Little Things

Saturday, March 02, 2013

Little Things

Yesterday I went up to the U to take a test. Due to traffic congestion caused by an accident, I decided to take some back roads on my way home. It helped that we used to live up there and I knew my way around. I found myself passing landmarks that took me back to a time that Andrew and I had walked that road together. The housing association had offered free babysitting and we were fortunate to get on the list before it filled up. We dropped our kids off and decided to walk three miles to Red Mango for our date. It was such a fun evening. If I remember correctly, it was early fall. The rain started to drizzle on us, but we had a great time together. The memory was precious and I was filled with a quiet joy as I continued my drive home.

This morning I stayed snuggled in my bed for as long as I wanted. Andrew had long since gotten up and headed in to work. But before I left, he said a prayer with me and made sure I had an extra blanket or two. It's always harder to stay warm once he is up and out of bed. The house was quiet and peaceful. Andrew had taken care to buy blueberry bagels for the boys. They were a "special treat" for Saturday breakfast. Yesterday I heard Andrew show the bagels to each of the boys and explain, "These are for you to eat so that you can be quiet in the morning and let Mom sleep as long as she wants." It worked! Even while he was gone to work, he was taking care of me. I feel so spoiled!

I walked into the kitchen and thought back to yesterday. He and Peter had gotten up before Ammon and me and gone to the store. They came back equipped with all the ingredients to make a delicious breakfast. As we ate Andrew told me, "The strawberries and cream cheese in the fridge are for Sunday, so don't use them." As a Valentine gift to me he had learned how to make crepes - and he is already planning to do it again.

I pulled out my magic bullet to blend up a smoothie for breakfast. My bullet had been leaking for a month or so and it just hadn't been as much fun to use anymore. Yesterday, while I was taking my test, he had loaded up all the pieces (there are tons) and took the bullet back to Cost Co to exchange it for me. Then, he took the boys out to a movie.

When he came home, we spent the evening working in the kitchen together. He grilled up burgers outside and then transferred them to his indoor griddle where they became patty melts. While he was doing that, I had fun chopping up Oreos in my new Bullet and mixing up an extravagant pudding mixture for the dessert Peter had requested - dirt.

After our family ate, Andrew started loading the dishes into the dishwasher. He explained, "I haven't done a lot of dishes since we've been married, and I decided it's about time I started helping with these." (As if his cooking two of the meals hadn't been enough of a contribution...)

Last month, with Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I realized that every day feels like Valentine's Day. I look back on these past two days and realize why. I have a husband who spends his days striving to care for me and pamper me in small and simple ways. It is just a part of who he is and how he treats me. For him, it is routine.

After eleven years of being married, I am filled with awe that I can drive around town or even just look around my house and be overwhelmed with reminders of his love for me. Sometimes he feels bad that we haven't been able to do the bigger things in life - you know - the ones that cost lots of money. But I am so very happy and spoiled by all the little things. I wouldn't give this up for all the money in the world.

1 comment:

UnknownMarch 4, 2013 at 8:21 PM
What a sweet post. You are your hubby are so blessed to have each other! You are such a cute couple!!!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.