31 and Counting

 Saturday marks 31 years since I married the love of my life.  How can that be when I still feel like I'm 30?  Well, maybe not, but it is incredible to me that we are celebrating so many wonderful years together.  We've had some trials and miscommunications but mostly it has been an incredible journey.  I look forward to many more years together and then eternity. 
I remember when Elvis died, I made the statement that he was old.  Of course just being a young teenager anyone who was over 40 was ancient.  I had no concept of time.  I believe I insulted my parents that day when I made that comment as they were just 3 years younger than he.  Through the years I have come to understand more about the concept of time.  I wouldn't trade my wisdom for all the youth in the world.  With the age comes blessings.  Four of them are included in these photos. 
My mom used to say, "If I could do it over I would skip having children and go straight to being a grandmother."  Of course that isn't possible and without her experience I had no idea what kind of feelings she was talking about.  Wasn't being a mom the most amazing part of being a woman?  I get it now.

Of course none of these beautiful babies would have been possible if I weren't first a mother.  AND, before that I needed to be a wife.  I have spent so much energy raising children and seeing to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs that I forget that there is this amazing man in my life who loves me more than life.  As our children have grown up and need us less I have the opportunity to spend more time with this man I call my husband.  I cannot even begin to express the love I feel for him and how appreciative I am to have him care for my needs physical, spiritual and emotional.  It is a journey that we've been on for many years and yet I feel like we have so much ahead of us.
So, I look forward to vacations, missions, family time, motorcycle riding, walking, snuggling and attending the temple often with my handsome husband.  We are off to the temple today.  What better way to celebrate our anniversary than go to the Lord's house where it all began.  I love you Patrick!