable TV couple splitting up...have made me remember that fairy-tale endings don't just HAPPEN....if you REALLY want your fairy-tale ending...you have to WORK for it! It's definitely worth it....being able to spend eternity with the person of your dreams!! I think the key is marrying someone who brings out the best in you...and then you will be able to grow together.