Quote

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
--- Leo Tolstoy

Joy #2 - Marriage

I guess I may have trouble keeping up on this blog just as much as I have trouble journaling. But I'll just try to keep picking up even after I leave off for way too long.
This week is my 13th wedding anniversary. I am so glad not just for Russell (who is another joy altogether) but for the whole blessing of marriage. What a great opportunity. I love being married. I really enjoyed being single, and there were many things I could do then that I cannot do now. There is some serious weight to having to "check," if you will, my decisions and actions with someone else. But, what a great freedom a marriage relationship can give you. That seems counter-intuitive, but it is true. Although I now have to consider another (actually 6 others, if you include the kids) in everything I do, I can do so many more things. I have someone to share the burdens of life. I have a partner to share the responsibility. I have a friend who has covenanted not to leave me. I can be myself without fear of being alone, or of offending. I can have the family I always wanted. Can you imagine trying to raise my brood by myself? There would be much more drudgery and much less joy. I can be the homemaker the Lord wants me to be. Having a marriage partner not only gives me security (financial, physical, and emotional), it also encourages me to stretch my wings, to be a better person. I am challenged by having a partner. A good analogy is having an exercise partner. When we exercise with a partner we are more likely to show up, fulfill our commitment (2 full miles or whatever), and to push harder than we do when we are alone. We are less likely to quit when we get tired. We are not only striving for ourselves, but to please/impress/not let down another person. Marriage is like that, only on a much greater scale. Life is our challenge, and having a partner helps me get up in the morning, fulfill my commitment (live the gospel, raise righteous children, or whatever), try a little harder to be better each day. It's esier to not quit when things are tough because we can spell each other. We can each work from our strengths and learn from each others' strengths. And there is positive pressure to please/impress/not let down our partner. Eternally speaking, partnership is inspired. How much better to share the journey and the reward with another, with a best friend. I know marriage is not always this way. It's so important to pick the right person, someone with whom you can have this great relationship. Don't settle, or marriage turns from this great uplifting partnership to a dragging weight keeping you away from the gates of heaven. I am truly blessed. I have great joy in marriage.

We Love to Visit Family!!

We had a great time in northern Utah last month when we went to see Grandma Joan and Uncle Norm and Aunt Laura. The trip was an early Christmas present from Grandma and Grandpa Tomany. We were able to spend time at Blacksmith Fork canyon swimming in the river and swinging on the rope swing. The little girls' call it "the grand canyon" because they think it's so grand!! Abby and Cade swung and swam with us, and a great time was had by all.

We stayed at Mick and Kathryn's, which was different for us, usually we are at Mom and Dad's, but they were full already. The kids really enjoyed being at the cousin's, and they were the most gracious hosts. We never felt out of place. Sarah especially seemed to love being at Breelyn's house. She loves her cousins. Sarah and Amber and Breelyn are like the three musketeers when they are together. They play well, and Sarah still calls them her best friends, even if we see them only a few times a year.



Our last day there we went to the Eccles Dinosaur Park and the kids enjoyed the exhibits and the walk through the "prehistoric forest."


On the way home, we drove fairly close to the Mill Flat fire (I think) near Scipio. The amount of smoke was tremendous, and a couple of times we could actually see the flames. We snapped some photos, but they don't really do justice to the awe of seeing all that smoke and fire.


We arrived home safe and enjoyed our weekend trip. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! What a great Christmas present!

Quote

"Let no man turn aside, ever so slightly, from the broad path of honour, on the plausible pretence that he is justified by the goodness of his end. All good ends can be worked out by good means." --English novelist Charles Dickens (italics added.)