Every day, Jeff and I both marvel at the amazingness of US. In 7 days, this amazingness will be for Eternity. I can't even wrap my head around that miracle. We both feel so richly blessed and are so anxious to seal this very Divine deal!!
{one week}
Every day, Jeff and I both marvel at the amazingness of US. In 7 days, this amazingness will be for Eternity. I can't even wrap my head around that miracle. We both feel so richly blessed and are so anxious to seal this very Divine deal!!
{wisdom from a child and pirating}
I am so often reminded of why we are told to "become as little children" as we prepare for the coming of our Savior. Children are so loving, forgiving, teachable, understanding and unprejudiced. Why do we have to "grow up" and lose so much of that?!
A few weeks ago, I was reminded yet again, of the purity and innocence of a child's heart. Seneca came home from school one day a few weeks ago and, as she threw a flyer in my lap, simply said, "I want to take Jeffrey!" I smiled and said, "OK. To what?" As I looked down at the flyer, I was surprised to see what was the announcement of an upcoming "Daddy/Daughter Date." I will admit, as much as I was so thrilled that she wanted Jeff to go with her, I was a little bit surprised, considering the nature of the evening (this is a new experience/situation for us). Making sure she understood that it was a "Daddy/Daughter Date" (even though the flyer specified that you could bring your Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle or Friend), she smiled and said again, "I know! I want to take Fuh Chan!" (Every time she calls Jeff that, my heart smiles. In addition to still calling him "Jeffrey" every now and again she now lovingly refers to him as "Fuh Chan," which is the Chinese word for "Father.") She then proceeded to say, "We have a Daddy/Daughter Date coming up at Daddy's church, so I thought I could go to that one with him and have "Fuh Chan" come to this one."
Simple as that.
I must say...I was in awe for a moment (I still am actually). As adults, we make situations like this so personal and complicated, that it often creates confusion, contention and hard/hurt feelings. For this little 7 year old, it made absolute sense in her mind to split the time between the TWO men she loves. A simple and beautiful compromise....from a child. I stand amazed at the beauty of this little girl's soul. And so it was, Baby and "Fuh Chan" began preparing for a fabulous date night. The theme? "UNDER THE SEA."
On the flyer, all girls and their dates were asked to dress up either as sea princesses, mermaids or pirates. I canNOT TELL YOU how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my little PRINCESS wanted nothing other than to be a PIRATE!!!!! HIT IT!!! And so, Mama set out on a search for the PERFECT pirate costumes!! It didn't take long. Fortunately, my sister's cute brother and sister-in-law had JUST invested in the most AMAZING matching pirate costumes for this last Halloween. Would you believe that the sizes fit Baby and Jeff perfectly!?! Of course they did! ;-) So grateful for sweet Peggy and her willingness to share these fabulous costumes! I think it's safe to say, that they were probably one of the best-dressed couples there that evening! Can you stand it? How seriously CUTE are these costumes...these pictures and these priceless TREASURES of mine!?
Love the picture below of them driving away. All pirates drive away in Galants, don't they?! LOL! Awesome.
They had SUCH a fun and memorable night of activities, games, dancing, face-painting and more!!!
I am so grateful for this very special and memorable night for BOTH of these two crazy pirates! And even more so, I am filled with gratitude and humility for this precious little girl and her tender heart and constant example of Christlike love and understanding. My heart was (and still is) so touched by this "little" thing, that was anything BUT little to me.....or to Fuh Chan. :-)
{love her mother}
Within the next few weeks, I plan on documenting the details of Jeff's beautiful and perfect proposal, along with a few other entries that I have wanted to write for quite a while now (EDITED 5/20/13: Have now posted those entries and filed them back to just after when I posted the news about our engagement...just to keep everything together chronologically). Until then, I want to just post little things here and there....as they come to my mind. My heart is so full lately and I feel as if I am constantly surrounded by tender mercies and reminders of God's love for me and of His Divine blessing of our union.
A few weeks ago, I happened upon a video "purely by chance" (by now, you know I don't believe in "chance"). As I watched it, I absolutely could not control my tears. It seems like I cry so often lately....but the tears that fall feel so much different than of years past. The energy is so different and the tears are so pure and cleansing. I feel so very close to the Spirit every moment of every day and I am filled with so much love and gratitude, that it is so often overwhelming, in a beautiful way. As I sat and watched this video, my heart swelled as my mind immediately turned to my children and my sweet Jeff. What a miracle it is, knowing that my children will have Jeff in the home, a man who (like their Mama) loves them, cherishes quality time (both as a family and one-on-one), makes them laugh, makes them feel safe to share all that is on their hearts and INTENTLY LISTENS to those thoughts and feelings, disciplines with love, teaches them and helps them to grow, and (most importantly).....loves their mother.
My heart is EVER full of gratitude for this wonderful man who can see the woman I am and will teach our children "tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion and devotion" by his example and by the way he loves me.
My cup runneth over.
{miracles}
{telling the babies}
After Jeff proposed, I arranged (via text, from our trip) for my friend Mandi to do a quick family photo shoot of us the day after we returned home from our tour. I wanted a few awesome pictures to help us "break the news" to our dear friends and family. However, first on the docket was telling our babies!
I mentioned to Kaden and Seneca that we were going to meet up with Jeff for a special family activity and then go out to dinner. They looked slightly confused when we showed up at Daybreak, but are so used to their Mama being full of "fun surprises" and "spontaneous activities," that they just smiled and didn't ask questions. Bless their cute hearts.
Jeff showed up soon after we did, and asked Kaden if he could talk to him for a little bit. They went across the street and sat down on some steps while Baby and I sat and snuggled. From a distance, I was able to capture a few priceless shots as my sweetheart proceeded to ask my sweet son for permission to marry his Mama. Kaden responded with a resounding YES!! :-) What a beautiful moment. (And later, he threw in a "It's ABOUT TIME!!" LOL!)
After the boys were done chatting, we came together again so that we could tell Baby. I had taken my ring off and put it back in the box. Jeff handed it to Baby and told her to open it for a big surprise. :-)
This next picture says it all......
I guess the best way to describe the reaction of BOTH of our babies would be.."surprised, but not surprised." LOL! Not only do Kaden and Seneca love Jeff (which means SO VERY MUCH to me), but these sweet little ones have RECOGNIZED Jeff as Divinely meant to be part of our family for a very long time now. This news, as HAPPY as it was, was just a "formality" to them. He has already long been part of "Us" in their eyes. :-)
As soon as Mandi showed up, we took a few moments for a quick photo shoot. Mandi is such a talented photographer, that even this "quick shoot" produced priceless photographs for us.
What a blessing to have these precious pictures to document a moment that marked the beginning of our Eternal adventure as a family.
Definitely a VERY happy, happy day!
I mentioned to Kaden and Seneca that we were going to meet up with Jeff for a special family activity and then go out to dinner. They looked slightly confused when we showed up at Daybreak, but are so used to their Mama being full of "fun surprises" and "spontaneous activities," that they just smiled and didn't ask questions. Bless their cute hearts.
Jeff showed up soon after we did, and asked Kaden if he could talk to him for a little bit. They went across the street and sat down on some steps while Baby and I sat and snuggled. From a distance, I was able to capture a few priceless shots as my sweetheart proceeded to ask my sweet son for permission to marry his Mama. Kaden responded with a resounding YES!! :-) What a beautiful moment. (And later, he threw in a "It's ABOUT TIME!!" LOL!)
After the boys were done chatting, we came together again so that we could tell Baby. I had taken my ring off and put it back in the box. Jeff handed it to Baby and told her to open it for a big surprise. :-)
This next picture says it all......
I guess the best way to describe the reaction of BOTH of our babies would be.."surprised, but not surprised." LOL! Not only do Kaden and Seneca love Jeff (which means SO VERY MUCH to me), but these sweet little ones have RECOGNIZED Jeff as Divinely meant to be part of our family for a very long time now. This news, as HAPPY as it was, was just a "formality" to them. He has already long been part of "Us" in their eyes. :-)
As soon as Mandi showed up, we took a few moments for a quick photo shoot. Mandi is such a talented photographer, that even this "quick shoot" produced priceless photographs for us.
What a blessing to have these precious pictures to document a moment that marked the beginning of our Eternal adventure as a family.
Definitely a VERY happy, happy day!
{the proposal}
Our courtship and engagement has been absolutely flooded with tender mercies, little miracles that have confirmed the undeniable Divinity of our union. So happy to finally be able to share a proposal story as beautiful as our love....
Last November, Jeff and I were scheduled to go on an American History Tour titled "One Nation Under Covenant," with our friend Timothy Ballard as our guide. Tim has a passion for American History and The Gospel (as they relate to each other) that is unmatched, in our opinion. We couldn't WAIT to see all of the sites with him as our guide. Although the tour itself was sure to be incredible, experiencing it over Election Day, was what thrilled us the most. We both purchased Mitt Romney hoodies and I had my nails done with American flags. We were SO excited. However, two days before we were schedule to leave, our travel company contacted us to inform us that the tour had been cancelled and rescheduled, due to Hurricane Sandy. To say that we were devastated, would be an understatement. However, even the postponing of our trip proved to be Divine.
Our trip was rescheduled for March, and although we knew it wouldn't have the same energy that it would have had over Election Day, we were still completely excited. The first day of our tour was BOSTON, which ended up being my favorite day of the tour...for many reasons. After a full day visiting Bunker Hill, the Boston Tea Party Museum and other fun sites, we set out for Peacefield, the John and Abigail Adams home. For Christmas, my sweet Mama gave me a historial biographical novel called "Those Who Love." It is the story of John and Abigail Adams. As I read it on my own, I would so often share excerpts with Jeff. Both of us were amazed at the often UNCANNY similarities between not only John & Abigail's courtship and our own, but even our personalities. We both felt a strong connection to them and were, therefore, especially excited to have the opportunity to visit their home.
En route to Peacefield, Tim informed us that unfortunately, it was closed for the season. Therefore, we would not be able to go inside. Many in our tour group suggested that we just skip Peacefield and head to Plymouth Plantation. Jeff and I were of the opposite mindset. Because of our personal connection, we at least wanted to walk the grounds of their home, if we couldn't go inside.
When Jeff heard that Peacefield was closed for the season, his heart sank a little bit. Unbeknownst to me, he had planned on proposing in John Adams' study (for sentimental reasons). However, as that was something that couldn't be helped, he had decided that proposing on the grounds would be just as memorable. It seemed to us that many of the others in our group were not as interested as we were in Peacefield, since most of them simply got out of the bus and sat visiting outside for a bit. Tim told us, as we were getting off the bus, that we had about 10 minutes ("Not much time for a proposal," Jeff thought, "but it will do.") before we had to get back on the bus and head to Plymouth. As Jeff and I walked out on our own around to the front of the house to admire the grounds, a woman came out from behind a neighboring building. She walked right up to us, as if she had been expecting us (later, I would wonder whether or not Jeff had set this up. And later, we BOTH would fully recognize that it was our loving Heavenly Father who had provided YET ANOTHER tender mercy for this blessed union). With a smile, she said, "I'm sorry that the home isn't open for another few months. However, John Quincy Adams built a library right next to the home for all of his and his father's books. Would the two of you like to go inside?" A woman out of nowhere, in the off-season, to open a LIBRARY, when "the study" was not available. Seriously? Even I am still amazed at this story.
As we walked out of the most beautifully meaningful spot that Jeff (and our Heavenly Father) EVER could have chosen for us to commit to each other for Eternity, we were met by our friend Tim, grinning from ear to ear as he hugged and congratulated us....and a very sweetly apologetic photographer, who then asked us to please return to the library so he could take a few photos of us, as a memento of this life-changing moment. Bless his cute heart.
After we took a few photos, we returned to the bus. The moment we reached the top of the stairs, the entire bus (filled with strangers that would soon grow to be very dear friends) erupted with applause and a resounding "HUZZAH!!!!!" What a FUN memory that will always be for us! In fact, at the END of our very memorable trip (after we had become such good friends over the course of the week), we reinacted that fabulous moment, in front of The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Priceless!!
As we sat on the bus in each others' arms, heading towards Plymouth, more tears were shed as Jeff leaned over and told me what he had actually "meant" to say when he proposed. We were both so overcome with emotion in that beautiful moment, that only simple words had escaped from us. He had wanted to propose in the study, because of what it represented to us. One of the greatest connections we have, has been our love of learning. We are both so captivated by study, knowledge and the pursuit of truth. Particularly, when it comes to the Gospel. Among so many other beautiful facets of our relationship, this love of learning is not only what keeps (and will continue to keep) the spark alive between us....but is what we both feel played a large part in our falling in love with each other. He expressed how much he looked forward to spending a lifetime and an Eternity of learning together. I can't remember all of the words he said after that, I just remember looking at him over and over that day and that week, seeing nothing but my future and knowing that we have ALWAYS been meant for each other.
After he finished sharing the many beautiful and meaningful thoughts that he had "meant to share with me," I realized that even I had failed to actually ANSWER his question in the moment. I leaned over, kissed him, smiled and said, "And I meant to say 'YES!!'"
{the first to know}
Since we knew that we had a very special American History Tour coming up in March, we decided that we wanted to wait until then to get engaged. We had already dated a year and a half, and waiting a little bit longer for a very perfect and personal moment, was absolutely worth it.
Jeff and I had decided not to tell anyone until after we were officially engaged...and that included family and close friends. However, the joy and gratitude I felt in my heart, was something I
simply could NOT keep completely to myself for an entire month and a
half. I immediately had an idea. After I returned home from Bennion Jewelers that late morning, I hopped in my car and drove to the bank. To anyone else, this may seem so "different," but I have dear friends just about everywhere....including the bank. Julie and Nancy (and many others that work at my bank) have become absolutely dear friends of mine. We have chatted so often and shared much with each other. I love them both so very much! When I was faced with the dilemma of not being able to tell anyone in our immediate circle, I instantly thought of Nancy (Julie no longer works at that bank....sadly. Though, we still keep in very close contact.). I ran in, plopped myself down in the chair at her desk and, bright-eyed, said, "I have to show you something!" She was ELATED.....and I was appeased and able to wait another month and a half, having been able to share my incredibly joyful news with at least ONE person.
It's not often that your bank teller is the first one to know about such amazing, life-changing news. But then, Nancy isn't just any bank teller...and I'm not quite "like everyone else" either. :-)
{the ring}
Although Jeff proposed in March, we actually picked out a ring at the end of January. One freezing Wednesday morning, I hopped on Trax to head downtown to Bennion Jewelers. Jeff and I planned on meeting there after work, but I decided to go earlier that day just to look around. That way, if the process of finding a ring took a little longer, Jeff wouldn't have to wait around while I made up my mind. :-) When I arrived that morning, I was greeted warmly and offered a seat. It was a wonderful beginning to a what has continued to be a very happy experience with this Jeweler. They have been SO great!! I briefly gave a description of what I was looking for. I expressed that I was less interested in the shape and size of the diamond, as I was about very unique and ornate filigree. As I am certain that many may not know what filigree is, I decided to Google a definition for you:
filigree: noun 1. delicate ornamental work of fine silver, gold, or other metal wires, especially lacy jewelers' work of scrolls and arabesques.
In short, I was more concerned about having a unique SETTING than anything else. The relationship Jeff and I have, is nothing short of Divine, and one of the most unique connections I have ever personally witnessed or experienced in my life. In choosing my ring, I didn't just want something "pretty." I wanted it to be as unique as our love is.
Before Jeff and I were to meet later that day, I had already found the most perfect ring. When we met after work, he was so surprised (and probably even relieved) that I had found one so quickly. As soon as he saw it, he remarked at how unique it was and how much it truly suited me. Tossed around the idea of replacing the tanzanite with a pink stone. However, the more I thought about it, I wasn't sure whether a pink stone would be as practical. Therefore, we decided on white....because it is classic, matches everything.....and is timeless. We finalized the details, made a deposit...and we were done. We even picked out a ring for Jeff. I love the way we shop. We simply know, right away, what we like...and don't waste time. He scanned the trays of wedding bands and picked out a ring within about 60 seconds. "This one is good." :-) Oh, I love him.
I love my ring. It absolutely takes my breath away - not only because it truly is magnicifent, but also because of what it symbolizes. This beautiful ring truly is like us...."like none other in the world," and symbolizes a sealing to my soul's true mate for Eternity. There is NOTHING more beautiful than that.
{the man}
Oh my heart, I love this picture so very much, for SO many reasons. I will explain why....
There are countless reasons why I love and admire my Dad. As I have vigilantly searched for an Eternal companion, the qualities I love so much about my Dad, have been at the forefront of my mind. I love...
...that he is kind to everyone and judges no one.
...that he is a man of learning - always seeking for truth and knowledge.
...that he is a man who loves, admires and respects his wife.
...that although he knows more people than anyone I know, when you are with him, you feel like the most important person in the world.
...that he is the perfect example of a righteous father - he (together with my sweet mother) was constantly teaching us, disciplined us with love, supported us in all of our MANY activities...and was a very ACTIVE and playful Dad. We ALWAYS knew that our family came FIRST to him!!
...that he is strong and authoritative.....yet still knows (and loves) how to PLAY!!!
...that he is a focused listener.
...that he remembers people.
...that he makes friends wherever he goes.
...that he is resourceful.
...that he is punctual.
...that he honors his Priesthood and so readily offers to give us blessings, as needed.
...that he knows the Gospel and the Scriptures so well and teaches them in a manner that is easy to understand and retain.
...that he is a dreamer and chases after those dreams.
...that he loves to travel, see new places and immerse himself in new cultures.
I could spent the entire morning continuing this list. However, I believe that that is definitely a good sampling of the qualities that I love the most.
After spending a while in the dating scene after my divorce, I met quite a few wonderful men. I am grateful for all of them and for their friendship. However, as I kept these qualities in mind and had resolved to select a mate with the utmost care (no matter how much time it took), I started wondering whether or not I would ever find a man the caliber of my Dad. I didn't have to wait very long.
Although Jeff and my Dad do differ in many ways "personality-wise," their core is the same. They are both strong men who love the Gospel. So many of the qualities I love in my Dad (listed above)....I also love in Jeff. We are all made unique, with unique sets of spiritual gifts that will uplift and strengthen others. Jeff, of course, is his own man. And as his own man, he is absolutely magnificent. However, what a blessing to have my Dad, one of the greatest men I have ever personally met (regardless of the fact that he is my father), to hold up as a standard as I so carefully *selected the man that I want to have by my side for Eternity. (*A side note on the word "selected." I guess it is true that I chose this
wonderful man. However, it goes much deeper than that. The word "selected" does not seem adequate or
even accurate. The truth is, I didn't really "select" him. I know, with
my entire being, that GOD was the one who selected BOTH of us for each
other. I simply RECOGNIZED His choice.)
I feel so very richly blessed to see in this handsome young man, what I have admired in another, very, very dear and slightly-older man for my entire life.
