Serendipity: where i've been

I never dreamed life could move so swiftly. Every year it seems time flies faster and yet we all know that simply isn't true.

So where to begin...with the husband or the kids?

The husband.

He came first :D This month we'll celebrate our 20th Anniversary. The traditional gift is China but the modern gift is Platinum and I think I like that better. It's one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust. A precious gray-white metal. Platinum is generally non-reactive and exhibits a remarkable resistance to corrosion, even at high temperatures. I think we all know where I'm going with this.

Love isn't always easy and I'd have to say that this time in our lives, early 40's, one pre-teen and two teenagers in the house, doesn't leave a lot of time for us. Sometimes I look at Russ and see a stranger other times I just wish we were both 17 again and could stay like that forever. We were actually in our early 20's when we met, but there's just something about 17 that's magical. Can you imagine 17 with the wisdom of the aged? How much would you accomplish?

My point is that you hit 20 years of marriage and it doesn't seem possible that that many years have passed by. You realize you've been with this person longer then you were with your parents and does that seem possible? What will the next 20 years bring? My goodness, our kids will be married with children of their own who could quite possibly be the age our kids are now. Let's not think about that!

The kids.

Wenatchee Valley College

Logan is thriving at WVC (running start) and WHS. He ran cross country for the health benefits, he's a member of the Junior Student Senate, FBLA, Knowledge Bowl, and Honor Society. Recently a rumor begun circulating that the kid smokes pot...REALLY? The rumor's on it's way out, I hope. He recently became a Priest and can now bless the sacrament. He's going to the Spokane Temple this weekend to do baptisms and has received the go ahead to get his patriarchal blessing. His seminary teacher spoke with us Sunday and expressed how AMAZING he is, ending with, "You must be so incredibly proud of him!" We are!!!

Brooklynn seems to grow taller and wiser almost daily. She excels in school and seems to have a remarkable ability to see the end from the beginning. I've been blown away a few times by her wisdom and it seems like she should be turning 20 instead of 14. She still loves drawing and seems to be focusing on clothing. Which is interesting since she has a difficult time finding anything she wants to wear. Maybe she'll design her own clothes someday. She's been making paracord bracelets. Remember the young man from memorial weekend? His picture hangs on her wall and the roses he gave her last week are drying in her window. I catch her smiling at her ipod when she's texting and ask, "Who you talkin' to B?" Of course I already know her answer, but when she says his name there's a certain something in her voice that is just so sweet to hear. She's going to the temple this weekend to do baptisms.

Jaxsen finished tennis and loved it. He's adjusting to OMS and has made some good friends. His siblings are so busy sometimes I feel like he's getting lost in the shuffle. He's a good sport though and fortunately Logan and Brooklynn's friends are kind to him. He became a Deacon and can now pass the sacrament. He still loves to read. He's going to the temple this weekend, for the first time, to do baptisms.

Me.

I just feel so blessed. I'm so grateful for family and good friends. I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today I'll be clearing names for temple work and making rolls for sandwiches this weekend. This will be the first time our whole family will be in the temple together. Family, that's what it's all about, that's what it's always been about and always will be about. Temples, where love and forever unite <3

What I've read:

Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie

Thirteen Reasons Why

Die For Me - Loved it!!!

Silence - I love Patch :D

The Iron Witch

Currently Reading: