A Day Like Today

This is a day of significant meaning in our family.  Brady turned twelve and that is a milestone that we will remember for the rest of his life.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a boy can receive the Priesthood.  The Priesthood is something very special--it is the authority to act in the name of our Father in Heaven.
I am so grateful for the kind of young man Brady is and the way he chooses to live his life.
On Saturday he will receive the Priesthood and be ordained a deacon.  With that responsibility comes opportunity to serve others and to thereby serve his God.
I want him to know that I love him and I am grateful for who he is.  He has looked forward to this day with great anticipation.
Happy Birthday and may our Heavenly Father continue to bless you abundantly.  I love you!

One of My Favorite Days

Every year I love this day.  This year is no different.  Today we celebrate the birthday of my wife Becky.  It is because of this day many years ago that I find great joy and immense happiness.

I wanted to use today’s post to name several reasons why Becky blesses my life and then I hope that each of you will implement these things into your own marriages and relationships to bless and make better.

One:

Becky is the definition of unselfish.  She thinks of herself and what she wants or needs behind that of someone else.  Some might think this a personal fault.  Wrong!  Her life is blessed because she has ‘figured’ this principle out in her own life.  Our family is blessed for her kindness.  Some time ago, Becky went grocery shopping and bought the fixings for a delicious meal—one of our family’s favorites.  She got home and found out that there was a family who needed a meal brought into their home.  Becky fixed the meal she had planned for us and promptly took it to this family and opted to fix us something else.  I watched her make that decision and I felt grateful for her love and generosity for another.  We had other food and it was no problem for us. 

Two:

Becky loves to be at home.  She loves the comfort that she feels when she is at home with her family.  I am so grateful for this.  We live in a society where everyone is dashing about in all directions with chaos trailing closely behind at every turn.  The things at home are the victim of this chaos.  I am so thankful to Becky for making the things at home a top priority.

Three:

Becky loves God and His Son.  They are at the top of her list as the most important people in her life.  Because that is her priority, everyone else around her is richly blessed.  She follows their example and acts as they would want her to.  I have always loved that.

Four:

Becky is an outstanding wife!  She loves me and treats me with great respect as her husband and as a human being.  She is the easiest person to get along with and I feel honored to have her in my life.

Five:

All Becky wants to be is the best mom she can be.  She loves our children and she is concerned with their well-being.  She works tirelessly to help them reach their divine potential.  She teaches by word and example. 

Becky, I want to wish you the happiest birthday and I pray every day that I will be able to spend many years of happiness to come with you.  But no matter what, if we do our best we will have the blessing of living through the eternities with one another.  I love you! Have a great day!

Fatherhood--And All Other Blessings

I am grateful for the priviledge of being a dad.  Today marks the 17th birthday of our oldest child (Natalie).  Happy Birthday!

I want to share a few feelings of my heart.  The first one is how quickly time has passed and the reality that it will be over before we can believe it.  I am so grateful for Nat and the kind of individual she is and the things that she 'stands for'.  I thank you for all that you do.

The second feeling is the gratitude I feel for Becky.  It is she who sacrificed and made the feelings I'm talking about possible.  She has always been a kind woman and she will do anything for anyone.  I am grateful for who she is and all that she does to enrich the lives of us all.

I love birthdays and want they represent.  This one has been a great one and I pray that life will be as rich as we want it to be.  Heaven shines it's love on us daily!

When You Were Born

Today is our youngest daughter's birthday. Happy Birthday, Laurel! I still remember the day that she was born. Her eyes remained wide open after she was born. There wasn't a single peep, out of her mouth, until one of the medical staff made her cry. She is a joy in our lives. She has been blessed with many gifts and talents that bless the lives of many people, of which I am one. I have thought about the significance of this day in my own life. I was so excited to have another child in our home. Birthdays are important and the celebration of Laurel's life puts a smile on my face. I am thankful to be a father and to have the opportunity to learn and grow. I love you so much, Laurel. Don't ever forget how important you are to mom and I.