Things I Love

1. John. He is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me and I love him so much. For Valentine's Day he got me a dozen tulips, as well as a dozen chocolate dipped strawberries. But, it's how he treats me every day of the year that makes me love him so much. He makes me laugh, he puts up with my whining, he is attracted to me (even in the morning when I look like death), he knows just what to say when I'm having a melt down, and he is such a good father. He is my best friend. I think we knew each other in heaven.

2. Mark. He is so creative. He is a good artist, as well as having a great imagination. There is nothing like seeing him be so loving and kind to his siblings. The most heart-warming is to see him love and cuddle with his 8 month old baby brother, Lincoln. He can be a big help. He is a good friend. He is a good friend to me, too! I love it when he likes to talk to me about everything and nothing at all.

3. Savannah. She is so affectionate with her younger siblings. She is such a big help to me. She is so creative. She writes stories and draws pictures. She is so funny. She can get me to laugh by making this really silly face. I like to spend time with her going shopping, or just hanging out.

4. Wynter. Wynter is so sweet to Lincoln. She is very smart and loves math. She is so good at gymnastics. Wynter likes to write stories. She loves to read books. She loves to climb and be outside on the trampoline.

5. Hunter. Hunter is such a sweet boy. He writes sweet notes to me that I put up on the wall by my bed. He also draws pictures for me. He is very quiet, but can also speak his mind (with his fists, just ask Micah). He has the most contagious laugh.

6. Micah. He is so energetic. I wish some of his energy would rub off on me. He just goes and goes and goes. He is so silly and says the funniest things. He loves to write and draw.

7. Lincoln. He is the easiest baby I've ever had! I think it's his personality as well as the fact that I have more experience. He is very mellow. He loves his family. He responds to all of us with a big, dimpled smile. He is such a joy!

8. The ability to choose. Sometimes I really have a hard time with depression, and I know that I don't choose that. But, I do have the ability to choose what I do, even if I can't always control how I feel. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in the movie "Groundhog Day" and I keep trying to live my day right, only to feel like I've completely failed. So, I go to bed and hope the next day is better. I can choose not to yell, I can choose to uplift instead of criticize, I can smile instead of frown, I can keep moving instead of standing still. I can keep trying...

9. Humor. This is how I survive. Looking for the funny/happy/silly in life makes me realize how great life really is. Sometimes things just really suck. But, in spite of that, there is always, always something to laugh about. Sometimes I have to laugh just so that I don't cry.

10. Repentance. Life IS like "Groundhog Day." That is why we are here. We need to learn, to grow, to pick ourselves up when we fall, to say we're sorry, to try to improve. I am so glad that I can rewrite sentences, paragraphs, pages, and sometimes even chapters in my book of life. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, made it possible. I am so thankful to Him for that.

11. The ability to write and express my feelings. It is so nice to have a place that I can share my thoughts with others, as well as keep a record. It is very theraputic for me. I look forward to writing. I also love the comments I receive. It helps me to feel connected to my loved ones and friends whom I don't always get to see.

12. Love. Especially at this time...Valentine's Day! I love my husband and my kids. I love my extended family. I love my friends. I have realized that when I start to feel anger and contempt towards others (enmity), that I've got a big problem with pride. Pride separates us from others. Who wants that? Who wants to be alone and isolated? When we love others, that is when we can truly feel joy.

I just wanted to quickly tell what I gave John for Valentine's Day. I decided that I wanted him to have BYU pillowcases. I have learned that I can never, ever go wrong if I give John anything that has to do with BYU. About a month ago, I bought the material and I also bought new pillows. My plan was to go to my mom's and have her help me make the pillowcases for him. So, I let him know that I was headed to my mom's to make his Valentine's present. When I got there, my mom asked if she could just make them for me. I said sure. (I really, really don't like to sew).

I came clean and I told John that my mom was actually making the gift for him, for me. He said "Don't tell me that! I would've never known! You could've just let me think you made the gift." So, I told him, "OK, nevermind, I am making your Valentine's present. I'll just call my mom up and ask her if I'm done." Hee hee

Thanks Mom! He loved them!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!