Happy July!

Elliott heard people wishing us a Happy 4th of July and ever since then he goes around saying "Happy July mama! it's a Happy July!"

It has been a Happy July. This month began with our Fifth Anniversary and I have found myself pondering on this over the last couple weeks. Five years ago Jesse and I were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple, bound together through Gods divine plan and locked as one for all the eternity's that lay before us. It would be a lie to say there weren't times I wished that binding promise had never been made (ie: last entry) but as I recall the years that brought us to this place in our lives I can't help but feel an amazing sense of accomplishment! We have made it so far!!! For five consecutive years we have somehow managed not to kill each other. I understand that in the grand scheme of things five years is nothing, and I'm sure those of you who have been married far longer are mumbling something about "sweet nieve Lacie what times you have ahead..." but I cant help but take some pride in our flawed, chaotic, bitter sweet marriage. Not something to be envied nessisarilly but we make it work. It amazes me that we successfully brought three beautiful children to earth and are managing to support them with the things they need, raise them with the love they deserve and teach them even though we don't really have a clue what we're doing (don't tell!) Its been such an enriching experience to watch them learn new things as they grow, they are definately worth the two most painful experiences of my life :) 

I have to say the neatest thing about this anniversary was my gift from Jesse (and Joe!) he presented me with a DVD of our wedding footage! Joe video taped the whole day for us and up until a couple months ago was unable to get the video. So as a surprise Jesse asked Joe to put it all together and send it to him before July 2nd, which he successfully did. I cried through pretty much the whole thing. We hadn't seen any of it since our wedding day and it was SO fun to see everything exactly five years from the day it all happened. We both felt so renewed somehow! Watching each other when it began, seeing how in love we were with each other... was like remembering that there was a time when it was just Jesse and I and we didn't have a thousand bills or a thousand kids or a thousand irritating things that bother us about each other. It was like looking into the past and plucking out something amazing and wonderful that prompted us to start this eternal family in the first place, it helped us remember that we got married because we love each other... not because we were board and had nothing better to do. 

Of course it helps that I have the most perfect man for me, Thats what I've realized the most this last year. He isn't perfect, but he's perfect for me. He is probably the most unjudgemental human being on the planet and helps me to see that even though people aren't perfect you can still love them, He teaches me every day that no matter how mad I am at him a little dance around me making a funny face somehow manages to defuse my desire to stab him. He humors my need for memories even when it involves extra time, money, gas, and space on the memory card. He still calls me from work to "officially" ask me out on dates, he often avoids onions because even though he loves them he knows how much I hate the smell of them on his breath. He has the thickest skin! he lets stuff roll right off his back that would take me hours, if not days to get over, and he is one of the most patient, kind, and giving people I have ever met, he still gives me the best of whatever he has to give... be it the better spot at the table or the less burnt cheese sandwich and usually I don't even have to ask. He is so loving with our three wonderful kids, he admires them so much and I know he would give and do anything he could for their well being and happiness. He encourages us to read our scriptures and pray every night which may have single handedly got us to where we are now. But most especially he tells me every day (excepting the times when his wife isn't speaking to him) how much he loves me. and that has been the loudest resounding attribute... it's hard to be annoyed with somebody who is telling you they love you. 

                                                                    

Us in review

(just to see how much we've changed... though it may seem like "see how much weight we've gained!" or "The many hair colors of Lacie!" the purpose is retrospect)

Wedding Day

          1st Anniversary

              2nd Anniversary

                                                                        

                      3rd Anniversary               

   (sadly this was the only picture we took together that year)

     4th Anniversary

          Five Years!

Wow... I didn't mean to turn this "Happy July" blog into "Ode to our marriage" sorry about that! To steer away from that I'll touch on a few other significant things this July has brought. Of course theres the 4th of July: I was really bummed about being in California for the Fourth because, No offence California but you are not as patriotic as some other states I could mention (Utah, Texas... pretty much anywhere else in the U.S. - JK) it seems like everybody has forgotten how AMAZING America actually is and how lucky we are to be living here (though I will say we seem of late to be going down hill a bit... I'll leave my negative comments to that) I am filled with pride when I think about the sacrifices men and women have made and are making so that we can live free! The founders of this great country recognized the importance of these things in our lives and we owe every freedom we have to them. I am so lucky to live here so that I can benefit from their vision!

As stated in the Declaration of Independence 

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Thats AMAZING!!! We had a good celebration (despite location) It was my first fourth spent with Jesses family and we had a lot of fun! 

                                                                             Sofia
                                                                           Ruth

Anyway... the last exciting thing that happened this month that I feel is noteworthy: Elliott pooped on the toilet!!! it was only once and kind of an accident but I feel there are good days ahead of us. Less diapers to buy, I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Thats it. A billion years later this post is over. Happy July everyone, I hope it's as good for you as its been for me!