...at the corner of Blissful Marriage and a Dead End.

I'm no expert, but experience is suppose to make you wiser. Over the past few weeks a couple of really close friends were/are having a hard time with their marriage. It put in my face the twist and turns my marriage has taken and allowed me/us to look back on why we have worked/working it out.


When I married my husband, really my true love, I was naive like every other 21 year old girl. I saw nothing remotely wrong with the man. He was as perfect a man as there had ever been for me. He looked great (still does), he had a very funny sense of humor (he makes me laugh literally, everyday without fail), those hazel eyes just sucked me right in (they still do, but I have to look away sometimes), I could not not smile if he was smiling back at me (it still gets me), he was profound in his spiritual understanding (I love to listen to him expound on his understanding), the list is pretty infinite.


But something changed at about year 3 & 7 & 10. I began to make him have flaws. He had always been the person I married. The person I loved and of course the person who loved me. I did all the stupid stuff one should never do...I pushed him away and pulled him back in. I played games that didn't strengthen us, but put wedges between us. I said hurtful things, did hurtful things, all of which I am regretful for. Not to mention grateful for the miracle of forgiveness of my actions on his part.


Now don't for one minute think that my sweetheart did not do his share of demolition. But this is not about what he did, but my responsibility.


A martial relationship has three parts, a triangle. Christ, Husband & Wife. If you eliminate just one of those individuals a marriage is tough and can dissolve. I believe that. I know this. I removed one and saw how unhappy and lonely I was...it didn't work.


I had to grow up and see my responsibility and accept it. Once I did that, talking and being became easier.


Every marriage has its bumpy roads and I don't believe for ONE MINUTE that there was ever a marriage where there has not been odds. NOT FOR ONE MINUTE!!!! If there is one, that has got to be the most BORING place in the world!!!


I take my responsibility as David's wife, seriously. I listen more. I give more. I do all that I can to follow the prophet and the teachings of Christ.


I have read and re-read the "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," and the one thing that I keep going back to is the first sentence of the 6th. paragraph:

"Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children."

So, I've made mistakes, but I've corrected them. I have forgave and forgiven. I wear my rose colored glasses for the little stuff and deal with the big stuff, as a mature woman.


So being at the corner of Blissful Marriage and a Dead End...I know which road I'm on hope you do too.


I love you David, thanks for being my partner for eternity + 1 day.

Work it out people, the grass ain't always greener...those are just noxious weeds if you look closer.

Barbies For Sale!!!!

I said a while back that I was going to sale my Barbies...well folks that day has come. Over the years of collecting all of these beautiful dolls. Really, after many days of chatter with Dave, we are wanting to simplify. It feels so good to just say it. Anyway, here are the dolls for sale. Please let me know, of course if you would like to purchase one of these beauties.

Remember these are collector Barbies and are no longer being sold by Mattel.

If you are outside the Salt Lake Valley and need to have your purchased doll shipped, there will be shipping costs in addition to the price of the doll. Other than that, enjoy your shopping.

Click on pictures to get more information about the doll, but make sure you click the back button to return to this blog.

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Note: "NRFB"= Never Removed From Box

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NRFB Grand Entrance $125.00

NRFB Celebration 2000 $105.00

NRFB Harley Davidson #5 $130.00




Spirit of the Earth- $140.00

NRFB Princess of South Africa- $80.00

Princess of the French Court- $48.00

Princess of the Nile- $48.00

Princess of Ireland- $48.00

Princess of India- $48.00

Princess of China- $48.00

"A" "K" "A" and about town

Tuesday there was this big deal of an exhibit in Ogden and I really wanted to take the kids. And if you know me, you know I can get lost crossing the street (not kidding, has happened). Anyway, I decided that it was my best bet to take FrontRunner to the Ogden Union Station to see the Christmas Carol Train. Everything went well, for the most part. We made it on the train and the kids (Alex, Khristine & Aiden) really enjoyed to 45-minute ride up. I liked it to, nice and smooth.

Well, when we got there I thought we had to walk about a block before we would see the crowds and what not...NOT!!! FrontRunner end of the line is right next to Union Station. Bonus!! We scurried on over to the station. Low and behold a line. We waited 45 minutes and did a little playing on the trains there, but then we came to a sign..." 2-hour wait". Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!! I was not going to put myself through that. The kids about fainted. I gave them the option to stay or leave, but if we left there was no coming back. It was a once in a lifetime kind of thing.......we decided this is one thing we could do without in this lifetime, so we left. What we neglected to do while waiting in the heat was check out the surroundings.

The Union Station is pretty neat. They have their regular exhibit, but I really fell in love with some vintage cars. Just writing about it makes me all jumpy inside. I guess this comes with being a mother of boys. You can see the pics below. I took pictures, as I usually do, since I have my camera with me most of...ok all of the time.

We ended up walking down historic 25th St. and grabbing lunch at a little cafe type of place, Karen's. It was really good and the people were great. Khristine and I ordered the same thing...next time we will split it, so much food and gooooooodddddd!

After all of the fun in Ogden we later decided to visit the new Church History Library in downtown, Salt Lake City. It isn't quite open yet (June 22nd.), but they are doing tours. They took us throughout the entire facility, even places that will not be viewed by the public once it is open.

That place really moved me. While I was there, an archivist said they would like my journals for records. I have always thought my life boring, but they seem to think my life is a story that needs to be kept for many years to come. So I am getting my books ready. Kind of an honor I think.

This whole experience makes me think of how important it is for me to get my family history and stories together and organized. I have been working on it for years, but this feels like Heavenly Father is making a way for me to do it and I just need to follow his lead, search out my family tree and find more grandmothers. I think I will.

I love living here. I love my life here. I have so many blessings that I truly cannot name them all. I guess all I can say is "Thank you", by living an honorable life and treat others with respect, kindness & forgiveness and hope the same will be returned.

David's Art--Which one is your favorite? and The "Man" at work.

My husband is one of the sexiest men on the planet and I have no problem telling anybody. But to make him even more outrageously attractive is he is a very multi-faceted (is that even word...today it is). One of his many talents that draws me to him are his eyes. As wonderful as they are to look into, it is what and how they see that impresses me.

David is taking a class at the U to fill some credit requirements and he decided to take a couple of art classes. One of them is watercolor. A medium he has been interested in and finally has had the chance to see what it is all about. Here are some creations of his and I will say I am very "groud" as well as impressed.

Handsome, you make me smile and your art is impressive in my eyes. I love you.

I forgot to add a few more pics. The "Man" at work. One of his assignments is to paint a self portrait. I think I would be mortified to actually have to paint what I think I see as me...he did his. This is just the work in progress. He has yet to allow me to see the finished piece. I'll have to find it and garb a shot.

SlacKer!

Sorry haven't been here in a while. Just been workin' my butty off. Well, as a family we have been really busy with Art. Dave is taking two art classes up at the U finishing off his degree and has made sure we participated. We've been going to the park and doing watercolor painting, hitting a few galleries, reading up on different artist, etc. etc. It has been wonderful.

I will soon be displaying all our works of art!
(Dave is really good, at least to me he his! :-) )

We are being blessed and I am happy about that.

Last weekend we attended the Hill AFB air show. AMAZING!!! It was a blast. We went with the scouts. I tell you what planes can do is so awesome. I took a lot of pics but above is a slideshow of just a few. I hope you enjoy.

Put me coach I ready to play!!!

Aiden had his very first organized sport activity yesterday. I am so very excited about it and for him.

I couldn't wait for them to do pictures, plus I like my layout much better than the plain green grass they have planned.

My little man is getting so big. I could tell he was having fun and my goodness it seems we've waited long enough for this day.

I think this will help him share, pay more attention, run out some of that energy and make more friends.

I love you Aiden I hope you had a great time and a whole lot more to come, after all it was only your first game.

I'm a "GROUD" mama

Yesterday, I was clicking through the 12 channels we get on our tele and I just so happen to see Kathy Lee Gifford talking about a niece of hers that was graduating or doing something or other...anyway she said something that struck a cord in me...

"We don't say,...We're PROUD of ... in our house. Because pride comes before the fall."

I thought about that for a minute. She continued, "We use our own made up word, "GROUD" It means being grateful to God for your accomplishment."

With that said, today Alex in a sense completed the 6th grade. I have a Jr. High student on my hands. I am very very groud of him.

He received two awards today. I kinda knew he would receive his citizenship. He is the most respectful, kind hearted young man I have ever met. I must add that it is put in part to the love, guidance and expectations of his parents. We have standards and we do expect them to be met. Alex was also awarded a medal for academic excellence. This was not so much a surprise, because we work hard keeping him on track with his schooling, but we were told he was only getting one award.

Alex, I love you so much. I want you to know that you can accomplish anything. ANYTHING!!!! Your dad and I are so very groud of the young man you are growning into and we are so grateful that we get to watch it all happen. Continue to live your life by the words I whisper in your ear everyday without fail, before I send you to school, I am sure you can recite them in your dreams.

Remember who you are.
Do good things.

Make good choices.

and bring home the Armstrong name intact.