When it comes to my blessings the one I always count first is my husband.
Mr. Man and I met my last semester at the school formerly known as Ricks (sfkar). He was in my ward and we met for the first time at ward prayer. My first thought was wow, he's cute, next thought was I bet he'd be a great friend. At the time I wasn't looking for more than that. So that night I made a point of talking to him, though he doesn't remember any of it, obviously I made a great first impression. A couple of weeks later it was morp (prom spelled backwards, girls ask guys) and we had out first date, I asked him out, and it was a blast. That was Jan 25ish, 1995. After that we spent a lot of time together, ALOT. We both started feeling like there was really something there pretty quick. And on March 11, 1995 at the train depot in Boise ID he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. We went to Cali for a quick confrence weekend trip so he could ask my dad for permission to marry me. During that trip we also had our engagement photos taken, picked out our cake, colors, and wedding invitations. (wow that was a busy 2 1/2 days). We were married June 15th 1995 (one year to the day the he got home from his mission) in the California Oakland Temple. It was such a special day most of my family was there. Mr. Man's mom & sister and her family was there. It was such a special feeling having our family there in the celestral room as we were married for time & eternity.
So that's the background of our relationship. We have now been married for almost 13 1/2 yrs. We have 2 kids PJ (7 1/2) and Miss Magoo (4 1/2), and they are a special part of our family. But the love of my life is my Mr. Man. He truly is my best friend, I can tell him anything and probably a lot of things he wishes I wouldn't. He is the one that is there for me when I can't sleep because I'm stressed about something that doesn't really matter, but instead of pointing it out he tries to listen. He is the one to tell me "you can do it" when I get frustrated with life. He always tells me that I'm a great mom and that no our kids won't be in therapy for forever when they get older, just for a few years. He works so hard to support our family. His work ethic always amazes me, that he takes such pride in doing something and doing it right. He is honorable, hardworking, loving, kind and sensitive (though he would deny that one).
We have had to move several times for his job, something I told him I would do if he's the one bringing home the bacon. Everytime we have to start over in a new area I know that I can do it because he is there by my side. He brings out the best in me, he makes me a better person. He is an awesome father to our children. They love to just be with him, even if it's just sitting in a chair in his "office" watching him do his school work. He recently went back to school to get his MBA. It is hard to watch him struggle with his classes, to see his frustration when his papers don't come out just right. But I love when he gets so excited that is paper or his presentation went good, to see the pride in him as he does well in his classes. I love that he is a great example to those around him, but especially to me and our children. I am so very thankful for my Mr. Man.
About a year ago I was called to teach in Primary, something I knew was coming. I’ve taught in about 5 or 6 different primaries during my 13yrs of marriage. Currently I’m teaching 1 of the 3 Sunbeam classes in our ward. I have 8 very busy very cute little kids in my class, 2 girls 6 boys. This year of teaching has been a little more challenging for me. I have one of the larger classes in our primary and all of my kids attend regularly (which I’m not complaining about, that’s great, the kids need to come every week it’s important). But because of the largeness and craziness of my class I’ve been in contact with on the counselors in the presidency more than any other time when I’ve taught primary. And I’ve also paid a little more attention to the primary presidency in our ward. I’ve noticed that our current president, Sister B. is struggling a little in her calling. There have been a lot of vacancies in the teaching spots, lots of classes that have to have a sub found at the very last moment. Lots of very busy kids, several of whom have special needs that require a lot of attention. But in all the chaos of our primary I’ve noticed that our president truly loves the kids in our primary. Now like I said I’ve been in several other primaries and I’ve never doubted that the previous presidents that I’ve worked under cared for our kids. In fact the last ward we attended had 3 different presidents during the time I was in the primary. And I know that each one of them cared for our kids, and 2 have a very special spot in their heart for my son in particular. Those 2 presidents made my son who was having a little difficulty adjusting to a new ward feel welcomed and loved. But in our current ward I have come to have a better appreciation for our primary presidency. I’ve been a lot more aware of what they are working with, and struggling with. A couple months ago Sister B walked into sharing time with a very troubled look on her face. It was pretty obvious that she was have quite the day. She started to do her planned sharing time lesson and then changed her mind. She explained to the kids that she was having a rough day and was going to try something different. She told the kids that she was going to walk around the room and address each child by name and then that child had the option of giving her a high-5, shake her hand , or give her a hug, but it was each child’s choice. As she walked around our primary room she knew each child by name, and we have a huge primary. As she approached each child she said their name and then asked what they had chosen to do. I was amazed how many children choose to give her a hug. You could see in their faces that they loved her, and they knew that they were loved by her. And as a parent that meant the world to me. I am so thankful that my children have a Primary President that makes them feel special and loved and knows them by name.
When it comes to my blessings the one I always count first is my husband.
