Love at First Sight

Tom at age 3
I love his cheeks and smile!


Tom and Krissy at the Senior Cotillion
(His boutonniere was made by me and my mom. My brother forgot to get our flowers for the dance (My brother was going with our group) on his way home from work and so we had to improvise with the roses we had. As we were standing in line for pictures, I accidentally hit Tom's flower so hard that it snapped off the stem. In a quick hurry, we pinned it together and wrapped the floral tape higher to hold it in place. I couldn't wear my corsage on my dress because made my dress reveal too much. So, I held it on my wrist for the picture and then carried it for the rest of the evening.)


Our Family now
(It was snowing on our way to Salt Lake for our picture appointment. On the way there, I prayed that the sun would come out. Just after we parked the car and headed up to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the sun began to shine and melted the snow. There were puddles of water everywhere, but it made a beautiful sunny day for pictures.)

These are pictures of my 'love at first sight'! I met the man of my dreams one fall day after marching band practice at Weber High. He was standing in front of the seminary building in a blue and white striped rugby shirt wearing a smile. His eyes matched his shirt and his dimples melted my heart. I knew then and there that i would like this guy and that he was one worth chasing! To top it off with a cherry, he was so nice.

Not only did his smile melt me, but he could play anything on the piano. He was often found in the band room after marching band practice tickling the ivories with "St. Elmo's Fire", "Peter Piper", "Maple leaf Rag", "Music Box Dancer" or "Bumble Bee Boogie". There were kids sitting around the piano as he played cheering for more. Sometimes, I would quietly slide next to him on the piano bench and watch in awe as his fingers moved up and down the keyboard so gracefully. I still love to sit next to him on the piano bench and watch him as he plays. He has also added a few more songs to his repertoire.

Now, he was not a sissy boy by any means, if you think he spent most of his time playing the piano. He grew up farming! He could throw bails of hay all day and still be able to pick me up without a wince. He also milked the cow and had the benefits of that hard work=Big Muscles! I still think he's the strongest man alive. He was often teased by his friends about his "Popeye" muscles.

We got married when I was 19 and he was 21 and we now have 5 kids and have shared 22 years of marriage. He is more than I could have hoped for. So, my advice to my kids and those that are still searching is- that when you find that special someone and the Lord tells you it's the right one, by all means, bind that love for eternity!

Rainy Day

Today it's raining! My room was dark this morning when it was time to wake up and I thought that I should just stay in bed for a little longer. I prefer to have the sun wake me up, but I got up anyway and read scriptures and had family prayer with the boys. Then Bryce and I studied Preach My Gospel on the subject "Teach when you find, Find when you teach". It was a great reminder to keep looking for people to share the gospel with. Then when you find someone, don't be afraid to say something.

Then I woke the girls up and fed them breakfast. After a yummy bowl of cereal, we headed into the living room and cuddled up on the sofa in a blanket while we read Mosiah 3. King Benjamin was speaking to the people as they camped around the temple in tents. What a neat General Conference that would have been. All the saints were gathered around and living in tents while their King spoke to them. Those that could not hear him, were brought the word from those that could hear. I imagine this to be their 'Home Teachers' or Elders of the church. Those that could hear him wrote down what Benjamin said, which would have taken a long time to write all of that down and to spread it among the saints.

We drove Emma to school after she got bundled up in her coat once again. I almost put those winter clothes away for the year. Good thing I didn't. We are longing for warmer weather.

Gracie came and cuddled with me while we warmed up together and then she had a fun idea! "Let's have a competition with the hoola hoops!" I'm thinking, "Oh my! I haven't hoola hooped for a long time." This little Tootsie Pop can hoop a hoola for a long time! Here is what I learned today:

1. Kids can find fun in any kind of weather!

2. Apparently, my hips can't move like they used to.

3. Never compete with a little girl who has more energy than you.

4. Don't let pride get in the way of letting your 5 year old beat you at something you used to be good at.

5. Enjoy the Moment! Take pictures and write about the small happy moments in life. They are too important to forget about.

Well, off we go to get lunch for the little Tootsie Pop and send her off to Kindergarten. Then off I go to the computer to update all of my receipts from missionary/birthday/Easter shopping.

Hooray for kids that keep us young and happy!